Gladden the Heart

This was a difficult review to consider writing because when I get to a novel that I struggle to maintain focus on and dream of how much longer it would take to finish it so I can move on to something else, I have to take a step back and ask myself a few questions. What can I remember that I have read so far? Is it simply too much to take it for a reader at the beginning of a novel? Do I care what happens to any of these characters? Am I simply distracted from reading because of other things going on around me, that is pulling my focus away? Then I can answer these questions quite honesty and give an honest review. That answer to all of them is "No." I hate when that happens especially when you have read the authors other novels and you really enjoyed them. It was not the cause unfortunately for me in this one.

This novel is part of an ongoing series, Amish Turns of Time, and this one is book 5. I can be honest and say, I have not read any of the previous novels so I can't say whether doing so would have made me enjoy the premise behind this one any better. I have read previous novels that were part of a series and could follow along until I get the just of what is going on with the characters. In this case, I honestly couldn't care about any of them.

It involves two very different set of people living amongst one another, an Amish Order and the Methodists which are close neighbors to one another. Those readers who are familiar with Amish fiction, understand that they are very faithful and committed to their religious beliefs. They try to keep those in the community from being affected by those outside their faith, and in this case with the Methodist preacher who comes to stage tent revivals, a few of the Amish are a bit curious like the main character, Susana who occasionally peeks into the tents to see just what all the fuss is about. Her Amish boyfriend, Adam is making plans to marry Susana and doesn't want to see her dabbling in the other faiths, no matter how curious she is. When her favorite cousin Noah suddenly has spells in which is preaches without remembering any of it, not only is Noah's wife Phoebe at bit concerned, but also the entire Amish community who like to believe that all their preachers come from being chosen in the community not just those who suddenly have the ability.

I received Gladden the Heart by Olivia Newport compliments of Barbour Publishing and Net Galley. In accordance with the new FTC Guidelines for blogging and endorsements, you should assume that every book reviewed here at Reviews From The Heart was provided to the reviewer by the publisher, media group or the author for free and were received, unless specified otherwise. For me, this entire novel really never connected. It felt like bits and pieces of two very different parts of the book were spliced together. The beginnings and endings of each set of circumstances seemed disconnected and choppy and thus for me, I had a difficult time truly caring for any of the characters. The spells that Noah continues to have increase in frequency and I can understand why those in the Amish faith might fear this situation, and thus the need to keep them separated while the leaders of the community can figure out just what to do with them. Other readers might feel differently about this novel, but for me, it just fell flat and thus the need for a 2 out of 5 stars in this reader's opinion.  This just wasn't a favorite for me.

For more information about Gladden the Heart, Olivia Newport or where you can pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

Gladden the Heart by Olivia Newport

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Weddings at Promise Lodge

Spring is the perfect time for weddings, when winter has released its grip on new life just waiting to burst forth. Now that Promise Lodge is beginning to show the same signs of life with a new nursery, new people taking up available property, it now has a new Bishop as well. Bishop Monroe Burkholder arrived just as winter began and soon found love in Christine Hershberger. For both of them it would be a second chance at love since they are both widowers. Christine helps run the Promise Lodge along with her sisters Rosetta and Mattie. Mattie has married Preacher Amos, who seems to question the sudden unexpected arrival of Bishop Burkholder to their small town.

Just as the Sunday Morning service is about to end, a young woman arrives and announces that she has found Monroe and since he ruined her, he'd better make plans to marry her, after all she loves him and plans to stay in Promise Lodge forever. This upsets things between Christine and Monroe as well as Preacher Amos who now believes the new Bishop owes his congregation an explanation, but it will have to wait until things can be discussed between the parties involved. With the arrival of Leola, the young woman who has strong feelings towards Monroe, this really throws plans in the air. When Monroe explains that Leola is a special child from God, and her mind really is that of a child despite her physical appearance, he tries to figure out why she arrived here unexpectedly and without her parents.

He soon learns that Leola has run away from her aunt that was supposed to be caring for her while her parents were in the hospital. Her mom had heart troubles and it will be weeks before Leola can come home. Not to mention that she has thrown out her medication and removed all the labels from her prescriptions so no one can refill them or even know what she should be taking, without talking to her parents. Will the wedding plans continue or will things in Promise Lodge be shaken up so much that all plans will have to be put on hold?

