Twice Blessed

Today was Doozy's bath day.  That dog seems to know when I am going to give him a bath (as all dogs do).  I finally found him trying to get under my parents bed (I could have told him he would never get under there because of all the boxes).  I had to drag him to my side of the house to get him in the tub.  No easy task when the dog is over 50 pounds.  Once he is in the tub he is very docile and just stands there patiently.  He gets even after he gets out.  No matter how much I dry him, he manages to shake water all over!  

Twice Blessed by Barbara Cameron is two Christian Christmas stories in one book.  The first story is Her Sister’s Shadow.  Katie and Rosie Stoltzfus are identical twins who live on their family farm.  They have started their own business called Two Peas in a Pod.  They take the items from their large kitchen garden (also items they buy) to make jams, jellies, and preserves.  Katie is the more outgoing sister while Rosie is quieter and prefers working in the garden.  Katie has always made the big decisions for the pair.  Rosie, though, has decided it is time to live her own life.  She would like different things.  It will be a test to their relationship, but there will be more strain on their relationship as Rosie finds a beau.

His Brother’s Keeper is the second story in the book.  Mark and Ben Fisher are twenty-two years old and they do carpentry work (make beautiful pieces).  Mark is engaged to Ruth Stoltzfus (no relation to Katie and Rosie).  Ben met Ruth first and fell in love with her.  The couple had a little disagreement and Mark was there to comfort Ruth.  A few days before Christmas Mark and Ben are doing the last of their deliveries when a snow storm hits.  A truck veers over into their lane and they are tossed into a ditch.  Neither of them had their wallets in their pockets, so the hospital staff were unable to identify them.  Ruth identifies Ben as Mark because he was wearing the gloves she knitted.  When Ben wakes up, he does not clear up the dispute.  He wants to be able to spend time with Ruth (he loves her).  Mark is in a coma.  What will happen when Mark wakes up or when Ruth figures it out?

I enjoyed both of these short stories, but they were really too short.  The characters were not fully developed and both stories ended abruptly.  In the first story we do not get many details on the girls (including their last names).  I think an epilogue would have been great to finish off the stories and see what happened after Christmas with the two set of twins.  I thought the first book had very little to do with Christmas.  It happened before Christmas and some people were doing Christmas shopping, but that was about it.  His Brother’s Keepers had more Christmas (took place before and during the holiday season) in it which made it more enjoyable.  The book was nicely written and was easy to read (just flowed beautifully).  I give Twice Blessed 3.75 out of 5 stars.  I just felt that both stories needed a little bit more work (a little more character development and eliminate the abrupt ending).  Twice Blessed will be out Tuesday, September 15, 2015. 

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

I hope everyone is having a fun Sunday!  It is a nice sunny day outside after a night of rain.  Tonight is a new Signed, Sealed, and Delivered movie on Hallmark Movies and Mysteries channel (love this series) as well as a new Masters of Sex (not as good this year). Enjoy your day and Happy Reading!

Kris
The Avid Reader

A Pinch of Promise

We have discovered that Doozy (my dog) has the uncanny ability to show up just as you are about to sneak a snack (something you do not want to share).  He can be on the other side of the house! We do not know how he does it.  That dog is a chow hound (with a drool problem).  The only way to sneak food is to go hide in the bathroom (and close the door very tight)!  I keep trying to get him to do tricks, but he is always too busy wagging his tail (one of these days he is going to take flight)!

A Pinch of a Promise by Elizabeth Maddrey is a Christian romance book.  It is the second book in Taste of Romance series.  Rebecca Fischer is a physical therapist living in Washington, D.C.  Her latest patient is Ben Taylor (who hurt his ACL).  Rebecca is wondering if Ben will remember her.  Rebecca has changed since they met the summer after her freshman year of college.  They were both counselors at a summer camp in Colorado Springs.  Rebecca has changed her hair color and is using a different name.  Rebecca has worked hard to overcome her past and move forward (parent issues).  Why did Rebecca change her name (spoilers)?

Ben Taylor works with Bread of Heaven which is going to partner with the mission where Rebecca volunteers (and also donates money from her trust).  Ben is hoping to start a program to provide food to the people that need it in the D.C. area.  Ben has not had a serious relationship since Rebecca.  He is still in love with her.  Can Ben get Rebecca to trust him and tell him about her past?  Why is Rebecca unwilling to share her history with him?

