The Amish Quiltmaker's Unruly In-Law by Jennifer Beckstrand

 The Amish Quiltmaker's Unruly In-Law

Book Summary

Opposites can make the most delightful pattern...

Filled with her trademark humor and relatable characters, award winning author Jennifer Beckstrand's second installment in the Amish Quiltmaker series finds independent-minded quilter Esther Liem's matchmaking skills put to the test in her new Colorado community.

Moving to a new Amish settlement in small-town Colorado was a brave new start for independent-minded quiltmaker Esther Liem. But helping her reckless relative will really put her special matchmaking skills to the test...

Mischievous and rebellious, young Ben Liem is making the wrong kind of name for himself throughout the town of Yoder. And even though his sister-in-law, Esther, somehow coaxes him into keeping company with sensible Linda Eicher, Ben can't see anything they have in common. Or that he could ever be good enough for someone like her. But Linda's down-to-earth nature and unexpected understanding have Ben trying his best to be better, no matter how challenging...

Linda couldn't be more surprised when Ben turns out to be caring and helpful, despite his rowdy pranks and bad-news friends. And falling in love with him suddenly seems just right. But when a heartbreaking misunderstanding comes between them, both she and Ben must risk enough to trust, stitch the pieces back together--and dare a forever precious happiness. 

My Thoughts

The Amish Quiltmaker’s Unruly In-Law by Jennifer Beckstrand is an entertaining Amish novel.  It is the second book in The Amish Quiltmaker’s series.  While The Amish Quiltmaker’s Unruly In-Law can be read as a standalone, I suggest reading The Amish Quiltmaker’s Unexpected Baby first.  It will introduce you to Edith and Levi (explain their story) and provide you with hours of entertainment.   I am glad Edith and Levi plus Winnie are included in The Amish Quiltmaker’s Unruly In-Law.  I just love them, and Esther is a delight (she is still putting items behind her ear).  Ben Kiem, Levi’s younger brother, is known for his misbehavior and pranks.  He has two friends who drag him into trouble.  Ben suffers an injury and needs his new sister-in-law’s help.  Esther agrees to assist him and to not mention it to his parents, in exchange for Ben asking Linda Eicher home from the next youth gathering.  It is the last thing Ben wants to do, and he goes out of his way to ensure Linda says no.  Ben soon finds himself spending time with Linda who tries to change Ben’s errant ways.  I loved the humor in this story.  I laughed often while reading.  Linda is such an upbeat, friendly character.  Her laughter and joy are contagious.  Ben is a charmer who is also a bad boy.  You can soon see why Linda is attracted to him.  I thought The Amish Quiltmaker’s Unruly In-Law was well-written with delightful characters.  Cathy Larsen is a hoot.  I also loved Ben’s grandmother and sweet Winnie.  There are good life lessons in the story including the importance of being yourself.   I like how the point-of-view alternated between Ben and Linda.  We get to see things from each person’s perspective. I liked seeing the Amish youth do so many outdoor activities like canoeing, snowshoeing, skiing, and hiking.  I love it that the older set gets together to play pickleball.  There are two lines from the book that I wanted to share with you.  The first is, “A merry heart does gute like a medicine.”  The second one comes from Cathy who said, “Golfing is the most boring sport in the entire world, except for maybe football.  I mean, what’s the point?”.    The Amish Quiltmaker’s Unruly In-Law was over far too soon.   I knew I could count on Jennifer Beckstrand to provide a diverting Amish tale.  It was just what I needed.  Laughter is indeed the best medicine.  The Amish Quiltmaker’s Unruly In-Law is an amusing Amish tale with snowshoe sprints, melting marshmallows, the winsome Winnie, a brazen bad boy, restorative essential oils, an ornery octogenarian, and a scheming sister-in-law.

