Showing posts with label Books. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Books. Show all posts

August 13, 2025

By  No comments Edit This

Book Review: The Pretender

Book Title: The Pretender
Author: Wanda E. Brunstetter
Publisher: Barbour Publishing
Publisher Date: 01 August 2025 (320 Pages, Paperback)
Genres: Amish, Amish fiction, Romance, Mystery, Fiction
Series: Mifflin County Mystery #3
A Woman Missing for Two Years Suddenly Returns Home

In book three of the Mifflin County Mystery series, Rosa Petersheim's return creates more hurt and confusion in the Big Valley.

Two years since Rosa Petersheim mysteriously disappeared from her Amish home, there has been no word from her. Her family and friends have suffered in the silence, though they have tried to move on with life.

Then one day Rosa just as suddenly reappears at her parent's home. . .with a husband in tow.

Rosa is ashamed of the choices she made that caused her to leave home. And now that she is back, her father is not welcoming and her siblings and friends want explanations that she can't give.

Will Rosa's family accept her and Anthony? Can the Big Valley ever be home again?
Disclaimer: I received this book from Wanda Clippty Clop Club, through the publisher. This is my honest review. My thoughts and opinions are my own.
Want To Buy: Amazon | BH Publishing Group | Lifeway |
Add To: Goodreads

We are introduced to Anthony, who is working while waiting for a young woman who was running late for her shift. 
This young woman, who goes by the name Eileen Person. She came on, tears in her eyes, and she seemed ashamed at what she did.

They make a plan and then head to her family's hometown. It turns out that this young woman is Risa, who disappeared from home two years ago and has now returned, pretending to be married.

We get a glimpse of Anthony's parents, Larvane and Herb, and a little bit of their home life. 

Will the family welcome them back? Will Anthony fall for the community, and will he fall in love with Rosa? Will the community welcome Rosa back in with her husband?
The act continues, though Susan got suspicious of her sister Rosa, and her husband; she is not happy about Rosa coming home.

Rosa and Anthony are getting along and are starting to fall in love with each other, despite appearing to be happily married.
There are some twists and turns, but god may have a plan for Rosa and Anthony?
 
By  No comments Edit This

Book Review: Reeds Point

Book Title: Reeds Point
Author: T.A. Cline
Publisher: Independently published
Publisher Date: 15 February 2025 (375 Pages, Paperback)
Genres: Christmas, Holiday, Romance, Young Adult, Mystery, Fiction
Series: 
Reed’s Point starts with Mark Reed sitting on the bench made by his ancestors. He looks over the beautiful valley below the point, all decked with autumn colors. Even so, he only sees darkness. For his heart is breaking. Basil Whitfield thinks a lot of Mark and his family. He has gotten very close to them over the twelve years he has lived in Reedsville. But Basil has a mysterious past that only Sheriff Jedidiah Newman knows about. Can the tools that Basil could bring to bear be enough to set the town free from the mystery, suspense, and darkness? Leroy Belding is a common simple man who rides his bike around gathering bottles and cans from the side of the road. Leroy is a happy, contented soul with the ability to spin long yarns for entertainment. Will the help of Leroy's prodding and the people from Basil’s past have the power to reunite Mark and Elizabeth?
The Christmas bells ring at noon every day in Reedsville starting in October. Will the joy of the bells bring the memories of the Christmas traditions to the town? With the help of Basil and his friends, will it be enough to help the town to overcome and forgive? What starts out as a Reedsville problem explodes and touches people halfway around the world. Can Christian faith, forgiveness, and love overcome the darkness? Follow the story and see how it ends at Reed's Point.
Disclaimer: I sent a copy of this book from the author himself. This is my honest review.
Want To Buy: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bam | Bookbub |
Add To: Goodreads
We meet the Reeds. Mark and Elizabeth. But it turned out wrong.
Someone may have set up Mark, but why? Could it be that it has to do with the Reed Family or something else to cause the Reed family name or town?
We meet a few more characters and enjoy the mystery of why this happened. I also appreciate the Christmas theme.
Well, we get some action and twists in this little black ops, and things start to move. 
What was it that they wanted from Elizabeth? Why did they want Mark out of the way? Reading this gets more interesting by the page.

