Out of Place by Mary Mcknight

 For fans of coming-of-age narratives and feminist journeys, an empowering tale of one teen’s quest to establish her own voice as an Army Brat living in Cold War–era West Germany.

Relocated with her family to Cold War–era West Germany, Army Brat and middle sister of three Mary grapples with the torment exacted by her older sister, the high moral expectations of her military father, and societal pressure to conform to traditional gender roles during the rise of the feminism movement. Through the transformative power of place, travel, and the people she encounters, Mary embarks on a journey of self-discovery, learning about social justice and finding her voice in a world still shaped by male dominance.

Rich with historical context, Out of Place is a poignant and compelling exploration of identity, personal growth, and the enduring strength that comes from embracing one’s purpose. 

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Out of Place: Coming of Age in Cold War West Germany: McKnight, Mary E.: 9781647427269: Amazon.com: Books

Mary E. McKnight is an avid observer of people, a teacher of young children, a co-owner of an herb garden (Split Stone Farm LLC), a painter, and a lover of cats. She lives for kindness, creativity, and her amazing daughter. Her writing is the creative expression that feeds her soul, and she enjoys writing in a variety of genres. If she wasn’t her, she would probably be the Lorax. She lives in Ellicott City, Maryland, with her partner and their tortie, Abbey Rhodes.

The Christmas Inn by Pamela Kelley

 

A feel-good novel as delightful and comforting as a cup of hot chocolate on a cold winter’s night, The Christmas Inn is bestselling author Pamela Kelley’s most heartwarming and magical book yet.

Riley Sanders didn’t plan on losing her job as a content marketing manager right before Christmas. When she calls her sister Amy to vent, she learns that their mother has broken her leg and could really use some help at the inn. Riley decides to head home to the inn, nestled along the shores of Cape Cod, in time for the Christmas rush. She is happy to help and needs something to distract her as mistletoe is hung and snowflakes begin to fall.

When she gets there, she not only finds delicious cookies and a crackling fire to lift her spirits, but also the sense of family she’s been missing all along. There’s Franny, a woman who has just lost her sister and has four unopened letters from her that she plans to use to open her up to new experiences on the Cape. And there’s Aidan, her high school sweetheart, now a widower, who is staying at the inn with his nine year-old son, Luke. What begins as a quick stay over the holidays to help her mom turns into something that means much more―a second chance at romance, a deeper sense of found family, and all the joy and wonder that comes with Christmastime on Cape Cod.

Pick up your copy here...

Amazon.com: The Christmas Inn: 9781250861634: Kelley, Pamela M: Books

Pamela M. Kelley is a USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of women's fiction, family sagas, and suspense. Readers often describe her books as feel-good reads with people you'd want as friends.

She lives in a historic seaside town near Cape Cod and just south of Boston. She has always been an avid reader of women's fiction, romance, mysteries, thrillers and cook books. There's also a good chance you might get hungry when you read her books as she is a foodie, and occasionally shares a recipe or two.

Feel free to sign up for her list to hear about new releases as soon as they are available as well as extras like early bird discounts. Just cut and paste into your browser, http://eepurl.com/IZbOH 

My Thoughts...

I loved this book; the romances were the best. I loved Luke and I loved the Christmas setting at the Inn. It didn't hurt that there was talk of books and authors and oh my a book club too. The wine and cheese. I just wanted to be at the Christmas Inn with everyone.
This was my favorite Christmas book so far.
Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable review was not required, and all views expressed are our own.

The Merry Matchmaker by Sheila Roberts

 Frankie Lane knows what’s best for just about everyone but herself. Her divorced sister, Stef, who is too young to give up on love; her shy employee, Elinor; and her daughter, Natalie, who works in Frankie’s shop, Holiday Happiness, and really needs to start her own business selling the delectable chocolates she makes at home; even her best friend, Viola, who is trying to renovate her old Victorian. Frankie knows she could help all of them, if they’d just let her—and if all of her help didn’t end in utter disaster.

Then there’s Mitch Howard, the owner of the local hardware store. They’ve been friends ever since Frankie opened her store, nine years earlier. He got her through the nightmare when she lost her husband in a freak accident, and he’s her favorite shoulder to cry on. He’s been divorced for years, and it’s such a waste of man! Mitch is the fittest, finest man Frankie knows. He’s easygoing, wise and kindhearted. Mitch needs someone. And she’s determined to help him find that someone—whether he likes it or not.

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The Merry Matchmaker: A Novel: Roberts, Sheila: 9780778369608: Amazon.com: Books

With more than fifty books to her name, Sheila Roberts is a frequent USA Today and Publishers Weekly bestseller - and a fan favorite. Her Christmas perennial "On Strike for Christmas" was made into a movie for the Lifetime Channel and her novel "The Nine Lives of Christmas" was made into a movie for Hallmark. Hallmark also made a sequel, titled "The Nine Kittens of Christmas." Her most recent novel to hit the small screen was "Christmas on Candy Cane Lane," which aired on the Great American Family Channel in 2022. Before settling into her writing career, Sheila owned a singing telegram company and played in band. When she's not traveling, she splits her time between the Pacific Northwest and Southern California.