I received Weddings at Promise Lodge by Charlotte Hubbard compliments of Zebra Books, Kensington Publishing Group and Net Galley. In accordance with the new FTC Guidelines for blogging and endorsements, you should assume that every book reviewed here at Reviews From The Heart was provided to the reviewer by the publisher, media group or the author for free and were received, unless specified otherwise. This is the third novel in the Promise Lodge series which the premise behind Promise Lodge is the three sisters, Rosetta, Mattie and Christine sold their homes and purchased Promise Lodge to begin a colony where spousal abuse wasn't tolerated and peace was part of the program of living here. Seems a far cry from that with the arrival of Leola as well as a new pretty blonde baker who decides that this is the perfect place to start her business. I love how the women are in charge of this Amish community and they have the say in how things are run despite that fact that there are three preachers and now a Bishop living in their new small town. Things are definitely going to get interesting as the pot begins to be stirred. I give this one a 4.5 of out 5 stars in my opinion and I absolutely LOVE the delicious recipes you will find at the conclusion of this novel.

For more information about Weddings at Promise Lodge, Charlotte Hubbard or where you can pick up a copy of this book today, please click on the links below:

Weddings at Promise Lodge by Charlotte Hubbard

You can find Charlotte Hubbard on Facebook to stay up to date on all her latest novels.

To read more reviews on Weddings at Promise Lodge, please visit Zebra Book's website. 

High As The Heavens

Living in a country involved in the midst of a great war would be difficult. For those living in Brussels during the Great War or WWI as it was known, difficulty became the word of the day, especially when their small towns were thrust into German occupation and they simply took what they wanted, be it women, children, or any goods they deemed necessary for their survival. It's been three long years dealing with the German occupation and at times, Evelyn Marche's family has had to endure German borders as well, most of them soldiers passing through. It has also given them some privileges as well since her family ran a small cafè, they now keep it open serving whatever is available to the Germans who come there. It offers Evelyn and her family a small respite from being further hassled by their presence in their small town.

It also has given Evelyn time to find ways to transport messages to the allies about the developments she learns of with so many German soldiers getting drunk on the beer that flows freely from their cafè. Her mother also has a hand in helping with the war effort with the way she crafts lace to be delivered by Evelyn to those who desperately need it. Evelyn is doing all she can to survive after losing her brother and sister when they were forced aboard a train, but has learned that they may have escaped and now live in France in the small town of Anor.

Her work as a Red Cross nurse has it benefits and as such, most German's don't question her comings and goings at all hours of the night, especially since receiving the Iron Cross in aiding saving one of their German officers. He now runs most of the staff at the hospital but has also seen to aiding Eveyln's family when he can. But his first and foremost call to duty is to Germany. When a plane crashes late one evening, Evelyn arrives to find the pilot has succumbed to his injuries but the passenger of the plane is her husband she believed had died three years ago. Now she will have to risk everything if she is to save him before they are both discovered as German spies.

I received High As The Heavens by Kate Breslin compliments of Baker Publishing Group and Net Galley. In accordance with the new FTC Guidelines for blogging and endorsements, you should assume that every book reviewed here at Reviews From The Heart was provided to the reviewer by the publisher, media group or the author for free and were received, unless specified otherwise.  I love that so much about this novel is based on historical facts with just the simple changing of the character's names. The true story of three women were remarkable in their efforts to aid the allies with their messages about the Germans in the occupied territory. Most of all, I love Evelyn's efforts to not only save her husband but also to do what she could to reunite her family that had been torn apart from the war. For those that love historical or WWI fiction, then this is a novel for you. I'd give it a 4 out of 5 stars because in some places the story just seemed to go on too long. I was happy with how it ended and love the author's note at the end explaining the facts that went into creating this novel. Reader Discussion Questions are included at the conclusion of this novel which would make for a great book club selection.

For more information about High As The Heavens, Kate Breslin, or where you can pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

High As The Heavens by Kate Breslin

You can find Kate Breslin on Facebook to stay up to date on all her latest novels.

For more reviews on High As The Heavens, please visit Baker Publishing Group's website. 

