A Reluctant Bride

You would not believe the trouble I had posting this review on Kobo.  I checked all their guidelines three times and could not find out why they would not post it.  I ended up posting a two line review. I had an easier time posting a review on a paranormal book with witches, magic, vampires, etc.  Did everyone have a great weekend?  It was very rainy here, but we are seeing some sunshine right now.  I hope it dries up our yard quickly (the dogs paws get so dirty when the yard is wet and muddy).

A Reluctant Bride by Kathleen Fuller is her latest Amish romance book.  Sadie Schrock is sixteen years old (in the very beginning) living in Birch Creek.  It was her turn to go get ice for their family store.  On her way home she encounters Sol Troyer.  He is always pushing himself at Sadie and she keeps rebuffing him.  Sol drags Sadie into the cornfield and insists upon a kiss (and then he will let her go).  Aden, Sol’s brother, tries to intercede, but he is unsuccessful (and then he leaves Sadie).  Sol gets very fresh so Sadie knees him where he is most vulnerable.  Sadie runs home (and tells no one).

Six years later Sadie is devoted to working in her parent’s store, Schrock Grocery and Tools.  Her mother keeps trying to get her to find a man and get married.  Her two sisters, Abigail and Joanna want to go to the singing that evening, but their mother will not let them go unless Sadie goes with them.  Sadie eventually agrees to go and then wishes she had not when she finds out it is being held at Bishop Troyer’s (Sol and Aden’s father).  Sadie cannot stand being there for very long especially when Sol shows up.  Soon, though, the unthinkable happens.  Sadie’s parents and Joanna are in a buggy accident (a car hit them).  Her parents are both gone and Joanna is severely hurt.  Joanna will need weeks of rehabilitation (Abigail will stay with a relative near the rehab center to help Joanna).  When Sadie goes over the finances for the store, she finds out that they do not have much money.  She will need help from the community fund to pay the hospital bills (which is what it is for).  When Sadie goes to ask Bishop Troyer, the bishop refuses to give her the money (sounds suspicious).  Bishop Troyer sees this as a golden opportunity (he is up to something).  He tells Sadie that she has to marry his son, Sol.  Thankfully, Aden intervenes (you will have to read the book to find out how).  They are married within days.

Aden and Sadie are going to have to find a way to live together.  Sadie will have to forgive Aden for what happened six years previously.  Can these two find a way to overcome the past and move forward to their future?  Then they find out why the bishop wanted them to marry (I do not want to spoil it for you).  Then there is the issue of Sol.  Why does Sol drink?  There is a lot going on in A Reluctant Bride, but it all ties together.  I give A Reluctant Bride 4 out of 5 stars.  For me this was a hard book to read because of the bullying (brought up bad memories).  It is a nicely written book and I like the ending.  One thing I am noticing lately in many Christian and Amish fiction books is the problem of lack of communication.  People keep storming off or stewing about an issue instead of talking about it (or praying about it). A Reluctant Bride came out today!

I received a complimentary copy of A Reluctant Bride from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  The review and opinions expressed are my own.

Thank you for reading my latest review.  I am currently reading The Girl in the Maze by R.K. Jackson.  Have a lovely afternoon and Happy Reading!

Kris
The Avid Reader

The Photograph

I was watching a House Hunters marathon last night and I am amazed at first time homeowners (they seem to be allergic to hard work).  When I got this home, I knew it would need work.  You can never get everything you want in your first home.  However, I must be unique in this mind set. This one lady wanted so much in her first home with the tiniest little budget. One of her "must haves" is a bathroom that no one else has used! They ended up with a very small home (smaller than mine) but it did have a new bathroom! All homes are work and will always need more done to them!

The Photograph by Beverly Lewis is her latest Amish fiction book.  It is 1980 in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.  Eva Esch lives with her sisters Frona and Lily in the family home.  Both of their parents have passed away and the farm went to the youngest son, Menno (a pompous blowhard with a big head).  Menno has been working the farm since their father passed away, but his family does not live on the farm.  Menno has decided to take over the farmhouse and the three sisters cannot stay (can you believe him).  Menno said that there would be room for one sister if she would agree to be his wife’s helper with the children (how considerate of him).  Eva has helped support the sisters with her candy shop, The Sweet Tooth.  Their father added the structure to the house when Eva was a young teenager and showed a gift for making confections.  Menno considers it a nice hobby, but told Eva that she cannot expect to do it forever (you just want to slap him).