 

Please read my NRC Policies Page

July 3, 2025

By  No comments Edit This

Book Review: Too Hurt to Stay

Book Title: Too Hurt to Stay
Author: Casey Watson
Genres: Nonfiction, Fostering, Biography, Memoir, Based on a True Story
Publisher: HarperCollins
Publisher Date: 23 April 2013 (304 Pages, Paperback)
Series: 
Eight-year-old Spencer takes himself to social services and demands to be taken into care. It’s a desperate act, a cry for help, but his parent’s reaction – good riddance – speaks volumes. Casey’s hackles are immediately up for this poor child. Spencer is the middle child of four siblings. His parents claim all their other kids are ‘normal’ and that Spencer was born ‘vicious and evil’. Casey and her family are disgusted – kids aren’t born evil, they get damaged. Although when vigilante neighbours start to take action and their landlord threatens eviction, Casey is stretched to the limits, trying desperately to hold on to this boy who causes so much pain and destruction. Casey is determined to try and understand what Spencer is going through and help him find the loving home he is so desperately searching for. But it’s only when Spencer’s mother gets in touch with social services for the first time that gradually everything starts to make sense.
Disclaimer: I purchased the book because I had not received it from the publisher, although I won it through LibraryThing Early Readers for an honest review. My thoughts and opinions are my own.
Want To Buy: Amazon | BH Publishing Group | Lifeway |
Add To: Goodreads

We are introduced to Casey and her family at the beginning, and we learn that she was on a break when she received a call.
That call seems to be from John, who is a link to some of the children who need help. 
But will Casey and Mike take on this little boy?
We see a boy named Spencer and his way of life. We see he is polite and friendly. However, that may not be all it seems. 

We see Spencer having a side, but he seems to be stealing and taking. However, there is a hole in their bedroom where he is sleeping. What is the cause of Spencer's behaviour?

We see a bit more of Spencer and his behavior. He seems to follow the rules. However, he also has a habit of stealing and taking things that belong to others. 

What could be causing the home to do this? And Why? We see more of Riley and her two children. We also see Kerion and his girlfriend Lauren. Kerion seems to have Asperger's. I'm not sure if we can find that out in one of the author's earlier books. It was a surprise mention in this book.

When Spencer School calls and finds that Spencer may be stealing, I can understand Kieron when he is a bit upset. 
Well, we see what Spencer is up to, and he gets a little weekend away. However, its antics and behavior seem to come to a sudden halt.

When he goes to visit this family, something is off about his mother. And when they come back to get him. He's gone, where did he go, and what about his mother not stopping him? Though Casey may have found something of interest when they came to the door. They want to talk to Kerry's husband. What's going to be like?
 

Please read my NRC Policies Page
By  No comments Edit This

Book Review: How To Talk To Your Spirit Guides

Book Title: How To Talk To Your Spirit Guides
Author: Will Almando
Publisher: Success Publications Sar
Publisher Date: 23 May 2024 (124 Pages, Paperback)
Genres: Guides, Self Help, Spiritual, Reference, Nonfiction
Series: 
Would you like to receive love, protection, and guidance that improves every aspect of your life? Do you need help connecting with your spirit guides and understanding their messages? Are you ready to unlock your ultimate potential and evolve into the most authentic version of yourself?Navigating life’s challenges on your own can feel overwhelming.You’re never truly alone, though. Your family of high-level spirit guides has supported you since your birth.They’re always there for you and know exactly what’s best for you. They offer you a lifelong relationship of unconditional love with no strings attached.You can start talking to them and tapping into their wisdom today!

