Finding Home in the Last Place She Looked!!

      "Atlas Girl"

By Emily T. Wierenga


I first discovered this author when reading and reviewing The Quilts of Love Series. Pleasantly surprised by her book,( new authors don't always impress me so easily), "A Promise in Pieces", she gained my admiration, with her unique style and excellent plot development. When asked if I would be interested in reviewing this new book, a memoir of her journey through life, I did hesitate, if only for a moment, due to my love of fiction. I knew that this was NOT imaginary, it would be a story of Emily's struggle to live in a troublesome world. However, my curiosity got the best of me, and I agreed, on the basis of my memories of her fantastic quilt story.

"Atlas Girl" reads as a journal,  and you travel this difficult road alongside this young lady. Emily takes you right into her world that encounters heartache, grief, happiness and hope around the globe, as she strives to find true self in this confusing life. Growing up in a pastor's family has its trials and Emily finds herself in the depths of despair, showing us the pain behind the pulpit that existed. 

I could easily identify with Emily, as she grew up in a small Canadian town that I have visited many times. Broken down with organized religion, a childhood battle with anorexia, and her parents' faithful yet rigid rules, she sets out on a life changing task . She strives to find God somewhere else, anywhere but in her home town. Her travels takes her across three continents using all forms of transportation, some, very unusual and uncomfortable. 

A huge awakening was waiting for Emily!! She realized finally, that her faith had been waiting for her all along... in the place she least expected it. As we all do, she has longed for true acceptance, forgiveness and loved without doubt. But the true surprise is where she finally ends up feeling fulfilled! 

This is a story with extreme depth and meaning. You walk with Emily through broken places, feeling her intense pains and disappointments. However, you also travel to the joyful result of the journey, to the place where she finds her broken heart, once again whole, and how God fills her soul with much needed happiness.

There is a very real message in this book. God sees us through our darkest moments and fills us with His power to live a meaningful life, happy and content in knowing that He is in control.

A great thought provoking read!


"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. 
Available at your favourite bookseller from Baker Books , a division of Baker Publishing Group". 

Beth Wiseman Has Written a Masterpiece!!!

"The Promise"                     
 By Beth Wiseman                   

It is always an exciting moment at our house, when the mail carrier delivers a new book!  Our dog, Jackson, barks (or squeaks) and I rush out to see if a new book has arrived.  This week, there was a particularly momentous occasion!! A brand new ARC for me to read BY BETH WISEMAN, a favorite author!! This "Quiet Quilter" was NOT so quiet as I opened the package as fast as I could, without doing damage to the contents!  Amid squeals of delight, I pulled the book out of the envelope, "The Promise" had come!!! I have been looking forward to this for some time and finally the day was here, I would get to read THIS new book, one which is very different from Beth's usual ! 

Needless to say, housework was left unfinished, meals were quickly slapped together and I read the entire day!!  This book is THE BEST!! A true masterpiece, addressing a sensitive subject near and dear to Beth's heart. It is based on actual events that occurred in a life of someone Beth knows and for whom she cares.

"The Promise" is a contemporary fiction novel, dealing with the dangers of meeting others online, as well as traveling to dangerous locations to meet strangers. The results can be deadly! Mallory, the main character, is searching for happiness and in doing so, finds herself in a  faraway place. Once there, she is confronted with heartache, betrayal and danger. At home, in safety, she had left the one who truly loves her and now is left only with the hope that he will rescue her before it is too late. Will he be able to do it? Time is running out! 

Mallory is determined not to let her boyfriend, parents or anyone else get in the way of her #1 goal - to save a life. Although she had that chance when she was a teenager, she was not allowed to fill it. The opportunity  slipped away and left a void that had never been filled. Then... she met a new friend online, who offers her the chance she has dreamed of. But she will have to leave behind everyone she loves to take it. 

Tate had loved Mallory for years, however understands that her feee spirit has to fly, thus gives her the space she requests and hopes that when she lands, the two of them will marry at last.

In  the face of much resistance , Mallory  decides to travel across the world to fulfill her dream. Her loved ones beg her not to go, but being strong willed and determined to give her help, she embarks on her journey to Pakistan, a most dangerous journey, indeed! Upon arriving, she swiftly discovers that her new friend is NOT who he says he is! She can only pray that she will make it out alive.

This is the most riveting story that I have ever read!!  I could NOT put this book down, until I finished. Every emotion, fear, challenge could be felt deep within me!! My heart pounded with the knowledge that this was a story based on facts. It really did happen!! Not just a work of fiction!! 

