Friday, December 18, 2020

Marrying Matthew by Kelly Long

Marrying Matthew

Book Summary

Marrying Matthew by Kelly Long has Tabitha Stolfus advertising for a mail order groom. Tabitha is heir to her father’s lumber and woodworking company which is prominently known in Blackberry Falls, Pennsylvania. Her father wishes her to marry and has paraded a variety of eligible men in front of Tabitha. Tabitha is determined to marry under her terms which is why she placed the advertisement. She wants a groom who is unaware of her father’s business. Matthew King responded to the ad and will be arriving that day. Matthew is a woodworker who wishes to learn from her father, John Stolfus. It is a fact that he failed to disclose to Tabitha in their letters. When Matthew arrives, they marry immediately while John is out of town. Matthew wants them to spend time getting to know each other before consummating their marriage. While townspeople welcome Matthew and congratulate the newlyweds, workers at Stolfus Lumber and Woodworking are less than thrilled. A series of incidents begin to happen that end up with Matthew becoming injured. Someone seems determined to eliminate the new groom. Will Tabitha end up a widow before her marriage can truly begin?

My Thoughts

Marrying Matthew by Kelly Long is the first book in The Amish Mail Order Grooms series. Marrying Matthew not your typical Amish novel. I liked the unusual premise of a mail order Amish groom. I enjoyed the descriptions of Blackberry Falls, Pennsylvania. There are a variety of quirky residents with Bishop Kore leading the pack. I like that there is a mystery which adds depth and suspense. I was turned off, though, by the sexual innuendo and intimate situations. I read Amish and Christian novels because they do not contain that type of content. I was surprised to find it in Marrying Matthew (and so much of it). I was puzzled about the time period. While in Blackberry Falls it seems that we have stepped back in time. I thought it was the early 1800s from the way things were described and the way the Amish spoke. But then they went to the local hospital and were able to watch television. If this had been a clean, Amish novel, I would have enjoyed Marrying Matthew. It has a great premise along with mystery, suspense, a charming town, humor, unique characters, and suspense. If you enjoy explicit romance novels, then you will enjoy Marrying Matthew much more than I did.

Marrying Matthew is available from Amazon*. You can find Kelly Long's other novels here. Thank you for stopping by today. Next time I am featuring The Awakening by Nora Roberts. I hope that you have a exultant 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.

Thursday, December 17, 2020

His Accidental Amish Family by Rachel J. Good

His Accidental Amish Family

Book Summary

His Accidental Amish Family by Rachel J. Good has Anna Flaud making a change in her life. She was told that she would never walk again, but Anna was determined that she would accomplish it. Anna has a reason for this goal, but it is not one she wishes to share with others. She moves to Ronks and begins physical therapy at the Community Care Center with Levi King. Levi finds himself drawn to Anna. He admires her determination and big heart. When Anna can walk without aid, she seeks out Gabriel Kauffman. She promised to give him an answer when she could walk, and now Anna is ready. She is surprised, though, when she discovers that Gabriel’s heart belongs to another. Anna has no intention of making Gabriel keep his promise to her. Anna finds a new purpose for her life. She wishes to become a foster mother. Anna finds herself wanting to adopt three special kids. The one thing standing in her way is a lack of husband. Levi finds himself falling for Anna but, after what happened in the past, he is not sure he can take on such a commitment. Will they find a way to come together and form a family?

