The Angel Makers: A Constance Piper Mystery

Hello!  Are you a fan of Wanda Brunstetter?  The Hope Jar is her latest novel and it comes out on August 1.  But, you can get a free extended preview on Amazon right now.  I am looking forward to reading this book.  It is the first novel in The Prayer Jars series.

The Angel Makers by Tessa Harris is the second A Constance Piper Mystery.  Constance Piper is a flower seller in 1888 London where Jack the Ripper is making his presence known.  Constance is out with her sister, Florence and their friend, Cath.  Cath is still reeling from the death of her daughter, Evie a year earlier.  She left her with baby farmer who promised to find Evie a good home.  Cath changed her mind the next day only to be told that Evie died overnight.  The next morning Cath is found dead in Clark’s Yard from strangulation.  Constance with the aid of her ghostly friend, Emily Tinsdall sets out to find who harmed her friend.  The police are not going to look to deeply into a prostitute’s murder.  Constance begins her investigation by gathering intel on the woman who took in Cath’s daughter, Mother Delaney.  There seems to be something sinister going on in that Poplar household.  As the evidence mounts up, Detective Sergeant Hawkins joins Constance on the search for truth and justice.

The Angel Makers has an intriguing premise.  I had not heard about baby farmers prior to this book.  These poor women trusted an individual to watch their child (for a fee) or to find a loving and caring family to adopt their child.  Unfortunately, it was a different era without the proper protections in place for the mothers and their children.  The Angel Makers is based on an actual case.  The author provides details at the end of the novel on Amelia Dyer and her misdeeds.  While the mystery was interesting, I had a hard time wading through The Angel Makers. Tessa Harris’ descriptions of the area, the clothing, and their speech were accurate for the time period.  The descriptions allowed me to visualize the scenes.  The author included historical details that enhanced the book.  You can tell that Ms. Harris did her research for this series. I found it difficult, though, to get into the story.  The POV switches between Constance and Emily Tindall which leads to a disjointed book.  I would get involved in Constance’s story and it then switches to Emily.  So, I switch gears and find out what Emily is up to.  Just as you get involved in the scenario, it switches again.  I found the writing awkward, formal and stilted. The pace of the book was slow (I think snails move faster than the storyline). I believe The Angel Makers would have been better if it had been written from the third person.  While the mystery is complicated, I found it a simple matter to pinpoint the guilty person.  The Angel Makers can be read alone.  Details from The Sixth Victim are included.  My rating for The Angel Makers is 2 out of 5 stars.  While The Angels Makers was not a hit with me, that is not true for other readers.  I suggest you obtain a sample to see if this The Angel Makers is the right fit for you.

Thank you for visiting today.  Tomorrow I will be featuring A Souffle of Suspicion by Daryl Wood Gerber as part of the Great Escapes Virtual Tour.  It is the second novel in A French Bistro Mystery series.  I hope you have a day filled with joy.  If you are feeling down, I highly suggest purchasing yourself something unexpected.  It put a little pep in my step and a smile on my face (I will share a picture soon).  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris
The Avid Reader

Plain Everyday Heroes: Three Inspirational Novellas

Good Day!  Laura V. Hilton is the author of almost twenty Amish, contemporary and historical romances.  When Laura is not writing, she reviews books for her blog as well as writes devotionals for blog posts for Seriously Write and Putting on the New.  Rachel J. Good is the author of Sisters & Friends, Love & Promises, and two books in Hearts of Amish Country series.  She has also authored the Amish Quilts Coloring Books and Angels Unaware (part of the Hope Chapel series).  Thomas Nye writes novels about horses and Amish life with a touch of romance and a foundation of faith in Christ.  Thomas and his wife, Shari life on the family farm where they raised five children and their six grandchildren love to visit their team of draft horses.

About the Book

Playing with Fire by Laura V. Hilton~~Arie Zimmerman has been in love with Noah Behr from almost the moment they met, but after a devastating wildfire destroys the community, everything changes. Noah questions how a loving Gott could allow such things to happen. As Arie and her family struggle to rebuild their home and lives, Noah escapes to California to fight another off-season wildfire—and maybe find in the process.  When Noah returns, he promises Arie the prize money if she will help him with a chili cook-off to fund the fire department. Of course, in order to spend more time with the girl he loves, he’s also willing to pitch in unloading the new furniture and animals her daed bought at an auction. He’ll even help Arie slice and dice vegetables if he can taste test the recipes.  More than just the kitchen heats up as they spend time together. But will Noah find a still missing in the process and discover there is more to life than what he initially believed?