The Amish Quiltmaker's Unruly In-Law publishes June 29 and is available from Amazon*.  The first book in The Amish Quiltmaker's series is The Amish Quiltmaker's Unexpected Baby (on Kindle Unlimited).  You can find Jennifer Beckstrand's other delightful Amish novels here.  Thank you for joining me today.  I will return tomorrow to feature Pup Fiction by Laurien Beckstrand.  It is 27th A Melanie Travis Mystery.  I hope each of you have a relaxing weekend.  Take care, be kind, and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

*This post contains affiliate links.  As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Murder at the Beacon Bakeshop by Darci Hannah

 

Book Summary

Murder at the Beacon Bakeshop by Darci Hannah has Lindsey Bakewell getting a fresh start in Beacon Harbor, Michigan.  After catching her fiancé in a compromising position in his office with his pastry chef, Lindsey decides it is time to pursue her dream.  She gives up her job in finance and purchases a rundown lighthouse in Beacon Harbor where she spent happy times as a child with her grandparents.  Lindsey is going to open The Beacon Bakeshop and Café in the lighthouse while living above with her Newfoundland, Wellington.  While most of the town is happy to see the lighthouse getting a revival, Fiona Dickel is not.  She threatens to ruin Lindsey’s Memorial Day weekend grand opening.  The bakery opens to a crowd with Fiona and her group protesting outside. Unfortunately, Lindsey’s ex-fiancé, Jeffery Plank and his girlfriend, Mia Long decide to crash the party intent upon revenge.  Mia begins tossing pastries and Fiona’s group gets in on the action.  Mia ends up collapsing and dies before reaching the hospital.  Someone poisoned Mia and Lindsey is the police’s prime suspect.  Lindsey with help from her friends begins investigating so they can prove her innocence.  

My Thoughts

Murder at the Beacon Bakeshop by Darci Hannah is the debut of A Beacon Bakeshop Mystery series.  I thought this was a delightful story.  It is well-written with developed characters.  The author took the time to introduce us to Lindsey Bakewell and her dog, Wellington.  After catching her fiancé with his pastry chef, Lindsey is given the advice to follow her dream.  Thankfully, Lindsey invested well and has a solid portfolio.  It allows her to purchase a rundown lighthouse in Beacon Harbor, Michigan that she renovates into living quarters, bakery, and café.   Lindsey is smart, loyal, independent, and has a good heart.  She is also an excellent baker.  I love Wellington.  He is a large, fun, friendly dog.  We are introduced to the charming town of Beacon Harbor and its friendly (most of them) residents.  Unfortunately, Fiona Dickel is not happy with Lindsey purchasing a historical landmark and improving its appearance.   The mystery was entertaining.  A bruhaha on opening day leads to the death of Lindsey’s ex-fiancé’s lover.  Lindsey finds herself at the top of the suspect list and her bakery closed.  She has no choice but to investigate.  With help from her bestie, Kennedy Kapoor and her new friends, Lindsey asks questions, does research, and looks for clues.  There are several good suspects in this whodunit along with subtle clues (you have to pay close attention to details to find some of them).  I enjoyed piecing together the clues and figuring out who is behind the poisoning.  There is action that kept the book moving rapidly forward toward the conclusion.  The conclusion was eventful and complete.  There is a hint of paranormal in the story.  It is said that the ghost of Captain Willy Riggs haunts the lighthouse.  I enjoyed the ghost legends and how it was incorporated into the story.  Lindsey and her neighbor, Rory Campbell hit it off from their first meeting.  He asks her out to dinner right away.  I did feel there was a wee bit too much romance (for a cozy mystery) and that it was happening too fast (I prefer the romance to play out slowly over the course of the series).  Murder at the Beacon Bakeshop is a delightful cozy mystery with delectable donuts, a wandering Wellington, an enticing neighbor, a fashionista friend, a guileful ghost, and a busy baker.  