My Thoughts

His Accidental Amish Family by Rachel J. Good is the third book in Unexpected Amish Blessings series. It can be read on its own, but you will be missing out on two special novels. Anna Flaud was mentioned briefly in His Pretend Amish Bride (available through Kindle Unlimited). I thought His Accidental Amish Family was well-written with developed characters. The story starts out a little slow, but it soon picks up the pace. I like that this is not a traditional Amish romance. Anna Flaud is a strong woman who works hard to achieve a difficult goal. I like that she did not let disappointment set her back. Anna came up with a new plan that would benefit children in need. Levi has his own demons. He blames himself for a tragic accident and works hard to make amends for what happened. His brother, Jonah is such a sweetheart. Misunderstandings and miscommunications abound. The kids add further depth and interest to the story as well as humor. I like that the characters in the story were realistic. I do wish that we were given more details on Anna’s condition. I believe it would have added more realism to the story. I like that the story addresses the issue of the foster system. We get to see two families making a difference. We also learn that that you never know what God has planned for your life. His Accidental Amish Family is a touching story. I enjoyed reading this special Amish novel which is a lovely addition to the Unexpected Amish Blessings series. His Accidental Amish Family is a heartening tale with confused kids, tiring physical therapy, past promises, agonizing guilt, miscommunication, misunderstandings, and a compulsory mate.

His Accidental Amish Family is available from Amazon*. The other novels in Unexpected Amish Blessings series are His Unexpected Amish Twins and His Pretend Amish Bride. Both books are on Kindle Unlimited. You can find Rachel J. Good's other novels here. Rachel J. Good has An Unexpected Amish Proposal coming out on March 30, 20201. It is the first novel in Surprised by Love series. Thank you for stopping by today and reading my review. I will be back tomorrow with Marrying Matthew by Kelly Long. It is the first book in The Amish Mail Order Grooms series. I hope that you have an inventive day. Take care, be king, and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

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

Wednesday, December 16, 2020

Peppermint Cream Die by Carol Ayer

Peppermint Cream Die

About Peppermint Cream Die

Peppermint Cream Die (The HSP Mysteries)

Cozy Mystery

1st in Series Publisher: Camel Press (October 13, 2020)

Kayla Jeffries, home bakery owner and HSP (Highly Sensitive Person), has arranged her life just so to avoid stressful overstimulation. The California oceanside community in which she lives proves the perfect venue for the quiet and peaceful existence she desires. She happily spends her time baking, walking along the beach, and spending time with her close friends.
But when Kayla discovers her elderly friend Trudy Dillingham has been strangled, she vows to do anything she must to help bring the killer to justice, including overcoming the stress and sensory overload involved in playing amateur detective. Using her HSP talents of attention to detail and ability to read other people's emotions, Kayla eventually cracks the case, all the while juggling two cats and a dog, non-stop orders for the Christmas holidays, and a budding relationship with handsome restaurateur Jason Banks.

About Carol E. Ayer

Carol Ayer, a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP), lives halfway between San Francisco and Sacramento with her cat, Rainn. When she’s not writing, she’s reading mysteries and thrillers or watching movies and cooking shows. As a native Californian, she visits the ocean as often as possible.

Author Links

Author Links Webpage: https://carolayer.com/

Blog: https://ayerlines.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/carolayerwriter

Twitter: https://twitter.com/carol_e_ayer

My Thoughts

Peppermint Cream Die by Carol Ayer has Kayla Jeffries investigating the death of her friend, Trudy when not baking up tasty treats for her clients. It is a challenge for Kayla who is an HSP (Highly Sensitive Person), but she is determined to get justice. The killer believes Kayla has something he wants. He will do what it takes to recover it and tie up loose ends. Peppermint Cream Die introduces us to Kayla Jeffries who recently moved to Seaside Shores in California where she has started Kayla’s Home Baked Goods in her cozy cottage. She bakes up delicious treats for her clients and friends. We get to learn about HSP and how it affects Kayla. We see how loud noises affect her along with stressful situations. I had not heard of this condition before nor have I seen it in a cozy mystery prior to this. I found Peppermint Cream Die easy to read. I would have liked more time devoted to character development so I could learn more about Kayla. Kayla finds Trudy dead in her home which devastates her. She becomes determined to find out who harmed her friend. Kayla talks to various people, overhears some promising clues, and keeps detailed notes. Kayla shares information with her best friend, Isabella who is dating the investigating officer (allows her to get some helpful intel for Kayla). I liked the action in the story that helped propel the story forward toward the suspenseful reveal. Kayla begins dating Jason and they spend quite a bit of time together. Their romance is prominent in the story along with Kayla’s baking. I would have preferred the mystery be at the forefront. The ending is sweet and left me smiling. Peppermint Cream Die is a charming cozy mystery with a bevy of baking, a cute cat, scrumptious peppermint pie, a steady suitor, a bellicose killer, and a Merry Christmas.

Peppermint Cream Die is available from Amazon, B&N, and Kobo. The author is giving away a copy of the book along with an ornament and peppermint hot chocolate packets. You can enter by using the Rafflecopter form below or click here. Good Luck! Thank you for visiting today. Next time I am featuring His Accidental Amish Family by Rachel J. Good. It is the third book in Unexpected Amish Blessings series. I am off to do some holiday decorating. My mother wishes to put up two trees in her bedroom. Now I need to shape those trees and put on the lights. My mother suffered an injury so she is not able to do the work herself. I hope all of you have a jubilant day. Take care, be kind, and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Participants

December 3 – I'm All About Books – SPOTLIGHT

December 4 – I Read What You Write – REVIEW

December 5 – Elizabeth McKenna - Author Blog – SPOTLIGHT

December 6 – My Reading Journeys – REVIEW

December 6 – Books a Plenty Book Reviews – REVIEW

December 7 – Celticlady's Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

December 8 – Nadaness In Motion – REVIEW

December 8 – Sapphyria's Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

December 9 – Ascroft, eh? – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

December 9 – Island Confidential – SPOTLIGHT

December 10 – Socrates Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

December 11 – Literary Gold – SPOTLIGHT

December 12 – Reading, Writing & Stitch-Metic – SPOTLIGHT

December 12 – Christy's Cozy Corners – REVIEW

December 13 – Maureen's Musings – SPOTLIGHT

December 14 – Sneaky the Library Cat's Blog – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

December 14 – Here's How It Happened – REVIEW

December 15 – Cozy Up With Kathy – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

December 16 – My Journey Back – RECIPE POST

December 16 – The Avid Reader – REVIEW

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

Tuesday, December 15, 2020

Her Amish Wedding Quilt by Winnie Griggs

Her Amish Wedding Quilt

Book Summary

Her Amish Wedding Quilt by Winnie Griggs has Greta Eicher eager to have a talk with her best friend, Calvin Stoll. They have been friends since they were children and they talk about everything together. Greta’s feelings have changed toward Calvin, and she is hoping that Calvin’s have as well. Greta is known for being outspoken and spirited which has turned off other suitors. Before Greta can discuss the issue with Calvin, she learns that he has begun courting Wanda who is the opposite of Greta. Calvin’s brother, Noah has been widower for over two years. His younger sister, Maisie has been watching his two children, Anna and David. Her sixteenth birthday is approaching which means she can begin enjoying rumspringa. Noah has promised to find someone else to take care of the kids. He has decided it is time to remarry, but Noah wants the marriage to be strictly a business arrangement. Greta has had success matching other couples and agrees to find someone for Noah. Greta and Noah spend time together so she can get to know him. Noah begins to view Greta in a different light, and he begins to have feelings for her. After his first marriage, though, Noah is not willing to risk his heart again. Can God help Noah overcome the past so he can have a fulfilling future?

My Thoughts

Her Amish Wedding Quilt by Winnie Griggs is the first novel in the Hope’s Haven series. Her Amish Wedding Quilt is a sweet story. This is the first book that I have read by Winnie Griggs and I enjoyed it. Greta Eicher is a feisty main character. I like that she had spunk and spoke her mind. Greta likes who she is, and she was not going to change for anyone (hooray for her). Greta was also kind, thoughtful, caring, strong, creative, and a woman of faith. Noah is the strong silent type who cares deeply. He loves his family especially his two children, Anna and David. He just wanted what was best for his kids. Noah is a skilled craftsman who makes beautiful furniture. He is also kindhearted man who has had to make some tough decisions. I enjoyed the descriptions of Noah’s furniture and Greta’s beautiful quilts. I especially liked the word images of the special quilt Greta created after Calvin started courting another woman. I thought Her Amish Wedding Quilt was well-written with interesting characters and steady pacing. The romance progressed nicely. There were moments when I wanted to shake Noah. He began to care for Greta early on, but Noah was not willing to admit it nor venture into the love zone. I like how everything came together at the end for a heartwarming ending. There were some humorous moments throughout the story along with “awww’ moments with the darling kids and adorable kittens. The story does have some expected elements, but the rest of the story outweighed that aspect. Her Amish Wedding Quilt is a darling Amish tale with cute kittens, artistic quilt designs, fine furniture, a caring craftsman, a merry matchmaker, and Christmas cheer.

Her Amish Wedding Quilt is available from Amazon*. You can find Winnie Griggs' other novels here. Thank you for stopping by today. I hope that you will join me tomorrow. I am a stop on the Great Escapes Virtual Book Tour for Peppermint Cream Die by Carol Ayer tomorrow. It is the first book in The HSP Mysteries. I am off to work on the Christmas trees (everything is in boxes, but my mother wants her Christmas trees). I am very fortunate that the totes with the ornaments are easy to find. I wish it was as easy for us to agree on paint color and blinds. I know it will all work out in the end. I hope that you have a heartwarming 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.

Monday, December 14, 2020

Wedding Bells on Victory Street by Pam Howes

Wedding Bells on Victory Street

Book Summary

From Amazon bestseller Pam Howes comes a heartbreaking World War Two novel about a young woman trying to make the best of history’s darkest hour. Is a happy ever after impossible?

Liverpool, 1943. For Bella Rogers, life is looking up. She loves performing with The Bryant Sisters, the singing trio who have become the country’s sweethearts, putting a smile on the faces of the brave boys fighting the Nazis. But then tragedy strikes when a telegram arrives: Bella’s beloved father has been killed in France.

Unlike her poor Mam, Bella has someone to share her grief with. Her childhood love Bobby is home from the war. He lost a leg but she counts her blessings every day that he’s alive when so many young men haven’t made it back. Bella longs to give her heart to Bobby but she is hiding a secret that may change their lives forever. Will he still love her if she reveals the truth?

But when bombs screech down on Victory Street in the middle of the night, blowing houses apart, Bella may lose both the home she loves and the family who mean everything to her. With so much loss around her, will Bella be brave enough to snatch her chance of happiness? And when the war is finally over, will wedding bells ring out on Victory Street again?

An utterly unputdownable, heart-wrenching historical novel that will have you completely hooked from page one. You’ll lose yourself in this gorgeous wartime story of love, loss and family secrets. Perfect for fans of Wives of War, Nadine Dorries and Nancy Revell.

About the Author

Pam Howes is a retired interior designer, mum to three daughters, grandma to seven assorted grandchildren, and roadie to her musician partner.

The inspiration for Pam's first novel came from her teenage years when she worked in a record store and hung around with musicians who frequented the business. The first novel evolved into a series about a fictional band called The Raiders. Pam is a fan of sixties music and it's this love that compelled her to begin writing. You can find Pam Howes on Facebook and Twitter.

My Thoughts

Wedding Bells on Victory Street by Pam Howes is the 2^nd novel in The Bryant Sisters series. It can be read as a standalone for those who have not indulged in The Girls of Victory Street. Bella Rogers along with her two best friends (Fran and Edie) are known as The Bryant Sisters. They are with ENSA (Entertainments National Service Association) traveling around England and Wales entertaining the troops as well as citizens. Bella is in love with Bobby Harrison who suffered severe injuries when his plane went down. He is waiting for a new prosthetic leg and then hopes to join the tour with Bella. Bella loves Bobby and hopes to marry him, but she has yet to tell him about her son, Levi. She is worried what Bobby will think about her when he learns that she has an illegitimate child with band leader, Earl Franklin Jr. Levi is with her mother, Mary and her sister, Molly in Llanoudno, North Wales. Bella misses her son, but she knows that he is safer on the farm. The ladies on the tour are having trouble with the magician Frederico, Master of Magic (aka Freddie). They know the sleazy man is up to no good, but the three singers need proof. It is 1943 and the war shows no signs of slowing down and neither do the bombings. I thought Wedding Bells on Victory Street was well-written with developed characters and gentle pacing. There is plenty going on in this emotional novel as you can tell. I just gave you a little taste of what to expect in this dramatic tale. There is drama, romance, wrongdoings, beautiful songs, manipulation, tension, and so much more. The author captured the time period with the music, clothing, war events, and the language. I like how Pam Howes included Glenn Miller who performed with ENSA just before his death. I enjoyed the heartwarming ending. It was great to see how some of the characters developed. I really liked the change in one character (spoiler). For those readers who enjoy historical sagas (Pam Howes Lark Lane series and Nancy Revell’s Shipyard Girls), you do not want to miss Wedding Bells on Victory Street. Wedding Bells on Victory Street is a poignant historical novel with spectacular singers, an immoral magician, a sweet son, an aspiring sister, a sickening conflict, and a rocky romance.

Wedding Bells on Victory Street is available from Amazon*. The Girls of Victory Street is the first novel in The Bryant Sisters series. Both books are available through Kindle Unlimited. You can find Pam Howes other novels here which includes her Lark Lane series (delightful series). Thank you for visiting today. I will be back tomorrow with Her Amish Wedding Quilt by Winnie Griggs. It is the first book in the Hope's Haven series. I will return to a regular blogging schedule in the new year. I have been busy with the new home (which needs a new roof) and recovering from the move (just wore me out). We are working to pick out paint colors for the home, new blinds (the whole house needs blinds), and new floors. My mother and I are trying to agree on colors for each selection. We need a new fridge but the space available in our kitchen is a challenge. The fridges that fit are currently on backorder until next year. If we had a larger opening, it would be better (I am not remodeling the whole kitchen for a fridge). I hope that you have a jolly day. Take care, be king, and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

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

Thursday, December 10, 2020

Covert Amish Christmas by Mary Alford: Review & Giveaway

About the Book

Book: Covert Amish Christmas

Author: Mary Alford

Genre: Inspirational Amish Suspense, Christmas

Fleeing to Amish country might be the only way to survive Christmas…

Hiding in Amish country, former CIA agent Victoria Kauffman’s determined to find evidence to catch the corrupt agents who killed her partner. But when her Christmas refuge is discovered, the sole person she can trust is Amish widower Aaron Shetler. With ruthless—and dangerously powerful—enemies after them, Victoria must use all her training to make sure they live through the holidays.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

USA Today Bestselling Author, Mary Alford, loves giving her readers the un-expected, whether it be in a rugged mountain setting or a peaceful Amish community.

Her titles have appeared on the USA Today Bestselling List, Publisher’s Weekly Bestselling List, and have been finalists in the Daphne Du Maurier award of excellence, The Beverly, The Maggie, and The Selah Awards.

Mary lives in Texas with her husband, two very spoiled cats, and a sweet rescue dog name Cody. Mary is very active online and would love to connect with readers on Face-book and Twitter or any social platforms listed at www.maryalford.net.

More from Mary

When you think about the Amish, you don’t usually associate their simple ways with spies and covert happenings, but that’s the beauty of the imagination. Anything is possible.

As I sat down to pen Covert Amish Christmas, I wanted to create a story that would bring to life the differences between the two worlds and I wanted it to have a Christmas setting to back-drop the story.

Covert Amish Christmas takes place in the breathtaking world of the Amish of Montana where mountains rise to the sky, and snowy woods create the perfect winter wonderland. Christmas is in the air. And so is danger…

I don’t know about you, but I love Christmas books so much because they allow me to return to my favorite time of the year no matter what day is written on the calendar.

And as Christmas quickly approaches, it means it’s time to bake all those delicious holiday treats we all love so much.

One of my favorites is Peppermint Sugar Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting. They are both delicious to eat and fun to give away.

So, I hope you enjoy them, and Covert Amish Christmas, and I pray this year, the Spirit of the season will remain with you all year long.

Peppermint Sugar Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting

Ingredients:

◾2 1/2 cups cake flour, plus more for dusting work surface

◾2 tsp cornstarch

◾1 1/2 tsp baking powder

◾1/2 tsp salt

◾1/2 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature

◾1/4 cup all vegetable shortening (unflavored), at room temperature

◾1 cup granulated sugar

◾1 large egg

◾1 large egg white

◾2 tsp vanilla extract

◾1/2 tsp peppermint extract

◾Crushed candy canes, for topping

Peppermint Cream Cheese Frosting

◾4 oz cream cheese, softened

◾4 Tbsp unsalted butter

◾1/2 tsp peppermint extract

◾2 1/2 cups powdered sugar

Directions:

Sift flour, cornstarch, baking powder and salt into a large bowl, then whisk it just a few times, set aside. In the bowl of an electric stand mixer, on medium speed, whip together butter, shortening and sugar until very pale and fluffy, about 4 minutes, scrapping down the sides of the bowl as needed. Add in egg and mix until combine, then add egg white, vanilla and peppermint extract and mix until combine. With mixer running, slowly add in dry ingredients and mix just until combine. Transfer dough to an airtight container and refrigerate 2 hours. Preheat oven to 375 during the last 10 minutes of refrigeration.

Scoop dough out about 3 Tbsp at a time and roll into a ball. Place dough ball on a lightly floured surface, sprinkle top lightly with flour, then using something flat and smooth (such as the storage container lid), press and evenly flatten dough to 1/2″ thick. Transfer flattened dough to a Silpat or parchment paper lined baking sheet and repeat process with remaining dough (you’ll have to use 2 cookie sheets). Bake in preheated oven 9 – 11 minutes. Allow to cool 5 minutes on baking sheet before transferring to a wire rack to cool. Cool completely then frost with Cream Cheese Frosting and sprinkle with crushed candy canes.

For the frosting:

In the bowl of an electric stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, whip together cream cheese and butter until pale and fluffy. Add peppermint extract and powdered sugar and mix until pale and fluffy.

Blessings always,

Mary Alford

My Thoughts

Covert Amish Christmas by Mary Alford has Victoria Kauffman on the run for her life. She is a former CIA agent who has evidence of wrongdoing by CIA operatives. The guilty parties, though, have no intention of letting Victoria turn over that evidence and will do whatever it takes to stop her. Victoria gets shot and ends up at the farm of Aaron Shetler. Aaron finds himself on the run with Victoria trying to keep them safe and the bad guys away from his family. Will they be able to turn over the evidence necessary to stop the guilty parties? Covert Amish Christmas is a fast-paced suspense novel. It is full of action from the very first chapter. I found Covert Amish Christmas to be well-written with steady pacing and a complex main character. Victoria is a complicated woman which I liked. I enjoyed the descriptions of Aaron’s beautiful hand-crafted furniture. I could feel the tension and danger as Victoria, Aaron, and the others attempted to elude the bad guys and stay safe. I found myself quickly turning the pages to see how this tale would turn out. I wish the mystery had been harder to solve, but that is just the puzzle solver in me. I appreciated the epilogue which nicely wrapped up the story. Covert Amish Christmas has action, intrigue, mystery, romance, and suspense (what more could you ask for). Covert Amish Christmas is a page turner that will have you captivated until the very end.

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Mary is giving away the grand prize package of an autographed copy of Covert Amish Christmas along with a gift basket containing Spa Gift Basket – Bath and Body Set with Vanilla Fragrance by Lovestee (Bath Gift Basket Includes Shower Gel, Body Lotion, Hand Lotion, Bath Salt, Eva Sponge and a Bath Puff). Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click here to enter. Good Luck!

Covert Amish Christmas is available from Amazon*. You can find Mary Alford's other novels here. Thank you for stopping by today. I will be back on December 14 with Wedding Bells on Victory Street by Pam Howes. I am off to finish putting my bed together. We are slowly getting our new home organized. I hope that you have an merry day. Take care, be kind, and Happy Reading!

Mary

Kris

The Avid Reader