Saturday, April 19, 2025

Easter Bride by Shanna Hatfield

Series: Holiday Brides #3
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Wholesome Hearts
Released: March 21, 2019
227 pages
About the Book:

Piper Peterson loves the small community of Holiday, Oregon. She resides there at a beautiful, old farm where she’s surrounded by animals she’s rescued. And she manages the feed store that’s been in her family for more than a hundred years. Despite her contentment with life, her grandfather’s plans to sell the store and farm leave her future up in the air. When a sly matchmaker works to set Grandpa up with the perfect woman, Piper jumps at the chance to lend a hand. But the last thing she expects is to fall in love while helping her grandpa find happiness. Stuck at a crossroads in his life, Colton Ford can’t decide which direction to head. Then an invitation to stay at his brother’s ranch in Holiday provides an opportunity Colt can’t pass up. He hopes time spent at the Flying B Ranch will help him clear his head and sort out his life. Before long, he finds himself entangled in a matchmaking plot involving his widowed aunt and a charismatic old gent. When he agrees to give the budding romance a nudge, he has no idea the man’s delightful granddaughter will capture his heart. A heartwarming story filled with country charm, laughter, and hope, Easter Bride is blossoms with the joys of budding spring and sweet romance. 


  

My Rating & Thoughts:    ⭐⭐⭐⭐


Fun story with two young people thinking they are helping with a matchmaking scheme for two elderly folks, and the elderly folks thinking they are helping set up the two young people. I enjoyed seeing Piper's dedication to feed store and her heart for animals. The proposal was entertaining you knew what he was trying to say, but he kept flubbing it up and kept coming out wrong. It was so fun to spend more time with Carson, Fynlee, Matilda and Ruth from the prior books. This was a fun quick read.

(I borrowed this book through the library; opinions expressed 
in this review are my honest opinion and completely my own.)

Other books from this author that I have reviewed:    

Crumpets and Cowpies (Baker City Brides #1)

Thimbles and Thistles (Baker City Brides #2)

Corsets and Cuffs (Baker City Brides #3)

Bobbins and Boots (Baker City Brides #4)

Lightning and Lawmen (Baker City Brides #5)

The Christmas Bargain (Hardman Holidays #1)

The Christmas Token (Hardman Holidays #2)

The Christmas Calamity (Hardman Holidays #3)

The Christmas Vow (Hardman Holidays #4)

The Christmas Quandary (Hardman Holidays #5)

The Christmas Confection (Hardman Holidays #6)

Garden of Her Heart (Hearts of the War #1)
Home of Her Heart (Hearts of the War #2)

Valentine Bride (Holiday Brides #1)

Henley (Love Train #2)

The Christmas Cowboy (Rodeo Romance #1)

Wrestlin' Christmas (Rodeo Romance #2)

Capturing Christmas (Rodeo Romance #3)

Barreling Through Christmas (Rodeo Romance #4)

Chasing Christmas (Rodeo Romance #5)

Racing Christmas (Rodeo Romance #6)

Guiding the Grouch (Summer Creek #5)

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Wednesday, April 16, 2025

While We're Far Apart by Lynn Austin

Genre: Historical Fiction 
Publisher: Bethany House 
Released: October 1, 2010
408 pages
About the Book:

In an unassuming apartment building in Brooklyn, New York, three lives intersect as the reality of war invades each aspect of their lives. Young Esther is heartbroken when her father decides to enlist in the army shortly after the death of her mother. Penny Goodrich has been in love with Eddie Shaffer for as long as she can remember; now that Eddie's wife is dead, Penny feels she has been given a second chance and offers to care for his children in the hope that he will finally notice her and marry her after the war. And elderly Mr. Mendel, the landlord, waits for the war to end to hear what has happened to his son trapped in war torn Hungary. But during the long, endless wait for victory overseas, life on the home front will go from bad to worse. Yet these characters will find themselves growing and changing in ways they never expected and ultimately discovering truths about God's love. . .even when He is silent.



