Many Sparrows By Lori Benton

In 1774, the Ohio-Kentucky frontier pulses with rising tension and brutal conflicts as Colonists push westward and encroach upon Native American territories. The young Inglesby family is making the perilous journey west when an accident sends Philip back to Redstone Fort for help, forcing him to leave his pregnant wife Clare and their four-year old son Jacob on a remote mountain trail.
When Philip does not return and Jacob disappears from the wagon under the cover of darkness, Clare awakens the next morning to find herself utterly alone, in labor and wondering how she can to recover her son...especially when her second child is moments away from being born.

Clare will face the greatest fight of her life, as she struggles to reclaim her son from the Shawnee Indians now holding him captive. But with the battle lines sharply drawn, Jacob’s life might not be the only one at stake. When frontiersman Jeremiah Ring comes to her aid, can the stranger convince Clare that recovering her son will require the very thing her anguished heart is unwilling to do—be still, wait and let God fight this battle for them?

Pick up your copy here...

https://www.amazon.com/Many-Sparrows-Novel-Lori-Benton/dp/1601429940/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1504818344&sr=8-1&keywords=many+sparrows

 

 

Lori Benton was born and raised east of the Appalachian Mountains, surrounded by early American and family history going back to the 1600s. Her novels transport readers to the 18th century, where she brings to life the Colonial and early Federal periods of American history, creating a melting pot of characters drawn from both sides of a turbulent and shifting frontier, brought together in the bonds of God's transforming grace. 

Lori's debut novel, Burning Sky, earned the 2014 Christy Award for First Novel, Historical, and Book of the Year.

My Thoughts....

Lori Benton has wrote a well rounded and dynamic novel. The book flows so well that you won't get to much historical information and get lost. She introduces the characters with such grace that you feel you know them. You can tell she did her research of history because she goes into such detail of historical events. The story has love, heartache, faith, hope and grace. I enjoyed reading it and I am sure you will also.

I gave this book 4 stars and recommend this book to Historical book lovers.

The Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are our own.

The Proving By Beverly Lewis

Amish Fiction's #1 Author Presents a Touching Story of Perseverance and Second Chances
Amanda Dienner hasn't seen her Old Order family in five years when she receives word that her mother has passed away and left her Lancaster County's most popular Amish bed-and-breakfast. Now an Englisher, Mandy is shocked: Her twin sister should have been the obvious choice! What's more, the inheritance comes with a catch: The farmhouse inn will only truly be hers if she is able to successfully run it for twelve consecutive months.

Mandy accepts the challenge even though it means returning to Gordonville and the painful memories she left behind at eighteen. Still, she's determined to prove she is more than capable of running the bed-and-breakfast, no matter that its loyal clientele are expecting an Amish hostess!

The inn isn't Mandy's sole test, however. Rubbing shoulders with her married twin sister reopens wounds that Mandy isn't ready to forgive. And an Englisher guest with a difficult past of her own just complicates matters. 

Can Mandy fulfill the terms of her inheritance? Or will this year in Amish country prove a dreadful mistake?

Pick up your copy Here...

https://www.amazon.com/Proving-Beverly-Lewis/dp/0764219669/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1505673830&sr=8-1&keywords=the+proving+by+beverly+lewis  

 

 

I've had my nose in a book, for as long as I remember. When I was about 9 years old, I started writing my own stories. By sixth grade, I'd hand-written a 66-page semi-autobiographical book titled, "She Shall Have Music."

After I was married and our three children were in middle school, I began submitting articles and short fiction to various magazines.

My first book (Holly's First Love) was published in May 1993, the start of a 14-book series for pre-teen girls. Soon after, my first chapter book was published for 7-10-year-old readers ("Big Bad Beans") which later became part of my 24-book series, The Cul-de-Sac Kids. I wrote another long-running series for girls, titled "SummerHill Secrets," which was set very close to Neffsville, PA, where I grew up--near the heart of Amish country.

When I'm between writing deadlines, I enjoy hiking in the Rocky Mountains with my husband. Cooking from scratch, playing Mozart at the piano, and making family memory albums, as well as traveling to meet my devoted readers during book tours, are some of my very favorite things. I also adore reading biographies and memoirs, as well as classic literature.

My Thoughts...