 

Beloved Hope

A man can't live without hope. Nor can a woman and in Beloved Hope by Tracie Peterson, Hope Flanagan comes face to face with her past she longed to forget that happened two years ago. The Whitman Massacre had led to the deaths of more than just Dr. Whitman and his wife, but also the only man Hope wanted to marry and loved with all her heart. Watching him being killed in front of her while she watched the life seep out of him was hard for her, but not before being taken captive by the Cayuse Indians who staged this. She was raped and left with an unborn child of the man who had taken more than just her innocence. She wanted nothing more out of life including her own. But after giving birth and placing that child into the hands of a couple who wanted a baby, Hope could not seem to find her way back to any normal sense of life. Even two years later, she built up such a wall around her, that all she wanted was to be left alone and far away from friends or even finding another man to love.

Now that she has been asked to testify in the trial of the five Cayuse Indians responsible for the murders of those at the Whitman Mission, she knows she can never let the possibility of the one man who took more than just her life away, walk away if they found him not guilty. In fact there was fear of that in light of those in the US government who wanted to grant peace between the white men and the Indians, even if it meant letting them go free. Hope was going to make sure the last thing this Indian did was to walk free. Perhaps that is why she managed to sneak past the armed guards and found her way into the jail cell that held the man who had taken everything from her. Now she was going to ensure he never lived another day, when she pulled the gun from her pocket. She just needed to find a way to pull the trigger and then it would all be over.

Lieutenant Lance Kenner wasn't about to let Hope make a mistake and when he saw her holding the gun on one of his prisoners, he assured her that this man's life wasn't worth her time. He knew that her and most of the women in Oregon City were trying to come to terms with what had happened and Hope was so sure that no man would want her ever again. But Lance Kenner was not like the men she had met before. Being from New Orleans and having lost his own family, all he was looking for when he met Hope was simply a friend to help get him through this trial so he could be done with serving his time and get back to running the plantation his family had left him. But it seems that they both might just need the right friend in order to gain more than just their hope back, but also to learn to trust God and understand that forgiveness isn't about letting someone off the hook, it's about letting go of the hurt they have caused you that you continue to carry with you every single day.

I received Beloved Hope by Tracie Peterson compliments of Baker Publishing Group and Net Galley. In accordance with the new FTC Guidelines for blogging and endorsements, you should assume that every book reviewed here at Reviews From The Heart was provided to the reviewer by the publisher, media group or the author for free and were received, unless specified otherwise.  This is the second novel in the Heart of the Frontier Series which picks up two years later after the Whitman Massacre that Treasured Grace covered in the first novel. I can't imagine how difficult it would be to face your accusers and I understood the feelings of hatred and anger that Hope must have felt. You would hope there would be a release of those feelings once the guilty have been punished but as most of us know, it doesn't happen like we would want to believe it would. Unless we choose to let go of those past feelings and let God handle it, we will continue to drag around that chain until it grows too heavy for us and life simply continues to pass us by. I give this a 4.5 out of 5 stars and can't wait for the third novel that must revolve around Mercy's life, the youngest of the Flanagan sisters.

For more information about Beloved Hope, Tracie Peterson or where you can pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

Beloved Hope by Tracie Peterson

You can find Tracie Peterson on Facebook to stay up to date on all her latest novels.

To read more reviews on Beloved Hope, please visit Baker Publishing Group's website. 

A Matter of Trust

"No one in trouble should be worried about whether they deserve help. They need help, and that's the point."

For Gage Watson, a member of the PEAK Blackbear Ski Patrol, find the lost was just another day at work. Being a former national free-riding snow boarder, this was all that remained of his time as a champion. But that didn't mean that in the world of social media and YouTube, that younger adults didn't dream of following in his proverbial footsteps. With enough research, the things that Gage achieved in his former lime light, he now had to find those thrill seekers before they did something foolish and got hurt or even worse, killed. That was the past Gage was still trying to recover from. The day when Dylan was killed trying to follow in Gage's line along Outlaw Mountain. Even though he tried to dissuade this kid from trying the same thing he had success at, this time, an unfortunate avalanche claimed Dylan's life, but also the life Gage had known. Lawsuits lead to a settlement that cost him sponsorships, awards and his future as a professional snow boarder. Now he spent his hours saving those who got caught up in that fame to prevent another death from occurring if he could help it. He just never thought that Ella Blair would waltz back into his life three years later.

Ella was always trying to convince her younger brother Oliver that his need for thrills might just get himself killed. When she followed him to Montana, the last person she expected to run into was Gage Watson again. He had revoked Oliver's season pass along with his buddy Bradley who thought dressing up as an inflatable T-Rex and videotaping it was the thing to begin their own road to fame and garner some viral videos. Ella knew that Oliver wanted to try the same thing as Dylan had done but this time with success. So when she awoke the following morning and discovering that Oliver and Bradley were missing, she knew exactly where he was headed and who she needed to ask for help. The only one brave enough to find her brother especially when a blizzard was just hours away from them and they discover that a helicopter had already been charted to drop the two off at the top of the summit.

