The Amish Ballerina by Richelle Brunstetter with Wanda E. Brunstetter

 The Amish Ballerina

Book Summary

An Amish Woman Hides a Secret Passion

 

Eighteen-year-old Arie Kauffman loves to twirl and leap around the barn in her Amish bonnet and dress, practicing ballet moves her English friend taught her. Her parents would be upset to learn that this longtime interest has progressed to her secretly attending ballet classes. Arie even hides her dance skills from her boyfriend, Edwin Chupp, who often invites her to try new things, knowing she has an artistic heart. Her secrecy, however, is causing damage she may not be able to repair. When offered new opportunities to dance, will Arie break from Amish tradition or hold true to the bonds of her faith and family?

My Thoughts

The Amish Ballerina by Richelle Brunstetter with Wanda E. Brunstetter is a story that I was looking forward to reading.  I thought the premise was unique with a young Amish woman taking ballet classes.  The writing style was definitely not that of Wanda Brunstetter (I have read every book that she has written).  The story was stilted, lacked warmth, and a good flow.  The story also moved at a snail’s pace. I did not enjoy the lengthy paragraphs of internal dialogue (they went on and on).  Arie and Edwin’s families are not warm, loving people.  I felt bad for Edwin whose father overlooked his older son’s numerous faults but did not appreciate Edwin’s hard work.  I was disappointed that the issues with Edwin’s family were not resolved.  The characters lacked depth, and, with the exception of Edwin, they were self-centered.  The danger of secrets and being dishonest were the two main themes in the story.  The Amish Ballerina had a nice ending, but I was disappointed with it.  In the end, I was happy to turn the last page of The Amish Ballerina.

The Amish Ballerina is available from Amazon*.  Wanda E. Brunstetter has The Beginner's Quilt coming out February 15, 2026.  You can find Wanda E. Brunstetter's other novels here and Richelle Brunstetter's books here.  Thank you for joining me today.  Tomorrow, I am a stop on the Celebrate Lit Tour for On a Midnight Clear by Tracie Peterson, Misty M. Beiler, and Karen Witemeyer.  I am off to take my mother to an appointment, and then we are going out to eat (my belated birthday dinner).  I hope that you have a glorious day.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

*I voluntarily read an advanced copy of this book.  I am not required to leave a review.  The comments and opinions expressed are strictly my own.

*This post contains affiliate links.

Detecting Concealed Evidence by Dana Mentink

 

Detecting Concealed Evidence

About the Book

Book: Detecting Concealed Evidence (Security Hounds Investigations Book 5)

Author: Dana Mentink

Genre: Inspirational Romantic Suspense

Release Date: August 6, 2025

A panicked call sends detective Chase Wolfe and his search-and-rescue bloodhound, Tank, racing right into the path of his neighbor—who’s just barely escaped an abduction. But Pilar Alonso has no idea who’s after her or why. Now she must rely on Chase to keep her safe while they work together to track down the unknown assailants targeting her. Only, their investigation reveals layers of a much more sinister agenda, and danger is rapidly closing in. Drawn into a web of deceit, can they untangle the mystery…before they’re permanently silenced?

From Love Inspired Suspense: Courage. Danger. Faith

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Dana Mentink is a USA Today and Publisher’s Weekly bestselling author as well as a two-time American Christian Fiction Writers Carol Award winner, and a Holt Medallion winner. She is the author of over fifty titles in the suspense and lighthearted romance genres. She is pleased to write for Harlequin’s Love Inspired Suspense, Revell and Poisoned Pen Press.

More from Dana

Those bloodhounds are galloping on through this Security Hounds series, aren’t they? Here in book #5, we have Chase and the unbelievably chill Tank. They couldn’t be more opposite. Tank is the kind of dog who only leaves his sunny napping spot when there’s an urgent need to do so. Chase is an energetic, unrestrained, human who gets caught up in the life of the reserved Pilar, a cello player who is simply trying to earn a few extra dollars when her delivery van is forced off the road and she’s kidnapped. That’s only the beginning of the adventure. I hope you will enjoy Tank, who falls deeply in love with Pilar’s cello music, and Pilar and Chase, who definitely got off on the wrong foot when they first met. And what is the object the killer is desperate to get his hands on? Hope you enjoy the ride!

