Undercurrent of Secrets By Rachel Scott McDaniel

 Two women, a century apart, are bound by a haunting secret aboard a legendary steamboat.

Walk through Doors to the Past via a new series of historical stories of romance and adventure.

As wedding coordinator for the 100-year-old steamboat The Belle of Louisville, Devyn Asbury takes pride in seeing others’ dreams come true, even though her engagement had sunk like a diamond ring to the bottom of the Ohio River. When the Belle becomes a finalist in the Timeless Wedding Venue contest, Devyn endeavors to secure the prestigious title with hopes to reclaim some of her professional dreams. What she hadn’t planned on was Chase Jones showing up with a mysterious photo from the 1920s.
 

A century earlier, Hattie Louis is as untamable as the rivers that raised her. As the adopted daughter of a steamboat captain, her duties range from the entertainment to cook. When strange incidents occur aboard the boat, Hattie’s determined to discover the truth. Even if that means getting under First Mate Jack Marshall’s handsome skin. 

Pick up your copy here...

Undercurrent of Secrets (Volume 4) (Doors to the Past): McDaniel, Rachel Scott: 9781643529943: Amazon.com: Books

Rachel Scott McDaniel is an award-winning author of historical romance. Winner of the ACFW Genesis Award and the RWA Touched By Love award, Rachel infuses faith and heart into each story. She currently enjoys life in Ohio with her husband and two kids. Rachel can be found online at www.RachelScottMcDaniel.com and on all social media platforms.

My Thoughts...

I loved this and the amount of research that went into it was just amazing.

I have to say I don't usually enjoy historicals to much but this one was so different. I could not put it down.

 You are sure to enjoy this 4 star read too.

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

Premonition By Wendy Whitman

 

If you’re not paranoid, you’re not paying attention…

Cary Mackin is a TV journalist who has covered crime for nearly twenty years. After losing her job she moves to a small town in Connecticut—only to get caught up in the web of a deranged serial killer. Cary has a dark secret that drives everything she does: a deep-seated, lifelong fear that one day she will be murdered. As the madman Cary stumbled upon continues to terrorize the beautiful countryside where she now resides, will her premonition come true?

Pick up your copy here...

Amazon.com: Premonition: 9781642938227: Whitman, Wendy: Books

Wendy Whitman has a unique background through her decades-long work as an executive and producer for Court TV and HLN, covering almost every major high-profile murder case in America. Through her knowledge of the most detailed aspects of the crimes, Ms. Whitman has become an expert on the subject of murder in America. Before attending Boston University School of Law, Whitman worked for comedians Lily Tomlin and George Carlin. After graduating from law school, the author embarked on what turned out to be a twenty-year career in television covering crime. She spent fifteen years at Court TV and another several at HLN for the Nancy Grace show, where she appeared on air as a producer/reporter covering high-profile cases. Whitman received three Telly Awards and a GLAAD nomination during her tenure at Court TV.

My Thoughts...

This was not like any crime thriller I have ever read before. Whitman's debut book is one you want to add to your list. its a short, fast read. You just may be very paranoid after reading Premonition. I gave this book 4 stars and I hope you get a chance to read it. I recommend it. The Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are our own.

Shh Baby Jesus Is Sleeping By Lisa Bergren GIVEAWAY!

 

The author of the bestselling God Gave Us series invites children to snuggle in close and peek into the stable where the animals are celebrating the very first Christmas.

"All be quiet...settle down. Shh, shh, shh. Baby Jesus is sleeping." So begins this sweet bedtime story in which all the animals in the nativity scene call their little ones to snuggle in close and rest quietly as they honor the arrival of a precious Baby--the Savior of all living things--that first Christmas night.

Not a peep, Little Sheep. Baby Jesus is sleeping!
Lie down now, Little Cow. Baby Jesus is sleeping!...
We rest tonight, knowing he is near.

Our promised King is finally here!

Pick up your copy here...

Amazon.com: Shh... Baby Jesus Is Sleeping: 9780593232927: Bergren, Lisa Tawn, Watkins, Laura: Books

Lisa T. Bergren is Tim's wife, Olivia, Emma and Jack's mom, and an explorer of people, places and stories in many genres. She's written over 60 books and sold over 3 million of them, with the help of some good publishing people and readers like you. You can find more about her at www.LisaTawnBergren.com.

My Thoughts...

This is the perfect Christmas gift, stocking stuffer for those little ones in your life.