Gage knew that there was no one else to go after them but himself. He was the only one who possessed the skills needed to find two amateurs lost in Glacier National Park with a blizzard only hours away. When Ella insisted that she be allowed to accompany Gage on this mission, she knew she had to convince him to let her come. She could lose the only family she had left and the one man she loved but had never managed to tell him. She was the one responsible for taking him to court as a junior attorney working for a large firm that Dylan's family had hired. She knew that some of the evidence that was uncovered would exonerate Gage from all the charges and even if it meant losing her law license she knew she would need to tell him the truth, if he will let her come with him.

I received A Matter of Trust by Susan May Warren compliments of Baker Publishing Group and Net Galley. In accordance with the new FTC Guidelines for blogging and endorsements, you should assume that every book reviewed here at Reviews From The Heart was provided to the reviewer by the publisher, media group or the author for free and were received, unless specified otherwise. Since this is the third novel in the Montana Rescue Series, there were some back stories that I missed because I picked this one up without reading the prior novels, Wild Montana Skies and Rescue Me, but I hope to pick those up and enjoy reading it from beginning to end. As a random group of people that make up the PEAK rescue team, each of them has their own novel dedicated to their story as they weave into each consecutive one in the series. In this one, Gage and Ella get a chance to discover the true meaning of trust and also what forgiveness means if they are to have any hope of a future.

What happens when those choices go south? So often we blame ourselves or others - and maybe rightly so. But we also seem to forget that God doesn't stop loving us because we make a mistake or even a bad choice. Some people, like Ella, live their lives trying to do everything right, fearing that if they mess up, God won't like them, won't rescue them. And others like Gage, refuse to believe that God could be on their side because of their biggest failures. Lies. We can't live a life free of mistakes - they're one of our biggest tools for learning. And God lets us walk into mistakes! He warns us, yes, and suggests we stay in his line, but he not only lets us choose our line, but he stays with us if we take our own course. And helps us pick up the debris when we wipe out. Not because we're so awesome. But because He is awesome. And He loves us. Period. I easily give this a 5 out of 5 stars simply because I couldn't put it down til it was finished. Like a great piece of chocolate cake smothered in creamy frosting. It is that great and there is a fourth novel coming soon!

For more information about A Matter of Trust, Susan May Warren or where you can pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

A Matter of Trust by Susan May Warren

You can find Susan May Warren on Facebook to stay up to date on all her latest novels.

To read more reviews on A Matter of Trust, please visit Baker Publishing Group's website. 

Fraying At The Edge

I can't imagine leaving behind my entire family and moving in with complete strangers, at least to you, but one's you've learned are now your biological parents. To go from living as an Amish young woman to know having to enter an English home is what some might label as culture shock. You're entire way of living is drastically changed and all your hopes and dreams for the future are now placed on a temporary hold for a year. That is what Ariana Brennerman and Skylar Nash are both having to endure.

Ariana Brennerman believed she was the twin of her brother Abram only to learn that she was switched at birth by the midwife when she and Skylar were born in an Amish birthing center and thrust into the same carrier during a fire that same night in an effort to rescue them. For twenty years, they have both lived a life that now is about to be abruptly changed as both sets of parents have asked for time, a year, to spend time with their biological daughters. Ariana was set on preparing to marry Rudy, and now she learns that the entire large Brennerman family is not really her biological family and even worse that she isn't Abram's twin sister.

For Skyler Nash, living in an English world dealing with a prescription drug addiction as a way of dealing with her set of parents who apparently want nothing to do with her, since learning that they have a daughter with a better track record than she has displayed. Both girls will be faced with the challenges of trying to fit into vastly different worlds with parents who want nothing more than to get to know them. Skyler just wants her next drug fix and finding out a way to leave the Amish family and run off with her boyfriend. For Ariana, she has to come to terms with learning that she was conceived out of wedlock when her mom had an affair with a married woman, something she doesn't believe the Amish community and elders will forgive her for. Now she is faced with learning more about the Amish faith from an outsider looking in and seeing God for who He really is. Is it possible the Amish have it all wrong and if so, can she ever go back to her Amish roots and the man she left waiting for her?