Lily is the youngest sister and she has been acting strangely since their mother passed away.  The day after Menno announces he is going to move in, Lily is gone.  She left a note stating she does not wish to stay Amish.  She is going “fancy” and does not wish to be found.  The family wants to find her as well as the bishop.  They start sending out letters of inquiry to family and friends.  Can they find Lily before it is too late?

Jeb is an apprentice buggy maker in Berlin, Ohio.  He lost his fiancé, Lydiann a year ago.  He had been hoping to take over his Uncle Ervin buggy business when he retired, but things have changes since a new apprentice has arrived.  The new apprentice, Perry Hostetler is already a member of the church and has plans to marry.  Just the type of person Uncle Ervin wants to leave his business to.  Jeb had planned to join the church with his fiancé before their wedding.  Uncle Ervin is sending Jeb to Pennsylvania to learn how they make their buggies (just for a week) from Jonas Byler.  While on the train, Jeb discovers a copy of Little Women.  It has notes in the margins about the book (he likes how thoughtful and insightful they are) as well as a photograph.  He finds himself intrigued about the woman who wrote the notes (as well as the photo) and wonders if he will meet her.  A couple of days later at an auction, Jeb is pleasantly surprised to meet the woman in the photo, Eva Esch.

Jeb and Eva get a chance to spend a little time together before he has to go home.  But then he shows her the photograph.  Will these two be able to overcome a misunderstanding (as well as a lack of communication)?  Who will find Lily and will she be willing to come home?  You will just have to read The Photograph to find out.

I enjoyed reading The Photograph.  It is just a lovely book.  It is well-written and makes the book so easy to read (the book just flows beautifully which makes it pleasurable to read).  I did get frustrated by the lack of communication between people in the book.  Speaking plainly would be so much easier than all the misunderstandings (and confusion).  I also could not understand how a father could leave his daughters without a home or any provisions in his will (or even making sure that the brother would always give them a home).  The brother who inherited can just walk in and toss them out.  To me this seems to go against what we hear about the Amish (how they embrace family).  Without these things, though, we would not have the book to read!  I give The Photograph 4.5 out of 5 stars.  I look forward to reading Beverly Lewis’ next book.  The Photograph will be out Tuesday, September 8, 2015!

I received a complimentary copy of The Photograph from NetGalley and won a copy from the publisher through LibraryThing in exchange for an honest review.  The review and opinions expressed are strictly my own.

I am currently reading The Sea Keeper's Daughters by Lisa Wingate.  I hope you have had a lovely Labor Day!  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

The Lost Heiress

I had a rough night.  Doozy was uneasy all night and kept waking me up (he is such a sweetie though).  Then just when I got into a deep sleeper, our neighbor started playing with his motorcycle. Revving it up near my bedroom window.  I got about four to five hours sleep last night (makes me cranky).   I am hoping for a better nights sleep tonight.  I did get my father to eat a good dinner tonight (hooray) and drink his special drink (this is the adult version of children's Pediasure).  

The Lost Heiress by Roseanna M. White is a historical romance novel and the first book in the Ladies of the Manor series.  It is 1910 in Monaco and Elizabeth Brook Eden is waiting for her friend, Justin Wildon.  Brook (as she prefers to be called) is hoping Justin has news for her about her real family.  Brook found out that the woman who raised her, Collette Sabatini, was not her biological mother (she found her).  Justin has found her family and he is taking her to them in Yorkshire, England.  Justin and Brook met when he was twelve and she was five years old.   Justin taught Brook to do many things like riding astride, shooting, climbing trees.  Brook has a fiery, independent personality. 

