“On A Coastal Breeze” book reivew by Suzanne Woods Fisher

“On A Coastal Breeze” by Suzanne Woods Fisher, book review, Three Sisters Island #2

The Grayson family has survived 1 year on the island and is looking forward to making this season at Camp Kicking Moose better than last year.  They had worked out many of the issues and were better prepared for their visitors.

Maddie has finished her certificate and is a licensed counselor.  She has rented and prepared her space to meet clients.  Blaine is home from culinary school and working at the Lunch Counter as well as prepping all the meals for the camp.  Cam is working day and night to secure grants so the island can have reliable power.  All the sisters are doing their “thing” and are keeping busy.  But all have unsolved issues that are creeping into their lives too.

This is an easy summer read with a bit of fun, romance and light hearted problems which are solved within the book.  This is number 2 of the series, and would be more enjoyable to read following book #1.

Disclaimer:  I received a paperback copy of this book from the publisher, Revell.  All opinions expressed are my own.

 

 

“Starfish Pier” by Irene Hannon, book reivew

“Starfish Pier” by Irene Hannon, book review.  Hope Harbor #6

Welcome back to Hope Harbor.  In book #6 we see familiar characters and meet some new friends.  Steven has lived in Hope Harbor for a year now, but he does not seem to be making any headway in helping his brother with his alcohol problems.

Holly is finding her own place as a beloved school teacher and enjoying some grown up freedom with out her parents hovering over her.  When an elderly man moves in next door, Holly decides that she can be friendly and bakes him cookies.  But Pete has no interest in making friends.  He has come to Hope Harbor for one reason, and he does not need any help.

This story deals with some difficult and sensitive topics (alcohol addiction, physician assisted suicide) as well as several health conditions (cancer and birth defects).  But there is a wonder community that rallies around the folks who need help and they learn to lean into God and work through their problems.

This is book #6 in the series.  I have read some but not all in the series.  While each book can stand on its own, it is more enjoyable to read the series in order.

Disclaimer:  I received a copy of this book from the publisher, Revell.  All opinions expressed are my own.

“Unveiling the Past” by Kim Vogel Sawyer, book review

“Unveiling the Past” by Kim Vogel Sawyer, book review

Sam and Meghan are a couple, married, and work together as cold case detectives.  They make a really good team, at home and on the job.  But when a new case comes along that the boss assigns to Meghan, the team is broken up.  Can they work separately?  How will it affect their lives at home?  They are about to find out.

Working cold cases is one of the most difficult and emotional detective jobs because there are so many dead ends.  But for these detectives, it is their mission to solve the case and bring closure to the families affected.

In this story, both Sam and Meghan have to deal with personal as well as professional issues while working hard to find the criminals who have escaped capture until now.  It is an interesting story of love, hate, cover up and forgiveness.

Disclaimer:  I received an advanced reader’s e-book from the publisher, Waterbrook press.  All opinions expressed are my own.

“Being Known” by Robin Jones Gunn, book review

“Being Known” by Robin Jones Gunn, book review Haven Makers #2

This novel about several adult women who are close friends, starts right where book #1 ends.  These ladies have given their small friend group the name Haven Makers, as they are each working to build their lives and families into havens of peace and love.

Each of the ladies is dealing with fairly typical middle age life issues:  children, marriages, jobs, careers, relatives, and other outside influences.  But when they get together, they are able to be completely open and honest and receive grace and love to deal with life’s messy moments.

The story line moves right along with no lagging.  The characters are real feeling and deal with real world stuff.  The way they encourage and lift each other up is wonderful.  All women should have a group of friends like the ones in this book.

This book will stand alone, but will be much more enjoyable if you have read #1.  The author gives a little bit of back ground from time to time, but really assumes the reader has already read #1 prior to beginning #2.

Disclaimer:  I received an electronic ARC of this book from the publisher, Waterbrook Press.  All opinions expressed are my own.

“Mud River Weddings: Novella Collection” by Emily Yager, book review

Mud River Weddings: Novella Collection by Emily Yager, book review

Mud River in Grygla, Minnesota in the early 1900’s is the setting for this set of novellas.  The Walgrave siblings are quite the bunch!  They are famous or infamous in their town with the unusual names- all named after trees and plants, in addition to their non traditional manner of living.  Each novella features one of the Walgraves and follows their romance which leads to a wedding.

This is a light-hearted and sometimes quite unbelievable story of farm life, romance and rural life.  The characters seem larger than life, in a fun and adventuresome way.  This is a perfect read for the current Covid-19 pandemic stay at home quarantine.  As this book brings lots of fun and love to our currently disrupted world.

Disclaimer:  I received an  advanced readers copy of the book.  All opinions expressed are my own.

“Chasing the White Lion” by James R. Hannibal, book review

“Chasing the White Lion” by James R. Hannibal, book review.