A Pinch of Promise is well-written, but it is a very slow paced novel.  It just seemed to go on and on rehashing Rebecca’s issues over and over. The end was very rushed.  It took so long to get to it and then boom!  I have to admit that I found this novel frustrating to read (took forever to get to the point, Rebecca kept pushing Ben away—repeatedly and she refused to talk about her past with Ben).  It has a lovely Christian theme and highlights the issue of hunger in America.  I give A Pinch of Promise 3 out of 5 stars.  I just did not enjoy A Pinch of Promise as much as Elizabeth Maddrey’s other books that I have read.  I felt that the novel could have easily been cut in half and it would not have changed the story. 

I received a complimentary copy of the novel from the author through The Book Club Network Inc.  The review and opinions expressed are my own. 

I am off to enjoy dinner and then watch Cedar Cove!  Have a lovely evening and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

The 12 Brides of Summer Novella Collection #4

How is everyone today?  I hope you all are having a great Saturday. I am making progress of sorting through my old studio.  I am just not able to work in there any longer.  I am sorting the items into new (to sell online), used for garage sale, things to throw away or donate.  I am hoping to get enough money to pay for a few projects around the house.  You would be amazed at how much stuff I have in there!

The Twelve Brides of Summer Novella Collection #4 by Diana Lesire Brandmeyer, Vickie McDonough, and Davalynn Spencer.  It is a collection of three romance stories set in late 1800’s.  The County Fair Bride by Vickie McDonough takes place in Bakertown, Missouri in 1892.  Prudence “Prudy” Willard has been gone from home for a year and half (after a scandal).  She is returning home because her father is ill.  Adam Merrick is the interim mayor while Mr. Willard is ill.  Prudy wants to make sure that her father’s position is secure.  Prudy ends up helping Adam raise funds for the town by holding a county fair. 

Diana Lesire Brandmeyer’s The Honey Bride takes place in Trenton, Illinois in 1887.  Katie Tucker’s family barn catches fire and her father dies inside.  Katie finds out that her father took out a loan (for bees for her) and now she has to find a way to raise money (or lose the farm).  Pete Dent has been attracted to Katie since he met her.  He has been looking for a farm to purchase.  Pete ends up helping Katie as they try to save the farm along with the help of Katie’s young brother, Henry.

The Columbine Bride by Davalynn Spencer is the third book in the novel.  Mrs. Lucy Powell is a widow with two children.  She is trying to keep her ranch after the death of her husband.  Buck Reiter finds a way to help Lucy and, without her realizing it, saves Buck.

To find out what happens with each couple, you will need to read The 12 Brides of Summer Novella Collection #4.  The stories are quick and easy to read.  All the stories are Christian romance (not preachy).  I give The 12 Brides of Summer Novella Collection 4 out of 5 stars.  They are all well-written and very enjoyable to read.  A nice way to spend a Saturday afternoon.

I received a complimentary copy of The 12 Brides of Summer Novella Collection #4 from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  The review and opinions expressed are my own.

I am currently reading The Lemoncholy Life of Annie Aster by Scott Wilbanks.  I hope everyone is having a nice, relaxing Saturday!  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

The 12 Brides of Summer Novella Collection #3

I have been getting more requests lately to review different products on Amazon.  Today I got a very strange one.  I do not mind reviewing a product that I can use (who doesn't love getting something for free).  However, what use are crotchless panties?   If there is a good use (beside the obvious), I do not want to know!  I deleted that request, but it gave all of us a good laugh!

The Twelve Brides of Summer Novella Collection #3 has three Christian romance stories.  They are sweet and lovely romantic stories and each one contains a different message.  The Dog Days of Summer Bride by Margaret Brownley takes place in Bee-Flat, Kansas in 1883.  Marilee Davis teaches piano and has a dog, Mo that takes off on Friday.  Jed Colbert is the local blacksmith and has only been seeing his dog, Dynamite, lately on the weekend (Friday through Monday morning).  What is going on with the dog?  When the dog finds the banks missing money, who is the dog’s rightful owner?

The Dogwood Blossom Bride by Miralee Ferrell is set in Goldendale, Washington in 1883.  Gracie Addison is nineteen, wears trousers, climbs trees, rides astride, and goes fishing.  Her father would like her to act more like a lady and settle down with Jerold Carnegie.  Will Montgomery has just arrived in town with his eight year old niece, Lucy.  Lucy would like to be like Gracie.  Will just wants to keep his niece safe to see her grow up.  Why is Will so worried about Lucy’s safety?  