 

I would love to get away and stay at the Butterfly Meadows B and B for a few weeks. Enjoy the plain life and slow down some. This was a very good story and I enjoyed all of the characters so much.

Lewis writes Amish fiction like no other Amish fiction writer. Her writing style is all her own and never a dull moment in the stories. I hope that you enjoy the twins story and the happy every after ending.

I do wish that the book had been a little bit longer I would love to know how Mandy and  Karl's story ends.

I gave The Proving 5 stars. I HIGHLY recommend it. Fresh Amish Fiction!

The Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are our own. 

Silvia's Rose By Jerry Eicher

A Beautiful Rose, Like True Love, Never Fades

Esther Stoltzfus considers herself to be down-to-earth, the way most Amish women do. Her marriage to her deceased husband was one borne out of practicality, and Esther sees no reason why God won't replace what He was taken away.

When Esther moves to a new community with her daughter, Diana, she meets the handsome minister Isaiah Mast, who has experienced his own loss and appears to be a logical fit to complete their family. But everything changes when Esther is introduced to Joseph Zook, her widowed neighbor down the road.

While tending to his treasured roses, Joseph tells stories of his passionate love for his late wife, Silvia—stories that stir a place in Esther's heart she never knew existed. What if she and Isaiah could have the kind of love Joseph and Silvia shared?

In the meantime, Joseph gets his own second chance at love with the eccentric Arlene King, even as he knows he will never find another frau like his beloved Silvia.

Silvia's Rose is a beautiful story filled with redemption, romance, and risking it all for the reward of true love.

Pick up your copy here ...

https://www.amazon.com/Silvias-Peace-Valley-Jerry-Eicher/dp/0736969306/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1505342095&sr=8-1&keywords=silvia%27s+rose+by+jerry+eicher 

As a boy, Jerry Eicher spent eight years in Honduras where his grandfather helped found an Amish community outreach. As an adult, Jerry taught for two terms in parochial Amish and Mennonite schools in Ohio and Illinois. He has been involved in church renewal for 14 years and has preached in churches and conducted weekend meetings of in-depth Bible teaching. Jerry lives with his wife, Tina, and their four children in Virginia.

My Thoughts...

 

This was book number one in the  Peace in the Valley series. Let me tell you it was a good one. And for those who are always asking and worrying about the mish books that I read and review all being the same ole plot and redone stories. This one was NOT. It was very different and never been done before. I loved Esther and Joseph so much and of course Isaiah and Arlene were not my favorite, I could not connect with them. But it took all four of them to make this a story you will enjoy. I really loved Esther's daughter Diana, she was so full of life and made this story one I will be thinking about for some time. Who doesn't like Roses?   You have to read this story about this hybrid rose, you will be talking it for days. 

This is a  5 star must read.                                                       

The Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are our own. 

Copper Country By Kristin Neva

A Copper Island Story of Family and Forgiveness

“Where do people get this idea that dying people are more noble?”

TEN YEARS AFTER ABANDONING his family, Aimee Mallon’s father returns with throat cancer. Aimee wants to forgive him, but he’s as narcissistic and unrepentant as ever. She’s comforted by Russ Saarinen, who’s everything her father wasn’t—present and gentle. But a long-term relationship with him is unrealistic unless he’s willing to let go of his bitterness toward corporations, give up his off-the-grid cabin, and find a real job.

Copper Country is set on what the old Finns called Kuparisaari. Copper Island juts into Lake Superior from the north end of the Keweenaw Peninsula, where remnants of an industry long passed dot the landscape. Yoopers, the people of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, are rugged individuals, geographically and culturally distinct from much of America.

Pick up your copy here...
https://www.amazon.com/Copper-Country-Island-Novel/dp/0998196223/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1505167070&sr=8-1&keywords=copper+country

Kristin Neva grew up in an old farmhouse on Copper Island in Michigan's Keweenaw Peninsula where the hard-working, rugged residents persevere through harsh winter weather, sustained by friendship and family, surrounded by natural beauty. As an adult, she lived in the Chicago and Milwaukee areas for seventeen years before returning to the her hometown with her husband and two children.

Kristin’s first book, Heavy, co-authored with her husband, Todd, journeys through the first year after Todd’s ALS diagnosis as the Nevas struggle to find meaning, hold on to faith, and discover joy in the midst of pain.

