Firefly Island by Lisa Wingate

I really enjoyed this book once I got into it. The first chapter was a prelude to the finale and was a good set up for the book. Once I got into the book I couldn't stop reading. There was something new to experience on every page. The author has a way of drawing the reader in and you can picture yourself going through what the characters are going through.

At first I thought the idea of Mallory and Daniel's whirlwind romance was a little far fetched and would never work, but it did. Just when I thought to myself there was no way they could make it something happened to make me see that they were going to make it. But at what cost? Daniel's new job for a very mysterious man could put them all in jeopardy, or could it? Will Daniel's little son grow up in a safe environment? And what secrets are the inhabitants of the area hiding? Or is it just gossip? The reader will form many opinions along the way but in the end will see the truth.

This is not the first book I have read by Ms. Wingate and I am sure it will not be the last. I love her attention to detail. Her descriptions are vivid and right on point. I'm glad I chose this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. It is highly recommended and well worth the read!

A Noble Groom by Jody Hedlund

Oh my goodness I really enjoyed this book! It had everything I look for in a book - drama, suspense, romance, conflict, deceit, forgiveness, and a little bit of God thrown in.

Annalisa Werner is in a predicament. Pregnant with her second child she unexpectedly becomes a widow. Having come from the Old Country she does what she is told to do by her father and marries whom he tells her to marry. While waiting on her new groom to arrive, and awaiting the birth of her second child, she gets help to run her farm from Carl Richards, who was mistaken for her new groom and almost married her before he knew what was going on! But is Carl Richards who he says he is? That remains to be seen but how long could he keep a secret in this very small community. And how long can he fight his growing attraction to Annalisa? Especially when there is a man determined to get Annalisa's land - at any cost. How far will this man go? How far will Carl go to protect her?

This was a page turner. I read the whole book in 1 day! I could not put it down. There was something new around every corner. The one thing I really liked about this book is it was not predictable. Just when you thought you had figured out who did what to whom and where things were going, the story went in a completely different direction. It kept me interested and turning pages long into the night.

Thank you Ms. Hedlund for a wonderful book. I look forward to reading your next one!
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

A Bride For Noah by Lori Copeland and Virginia Smith

I really enjoyed this book, but then again I enjoy anything with Lori Copeland and Virginia Smith's names on it. This book is what I would call a light read. No edge of your seat suspense or lives hanging in the balance, just some good old fashioned hard work and history, with some romance thrown in.

I loved Evie, or rather I loved her strength and determination to see her dream fulfilled. And poor Noah, just wanting to do his job and do it well he keeps getting thwarted by Evie and "the ladies" who traveled from Tennessee to the Oregon Territory with her to start her restaurant. You take a bunch of men in a lumberjack camp and throw in a couple of females and well,,,,,, But Noah has no idea where his own heart will lead and that journey takes him places he never wanted to go again.

I think, surprisingly enough, my favorite person in this book was Chief "Seattle." I loved the wisdom that came through even when he didn't say a word. The fact that he and several others in the book were based on real people and events made this book all the more enjoyable. This is Book 1 in the Seattle Brides series and I cannot wait to read the next book! Do not miss this book! It is an enjoyable read and a good history lesson all rolled into one!

I was provided a copy of this book by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Sweet Sanctuary by Kim Vogel Sawyer

Another winner for Ms. Sawyer! I always know when I pick up one of her books I will be getting a story that will keep me interested and turning pages long into the night. This book grabbed me from page 1 and I found it hard to put down last night but my eyes wouldn't stay open any longer. I really did not want this book to end and hope there might be a book 2.

I know Ms. Sawyer doesn't do a lot of series books but I would really like to know what happens next. Will Jeremiah come home? Perhaps he will have his own story. And Justine - will she learn other words besides her favorite word?

This book took turns I wasn't expecting. I really wanted to dislike Nic but by the end of the book I was so proud of him. And Micah, or as Nicky calls him - Micah-my-friend, will he ever decide where he wants to be. I think with help from God and Lydia by his side, and maybe a little help from her Dad, he will find where God wants him to be.

This book was so full of Grace and forgiveness. It fit right into the story and made it a very rich one. Who was my favorite character. Well, it had to be Nicky, wise beyond his young years and so full of spunk!

I highly recommend this book! If you don't read it you will be missing a wonderful book!