My Thoughts

Detecting Concealed Evidence by Dana Mentink is a compelling tale.  I found myself quickly drawn into the story (and I stayed up late to see how it would turn out).  I liked the unique plot.  I enjoyed getting to know Chase better as well as his K-9 partner, Tank.  Pilar is a strong woman who is doing what it takes to survive and take care of her father.  I like Chase’s family and their dogs.  There was danger, suspense, and mystery.  There was a twist or two that kept things lively.  I was intrigued by the lava tubes mentioned in the story (I had to look them up, so I could see what they looked like).  There was a gentle thread of faith woven throughout the book.  While Detecting Concealed Evidence is the fifth book in the Security Hounds Investigations series, it can be read as a standalone (but I encourage you to read all the books in the series).  Detecting Concealed Evidence is a suspenseful story with an auto accident, a long lava tube, Tank the tracker, bolting from bullets, a helpful family, and dodging danger.

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Dana is giving away a $50 Amazon gift card and a copy of the book!! Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click here to enter.  Good Luck!

Detecting Concealed Evidence is available from Amazon*.  The sixth book in the Security Hounds Investigation series is Scent of Sabotage and it will be out on December 30. You can find the other books in the Security Hounds Investigations series here. Check out Dana Mentink's other books. If you follow Dana Mentink on Amazon, they will send you an email when she has a new book release.  Thank you for stopping by today.  I will return on Tuesday, September 30 with The Amish Ballerina by Richelle Brunstetter with Wanda E. Brunstetter. Don't forget to enter the giveaway! I hope that you have a wonderful weekend.  I will be spending time this afternoon plotting out my front yard Halloween display.  Every inch counts (it is a small yard).  I am grateful that my neighbor on the right allow me to go over to the edge of their driveway (sometimes they even allow me to decorate their yard too).  I will share pictures once I am done decorating (it will take me several days to get everything in place).  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

Blog Stops

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, September 23

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, September 23

The Avid Reader, September 24

Devoted To Hope, September 24

She Lives To Read, September 25

Blossoms and Blessings, September 25

Betti Mace, September 26

Texas Book-aholic, September 27

Labor Not in Vain , September 27

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, September 28

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, September 29

Holly’s Book Corner, September 29

Bizwings Blog, September 30

Life on Chickadee Lane, October 1

Pause for Tales, October 1

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, October 2

For Him and My Family, October 3

A Good Book and Cup of Tea, October 3

Blogging With Carol, October 4

Simple Harvest Reads, October 5 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

Lights in a Dark World, October 5

EmpowerMoms, October 6

*I voluntarily read an advanced copy of this book.  I am not required to leave a review.  The comments and opinions expressed are strictly my own.

*This post contains affiliate links. 

A Perilous Plot by Lorna Barrett

A Perilous Plot 

Book Summary

Family reunions are killer—literally—in the newest mystery in Lorna Barrett's New York Times bestselling Booktown series.

Everything was going great for Tricia Miles, right up until her estranged mother, Sheila, arrives on her front step with an urn she says contains the remains of Tricia's father.

Shocked and saddened, Tricia and her sister, Angelica, attempt to get to the bottom of what happened. But their efforts for clarity are dashed when Shelia disappears the very next day, leaving without a word.

Naturally, the sisters are upset—especially after they take the remains to the local funeral parlor and discover that not only is the urn filled with kitty litter, but hidden inside is a valuable (and stolen) Rolex watch. Digging deeper, the sisters find their parents are in dire financial trouble and seem to be lurking around Booktown.

Tricia and Angelica can’t help but wonder how many more secrets their mother was keeping...and whether that includes murder.

My Thoughts

A Perilous Plot by Lorna Barrett is the nineteenth A Booktown Mystery.  Tricia and Angelica must deal with their shifty parents along with a murdered family friend.  Tricia still acts like someone who is much older (she is in her 40s but acts like she is in her 60s) while dating someone twenty years younger.  I can certainly understand why Tricia and Angelica dread spending time with their parents, especially their mother, Sheila (she is a piece of work).  The story moved at leisurely pace.  The mystery was straightforward with a small suspect pool, and the ending was unsatisfactory.  