It is this life experience that brings authenticity to Kristin’s fictional works as she explores themes of love, loss, and faith on Copper Island. Her quirky characters are endearing and wholesome. But they are also full of healthy grit, humor, flaws, and appetites. 

Learn more about Kristin and explore Copper Island at KristinNeva.com

My Thoughts...

"Copper Country" is a very good Romance novel. It is book two in the Copper Island series but can be read as a stand alone with being lost. Neva does a wonderful job developing the characters in her story. The book has a homey feel to it  because you will feel like you know the characters. When you connect with the characters it makes the story little more real so to speak. The story is believable and the author doesn't go over the top. With that said the story is captivating and will keep you reading until the very end.I gave this book 4 stars and recommend it to Romance lovers. The Mary Reader received this book from the author for review. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are our own.

An Amish Christmas Love By Ruth Reid And Kelly Long

Snow Angels by Kelly Irvin

As a young man enjoying his rumspringa, David Byler gave his heart to an Englisch girl, but he eventually realized he couldn’t give up his Plain faith and family for her, so he let her go. He’s found a new love in his Bee County Plain community, Molly Shrock. Molly has been patient, waiting for the man she loves to love her back. Just as he is ready to propose, David makes a startling discovery: Bobbie McGregor, his Englisch love, is back. Will Molly’s prayers for a Christmas love be answered?

Home for Christmas by Ruth Reid

When a misdirected GPS sends Ellie Whetstone to the wrong address, she inadvertently finds herself breaking into the home of Amish man, Ezra Mast. Ellie hopes to fix up the house left by her aenti and sell it quickly, but a series of run-ins with Ezra and his young daughter have her questioning whether a hasty sale is the right move. Could this new place with its slower pace be the right home for Ellie?

Pick Up Your Copy Here...

https://www.amazon.com/Amish-Christmas-Love-Four-Novellas/dp/052911870X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1505071729&sr=8-1&keywords=an+amish+christmas+love 

 

 

Kelly Irvin is the author of the Every Amish Season and Amish of Bee County series. The Beekeeper's Son received a starred review from Publisher's Weekly, who called it “a delicately woven masterpiece.” A former newspaper reporter and retired public relations professional, Kelly lives in Texas with her husband, photographer Tim Irvin. They have two children, two grandchildren, and two cats. In her spare time, she likes to read books by her favorite authors. Visit her online at KellyIrvin.com, Facebook: Kelly.Irvin.Author, Twitter: @Kelly_S_Irvin.

Ruth Reid is a CBA and ECPA bestselling author of the Heaven on Earth, the Amish Wonders, and the Amish Mercies series. She’s a full-time pharmacist who lives in Florida with her husband and three children. When attending Ferris State University School of Pharmacy in Big Rapids, Michigan, she lived on the outskirts of an Amish community and had several occasions to visit the Amish farms. Her interest grew into love as she saw the beauty in living a simple life. Visit Ruth online at RuthReid.com, Facebook: Author-Ruth-Reid, Twitter: @AuthorRuthReid.

My Thoughts...

I read both novellas by Kelly and Ruth and they were both five star Christmas novellas. I hated for them to come to an end. I loved Ellie and Ezra's story. I could not wait to see what was going to happen next. And being a dog lover as well I loved the story of LuLu and Ezra's daughter. Ruth really out did her self on this novella.

Kelly Wrote a novella about David and Molly and David's old englisher girlfriend coming back to town to care for her ailing daddy. Who will David chose? You will have to pick up a copy to find out. You are sure to find both of these novella's worth checking out.

The Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are our own. 

    

 

Justice Buried By: Patricia Bradley

In an effort to get her security consulting business off the ground, Kelsey Allen has been spending a lot of time up in the air, rappelling down buildings and climbing through windows to show business owners their vulnerabilities to thieves. When she is hired to pose as a conservator at the Pink Palace Museum in order to test their security weaknesses after some artifacts go missing, she's ecstatic. But when her investigative focus turns from theft to murder, Kelsey knows she's out of her league--and possibly in the cross hairs. When blast-from-the-past Detective Brad Hollister is called in to investigate, Kelsey may find that he's the biggest security threat yet . . . to her heart.