The Lumberjacks Bride by Pam Hillman is the third story in the novel.  Lucy Denson’s father has just moved the family from Chicago to Sipsey Creek, Missouri.  Her father is going to be an accountant for the logging camp.  Lucy is used to fine things and the city.  She encounters Eli Everett when she takes them lunch.  Lucy was daydreaming while walking in the woods and almost gets hit by a felled tree (I do not know how she did not her “timber”).  Eli is instantly smitten.  Can these two ever overcome their differences to have a life together?

All three stories are just charming and have very nice messages in them.  I give The 12 Brides of Summer Novella Collection (#3) 4 out of 5 stars.  Each story is very short, but well written.  I especially liked the dog in The Dog Days of Summer Bride (he was so funny).  If you are looking for a Christian romance book, check out The 12 Brides of Summer Novella Collection.

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

I am off to put clean sheets on my bed (they are a beautiful red). Have a lovely evening and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

The Sea Keeper's Daughters

Happy Friday!  It is cookie baking day in my house (I keep forgetting to make them).  My mother enjoys her chocolate chip cookies!  I am doing some housework while the cookies bake (sweeping, dusting, laundry).  What are you doing today?  I hope it is something fun!

I just finished reading The Sea Keeper’s Daughters by Lisa Wingate.  Whitney Monroe is co-owner of La Tazza restaurant.  She recently purchased an old mill (and did not research the town prior to purchase) to open a second location.  Unfortunately, Tagg Harper and his cronies are doing everything in his power to stop her from opening the new restaurant (he has the local people in his back pockets).  Whitney and her partner, Denise are about to lose everything they have worked for over the last few years.  Whitney refuses to back off from the new location. 

When her mother passed away, Whitney inherited The Excelsior hotel in Manteo (which is in the Outer Banks of North Carolina).  Her step-father, Clyde Franczyk has the right to live in the hotel until his death, and he is firmly entrenched on the third floor (he is cranky).  Whitney received a call that Clyde is ill and had to go to the hospital.  Whitney is hoping to find something of value in the hotel to sell to help her keep her restaurants (search while he is away).

Whitney finds old letters addressed to her grandmother, Ziltha Ruby Benoit from her twin sister, Alice Loring.  Whitney did not know her grandmother had a twin sister.  Alice was a part of the Federal Writers Project regarding stories of people and their histories.  Whitney finds the letters fascinating.  Clyde, who has returned from the hospital, also gets involved in the project (the letters are in pieces).  While looking in an old captain’s desk, she discovers some beautiful jewelry and scrimshaw.  Can they help her save the hotel?  But, at the same time, Whitney will be sacrificing her family history.  Mark Strahan owns The Rip Shack which is housed on the first floor of Whitney’s building.  Mark does not Whitney to sell the building to the developer, Casey Turner.  Mr. Turner will demolish the beautiful and historical building.  Mark would also like to start a special youth program on the second floor of the hotel.  Can Whitney find a way to save her restaurants while keeping the building and preserving her family history?  What did Alice Loring discover during her travels?

I found The Sea Keeper’s Daughters to a very long book.  I really enjoyed the history part of the book (it was fascinating).  I found Whitney to be stubborn, frustrating, and ridiculous (who hangs on to a restaurant when it will bankrupt you and your family).  I was so glad when I finished this book.  There are pages of Whitney’s rambling thoughts (you can really just skip over these pages as they do not enhance the book in any way).  What Whitney uncovered about her family history was expected, but I found it (the actual history) fascinating.  I give The Sea Keeper’s Daughters 3 out of 5 stars.  I think this book just needed more polish. 

I received a complimentary copy of The Sea Keeper’s Daughters from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The review and opinions expressed are my own.

I am currently reading Twice Blessed by Barbara Cameron.  I hope you have a lovely afternoon and Happy Reading!

Kris
The Avid Reader

The Mistress of Tall Acre

I received two great books today that I am looking forward to reading and reviewing.  The first is Anna's Healing by Vannetta Chapman.  The other book is Miriam and the Stranger by Jerry S. Eicher.  I think I will enjoy both of them (or at least I hope I will).

