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!

Review: Fractured Memory by Jordyn Redwood

Again from the back of the book, you don't mind I hope.

United States marshal Eli Cayne saved Julia Galloway's life once...and he's prepared to do it again. But his task would be easier if she could remember him-or the murderer who almost put her in an early grave and seems to be hunting her once more. To protect Julia from the latest threat against her life, Eli has to consider the possibility that he put an innocent man in jail. Julia has no memories of the serial killer called the Hangman, though, and no reason to trust Eli. But with the killer getting closer, she must work with Eli to confront her past- and the feelings growing between them.


This is a 5, and here's why.

1: I love any mystery, just about, and this one sure stood the test. It was suspenseful and crazy at every page and there was never a dull moment that I just couldn't wait for the story to pick back up. The plot was incredibly good.

2: The relationship between Eli and Julia is so cute. They like each other but won't admit it, and then they can't because of the situation they are in.

3: I liked how the different officers assisting Eli were all kinda suspicious and how we were led to believe that maybe, just maybe, it had to be someone on the inside. Btw, when you do find out who it is ( No spoilers here, not this time anyways)  my reaction was , "Cool motive, still murder".

4: Red Daisies.

5: In the epilogue, that was perfect. Possibly one of the most perfect book endings I've ever read.

Review: The Nanny Solution by Barbara Phinney

I'm going to use the plot summary from the back of the book.
When heiress Victoria Templeton learns her fortune is gone, she has to move to the Colorado frontier to live with her uncle. but with no money to pay for the trip, she must accept a position as a traveling nanny for a widowed rancher. And, much to the chagrin of the man entrusting his children to her car, she soon finds herself in over her head.

Mitch MacLeod lives for two things: his ranch and his children. And pampered Victoria isn't qualified to help with either. But the former socialite has more grit-and determination-than he first thinks. If her uncle has his way, though, Mitch will soon lose his ranch-and any hope of a future with Victoria

I give this book a 5.

1: It was a romance book, but it was sweet and not all ooshy-gooshy! It was the perfect amount without going over any lines!

2:I loved the fact that a few times an element of suspense was thrown into the mix.

3: I loved the children. They added a lot to the story, and to the plot and how everything played out. And also how Mitch and Victoria both just accepted Emily like she was.

4: Rachel may not have had a huge part in every chapter, but she added something to the whole dynamic of the story. She was compassionate to the woman of ill-repute (no bad details given!) and also to her cousin who she seemed to empathize with even after knowing her for such a short time! It was one of my favorite things.

5: The masterful use of Pride, and the repeated Bible verse, it was beautifully woven into the work. It was really maybe more influencial to the story line than about anything else in the book! Well done!

Review: The Confession by Beverly Lewis

This is the sequel to The Shunning, in which book Katie Lapp finds out that she is adopted, that she is not Amish, and that her real name is Katherine Mayfield. Also her mother, Laura Mayfield is terminally ill with malignant MS. In this book Katie has left the Amish community because of the shunning. She finds her birth mom only to discover an imposter is posing as Katie Lapp because of the large inheritance Katie is set to receive. She tries to straighten things out but gets stopped whichever way she turns! Also, there are alternate story lines describing the way the Amish community is reacting to Katie's shunning.

This book is 100% a 5!

1: I love any book that give me an emotional roller coaster ride and this book answers that description to a tee! I was on the verge of tears almost the entire book!

2: The storyline about Rebecca Lapp, Katie's Amish mama, is so sweet and sad. It makes me want to cry, she just wants Katie back so badly! And you can also tell that Katie's Amish father and her sister in law also want Katie back so badly but are afraid to show it, because then they also might get shunned. Its just a mess, the whole deal is messed UP!

3: Okay, so I think Mary is possibly the best friend ever, because she cared so much that she was willing to risk being shunned herself to reach out to Katie and to help her in any way she could.

4: The Mayfield servants are incredible! I mean it. I would love to know them all in real life if I could! I mean Rosie and Fulton, what cute little suspicious lovebirds! And then Theodore, I was in love with him for real!

5: SPOILER ALERT if you haven't read the first book or watched the movies.....Daniel....WHAT EVEN.... you died..but you didn't... life is confusing!