An Unlikely Hero by Rachel J. Good~~Mysteries intrigue secondhand shop owner Benuel Miller. Although strangers may think a blind man would be easy to cheat, those who know Benuel realize he’s honed his other senses to pick up clues his eyes don’t see, making him a savvy business owner. When a stranger enters Benuel’s secondhand shop, the man is shocked by Benuel’s accurate assessment and unsolicited advice. Wary, he hopes Benuel won’t find out his true intentions, but the shopkeeper is already on the case.  Later, Mari and her twin sister, Frannie, stop in Benuel’s shop with Frannie’s three-year-old son, and Benuel senses trouble. His hunches have never led him astray, but is he misreading something here? He can’t help being drawn to Mari, yet is she as sweet and loving as she seems? Or is she hiding a deep, dark secret?  One explosive night when tragedy strikes, Benuel risks his life to find out the truth. Can he unmask the stranger from his shop to foil a sinister plot? And will what he discovers destroy his only chance for love?

Racing the Slow Girls by Thomas Nye~~A recipe for fast-paced, comical, Amish adventure.  Ingredients: Three fun-loving teenage boys on bicycles. Mix in an adorable little girl on a pony, a few spunky teenage girls, and a hint of romance. Directions: Place the characters in a beautiful setting, such as Holmes County, Ohio. Roll in the boys on bikes. Stir up a few harsh words spoken carelessly. Add plenty of retaliation by the girls. Place in the heat of a family emergency until everyone is completely undone. Sit back and enjoy an Amish adventure with a cup of coffee.

Plain Everyday Heroes contains three lovely, faith filled Amish stories in one book.  I thought they were well-written and had steady pacing throughout.  There are charming characters in each book.  I like the life lessons present in each story. The romance was light but present.  I liked the humor present in Racing the Slow Girls and little Libby was adorable.  She was the highlight of that story.  In each story the main character learns something important about himself that will make him a better individual.  The three novellas in Plain Everyday Heroes are light, quick reads that are perfect for a relaxing Sunday afternoon.  Plain Everyday Heroes is on the Kindle Unlimited Program on Amazon.  Laura V. Hilton has a new book coming out on July 10.  It is titled Firestorm and part of The Amish of Mackinac County series.

To celebrate the tour, Celebrate Lit is having a giveaway.  The Grand Prize is a $25 Visa Gift Card.  First through fourth place is an ebook copy of Plain Everyday Heroes.  Make sure to leave a comment on my blog before you enter to claim an extra nine (9) entries.  Click here to enter.

Thank you for visiting today.  Please take the time to visit the other stops on the Celebrate Lit Tour of Plain Everyday Heroes.  I will be sharing my thoughts on The Angel Makers by Tessa Harris tomorrow.  It is the second book in A Constance Piper Mystery series.  I hope you have a blessed day.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris
The Avid Reader

Blog Stops

The Avid Reader, July 7

Among the Reads, July 7

Bibliophile Reviews, July 8

Random Thoughts From a Bookworm, July 8

Texas Book-aholic, July 9

Cherylbbookblog, July 9

proud to be an autism mom, July 10

D’S QUILTS & BOOKS, July 10

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, July 11

Mary Hake, July 11

Janices book reviews, July 12

Blogging With Carol, July 12

Because I said so – Adventures in Parenting , July 13

Quiet Quilter, July 13

Reading Is My SuperPower, July 14

Jeanette’s Thoughts, July 15

Carpe Diem, July 16

A Baker’s Perspective, July 17

Maureen’s Musings, July 18

Splashes of Joy, July 18

Bigreadersite , July 19

Luv’N Lambert Life, July 19

Pink Granny’s Journey, July 20

Blossoms and Blessings, July 20

Bear Witness to Murder: A Shamelessy Adorable Teddy Bear Mystery

Welcome! Amish Celebrations by Beth Wiseman will be released on July 10 along with A Gathering of Secrets by Linda Castillo and Disorderly Conduct by Mary Feliz.  Cottage by the Sea by Debbie Macomber will be out on July 17.