Everyone can learn to communicate with spirit guides and angels. There are no prerequisites. You don’t have to be a spiritual guru or a naturally gifted medium. You don’t need years of meditation practice.All it takes is your time and commitment.Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced practitioner, “How To Talk To Your Spirit Guides” equips you with all the tools you need for your spirit communication journey.By the end of the book, you will understand how to initiate conversations with your spirit guides, comprehend their messages, and permanently raise your vibration.Their loving guidance will lead you on a journey of self-discovery and improvement, empowering you to reach your highest potential and become the best version of yourself.This book provides a safe, simple, and effective ten-step method to connect with your spirit guides and talk to them.You’ll also learnwho high-level spirit guides are,what you can ask them,how they talk to you,how to ensure your safety,when and where to practice,how to ground yourself,how to raise your frequency,how to overcome blockages,how to go deeper toward constant connection and a blissful, guided life.I learned to talk to my spirit guides more than 25 years ago. My wonderful relationships with them are the best thing that ever happened to me.Despite my amazing early spirit communication experiences, it took me a long time to apply their suggestions and turn my life around. I had become an unhappy workaholic who had fallen into anxiety, depression, and addictions.It took a major life crisis and a change of continents to intensify my spirit communication and truly implement all the valuable advice I received from my guides.Under their constant guidance, I gradually managed to completely get rid of my anxiety, depression, and addictions. My spiritual journey is now my top priority, and I'm building my dream life.My mission is to help you connect with your spiritual guidance. For many years, I have extended and fine-tuned the proven ten-step method presented in this book. That’s the most valuable thing I could ever share with you.Talking to your spirit guides can be the breakthrough you seek. It can boost your personal and spiritual growth, help you release emotional baggage and implement positive changes in your life, improve your relationships, and lead you to experience amazing synchronicities and Divine grace.
Disclaimer: I bought this book. This is my honest review.
Want To Buy: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bam | Bookbub |
Add To: Goodreads
You will learn to communicate with and connect to your spirit guides. I have only read so far. There are a few ways they can do that. I am at the beginning. This is a good beginner book, and I learn as I read. It may be a good book to refer back to as you implement the 10-step method or to see if the 10-step method is the right approach for you. I can help strengthen your communication with your SG or your team.

We learn more about how to connect with our spirit guides. We also learned about a few different senses that we can each experience. We could experience more than one of the special senses.

We also learn about how they may communicate with you. We could experience that all differently.

We learn who they are by asking different questions, but there are some questions they can not answer. We can learn what they are and when a good time to communicate with them is, as well as where you can communicate with them.


Check out my Recommendation Page
Please read my NRC Policies Page

June 6, 2025

By  1 comment Edit This

On Tour: War at the Ice Cream Store: Mustachio Pistachio vs Bully Vanilli—Collector's Edition

Book Title: War at the Ice Cream Store: Mustachio Pistachio vs Bully Vanilli—Collector's Edition
Author: Cheryl DaVeiga
Publisher: Waterhole Productions LLC
Publisher Date: 2025-May (40 Pages, Paperback)
Genres: Children, Picture Book, 
Series: Frank TL Frogg and Friends
New Collector's Edition—Reillustrated with enhanced story and bonus content.

​In the Frozen Frogg Ice Cream Store, Bully Vanilli is the most popular ice cream and self-proclaimed king of the flavors. Lonely Mustachio sits at the back of the freezer. No one ever picks him. Every night, after the store door is locked, Bully Vanilli begins his bullying and Mustachio is his favorite target. One night, Vully kicks Mustachio's bucket. Poor Mustachio falls SPLAT on the floor, and it's... War at the Ice Cream Store! (And there's a song!)
Disclaimer: I received a free Copy from IRead BookTours for an honest review and Book Tour

Want To Buy: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bam | Bookbub |
Add To: Goodreads
I enjoyed this book. It was done well. I love the take on the uniqueness of names for each flavor. Bully Vanilli is a good one for the vanilla flavor. Mustachio Pistachio is clever, and I like that. Though his name is a bit hard to pronounce, that may be it for me to do. Otherwise, I did enjoy the naming concept.

I also really enjoyed each page. I like that there is a lesson that Bully Vanilli needs to learn about a few things. I like the way the author is teaching children about kindness and bullying through something sweet and tasty that children like. 

This is a fun and wonderfully illustrated book. Children learn, and what a wonderful way to use ice cream. The pictures can tell the story of what is going on as well, which makes it even better.


 Prize: Author-signed WAR AT THE ICE CREAM STORE 1 (collectors edition) and WAR AT THE ICE CREAM STORE 2 plus WAR AT THE ICE CREAM STORE Activity Book for Book 1 and coloring pages for Book 2 (one winner) (USA and Canada) (ends June 20)

 
Cheryl DaVeiga is an award-winning songwriter and children's book author who loves to combine humor, rhyme, and wordplay to create stories and songs that bring on the giggles. You can find her books and animated sing-along song videos on her website for kids and kid-lovers—BiffBamBooza.com. Biff Bam Booza books have received numerous awards and high acclaim, including Mom's Choice Gold, Purple Dragonfly, Eric Hoffer, and Literary Titan book awards, Readers' Favorite 5-star ratings, and Kirkus Review Magazine features. Cheryl lives in Tucson, Arizona, and spends her summers in her native New Jersey.