One Step Too Far by Tina Seskis

There is a rare occasion when a book just does not grab me and this was one of those books. I requested a review copy from NetGalley because the write up on the book said it was one of the best books of the year. To me it was not. In fact, I could only get through 6 chapters before I finally had to call it quits.

The book is an English based book, meaning it takes place in England and has all the wording and places you would associate with something coming from England. Not that that is a bad thing, it isn't, but this book to me was all over the map. In one chapter I was reading about the main character, who had changed her name making it more confusing and in the next chapter I was reading about someone else that may or may not have been connected. To me it was never clearly defined. Therefore I lost track of the main story line and was too confused to enjoy the book.

I know there are many who enjoyed this book but for me, unfortunately, it did not make the mark.

Love Still Stands by Kelly Irvin

What a great book! I felt like I was on an emotional roller coaster throughout this book and seesawing between understanding Bethel's points and needs and Elijah's.

Bethel thinks she is unworthy of being loved because of her handicap and finds understanding in her support group which Elijah doesn't understand. To him it is black and white - I love her, does she love me. But in Bethel's mind she will never be a whole woman again and finds there are people in her support group, one in particular, who understand her fears and weaknesses. Will Elijah eventually understand? Can they build a life together? Does she even want to or would she rather pursue a relationship with an Englisher who understands her?

The author does a very good job of letting the reader see the and feel the emotions from Bethel, Elijah, and others in the book. There are a few twists and turns I wasn't expecting that made me keep turning pages long into the night. I highly recommend this book.

A Wedding For Julia by Vannetta Chapman

When I first started reading this book I thought to myself it was moving at a really fast pace. But then it seemed to level out and became a book I couldn't put down!

Caleb and Julia have a common bond. They both want a friend and they are both not getting any younger. But neither one of them thought becoming friends would lead them down this path! Marriage? But they hardly know each other. And Julia frets she will never be able to have children. And what about her dream of having her own cafe. And then there is her mother Ada who, with a fondness for reciting Bible passages and in failing health, actually started this whole crazy idea by delivering an ultimatum to Julia. And to complicate matters more Caleb's young cousin comes to stay with her own problems. And then there is the weather. Oh my goodness, what a mighty turn it takes!

This book will have you believing in answered prayers and miracles but it will also keep you on the edge of your seat for the last part of the book. I highly recommend this book. It, like the 2 books before it, is not to be missed!

I was given a complimentary copy of this book by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Goodbye To Yesterday by Wanda E. Brunstetter

This is part 1 of a 6 part book. I'm not sure how I feel about reading a book in this kind of format. To me, I just get into the book and then I have to wait for the next part to come out. Kind of frustrating.

But, having said that, this is a Wanda Brunstetter book and like all of her books this one starts off really well, drawing the reader into the life and struggles of Luke and Meredith Stoltzfus. In reading this book the reader comes to understand how hard it has been for this young couple since Luke got laid off. When a good opportunity comes along for Luke he jumps at the chance leaving Meredith at home in Pennsylvania while he travels to Indiana. Meredith, on the other hand, is not at all sure about this idea and is very apprehensive about Luke leaving. On the way Luke encounters a situation he feels he might not live through and prays for guidance. And that was the end of part 1.

I am anxious to find out what happens next in this Saga. The publisher was kind enough to provide a copy of this book for my review. I am looking forward to the next part of this book.

Whispers Of A New Dawn by Murray Pura

Becky Whetstone is the perfect offspring. She loves to fly - just like her parents. But would she give it all up to become the Amish wife of a good man? Well, both of her parents were raised Amish so the culture is nothing new to Becky. In fact, she embraces it. But when a series of events cause her to rethink her life, will she be forced to do something she doesn't want to do or will she take on the new challenge and see where it leads?

When I first started this book and I guess up until halfway through it, I was thinking the author really did not want to deal with relationships in this book. Instead he wanted to lean more toward the historical content. Becky seemed to fall for 2 very different men very quickly. I found myself going "wow, that was quick" on both occasions. But as you continue to read you understand that the relationships are as pivotal to the story line as the historical content of Pearl Harbor.

I enjoy all of Mr. Pura's books and this one was no exception, I loved revisiting Jude and Lyyndaya and seeing how they have grown along with their family. This book tells the story of how friends, families, co workers and just civilians in general dealt with the bombing of Pearl Harbor from a fictional standpoint. It, like all of Mr. Pura's books is well researched and well written. I cannot wait to read the next book and highly recommend this one.