Bear Witness to Murder by Meg Macy is the second book in A Shamelessly Adorable Teddy Bear Mystery series.  Sasha Silverman manages her family’s Silver Bear Shop & Factory.  Silver Hollow is kicking off their Octobear Fest with the Cranbeary Tea Party hosted by the Silver Bear Shop at the new Queen Bess Tea Room.  Sasha is surprised that Holly Parker (her old high school nemesis) is attending the event with her shop assistant and publicity guru, Gina Lawson.  Holly has opened Through the Looking Glass which sells Alice in Wonderland themed items along with teddy bears and storybooks.  For the Octobear Fest Bears on Parade event, Maddie is creating an adorable Polka Bear and is assisting her new boyfriend, Kip O’Sullivan with his Hippie Bear.  Kip keeps trying to perfect his creation and he might not get it completed on time (Maddie has her hands full with this one).  Sasha is out walking Rosie early the next morning and stumbles across an individual with a knife sticking out of their back in the alley behind Fresh Grounds.  At first Sasha believes it is Holly because of the jacket.  The victim is later identified as Gina Lawson.  When Mayor Cal Bloom on the suspect list, Judith Silverman wants Sasha to clear his name.  The suspect list is lengthy due to Gina’s attitude and it includes Sasha’s ex-husband, Flynn Hanson.  Can Sasha identify the killer before she becomes the next victim?

I thought Bear Witness to Murder was well-written and engaging.  It has a steady pace and a conversational writing style which made the story easy to read.  While this is the second tale in the series, it can be read alone.  I like the Silverman family, though, I am puzzled by Sasha’s mother, Judith.  I do not understand why she keeps trying to push Sasha and Flynn back together and it was never explained.  Sasha is lucky to have escaped the cheating louse.  She is fortunate to have a supportive father and sister.  I enjoyed the humor provided by Eve and Ross.  There are delightful descriptions of teddy bears (stuffed and resin) in Bear Witness to Murder along with teddy bear related facts.  I thought it was clever to have Oktobear Fest (a great play on words).  Silver Hollow would attract families with their theme.  Silver Hollow is a charming small town with, for the most part, friendly residents and cute shops.  Gossip spreads like wild fire in Silver Hollow which is helpful in gathering information on the suspects.  The mystery was well-crafted and I believe many readers will be surprised by the killer’s identity.  There are several suspects, red herrings, and well placed clues.  While Sasha looks into the murder, she does not let it consume her like some amateur sleuths.  There is some romance sprinkled through the story as Sasha gets to know Jay Kirby.   I found Bear Witness to Murder more enjoyable than Bearly Departed (first book in the series).  My rating for Bear Witness to Murder is 4 out of 5 stars (I liked it).  Join in on the Oktobear Fest festivities in Bear Witness to Murder.

Thank you for visiting today.  I will feature Plain Everyday Heroes by Rachel Good, Laura Hilton and Thomas Nye tomorrow.  I hope you have an enlightening day.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

Portrait of a Sister: A Novel by Laura Bradford

Hello!  I hope everyone had a lovely Fourth of July. I want to share with you some of the new book releases.  Killer Green Tomatoes by Lynn Cahoon, Dyeing Up Loose Ends by Maggie Sefton, Minding the Light by Suzanne Woods Fisher, The Book of Peril by Melissa McShane, and The Hope of Azure Springs by Rachel Fordham are some of the new books out this week.  

Portrait of a Sister by Laura Bradford is set in Blue Ball, Pennsylvania in the heart of Lancaster County.  Katie Beiler feels a deep loss when her mother passes away.  Katie is now responsible for caring for her father, siblings and the related chores until (in the future) her sister, Margaret takes over when Katie marries her beau, Abram Zook.  At night, though, when everyone else is asleep, Katie brings out her sketchpad.  Katie enjoys drawing people, but she must keep her art a secret since it goes against their beliefs (Exodus 20:4).  If it was discovered, it could get her shunned.  Her twin sister, Hannah returns for their mamm’s funeral.  While Katie was baptized into the Amish faith, Hannah left their community and lives in New York.  After Hannah returns to New York, she sends a letter to Katie asking her to visit.  When she left, Hannah “borrowed” two of Katie’s sketches and showed them to an art gallery owner.  He would like to see more of Katie’s work.  Katie finds herself in New York and spends her days exploring the city with Hannah’s friend, Eric.  Katie’s artwork is a hit with the gallery owner and she is given the opportunity of a lifetime.  Katie finds herself at a juncture where she needs to choose between the life she expected to lead or one filled with artistic freedom.

