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An Amish Home: Four Novellas
Beth Wiseman, Amy Clipston, Ruth Reid and Kathleen Fuller
10.0
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A Cup Half Full by Beth Wiseman-Sarah Lantz always dreamed of the perfect home, the perfect husband,...
TravelersWife4Life (31 KP) rated An Amish Christmas Wedding: Four Stories in Books
Feb 24, 2021
<a href="https://travelingwife4life.wordpress.com/2020/11/21/an-amish-christmas-celebrate-lit/">Travelers Wife 4 Life</a>
This was such a good collection of stories to get me in the Christmas spirit! I had the privilege of reading last Christmas’s book (<a href="https://travelingwife4life.wordpress.com/2019/12/16/amish-christmas-bakery-celebration-lit/">An Amish Christmas Bakery</a>) by this collection of authors (Vanetta Chapman is new though) and truly fell in love with each author’s unique writing style. While not interconnected each story brings hope and warmth into my mind and I hope you will like them too!
<b>Evergreen Love</b> by Amy Clipston – I so enjoyed this story filled with mishaps, love, and second chances. Ryan and Lorene both show growth as characters and a sweet desire to learn from their previous experiences. They were fun to get to know and they showed a great look at forgiveness and the importance of communication!
<b>Holiday of Hope</b> by Kelly Irvin – This story was adorably sweet and heartfelt. I loved Henry’s journey, his special patience with his nephew (especially how he took it all in seamless stride not trying to force things), and his dedication to his first wife and subsequent openness to second chances. Leesa was also a very interesting character whom I rooted for from the beginning. I loved her courage, strength, and willingness to help others; even when it was outside her comfort zone. Overall, I loved the sweet romance in this book and enjoyed Kelly Irvin’s descriptions of deep snow Montana life.
<b>Wreathed in Joy</b> by Kathleen Fuller – I loved this friends to more gone awry story! Definitely one of my favorite sub-genres and Kathleen Fuller nails it. Mary and Jakob are sweet and the best of friends until a sad misunderstanding changes everything. But I enjoyed watching them banter and rekindle their friendship. It was full of sweet moments, memories, and the courage to try again. A great reminder to always give people second chances. Such a sweet story and I loved the ending.
<b>A Christmas Prayer </b> by Vannetta Chapman – Ever had the feeling that life is not going where you planned? Well, Rachel and Micah’s story is definitely one you will like. It was like ‘watching Rachel bloom’ as Micah so eloquently put it. I loved Micah’s caring nature, his use of Cloe (a Beautiful lab
This was such a good collection of stories to get me in the Christmas spirit! I had the privilege of reading last Christmas’s book (<a href="https://travelingwife4life.wordpress.com/2019/12/16/amish-christmas-bakery-celebration-lit/">An Amish Christmas Bakery</a>) by this collection of authors (Vanetta Chapman is new though) and truly fell in love with each author’s unique writing style. While not interconnected each story brings hope and warmth into my mind and I hope you will like them too!
<b>Evergreen Love</b> by Amy Clipston – I so enjoyed this story filled with mishaps, love, and second chances. Ryan and Lorene both show growth as characters and a sweet desire to learn from their previous experiences. They were fun to get to know and they showed a great look at forgiveness and the importance of communication!
<b>Holiday of Hope</b> by Kelly Irvin – This story was adorably sweet and heartfelt. I loved Henry’s journey, his special patience with his nephew (especially how he took it all in seamless stride not trying to force things), and his dedication to his first wife and subsequent openness to second chances. Leesa was also a very interesting character whom I rooted for from the beginning. I loved her courage, strength, and willingness to help others; even when it was outside her comfort zone. Overall, I loved the sweet romance in this book and enjoyed Kelly Irvin’s descriptions of deep snow Montana life.
<b>Wreathed in Joy</b> by Kathleen Fuller – I loved this friends to more gone awry story! Definitely one of my favorite sub-genres and Kathleen Fuller nails it. Mary and Jakob are sweet and the best of friends until a sad misunderstanding changes everything. But I enjoyed watching them banter and rekindle their friendship. It was full of sweet moments, memories, and the courage to try again. A great reminder to always give people second chances. Such a sweet story and I loved the ending.