It is NO secret that I love all of the books that Beth Wiseman has written! However, this one was a total change from her usual style and subjects. I have to say that as I was aware of this, I was wondering how I would feel about this novel. Well, the only word to describe it, is ,  Masterpiece!!
THE BEST!! I absolutely loved it!!

The plot was well developed and moved so quickly, it had you spell bound from start to finish. In every chapter, there are unexpected twists and turns. You fear what is just around the corner, 
The characters are realistic and easy to identify with. Any female could experience this situation in a country that has very different rules and dangers. Internet relationships can end in disaster!!! 

The main plot of the book which was very different from Beth's other works, was dealt with in a realistic yet sensitive way. Beth wrote from her soul and you feel this as you read . What a talent to be able to address this difficult subject in such a creative manner!

A GREAT book!! Five stars!!  Any reader would enjoy this book!! 

This book was provided by the author in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Another Five Star Novel by Bestselling Authors, David and Beverly Lewis

                                  "Child of Mine"
                          By David and Beverly Lewis

Having previously read "Sanctuary" by Beverly and David lewis,, I was looking forward to see what feelings that this book would arouse. Excitement over a new book by these authors was intense! I just knew that I would love this book, and I DID!!!

The story begins with flight instructor Jack Livingston and his situation including raising his eight year old adopted niece, Natalie. This little girl had experienced the tragedy of losing both parents in a horrific accident. When he travels, Natalie is cared for by her Amish nanny, Laura , who loves this little girl as her own. 

Then enters a second main character, with whom, I became a good friend! Eight painful years ago, Kelly's baby was kidnapped. Determination to find her little girl had kept her preoccupied and searching through the years. Kelly follows every lead to the bitter end. Now, there is one last clue, from a private investigator that ignites a minute flame of hope. Only a few miles away, lives a young girl who matches the profile. Could this mean Kelly's search is finally at an end???? Will it be her beloved child????

I became totally engrossed in this story from the first chapter. The characters grabbed me by the hand and led met through their trials and disappointments, also through some joys. For a book to appeal to me , I must be able to identify with at least one of the main characters. There was no problem in that department. I actually "lived" the story with them. They were real people with some very real problems. When attempting to overcome upsets and disappointments in life, the characters reacted in  similar way to that of any adult. Their faith in God came through loud and clear. To give our lives and trust over to Him is very difficult. Will Kelly and Jack be able to do it???

The plot had so many twists and turns that it kept me guessing from the first page to the last. Just when I thought I had answers to the many questions, there would be a new link in the puzzle. The story moved smoothly and quickly. I loved the unexpected complications!  I could NOT put this book down until I was finished. What  a fantastic surprise ending!!! Loved it!!

Definitely a five star book!!  I would highly recommend this book. It veers away from Beverly's usual style of an Amish household, however does include an Amish character.  A great book!!!


"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.
Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group". 

Quilts of Love - Another Great Book in the Series!

"Rival Hearts"
By Tara Randel               L

About the book:  They both want the promotion. But will they find out that it is worth the cost?q Molly Henderson and Ben Weaver have been rival magazine writers for the same publishing group for years. When both come up for the same promotion, they find themselves in an unexpected competition to win the spot. Molly, editor of Quilter's Heart, and Ben, editor of Outdoor Adventures, must switch roles, each working for the other for one month, then submit an article at the end of their quests. Can girly-girl Molly survive the outdoor adventures that Ben has planned? Can Ben navigate the perils of the social dynamics of quilting events without destroying a valuable quilt in one short month? More importantly, in this he-said, she-said situation, will Molly and Ben give in to their attraction and fall in love, no matter who wins? My Thoughts: I have loved each book in this series and this was no exception. Each book's main plot contains a quilt, but the variety of authors succeed in making it unique and different from the others.  I am a quilter! Anyone who quilts will realize how addictive this hobby is. Thus, you look at quilts, go to quilt and fabric shops, quilt shows, AND read any book that involves a quilt!! I guess we are a strange lot!! The main character, Molly, appealed to me immediately. I could easily identify with this young lady who loved to quilt however was not athletic, not even a bit!! That is me!! You can find us both at a sewing machine but rarely playing baseball, canoeing or swimming!!! Molly tended to stay clear of these activities!!  This made her my best friend from the beginning of the book. Ben, the athlete, was also an adorable  character, full of charm, handsome, athletic BUT not a quilter. I can just picture the look on his face as he attempts to use needle and thread.  The plot of the story was full of twists and turns. It grabbed my attention upon reading the first chapter and kept me engrossed until the last page. A well developed plot makes for a great read and this book fullfilled this !  The "Quilts of Love" Series has provided me with a wide variety of stories, all including a very special quilt in each one. Each author has been successful in composing a creation totally different from the others! That in itself, is a feat! Tara Randel is a new author to me, but you can be sure that I will be looking for her books in the future.  A great summer read! Don't miss it! About the Author:  Tara Randel is the author of five romance novels including Lasting Love,Melody of Love, and This Time Love. A member of ACFW, Tara is also the lead author of the new Annie's Mysteries series (see AnniesMysteries.com). Tara lives in New Port Richey, Florida. Learn more about this book and the series at the Quilts of Love website. This book was provided by Litfuse, in exchange for a fair and honest review.