Portrait of a Sister is a book about choices and the internal struggle we go through in trying to decide.  It is particularly difficult when it involves a twin.  Katie misses her twin, but she made a commitment to the Amish faith when she joined the church.  It is hard to decide especially when one option involves artistic freedom along with a new, unexplored world with her twin sister.  Katie needs to figure out which path God wishes her to take.  Portrait of a Sister is nicely written and it is wholesome.  There is no foul language or intimate situations.  However,  I found the pace to be slower than I would prefer, there was repetition of information, and it was predictable (it ended exactly as I thought it would after reading blurb).  It was hard to like Katie.  She seemed to be on a pity party.  Katie compared herself to Hannah and found herself lacking (has issues with self-confidence).  Hannah, on the other hand, is determined to enjoy life to the fullest.  She wants the items and lifestyle she saw in magazines.  There are good life lessons contained in Portrait of a Sister.  We need to have faith, pray and God will provide answers in his own timing.  I could understand and feel Katie’s struggle with regard to her art. My rating for Portrait of a Sister is 3 out of 5 stars.  Portrait of a Sister is a sweet story of faith, family and finding your place in the world.  

Thank you for reading my review. I will be featuring Bear Witness to Murder by Meg Macy on July 6.  The second book in A Teddy Bear Mystery series.  I hope you have a fascinating day.  Take care of yourself and Happy Reading!

Kris
The Avid Reader

Minding the Light: Nantucket Legacy & a Giveaway!

Good Morrow and Happy Fourth of July! Suzanne Woods Fisher is a Carol-award winner with over one million books solve worldwide.  She is the author of Anna's Crossing, The Devoted, The Quieting, The Search and Phoebe's Light (to name just a few of her creations).

Minding the Light by Suzanne Woods Fisher is the second novel in the Nantucket Legacy series.  Jane Macy is thrilled that her husband, Captain Reynolds “Ren” Macy is returning home after being gone on the Endeavor for over six years.  They had been married less than a month when he departed.  Ren is thrilled to see his wife, but he is unprepared for the twin children by her side.  As Ren settles back into island life, he is surprised by all the changes that have taken place in his absence and not ready for those to come.  After being greeted by Jane, she collapses.  Daphne Coffin, Jane’s sister, will need all of her strength to help Ren and the children through the trying times ahead.  Daphne trusts that God will help her guide Ren and that He will speak to his heart.  She finds the journal of Great Mary in her sister’s bedside and begins reading it.  It provides comfort, wisdom and guidance.  Abraham, a sailor from Ren’s ship, is loyal, smart and kind and he is falling in love with Patience, their Indian maidservant.  Then a bounty hunter shows up to take Abraham back to his master.  What can Ren and Daphne do to keep Abraham safe?  Great Mary experienced a similar situation and her insight will prove invaluable to Daphne.  Come along for the voyage to Nantucket in Minding the Light.

Minding the Light is a well-written novel that pulled me into its world.  I was pulled into the story and my attention was held by this dual timeline story.  Ms. Fisher did a wonderful job at incorporating her research (of the area, people, whaling industry, the two time periods, the Quaker beliefs).  The author’s descriptive writing brought the book alive.  I could imagine the waves hitting the island, the smells (which had me wrinkling my nose), the homes lit by candles, well--you get the picture (pun intended).  Daphne is a good character with strong faith.  She was the perfect counterpart for Ren as she guided him on the path to be a father, responsible businessman, and a man of faith. It was fascinating to learn about the Quaker customs and beliefs as well as the Cent School. I liked that the author provided a glossary of nineteenth century Nantucket words at the beginning of the book along with a cast of characters.  While Minding the Light can be read alone, I recommend reading Phoebe’s Light (just to read and enjoy). The two stories (Daphne and Great Mary’s) are equally fascinating, and I like how they complimented each other.  In Minding the Light, we get to see relationships develop, a man grows in his faith, a rift divide a family, secrets revealed, and two children get acquainted with their father.  Minding the Light is an intriguing historical novel.  I cannot wait for the next novel in the Nantucket Legacy series which is The Light Before Day (October 2018).

Minding the Light is available at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, GooglePlay Store, Kobo, and iBooks.  To celebrate her tour, Suzanne Woods Fisher is giving away a $10 Starbucks gift card to five (5) winners.  Make sure to leave a comment on my blog before you depart to get nine (9) extra entries.  Click here to enter.  Make sure to visit the other stops on the tour (see below).  Thank you for stopping by today.  I will return tomorrow with my thoughts on Portrait of a Sister by Laura Bradford.  May you have a sparkling day.  Enjoy the fireworks and Happy Reading!