The illustrations are wonderfully done and any little one would be happy to have this read to them every night.

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

Hitched to the Gunslinger By Michelle McLean GIVEAWAY!!

 Gray “Quick Shot” Woodson is the fastest gun west of the Mississippi. Unfortunately, he’s ready to hang up his hat. Sure, being notorious has its perks. But the nomadic lifestyle―and people always tryin’ to kill you―gets old real fast.

Now he just wants to find a place to retire so he can spend his days the way the good Lord intended. Staring at the sunset. And napping.

When his stubborn horse drags him into a hole-in-the-wall town called Desolation, something about the place calls to Gray, and he figures he might actually have a shot at a sleepy retirement.

His optimism lasts about a minute and a half.

Soon he finds himself embroiled in a town vendetta and married to a woman named Mercy. Who, judging by her aggravating personality, doesn’t know the meaning of her own name. In fact, she’s downright impossible.

But dang it if his wife isn’t irresistible. If only she’d stop trying to steal his guns to go after the bad guys herself.

There goes his peace and quiet... 

Pick up your copy here...

Amazon.com: Hitched To The Gunslinger (Gunslinger, 1): 9781649370228: McLean, Michelle: Books

Michelle McLean is a jeans and t-shirt kind of girl who is addicted to chocolate and Goldfish crackers and spent most of her formative years with her nose in a book. She has degrees in history and English and is thrilled that she sort of gets to use them. Her novel Truly, Madly, Sweetly, written as Kira Archer, was adapted as a Hallmark Original movie in 2018.

When Michelle’s not working, reading, or chasing her kids around, she can usually be found baking, diamond painting, or trying to find free wall space upon which to hang her diamond paintings. She resides in PA with her husband and two teens, the world’s most spoiled dog, and a cat who absolutely rules the house. She also writes contemporary romance as USA Today bestselling author Kira Archer.


For more info on Michelle and her work, please visit her website at michellemcleanbooks.com.

My Thoughts...

Forget the house cleaning forget the cooking dinner. Once you start this book it all goes by the way side. I should have wanted until I took care of all my household chores because once I started reading this I did not put the book down until I finished the last page.

Ready to laugh and get sucked into a great read grab a copy really fast. This laugh out loud 5 star read is highly recommended.

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

Beyond The Tides Liz Johnson

 

When Meg Whitaker's father decides to sell the family's lobster-fishing business to her high school nemesis, she sets out to prove she should inherit it instead. Though she's never had any interest in running the small fleet--or even getting on a boat due to her persistent seasickness--she can't stand to see Oliver Ross take over. Not when he ruined her dreams for a science scholarship and an Ivy League education ten years ago.

Oliver isn't proud of what he did back then. Angry and broken by his father walking out on his family, he lashed out at Meg--an innocent bystander. But owning a respected fishing fleet on Prince Edward Island is the opportunity of a lifetime, and he's not about to walk away just because Meg wants him to.

Meg's father has the perfect solution: Oliver and Meg must work the business together, and at the end of the season, he'll decide who gets it. Along the way, they may discover that their stories are more similar than they thought . . . and their dreams aren't what they expected.

Bestselling author Liz Johnson invites you back to Prince Edward Island for a brand-new series about family, forgiveness, and the kind of love that heals all wounds.

Pick up your copy here...

Beyond the Tides (Prince Edward Island Shores): Johnson: 9780800737375: Amazon.com: Books

By day Liz Johnson works in marketing. She finds time to write late at night and is a Christy Award finalist and a two-time ACFW Carol Award finalist. Liz makes her home in Phoenix, Arizona where she enjoys theater, exploring local history, and doting on her nieces and nephews. She loves stories of true love with happy endings. Find out more about Liz at www.LizJohnsonBooks.com.

My Thoughts...

I am such a fan of Johnson's. This was a fast fun summer romance. I love it when it works out and everything comes together like its suppose to .

If you love summer beach reads with romance and great characters then this is the book to put in your beach bag.

4 stars and I recommend this 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.

The Barrister and the Letter of Marque By Todd Johnson

 

As a barrister in 1818 London, William Snopes has witnessed firsthand the danger of only the wealthy having their voices heard, and he's a strong advocate who defends the poorer classes against the powerful. That changes the day a struggling heiress, Lady Madeleine Jameson, arrives at his door.