I liked the message that there is more than one type of family.  There are blood relatives that treat you terribly, and there is the family you create that makes you feel happy and whole.  The story lacked action and there were repetitive details.  Each day seemed like the one before it (get up, work, eat, drink, deal with mother, eat, etc.). I wish this story were more like the books in the beginning of the series (I believe the series has run its course).  A Perilous Plot transports readers to Stoneham, New Hampshire where there is kitty litter trickery, slow sales, missing meat, dishonest parents, box sorting, and a distressed Sarge.

A Perilous Plot is available from Amazon*.  You can find the other A Booktown Mysteries here.  The earlier books in the series are better than the recent stories. Thank you for dropping by today.  Tomorrow I am a stop on the Celebrate Lit Tour for Detecting Concealed Evidence by Dana Mentink. It is the fifth book in the Security Hounds Investigations series. 

They just finished eating!

 

They are heading for the water dishes!

I have not given you a duckling update in a while.  They are now as big as or bigger than their mother.  It is hard to believe that these were the same little ducklings that showed up on my porch a few weeks ago.  I can no longer feed them on my porch because of a neighbor who does not like cats, ducks, frogs, or any animal besides her dog (she did not like the ducks napping under her golf cart which she has not used since she moved in a year ago).  My other neighbor's have no problem with the ducks and gave me permission to feed them in their yards.  It is unusual for the ducklings to still be with their mother at this age.  She leads them to the lake (two short blocks from my house) to sleep each night (it is adorable to see them waddling down the street in a line).  I hope that you have an uplifting day.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

*I voluntarily read an advanced copy of this book.  I am not required to leave a review.  The comments and opinions expressed are strictly my own.

*This post contains affiliate links.

A Harvest of Amish Blessings: A Collection

 A Harvest of Amish Blessings

 

Book Summary

Gathering Hearts & Giving Thanks - Four Amish Thanksgiving Romances Where Faith Heals, Love Grows, and Gratitude Changes Everything

In A Harvest of Amish Blessings, beloved authors Mindy Steele, Rachel J. Good, Jennifer Beckstrand, and Tracy Fredrychowski invite you into a world where hearts are healed, faith is renewed, and love grows when we take time to give thanks. From handwritten notes and surprise visits to rekindled friendships and life-changing choices, each story is a reminder that the richest harvest comes from the heart.

Helping Hands by Mindy Steele

One moment Andrew Graber was helping his brother, Robert, on a roofing job. The next he was gone, leaving behind his young wife and children. With a store to run and a family to provide for, Beth Graber struggles to transition between being a wife to becoming a widow. But Beth is not alone. Married into a family larger than any other, she can barely find time to herself to grieve the devastating loss of her husband. But when a string of notes begins to appear, Beth might discover how much she is thankful for.

Letters of Gratitude by Rachel J. Good

An Amish schoolteacher assigns her students to write anonymous letters of gratitude to community members for Thanksgiving. When she receives a deeply moving letter herself, she sets out to discover who wrote it, eventually finding it came from a reclusive woodworker who lost his faith after his wife's death. Their friendship begins as she helps him reconnect with the community and find reasons for giving thanks again.

Thanksgiving on Huckleberry Hill by Jennifer Beckstrand

It’s going to be the worst Thanksgiving ever. Anna and Felty Helmuth’s family can’t be bothered to come to dinner, so Anna plans to clean out her closets and eat Cream of Wheat, just to spite her ungrateful relatives. But when surprise visitors arrive, Anna learns that Thanksgiving isn’t so much about the turkey as it is about having a grateful heart for unexpected blessings.