My thoughts...

I just needed to escape reality for a little while way too much going on in the world. This was a great get away if only for a small amount of time. Roberts Christmas books never disappoint. This took me away and was so satisfying.

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

The Fabled Earth by Kimberly Brock

 Sometimes the truth is found in a folktale.

1932. Cumberland Island off the coast of Southern Georgia is a strange place to encounter the opulence of the Gilded Age, but the last vestiges of the famed philanthropic Carnegie family still take up brief seasonal residence in their grand mansions there. This year’s party at Plum Orchard is a lively group: young men from some of America’s finest families who come to experience the area’s hunting beside a local guide, a beautiful debutante expecting to be engaged by the week’s end, and a promising female artist who believes she has meaningful ties to her wealthy hosts. But when temptations arise and passions flare, an evening of revelry and storytelling goes horribly awry. Lives are both lost and ruined.

1959. Reclusive painter Cleo Woodbine has lived alone for decades on Kingdom Come, a tiny strip of land once occupied by the servants for the great houses on nearby Cumberland. When she is visited by the man who saved her life nearly thirty years earlier, a tempest is unleashed as the stories of the past gather and begin to regain their strength. Frances Flood is a folklorist come to Cumberland Island seeking the source of a legend—and also information about her mother, who was among the guests at a long-ago hunting party. Audrey Howell, briefly a newlywed and now newly widowed, is running a local inn. When she develops an eerie double exposure photograph, some believe she’s raised a ghost—someone who hasn’t been seen since that fateful night in 1932.

Southern mythology and personal reckoning collide in this sweeping story inspired by the little-known history of Cumberland Island when a once-in-a-century storm threatens the natural landscape. Faced with a changing world, two timelines and the perspectives of three women intersect where a folktale meets the truth to reveal what Cumberland Island has hidden all along.

Pick up your copy here....                                                                                                                                  Amazon.com: The Fabled Earth: 9781400234226: Brock, Kimberly: Books

  Kimberly Brock is the award-winning author of The Lost Book of Eleanor Dare and The River Witch. She is the founder of Tinderbox Writers Workshop and has served as a guest lecturer for many regional and national writing workshops including at the Pat Conroy Literary Center. She lives near Atlanta with her husband and three children. Visit her online at kimberlybrockbooks.com; Instagram: @kimberlydbrock; Facebook: @kimberlybrockauthor; X: @kimberlydbrock

Serenity's Secret by Lisa Jones Baker

 Serenity Holds Her Secrets Close Full of faith, hope, and romance, this series takes you into the Heart of Amish country. Serenity Miller has much to love about life as the owner of The Pink Petal in Arthur, Illinois, and enjoys trying natural remedies and exploring garage sales. Then comes the day her neighbor, Stephen Lantz, saves her from trespassers on her property and their friendship deepens into an attraction Serenity knows can never lead to marriage. She holds secrets she can never divulge, despite Stephen's way of wooing her. But how can Serenity return to her life of contentment after a taste of love? And when danger returns, will it steal her last hope for a bright future? 

Pick up your copy here...

Serenity's Secret: Volume 6 (The Heart of the Amish): Jones Baker, Lisa: 9781636099583: Amazon.com: Books

WELCOME to my page! I author Amish Inspirational Fiction; My newest book, SERENITY'S SECRET, debuts October 1, 2024. THE QUILT ROOM SECRET became available February 1, 2024. I grew up near Arthur, Illinois, and became acquainted with the Plain Faith at an early age when they custom-made and installed our kitchen cabinets. On weekends, my parents and I frequented the quaint Amish town, often the setting of my stories, where we purchased our meat, cheese, and home-made baking spices. Now, decades later, I still love visiting; the town and the people yet intrigue me, and I so appreciate the talent of quilt-making almost as much as I love horse and buggy rides. Oh...and I never leave without a visit to my fav store, Stitch and Sew! But there is much more to this perplexing group than meets the eye; they are extremely disciplined, hard-working, and honest...and they don't all think alike. For these reasons, writing about them is my passion.

I was fortunate to have been raised in a loving, Christian home by two wonderful parents: a reading specialist mother who plays the piano and encouraged me to read from a very early age, and a retired Junior High Principal father who also farmed and taught me how to garden. I have a B.A. in French Education, and I'm a former school teacher who loves gardening, cooking, reading, positive thinkers, and every dog I meet. Although I'm a homebody, travel has played a large part of my life. Over three decades of working with the airline industry has landed me on five out of seven continents. 

My Thoughts....