Brook is taken to England to meet her family.  Her father is Lord Whitby and he recognizes her at once (she looks like her mother).  There have been impersonators over the years, so not everyone is as welcoming.  One person is Deirdre O’Malley.  Deirdre is Irish and a maid in the household.  She has a family to help support and has been feeding information to a nasty man named Lord Pratt (Lord Whitby has a sister and two nieces that also visit the house).  Justin is forced to go away soon after delivering Brook to her new family (his father and grandfather pass away).  Justin has fallen in love with Brook, but his estates need handling (money) before he can propose to Brook (he does not want Brook to think he wants her for her money). 

Brook adjusts quickly to life with her family in England.  Then one day she is attacked.  Someone wants Fire Eyes (and Brook has no clue what they are talking about)!  What are fire eyes and why do they think Brook has it?  Brook is not safe until they solve this mystery.  It turns out that this mystery could have something to do with the death of Brook’s mother.  Can they figure out the mystery and solve it in time?  Will Justin be able to win Brook’s heart?

I give The Lost Heiress 4 out of 5 stars.  It is nicely written and very easy to read.  The book is twice as long as normal novel, but you would never know it (it just flows so nicely and you get lost in the book).  I easily read The Lost Heiress in a couple of hours.  I have only given you a brief overview of the book.  There is much more to it along with many more characters (sometimes it can be a little hard keeping everyone straight).  I got a little tired of the lack of communication between Justin and Brook as well as her temper (she would get mad and walk away).  Of course, Justin put up walls and would not share information with Brook.  I found that very frustrating and distracting from the book.  Otherwise, The Lost Heiress is a pleasure to read and I have a feeling that there will be another book soon (about Duke Worthing).

I received a complimentary copy of The Lost Heiress from NetGalley and The Book Club Network Inc. (courtesy of the publisher) in exchange for an honest review.  The review and opinions expressed are my own.

I hope everyone is having a lovely holiday weekend!  I am currently reading The Hired Girl by Laura Amy Schiltz.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

The Secret Fire

I was out putting seed in my bird feeders when I hear this tap, tap, tap noise.  I look around and then up to see a woodpecker.  I was glad to see it return after being gone for over a year.  It had built a nest in a neighbor's tree that hangs over our yard about two years ago. Unfortunately, it picked a bad limb and the baby ending up falling into our yard.  Thankfully, the ASPCA came and picked up the babies (do you know that they will not take turtles).  I had not seen the woodpecker since that incident so I was glad to see it again.

The Secret Fire by C.J. Daugherty and Carina Rozenfeld is the first book in the new The Alchemist Chronicles.  Sacha Winters is seventeen years old living in Paris, France (lucky kid).  He has started doing dangerous stunts, skipping school, and, basically, doing what he wants.  But then that might have to do with the curse.  He is the first son on his father and he will die on his eighteenth birthday.  Until then he cannot die (his body heals).  Sacha’s father died trying to find a way to stop his son from dying.  Sacha’s mother seems resigned to the fact. 

Taylor Montclair is seventeen and living in Woodbury, England.  She wants to go to Oxford to be an archaeologist.  She devotes a majority of her time to studying.  Her French teacher, Mr. Finlay asks her to tutor Sacha on English.  Taylor really does not have time in her schedule, but her teacher insists.  They connect and discover that Sacha really does not need to be tutored in English (he is being pressured by his English teacher when he does go to school), but they both decide to continue to meet online.  Taylor has been getting horrible migraines recently and they are getting worse.  Then one night her friend, Georgie insists that Taylor go on a double date.  They go to an American style 50’s diner.  The music is loud and is making Taylor’s head really hurt, when she cannot take it any longer she says stop.  The sound system in the diner blows up.  How did that happen?  After a few strange events, something really big happens.  That’s when Taylor finds out that she is special. 

Taylor talks with Sacha and they figure there has to be a reason they were thrown together.  Can Taylor help Sacha?  But someone does not want Sacha finding the answers he needs.  Actually, someone is after Taylor as well.  What is going on?  These two need answers (and only a few weeks until Sacha’s eighteenth birthday) and they have to stay alive to get the results (and ahead of their enemy).  Will they succeed?