Seasons of the Heart by Tracy Fredrychowski

During the annual Harvest Dinner, Patricia Wengerd finds herself at a crossroads. A chance encounter sparks dreams of adventure, while a lifelong friend's steady presence offers comfort. As she navigates matters of the heart, Patricia embarks on a journey of faith and the call of something more. This heartwarming love story follows Patricia as she learns that sometimes, the path laid out, though unexpected, could lead to the most fulfilling destination. Will she follow her heart or the dreams she thought she left behind?

Whether you’re cozying up for the holidays or savoring stories of faith and family, A Harvest of Amish Blessings is a collection to cherish all season long.

My Thoughts

A Harvest of Amish Blessing:  A Collection of Amish Romances contains four heartwarming novellas by Tracy Fredrychowski, Mindy Steele, Rachel Good, and Jennifer Beckstrand.  Seasons of the Heart by Tracy Fredrychowski is well-written with realistic characters.  I like the life lesson in the story.  We get to see that sometimes our dreams do not align with  God’s plan for us.  The story had a sweet ending.  I liked that faith was at the forefront of this story.  This is definitely a tale that will touch your heart.  Helping Hands by Mindy Steele is a moving novella.  I felt for Beth Graber who is recently widowed.  She is left to raise her children on her own plus she is expecting another child.  Beth must take care of their store as well and she has no clue how to operate it (how to do the books, order supplies, collect overdue accounts).  Beth also must deal with a pushy mother-in-law who oversteps but means well.  I like that we get a look at the day-to-day life of an Amish family.  Beth learns that life does continue after the loss of a loved one and to be thankful for all of life’s blessings (including mother-in-law’s).  

Letters of Gratitude by Rachel Good is a story that will tug on your heartstrings.  Mrs. Vandenburg is such a charming  lady, and she uses her influence to help others.  I enjoyed this sweet story.  Thanksgiving on Huckleberry Hill by Jennifer Beckstrand was delightful.  Anna and Felty Helmuth are two of my favorite characters.  I laughed often while reading this entertaining story.  Friends, family, and being thankful are the themes in this story.  Of course, potholders came into play and there was one unwelcome visitor (readers of the series will know who I am talking about).  I was sorry when this diverting tale came to a close.  A Harvest of Amish Blessing was a delight from beginning to end.  

A Harvest of Amish Blessing is available from Amazon* and Barnes & Noble. If you like Amish stories, you should check out the authors other creations:  Tracy Fredrychowski, Mindy Steele, Rachel J. Good, and Jennifer Beckstrand.  If you have not read Jennifer Beckstrand's The Matchmakers of Huckleberry Hill, I highly recommend it.  Anna Helmuth's antics will have you laughing from beginning to end (I would never be able to eat one of her meals).  Thank you for stopping by today.  I will return tomorrow with A Perilous Plot by Lorna Barrett.  It is the ninteeth A Booktown Mystery.  I hope that you have a delightful day.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

*I voluntarily read an advanced copy of this book.  I am not required to leave a review.  The comments and opinions expressed are strictly my own.

*This post contains affiliate links.

The 3-Minute Prayer Jar Devotional by Wanda E. Brunstetter

 The 3-Minute Prayer Jar Devotional

Book Summary

Inspired by New York Times bestselling author Wanda E. Brunstetter’s The Prayer Jars series. . .

The 3-Minute Prayer Jar Devotional: Daily Inspiration for Women delivers the same life-changing inspiration as Wanda E. Brunstetter’s unforgettable stories. Every reading will help you draw closer to your heavenly Father.

Your prayer life will be transformed as you read through these daily encouraging devotional readings centered around the themes of forgiveness, hope, and healing.

With each turn of the page, you’ll discover the unchanging truths of God’s Word alongside meaningful prompts that guide you to write out your personal prayers or favorite, promise-filled Bible verses to add to your very own prayer jar. (Simple instructions are included in the introduction.)

Once you’ve finished reading the last page, you’ll have a full prayer jar of your very own. Use it to infuse your heart with inspiration and encouragement when you need it—or share it with a friend who could use some faith restoration of her very own!

Here is my prayer jar! This cute Stitch is keeping an eye on it!