Connect with the author: website ~ facebook ~ instagram ~ X ~ bookbub ~ goodreads

Tour Schedule:
May 18 - @onceuponafrida * - book review of WAR AT THE ICE CREAM STORE 2 / book review of WAR AT THE ICE CREAM STORE 1 / giveaway
May 19 - Cover Lover Book Review - book review of WAR AT THE ICE CREAM STORE 2 / guest post / giveaway
May 19 - Working Mommy Journal - book series spotlight
May 19 - @acourtofspinesnpages * - book review of WAR OF THE ICE CREAM STORE 2 / giveaway
May 20 - Library Lady's Kid Lit - book review of WAR AT THE ICE CREAM STORE 2 / giveaway
May 20 - Library Lady's Kid Lit - books spotlight / author interview / giveaway
May 20 - Cover Lover Book Review - book review of WAR AT THE ICE CREAM STORE / giveaway
May 20 - @speedreadstagram * - book review of WAR AT THE ICE CREAM STORE 2 / giveaway
May 21 - @Pagesforpaige * - book reviews of WAR AT THE ICE CREAM STORE 2 & WAR AT THE ICE CREAM STORE
May 21 - Library Lady's Kid Lit - book review of WAR AT THE ICE CREAM STORE / giveaway
May 21 - Locks, Hooks and books - book review of WAR AT THE ICE CREAM STORE 2 / giveaway
May 22 - @nissa_the.bookworm * - book review of WAR AT THE ICE CREAM STORE 2 / giveaway
May 22 - A Mama's Corner of the World - book review of WAR AT THE ICE CREAM STORE 2 / giveaway
May 23 - Locks, Hooks and Books - book review of WAR AT THE ICE CREAM STORE / giveaway
May 23 - @therearenobadbooks * - book review of WAR AT THE ICE CREAM STORE 2 / giveaway
May 27 - @ThisReadingNurse - book review of WAR AT THE ICE CREAM STORE 2 / author interview
May 27 - Sandra's Book Club - book review of WAR AT THE ICE CREAM STORE 2
May 28 - Gina Rae Mitchell - book review of WAR AT THE ICE CREAM STORE 2 / guest post / giveaway
May 28 - Nighttime Reading Center - book review of WAR AT THE ICE CREAM STORE 2 / giveaway
May 28 - @reader_ceygo * - book review of WAR AT THE ICE CREAM STORE 2 / giveaway
May 29 - @ThisReadingNurse - book review of WAR AT THE ICE CREAM STORE
May 29 - @jilljemmett * - book review of WAR AT THE ICE CREAM STORE 2 / giveaway
May 30 - Faith and Books - book review of WAR AT THE ICE CREAM STORE 2 / giveaway
June 2 - Liese's Blog - book series spotlight
June 2 - Cheryl's Book Nook - book review of WAR AT THE ICE CREAM STORE 2 / giveaway
June 3 - Bigreadersite - book review of WAR AT THE ICE CREAM STORE 2 / giveaway
June 3 - Books With a Chance - book review of WAR AT THE ICE CREAM STORE 2 / author interview / giveaway
June 3 - @lizzies.reading.recs * - book review of WAR AT THE ICE CREAM STORE 2 / giveaway
June 4 - Bigreadersite - book review of WAR AT THE ICE CREAM STORE / giveaway
June 4 - Books With a Chance - book review of WAR AT THE ICE CREAM STORE / giveaway
June 4 - Cheryl's Book Nook - book review of WAR AT THE ICE CREAM STORE / giveaway
June 4 - Deal Sharing Aunt - book review of WAR AT THE ICE CREAM STORE 2 / author interview / giveaway
June 5 - Deal Sharing Aunt - book review of WAR AT THE ICE CREAM STORE / giveaway
June 5 - @Leannebookstagram - book review of WAR AT THE ICE CREAM STORE 2
June 6 - Faith and Books - book review of WAR AT THE ICE CREAM STORE / giveaway
June 6 - Nighttime Reading Center - book review of WAR AT THE ICE CREAM STORE / giveaway
June 6 - @Leannebookstagram - book review of WAR AT THE ICE CREAM STORE
June 9 - Happily Managing a Household of Boys - book review of WAR AT THE ICE CREAM STORE 2
June 9 - Country Mamas With Kids - book review of WAR AT THE ICE CREAM STORE / giveaway
June 10 - Country Mamas With Kids - book review of WAR AT THE ICE CREAM STORE 2 / author interview / giveaway
June 10 - Frugal Freelancer - book review of WAR AT THE ICE CREAM STORE 2 / guest post / giveaway
June 10 - @survivalofthesahm * - book review of WAR AT THE ICE CREAM STORE 2 / giveaway
June 11 - Frugal Freelancer - book review of WAR AT THE ICE CREAM STORE / giveaway
June 11 - Kim's Book Reviews and Writing Aha's - book review of WAR AT THE ICE CREAM STORE 2 / giveaway
June 12 - 0storyverse - book review of WAR AT THE ICE CREAM STORE 2
June 12 - Kim's Book Reviews and Writing Aha's - book review of WAR AT THE ICE CREAM STORE / giveaway
June 12 - @thebookishren * - book review of WAR AT THE ICE CREAM STORE 2 / giveaway
June 13 - 0storyverse - book review of WAR AT THE ICE CREAM STORE
June 13 - Paws.Read.Repeat - book review of WAR AT THE ICE CREAM STORE 2 / giveaway
June 13 - @lenatheotaku * - book review of WAR AT THE ICE CREAM STORE 2 / giveaway
June 13 - @this.human.reads * - book review of WAR AT THE ICE CREAM STORE 2
 