I received Fraying At The Edge by Cindy Woodsmall compliments of WaterBrook Multnomah Publishers. In accordance with the new FTC Guidelines for blogging and endorsements, you should assume that every book reviewed here at Reviews From The Heart was provided to the reviewer by the publisher, media group or the author for free and were received, unless specified otherwise.  In the second novel of The Amish of Summer Grove series, I found myself really seeing things from both woman's perspective and seeing the difficulties in dealing with the choices they were faced with. Perhaps the one character I found myself truly admiring the most was Quill Schlabach, her childhood friend who had gotten stuck in the middle with keeping some things confidential to those he made agreements with. What a tough place to be. I don't think I could have kept those great of secrets especially if I knew I would hurt the person I was holding them from once they were revealed. Of course that would all come back to him and it does.

Thankfully Ariana's faith is what gets her through some tough obstacles her English parents throw her way and now as in the first novel, this one ends with a bit of a cliff hanger ending, making me wish I had the third one, ready to read. The best part of this series, is the opening on this novel provided the reader with a short overview of what Book 1, Ties That Bind, was about for those who had to wait long months before this one was available. Now waiting on Gathering Threads, and this will be a nail-biter for me. I just have to know how this will turn out. Once again, couldn't stop once I began this one because I needed to know how it would all play out. For me, that is the ear-mark of a true 5 out of 5 stars novel.

For more information about Fraying At The Edge, Cindy Woodsmall or where you can pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

Fraying At The Edge by Cindy Woodsmall

You can find Cindy Woodsmall on Facebook to stay up to date on all her latest novels.

To read more reviews on Fraying at the Edge, please visit WaterBrook Multnomah's website. 

Under A Summer Sky

Growing up, I had a boy that lived next door to us and our families were the very best of friends. The kind you plan vacations together and then at some point, you see that boy next door as something else besides just your childhood friend. Perhaps a future romance?

In Under A Summer Sky by Melody Carlson, Nicole Anderson is searching for something to inspire a bit of creativity in her lesson plans as a high school art teacher in Seattle. Her mother has the perfect idea and with just a weekend to plan for it, they take an unexpected shopping trip to prepare for her summer job. Vivian Graham is taking a three month world cruise with her husband and has offered a manager position at her art gallery in Savannah, Georgia. She believes that Nicole has just what this shop needs in order to run it, despite the looming presence of Amyra, the employee just about everyone in the Graham family despises. She believes since Vivian will be gone, the job of managing the art galley belongs to her and it's just a matter of time before she sends Nicole packing.

Vivian has offered Nicole the luxury of staying in their palatial Southern home in her absence along with the keys to her SUV to lend her the opportunity to transport any art pieces as needed. She has also placed an order for business cards for Nicole as manager, but she fails to let Amyra in on that little detail. Not to mention that the Grahams are long time friends of the Anderson's, she now learns that Alex, the most handsome of the brothers, whom she had a crush on, is now newly divorced with a teenage daughter as well as Ryan, the youngest brother who has just ended a relationship with Amyra and seems to be in a potential engagement to the town's sweetheart Cassidy. One thing is certain, this summer won't be boring in the least!

I received Under A Summer Sky by Melody Carlson compliments of Baker Publishing Group and Net Galley. In accordance with the new FTC Guidelines for blogging and endorsements, you should assume that every book reviewed here at Reviews From The Heart was provided to the reviewer by the publisher, media group or the author for free and were received, unless specified otherwise. This is such a sweet summer romance, coupled with two very different eligible men who fancy Nicole's attention along with the rocky relationship she has with Amyra who has her target set on Nicole for the job at the Graham Gallery. With moss lined trees and ghost tours, the Savannah southern charm is bound to get readers in the mood for some southern romance. I give this novel a 5 out of 5 stars because it is one I could relate to from my early childhood and this one keeps you longing for those southern summer nights complete with fireworks aplenty. This is the third novel in the Follow Your Heart series with Once Upon A Summertime and All Summer Long preceding this one. Available in paperback and eBook formats.

For more information about Under a Summer Sky, Melody Carlson or where you can pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

Under A Summer Sky by Melody Carlson 

You can find Melody Carlson on Facebook to stay up to date with all her latest novels.

To read more reviews on Under A Summer Sky, please visit Baker Publishing Group's website.