I found The Secret Fire riveting.  I sat down and read the book straight through to the end.  C.J. Daugherty is a great writer.  She pulls in the reader and keeps them engrossed until the very last page.  I liked this unique story with interesting characters.  I especially liked that the book is set in England and France (instead of America).  The Secret Fire is fast paced and well written.  I give The Secret Fire 5 out of 5 stars.  There was just one (maybe two) little things I did not like.  One is that the book ends with a cliffhanger.  The second issue is we have to wait for the next book (so frustrating).  The Secret Fire is a young adult novel, but I am an adult who really enjoyed reading it (as you can tell).  If you like The Secret Fire, check out C.J. Daugherty's other series Night School (The first book is Night School Genesis).

I received a complimentary copy of The Secret Fire from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  The review and opinions expressed are my own.

I am going to go eat dinner and read.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

Cinderella Six Feet Under

Adorable Cover!

Labor Day Weekend has arrived.  This year is just going by so fast. Last night I was putting away the groceries when I heard a crash. My father (who is ill) tried to get up without help.  His socks were too slippery on the floor.  I am so thankful that nothing was broken. He is just sore.  I put slipper socks on his feet (I knew I would find a use for those socks I received for Christmas)!  No more slipping! He now has a cane as well.  He has finally started eating so he will get his strength back (very slowly).

Cinderella Six Feet Under by Maia Chance is the second  book in A Fairy Tale Fatal Mystery series.  It takes place in late 1867 in Paris, France.  Gabriel Augustus Penrose (Lord Harrington) is a professor at St. Remigius’s College in Oxford (and has an obsession with fairy tales).  He notices an article while reading the paper during tea time.  The article is about a woman who was murdered in France.  The picture looks like Miss Prudence (Prue) Bright who Gabriel met in the Black Forest (Germany).  Gabriel might be a little bit smitten with Miss Ophelia Flax who was traveling with Prue.  Gabriel decides to head to Paris immediately.

Prue (she is nineteen) and Ophelia (she is twenty-five) are finally at their destination.  Ophelia is taking Prue to her mother’s house.  Prue’s mother is Henrietta Bright-Malbert (wife of Renouart Malbert, Marquis de la Roque-Fabliau—what a mouthful).  Henrietta was an actress at the Howard DeLuxe’s Varieties in New York, but she left everything behind to marry (including Prue).  Ophelia is an actress and she is in disguise to act as chaperone to Prue (a lady would not travel alone).  When they arrive Henrietta is not in residence and Mademoiselle Eglantine (Prue’s new step-sister) will not let her in the house.  They await nearby to watch for Henrietta when they discover the body of a woman.  The woman looks just like Prue!

Renouart, upon meeting Prue, invites her to stay at the house.  He explains that his wife, Henrietta, is missing (and the police do not seem to be doing anything).  They also believe Prue’s look-a-like was a woman of the streets and murdered by a vagabond (sounds fishy to me).  After a few days of staying in the house and being bored to death (they believe that Prue might be in danger), Ophelia takes matters into her own hands (she is frustrated with the police). Ophelia along with Gabriel start investigating.  As they gather more clues everything points to Cinderella, the original, very old version.  Turns out that there is a special artifact that is desired by many people.  Can they solve the crime before anyone else is hurt?

I give Cinderella Six Feet Under 3.75 out of 5 stars.  The book is interesting with a different take on the story of Cinderella.  I think Ophelia Flax is an interesting character (determined, stubborn, and the ability to jump to conclusions).  Gabriel and Ophelia make a great team (though Gabriel needs to learn to speak up and grow a stronger back bone).  However, there are just too many people and so many different things going on.  The mystery was complex and clever (I liked that part).  I just found the book to be very confusing.  Too many elements jammed into one book.  It made it a difficult book to read.  This is the second book in the series, and I highly recommend that you would read the first book before reading Cinderella Six Feet Under.  It will make things a little bit clearer.  I did find Prudence Bright to be portrayed as nitwit (and a twit) which was unfortunate (I do not like woman being portrayed in this manner).  She was also not essential to the story except for one of the final scenes in the book.

