I received the following books in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Hardback
ISBN: 9780310336785
Published: September 24, 2013
Synopsis: Rose turned her back on the man she loves after he assisted the Englisch during World War II -- only to discover she's an Englischer herself. Born in the midst of the hardships of The Great Depression, Rose grew up in Berlin, Ohio, in the arms of a loving Amish family. But she is overwhelmed by self-doubt when she learns she was born Englisch and abandoned when her family moved West in search of work. Was she meant to be Amish or would she have been better off growing up with her own kind -- Englishers? When the man she loves leaves her behind, Rose is certain he left her for good. Yet Rose discovers sometimes our greatest gifts are the ones we fear.
My Review: Tricia has done it again with the telling of a great Amish story and making you feel for the characters as if you knew each of them personally. I like how she blends two worlds and tells their story and struggles. This was a short book so it was a very quick read but it had just as much punch as a long novel. This book was inspired by a true story and what a great story to be told. If you are looking for a book to get you in the Christmas mood then give this book a chance.
About the Author: USA Today best-selling author Tricia Goyer is the author of over 35 books, including the three-book Seven Brides for Seven Bachelors series and "Lead Your Family Like Jesus," (co-written with Ken Blanchard). She has written over 500 articles for national publications and blogs for high traffic sites like TheBetterMom.com and MomLifeToday.com. She is the host of Living Inspired, a weekly radio show. Tricia and family live in Little Rock, Arkansas. They have six children.
Find out more about Tricia at http://triciagoyer.com
Plain Peace by Beth Wiseman
Daughters of Promise Series - Book 6
ISBN: 9781401685942
Trade Paperback
Synopsis: Anna's grandfather seems determined to ruin her Rumspringa . . . and any hopes she has of finding a husband.
Anna Byler should be enjoying her Rumspringa as allowed by her faith. But because of the strict rules enforced by her grandfather---the bishop---the available suitors in town are afraid to court her. Even Anna's grandmother is keeping a big secret from Anna's grandfather in an effort to keep the peace. Under her grandfather's oppressive watch, Anna begins to feel her faith slipping and wonders if God has forsaken her.
Jacob Hostetler and his family have relocated to Lancaster County following a family tragedy in Ohio. As his family struggles to rebuild their lives, Jacob is forced to act as head of the household when his father is unable to cope with recent events. It's been a long time since Jacob has felt any joy. Until he meets Anna Byler. But will Anna's grandfather succeed at keeping them apart? And can Jacob put the past behind him and open his heart?
My Review: I am a fan of Amish fiction as well as this series so I was happy to pick this book up. I also enjoy reading about Rumspringa as I find that part of the culture very interesting. I found myself feeling bad for Anna as everyone was grandfather was so strict that everyone was afraid to court her. But Anna's grandmother was helping her keep a big secret. Jacob was a very strong person the become head of his household while young when his father is unable to. I enjoyed getting to know these characters and in doing so you become friends with the and find yourself wanting to help out. I think Beth did a good job of continuing on with this series.
About the Author: Beth is a Carol Award Winner, Inspirational Readers Choice Winner, INSPY Winner, and the best-selling author of the Daughters of the Promise series and the Land of Canaan series. All of her books have held spots on the ECPA (Evangelical Christian Publishers Association) bestseller list and the CBA (Christian Book Association) bestseller list. She grew up in Houston, Texas and now resides in a small town west of Houston with a population of around 300. She lives with her husband, two dogs, two cats, two pot bellied pigs, two chickens and a pygmy goat. Her two grown sons also live in Texas. Beth has been writing in some capacity for most of her life. She's a former award-winning journalist with eleven honors, including 'First Place News Writing' for The Texas Press Association. However, writing love stories with a spiritual message is where her heart is. When Beth isn't writing (which is seldom these days) she enjoys traveling, cooking, fishing, reading, or just settling in for a good movie. Her best times are spent with family and friends!
Find out more about Beth at http://bethwiseman.com.
Holy Night by Colleen Coble
An Aloha Reef Christmas Novella
EBOOK
Published November 19, 2013
One sinister phone call has derailed their wedding. Will they let it tear them apart forever?
A Christmas wedding on the beach---what could be more perfect? Poinsettias and fragrant pikake blossoms, soft sand and mistletoe, the gentle sound of the surf and the wedding march played on a ukulele. This wedding has been a long time coming, with Bane's trust issues and Leia's worries about her childlike sister, Eva.