<b>A Christmas Prayer </b> by Vannetta Chapman – Ever had the feeling that life is not going where you planned? Well, Rachel and Micah’s story is definitely one you will like. It was like ‘watching Rachel bloom’ as Micah so eloquently put it. I loved Micah’s caring nature, his use of Cloe (a Beautiful lab
Merissa (11935 KP) rated Reap This (Oh So Happy Holidays #1) in Books
Nov 1, 2017
Reap This (Oh So Happy Holidays #1) by Rafe Jadison
Reap This is a novella about Seamus, a witch from Massachusetts, who has been given information that he can't handle right now. So he goes home for the comfort of his family, coincidentally at the same time as Samhain. What he does there gives you the rest of the story, so I'll stop here.
Now, first thing I must say is how refreshing it is to read a book that actually talks about being a witch and Samhain without exaggerating and being over the top. Not only that, but Seamus' reactions to what he has been told are also completely believable. This book is a combination of sorrow and hope. I had tears in my ears in the first quarter of the book as you find out more about Seamus and what is going on with him. Al the way through, you are not sure just how it will end, but you do hold onto the hope that I mentioned before. The letter at the end made me laugh out loud, so you are left with a smile on your face, even if the ending isn't what you expect.
I loved this book, from start to end. Rafe Jadison is a brilliant author who engages with his readers through the words of his stories. Absolutely recommended by me.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and my comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Now, first thing I must say is how refreshing it is to read a book that actually talks about being a witch and Samhain without exaggerating and being over the top. Not only that, but Seamus' reactions to what he has been told are also completely believable. This book is a combination of sorrow and hope. I had tears in my ears in the first quarter of the book as you find out more about Seamus and what is going on with him. Al the way through, you are not sure just how it will end, but you do hold onto the hope that I mentioned before. The letter at the end made me laugh out loud, so you are left with a smile on your face, even if the ending isn't what you expect.
I loved this book, from start to end. Rafe Jadison is a brilliant author who engages with his readers through the words of his stories. Absolutely recommended by me.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and my comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Merissa (11935 KP) rated Smitty's Sheriff (Hope #3) in Books
Dec 7, 2017
Smitty's Sheriff (Hope #3) by Cardeno C.
Smitty's Sheriff is the third book in the Hope series, and this series is one where I never know what I'm going to get. McFarland's Farm was a 4-star, Jesse's Diner was a 5. Each story is completely individual, and that is always a good thing.
Now, first off, I need to say that this story is of the same high quality as all of Cardeno C.'s work. The pace is smooth, the characters believable, and certain scenes are steamy enough for anyone.
The reason for my 3-stars is that whilst I enjoyed their story, I couldn't actually get with the relationship between the main two characters. I found myself getting quite annoyed whenever Rich spoke to Todd like he was a child. I know there is an age difference between them, but to me, their relationship was more father/son with sexy bits, rather than boyfriends/lovers/whatever you want to call them.
NOW, that is just my opinion, and I know that some readers will devour this story and love every word. I'm just sorry that I'm not one of them, although I did enjoy it. As it is Cardeno C.'s work, I have no hesitation in recommending this book, even if I didn't like it 100%.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Now, first off, I need to say that this story is of the same high quality as all of Cardeno C.'s work. The pace is smooth, the characters believable, and certain scenes are steamy enough for anyone.
The reason for my 3-stars is that whilst I enjoyed their story, I couldn't actually get with the relationship between the main two characters. I found myself getting quite annoyed whenever Rich spoke to Todd like he was a child. I know there is an age difference between them, but to me, their relationship was more father/son with sexy bits, rather than boyfriends/lovers/whatever you want to call them.
NOW, that is just my opinion, and I know that some readers will devour this story and love every word. I'm just sorry that I'm not one of them, although I did enjoy it. As it is Cardeno C.'s work, I have no hesitation in recommending this book, even if I didn't like it 100%.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
The Marinated Meeple (1848 KP) rated Newton in Tabletop Games
Feb 12, 2019
balance (3 more)
Travel vs Work
Learning vs Technology
the game is all about being efficent in your combos.
Lots of good choices, I love the Learning curve, good meatier game.
I really enjoyed this game. So much so that we played it again directly after playing it the first time. This game is really about combos and efficiency of your decisions. your get 3 turns and each turn takes 3 or 4 seconds, so really the play time is based around the time to make decisions, which is where the game slows down. there is a lot to consider to play it well, the first game we played we scoried in the 50's, the 2nd game around 100, so we doubled our score in learning after the first game. I hesitate to say too much here because the discovery of the game was a big part of the fun for me and my wife. This is not a cop out from leaving a review. But the more I talk specifically the less you will discover. Just know that there a lot of push and pull on your options. This game feels like nothing else specifically, but has fragmented feelings of Lewis and Clark, T'zolkin, and maybe Castles of Burgundy..... I don't mean it's an amalgomation of those games, more that those games give me the feelings of playing this game. I hope this helps and I hope you give it a try, it's got the best kind of brain burn.
