The Cherished Quilt (An Amish Heirloom Novel) by Amy Clipston

 My Thoughts: Amy Clipston is a favorite author of mine.  

Emily is a kind and generous young woman who feels that life is like a quilt and can be stitched together.  And it seems that quilting and Amish women go together like peanut butter and jelly.

Emily is anxious to meet her father's new employee, Christopher.  But when they first meet...it seems that an Christopher has an iceberg for a heart.  Poor Emily.  However, Emily is not deterred.

She feels that Christopher needs friendship and so she decides to make him a quilt.  

And then Christopher must leave and return to Ohio for some emergency....just when he and Emily might be having "feelings" for one another.  

I like the easy way this story reads.  And, yes, it is somewhat predicable, but I like it.  It makes for a great holiday read to warm one's heart and a reminder that everyone is going through something.  So, be nice to everyone you meet.

A great story and a would make a great gift for that reader on your list!

Meet the Author:  

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.

Series: An Amish Heirloom Novel

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Zondervan 
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0310341965
• ISBN-13: 978-0310341963

Swept Away by Mary Connealy

 

Book Description: When a cowboy focused on revenge encounters a woman determined to distract him, there's going to be trouble in Texas! Swept away when her wagon train attempts a difficult river crossing, Ruthy MacNeil isn't terribly upset at being separated from the family who raised her. All they've ever done is work her to the bone. Alive but disoriented, she's rescued by Luke Stone...so unfortunately, there are more chances to die in her immediate future. Luke is on a mission to reclaim the ranch stolen from his family. But the men currently on the property won't let it go without a fight. Luke plans to meet up with friends who will help him take back the land, and since he can't just leave Ruthy in the middle of nowhere, she's going to have to go with him. But the more time Luke spends around the hardworking young woman, the more he finds himself thinking of things besides revenge. Will Ruthy convince him to give up his destructive path and be swept away by love?

My Thoughts:  Cowboys to the rescue!  And cute ones at that!  Mary Connealy once again sweeps us away to smelly cows, handsome cowboys and damsels in distress.  But Ruthy MacNeil isn't feeling very distressed.  She's separated from her "adopted" family . . . but this is a good thing!  They only worked her to the bone, anyway!  But Luke comes to Ruthy's rescue.  Gotta love a determined cowboy!

I liked this read even though Luke and Ruthy's romance is a bit fast.  Gotta love Ruthy!  She's a firecracker fur sure!  A can.do.it.all kind of gal.  And Luke!  Well, do they make cowboys like him anymore? 

A nice, clean read with lots of cowboy grit and determination!

Meet the Author: 
Mary Connealy writes romantic comedy with cowboys. She is a Christy Award Finalist, a Carol Award Finalist and an IRCC Award finalist. 

The Lassoed in Texas Series, Petticoat Ranch, Calico Canyon and Gingham Mountain. Petticoat Ranch was a Carol Award Finalist. Calico Canyon was a Christy Award Finalist and a Carol Award Finalist. These three books are now contained in one large volume called Lassoed in Texas Trilogy. 
The Montana Marriages Series, Montana Rose, The Husband Tree and Wildflower Bride. Montana Rose was a Carol Award Finalist. 
Cowboy Christmas—the 2010 Carol Award for Best Long Historical Romance, and an Inspirational Readers Choice Contest Finalist. 
The Sophie's Daughters series. Doctor in Petticoats, Wrangler in Petticoats, Sharpshooter in Petticoats. 
She is also the author of; Black Hills Blessing a 3-in-1 collection of sweet contemporary romances, Nosy in Nebraska, a 3-in-1 collection of cozy romantic mysteries and she's one of the three authors contributing to Alaska Brides with her Carol Award Winning historical romance Golden Days. 

Paperback: 320 pages

• Publisher: Bethany House Publishers
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764209140
• ISBN-13: 978-0764209147

Grave Amish Secrets by Patricia Johns

 

Fun Friday

 

WOW {Warm Oven Wednesday}

 

Rock Harbor Search & Rescue by Colleen Coble

 

Book Description:  In Rock Harbor Search and Rescue, a middle grade fiction novel based on Colleen Coble’s bestselling Rock Harbor series for adults, kids will enjoy the mixture of pets, adventure, suspense, and a mystery. 

Emily O’Reilly is obsessed with all things Search and Rescue. She volunteers with the team and goes on rescue missions with her stepmom. She is even selling homemade jewelry to save up for her own Search and Rescue puppy. But when an expensive necklace is stolen from a renowned jewelry artist at Rock Harbor’s fall festival and Emily is accused of the crime, it looks like she’ll never get her puppy and be able to join the Rock Harbor Search and Rescue team. 

Emily isn’t willing to give up on her Search and Rescue dreams that easily, and she sets out to find the real culprit and to restore her reputation. With a few suspects in mind, Emily is determined to uncover the truth, but she isn’t prepared for the secrets she and the Search and Rescue dogs sniff out in the process. This exciting mystery is filled with twists and turns that will keep readers on the edge of their seats and have them pining after a Search and Rescue puppy of their own!

My Thoughts:  I always enjoy a story written by Colleen Coble.  So, when I had the opportunity to read her new book with co-author Robin Caroll I knew it would be fantastic!

This is a youth read and I had to keep this in mind as I read about Emily, her dad, stepmom and siblings.  Emily's dad is very concerned about Emily being responsible for the jobs she takes on.  

As the story beings . . . Emily and her stepmom, Naomi,  are on a search & rescue mission when Emily is told that she can have her own search & rescue puppy if she can pay half the money ($150).  Emily then comes up with the idea to sell her homemade jewelry at the next community wide sale.  This is where the mystery "happens."

Of course, as an adult I was slightly put out with Emily's dad . . . didn't he trust her?  But then I remembered that the authors are trying to make a point with young readers that parents are there to guide and help their children.

I loved learning about search & rescue dogs and their owners with a mystery thrown in!  I kind.of knew who was behind the theft but I think younger readers will be kept guessing.  I, also, liked the idea that Emily had to pay half for the expensive dog.  A great lesson in not living the "entitled life."

This is a great read for ages 8-11 (but adults and older teens may love it too!  I did!).

• Age Range: 8 - 11 years
• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson 
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1400321069
• ISBN-13: 978-1400321063

Wanda E. Brunstetter's Amish Friends 4 Seasons Cookbook: Over 200 Recipes for Eating with the Seasons

 

My Thoughts:  Over 200 recipes that can only be classified as good eating.  Having visited the Amish country in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, I can attest that the Amish do have some of the best recipes in the country.                             

In this cookbook which is smallish and lies flat, author Wanda Brunstetter has complied these recipes into seasons:  Summer, Fall, Winter and Spring so that you, the cook, can get the best produce and ingredients that are available for that season to make these recipes.  There are main dishes, desserts and side dishes.  Also, tips on what produce makes the best dish. These recipes are in a quest for good healthy meals and dishes.  There are so many good recipes that I can't choose just one.  So, I'll be trying many of these fine dishes.  

Mother's Day is coming in the next few days and if you have a mom that enjoys cooking and trying new dishes she may truly love this cookbook.  A win-win in my book.                                                      

Hint**It's easy to order this cookbook on Amazon.