CIA officer Talia Inger is hot on the trail of the next big thing, and feels she is making good progress on catching the men responsible for the unthinkable acts of violence!  But the net is wide and so tangled, that she cannot keep every player in the right corner.  Thankfully, or not,  she often has unseen protectors out there who come to her aid as needed.

As the plot quickly thickens, the refugee children in Thailand are now at huge risk and Talia must find a way to save them.

This is a fast moving, highly intertwined book with so many moving parts that it is hard to grasp at the beginning, but I was able to get all the plots and characters straightened out and began really enjoying  the book.  This is the second book in the series, so I was at a bit of a disadvantage, as I had not read #1, but I was able to figure out enough to enjoy the story.

Disclaimer:  I received a copy of this book from the publisher, Revell.  All opinions expressed are my own.

“Out of the Embers” by Amanda Cabot, book review

“Out of the Embers” by Amanda Cabot, book review.  Mesquite Springs book #1

Evelyn has lived at the orphanage for 10 years, since her parents were killed.  She felt safe at the orphanage and Mrs. Folger instilled a lot of disciple and rules for the children under her care.  But now after a fire that destroyed the orphanage killing all inside, Evelyn finds herself homeless again.  Together with the only other resident to survive the fire, Evelyn and Polly flees to the hill country of Texas.

Wyatt Clark has worked so hard to keep the ranch going after his father was killed.  He has raised horses and managed to make a name for himself, but he longs to leave the farm and roam.  When he finds Evelyn and Polly huddled under their wagon during a thunderstorm, he takes them home for the evening.  This changes everything for both of them.

I enjoyed this story, but there were sad elements too.  Evelyn and Polly had lost so much and count not trust anyone at the beginning.  Wyatt felt the burden of caring for his mother and sister and felt he had to give up on his dreams.  But through the story, all learned to forgive and trust again.  I look forward to seeing these characters and others in book #2.

Disclaimer:  I received a copy of this book from the publisher, Revell.  All opinions expressed are my own.

“The Englisch Daughter” by Cindy Woodsmall and Erin Woodsmall, book review

“The Englisch Daughter” by Cindy Woodsmall and Erin Woodsmall, book review

As an Old Order Amish woman, Jemima Graber has put the needs of her family above her personal desires for years.  But now, through hard work and years of saving money, her dream of owning a food truck are almost within reach.  But her hopes are dashed when her husband confesses that he had to spend the money they had saved for the food truck.  He also confesses to a one night stand which resulted in the birth of a baby girl, who he now must care for.  Jemima is heart broken, but realistic.  The baby girl is innocent and needs a family.  She will care for her until better arrangements can be obtained.

This is a very interesting story, and quite different than many Amish novels, with the combination of Amish and Englisch traditions and values.  The story moves right along and is easy to follow.  The feeling expressed by the characters are quite believable.  I look forward to seeing these characters in a future book.

Disclaimer:  I received a copy of this book from the publisher, Waterbrook Press.  All opinions expressed are my own.

“The Crow’s Call” by Wanda E Brunstetter, book review

“The Crow’s Call” by Wanda E Brunstetter, book review.  Amish Greenhouse Mystery #1.

Amy has worked in her family’s greenhouse her whole life.  She enjoys working with the plants and assisting customers, Amish and Englisch, select plants for their homes and gardens.  But when her father, brother and brother-in-law are tragically killed in a buggy accident, her whole world is turned up-side-down.  Now she feels very responsible for the greenhouse and gives up her boyfriend, as she feels she must devote her whole life to providing an income to support her family.

But as the King family deals with the terrible accident and lose of life, someone is causing problems in the greenhouse.  At first, it is just a small things- the mail box is smashed, then the wires holding the sign are cut.  But things escalate to damage in the green house.  Who could possibly want to hurt this family who has already lost so much?  Is it the Englisch neighbors who moved across the road, but do not appreciate the Amish lifestyle?  Or Mrs. King’s long ago beau who recently moved back to town and now wants to claimer her?  Or someone else?

This is an interesting story with a bit of mystery involved.  The most interesting part, is that at the end of the story, the guilty person is not revealed.  We will all have to read book #2.

Disclaimer:  I received a copy of this book because I am a member of Wanda’s Clippity Clop Club.  All opinions expressed are my own.

“in want + plenty” by Meredith McDaniel, book reivew

“in want + plenty” by Meredith McDaniel, book review

Waking up to God’s provision in a land of longing

We all have dreams and goals, many we have been chasing since childhood.  Some come true while others are shattered.  But who is really in control of our lives?  While we want to make it all happen, we must realize that ultimately, God is.  And He wants what is really best for us, but it may be difficult to see at times.

Author and counselor, Meredith McDaniel, shares stories of women who have worked through all types of issues and realized that God is the answer to their lives, and these issues may be times of hurt and loss or times of joy and celebration.

This book is not the type you read cover to cover in a sitting or two, but rather read, ruminate and ponder, while writing in a journal to organize and realize the thoughts and feelings.

Disclaimer:  I received a copy of this book from the publisher, Revell.  All opinions expressed are my own.