Month: March 2019

The Hope Chest by Wanda Brunstetter

Goodreads synopsis: Rachel Beachy wants something she can’t have-her sister Anna’s boyfriend. Silas Swartley has been in love with Anna since they were children, and Rachel has loved Silas nearly as long. Rachel feels that her swiftly moving days are spent without hope, but when Anna unexpectedly leaves the Amish faith, Rachel’s hope is rekindled. She begins filling her hope chest as she initiates a campaign to win Silas’s heart. Can Silas set the pain of Anna’s rejection aside and see Rachel as anything more than a child? Will Rachel be disappointed in Silas and in God, or will she learn the true meaning of hope? The Hope Chest is book 4 in the Brides of Lancaster County series. Other books in the series include A Merry Heart: Book 1, Looking for a Miracle: Book 2, Plain and Fancy: Book 3.

Rating: 5 stars

My Thoughts:

I love Amish fiction and this one surely did not disappoint me. Wanda Brunstetter sets wonderfully graphic scenes that make you feel like you are right there with her sweet characters. In this story, 2 sisters find themselves in 2 very different life situations but rely on faith and love to keep their families connected. 

Follow Grace and Anne Beachy as they follow their hearts to be with the men that they love! I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys learning about the Amish ways mixed with sweet romance. Happy Reading!!

About the author: Wanda Brunstetter

New York Times bestselling and award-winning author, Wanda E. Brunstetter is one of the founders of the Amish fiction genre. She has written close to 90 books translated in four languages. With over 10 million copies sold, Wanda’s stories consistently earn spots on the nations most prestigious bestseller lists and have received numerous awards.

Wanda’s ancestors were part of the Anabaptist faith, and her novels are based on personal research intended to accurately portray the Amish way of life. Her books are well-read and trusted by many Amish, who credit her for giving readers a deeper understanding of the people and their customs.

When Wanda visits her Amish friends, she finds herself drawn to their peaceful lifestyle, sincerity, and close family ties. Wanda enjoys photography, ventriloquism, gardening, bird-watching, beachcombing, and spending time with her family. She and her husband, Richard, have been blessed with two grown children, six grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

To learn more about Wanda, visit her website at www.wandabrunstetter.com.

Advertisement

Kindle Freebie for Today: Murder Under a Mystic Moon by Yasmine Galenorn

With her teenaged daughter’s birthday on the horizon and the town’s autumn festival in full swing, Emerald has her hands full with party preparations and teashop specials. But a request from her friend Jimbo has her using her abilities to look into the disappearance of his friend. In the woods surrounding the Klickavail Valley enclave, Emerald senses a strange energy manifesting itself-before literally stumbling across the body of Jimbo’s friend. While the police are willing to blame the death on a cougar attack, Emerald knows there’s something else wandering the forest-something that resembles the Klakatat monster of legend, but may actually be a monster of a more human kind.

My Review of Murder She Barked by Krista Davis

Goodreads synopsis

The Sugar Maple Inn in Wagtail, Virginia, is the country’s premiere vacation hot spot for pet owners who can’t bear to leave their furry friends behind. But this tourist town smells trouble when a killer goes on the prowl….

Holly Miller’s life has gone to the dogs. She has no job, her boyfriend’s former flame is sniffing around, and a scruffy but loveable Jack Russell Terrier is scattering crumbs all over her borrowed car. Just when she thought things couldn’t get worse, a troubling phone call about her grandmother sends her rushing home to the family inn on Wagtail Mountain.

The staff—and a frisky Calico kitten named Twinkletoes—adopts Holly and her new dog on arrival. But someone in this friendly town is bad to the bone. One of the employees at the inn has been killed in a hit-and-run accident—which is looking anything but accidental. Now Holly and her furry companions will have to nose out the murderer before someone else gets muzzled.

My thoughts:
This was the first book that I have read by Krista Davis and it certainly won’t be my last. I absolutely love the cast of characters in this pet-loving town of Wagtail, Virginia. Visit Holly Miller as she goes from losing her high-powered job in D.C. to going to take care of her Oma at the Sugar Maple Inn and gaining a lovable furry companion along the way. Meet Trixie and Twinkletoes and a host of other pets and their owners as Holly and her friends figure out how two of the local residents ended up dead and why. If you enjoy pets, especially dogs, like I do, this cozy mystery will definitely fill the bill!! Happy Reading everyone!

Rating: 5 stars

About the author:

Krista Davis lives in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia where she writes three mystery series. She lived in Northern Virginia for many years and resided for a time in Old Town Alexandria where her Domestic Diva Mysteries take place. 

Krista also writes the Paws and Claws Mysteries, which debuted with MURDER, SHE BARKED. They are set in a resort town that caters to people who want to vacation with their dogs and cats. Alas, charming Wagtail Mountain, Virginia, where dogs and cats are welcome everywhere is fictional.

Her newest series, the Pen & Ink Mysteries, features covers that can be colored! Read the book and have fun coloring the cover.

She likes to cook and bake (okay, what she really likes is eating) so it was only natural for her to include recipes in her mysteries.

Her dogs and cats have inspired the animal characters in her books.

Currently Reading

Do you enjoy cozy mysteries? I have to say over the past few months that I really have found some really great stories by some wonderful authors! Some are quirky, some are sweet, and some are even a little silly, but so far, I have thoroughly enjoyed them all. Some of my favorite authors include, Amanda Flower, Joanne Fluke, Carolyn Haines, and Krista Davis. As soon as I finish this little gem, I will be posting my review. Enjoy!