The next book in the series is Beauty, Beast, and Belladonna.  It will be out February 2, 2016!  The first book in the series is Snow White Red-Handed.  

I received a complimentary copy of Cinderella Six Feet Under from the author in exchange for an honest review.  The review and opinions expressed are my own.

I am currently reading The Lost Heiress by Roseanna M. White (which was released early.  I was told would be out Sept. 8 and it came out Sept. 1).   Have a great weekend and Happy Reading!

Kris 
The Avid Reader

The Midnight Queen

It is bill paying day for me.  Twice a month I sit down and pay the bills (this chore ranks up there with mopping the floor).  At least I do not have to write very many checks!  The internet has made bill paying much easier, but it is still time consuming.  If my bank would just put a running total on the account, it would make things so much easier for me.  Evidently it is their number one requested item from customers, but, after a couple of years, we are still waiting for it!  They do, though, have great customer service.  The bank was so helpful when someone hacked into our account last year.

I just finished reading The Midnight Queen by Sylvia Izzo Hunter.  It is the first book in the Noctis Magicae series (historical fantasy sort of book).  Gray Marshall (has powerful magic) is a student at Oxford’s Merlin College (in an alternate England).  He is coerced into a midnight errand with some fellow students that go awry.  Gray ends up disgraced (even though he really did nothing wrong) and without the ability to use magic (though he does overhear a conversation and Gray thinks something sinister is afoot).  His tutor, Professor Appius Callender (a pompous blowhard) orders him to take his Long Vacation at his home (more like keep an eye on him).  Gray is put to work in the gardens and treated terribly by the Professor and his eldest daughter, Amelia.  Gray meets Sophie Callender, the middle daughter.  She is very welcoming and kind to Gray.  They contrive to spend time together and soon Gray is helping Sophie understand magical texts (the Professor is against women learning about magic).  After a visit from Viscount Carteret (an advisor to the Kind), things start to go downhill. 

Sophie was always told that she has no magical ability.  Then one day she gets very angry and her magic just busts out (thankfully only Amelia was home and not the Professor).  Turns out that someone had spelled the house and property with an interdiction spell (put a damper on her magic).  That is why Grey was unable to do big magic (only little magic like lighting candles could be done).  Sophie (who turns out to have strong magical abilities—even stronger than Gray) finds out from Mrs. Wallis (the housekeeper/cook and so much more) that there is something Sophie does not know (it’s big).  Professor Callender is not her biological father (there is more).  Sophie’s mother was a queen (I bet you can guess what kind).  Sophie, Gray, Mrs. Wallis, and Joanna (Sophie’s little sister) all flee during the night to escape from Professor Callender (he will not handle Sophie finding out about her magic very well).  They set out for England.  They know the Professor is up to something nefarious and they are going to put a stop to it.  Sophie needs to learn to control her magic as well.   Can the four of them stop the Professor from trying to kill the head of Merlin College?  What else is he planning and who are his co-conspirators besides Viscount Carteret (because Professor Callender cannot be the mastermind)? 

I found The Midnight Queen to be a very slow paced book (slower than snails).  I did not think this book would ever end (I may have skimmed a little).  I give The Midnight Queen 2.5 out of 5 stars.  I like the idea, but not the final book.  It just goes too slow and it is very confusing.  The writing is awkward and stilted.  The book does not flow easily (makes it hard to read).  My favorite character was Joanna, Sophie’s little sister (she was lively and entertaining). 

I received a complimentary copy of The Midnight Queen from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  The review and opinions expressed are strictly my own.

I am going to finish paying the bills and then I have to go to the grocery store (out of cat food).  The Secret Fire by C. J. Daugherty is out today!  It is a wonderful paranormal mystery book (I will post my full review soon).  I am currently reading The Photograph by Beverly Lewis.  Have a good afternoon and Happy Reading!

Kris
The Avid Reader

A Basket Brigade Christmas

I was awakened at 5 a.m. this morning (I had been asleep about an hour and a half) by the sound of cats fighting and it was not inside the house! I looked out my window and there were two cats fighting.  Poor things.  I hurried outside, and they both took off.  I hope none of them were hurt.  I was not able to find them to see if they were injured. 