Now they can hardly wait for the day to arrive. Thrilled to be a bridesmaid, Eva keeps trying on her ruffled dress. The tent is reserved, the caterers paid. Everything is going as planned---until Leia's phone rings and her world skids out of control. A muffled voice informs Leia that Eva's been kidnapped and will be killed unless Leia calls off the wedding without explanation---and no police! If she disobeys instructions and tells Bane, she'll risk her beloved sister's life. But how can she ever handle this without his help? And how can he ever trust her if she lies to him now?
A Christmas wedding on the beach---what could be more perfect? Poinsettias and fragrant pikake blossoms, soft sand and mistletoe, the gentle sound of the surf and the wedding march played on a ukulele. This wedding has been a long time coming, with Bane's trust issues and Leia's worries about her childlike sister, Eva.
Now they can hardly wait for the day to arrive. Thrilled to be a bridesmaid, Eva keeps trying on her ruffled dress. The tent is reserved, the caterers paid. Everything is going as planned---until Leia's phone rings and her world skids out of control. A muffled voice informs Leia that Eva's been kidnapped and will be killed unless Leia calls off the wedding without explanation---and no police! If she disobeys instructions and tells Bane, she'll risk her beloved sister's life. But how can she ever handle this without his help? And how can he ever trust her if she lies to him now?
My review: What more could you want? A wedding on the beach sounds great and at Christmas time. This novella by Colleen was a nice quick holiday read. You could almost smell the pikake blossoms (or in my case imagine their fragrance as I am not sure what they smell like) as well as the sea and hear the waves crashing as you settle in to read this book. Bane and Leia have been waiting for what seems forever for their wedding but will a phone call stop it all. There is mystery and suspense in this book that will keep you reading long into the night.
Silent Night by Colleen Coble
A Rock Harber Christmas Novella
EBOOK
Published November 20, 2012
Synopsis: As Christmas day nears, Bree and her faithful search-and-rescue dog Samson follow the trail of a troubling mystery into the snowy forests of Rock Harbor.
Bree Matthews is preparing for Christmas guests, but her heart is reeling from the recent and tender loss of her unborn child. Her sister-in-law, Lauri, suddenly turns up on the doorstep of the lighthouse home Bree shares with her husband, Kade, in Rock Harbor. Secretive and withdrawn, Lauri seems curiously intent on discovering what happened to a parachuter who disappeared in the North Woods along Lake Superior's icy shore.
As Bree and Samson, her search-and-rescue dog, plunge into the search, Bree wonders if Lauri may know more than she's admitted about the parachuter. And then the clues lead them to the trail of a young woman whose family fears the worst about her disappearance.
Will the search on this snowy, silent night lead Bree and Samson to more than clues about the missing girl? And will Bree's prayer for a baby ever be answered?
As Bree and Samson, her search-and-rescue dog, plunge into the search, Bree wonders if Lauri may know more than she's admitted about the parachuter. And then the clues lead them to the trail of a young woman whose family fears the worst about her disappearance.
Will the search on this snowy, silent night lead Bree and Samson to more than clues about the missing girl? And will Bree's prayer for a baby ever be answered?
My review: I found myself wanting to reach through the book from page one to give Bree a hug. Bree has suffered a loss when her sister in law shows up. Lauri seems to have something she is hiding and starts searching to solve the mystery of a parachuter who has disappeared. This was a book full of mystery and like Holy Night kept me up late wanting to finish this book. Colleen does a good job in grabbing you very quickly and holding your attention right to the end. I have not read any other of books from the Rock Harbor series and found it very easy to follow.
The great thing about these two books is that they are novellas and if you have a whole day to sit and read you can finish them in one day.
About the Author: Best-selling author Colleen Coble's novels have won or finaled in awards ranging from the Best Books of Indiana, ACFW Book of the Year, RWA's RITA, the Holt Medallion, the Daphne du Maurier, National Readers' Choice, and the Booksellers Best. She has nearly 2 million books in print and writes romantic mysteries because she loves to see justice prevail. Colleen is CEO of American Christian Fiction Writers and is a member of Romance Writers of America. She lives with her husband Dave in Indiana.
Find out more about Colleen athttp://www.colleencoble.com
Find out more about Colleen athttp://www.colleencoble.com
But wait! There's more! Each day between now and November 12th a different book (10 copies of each book) will be given away on the Thomas Nelson & Zondervan Fiction Facebook Page. Ring in the holiday season and warm your heart with some great reads from Thomas Nelson and Zondervan!
Good luck and hope to see you on the evening of the 12th!
Thanks for the Reviews! These sound great! I've read "A Christmas Gift for Rose" - but havent read the others yet.
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