In a last-ditch effort to save her faltering estate, Lady Jameson invested in a merchant brig, the Padget. The ship was granted a rare privilege by the king's regent: a Letter of Marque authorizing the captain to seize the cargo of French traders operating illegally in the Indian Sea. Yet when the Padget returns to London, her crew is met by soldiers ready to take possession of their goods and arrest the captain for piracy. And the Letter--the sole proof his actions were legal--has mysteriously vanished.

Moved by the lady's distress, intrigued by the Letter, and goaded by an opposing solicitor, Snopes takes the case. But as he delves deeper into the mystery, he learns that the forces arrayed against Lady Jameson, and now himself, are even more perilous than he'd imagined.

Pick up your copy here...

Barrister and the Letter of Marque: Johnson, Todd M.: 9780764212369: Amazon.com: Books

Todd M. Johnson has been a practicing attorney for over 30 years. Todd's passion for writing blends well with his legal career and his novels are drawn closely from his personal experiences as a trial lawyer.

A graduate of Princeton University and the University of Minnesota Law School, Todd taught for two years as an adjunct professor of International Law and has served as a US diplomat in Hong Kong.

The Deposit Slip, Johnson's first novel, debuted in 2012. His second novel, Critical Reaction, was released in October 2013.

A third novel, Fatal Trust, is set in Todd's hometown of Minneapolis and released in early summer 2017.

My thoughts...

All my mystery lovers are going to want to grab a copy of this to sit and read over the weekend.

This was mu first book by Johnson and I really loved the premise  so I was happy to get a free afternoon to sit and read. It was very entertaining and the writing style was good.

This is a 4 star read and one I hope you take the time to 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.

Blind Tiger By Sandra Brown

 

With a “knack for romantic tension and page-turning suspense, this one is a winner.” The year 1920 comes in with a roar in this rousing and suspenseful novel by #1 New York Times bestselling author Sandra Brown. Prohibition is the new law of the land, but murder, mayhem, lust, and greed are already institutions in the Moonshine Capitol of Texas (Booklist, starred review).

Thatcher Hutton, a war-weary soldier on the way back to his cowboy life, jumps from a moving freight train to avoid trouble . . . and lands in more than he bargained for. On the day he arrives in Foley, Texas, a local woman goes missing. Thatcher, the only stranger in town, is suspected of her abduction, and worse. Standing between him and exoneration are a corrupt mayor, a crooked sheriff, a notorious cathouse madam, a sly bootlegger, feuding moonshiners . . . and a young widow whose soft features conceal an iron will.
 

What was supposed to be a fresh start for Laurel Plummer turns to tragedy. Left destitute but determined to dictate her own future, Laurel plunges into the lucrative regional industry, much to the dislike of the good ol’ boys, who have ruled supreme. Her success quickly makes her a target for cutthroat competitors, whose only code of law is reprisal. As violence erupts, Laurel and—now deputy—Thatcher find themselves on opposite sides of a moonshine war, where blood flows as freely as whiskey.

Pick up your copy here..

Amazon.com: Blind Tiger: 9781538751961: Brown, Sandra: Books

Sandra Brown is the author of more than sixty New York Times bestsellers, including STING (2016), FRICTION (2015), MEAN STREAK (2014), DEADLINE (2013), LOW PRESSURE (2012), LETHAL (2011), and the critically acclaimed RAINWATER (2010).

Brown began her writing career in 1981 and since then has published over seventy novels, bringing the number of copies of her books in print worldwide to upwards of eighty million. Her work has been translated into thirty-three languages.

Brown recently was given an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Texas Christian University. She was named Thriller Master for 2008, the top award given by the International Thriller Writer's Association. Other awards and commendations include the 2007 Texas Medal of Arts Award for Literature and the Romance Writers of America's Lifetime Achievement Award.

My Thoughts...

it has been years since I have read a book by Brown. This was a good plot, great ideas , some not so great characters. But she still writes like she did years ago.

This whole premise was very well thought out.

I am so glad I got the chance to read this 4 star 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.

The Good Widow By Jennifer Katz

 

What do we do when life ends? How do we honor the past while moving into an unimaginable, uncertain future? This tender, bracingly honest memoir explores how Jenny, a young widow, navigates the sudden loss of Tris, her beloved spouse of eighteen years.