A Basket Brigade Christmas by Judith Miller, Nancy Moser, and Stephanie Grace Whitson is a Christian Romance Novel.  It is three stories that take place from September 1862 through December 1862 in Decatur, Illinois.  A train comes through the town every day with wounded soldiers heading for the hospital in Chicago.  The ladies of the town got together and arranged to feed the soldiers on the train.

A Stitch in Time by Stephanie Grace Whitson is the first book.  Lucy Maddox has been living alone since the death of her parents three years previously.  She upset to learn that her crush Jonah Kincaid (he only thought of her as a friend) just died.  Lucy has decided to she wants to do something more for the war effort.  She has decided to open up her home (something her father never would have tolerated when he was alive) and set up a work place.  She wants the women to create blankets and knit socks for the soldiers.  Lucy had noticed how threadbare their blankets were and the soldiers mentioned how much they needed warm socks.  Lucy will provide many materials from Maddox Mercantile that she inherited from her parents.  The mercantile is currently run by Silas Tait who is injured (lost lower left leg) and cannot fight in the war.  Silas is in love with Lucy, but he does not think she will consider him (because he works for her and his injury).  Then Private Oscar Green enters the picture.  Is Private Greene the good person he is presenting to Lucy?  Silas will not let anyone hurt Lucy.  Will Silas tell Lucy how he feels before it is too late?

A Pinch of Love by Judith Miller is set in October of 1862.  Sarah McHenry helps in her family’s bakery which also supplies items for the Basket Brigade.  Sarah has refused to take part in the endeavor because of her twin brother, Samuel who is at war.  When Sarah’s mother becomes ill, Sarah is forced to take over her duties (Sarah’s mother is actually in charge of the whole affair).  Sarah meets Corporal Jacob Curtis who is an aide on the train.  However, Jacob would rather be in battle.  Can Jacob see how important his job is on the train?  Matthew Slade works at the Depot Hotel and Restaurant.  He has been trying to court Sarah for years (and she keeps refusing).  Matthew sees Sarah working with the Basket Brigade as a chance to change her position on courting.  Will Matthew succeed in his pursuits or has someone else worked their way into Sarah’s heart?

Endless Melody by Nancy Moser is the most religious of the three stories.  Zona Evans is the director of the Christmas musicale.  When she was younger she was very selfish and strong willed (still is stubborn).  She was engaged to Cardiff Kensington.  Cardiff went off the fight in the Mexican war and never returned.  Zona never heard from him again.  Cardiff is now a doctor in St. Louis.  He has not forgotten Zona, but does not understand why she never answered any of his letters.  Zona has never married nor is interested in anyone else.  Cardiff transfers to Chicago to work in the military hospital.   Zona has decided to take a few members of the musicale and have them sing Christmas carols to the injured soldiers on the train when it stops.  Will Cardiff and Zona ever meet again?

I enjoyed the three stories, but did not love them.  They are your typical Christian romance stories.  There are some nice messages in each story like putting your ambitions or what you want ahead of what God wants for you.  Another is that there are consequences for your actions.  I did like how all three stories tied together with the same town, time period, and the Basket Brigade.  It was very interesting learning about the Basket Brigade and what people did to help the soldiers.  I give A Basket Brigade Christmas 3.5 out of 5 stars. 

I received a complimentary copy of A Basket Brigade Christmas from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  The review and opinions expressed are my won.  

I am off to feed the cats and dogs their dinner (and push more food at my father).  I am determined to get my father better!  It will just take time and patience (which I do not possess according to my family).  Happy Reading!

Kris
The Avid Reader

The Lopsided Christmas Cake

There seems to be an increase in historical cozy mysteries. Especially books set in the Victorian time period.  I wonder why the increase.  Do you prefer historical or regular cozy mysteries? The one problem I have with books written in Victorian times is that some authors tend to make the books stilted (because of Victorian formality) which makes them hard to read.  It takes a gifted writer to combine Victorian formality/language and ease of reading.  