Crackling with romantic tension and laced with intrigue, this suspenseful story from award-winning author Patricia Bradley will keep readers guessing--and looking over their shoulders.

Pick up your copy here...

https://www.amazon.com/Justice-Buried-Patricia-Bradley/dp/0800727126/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1504747791&sr=8-1&keywords=Justice+Buried

Winner of an Inspirational Readers Choice Award, Patricia Bradley lives in North Mississippi and is a former abstinence educator and co-author of RISE To Your Dreams, an abstinence curriculum. 

But her heart is tuned to suspense. Patricia’s romantic suspense books include the Logan Point series set in Mississippi and two sweet romances for Harlequin Heartwarming, Matthew’s Choice and The Christmas Campaign that are available on Amazon. 

The first Memphis Cold Case book, Justice Delayed, released February 2017, and Justice Buried, the 2nd in the cold case books releases September 2017.

A Heartwarming Christmas, an anthology written with eleven Heartwarming authors debuted at #81 on USA Today's Top 150 Titles. The Gingerbread Pony is her contribution to the anthology. October 3, 2017, Revenge releases in the anthology, The Kill Zone: Ten Deadly Thrillers. In Revenge, Andi Hollister and Will Kincade's story from Justice Delayed continues...

Her workshops on writing include two online courses with American Christian Fiction Writers and workshops at the Mid-South Christian Writer’s Conference in Collierville, TN. When she has time, she likes to throw mud on a wheel and see what happens.

My Thoughts...

"Justice Buried" is book two in Patricia Bradley's Memphis Cold Case series. It can be read as a stand alone, However I wouldn't do myself an injustice and not read the first one also. The story is mysterious and suspenseful and a very thrilling read. Bradley adds the slightest amount of romance to keep you wanting more. Some mysteries I have figured out before I have read half the book. This story kept me guessing until the author was ready to reveal her secrets. 

I gave this book 4 stars. I recommend this book if you are a lover of Romantic Suspense.

The Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are our own.

All Saints By: Michael Spurlock and Jeanette Windle

The True Story Behind the Powerful Film ALL SAINTS
Newly ordained, Michael Spurlock's first assignment is to pastor All Saints, a struggling church with twenty-five devoted members and a mortgage well beyond its means. The best option may be to close the church rather than watch it wither any further. But when All Saints hesitantly risks welcoming a community of Karen refugees from Burma--former farmers scrambling for a fresh start in America--Michael feels they may be called to an improbable new mission.

Michael must choose between closing the church and selling the property--or listening to a still, small voice challenging the people of All Saints to risk it all and provide much-needed hope to their new community. Together, they risk everything to plant seeds for a future that might just save them all.

Discover the true story that inspired the film while also diving deeper into the background of the Karen people, the church, and how a community of believers rally to reach out to those in need, yet receive far more than they dared imagine.

Pick up your copy here...

https://www.amazon.com/All-Saints-Surprising-Refugees-Brought/dp/0764230271/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1504510307&sr=1-1&keywords=all+saints

As child of missionary parents, award-winning author and journalist Jeanette Windle grew up in the rural villages, jungles, and mountains of Colombia, now guerrilla hot zones. Her detailed research and writing is so realistic that it has prompted government agencies to question her to determine if she has received classified information. Currently based in Lancaster, PA, Jeanette has lived in six countries and traveled in more than thirty on five continents. Those experiences have birthed 16 international intrigue titles, including bestselling Tyndale House Publishers release Veiled Freedom, a 2010 ECPA Christian Book Award and Christy Award finalist and sequel Freedom's Stand, a 2012 ECPA Christian Book Award and Carol Award finalist and 2011 Golden Scroll Novel of the Year finalist. Check out author interviews, reviews, and more at Jeanette's website: www.jeanettewindle.com

My Thoughts...

"All Saints" is based on a true story. The Author works with Reverend Michael Spurlock to tell the story of  his once dying church. Refugees from a foreign country bless his church. It is an inspiring story for everyone. It shows how God can send help in ways that are surprising and unexpected. It also tells how when Christians work in one accord God is in the mist of their work. I believe this book will touch the heart of all readers as they read and learn how this church was turned around. 

I gave this book 4 stars. I recommend this book if you believe in miracles.

The Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are our own.