The 3-Minute Prayer Jar Devotional is available from Amazon*.  Wanda E. Brunstetter's other devotionals are The Prayer Jar Devotional:  Healing, The Prayer Jar Devotional:  Hope, and The Prayer Jar Devotional:  Forgiveness.  The author also has the fiction series The Prayer Jar Trilogy.  The Amish Ballerina by Richelle Brunstetter with Wanda E. Brunsteter comes in ebook on September 15 and paperback on October 1.  If you follow Wanda E. Brunstetter on Amazon, they will notify you when she has a new book release. Thank you for dropping by today.  I will return next week to share new books with you.  My birthday is this week and, hopefully, I am going out to lunch as well as doing a little shopping (it all depends on my mother).  I hope that you have a wonderful week.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

*I voluntarily read an advanced copy of this book.  I am not required to leave a review.  The comments and opinions expressed are strictly my own.

*This post contains affiliate links.

The Girl Who Trusted Ghosts by K.C. Tansley

 The Girl Who Trusted Ghosts

Book Summary

The key to my future is hidden in the past. But can I face the dark family secrets buried in 1591 and make it back in time to save everyone I love?

The Kingsley, Mallory, Radcliffe heirs and I (the Langley heir) journey to our family estates on a mission. We must each gather a unique ingredient tied to our family’s elemental abilities for a long hidden incantation that will reveal what bound our families together centuries ago.

Across the ages, I’ve seen firsthand how dark magic has attacked our families and grown more powerful every time it hurts us. We need this vicious cycle to end. Danger stalks us at every turn, and someone I love is kidnapped. I have no idea who took my loved one or where they went. But I know how far my enemies will go to prevent me from casting this spell, so I must do it.

The spell unexpectedly transports us back to 1591 England. To a time when our ancestors worked together with the Fitzgeralds to reseal an ancient evil, the Dark One. Can we unlock our families’ hidden histories and uncover how to fight this enemy, along with the Fitzgerald’s dark warlock back in our own time?

If you’re seeking magical family sagas that stretch across a thousand years and will keep you reading past midnight, love that endures for centuries, and exciting quests through time, join Kat on her next pulse-pounding adventure!

My Thoughts

I was tickled when I received a copy of The Girl Who Trusted Ghosts by K.C. Tansley, because  I was eager to learn what was going on with Kat and her friends (I wish responsibilities did not keep me from reading all day).  The story has mystery, magic, and mayhem.  Kat and her allies are working to defeat the Dark One and the dark warlock. Kat has been improving her powers, and she will need them along with all the knowledge the group can acquire from the past.  They need to discover the origin of their families’ magical heirlooms and so much more.  Kat must be brave in the face of such evil opposition and without someone she cares about to comfort her.  

The Girl Who Trusted Ghosts is the fourth book in The Unbelievables series.  This is a series that needs to be  read in order (trust me, it is better this way).  I was sorry when The Girl Who Trusted Ghosts came to an end.  I cannot wait for the final book in The Unbelievables series for the supernatural showdown between Kat and her allies and the Dark One with the dark warlock.  Hang on for a rollicking ride with The Girl Who Trusted Ghosts as the friends search for secrets, gather ingredients, get help from obliging ghosts, learn details about a destructive curse, deal with seal troubles, traverse through time, and struggle with a loss.

The Girl Who Trusted Ghosts is available from Amazon*.  You can read it for free if you belong to Kindle Unlimited.  The other novels in The Unbelievables series are The Girl Who Ignored Ghosts, The Girl Who Saved Ghosts, and The Girl Who Loved Ghosts (all three books are available through Kindle Unlimited).  If you follow K.C. Tansley on Amazon, they will send you an email when she has a new release.  Thank you for joining me today.  I am off to a doctor's appointment this afternoon (the trip is longer than the appointment).  The trip home allows me to run my errands (I pass all the places where I need to stop on the way home, so it works out well).   I will return tomorrow with the 3-Minute Prayer Jar Devotional:  Daily Inspiration for Women by Wanda E. Brunstetter.  I hope that you have a delightful day.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

*I voluntarily read an advanced copy of this book.  I am not required to leave a review.  The comments and opinions expressed are strictly my own.

*This post contains affiliate links.