Please read my NRC Policies Page

June 3, 2025

By  No comments Edit This

Book Review: Letters to God

Book Title: Letters to God
Author: CM Harris
Publisher: Purple Diamond Press, Inc
Publisher Date: 2025-May-20 (34 Pages, Paperback)
Genres: Children, Picture Book, 
Series: Heavenly Messages Collection (#2)
Letters to God is a heartfelt and beautifully illustrated book that invites children to explore their emotions, express gratitude, and share their dreams through the power of writing letters to God. This touching story inspires faith, hope, and connection, encouraging children to see the beauty in everyday moments.
Disclaimer: I received a free Copy from LibraryThing Early Readers for an honest review

Want To Buy: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bam | Bookbub |
Add To: Goodreads
I like this children's book. Its style is different and enjoyable. It has letters written by children, and it reads in that kind of way. Children are asking about some other things. They are all mean as you turn a page in the book. A different child writes a new letter. They could be thanking God for something, writing to help heal a loved one, or telling God how they feel. Each one is different. On the other page is a scripture or quote from the bible that goes along with it.

The pictures are well done. I would say that each page showcases a different family. They are all different in many different ways, from a mommy and a sibling to a family of a few to more than one of two.

This book is a quick and easy read. But it teaches children about kindness, love, and how talking to God is okay—doing so anywhere or any place or writing your prayer down is also fine. God will listen or hear any forms of payers even if they are written and sent to him that way.


Please read my NRC Policies Page


May 16, 2025

By  No comments Edit This

Book Review: The Song of Sourwood Mountain

Book Title: The Song of Sourwood Mountain
Author: Ann H. Gabhart
Publisher: Revell Books
Publisher Date: May 7, 2024 (368 Pages, Paperback)
Genres: Historical, Romance, 1890-1913 Progressive Era
Series: 
No longer the boy she knew from school, Gordon is now a preacher who is full of surprises. First, he asks Mira to come to Sourwood in eastern Kentucky to teach at his mission school. Second, he asks her to marry him. Just like that. And all at once the doors that had seemed firmly shut begin to open, just a crack.
While the century began with such promise, it is 1910 when Mira Dean's hopes of being a wife and mother are dashed to pieces. Her fiancรฉ dead from tuberculosis, Mira resigns herself to being a spinster schoolteacher--until Gordon Covington shows up.
With much trepidation, Mira steps out in faith into a life she never imagined, in a place filled with its own special challenges, to serve a people who will end up becoming the family she always dreamed of.