The Mistress of Tall Acre by Laura Frantz is a lovely historical Christian romance novel.  The Revolutionary War is going on (the year is 1778) when Anne Howard Ogilvy gives birth to Lilas Catherine Ogilvy.  General Seanus Ogilvy is Lily Cate’s father (they are going to call her Lily Cate) and he was able to come home for the birth, but he has to return to his duties the next day.  General Ogilvy is told by the doctor that his wife cannot go through another birth or she could die.  Six years later Sophie Menzies is walking near her home when she encounters Lily Cate.  The war is finally over.  General Ogilvy and Lily Cate have returned to Tall Acre.  Anne passed away during the war according to her sister, Charlotte.  Anne went to Wilmington to live towards the end of the war.  Sophie has had a hard time during the war because her father, Lord Menzies is a Tory!  He created quite a ruckus which made is very difficult for Sophie.  Sophie is waiting for her brother to return home.  Sophie is glad to see General Ogilvy back home (she has a crush on him). 

Seamus had to take his daughter from his wife’s relatives during the night (they did not want to give her up).  Seamus wants to establish a safe home for his daughter.  Sophie has troubles of her own.  Three Chimneys (which belonged to her mother) is being confiscated as Tory property.  The only solution is for her to marry.  Seamus needs a wife and a mother for Lily Cate.  The two decide to marry (which makes Lily Cate very happy).  Just when things are looking up for the threesome, someone from Seamus’ past returns. 

I just loved reading The Mistress of Tall Acre.  It was a pleasurable novel to read. This is one of those books that you start reading and cannot put down.  It is very well-written and one chapter just flowed into the next.  The person who returned was expected, but I liked the outcome.  There are some great messages in this novel (it is Christian themed).  I give The Mistress of Tall Acre 5 out of 5 stars.  I look forward to reading more book by Laura Frantz. 

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

I hope everyone has a wonderful evening.  I am curious to see which twin will go home on Big Brother.  This has been one of their worst seasons ever!  And the dome is supposed to come down on Under the Dome. Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris
The Avid Reader

A Woman of Note

My mother decided to clean the den yesterday and, as I predicted, she got about three feet of the room done!  As you go in there is a big entertainment center (it is my father's room).  She did not get past the entertainment center!  I do know that she looked through about every book in that area and watched several cowboy shows (she is hooked on them).  At least it gives me a good laugh!

A Woman of Note by Carol M. Cram is a historical novel set from 1827 through the 1830’s.  Isabette Gruber is a pianist in Vienna.  Isabette is nineteen years old, very shy, and seriously lacking social skills (she is also tall and thin).  Her father (who taught her and her sister, Joanna to play and compose) passed away.  Her sister, Joanna has been committed to the asylum by their mother, Frau Marta Gruber.  Isabette is the sole bread winner.  Marta Gruber has hired Herr Gustav Dietrich (nasty lech) to manage Isabette’s career.  He takes 30% (I have a feeling he helps himself to a little more than that) off the top of her earnings.  Isabette’s mother takes the rest of her money.  They keep her busy practicing and discourage her from composing (which she loves to do).

One night Isabette meets Amelia Mason from Boston, Massachusetts.  She has a beautiful singing voice.  Amelia decides she wants Isabette to be her accompanist.  Amelia is a flighty young girl (eighteen) who is more interested in shopping and having fun.  Amelia is a young lady who likes to have her own way.  Through Amelia, Isabette meets Josef Hauser.  Josef is a piano teacher and believes himself to be a great composer (he is awful).  In exchange for teaching Isabette, Josef gets Isabette to agree to play his compositions at her performances.  Isabette takes it upon herself to chance Josef’s composition (which makes it much better).  Josef is upset until he finds out that someone wants to publish it. Everyone wants something from Isabette.  What does Isabette really want?

A Woman of Note takes us through about ten years of Isabette’s life.  We get to travel from Vienna to Paris.  I found A Woman of Note to be a very boring novel.  It had no depth or enjoyment.  The characters were all shallow and greedy (except Isabette).  The mother was cruel, Amelia was selfish, Josef was selfish, grasping, and covetous, Herr Dietrich was a nasty, greedy reprobate.  This novel needed more work especially on the development of the characters.  I give A Woman of Note 2 out of 5 stars.   A Woman of Note is available on Kindle Unlimited.  To me A Woman of Note was an unremarkable book that fell flat.

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

I am currently reading A Pinch of Promise by Elizabeth Maddrey. I hope all of you have a great afternoon and Happy Reading!

