Review: Child of Mine by Beverly and David Lewis

In this stand alone book Jack is raising his adopted niece as his own with the help of Nattie's Amish nanny. But everyone seems to want to play matchmaker for him, including Nattie and his sister San. Several failed dates later, he takes Kelly out for coffee...and likes it. Unfortunately, the new date seems to put a wedge between Laura and Jack. Laura leaves his employ. And Kelly, well she has been busy over the last 8 years, getting DNA swabs from girls she believes may be her lost baby Emily, who was kidnapped and sold when she was only 4 months old. Kelly thinks she may have found the jackpot with Nattie...but can she break up the happy little family...

I LOVED his book. 5 stars.

1: I loved the mystery in it. I kept the pages turning, believe me! I just had to know what happened next. I kept trying to play Sherlock and predict the ending, predict who was really Nattie's mom. Nothing prepared me for that shock!

2: I loved how Jack let Nattie call him dad even though he was really just Uncle Jack. It was so sweet, their whole relationship, what with the stuffed animals and all...

3: Laura... I loved her character. She had me guessing the whole book through and had the perfect ending I thought!

4: I loved Chet, Eloise, and Ernie and the way they looked out for Kelly and also Melody was a great friend.

5: Kelly. I am tempted to just say that but really, she was such an emotional character. I almost cried... a lot.. I just really loved every aspect of this book. All the characters

were really strong and moving. Definitely worth the read!

Review: Sanctuary by Beverly and David Lewis

In this mystery/ Amish book, Melissa must leave her home, her husband, her whole life, behind when and FBI agent tells her it is time to go. A man from her past, not a friend, is closing in on her and Mellie runs, leaving only a short note for her husband Ryan. Finding an open room in Amish country was easier than she had imagined it would be, and Lela, her hostess, seems to really care about her mysterious border. and I can't say much more because it would be a real plot spoiler ;)

This book is a 5.

1: I was NOT expecting this to be a mystery. In fact, I thought when I checked it out from the library that it was part of another series I had been reading. Actually it is a stand alone. But it sooo good that I really didn't mind it not being what I first thought it was.

2: I loved the storyline with Mellie and Lela. I loved how they interacted. I liked how Lela was sort of acting like a big sister to Melissa, and how Mellie told Lela everything...she hadn't even told Ryan everything...and especially the part of Lela leading Mellie to the Lord!

3: I was super shocked when I found out who Ryan was working for...I mean really! I just thought he was some stock broker person. I was not expecting that twist...at all.

4: Mellie's backstory and Mrs. Browning, it was all so sad and sweet and I just can't say how I felt!

5: Denny! Hooray! I loved Denny and I was so glad when he brought Mere Christianity for Ryan. And then he was so cute with Evelyn. And I loved that Melissa trusted him, even when she was scared to talk to Ryan. He was just such a good friend, and then that painting that Melissa did for him was so..I don't know, Perfect I guess!

Review: Fraying at the Edge by Cindy Woodsmall

In this book, Ariana, an Amish girl of 20, and Skylar, a non-Amish girl, with the same birthday as Ariana must face the reality of being switched at birth. Skylar is thrown into a world where she is no longer allowed to have her phone, her computer, or even a light switch. She goes from being a child with only stepsiblings to having four sisters and several brothers, one of whom is her twin. She also has four nieces and nephews, all living under the same roof. Her bio parents are old order Amish and life is much stricter for the struggling addict. Ariana experiences even more of a culture shock as her bio dad presents her with a bucket list that she must complete before being allowed to return to her Amish family. He forces her to get a haircut, leave off her prayer cap, and where Englischer clothes. To top it off, her stepsister, Cameron, is a snarky teenager. To learn more about the book or the author click on these links!

http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/books/242925/fraying-at-the-edge-by-cindy-woodsmall/

http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/authors/72213/cindy-woodsmall/


I give this book a 4.5.

1: This book was the hardest thing to put down. From the time I opened the package to the time I finished the book, it was barely out of my hands. The story was engaging and every chapter left me wanting to read more. I can't wait for the next book in the series because the ending was a real cliffhanger.

2: I loved how Skylar really cared even though she was to scared to admit it. Rescuing her nephew, helping out at the café, little things. And I also loved the scene where Susie confronted her. It was amazing!

3: I loved the development of the relationship between Ariana and Cameron. It was so sweet. The start was a bit rocky but the ending was soooo sweet.

4: Quill. That is all I need to say. No, really though. I loved the storyline of him and his brothers sneaking in to see Berta. And possibly the sweetest saddest thing of the entire book was Kylie sending Mammi Bertie a hug through Ari! And then the picture album! I loved it all.

5: The only reason this lost half a star was because in one scene, just the one, when Jackson was ranting he used a crass term that I found unnecessary! Other than that, it was superb. I loved it all!!

I received this book from Blogging for Books in exchange for my honest review.

Review: The Artisan's Wife by Judith Miller

In this book, Ainslee has to take over a tile works in a town she's never been to. Her twin sister Adaira was supposed to help her but wound up eloping instead! Her brother Ewan and his wife Laura are busy helping her other sister, Rose, and her husband Rylan, at the pottery business they own. When she moves to take over the tile works she meets Levi Judson, who makes beautiful mosaic tiles, and who also has a brother in the local asylum.

This book is a 4 because

1: It took me a few chapters to really get going with it, but once I did it was really good. My favorite Judith Miller book is still In the Company of Secrets.

2: I loved how much information it had, all the details about how the place operated and how everything was made. Also, al the things about the asylum that I would have never guessed, like the woman who was in there so that her brother could get her money!

3: Levi is soooooooo sweet! I love him! He is so gentle with Ainslee and he helped her out when her hand got hurt( and my hand started hurting just reading that!) and also he was super patient and understanding with Noah, and he wanted to help all the patients and I just really loved him....a lot.

4: I love the different ways that Ainslee interacts with her family: How Ewan is so big brother/dad/protector/everything to her, how she calls Laura's grandma Grandmother, how she loves Laura and Tessa, and how she works to restore her relationship with Adaira( I love twins!)

5: I think it was really neat how Aunt Margaret really tried to make restoration and get forgiveness at the end, I thought it was a beautiful picture. I was actually sad when she died before getting to talk to Ewan and Laura.

I received this book in exchange for my honest review!