From the pen of bestselling author Ann H. Gabhart comes a heartwarming story of the unexpected blessings that can come when we dare to follow the Lord's leading.
Disclaimer: I received this book from Revell Reads. This is my honest review.
Want To Buy: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bam | Bookbub |
Add To: Goodreads
The Song of Sourwood Mountain is excellent. I was captured by a woman named Mira, and I felt transported back to this little town in Eastern Kentucky. However, we saw she ran into a young man with whom she had gone to school as a boy. His name is Gordon.

We see it mostly through Mira's eyes but also through Gordon's, who happens to be a preacher for the Sourwood children. This little village and the folks who live in Sourwood are the best part.

The children of Sourwood are delightful and loving. We meet a few of the children, but it seems that we also get a new story about a little girl and how she is feeling. Will this little girl get the family she always wanted? Will Mira be a good teacher and wife to Gordon? Will Mira learn to trust, love, and lean on the Lord? Maybe she will do her Lord's calling.

Can they bring education and reading to children? Will the folks welcome a new teacher and preacher's wife? Will Mira fit in and find a sense of community and family?


Please read my NRC Policies Page
By  No comments Edit This

Book Review: The Peacemaker

Book Title: The Peacemaker
Author: Wanda E. Brunstetter
Publisher: Barbour Fiction
Publisher Date: March 1, 2025 (320 Pages, Paperback)
Genres: Mystery, Romance, Christian Fiction, Amish Fiction
Series: Mifflin County Mystery # 2
An Unresolved Mystery Holds an Amish Community in Limbo

In book two of A Mifflin County Mystery series, Rosa Petersheim’s disappearance continues to cause suspicion and pain to swirl in the Big Valley.

Ada’s best friend, Rosa, disappeared a year ago and still has not been found. In their grief and confusion, Ada and Rosa’s boyfriend, Ephraim, have grown very close. But some in the community feel Ephraim is responsible for Rosa’s disappearance. Now Rosa’s younger sister is making accusations against Ephraim that can’t be true, and he pulls away from Ada, feeling betrayed. A fire set by an arsonist might finally be the thing to reveal secrets that have long been dividing this community of friends and family. But will it be too late for love between the peacemaker and the suspect?
Disclaimer: I received this book from Wanda Clippty Clop Club, and this is my honest review.
Want To Buy: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bam | Bookbub |
Add To: Goodreads
We are welcome back to the Big Valley. Where we left off, we see Rosa's best friend's point of view. In this book, we get to follow Ada and Ephraim some more. Will we find out what happened to Rosa? Is she still alive, or is she gone? Norman and Salina, how are they doing as well? Will we finally see Norman and Salina get married?

We are also still following the Rosa Family; the community is still grieving, and suspicion is still going around. So, we are still suspecting or taking action on Ephraim of Rosa's disappearance. But is there more to the community than dividing it apart?

Will Ada and Ephraim get together, or will it fall apart? Is there love between Ada and Ephraim? There is so much confusion and pain surrounding Rosa's disappearance that it is hard for anyone to know for sure. But what will happen? Will there be love between a peacemaker and a suspect? Will it last, or will it be too late for the two of them?
Well, Ephraim will return to Lancaster County, where his grandma lives. Will Ephraim and his grandma stay there? But does the Lord have plans?

Ephraim is pondering whether to start looking or make some friends in Lancaster in case he ends up staying.

He seems to ponder this when he finds Blue in the barn. Eventually, he finds a missing pup and starts looking for its owner. He meets Anna.

Back with Ada, she seems to be going about her dad as a greenhouse but appears to be fighting her feelings for Ephraim, though she doesn't know if it's a good thing or not, when she knows Rosa broke the relationship up with Ephraim.

Ada hears about Susan through her mother and her friend's mother. She hears Susan lying about not being at a young people's gathering and being out with Ben.

Though Ephraim's father seems to have suffered a major injury that has put him in the hospital and made him and his grandmother hurry to Lewistown, is there a way to pray for them to stay in the Big Valley for good? Or will his grandmother want to return to Lancaster and have her eldest grandchildren go with her?