Kris 

The Avid Reader

The Girl in the Maze

It is musicale night at my neighbors!  All I hear are strange guitar sounds and drums for three hours!  When he put the room in the garage, they should have put in better sound proofing!  I keep wanting to ask they take requests!  I would be happy to hear anything except the same rock song over and over (week after week).  I do not know how the guy who lives next door puts up with it (I do not believe he has hearing aids)!  My parents are very lucky!  Their rooms are on the other side of the house (can you tell I am a little cranky).

I have just finished reading The Girl in the Maze by R.K. Jackson.  Martha Covington has schizophrenia.  She has gotten out of the asylum, on stable medications, and finished counseling.  She has accepted a position as a summer intern at the Amberleen Historical Society in Amberleen, Georgia.  She will be recording and transcribing the history of the Geechees (direct descendants of slaves who were freed after the end of the Civil War) on Shell Heap Island (they live isolated from the rest of society).  The residents believe in the paranormal (ghosts, spirits, and magic).  Developers wants to take Shell Heap Island and build on it (condos, golf course, etc.).  Martha’s boss is Lydia Dussault.  Lydia is very active in stopping the development of the island.  Lydia wants to find a way to connect the commissioners (who are crooked as windy road) to the investment group.  She asks Martha to look into it.  Unfortunately for Lydia, Martha looks into it and confides in the wrong person.

Shortly after arriving Martha begins hearing and seeing unusual things.  She does not know if it is from her schizophrenia or is she having visions.  Jarrell Humphries has trying to get proof of the developers unscrupulous methods without success.  After Martha is thrown out of her boarding house (for creating disturbances), she stays the night with Lydia.  The next morning Martha finds Lydia dead.  Guess who they are blaming for the murder?  Martha is on the run, but, thankfully, Jarrell gives her a helping hand.  They have to prove who really killed Lydia and try to stop the developers from taking over Shell Heap Island (while on the run and Martha is without her medications).

I did not enjoy reading The Girl in the Maze.  I found it to be a strange book that moves along at a snail’s pace.  It is obvious who is behind all the corruption from the very beginning (so it is really no mystery).  Nor did I find this book to be a thriller or a book of suspense (like I said-strange).  It has a sort of paranormal element in it (at the very end).  I give The Girl in the Maze 2 out of 5 stars (I am being generous).  Please be aware that there is graphic violence in the book. 

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

Thank you so much for stopping by and reading my latest review.  I am currently reading A Woman of Note by Carol M. Cram (not enjoying it).  Have a wonderful and relaxing evening!  Happy Reading!

Kris
The Avid Reader

The Hired Girl

My mother is actually cleaning (Yes, I do call her mother)!  I think it is a miracle!  I have not seen her clean a room in about ten years (I am not joking).  Of course, she has been cleaning the same area for the last hour. Now she has stopped to check out some books on a shelf (I inherited my love of books from my mother).  I do not think this room will get finished today, but I am very grateful for the help!

I just finished The Hired Girl by Laura Amy Schiltz.  It is a children’s book that is written in the style of a journal/diary.  Joan Skraggs is fourteen years old in 1911.  She lives on Steeple Hill Farm with her father and three brothers.  Her mother passed away about four years previously.  Joan’s father has decided that she cannot continue with school (and that she does not need it to keep house).  As a going away gift her teacher, Miss Chandler gives her a blank book to write in.  Joan is actually quite intelligent and learns quickly (but she is very naïve in the ways of the world).  Joan’s father does not allow her any money, not even the egg money.  Joan decides to go on strike.  Her father retaliates by burning her three books (classics she received from Miss Chandler).  Joan has decided she cannot take it on the farm any longer and plans to run away.  Her mother had given her a doll (named Belinda) with money sewn into her apron.  Joan’s mother told her it was for an emergency (I think she knew that Joan would need to get away at some point). 

Joan escapes and heads to Baltimore.  After a scary incident, Joan is rescued by Solomon Rosenbach.  Solomon takes Joan home to his parents’ house.  Joan tells Mrs. Rosenbach that she is eighteen and her name is Janet Lovelace.  She is hired as a maid to assist their elderly housekeeper, Malka (very set in her ways).  The Rosenbach’s are Jewish and Joan has to learn about Orthodox Jews (two sinks, two refrigerators, two sets of dishes, etc.).  Joan proceeds to write about her new life in the Rosenbach household.  Learning about fashion (from the Rosenbach’s youngest daughter, handling money, seeing the opera, access to the families library (she loves to read), being careful with candles (she sets her hair on fire), and about religion.  Joan was raised by a Catholic mother and she wishes to be baptized into the church.  Joan is young (emotionally immature) and naïve so she is going to make mistakes.  Joan’s ultimate goal is to be a schoolteacher.  Will she be able to achieve her goal? 