With Tris gone, Jenny suddenly finds herself a single mom to a teen daughter and adult stepson. The newly splintered family finds ways to celebrate “milestone firsts” —including birthdays and other holidays that, without Tris, now feel hollow and bittersweet. Jenny finds herself drawn to new people, including other widows and psychic mediums, and becoming open to different kinds of connections based on sharing and spirituality. She also embarks on a halting quest for new romantic love. Initially, as she endures awkward first dates and unpleasant interactions with self-proclaimed “nice guys,” she resists her new reality —but over time, she finds someone unexpectedly comforting, blending the pain of loss with the pleasure of closeness. For readers who have also lost a loved one, The Good Widow offers both a comforting guide to grief and a form of companionship; for everyone, it’s a beautiful example of how even after death, love endures.

Pick up your copy here...

The Good Widow: A Memoir of Living with Loss: Katz, Jennifer: 9781647421496: Amazon.com: Books

Jennifer Katz is an award-winning psychology professor who teaches about gender, sexuality, and helping relationships. She loves yoga, musical theater, and broccoli.

My Thoughts...

Someone once told me that they won't waste their time reading memoirs. Well let me tell you reading this memoir was like spending time with a friend who knew exactly what I was going through.

It was such a gift to sit and read  this it was like Katz wrote it for me.

This is a gift for anyone who is suffering a great loss.

This 4 star gift is a must read and would be perfect to give anyone suffering a great loss.

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

Beware the Mermaids By Carrie Talick

 

Romance, betrayal, and an epic yacht race make Carrie Talick's debut novel perfect for fans of Elin Hilderbrand and Susan Mallery.

Hermosa Beach housewife Nancy Hadley is no pushover. So when her philandering husband, Roger, is caught in flagrante with an opportunistic widow on their racing sailboat, Nancy sticks it to him. She tells him she wants a divorce--with the sailboat, Bucephalus, part of the deal, too.

Roger would rather make Nancy's life a living hell than give up his boat. But Nancy has other plans. After moving out of their opulent home, she and her posse of girlfriends invest in a racing boat of their own to live on, and she teaches them the fine points of sailing. Meanwhile, and unbeknownst to Nancy, a big real estate development is under way that would destroy her beloved harbor and new home. When scheming Roger returns to ask Nancy to help capture the last committee vote--held by Nancy's old college friend--Nancy prepares for battle.

Nancy is not skittish about taking a few risks, so in a bold gambit, she makes a bet with Roger: a showdown in the thrilling Border Dash Race from Newport Harbor down to Ensenada, Mexico. The winner of the race will get everything they want.

The stage is set for the race of a lifetime--and the tantalizing possibility of new romance for Nancy--in a novel as heartwarming as it is breathlessly exciting. 

Pick up your copy here...

Beware the Mermaids: Talick, Carrie: 9781643858241: Amazon.com: Books

Carrie originally cut her teeth as a writer at the age of seven on postcards to her dad. Her mom taught her how to write with heart and passion. But she's pretty sure those postcards are where her sarcasm and sass blossomed.

She has worked as a copywriter in advertising for too many years to admit which all culminated in a Super Bowl spot in 2019 titled "Elevator" (starring Jason Bateman) in which the LA Rams lost. While advertising brought home the bacon, it did not feed the soul.

When she's not writing her next novel Carrie is working on perfecting a Bolognese sauce, rocking the lower third of her Peloton leaderboard, sailing on the Pacific, fielding huge life questions from her teenage daughter, snuggling her special needs rescue dog, and listening to Bill Evans on vinyl with her audiophile husband. She currently lives in a coastal community in California.

My Thoughts...

Nancy is one character to cheer for and I was in her corner from the very start.

Talick is such an expressive writer, I saw it all play out like i was watching a movie not reading a book.

Her attention  to detail was great and right on point.

You are going to enjoy this 4 star summer read. I cant wait for Talick's  next book.

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 House on Sunshine Corner By Phoebe Mills GIVEAWAY!

 

This captivating enemies-to-lovers romance about a daycare teacher who clashes with a brooding dad is perfect second-chance love story for fans of Debbie Mason.

Abby Engel has a great life. She's the owner of Sunshine Corner, the daycare she runs with her girlfriends; she has the most adoring grandmother (aka the Baby Whisperer); and she lives in a perfect hidden gem of a town. All that's missing is the thing she wants the most: a family. But after a stint of online dating and a string of bad blind dates, she's ready to give up. And then her ex-boyfriend (aka the love of her life) walks back into town...

