Woman Of Courage by Wanda E. Brunstetter

I have read many books by this author and have never been disappointed. This book is no exception. Although it is a departure from the Amish genre she normally writes, it is every bit as good and exciting as her Amish books.

This book took off for me right from the first page and didn't stop until the end, which I hated to see come. Amanda's story. and Mary's story, were so interesting and riveting that I just couldn't put the book down! They were both truly women of courage. Every time I thought I was in a place where I could stop something else unexpected would happen and I would have to keep reading to see what happened next. This book took many twists and turns, some expected, some not. But the underlying strength of both these women was their faith in God, whether he was the God of Amanda's Bible or the Great Spirit of Mary Yellow Feather's people.

This book is not to be missed. I highly recommend it and hope there will be more to follow.
I was given a review copy of this book by netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.

The Calling by Suzanne Woods Fisher

This is book 2 in a very exciting series. Usually when I get to Book 2 in a series the story kind of drags. Not in this one! The story kept up a good pace in The Letters, Book 1 in the series but in Book 2 it really takes off! Twists and turns, lies, deception, coming of age, pain of loss, love, and long buried secrets revealed. Yup, this book has it all. Oh and there is even a Kleenex moment too.

I really enjoyed how the author weaved each characters thoughts and feelings into one story that not only enhanced the story as a whole, it left the reader understanding what was happening and not at all confused as can happen with books with so many characters. I loved The Sisters. They were kind of in the background of the story but oh so important to the story as a whole. 

I cannot wait to read Book 3 in this series to find out how all of these lives come together into one conclusion. I was riveted to this book and could not put it down. You won't be able to either. 

I was given a copy of this book from netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.

The Letters by Suzanne Woods Fisher

I really enjoyed this book once I figured out who was who. It took a little while to get all the characters straight but once I did their personalities started to shine through. There is a lot going on at the Inn At Eagle Hill. Most of which was Rose's surprise at the idea of turning the basement of her mother-in-laws house into an Inn! But it worked, especially for one lady at a crossroads in her life. And speaking of Rose's mother-in-law, will that woman ever have something nice to say? Rose's children, on the other hand, are a handful. The girls, not so much but the boys! You really have to love those boys, they are all boy! So many questions to be answered. And the twists and turns the story takes are quite interesting. One came completely out of left field. The reader doesn't see it coming! I cannot wait for book #2 in this series. I want to find out what happens next at the Inn At Eagle Hill!

A Road Unknown by Barbara Cameron

This is the first Amish book I have read that took the story line from the angle of the eldest daughter running away to another town to escape the burden of caring for her younger siblings. The story centers on her feelings about this and how she decides to deal with it. Her name is Elizabeth and she is the eldest of 9 and never really got to have a life since it was always expected she would help with the younger children and the house. Feeling resentful she moves to another town and becomes roommates with a college student she had met briefly before. She gets a job, starts to care for Saul, the young man who owns the store she is working at, and makes a life for herself. But what she ran away from haunts her. Especially when the stern Bishop tells her she needs to go home! How she deals with all this makes a very interesting story. Did I enjoy this angle? I'm not sure. It was different and something I would not expect. This is book 1 in the series and I look forward to reading book 2.
I was given a review copy of this book by netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.

Prairie Song by Mona Hodgson

I really enjoyed this book. After having read The Quilted Heart Omnibus I couldn't wait to see what happened next as the characters I had grown to love set out on their adventure in a new land. Expecting to find hardship on their 5 month trek across the country they tried to be prepared for anything, but some things you can never be prepared for.

This book was a light read which was refreshing. Not a lot of suspense, although the suspense there was fit into the story line beautifully. It was interesting to see God work in and through the wagon train as it's different personalities tried to mesh together. Did they all get along? Absolutely not! There were some surprises in this book too and the ending left me wanting to pick up the next book in the series to see what happens next!

I am really enjoying this series. The characters are real and touch your heart. I know you are going to love them too and you, like I, will have your favorites.

Love At Any Cost by Julie Lessman

I really enjoyed this book. It was a page turner from the first page and I didn't want to put it down. I love it when a book makes me think about it when I'm not reading and I can't wait to get back to it to see what happens next! This book was like that. It had twists and turns around every corner and went in directions I never expected!

I'm not sure who I was rooting for more, Logan and Cait or Cassie and Jamie. Cassie, having just had her heart broken decides to visit family and what happens? She falls for the same kind of guy again. Or does she? Can she see through the pain of rejection and learn to trust a "pretty boy" again? And Jamie, whose only motivation is helping his crippled sister. Can he look past money and doing things his way long enough to find God? Only God know the answer to that and He has a lot of work to do on both of them! Logan and Cait have a history. Can she learn to forgive and trust again? Logan won't stop trying to make up for the pain he caused her but is it too late? We shall see.

Ms. Lessman writes a wonderful story full of the things that make a book exciting to read. I must say I was surprised at some of the directions the book went but it all came together in the end. This is book 1 in the series. I cannot wait to read book 2!

The Quilted Heart Omnibus by Mona Hodgson

Wow - 3 books in one! I really enjoyed getting to know the ladies in these books. Each one has her own distinct style and personality but they blend so well together. Each novella leads into the next one and at the end it all leads into the continuing series. I cannot wait to read more of this westward migration adventure. I am sure Maren, Emilie, and Caroline will give us, and the trail boss, many moments of excitement. Maren and Emilie are both married but Caroline is a widow with eyes for only one man. Oh and don't forget about Anna! Will she or won't she? This should be interesting!

The author has done a wonderful job moving from one novella into the next to keep the story smoothly moving along while building excitement about the next book. I cannot wait to see what happens next to the Boone's Lick Wagon Train in Prairie Song, the first book in the Hearts Seeking Home Series. I am so glad I read these 3 novellas in one book and not individually as they are also marketed. It was much easier to move from one into the next this way. You will love meeting these characters, and characters they are! This adventure is not to be missed!