Continuing Story -- For Every Season

In For Every Season Cindy Woodsmall shares an intriguing story with well-developed characters whom the reader comes to really care about.  For anyone who has read the first two books in the Amish Vines and Orchards series, most of the characters and the main story lines are familiar.  Watching the characters learn more about themselves and each other and seeing how the details of their struggling community play out keep the interest level high.  In her signature style, Cindy weaves into the story a lot of  information about the Amish way of life with much feeling and sensitivity.

A couple of things keep this from being my favorite of Cindy's books, though.  At this point in the series, there are so many characters, each with their own struggles, that keeping up with all of them can be somewhat trying.  Also, Rhoda's "gift" has seemed a little bit of an uncomfortable fit throughout this Amish series.

All in all, though, I consider this a good read and would recommend it to fans of Amish fiction.  I am looking forward to seeing how the series wraps up in the fourth installment, due out next spring.

Thanks to the Blogging for Books program for providing a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

About the Book

Working hard to develop a new Amish community outside of Unity, Maine, Rhoda Byler is fully committed to rehabilitating an orchard with business partner Samuel King. But an impulsive decision has created an unexpected strain in her relationship with her beau, Samuel’s brother, Jacob, threatening plans for the orchard. Amidst mounting tension in matters of the heart and business, Rhoda finds that this fledging settlement feels like the home she has always longed for, and she begins to embrace the God-given, heightened intuition that has always felt like a burden to her. She longs for Jacob to fully be free of his past, so they can work towards the future together.

But as Rhoda uses her gift to unpack an old secret with her Englisch neighbors, it is not her beau but an unlikely ally that cheers her on. With the orchard on shaky ground and Jacob’s plans in question, Rhoda is determined to see things through to harvest. But can she trust her insight to direct her path in matters of the heart?




About the Author

Cindy Woodsmall is a New York Times and CBA best-selling author of numerous works of fiction and one of nonfiction. Her connection with the Amish community has been featured widely in national media. She lives in the Foothills of the North Georgia Mountains with her family.  Learn more about Cindy and here books at www.cindywoodsmall.com.

Danger from Cover to Cover -- Dark Road Home

Dark Road Home is filled with suspense and danger from cover to cover.  The main characters' stories vary in specific details, but their past and current lives are intertwined in unexpected ways.  Elizabeth Ludwig has obviously done extensive historical research that gives real life to her tales of these Irish immigrants and some of the struggles they encountered before and after their move to America.  In the midst of the intrigue is a beautiful story of unexpected love and renewed faith.

Like book one in her Edge of Freedom series (read my review of No Safe Harbor) Elizabeth fills the pages with mystery and questions.  At times, it was hard for me to keep up with all the characters, what their roles are, and how they fit together.  Pieces of the puzzle come into focus one by one and by the end of the story, many of the questions are answered.  But she leaves enough suspense to make me anxious to read Tide and Tempest, due to come out next spring, for even more answers.

Thanks to Bethany House for providing this book in exchange for my honest review. 

About the book:

The nightmares of her past have found Ana Kavanagh an ocean away.

Ana Kavanagh's memories of Ireland are mostly of fire and pain. As a girl she survived a blaze that left her an orphan, left her scarred, and left her angry at God. Now in New York, Ana finds a kindred spirit in Eoghan Hamilton, who's struggling with his own anger. His twin sister, Cara, betrayed him by falling in love with his enemy.

Cast aside by everyone, Eoghan hopes to rejoin the Fenians, an organization pushing for change back in Ireland, by securing information against Rourke, the man his sister married. Ana, Cara's friend, may be his best source, and despite the attraction he feels, Eoghan determines to use the girl's sweet nature to his advantage.

Adding to the danger is a specter from Eoghan's own past, one whose thirst for vengeance knows no bounds. Eoghan must choose which road to follow--bitterness or forgiveness--and where to finally place his trust.

 About the author:

Elizabeth Ludwig is an award-winning author and an accomplished speaker and teacher. Her historical novel Love Finds You in Calico, California earned four stars from RT Book Reviews. She is the owner and editor of the popular literary blog The Borrowed Book. Along with her husband and two children, Elizabeth makes her home in Orange, Texas. Learn more at www.elizabethludwig.com.

Unlikely Spies and Romance -- The Courier of Caswell Hall

The Courier of Caswell Hall is a touching story of romance and sacrifice set against the backdrop of the American Revolution.  It provides an intriguing look at the kinds of personal struggles and difficult decisions families and individuals were forced to make at that crucial time in our country's history.

Historical fiction is a genre that I am coming to enjoy more and more, and this was my first journey into this particular time period.  The history lesson woven into such a compelling story filled with rich characters made for a very enjoyable read.  This is the first book I've read by Melanie Dobson, but I hope it will not be my last.  She hooked me from the very beginning with a touching prologue that gently invited me into the story of Lydia and Nathan.  The twists and turns of so many joys and sorrows held my interest to the last page.

Thanks to Litfuse Publicity Group for providing me a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

Read what other reviewers think about The Courier of Caswell Hall here. 

About the book: 

 An unlikely spy discovers freedom and love in the midst of the American Revolution.

As the British and Continental armies wage war in 1781, the daughter of a wealthy Virginia plantation owner feels conflict raging in her own heart. Lydia Caswell comes from a family of staunch Loyalists, but she cares only about peace. Her friend Sarah Hammond, however, longs to join the fight. Both women's families have already been divided by a costly war that sets father against son and neighbor against neighbor; a war that makes it impossible to guess who can be trusted.

One snowy night Lydia discovers a wounded man on the riverbank near Caswell Hall, and her decision to save him will change her life. Nathan introduces her to a secret network of spies, couriers, disguises, and coded messages---a network that may be the Patriots' only hope for winning the war. When British officers take over Caswell Hall and wreak havoc on neighboring plantations, Lydia will have to choose between loyalty and freedom; between her family's protection and her own heart's desires.

As both armies gather near Williamsburg for a pivotal battle, both Lydia and Sarah must decide how high a price they are willing to pay to help the men they love.

Part of the American Tapestries™ series: Each standalone novel in this line sets a heart-stirring love story against the backdrop of an epic moment in American history. This is the fifth book in the series.

Purchase a copy: http://amzn.to/1aLxC9s 

About the author: 

Melanie Dobson is the author of twelve novels; her writing has received numerous accolades including two Carol Awards. Melanie worked in public relations for fifteen years before she began writing fiction full-time. Born and raised in the Midwest, she now resides with her husband and two daughters in Oregon.

Connect with Melanie at: http://melaniedobson.com