 
Please read my NRC Policies Page

March 13, 2025

By  No comments Edit This

Book Review: Now That I Know You

Book Title: Now That I Know You
Author: Olivia Newport
Publisher: Solano Sun
Publisher Date: December 5, 2021 (246 Pages, Paperback)
Genres: Family, Genealogy, Christian, History, Historical Fiction
Series: Tree of Life #5
A Father-Daughter Genealogy Team Link Present to Past on Family Trees
Cate Butler is the distant cousin genealogist Jillian was so certain she wanted to find—and the only connection she has to her deceased mother’s Parisi family tree. So why does she wish Cate would stop pestering her? And why can’t Jillian find a paper trail proving Cate is who she says she is?

Cate wants something for her own career that Jillian can’t give, but she also holds the key to family history Jillian can’t bring herself to walk away from. Nolan, Jillian’s father, steps in when Cate’s chronic career chaos requires legal rescue. Drew, the man who holds Jillian’s heart, has a surprising past with Cate. The truths Jillian, Cate, and Drew find while untangling these knotted threads tie them back together in remarkable ways none of them ever would have imagined.

Now That I Know You is Book 5 in the Tree of Life series, exploring and celebrating unforgettable family stories in Canyon Mines, the mountain town that invites you back again and again.
Declaimer: I Bought this book to continue and enjoy the series. My opinions are my own, and it is an honest review.
Want to Buy: Amazon |
Add To: Goodreads

We have been reintroduced to Jillian and Nolan. Her father and I were introduced to her so-called fourth cousin, Cate Buttler, on her mother's side. We also know Drew is mentioned, who seems to be now dating Jillian.

How will Jillian feel about this new cousin from the Perisi family? Who is Cate Buttler, and is she related to Jillian Duffy? Cate seems to persist in Jillian helping her and understanding her, but she comes unannounced. Can Jillian help her?

The plot gets ticker as we get started. The book takes time to travel back to 1913, in Pueblo, Colorado, to begin the family history story. The book does go back to the present again. We will get this throughout, and it is interesting. We meet Carrick and Ela.

We are introduced to a few more characters in 1913. They are Caterina, her husband Geppetto, and her son Giuseppe (Peppy). We also got the name Salvatore as an uncle's name. We jump to September 19, 1913, and learn about Parisi's family history through the eyes of Caterina. When she reads about the strike, she starts to worry about her friend Chiara, who is sick with a child. Chiara's husband is a miner who works for a mining company. Will she bring her friend Chiara and her husband home to stay?

We also learn that Parisi worked for Carrick and Ela Kyps, the ranch owners, in 1913. But will they survive and bring home their friends? Caterina seems to Ela that she does not like the coming strike. They offer or ask her to go and get her friend Chiara. Will they find and bring them home?

Jillian is getting ready to head south to meet up with her Cate Butler, who says she is a cousin and asks what career Cate has and why she might or is asking for Jillian's help. Nolan is still home when she comes down to eat. Jillian wants to know if her dad won't be coming. He has to deal with Court and meetings. However, Drew will be meeting her. Nolan seems to be getting calls that he does not want his daughter to overhear. Jillian still wished he was coming with her. What is this call about, or about his court meeting in Denver? Will Jillian get clues about Cate Butler or any other clues about her mother's side of the family history?
 
Please read my NRC Policies Page

February 18, 2025

By  No comments Edit This

Book Review: The Protector

The Protector By Wanda E Brunstetter
Book Title: The Protector
Author: Wanda E. Brunstetter
Publisher: Barbour Fiction
Publisher Date: August 1, 2024 (320 Pages, Paperback)
Genres: Mystery, Romance, Christian Fiction, Amish Fiction
Series: Mifflin County Mystery # 1
A Mysterious Disappearance Shakes an Amish Family’s Faith In book one of A Mifflin County Mystery series, Rosa Petersheim has disappeared from the Big Valley without a trace. Norman always considered himself his sister’s protector and can’t believe she would have left home of her own accord—so he must have failed her. He throws all he has into helping the authorities search for Rosa, while trying to support his parents and siblings who are struggling both mentally and physically. Salina Swarey loves Norman and hopes they are headed towards marriage, but his obsession with Rosa’s whereabouts is driving them apart. Can Norman find a place of peace and contentment if he never learns where Rosa is?
Disclaimer: I received this book from Wanda Clippty Clop Club, which is my honest review.
Want To Buy: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bam | Bookbub |
Add To: Goodreads
We find out that his sister has mysteriously disappeared. Everyone does not know where she is or what happened to her. Each member of the family is dealing with her disappearance in different ways. Rosa is missing, and no one has heard from her.