Murder at the Beacon Bakeshop is available from Amazon*.  The next A Beacon Bakeshop Mystery is Murder at the Christmas Cookie Bake-Off which publishes September 28.  I am looking forward to reading it.  Thank you for joining me today.  I will be back tomorrow with The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner.  For now, I am off to do a little work outside. I hope that you have a cheerful day.  Take care, be kind, and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

*This post contains affiliate links.  As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Into the Frying Pan by Sarah Osborne

Happy Memorial Day!  A day for visiting with friends, swimming, barbeque, napping and honoring those that have died serving our country.  When I was younger, this was the day we spent at the cemetery taking care of the graves (cleaning off vines, planting flowers, etc.). Peach Clobbered by Anna Gerard releases on July 9.  It is the first book in A Georgia B&B Mystery series.  Killer in the Carriage House by Sheila Connolly is the second novel in A Victorian Village Mystery series.  It also comes out on July 9.  The Pawful Truth by Miranda James comes out July 16 along with Window on the Bay by Debbie Macomber.  My TBR list keeps getting longer.  What books are you looking forward to reading this summer?

Into the Frying Pan by Sarah Osborne has readers sweltering in Atlanta, Georgia in July.  Ditie Brown has just returned home from the local pool with her two children, Lucie and Jason when her ex-boyfriend, Phil Brockton IV shows up in a Confederate uniform.  Phil invites Ditie to the Battle of Resaca reenactment the next day and mentions that several of her med school chums will be attendance.  Ditie agrees to attend despite Mason’s disapproval.  Ditie catches up with her medical school friends while watching the action.  The cannon goes off and when the smoke clears, they see that the cannon has exploded leaving Carl Thompson dead on the field of battle.  Is it a coincidence that the deceased happened to be Phil’s rival in school and is still causing problems for him?  Kathy Thompson learns of Ditie’s success in solving the last crime she was involved in and asks her to get justice for Carl.  As Ditie dives into the lives of her old med school mates, she uncovers rivalries, secrets and jealousies.  Past events may have played into the victim’s death.  At the Battle of Tunnel Hill the following weekend, another alum is shot down.  Which one of the suspects is taking out Ditie’s friends?  Ditie needs to identify the killer before she becomes the next target. 

Into the Frying Pan is the second A Ditie Brown Mystery and it can be read as a standalone.  Ditie Brown finds herself embroiled in another mystery when one of her old medical school classmates dies at a Civil War reenactment.  She must also deal with jealousy from Mason Garrett, her detective boyfriend, when her old beau Phil Brockton IV comes to town.  There are multiple suspects who all had a reason for doing away with unlikeable Carl.  The murder was unique with the killer using an old cannon to dispose of the victim.  The second victim also died in an uncommon way.   It was interesting to learn about reenactments and the people who participate in them.  It is educational and a good way to allow children to learn about the Civil War.  Avid mystery readers will not find the whodunit challenging, but others will like the variety of suspects and misdirection.  I was not a fan of Mason’s jealousy which was featured throughout the whole story.  Ditie was not the strong, confident woman we saw in Too Many Crooks Spoil the Plot.  She came across as weak and easily manipulated.  I do like Ditie’s interactions with the children.  She is sweet with them and I like how she is handling the loss of their mother.  Lucie is the highlight of the book.  She is a smart little girl with a sensitive soul.  I like how Lucie watched and took notes which helped solve the case.  There are recipes included for the dishes featured in the book.   Into the Frying Pan is a lively Southern cozy mystery with death, destruction and a deadly foe. 

Into the Frying Pan comes out on Tuesday, May 28.  I was lucky enough to win a copy of this book in a Goodreads giveaway.  Thank you for visiting today.  If you like my reviews, please consider following my blog (followers make a difference in the world of book reviewing).  I am sharing my thoughts on Hitches, Hideouts and Homicide by Tonya Kappes tomorrow.  It is the seventh tale in A Camper & Criminals Cozy Mystery series.  I hope you enjoy the day.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader