Enjoyable! 'Lost and Found' - by Suzanne Woods Fisher

 

About the book:

Trudy Yoder shares a passion for birding with Micah Weaver--and she has an even greater passion for Micah. Their friendship is finally turning romantic when Micah abruptly grows cold. Worse still, he wants to leave Stoney Ridge. 
 
Micah thought he was over Trudy's older sister, Shelley, who shattered his heart by running away to Nashville to pursue a singing career. Then out of the blue, she started leaving alarming messages for him. 

So when the bishop asks for volunteers to scout a potential church relocation in Tennessee, Micah jumps at the opportunity. Despite scant details, he's confident he can find Shelley. After all, his reputation as a field guide is based on finding birds that don't want to be found. 

But what he discovers in Tennessee is far from what he expects.

My review:

This was another enjoyable visit to Stoney Ridge where we can catch up with friends from past books and get to know new ones.  I liked Trudy and felt for her as she feels invisible to her parents, who were grieving over their other daughter who had left, and to Micah as she hoped he would start to love her before he shut her out.  I liked her determination to stop a local pond from being ruined by construction.  I admired Micah wanting to help Shelley, even though she hurt him, but I thought he should have asked for help.  There was a little bit of suspense as I was worried about Shelley and what kind of situation Micah was walking into.  I liked that mental health and illness were talked about and the fact that sometimes people need actual treatment.   There was also a little romance.  I always appreciate the bishop, David, and the depth of his faith as he guides his flock.  There were also interesting write-ups about birds throughout.  I recommend this book if you like Amish fiction or birds!

I received this book free from Revell.  I was not compensated for this review.  All opinions are my own.

           The Author

1. 

   © Dan Davis Photography

   Suzanne Woods Fisher

   Suzanne Woods Fisher is the award-winning, bestselling author of more than 30 books, including The Sweet Life and The Secret to Happiness, as well as many beloved contemporary romance and Amish romance series. She is also the author of several...

   Continue reading about Suzanne Woods Fisher 

Absolutely Wonderful! 'On Moonberry Lake' - by Holly Varni

 

About the book:

Cora Matthews's life is a mess. A broken engagement and the unexpected death of her mother have left her wondering if things will ever return to normal. Whatever "normal" is.

It certainly isn't what she finds at Moonberry Lake. After she receives her family's dilapidated lakefront lodge as an inheritance--with a surprising condition attached--Cora finds her life overrun by a parade of eccentric neighbors who all have something to say and something to teach her.

As Cora works to put her life back together, she must decide if she is willing to let go of the past, open her heart to love, and embrace the craziest version of family and home she could ever have imagined.

My review:

This was such a wonderful story!  I absolutely loved the quirky characters; they made me laugh out loud with the crazy things they said and did.  So many of them also had a lot of wisdom that both Cora and I learned from.  The setting was beautiful and peaceful and it was fun watching the lodge get renovated.  I liked the mystery of Cora trying to figure out why her mother took her away when she was a child and never came back.  There was a sweet romance that didn't disappoint!  There were touching moments that made me cry.  I absolutely loved this book and can't wait for the next!

I received a free copy of this book from Revell.  I was not compensated for this review.  All opinions are my own.

           The Author

1. 

   Melissa White Photography

   Holly Varni

   Holly Varni is a native Minnesotan of strong Norwegian descent, who was raised in the Lutheran Church that Garrison Keillor made a career depicting. Between the lutefisk, grumpy grandparents, and crazy neighbors who mowed their lawn wearing pajamas, the seed...

   Continue reading about Holly Varni 

Another Winner! 'Creed' - Minnesota Marshalls 5 - by Susan May Warren

 

About the book:

He's a criminal—who must become a prince to save the princess he loves. But will she have to become a criminal to save him?

In the heart-pounding conclusion to the epic Minnesota Marshalls series, Princess Imani finds herself once again in peril as she becomes the target of a deadly plot. She needs Creed – only problem is, he’s facing charges in Lauchtenland. But he’s not going to let that stop him from protecting her…even if he has to become a fugitive. But who is trying to kill her? Together, they race against time to unravel a web of deceit and conspiracy that seems to entrap the entire family. As their journey takes them from the palace to the high mountains, and finally back to Minnesota, Imani and Creed must discover the truth before tragedy destroys everything—and everyone—they love.

Read the thrilling finale of the Minnesota Marshalls series, where the fate of a family and destiny of a kingdom hang in the balance.

My review:

This was another wonderful story by one of my favorite authors!  It's amazing to me how she can weave together so many characters that she's brought to life in this series and others and they show up to help each other and encourage each other.  You see their stories progress and you hate to say goodbye.  It's so much fun, though, wondering when you'll see them again as so many of her characters show up in different series.  There was so much action in this one and intrigue as Imani's life was in danger over and over and it seemed like an inside job, yet no one could figure out who it was.  There was amazing romance, of course, with more than one couple.  The spiritual struggle and growth is what really sets her books apart for me, though, as each of her characters have struggled with issues we all do, such as forgiveness and identity and belonging and purpose.  We may not become a princess or come from a rough background but we all can relate to these issues.  Her characters are so relatable and real, even if they are tough and some of them save the world fairly regularly!  I highly recommend this book and series and can't wait for where the next series takes us!

I received a free kindle copy of this book from the author.  I was not compensated for this review and all opinions are my own.