Starting from Scratch by Kate Lloyd

An Old Flame Brings a Spark of New Hope

En Alt Maedel—an old maid.

At age twenty-nine, that's what Eva Lapp considers herself. And who could argue with her? Finding a good Amish husband at her age will be next to impossible. Plus, Eva's unwarranted bad reputation in Lancaster County precedes her. Maybe living the Englisch life would be better.

Squeezed out of her childhood home by her brother's boisterous family, Eva finds lodging and a new job managing a small café at a local plant nursery. But the challenge of her new position isn't enough to distract from her current predicament.

To Eva's surprise, her first love, Jake Miller, suddenly returns to Lancaster County. Flooded with emotions and filled with questions about Jake's past, can Eva trust what she's feeling?

Jake and Eva face many obstacles in their quest for a fresh start in the community, but perhaps with God's help, they can find the redemption they both desperately need.

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About The Author

Author Kate Lloyd is a passionate observer of human relationships. A native of Baltimore, Kate spends time with family and friends in Lancaster County, PA, the inspiration for her best selling novels Leaving Lancaster, Pennsylvania Patchwork, and Forever Amish, the third book in the Legacy of Lancaster Trilogy. Her newest novel, A Letter from Lancaster County, releases 7-1-17.Kate and her husband live in the Pacific Northwest, the setting for Kate's first novel, A Portrait of Marguerite. Kate studied art and art history in college. She's worked a variety of jobs, including car salesman and restaurateur. For relaxation and fun, Kate enjoys walking with her camera in hand and beach-combing,
Giveaways on her Blog: http://katelloyd.com/blog/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/katelloydbooks
Pinterest: @KateLloydAuthor  


My Review

 

The author has presented us with a story of an Amish woman whom the rumor mill has tried to destroy her reputation, and at twenty-nine has still not joined the church.
While Eva Lapp has tried to go on with her life after the love of her life left their community, she is in for a surprise when Jake comes back. Here is another character that gossip has tried to destroy his character, and now he has returned after many years and he wants Eva.
Eva is now in a position of working and being on her own, and there are at least three men interested in this sweet lady. Will she end up with any of them? I found myself rooting for one and then the other.
We are given a bit of romance, mystery, and family dynamics, as Eva’s brother moves home to take over the farm.
What a great story here, and there is never a dull moment, and when the book ended, I really wanted more!

I received this book through the Publisher Harvest House, and ws not required to give a positive review.

Mail-Order Bride Switch (Stand-In Brides) by Dorothy Clark

His Imposter Bride

Garret Stevenson must find a bride or forfeit his newly built hotel. With his deadline approaching, he plans an in-name-only marriage with a maid who’ll cook and clean for his guests. When a pampered, pretty heiress arrives instead, the deception confirms Garret’s distrust of women. But Virginia Winterman has more substance than her elegant clothes suggest.

Fleeing West to escape a cruel suitor, Virginia finds a business arrangement with Whisper Creek’s brusque hotel owner is mutually beneficial, and she relishes being useful. Yet what was once a practical solution soon blossoms into a deeper union. Can Garret get past old betrayals before his future with Virginia slips away?

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About The Author

Married to her own personal hero for over fifty-eight years, mother of three, grandmother of four, and great-grandmother to a beautiful baby girl, Dorothy calls on her life’s experiences—including designing and helping her husband build their home, complete with beams they hewed by hand and a real, old-fashioned walk-in kitchen fireplace she occasionally cooks in, to add color and depth to her stories. But, while she still knows how to clean used bricks, mix mortar and swing a mean hammer, she now only designs homes for the characters in her books. An antique lover, she fills those homes (and her own) with furnishings appropriate to the time.

When she is not busy writing, Dorothy enjoys visiting with family—who live much too far away—and traveling with her husband throughout the United States doing research for future books. She values her American heritage and believes in God, love, family and happy endings, which explains why she feels so at home writing Christian historical romance.

Website



My Review

A sweet page turner of a different type of mail order bride, and a girl that had to be very brave or desperate to leave all she knew and went a long way from home to marry a stranger.
Can you imagine the surprise this gentleman found when the wife he was expecting to marry turned out to be someone else, and he goes ahead and marries her anyway?
There are several sweet moments here, and there is a story of forgiveness, and things are not always as our mind perceives.
Wait until our girl Virginia is waiting for the maid, only to find out that that is her, and watch her grown with the help of a paying guest at her husband’s hotel.
All the while I wanted to get to the end of the book, but then I still wanted it to continue, a story to get lost in.

I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Harlequin, and was not required to give a positive review

The Road Home by Beverly Lewis

Lena Rose Schwartz hadn't planned to leave her Old Order community in Centerville, Michigan. But then, she could not have foreseen the accident that made her and her siblings orphans. After her parents' funeral, her younger brothers and sisters are farmed out to various nearby relatives. But when the deacon in charge of the arrangements tells her there aren't places enough for everyone, she agrees to go live with her father's second cousin and his family in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.

Beside the fact that Lena has never been more than a few miles from home, she's never met the family she will now be living with. But worse than that is the thought of being separated from her siblings. How will they manage without her to care for them--especially eight-year-old Chris? And what about Hannes Lehman, the beau she was sure would soon be asking her to marry him? It was true that he was not the man her father would have preferred for her. Maybe that was what the deacon was hinting at when he said "a fresh start might do you good."

It won't be forever, she consoles herself. I'll come back as soon as I can to take care of my family--and to make a home with Hannes. But doing so may prove far more complicated then she ever imagined.

 Amazon 



About The Author







Beverly Lewis, raised in Pennsylvania Amish country and both a schoolteacher and an accomplished musician, has been an award-winning author for over a dozen years. Her acclaimed novel, The Preacher's Daughter, was a 2006 Quill Book Award finalist in the romance category. Her books have appeared on numerous bestseller lists, including USA Today and The New York Times. She and her husband, David, live in Colorado."

Website  

My Review

The premise of this story is so very sad, and yet accepted as it is what faith is based on, but leaving ten children as orphans and then seeing what happens to them is hard.
The author has focused on the oldest, a girl Lena Rose, and you will quickly grow to love and respect her, but what a hard road she is put on. She is required to leave her home and family in Michigan and go and live in Pennsylvania and we follow her in her journey.
I found myself quickly torn as to where I wanted her to end up, back in Michigan, or with the new life she has found, and the new people who have come to care so much about her.,
A really sweet read that will make you think and sure not want to walk in this girl’s shoes, or maybe you will, she is an inspiration.
Once you turn the final page you are going to be longing for more, and if only!
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Bethany House, and was not required to give a positive review.

The Good Liar by Catherine McKenzie

Can you hide a secret with the whole world watching?

When an explosion rips apart a Chicago building, the lives of three women are forever altered.

A year later, Cecily is in mourning. She was supposed to be in the building that day. Instead, she stood on the street and witnessed it going down, with her husband and best friend inside. Kate, now living thousands of miles away, fled the disaster and is hoping that her past won’t catch up with her. And Franny, a young woman in search of her birth mother, watched the horror unfold on the morning news, knowing that the woman she was so desperate to reconnect with was in the building.

Now, despite the marks left by the tragedy, they all seem safe. But as its anniversary dominates the media, the memories of that terrifying morning become dangerous triggers. All these women are guarding important secrets. Just how far will they go to keep them?

Amazon


About The Author

Catherine McKenzie was born and raised in Montreal, Canada. A graduate of McGill in History and Law, Catherine practices law in Montreal. An avid runner and skier, she's the author of numerous bestsellers including HIDDEN, SPIN, and SMOKE. Her works have been translated into multiple languages.

Website



My Review

This story pulls you in and holds you to the end, and even then, you need the epilogue to complete, and all the while you are thinking of 9 11 instead of 10 10, a real page turner.
No one is who they appear, and when the bomb shells drop you are left flabbergasted and they just kept coming. The author has created characters that you will care for and feel like you are walking in their shoes, but would you do what these women did? A story that will make you think, and can we find out what is important to these people, for some it is family, but for others?
This is one you don’t want to miss, and it will keep you thinking about it long after the last page is turned, and the last twist is dropped!

I received this book through Net Galley and Lake Union Publishing, and was not required to give a positive review.







 

The Promise by Susan Lantz Simpson

In the beautiful spring warmth of Southern Maryland's Amish country, love always finds a way to
bloom . . .

Like most Amish young women, Phoebe Yoder has dreams--but not of a courtship--at least not yet. She dreams of caring for the tender-hearted alpacas at her Englischer neighbor's farm, and learning the business herself. But that longing falls away the moment her baby sister goes missing. In that horrifying instant, desperate for her sister's safe return, she whispers a promise to Gott she will give up her dreams and marry Micah Graber, a man she doesn't love, but who is determined to make her his wife.

Benjamin Miller hasn't been back in Southern Maryland for long before he meets Phoebe and begins to imagine what a fine life they could build together--beginning with an alpaca farm of their own. But he can see that Phoebe's brash vow is all she will consider, no matter what her heart wants. As Ben falls for her gentle manner and sweet, sad eyes, he comes to understand his daunting task: to convince Phoebe that together, they can make a new promise that will never be broken. 

Amazon


About The Author

Susan Lantz Simpson has been writing stories and poetry ever since she penned her first poem at the age of six. She has always loved the magic of words and how they can entertain and enlighten others. Her love of words and books led her to earn a degree in English/Education. She has taught students from Prekindergarten to high school and has also worked as an editor for the federal government. She also holds a degree in nursing and has worked in hospitals and in community health. She writes inspirational stories of love and faith and has published a middle-grade novel (Ginger and the Bully). She lives in Maryland and is the mother of two wonderful daughters. She is a member of ACFW and Maryland Christian Writers Group. When she isn’t writing, she enjoys reading, walking, and doing needlework.