Kris
The Avid Reader

Blog Stops

Carpe Diem, July 3

Livin Lit, July 3

midnightbookaholic, July 3

The Avid Reader, July 4

Margaret Kazmierczak, July 4

The Power of Words, July 4

A Baker’s Perspective, July 5

Blossoms and Blessings, July 5

A Reader’s Brain, July 5

Just the Write Escape, July 6

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, July 6

Bibliophile Reviews, July 7

Mary Hake, July 7

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, July 7

Texas Book-aholic, July 8

Simple Harvest Reads, July 8 (Guest post from Mindy Houng)

Janices book reviews, July 9

Captive Dreams Window, July 9

Book by Book, July 9

Back Porch Reads, July 10

Reading Is My SuperPower, July 10

Splashes of Joy, July 10

The Morning Chapter, July 11

Vicky Sluiter, July 11

Book Bites, Bee Stings, & Butterfly Kisses, July 11

Among the Reads, July 12

proud to be an autism mom, July 12

Two Points of Interest, July 12

Abbas Prayer Warrior Princess, July 13

Tell Tale Book Reviews, July 13

Blogging With Carol, July 13

Truth and Grace Writing and Life Coaching, July 14

Maureen’s Musings, July 14

Southern Gal Loves to Read, July 14

Godly Book Reviews, July 15

Inklings and notions, July 15

Bigreadersite, July 15

Connie’s History Classroom , July 16

Locks, Hooks and Books, July 16

Pause for Tales, July 16

Have A Wonderful Day, July 16

Murder in the Cards: A Psychic Poker Pro Mystery

Welcome!  Paige Sleuth is a pseudonym for mystery author Marla Bradeen. She plots murder during the day and fights for mattress space with her two rescue cats at night. When not attending to her cats' demands, she writes. Paige is the author of A Cozy Cat Caper Mystery series.  She loves to hear from readers and welcomes emails at paige.sleuth@yahoo.com.  You can find out more about Paige Sleuth and her books on her website.  Readers can follow the author on Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads and Amazon.   

Murder in the Cards by Paige Sleuth is the first book in A Psychic Poker Pro Mystery series. Tiffany Swanson has quit her job (much to her mother’s dismay) and is becoming a professional poker player.  Her first day as a professional poker player at the Aria Resort and Casino in Las Vegas gets off to a bumpy start when she runs into man and has a startling vision of a gruesome murder.  Tiffany has never had a vision before, but it does run in the family.  Her Aunt Tuna makes a living as a spiritual guidance counselor (aka psychic).  Aunt Tuna gleefully informs Tiffany that she has the gift of touch telepathy and gifts her with a cat on which to practice her new gift.  Greg Mortenson, the man Tiffany encountered at the casino, is in Las Vegas for a bachelor party weekend with his buddies.  The vision Tiffany had was of the murder of Greg’s brother, Randy.  Greg believes one of men with him killed his brother and he could use Tiffany’s help.  With encouragement from her cousin (Minnie), Tiffany is spending her days investigating instead of winning at the poker table.  Can Tiffany identify the killer before her suspects fly home? 

Murder in the Cards is nicely written, and it has a steady pace.  The story has an interesting premise with the main character being a poker playing psychic and the setting being Las Vegas (instead of a small town).  I am curious to see how Tiffany will handle her new gift and will she take the time to learn how to use it properly.  I thought she failed to utilize it in Murder in the Cards, but she did just learn about her new powers.  Since this was the first book in the series, I wish the author had taken the time to develop the characters.  There is a lack of detail.  The mystery was appealing.  It has misdirection and readers are provided with good clues to aid in solving the crime.  Avid sleuths, though, will have no problem identifying the killer.  My rating for Murder in the Cards is 3 out of 5 stars.  Murder in the Cards is an appealing light cozy mystery with a fascinating paranormal element.

As part of Paige Sleuth's third annual "Buy in July" event, $1 from every Paige Sleuth book purchase (excluding ebook purchases of Murder in Cherry Hills) will be donated to the Community Cat Coalition of Clark County (C5). C5 is a volunteer-powered organization that seeks to reduce the number of cats euthanized every year by trapping and spay/neutering feral cats in the Las Vegas area before releasing them back into their communities.  