Carter Hayes has no intention of staying in Heart's Hope Bay. He's there to help his sister out for a few weeks, and then he's back on a plane to Las Vegas. But small-town living has its appeal, and it’s not long before Carter's reminded of just how much he loves his hometown...and the one woman he’s never been able to forget. But after breaking her heart all those years ago, can Carter convince Abby that he’s her happy-ever-after? 

Pick up your copy here...

The House on Sunshine Corner (The Sunshine Corner, 1): Mills, Phoebe: 9781538753958: Amazon.com: Books

Phoebe Mills lives near the Great Lakes and loves her family, coffee, and binge watching, in that order. During the day, she wrangles kids, and by night, she dreams up strong women, dreamy men, and ways to wreak havoc on their lives—before giving them a happy ending, of course! It’s a tough job, but there’s nothing else she’d rather do. 

This was a fun read. And look at that cover, you know you want to read this just from that cover. You will love your visit to Heart's Hope Bay. This beach town is right where I wish I lived.

I cried and I laughed so that let's you know this is a must read.

5 stars and I HIGHLY recommend this one.

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 Walnut Creek Wish By Wanda Brunstetter GIVEAWAY!

 An Antique Store Becomes a Place of Healing for Broken Hearts

 

Welcome to Walnut Creek, Ohio, where Orley and Lois Troyer own an antique store they call “Memory Keepers.” Though knowledgeable in antiques and their repair, their real talent is in mentoring folks who are hurting and don’t even know it. Enter Jeff, a restaurateur, and Rhonda, a hotel manager, who recently moved to Amish country for the slow pace, but the change of scenery puts even more stress on their already strained marriage. Will an antique sled be the last straw, or will it lead to unexpected revelations and the fulfillment of dreams? 

Pick up your copy here...

The Walnut Creek Wish (Volume 1) (Creektown Discoveries): Brunstetter, Wanda E.: 9781643527413: Amazon.com: Books

Wanda Brunstetter is an award-winning romance novelist who has led millions of readers to lose their heart in the Amish life. She is the author of almost 90 books with more than 10 million copies sold. Many of her books have landed on the top bestseller lists, including the New York Times, USA Today, Publisher's Weekly, CBA, ECPA, and CBD. Wanda is considered one of the founders of the Amish fiction genre, and her work has been covered by national publications, including Time Magazine and USA Today.

Wanda's fascination with the Amish culture developed when she met her husband, Richard, who grew up in a Mennonite church, and whose family has a Pennsylvania Dutch heritage. Meeting her new Mennonite sister-in-laws caused Wanda to yearn for the simpler life. In their travels, she and her husband have become close friends with many Amish people across America. Wanda's desire to explore their culture increased when she discovered that her great-great grandparents were part of the Anabaptist faith.

All of Wanda's novels are based on personal research intended to accurately portray the Amish way of life. Many of her books are well-read and trusted by the Amish, who credit her for giving readers a deeper understanding of the people and their customs.

Wanda's primary attraction to the Amish is their desire to live a devout Christian life that strives to honor God, work hard, and maintain close family ties. Whenever she visits her Amish friends, Wanda finds herself drawn to their peaceful lifestyle, sincerity, and close family ties, which is in stark contrast to the chaos and busyness that plagues so many modern "Englishers." Time and time again, Wanda loses her heart in the Amish life, and she hopes her readers will, too. For more information, visit: www.WandaBrunstetter.com

My Thoughts...

All I needed to hear was antique store and and I was ready to read this new book by Brunstetter.    

This is the authors first book in this new series and I think her first contemporary.

It was a good read and one that many will enjoy.

Grab your copy of this 4 star read and your favorite drink and settle in for a good getaway.

 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 Matchmaker Bride By Ginny Baird

 

A delightful romantic comedy from New York Times bestselling author Ginny Baird...

Successful Boston matchmaker and television personality Meredith Galanes's reputation is on the line. During a guest appearance on a morning talk show, she's broadsided by questions about her own romantic attachments, just as she's trying to secure a syndication deal. Afraid to admit her love life is a total disaster, Meredith blurts out that she's seriously involved with a very special man―a boatbuilder in Maine. She never expects that small slip to get spun into a story about her supposed engagement.

Or that the paparazzi will track the guy down...

Derrick Albright is laid-back about many things. Being hounded by the press about some imaginary engagement to a woman he's only met once―and couldn't stand―isn't one of them. Then Meredith actually shows up at his cabin in Blue Hill, Maine, with an apology, a pot roast, and a proposal―play along until she secures her TV deal, and she'll help him win back his ex.