As months go on, how will each member react and deal with their loss? Will Rosa's mother ever stop pinning for her daughter? Will Norman accept that he may not be able to find his sister? Will he be able to move on with life?  Each sibling is dealing with their sibling Rosa a bit differently. But can they come to peace with Rosa's disappearance and not contact them? No one knows what happened, and Rosa's boyfriend seems to be suspected, at least by Norman, as her boyfriend was the last to see her.

Norman seems obsessed with his sister's disappearance. Will he be able to keep his relationship strong with his girlfriend, or will his sister's disappearance cause them to drift apart? Can Norman find peace if he never finds out where his sister has gone?

Norman seems to be learning about something, though something happens to his girlfriend's horse. Will Norman and Salina make it? Salina hopes that she and Norman will get married soon. Will Norman find peace and contentment? He needs to learn that he may be unable to solve or fix every problem. He may need to see that and learn that lesson. 

Wanda does an excellent job writing a mystery. She explores all the emotions that go through a person or family when someone goes missing without anyone knowing. Did Rosa leave on her own, or did she not? Does her boyfriend know where Rosa is or what happened to her that night?

 
Please read my NRC Policies Page

January 29, 2025

By  No comments Edit This

Book Review: The Rise and Fall of Miss Fannie's Biscuits

Book Title: The Rise and Fall of Miss Fannie's Biscuits
Author: Wanda E. Brunstetter, Martha Bolton
Genres: Mystery, Amish, Romance, Christian, Cozy Mystery,
Publisher: Barbour Books
Publisher Date: 1/1/25 (256 Pages, Paperback)
Series: 
Why Are Baking Contestants Disappearing?
 
Mysteries have a way of following Fannie Miller, so when she makes it into the finals of the Tuscarawas County Baking Contest and contestants start disappearing, she calls on her old friend Foster Bates, a retired cop and part-time private investigator. Could it be that other finalists are somehow responsible for these disappearances, thinning out the competition? Like the couple on verge of divorce who need the prize money, or the three Beiler sisters, always in a huddle whispering. One thing is for certain—Foster and Fannie will stay on the case until the end, and everyone involved will have learned something important about baking contests, solving mysteries, and life.
 
New York Times Bestselling Author Wanda E. Brunstetter and Emmy-Nominated Author Martha Bolton have teamed up to deliver a delightful whodunit from Ohio’s Amish country
Disclaimer: I received a copy free though Wanda's Book Club for an honest review. My thoughts and opinions are my own.
Want To Buy: Amazon | BH Publishing Group | Lifeway |
Add To: Goodreads

I started this book and am so far in—it's just getting started. I have already met three of the characters, and I can not wait to see what happens to all of them. 

It looks like one of the Bailer sisters is after Mr.Bates. But Mr. Bates seems to like and enjoy Miss Fannie. He seems not to be interested in a certain Belier sister. Miss Fannie is quite excited about the baking contest and enters it every year. Will she win it this year? She seems excited once more, given that she wants to advertise it in her area and around the other towns to help bring folks to enter and enjoy the contest.

We get introduced to a few more characters, one of which is Melissa. Iva seems worried and isn't sure if she can tell Fannie her worries, though she comes in to get sewing supplies. What's up with Iva and her family? What was Melissa doing, and was she checking on contestants to enter the baking contest?

We get more interesting, and there are twists and turns. Will Mr. Bates and Frannie solve the missing connections or even the red envelope mystery? There seems to be a bit of romance, or is it friendship between Foster and Fannie? What is really going on that Foster and Fannie can not seem to find all the missing contestants? Where did that all go? Was there foul play, or did they just forget to when the loss?

Will Jeb get his attention from his dad, or will he be ignored? All contestants learn a few lessons along the way. However, they are all different for each one. The authors do an excellent writing job, making this so much fun to read, and you want to turn the pages as you read.
 
Please read my NRC Policies Page
Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...