I always look forward to Bakers books, she is my favorite Amish fiction author. Her books are so unique and have so much depth. Well-rounded characters and story lines like no other. In this one you get romance at its best, Friends to lovers, mystery, and a horse named Angel.
I highly recommend this book.
Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable review was not required, and all views expressed are our own.

Starstruck by Amy Clipston

 Can a small-town waitress capture the heart of a world-famous heartthrob?

For Heather Gordon, life in her small North Carolina town has always been simple and uneventful. Until one night when a rowdy food fight breaks out in her family’s restaurant where she’s a waitress. The culprits? The internationally famous rock band, Kirwan. And when Alex Kirwan, the charming and enigmatic lead singer, wants to make amends for his brothers’ (and bandmates’) behavior and invites her to attend one of their concerts as a guest of the band, Heather’s world is turned upside down . . . and sparks fly.

Alex has always loved music, but his rock-star life isn’t all glamorous people and parties. It’s also paparazzi and online tabloids, a new city every week, and the loneliness of touring—even if he has his brothers with him. But with Heather things are different, and he’s instantly smitten and determined to get to know the sweet, pretty woman who has absolutely no interest in his fame. If only he can convince her to take a chance on his crazy life.

Once Alex leaves on tour, he and Heather begin exchanging messages and calls. Despite the distance between them, they find themselves learning they have more in common than they ever could have imagined. But even while Heather and Alex’s relationship deepens, they must face the harsh realities of fame and the pressures it puts on their personal lives. Will their love be enough to overcome the challenges that come with celebrity, or will the rigors of distance and Alex’s life on the road tear them apart?

Filled with heart and the intoxicating allure of possibility, Starstruck is a must-read for anyone who has ever dreamed of finding love in surprising places.

Pick up your copy today...                                                                                                                                  Starstruck: A Sweet Contemporary Romance: Clipston, Amy: 9780840708915: Amazon.com: Books

Amy Clipston has been writing for as long as she can remember. Her fiction writing "career" began in elementary school when she and a close friend wrote and shared silly stories. She has a degree in communications from Virginia Wesleyan College and is a member of the Authors Guild, American Christian Fiction Writers, and Romance Writers of America. She is the author of the bestselling Kauffman Amish Bakery series with Zondervan, which is part of HarperCollins Christian Publishing. An advocate for organ and blood donation, Amy donated a kidney in 2011 at Johns Hopkins Hospital. Through her donation, her husband received a second kidney transplant. Amy and her husband matched another couple and swapped kidneys with them. Amy's memoir, A Gift of Love, will be available in early 2014. She hopes her story inspires others to become organ and blood donors. Amy lives in North Carolina with her husband, two sons, mother, and four spoiled rotten cats. You can find her on the web at www.AmyClipston.com or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AmyClipstonBooks.
  

Sacred Refuge by Lynne Rienstra

 

Break free from worry and find refuge under his wings
In Sacred Refuge, Lynne Rienstra taps into the growing angst-turned-chronic-fear among women. Though fear puts women into hiding, God invites women to come out of hiding and into the unassailable shelter he has built for them in the gospel. In the pages of Sacred Refuge, readers will be challenged to consider where they’ve been finding shelter: in flimsy structures of their own making, or in the sacred refuge only Christ provides.
Through the ten modern women and ten biblical women they’ll meet in the pages of Sacred Refuge, readers will find sisters in the struggle. Whether their crises take the form of heartbreaking loss, debilitating debt, health problems, unresolved sin issues, loneliness, or fear for the future, they’ll find peace in a chaotic world.
Throughout history, women who sought shelter in Jesus have found solace for their souls. Readers are invited to join this historical sisterhood and discover that their crises can become portals through which they discover God’s deep love and compassion for them. There they will find a haven for their hearts and answers to the questions "Is God really good?" "Does he really see or care about me? "Can he protect me, heal me, provide for me?"

With biblical teaching, ten Transforming Truths, application questions, and a study guide, Sacred Refuge will encourage women not only to find refuge for themselves but also to invite others to spread light in a darkening world.

Preorder your copy here....

Sacred Refuge: Finding Unexpected Shelter in Your Crisis: Rienstra, Lynne: 9780825448713: Amazon.com: Books

Lynne Rienstra is a recovering Pharisee and spiritual orphan.

Through her mentoring, speaking (she's taught thousands of women for over two decades), and writing, she leads women out of hiding and into a place of discovering their identity as God’s Brave Beloved.

Lynne has been an English teacher, corporate insurance broker, women’s ministry leader, homeschooling mom, and development professional. Since 2013, she has served as a regional director for Samaritan’s Purse.

She holds a BA in English from Smith College and a Certificate in Spiritual Formation from the Transforming Center. Lynne has contributed to numerous books, magazines, and online devotionals.

Serving alongside her husband, a senior pastor, gives Lynne much joy, as do their adult children and grandchildren.