My Rating & Thoughts:    ⭐⭐⭐⭐


Told from the viewpoint of 3 characters, each a different generation which was interesting. Takes place during WWII but set in Brooklyn, New York so we are following characters stateside. Jacob was the character that I was drawn to the most as his pain and frustration felt so realistic. Penny and Esther both kind of annoyed me at times, but we see them both grow over the course of the story and watching their development, in particular the transformation of Penny pleased me. The letters were some of my favourite parts to read, they told the horrors of war without being too descriptive and I felt connected with the authors. There is heartache but also happiness throughout the book. I enjoyed seeing the friendship develop between characters from different backgrounds. Depicts both Jewish and Christian faith, but it did feel like it had more a Jewish bent than Christian. I do wish it hadn't jumped months in time, but if it didn't the book would have had to be quite a bit longer. I would have liked to have more Roy in the book.

Favourite Quote: 
“Traditions are good. They give order and stability to our lives. But change is part of life, too. The secret is to find the balance.”
(I purchased my copy of this book; opinions expressed 
in this review are my honest opinion and completely my own.)

Other books from this author that I have reviewed:   

   
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Monday, April 14, 2025

Murder at the Mikado by Julianna Deering

Series: Drew Farthering Mystery #3
Genre: Mystery/Suspense
Publisher: Bethany House
Released: June 24, 2014
332 pages
About the Book:

Just as Drew Farthering thinks his life has found smooth waters, Fleur Landis, an old flame, reappears in his life. She's married now, no longer an actress, and he expects she'll soon disappear--until she comes to him in dire need. The lead actor in her old troupe's production of The Mikado has been murdered, and Fleur is the police's number one suspect.

Drew would love nothing more than to just focus on his fiance, Madeline, and their upcoming wedding, but he can't leave Fleur in the lurch--even if she did break his heart once. As Drew, Nick, and Madeline dive into the murder, they discover more going on behind the scenes of the theater troupe than could ever have been imagined. Nearly everyone had a motive, and alibis are few and far between. It's Drew's most complicated case yet.





 

My Rating & Thoughts:    ⭐⭐⭐


There are so many characters introduced in this one that I struggled to keep them all straight. Starts with the murder of an actor at the theater and then another murder, just when they think they have figured out who is the murderer someone else dies and their suspect has a alibi. I could understand Madeline's resistance to Drew getting involved in the investigating the case due to a past flame being involved. Overall there was a sadness to the book, not only with the number of deaths but so many secrets being kept and people going behind backs of others. It does have an Agatha Christie vibe to it and I liked how the police detective was open to Drew and his friends investigating on their own rather than telling them to stay out of it. I especially enjoyed how the mystery was solved when everyone was together. I cared much more about the personal life of our main characters than the case itself. I was so sad at certain parts and really glad at other parts. I will continue to the series, just because I enjoy the interactions of Drew, Madeline and Nick.

(I received a copy of this book from my mom; opinions expressed 
in this review are my honest opinion and completely my own.)

Other books from this author that I have reviewed:   

   
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Saturday, April 12, 2025

Predator by Terri Blackstock

Genre: Mystery/Suspense
Publisher: Zondervan
Released: May 24, 2010
327 pages

About the Book:

The murder of Krista Carmichael’s fourteen-year-old sister by an online predator has shaken her faith and made her question God’s justice and protection. Desperate to find the killer, she creates an online persona to bait the predator. But when the stalker turns his sights on her, will Krista be able to control the outcome? Ryan Adkins started the social network GrapeVyne in his college dorm and has grown it into a billion-dollar corporation. But he never expected it to become a stalking ground for online Predators. One of them lives in his town and has killed two girls and attacked a third. When Ryan meets Krista, the murders become more than a news story to him, and everything is on the line. Joining forces, he and Krista set out to stop the killer. But when hunters pursue a hunter, the tables can easily turn. Only God can protect them now.








My Rating & Thoughts:    ⭐⭐⭐⭐

A man is targeting young women using a social media site to do it. Krista's sister was a victim and Krista sets out to find the man responsible. Ryan is the CEO of the social media site and get involved after Krista confronts him for opening the girls to the online danger. Krista doesn't make some of the best decisions in the midst of her anger and grief but I liked how Ryan tried to do the right thing. Krista's dad is dealing with his anger and grief and his point of view made me very concerned for what he might do. There are some truly frightening moments detailed included in the attacks the girls. This is gritty and raw with dark details shared. I did feel like the ending wrapped up a bit too quickly. It highlights the dangers of sharing too much information online but it also includes discussions of the positive side of social media sites. It felt very realistic.
(I purchased my copy of this book; opinions expressed 
in this review are my honest opinion and completely my own.)

Other books from this author that I have reviewed:   

   
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