Molly J (Cover To Cover Cafe) (106 KP) rated The Secrets of Paper and Ink in Books
Feb 27, 2019
My first Lindsay Harrel novel and most definitely will not be my last! She has a beautiful talent for creating characters that will make you feel like family, and a plot line that is full of faith and hope.
I wasn’t sure what I would gain from this book, at first. It’s got emotional triggers, as someone who has gone through the emotional domestic abuse in the past. But, the way Harrel weaved the pain and heartache, the hope and faith, together, she created a novel that completely engulfed me. I loved that. I gained more than just a new author to read. I gained friends in the characters, I gained knowledge of letting go of the past and moving forward.
Sophia and William were two characters that will forever be with me. As they work together to save Ginny’s bookstore, as Sophia reads the words of Emily Fairfax through her journal entries, I was pulled into the sweeping novel and wasn’t set free until the last page was reached. The plot line was unique and absolutely breathtaking!
If you are looking for a tenderly written, powerfully moving novel, then grab this one up. It’s emotional, it’s hopeful, it’s definitely one to recommend to all. Five stars, two thumbs and hats off to an author whom will be on my auto buy list from now on! Well done, Lindsay Harrel. Well done!
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Harper Collins (Thomas Nelson) and was under no obligation to post a review, positive or negative.*
I wasn’t sure what I would gain from this book, at first. It’s got emotional triggers, as someone who has gone through the emotional domestic abuse in the past. But, the way Harrel weaved the pain and heartache, the hope and faith, together, she created a novel that completely engulfed me. I loved that. I gained more than just a new author to read. I gained friends in the characters, I gained knowledge of letting go of the past and moving forward.
Sophia and William were two characters that will forever be with me. As they work together to save Ginny’s bookstore, as Sophia reads the words of Emily Fairfax through her journal entries, I was pulled into the sweeping novel and wasn’t set free until the last page was reached. The plot line was unique and absolutely breathtaking!
If you are looking for a tenderly written, powerfully moving novel, then grab this one up. It’s emotional, it’s hopeful, it’s definitely one to recommend to all. Five stars, two thumbs and hats off to an author whom will be on my auto buy list from now on! Well done, Lindsay Harrel. Well done!
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Harper Collins (Thomas Nelson) and was under no obligation to post a review, positive or negative.*
Kyera (8 KP) rated Batgirl, Volume 2: Son of Penguin in Books
Feb 1, 2018
I fell in love with Babs again when her story was reintroduced in DC's New 52 and she got a costume redesign. As much as I enjoyed Gail Simone's run, it was the collaboration of Cameron Stewart, Brenden Fletcher and Babs Tarr that pulled me back in. I became obsessed with the new costume and loved Babs Tarr's art style. I adored issues 35-52, but then there was another change with DC Rebirth and Batgirl left Burnside. I was not quite as invested in the first few issues (plus I didn't enjoy the art), but that was soon remedied with the introduction of Penguin's son.
The story arc contained in Volume 2: Son of Penguin felt more like the New 52 Batgirl I fell in love with, again. Although the plot was predictable at times, it will still enjoyable. Both Hope Larson's writing and the talents of the artists gave me hope that Batgirl's run will continue to improve. As she is my favourite female superhero (other than Wonder Woman, I truly couldn't choose) I cannot wait to see where this team takes her story.
I would definitely recommend her Batgirl of Burnside arc from the New 52 and her new story in Rebirth to fans of comics and interesting female characters. I may also be biased because in this iteration she is a grad school student who is currently studying to become a librarian, which is exactly what I am doing - so I feel like we are kindred spirits, or twins. Whatever.
The story arc contained in Volume 2: Son of Penguin felt more like the New 52 Batgirl I fell in love with, again. Although the plot was predictable at times, it will still enjoyable. Both Hope Larson's writing and the talents of the artists gave me hope that Batgirl's run will continue to improve. As she is my favourite female superhero (other than Wonder Woman, I truly couldn't choose) I cannot wait to see where this team takes her story.
I would definitely recommend her Batgirl of Burnside arc from the New 52 and her new story in Rebirth to fans of comics and interesting female characters. I may also be biased because in this iteration she is a grad school student who is currently studying to become a librarian, which is exactly what I am doing - so I feel like we are kindred spirits, or twins. Whatever.
Anne (15117 KP) rated Stolen Enchantress (Forbidden Forest, #1) in Books
Nov 4, 2019
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author via Voracious Readers Only. It was a retelling - from the blurb it mentions the story being a cross between Beauty and the Beast and The Pied Piper. It definitely was a cross between those two stories too.
It took me a little longer to read because I had a hard time getting into the book at first. It seemed like it was a bit slow for the first part, then it got interesting and picked up quite a bit. But then when I was very engrossed into the story, the end came rather suddenly and I felt like it was a bit abrupt and needed more closure.
It was also a bit more difficult for me getting through some of this book because it was quite dark and heavy in parts. It was a good book overall, but a bit more on the dark, heavy side of things that leaves you searching out for the spark of hope, which there is some, but not as much as Id like.
I was very interested in parts of the book and the different aspects and unique perspectives, but I wish there had been a bit more to the story with a little more hope. I was a bit like huh? when the book ended cause its taken me a bit to process it.
I would read another book by this author especially if it was a continuation of this story.
It took me a little longer to read because I had a hard time getting into the book at first. It seemed like it was a bit slow for the first part, then it got interesting and picked up quite a bit. But then when I was very engrossed into the story, the end came rather suddenly and I felt like it was a bit abrupt and needed more closure.
It was also a bit more difficult for me getting through some of this book because it was quite dark and heavy in parts. It was a good book overall, but a bit more on the dark, heavy side of things that leaves you searching out for the spark of hope, which there is some, but not as much as Id like.
I was very interested in parts of the book and the different aspects and unique perspectives, but I wish there had been a bit more to the story with a little more hope. I was a bit like huh? when the book ended cause its taken me a bit to process it.
I would read another book by this author especially if it was a continuation of this story.
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Bound (The Nevermore Series #2) in Books
Apr 22, 2020
Contains spoilers, click to show
"My name is Mara, and I want desperately to become a mother."
All of my dreams were dashed when the world was promised hope but instead became a place of danger, death . . . and monsters.
Nevermores - a human, but feral and lethal creature with a thirst for flesh, have arisen from the ashes of human hope. Now co-inhabitants in this new world, I am gaining ground in my understanding of them just as I am forced to face a new threat from the local militia.
Led by a man with a taste for torture and a love of suffering, Sebastian and I are confronted with the seemingly impossible obstacle of escape. Caged and kept from our allies, our opportunities for freedom dwindle.
There is only one way to save us both. I am forced to unearth and embrace the dark side of my heart. I must decide who is the more dangerous enemy; the Nevermores or what remains of mankind.
I am bound to fight as though I am one of the monsters I hoped I’d never become.
This is one of those books you don't put down till it's finished and hate all interruptions. I love it so different to any of the other books I read. They have such a unique love amongst the chaos around them. I sobbed at the loss of the little one it was heartbreaking to read. Finished on a bit of a cliff hanger but who doesn't love a good cliff hanger. Untill book 3....
All of my dreams were dashed when the world was promised hope but instead became a place of danger, death . . . and monsters.
Nevermores - a human, but feral and lethal creature with a thirst for flesh, have arisen from the ashes of human hope. Now co-inhabitants in this new world, I am gaining ground in my understanding of them just as I am forced to face a new threat from the local militia.
Led by a man with a taste for torture and a love of suffering, Sebastian and I are confronted with the seemingly impossible obstacle of escape. Caged and kept from our allies, our opportunities for freedom dwindle.
There is only one way to save us both. I am forced to unearth and embrace the dark side of my heart. I must decide who is the more dangerous enemy; the Nevermores or what remains of mankind.
I am bound to fight as though I am one of the monsters I hoped I’d never become.
This is one of those books you don't put down till it's finished and hate all interruptions. I love it so different to any of the other books I read. They have such a unique love amongst the chaos around them. I sobbed at the loss of the little one it was heartbreaking to read. Finished on a bit of a cliff hanger but who doesn't love a good cliff hanger. Untill book 3....
Blackpool Trams & Recollections 1972: Part 1
Book
The Recollections seriesThe 67th volume in this growing series taking a nostalgic look at Britain's...