It's a simple plan, but if they have any chance of pulling it off, they'll have to survive each other first...

Each book in the Blue Hill Brides series is STANDALONE:
* The Duplicate Bride

* The Matchmaker Bride

Pick up your copy here...

Amazon.com: The Matchmaker Bride (Blue Hill Brides, 2): 9781649370266: Baird, Ginny: Books

NY Times and USA Today bestselling author Ginny Baird writes sweet contemporary romance with a dash of humor and a whole lot of heart. She is the author of the Blue Hill Brides Series: The Duplicate Bride (2020) and The Matchmaker Bride (2021) from Entangled Publishing and current and upcoming works from Hallmark Publishing: An Unforgettable Christmas (2019) and On Christmas Avenue (2021), as well as several independent titles including her newest novella: A Christmastime Homecoming (2020). Visit Ginny’s website to learn more about her and her books: www.ginnybairdromance.com.

These two books Both The Duplicate Bride and The Matchmaker Bride are fun reads that you  are not going to want to put down.

Grab your copy of these fast, fun,  4 star reads.

The Duplicate Bride By Ginny Baird

 

Saying “I do” has never been this much fun in this charming new romance from New York Times bestselling author Ginny Baird.

Hope Webb can’t believe her twin sister, Jackie, is begging her to swap places and play fiancée at Jackie’s pre-wedding festivities. Sure, it’s only a business-deal sort of marriage, but Hope is a carb-loving teacher who enjoys curling up with a good book. Jackie is a workaholic whose idea of a good time is a brisk five-mile run at the crack of dawn. The two sisters couldn’t be more opposite.

Now Hope is stuck in the middle of a warm, tight-knit family she can’t help but adore and a groom who turns out to be entirely wonderful...for her.

Hotel magnate Brent Albright knows something is off about his fiancée, but he doesn’t care. Gone is the driven woman with similar career goals, and in her place is someone warm and funny who not only charms his family but him as well. She’s doing everything she can to avoid him, but that’s probably just nerves. Two people about to wed couldn’t know each other less.

Now Brent is determined to woo his fiancée, for real this time, because the more he gets to know her, the more his sweet fiancée turns out to be entirely wonderful...for him.

And that’s when things start to get really complicated...

Each book in the Blue Hill Brides series is STANDALONE:
* The Duplicate Bride
* The Matchmaker Bride

NY Times and USA Today bestselling author Ginny Baird writes sweet contemporary romance with a dash of humor and a whole lot of heart. She is the author of the Blue Hill Brides Series: The Duplicate Bride (2020) and The Matchmaker Bride (2021) from Entangled Publishing and current and upcoming works from Hallmark Publishing: An Unforgettable Christmas (2019) and On Christmas Avenue (2021), as well as several independent titles including her newest novella: A Christmastime Homecoming (2020). Visit Ginny’s website to learn more about her and her books: www.ginnybairdromance.com.

You have to grab this fun read!

Love's Dwelling By Kelly Irvin GIVEAWAY!

 

God always had a plan. But how could falling in love with an Englischer be God’s plan for one young Amish woman? 

Young Cassie Weaver only wants what is expected of an Amish woman: a good Amish husband and a large family. But she’s happy as Job and Dinah Keim’s housekeeper, helping Dinah, who is losing her sight due to diabetes. For two decades the Keims have prayed for the salvation of their two children who left the community in a cloud of shame and mystery. 

Mason knew there was more to his mother’s past than she let on, but nothing could have prepared him for learning about his Amish roots upon his mother’s sudden death. Even more surprising, his mother named her Amish parents, Job and Dinah, as guardians to her five children. Now Mason has to trust that this couple, and their pretty housekeeper, can take care of his younger siblings, even when all he wants is to take care of them himself. 

As the children adjust to this new lifestyle, Mason finds himself pulled back to the Keims’ home. Yes, he wants to see his siblings, but it’s the conversations with Cassie that keep him coming back for more. Is there more to this Amish faith and how does it play into his own past? Cassie guards against her growing feelings for Mason, because there can be no happy ending for a Plain girl in love with an Englisch man . . . right? 

Bestselling and award-winning Amish romance novelist Kelly Irvin is back with a heartwarming tale of the power of love to heal all wounds. 

