25 Book Reviews

Sunday, August 9, 2020

An Amazing Start to Charlotte Hubbard’s New Series ! "Morning Star"

                                 "Morning Star"
                             By Charlotte Hubbard



Synopsis:

When five maidels join forces to turn an abandoned barn into an Amish marketplace, 
the unmarried women have community in mind. But their fledgling enterprise promises to reap surprising rewards for each in turn, including the gift of unexpected love . . .  

For Regina Miller, the new Morning Star Marketplace is a chance to share her secret work with the world—without revealing herself. Old Order Amish forbid the creation of art without purpose, but
without a husband, Regina has been free to explore the joy of painting in her attic. Yet when Gabe Flaud’s curiosity leads him to speculate that Regina herself is the painter, the full weight of their community’s judgement falls on her shoulders.  

When Gabe stands up to defend Regina, questioning the Order’s restrictions, he reveals his own guilty secret and is shunned along with her. Forced to turn to each other for companionship, the young couple must learn to balance their own needs with their deep faith . . . and a love that will show them all things are possible.  

My Thoughts:

This book is the first in Charlotte's new series entitled "The Maidels of Morning Star". I have to admit when a favorite author begins a new series, I am always a bit worried that it will not be as good as the last. But I can honestly and happily say , that this book was every bit as well written as all of her previous books!!

The novel commences, introducing us to five unmarried Amish women who all exhibit love for their families and community. They each have their own quirky and unique personalities which keeps the reader intrigued throughout this tale. Each of them is able to open businesses, due to the free thinking bishop, that will not only give them freedom to express their creativity but to benefit the community by sharing profits to aid in the attainment of a new school.These ladies are described in a vivid, realistic way enabling the reader to easily identify with each of them. I felt their every hurt, challenge and success! Regina became my best friend as she stumbled in her rocky road of life. Who would ever guess that her talent would lead to a romance??

The plot was complicated from the very beginning. The reader has to be aware of the fact that creativity and certain talents are frowned upon by the Amish faith as they believe them to lead to pride and worldliness. Regina has had to hide her God given talents only because it would displease her community and could cause shunning ! Unexpected events and twists and turns in the plot kept me glued to the page. i just could not put this book down. This book is to be commended on its well developed plot!

Well writtien, very different from the norm usually seen in the Amish genre!!

Five stars for this winning tale!!

I can hardly wait for book two!!!

This book was given  to me. A positive review was not required. 







The Many “Why’s” Asked About Writing Amish Fiction! Beth Wiseman has the answers!


"Writing about the Amish:
                    A Memoir"

           By Beth Wiseman

Synopsis:


WHY DOES EVERY BETH WISEMAN BOOK INCLUDE A RED SUITCASE?

This is one of the many questions answered by an author who has sold over two million books. Beth has penned more than forty books about the Plain People in Pennsylvania, Colorado, and Indiana. In this collection of essays, Beth gives readers a glimpse into her personal life and shares experiences she's had while writing about the Amish. 

INCLUDES PHOTOS, AMISH RECIPES, AND A "BONUS" SHORT STORY!”

My Thoughts:

As many of my blog followers know, Beth Wiseman is a favourite author of mine. I have been reading her books since the first one was published! Never has one of her creations disappointed me!! Each is unique and full of unexpected twists and turns. This book is very different in that it answers questions that many of lovers of the Amish genre have. It is a short collection of memoirs that Beth has put together so that we can better understand how she gathers her information.  It is full of her experiences, many of which are humorous and will leave you in giggles at times. I did find out about Beth's hidden red suitcase several years ago and have had such fun attempting to  find it in each new book that she writes. I loved finding out how Beth did her research so that she can portray the Amish  in an accurate, realistic fashion. Beth relates her experiences in such a way that you can easily identify with them. i guarantee that you will enjoy this creation! I smile when I think back of the situations Beth encountered. 

Beth also includes a short story about an orphan boy. It tugs at your heartstrings, as it is related in this author' s unique style of storytelling.  I enjoyed every page and was only disappointed when I read the words, "THE END"!

Also included are some Amish recipes.  What a bonus!!!

This book was supplied by the author. I was not required to write a positive review. 

Sunday, August 2, 2020

Today's Spotlight is a FABULOUS new book by Kimberly Rose Johnson, "Direct Threat"



Direct Threat
By Kimberly Rose Johnson

About the book:

Genre: Romantic Suspense
Release Date: June 1 2020
One little girl.
Two bodyguards.
Only one chance to guard their hearts.

Protection Inc. co-owner, Carissa Jones, an ex-cop turned bodyguard, has one goal—keep her young client safe. When her business partner brings in a new guy to help, she discovers her heart desires more. Can she still do her job and follow her heart without compromising her client’s safety?
Marc Olsen, a former Military Police officer, struggles to find his way as a civilian. He agrees to help out an old friend for the summer. He gets more than he bargained for when he’s assigned to work with the feisty co-owner of Protection Inc.
When sparks fly faster than bullets, will the bodyguards be distracted from their task, or will they work together as an even stronger team?

Click here to get your copy!



About the Author

                                                   
Award winning author Kimberly Rose Johnson married her college sweetheart and lives in the Pacific Northwest. From a young child Kimberly has been an avid reader. That love of reading fostered a creative mind and led to her passion for writing. She especially loves romance and writes contemporary romance that warms the heart and feeds the soul.
Kimberly holds a degree in Behavioral Science from Northwest University in Kirkland, Washington, and is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers.
You can sign up for Kimberly’s newsletter via her website at: https://kimberlyrjohnson.com/


More from Kimberly

Direct Threat is the first book in the Protection Inc. series. The series follows a group of bodyguards who are all either former cops or military police. They are on location in Lincoln City on the Oregon coast in book one, but their business is based out of Seattle.

I’ve been to Lincoln City more times than I can remember, but I took a research trip there with my husband, specifically for this book.

While in Lincoln City my husband and I walked the same beach my characters walk. I studied the access points to the cliffside homes from the vantage point of the beach, as this was an important aspect in the story. We also visited the ice cream shop mentioned in the book. You’ll understand significance of the shop when you read the story.

My writing career has taken some twists and turns. When I first began writing in 2006 I wrote romantic suspense. Then switched over to writing contemporary romance, which turned out to be the genre of my first contracted book and many more after that. After writing several romantic mystery novels for my publisher, I decided to dust off my romantic suspense manuscripts and publish them. Direct Threat is one of those manuscripts.

I absolutely love reading and writing suspense as well as romance, so joining the two together comes naturally for me. I hope you will read and enjoy this story.

You can learn more about Kimberly Rose Johnson and her books at https://kimberlyrjohnson.com/

Blog Stops

Quiet quilter, July 30
Batya’s Bits, August 5
Mary Hake, August 5
Simple Harvest Reads, August 6 (Guest Review from Mindy Houng)
Betti Mace, August 6

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Kimberly is giving away the grand prize of a $25 Amazon gift card!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

Another Fantastic Read by One of My Favorite Authors, Vannetta Chapman!

An Amish Proposal for Christmas  By Vannetta Chapman Synopsis: Her deepest Christmas wish will bring more than she imagined…in this novel by...