Website 

My Review

Delightful! I so enjoyed this book that I couldn’t put it down, and I didn’t put it away until the last page was turned.
I can’t, or don’t want to, imagine the heartbreak of having a baby stolen from her family. This is what happens to the Yoder family, when their little Naomi is taken, and thus the Promise, or bargain with God.
There are also a few chuckles here, like when Micha is berating Phoebe! The parts not in quotes are Phoebe's thoughts!
“You wouldn’t let me take you home after the singing last Sunday. I figured you might be a little shy and prefer more privacy.” You figured wrong. “I-I…” Phoebe still stammered, unable to form a suitable reply. “Do you want to take a walk or sit on the porch?” “Nee!” I want to run back into my room and stuff myself under the bed.
There is also a serious side that most people have problems with, and that is forgiving oneself, and the author sure has us thinking about this throughout the book.
Looks like there is another book by this author coming soon, and I can’t wait.

I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Kensington, and was not required to give a positive review.

The Great Escape (The Secret of the Hidden Scrolls #3) by M.J. Thomas

The Secret of the Hidden Scrolls series follows siblings Peter and Mary and their dog, Hank, as they discover ancient scrolls that transport them back to key moments in biblical history.

In The Great Escape, Peter, Mary, and Hank journey to the pyramid-studded desert of ancient Egypt. When the trio become friends with Pharaoh’s daughter, they witness first-hand as Moses petitions Pharaoh for the Israelites’ freedom. Plagues wreak havoc as the group races to decode the scroll, gets chased by a panther, and battles Pharaoh’s cunning advisor, the Great Magician. Young readers will anxiously follow along as Peter and Mary’s thrilling adventures bring the biblical story of Exodus to life.

Amazon


About The Author

 

M. J. Thomas grew up in Florida playing sports and riding his bike to the library and an arcade named the Cosmic Cowboy. He graduated from Liberty University, earning a bachelor’s degree in Biblical Studies.
When his son Peter was nine years old, Mike went searching for books that would teach Peter about the Bible in a fun, imaginative way. Finding none, he decided to write his own series. In The Secret of the Hidden Scrolls, Mike combines biblical accuracy with adventure, imagination, and characters who are dear to his heart. Peter is named for Mike's son Peter; Mary, for his niece; and Hank, for the family dog.
Mike lives in Tennessee with his wife, Lori; two sons, Payton and Peter; and their dog, Hank.


My Review

Although this is becoming a very easy read for our ten-year-old he seemed to enjoy the book, and of course he is a dog lover so that added.
This is the third book in this series that he has read and enjoyed, and helps reinforce what he has been taught.
With this book, we are putting a child’s look at the plagues of Egypt and how the Jews were finally led out.
I love that I am able to have books that he enjoys, and that he is eager to read.
I received this book through Worthy/Kids/Ideals Publishing and was not required to give a positive review. 

The Pirate Bride (Daughters of the Mayflower #2) by Kathleen Y'Barbo

A Former Privateer and a Desperate Heiress Join Forces to Find a Treasure
Jump on board with a brand new series for fans of all things related to history, romance, adventure, faith, and family trees.

One hundred years after her mother's family came to the New World on the Mayflower, Maribel Cordova has landed in New Orleans to seek the man who holds the key to finding her father’s lost treasure. Attorney Jean-Luc Valmot has buried his past life so deep that no living person will ever find it—or so he hopes as he accepts a position on the governor’s staff. But the daughter of an infamous pirate threatens all he holds dear. Can Maribel and Jean-Luc compromise so they both can hold onto what they most desire?

Join the adventure as the Daughters of the Mayflower series continues with The Pirate Bride by Kathleen Y’Barbo.

More to come in the Daughters of the Mayflower series:
The Mayflower Bride by Kimberley Woodhouse – set 1620 Atlantic Ocean (coming February 2018)
The Pirate Bride by Kathleen Y’Barbo – set 1725 New Orleans (coming April 2018)
The Captured Bride by Michelle Griep – set 1760 during the French and Indian War (coming June 2018)
The Patriot Bride by Kimberley Woodhouse – set 1774 Philadelphia (coming August 2018)​
The Cumberland Bride by Shannon McNear – set 1794 on the Wilderness Road (coming October 2018)
The Liberty Bride by MaryLu Tyndall – set 1814 Baltimore (coming December 2018)

Amazon


About The Author

Bestselling author Kathleen Y’Barbo is a multiple Carol Award and RITA nominee of more than eighty novels with almost two million copies in print in the US and abroad.

A tenth-generation Texan and certified paralegal, she has been nominated for a Career Achievement Award as well a Reader’s Choice Award and is the winner of the Inspirational Romance of the Year by Romantic Times magazine.

To connect with her through social media, check out the links on her website at www.kathleenybarbo.com. 





My Review

A story that you grab you and hold you, right from the beginning we are on an adventure and one you would never expect, being on a privateer or what others call a pirate ship.
Can you see a young girl and leaving all you have ever known to cross the ocean not knowing what is ahead or really where she is going? We get to see this up close and personal through the eyes of the author, and what a great time you are in for?
This is the second book in the Mayflower Bride series, and definitely can be read alone, but you might just want to grab the whole series, they are that good.

I received this book through the Barbour Publishing Blogger Program, and was not required to give a positive review.