The Lopsided Christmas Cake by Wanda E. and Jean Brunstetter is a charming Amish novel.  Elma and Thelma Hochstetler have just inherited their grandparent’s home and store in Topeka, Indiana.  Instead of selling their inheritance (which is what their mother wanted) the girls decide to move there and make a go of it.  The girls are twins and thirty-two years old.  When they arrive at the home, they find the house in a deteriorated condition.  The house is going to need a lot of work to bring it up to snuff.  Elma is all about order, making lists, and working.  Thelma tends to be a little scatterbrained (flighty), would prefer to have a little more fun than work.   

The house needs more work than the girls anticipated and they seem to have mice.  Thelma wants to let in a cat or two to take care of the problem, but Elma has something against the cats.  Elma finally relents because she hates mice worse than cats.  While shopping in Shipshewana, Thelma notices a flyer for a cooking show.  Each item will be demonstrated and the final product auctioned off.  Proceeds go to the Amish community medical fund (they do not have health insurance).  Thelma, without Elma’s knowledge or consent, enters them to make their grandmother’s Christmas cake.  They will have to make it using the homes wood stove which neither of the two ladies are used to using.

While shopping in Shipshewana, Thelma meets Joseph Beechy.  Joseph is owns a harness shop is LaGrange.  He is a timid man with a dog named Ginger.  During another trip, Thelma runs into Delbert Gingerich.  Delbert is a woodworker.  He is very outgoing and competitive.  Elma, Delbert, Thelma, and Joseph see each other again at the cooking demonstration and auction.  Joseph has Delbert bid on the girls cake (the demonstration does not go well and the cake is lopsided).  The four of them start spending a lot of time together getting to know each other.  It would be perfect if each girl found the right man at the same time (thanks to a childhood agreement between the two of them).  Will it be happily ever after for the four of them? 

I found The Lopsided Christmas Cake to be a cute story.  I liked Thelma who is outgoing, friendly, and full of life.  Elma was not as likable a character at first (she grows on you in time), but I did understand about her migraines (we seem to have the same type).  I did not understand Elma’s dislike for cats which was mentioned frequently throughout the book (it got a little annoying after a while).  The book is written in a good style that makes the book just a breeze to read.  I liked that there was no foul language, violence, or sex in the book (which is so prevalent in our culture).  This is a book that will put a smile on your face especially after you read the ending.  I give The Lopsided Christmas Cake 4 out of 5 stars.

I received a complimentary copy of The Lopsided Christmas Cake from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  The review and opinions that I express are strictly my own.

I am currently reading The Secret Fire by C.J. Daugherty.  I hope you have a nice afternoon and Happy Reading!

Kris
The Avid Reader

A Curious Beginning

I found out today that I won a copy of Mindy Klasky's Joy of Witchcraft.  It is the fifth book in the Jane Madison series.  It is a fun series to read.  I am tickled that I am getting a copy.

A Curious Beginning by Deanna Raybourn is the first book in the Veronica Speedwell Mystery series.  It starts out in 1887 in Little Byfield, England.  Veronica Speedwell has just buried her guardian, Miss Nell Harbottle.  She is now free to go off on her next adventure.  Veronica is a lepidopterist (studies and collects butterflies and moths) and a lover of natural history. She returns to Wren Cottage to obtain her belongings and discovers in it shambles.  The intruder is still in the house and he tries to kidnap her.  Veronica is rescued by a man she saw at the cemetery. Baron Maximilian von Stauffenbauch (sounds douche) is going to London and offers (insists) on escorting Veronica.  The Baron claims to have known Veronica mother (but he gives her no details).  The Baron states that now that Veronica’s guardians are dead (and it was in the paper), Veronica is not safe.  Baron Max puts Veronica into the hands of Stoker (Honorable Ravelstoke Templeton-Vane).  The Baron states he will return but trusts Stoker to keep her safe.