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thank you for visiting today.  I hope you will take the time to visit the other stops on the tour.  Before leaving my blog, leave a comment for an extra entry in the author's Rafflecopter Giveaway.  Paige Sleuth is giving away a digital copy of Murder in Cherry Hills. May you have a mesmerizing day.  I will return tomorrow with my review of Minding the Light by Suzanne Woods Fisher as part of the Celebrate Lit Tour.  The second book in the Nantucket Legacy series.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

TOUR PARTICIPANTS

July 1 – 3 Partners in Shopping, Nana, Mommy, & Shopping, Too! – SPOTLIGHT

July 2 – Babs Book Bistro – SPOTLIGHT

July 3 – Ruff Drafts – AUTHOR INTERVIEW  

July 3 – The Avid Reader – REVIEW

July 4 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT

July 5 – Devilishly Delicious Book Reviews – REVIEW

July 6 – Back Porchervations – REVIEW

July 7 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – SPOTLIGHT

July 8 – The Montana Bookaholic – REVIEW

July 9 – Books a Plenty Book Reviews – REVIEW

July 10 – Mysteries with Character – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

July 11 – StoreyBook Reviews – REVIEW

July 12 – Paranormal and Romantic Suspense Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

July 13 –Celticlady's Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

July 13 – Teresa Trent Author Blog – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

July 14 – Laura's Interests – REVIEW

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Home on Huckleberry Hill: The Matchmakers of Huckleberry Hill

Greetings!  A Souffle of Suspicion by Daryl Wood Gerber publishes on July 10.  It is the second book in A French Bistro Mystery series.  Fire Storm by Laura Hinton also comes out on July 10 along with Shelved Under Murder by Victoria Gilbert.  I have a busy month of reading ahead of me!

Home on Huckleberry Hill by Jennifer Beckstrand is the ninth tale in The Matchmakers of Huckleberry Hill.  Anna Helmuth is worried about her granddaughter, Mary Anne’s marriage and, as usual, her instincts are spot on.  Mary Anne Neuenschwander is fed up.  She knows that she should be grateful for her home and her husband, but Mary Anne is not happy.  Jethro cares more about his fishing pole than he does about Mary Anne.  When he fails to remember their six-year anniversary, she moves into a tent in the backyard.  Ever since her miscarriage four years prior along with the news regarding future children, Jethro has been a different man.  Now Mary Anne is going to focus on making herself happy instead of satisfying Jethro.  Jethro was devastated when Mary Anne had her miscarriage and he was afraid of letting her see his disappointment.  He threw himself into fishing with his friends and even bought a $400 fishing pole which is keeps on the bed in the spare room.  When he arrives home and finds that Mary Anne has moved out, he is dumbfounded.  He is worried about what people in the district will think (oh dear).  Anna and Felty soon arrive and set up their tent.  They want to support Mary Anne, but they are not quite prepared for roughing it.  Anna has a plan, but she did not count on Jethro being so obtuse.  Anna will need more than pot holders if this project is going to succeed.  Break out your best camping gear, cozy up to the campfire and submerge yourself in Home on Huckleberry Hill. 

Home on Huckleberry Hill is a delight to read.  The story is well-written and it has a nice, steady pace throughout.  This book is different from the others in the series. Anna and Felty are trying to assist a married couple instead of match up to singles.  Jennifer Beckstrand has created a wonderful pair of characters.  Anna and Felty are darling and their antics had me laughing frequently (their chickens, the RV, the hammock, Anna’s cooking).  At one point, Anna offers to knit a scarf or a Minion beanie if it would help (the pot holders were not cutting it) and I continue to chuckle every time I think about that line (and situation).  I also enjoyed Mary Anne’s creative outlets.  They were very clever and unique (I will never look at cheese doodles the same way again).  I was quite taken with the butterfly quilt she constructed.  I like how Mary Anne’s family supported her decision and aided her.  The campground got quite large and Jethro’s tent will never be the same again. There are good life lessons in Home on Huckleberry Hill.  The importance of communication in a marriage, putting your partner’s happiness ahead of your own, and remembering that there are two sides to every story.  This is a book about learning from your mistakes, remembering why you love your spouse (falling in love again) and moving forward in harmony.  While Home on Huckleberry Hill is part of a series, it can be read alone.  I thoroughly recommend every book in this engaging Amish series.  Each book is better than the previous and Jennifer Beckstrand did not disappoint in Home on Huckleberry Hill.  Home on Huckleberry Hill is a warm-hearted, humorous story that will leave you wanting more.  My rating for Home on Huckleberry Hill is 5 out of 5 stars (I loved it).

Thank you for reading my review.  Tomorrow I will be featuring Murder in the Cards by Paige Sleuth.  It is the first book in A Psychic Poker Pro Mystery series.  May you have a joyous day.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

Fourth of July is almost here!