Pick up your copy here...                                                                                                                                    Love's Dwelling (Amish Blessings): Irvin, Kelly: 9780310364481: Amazon.com: Books

Best-selling novelist Kelly Irvin's latest series, The Amish of Sky Country, features an Amish community in Northwest Montana affected by wildfires that destroyed thousands of acres in the state in recent years. The first book, Mountains of Grace, debuted in August 2019, and delves into the impact on not only an Amish man and woman, but also a smoke jumper, a sheriff's deputy, and a young English woman forced to confront her past because of the fires.

Kelly also writes romantic suspense novels. Her most recent forays into this genre include Her Every Move and Closer Than She Knows, both set in San Antonio and South Texas. Publishers Weekly says of Closer Than She Knows, "this brisk, smoothly written thriller from Irvin pits court reporter Teagan O’Rourke, a murder mystery lover, against a cunning and vicious serial killer. Fans of serial killer fiction with a Christian slant will be satisfied."

Of Tell Her No Lies, The Library Journal says, "Irvin creates a complex web with enough twists and turns to keep even the most savvy romantic suspense readers guessing until the end. Known for her Amish novels, this two-time Carol Award finalist shows that her talents span subgenres from tranquil Amish stories to rapidly paced breathless suspense.”

Kelly is also the author of the Every Amish Season series, which included four books that chronicle the lives of Amish widows who are in different seasons in their lives. These women are linked by life altering experiences that bring them together as wives, mothers, and grandmothers in the small town of Jamesport, Mo. The first book, Upon a Spring Breeze, received critical acclaim from the Library Journal: "A moving and compelling tale about the power of grace and forgiveness that reminds us how we become strongest in our most broken moments."

Kelly Irvin is also the author of The Amish of Bee County series, which includes the critically acclaimed The Beekeeper's Son. Publishers Weekly called the first book in the series a beautifully woven masterpiece and Romantic Times Magazine called Kelly a storyteller extraordinaire. It was followed by The Bishop's Son and The Saddle Maker's Son, which is an ECPA bestseller.

A two-time ACFW Carol finalist, Kelly's novellas have been included in numerous anthologies, including An Amish Summer, The Amish Christmas Gift, An Amish Market, an Amish Christmas Love, and Amish Quilt, An Amish Reunion, An Amish Picnic, and An Amish Christmas Bakery.

She also penned the Bliss Creek Amish series and the New Hope Amish series, both published by Harvest House Publishers. Love Still Stands, the first book in the New Hope series, debuted in September 2012, and the follow-up, Love Redeemed, released March 1, 2014. The final book in the series, set in Branson, MO., was A Plain Love Song, released in July 2014.

The Bliss Creek Amish series, set in Kansas, includes To Love and to Cherish, A Heart Made New, and Love's Journey Home.

In the New Hope series, familiar characters from Bliss Creek move to Missouri to start a new district and a new life.

The Kansas native is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and the ACFW San Antonio local chapter Alamo City Christian Fiction Writers, as well as Sisters in Crime.

A graduate of the University of Kansas William Allen White School of Journalism, Kelly wrote nonfiction professionally for thirty years. She studied for three semesters at the University of Costa Rica, learning the Spanish language. As a journalist, she worked six years in the border towns of Laredo and El Paso, where she was exposed to culture and language that serves as fodder for her fiction writing. She has written hard news, features, entertainment pieces, restaurant critiques, editorials, and weekly columns. Writing awards include the Silver Star Award from the Texas Mental Health Association for articles pertaining to mental health and numerous awards in news, feature, and editorial writing from the Texas Press Association and Texas Press Women.

Kelly retired in 2016 from her position of 22 years as public relations manager for the San Antonio Parks and Recreation Department, where her duties included writing and designing an employee newsletter, writing news releases, collaborating on marketing campaigns, coordinating ribbon-cuttings and groundbreakings, coordinating press conferences, updating the web site, and acting as a media spokesperson.

Kelly has been married to photographer Tim Irvin for more than 30 years, and they have two young adult children and three grandchildren. In her spare time, she likes to write short stories, read books by her favorite authors, and visit the babies.


For more information, visit http://www.kellyirvin.com

My Thoughts...

Not many Amish fiction books make me cry and laugh and pull at my heartstrings but this one sure did.

Irvin has done it again, this is a unique Amish story. Not the same ole same ole. You are going to love the characters they are easy to connect with.

You have to grab a copy of this 4 star 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.