Stoker is a natural historian, explorer, scholar, and a taxidermist (of sorts).  He reluctantly agrees to watch Veronica.  They annoy each other from the beginning.  The next day there is an article in the paper stating that Baron Max was found dead.  He must have been killed long after arriving home after dropping off Veronica with Stoker.  Stoker immediately makes plans to leave London with Veronica.  He takes them a friends with a traveling show and introduces them as a newly married couple.  Then an article is published after Max’s inquest.  He was definitely murdered and Stoker is wanted for questioning.  The two of them must flee before they are found.  They set out to discover who killed the Baron and who wants Veronica (and why).  There is a connection and they are determined to discover it.

I give A Curious Beginning 3 out of 5 stars. I was really looking forward to this book.  It sounded like a great new historical mystery.  I was crestfallen after I started reading it.  The book uses very formal language (and many, many big words making it stilted).  Stoker and Veronica bickered and fought throughout the whole book (there was less of it during the second half of the book).  It gets on your nerves after two chapters (I wanted to throw my Kindle across the room).  The mystery was good, but Veronica was just too over the top.  The author gave Veronica too many unusual characteristics.  She smokes, drinks, has affairs, travels alone, wear a type of pants, outspoken, well educated (self-taught, of course), speaks plainly and likes to shock people.  I did enjoy the second half of the book much better than first half.  The mystery was more interesting and unexpected.  If the first part of the book had been more like the last half, I would have truly loved this story.

I received a complimentary copy of A Curious Beginning from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  The review and opinions that I express are my own.

I am currently reading Cinderella Six Feet Under by Maia Chance (I should have had it done).  I will let you know how I like it.  Have a great evening and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

Keeping Christmas

It is the first Tuesday of the month.  Which means it is book release day! There are some wonderful new books out today.  One of them is Be My Banshee by Joyce and Jim Lavene!  They are having a release day party on Facebook.  They are having giveaways (you should check it out)!  I was lucky enough to win a copy of Be My Banshee!

Keeping Christmas by Dan Walsh is his Christmas book for 2015.  Judith Winters is in a funk.  She just experienced her first Thanksgiving without her children or grandchildren.  She is used to having them around, but now they have all moved away.  Judith just found out that none of them will be coming for Christmas.  Her normal tradition for Black Friday is to decorate the house in the morning and the tree in the afternoon (with the help of her children and grandkids).  This year she just does not want to do it.  Her husband spends the day after Thanksgiving fishing for bass with his friend, Barney and then he comes home to a lunch of leftover turkey.  He puts the tree up and gets out the decorations for the tree.  Stan (her husband) then heads to Big Bass Pro to take advantage of the deals (so helpful).  He arrives home at lunch to find none of the decorations up.  He does not understand his wife’s attitude (he actually enjoyed the quiet Thanksgiving).  He proceeds with his plans completely oblivious excited to check out some great equipment that he and Barney would like to get for the new boat they are planning to get.

Judith’s funk is just getting worse.  She feels like her life is meaningless without her family around.  She said that she is not a mother or grandmother anymore (that did not make sense).  Her friend, Betty (Barney’s wife) tries to cheer her up.  Slowly Stan notices that his wife is not improving.  He tries to get her interested in a new hobby, helps her decorate for Christmas, and takes her out to eat.  Betty gets Judith involved in starting a create-an-ornament class for mother and daughters at the local craft store (they sell ornaments and materials).  Stan talks to each of his children to see if they can come home.  None of them have the extra money to pay for airfare.  Stan knows he is going to have to do something drastic to help his wife.

I found Keeping Christmas to be extremely depressing.  This book put me in a funk!  Dan Walsh has a great writing style, but I just did not enjoy the book.  I was hoping there would be a good lesson on getting pasty empty nest syndrome and not relying on your children to define you as a person.  There is a little at the end as Judith tries some techniques she read about in a magazine, but overall I was disappointed with Keeping Christmas.  This book definitely did not put me in the mood for Christmas (I am actually glad Christmas is still a few months away).  The ending was sweet, but it was predictable.  You know what is going to happen from early in the book.

I received a complimentary copy of Keeping Christmas from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  The review and opinions expressed are my won.

I hope you have a lovely Tuesday!  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris
The Avid Reader