A New Book in Amy Clipston's "Hearts of the Lancaster Grand Hotel" Series !

          "A Mother's Secret"
              by Amy Clipston

About the book: 

Book two in the Hearts of the Lancaster Grand Hotel series.

Carolyn Lapp dreams of marrying for love. But will the errors of her past destroy this dream forever?

Carolyn Lapp longs to have a traditional Amish family. But she lives on her brother's farm with her parents and her 15-year old son, Benjamin. Carolyn has never revealed the identity of Benjamin's father and lives daily with the guilt and shame of her youthful indiscretion. Her brother simply will not forgive her.

His answer is to arrange a practical marriage for Carolyn to Saul, a widower with a little girl. But Carolyn isn't convinced that Saul really loves her and believes he is simply looking for someone to help raise his daughter.

When Benjamin causes trouble at a local horse auction, horse breeder Joshua Glick decides that he must be taught a lesson. Carolyn and Joshua are unmistakably drawn to each other, but Joshua mistakenly assumes that Benjamin is Carolyn's brother. Carolyn fears that if he discovers the truth, her past will destroy their budding romance.

After years of shame and loneliness, Carolyn suddenly has two men vying for her attention. But which of them will give her the family-and the unconditional love-she's longed for?

 

My Thoughts:

As I sat looking at my stack of books, waiting to be read and reviewed, I was reminded of a box of chocolates, in that  I knew that each one of them would be a great read, I knew the authors and have loved their creations, just as I always know each chocolate will be delicious, but which should I take first??? Then reality hits!! I have deadlines to keep and dates to post particular reviews, so I had to make a decision to read in order of those dates!

Looking at Amy's cover, was wetting my appetite for a "good Amish read"! A simple, rather old fashioned cover depicting a young Amish woman who looked deep in thought, stared at me from the table. As I opened the book, I certainly was not disappointed. This was a wonderful, light but great book!! It held my attention from beginning to end. There was just the right amount of mystery, complications, romance to keep me reading. It is a great summer read!

Amy tackled a rather sensitive subject, particularly in the Amish faith, that of a young unwed mother. It really brought home the idea that although these Plain People have strict values, they do suffer from the same human weaknesses as you and I . No one is exempt from daily problems, EVEN the Amish!!  This story made me stop and think!! We often put a religious group on a pedestal, thinking that their lives are perfect, that they don't have challenges. BUT, they sure do, as God made us all human!  The way that the situations are handled are somewhat different, but still true to the Christian faith. 

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Well written, interesting characters and a well developed plot!!

Five stars!!

About the author: 

Amy Clipston holds a degree in communication from Virginia Wesleyan College and works full-time for the City of Charlotte, NC. Amy lives in North Carolina with her husband, and two sons and four spoiled rotten cats.

Amy can be found at: website,Twitter, Facebook

To read more reviews of this book: http://litfusegroup.com/author/aclipston

This book was provided by Litfuse in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Purchase a copy:  http://ow.ly/xlHpQ

Another Great Amish Book!!

EForever Amish
By Kate Lloyd



 I LOVE to go to the mailbox and have a surprise waiting for me!! A book by a favorite author is the BEST !!!  Kate Lloyd has quickly earned that rank. My biggest disappointment was to read that "Forever Amish" is the last in her Lancaster trilogy !  I have enjoyed this Amish series so much, as Kate has used her talent to write an Amish tale with a different twist. Grabbed my attention immediately and I was hooked!!!

About the book: 

The latest book in the Legacy of Lancaster trilogy, Forever Amish introduces us to a young woman about to uncover a shocking secret and find an invitation to a new way of living. This is a story of forgiveness, legacies, and the ties that bind through generations.

It's the Last Thing She Expects to Find

Sally Bingham needs some time away to sort through the changes in her life and to rethink her upcoming marriage. Despite her ailing father's hesitations, she takes off for a bed and breakfast in Lancaster County for a weekend away. But her best-laid plans leave her in a near collision with a bishop's buggy and in the home of a mysterious Amish woman named Lizzie. Lizzie introduces her to a different perspective on life, a charming farmhand named Armin--- and opens a Pandora's box that will forever change Sally's life.

This book kept me glued to my chair!!! Kate writes with  the aim of keeping the reader captivated from beginning to end. The last page leaves you wanting more!! I wanted this series to go on forever. It begins with elements of mystery, leading into romance, secrets and ultimately, forgiveness. Nothing good can come from lying and hiding the past, as the characters learn in the story. In fact, secrets really do more harm than we often think. They change lives, sometimes to the good, if we allow God to work through them, or the result can be devastating. It all depends on how much we allow Him to work out His plan. 

The main characters are realistic and well described, in such a way, that their hurts, struggles and worries become your own. The main character, Sally, had an enormous struggle with her discovery of a hidden past, with abandonment, including her own sense of self worth.  She then has to  find a way to forgive and move on. Will she allow God to work through this devastating past??  A difficult task indeed!! Many of us could identify with that pain. Sally's friends and acquaintances may not be who she thought they were!! We have all experienced this problem, although perhaps not in such depth.

The plot was well developed and quick moving. It kept me guessing throughout the book, due to all of the twists and turns. Mystery, confusion and romance made this story alive with its action.

All in all, Kate has written another winner, in my opinion!! I would definitely recommend this book to all readers!!

Purchase a copy: http://ow.ly/xxswg

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 novels. She is a member of the Lancaster County Mennonite Historical Society. Kate and her husband live in the Pacific Northwest. Kate studied painting and sculpture in college. She's worked a variety of jobs, including car salesman and restaurateur.

Kate can be found at: website, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest

To see more reviews of this book: http://litfusegroup.com/author/klloyd


This book was supplied by Litfuse and the author in exchange for a fair and honest review.

A book full of mystery, suspense, intrigue and romance! What more could you want?

                                                              
                        "Seagrass Pier"

By Colleen Coble

About the book:  In a secluded corner of Hope Beach, one woman must decipher a stranger's memories . . . before they cost her everything. Elin Summerall was one of the lucky ones. Not only did she get a heart transplant, but the donor was a perfect fit. A miraculously perfect fit. But when Elin begins having violent flashbacks---and vivid dreams of being strangled---she realizes that she has been the recipient of more than just a new heart . . . Elin is remembering her donor's murder. Her strange affliction has attracted some unwanted attention: from the press, from the authorities . . . and from the killer himself. Now, living alone with her young daughter and aging mother, Elin is being stalked---by a man she's only met in her nightmares. The police are dubious of her story, but one off-duty FBI agent is eager to help her: Agent Marc Everton, the father of Elin's daughter. Of course, he doesn't know about that. Yet. Now, in a remote cottage on Hope Island, Elin and Marc must probe the secrets buried in her borrowed heart. And there's no time to waste. One man is desperate to silence her---before she remembers too much. My Thoughts after reading this book: When this book arrived in my mailbox, I already knew I was in for a GREAT read!! Colleen has become a favorite author, always grabbing my attention on the first page of her book, keeping my heart in my throat, until the final page! This book was tops in suspense, intrigue, mystery and of course a romance, just to complicate the plot. The main characters were unique individuals totally realistic and believable. To make a book good , in my opinion, I have to be able to identify at least with one of the characters. I certainly had no problems doing so. Elin became my best friend. I felt her pains, joys, confusions, determination and yes, even her love! The plot has so many twists and turns that I was totally confused as to the answers to mysterious events. Every chapter brought a new complication to the story. I just had to finish this book in a marathon of reading!! Forget sleeping and eating!! Just as I thought that I had figured out the answers, another "Zing" would hit me head on!! I had to read to the last page to discover the answers I had been seeking. All I can say is "WOW!" A Five Star book!! I would recommend it to all readers. For those of you who think you don't like mysteries, try this one! Colleen Coble uses her talents in characters, plot and intrigue to produce the BEST of her creations!! About the author:  Colleen Coble has sold over 2 million novels worldwide.Seagrass Pier, the third installment in her acclaimed Hope Beach series, marks a new highpoint for emotion and complexity in Coble's addictive brand of romantic suspense. Colleen can be found at: website, Twitter, Facebook Purchase a copy: http://ow.ly/xAP8O This book was provided by Litfuse, in exchange for a fair and honest review. To see other reviews of this title go to http://litfusegroup.com/author/ccoble