I found The Hired Girl to be an interesting book.  The writer did a very good job writing it as though a fourteen year old girl was actually writing about her life.  It is very easy to read and there are many laughs in the book.  I think young girls (between nine and thirteen) will enjoy reading The Hired Girl.  It provides a glimpse into the life of a maid in a Jewish household in 1911.  I give The Hired Girl 4 out of 5 stars.

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

I am currently reading The Mistress of Tall Acres by Laura Frantz. It is an enjoyable book (I will post my review tomorrow).  I am off to run some errands.  Have a lovely afternoon and Happy Reading!

Kris
The Avid Reader

Ties that Bind

I have too many books and not enough time to read them all.  I got behind in March and have yet to catch up (I am working on it).  It is hard to stay current and catch up!  I need to quit getting more books (but there are so many good books).  If I just had a maid, gardener, cook, and a pet sitter!  A person can dream!

Ties That Bind by Cindy Woodsmall is the first book in The Amish of Summer Grove series (there will be three books).  On the night Ariana and her twin brother, Abram were born there was a fire at the birthing center.  Brandi Nash (not Amish) also gave birth that night to a little girl.  All were able to escape from the birthing center.  Twenty years later Ariana is being courted by Rudy Hershberger and is hoping to open a café in Summer Grove.  Ariana and her twin brother, Abram have been saving for the twenty percent down payment they need by October 1 for the building Ariana wishes to purchase (she has an arrangement with the owner).  Ariana works for Berta Schlabach.  While Berta is in the hospital, Ariana is taking care of her animals.  While there Ariana sees Quill Schlabach.  Quill was her friend growing up along with Frieda.  Then five years ago, they unexpectedly left the Amish community.  Since then Quill has helped other Amish leave the community, and Ariana is upset to find out that it is someone from her family that wishes to leave their Old Order Amish ways.  Ariana will do anything to prevent it from happening. 

Skylar Nash is going to college and lives with her mother, Brandi in Bellflower Creek, Pennsylvania.  Brandi had Skylar at the Amish birthing center twenty years previously.  Skylar loves to sing, dance, and act.  She also gets involved with the wrong type of men who have led her to drugs.  One of Ariana’s brothers, Mark is working on a stage for the college when he sees Skylar.  He mentions to Abram (and their mother over hears them) how Skylar looks just like their sister, Salome.  Lovina Brenneman is afraid that something happened while everyone escaped from the fire.  Is the child she brought home really her daughter?  Lovina and her husband, Isaac enlist Quill’s help to find out the truth.

Quill also comes up with an idea to help Ariana raise the money she needs for the café.  Ariana is reluctant to accept any ideas or help from him, but she wants this café.  Can she trust him?  Quill just wants what is best for Ariana.  Quill would do anything for her.  He has been in love with her for many years and leaving the community was not what he wanted (but not his secret to tell).  Why did Quill and Frieda leave the Amish community?  Will helping Ariana’s parents find out the truth make Ariana push Quill further away?  What happened twenty years ago while they were escaping from the fire?  Will the truth change Ariana’s life in unexpected ways? 

I found the Ties that Bind to be very slow book and can get very confusing (many characters and there is quite a bit going on in this book).  Ariana has four sisters and five brothers along with their parents, spouses, and more children.  That is just one family in the book. I have read many of Cindy Woodsmall’s books (all but two of them) and have loved them, but I had trouble with this novel.  Once I read about the fire and the babies, you knew what was going to be the outcome (very expected).  I also had trouble relating to the main character, Ariana.  I found her to be emotionally immature and very naïve (but with firm resolve that her way is the right way) for someone that is twenty years old.  I give Ties that Bind 3.5 out of 5 stars. 

I received a complimentary copy of Ties that Bind from Blogging for Books (and the publisher) in exchange for an honest review.  The review and opinions expressed are my own.

Have a lovely afternoon!  Make sure to take time out of your day to do something for yourself.  Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader