Kathleen's Best Yet -- Faithful to Laura

Faithful to Laura is the second of Kathleen Fuller's Middlefield Family novels and just may be her best book yet!

Laura Stutzman -- who came onto the scene late in Treasuring Emma -- is dealing with scars, physical and emotional, caused by Mark King.  She is intent on making up to her family for the financial loss they suffered and wants to find and confront Mark about the pain he has caused.  She has no plans of getting attached to anyone or anything in Ohio; she just wants to finish her business and then go back home to Kentucky.

When a job opportunity falls into her lap, and Sawyer Thompson comes along with it, keeping her guard up becomes difficult.  Sawyer proves to be an understanding friend who is able to look past the scars to the beautiful young woman she is.  When troubling information comes to light that upsets Sawyer's life, Laura has the chance to return the favor of understanding and caring for him.  But where will circumstances take Laura and Sawyer, and will they be able to truly forgive the people who have hurt them?

Kathleen has given us a set of characters who have to face real-life struggles in an Amish setting.  Their story, though, of dealing with forgiveness in the midst of hurt, abandonment, and betrayal could just as easily have happened in the Englisch world.  The genuineness of the characters and their problems pulled me into the story at the very beginning and kept me engaged to the end.

There are loose ends to the story . . . so I will be impatiently waiting for them to be tied up on the next book!

(This book was provided free of charge from BookSneeze for my honest review.)

A Visit to Hope Beach -- Tidewater Inn

About the Book:

Welcome to Hope Beach. A place of intoxicating beauty . . . where trouble hits with the force of a hurricane.

Inheriting a beautiful old hotel on the Outer Banks could be a dream come true for Libby. The inn cries out for her restorer’s talent
and love of history. She’s delighted to learn of the family she never knew she had. And the handsome Coast Guard lieutenant she’s met there on the island could definitely be the man of her dreams.

But Libby soon realizes that the only way she can afford the upkeep on the inn is to sell it to developers who are stalking the island. The father who willed her the inn has died before she could meet him, and her newfound brother and sister are convinced she’s there to steal their birthright. Worst of all, her best friend and business partner has been kidnapped before her eyes, and Libby’s under suspicion for the crime.

Libby’s dream come true is becoming a nightmare. Her only option is to find her friend and prove her innocence, or lose everything on the shores of Hope Island.

About the Author:

Best-selling author Colleen Coble's novels have won or finaled in awards ranging from the Best Books of Indiana, ACFW Book of the Year, RWA’s RITA, the Holt Medallion, the Daphne du Maurier, National Readers' Choice, and the Booksellers Best. She has nearly 2 million books in print and writes romantic mysteries because she loves to see justice prevail. Colleen is CEO of American Christian Fiction Writers and is a member of Romance Writers of America. She lives with her husband Dave in Indiana.

Visit her website at www.colleencoble.com. Twitter @colleencoble.


My Thoughts:
  
Tidewater Inn has mystery, action, romance -- a mix of elements that make for a great story.  The action grabs you at the very beginning and continues throughout the book with lots of twists and turns to keep you reading and guessing.  The characters are rich and interesting, people whose stories come alive and draw you in.  Their emotions and struggles with faith and personal relationships keep you engaged.

Rosemary Cottage, due for release in July of 2013 will provide an opportunity for readers to return to Hope Beach -- a trip I think will be worth the wait.

(This book was provided to me free of charge by Liftuse Publicity Group for my honest review.)

Check out what other readers think of  Tidewater Inn here.

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Return to Stoney Ridge -- The Haven

About the Book:

When Sadie Lapp steps off the bus in Stoney Ridge after being in Ohio for the winter, she is faced with a decision–one that goes against her very essence. Yet it’s the only way she can think of to protect a loved one.

Schoolteacher Gideon Smucker has been crazy about Sadie since boyhood. But his response to her surprising decision undermines his own reputation–and his relationship with Sadie.

College student Will Stoltz is spending the spring at the Lapp farm as a guard for a pair of nesting Peregrine Falcons–courtesy of the Lancaster County Game Warden. Will needs to get his life back on track, but his growing friendship with Sadie threatens his plans.

The lives of these three individuals intertwine, and then unravel as unexpected twists create ripples through the town of Stoney Ridge . . . and through Sadie’s heart.

Once again, bestselling author Suzanne Woods Fisher intrigues and delights with a story that explores the bonds of friendship, family, and true love. Readers will enjoy every surprise in Sadie’s story as they search for the truth hidden within these pages.

Read an excerpt!

Meet Suzanne:

Suzanne Woods Fisher’s interest in the Amish began with her grandfather, W.D. Benedict, who was raised Plain. Suzanne has a great admiration for the Plain people and believes they provide wonderful examples to the world. In both her fiction and non-fiction books, she has an underlying theme: You don’t have to “go Amish” to incorporate many of their principles–simplicity, living with less, appreciating nature, forgiving others more readily– into your life.

When Suzanne isn’t writing or bragging to her friends about her first new grandbaby (!), she is raising puppies for Guide Dogs for the Blind.

To Suzanne’s way of thinking, you just can’t take life too seriously when a puppy is tearing through your house with someone’s underwear in its mouth. Suzanne can be found on-line at: www.suzannewoodsfisher.com.

My Thoughts:

The Haven is a fun return to the Lapp Family on Windmill Farm in Stoney Ridge, a family we first met in The Keeper.  Sadie, who was the quieter member of the family in The Keeper, becomes a major character here.  She meets -- and handles -- lots of challenges as she deals with family responsibilities and questions of the heart.  Of course, M.K., Uncle Hank, Fern, Amos, and other old friends play prominent parts in the story as well. 

Once again, Suzanne provides a story that covers a range of emotion, from heartache and hurt to humor.  Secrets are revealed and characters are tested, making for a great read!

(This book was provided free of charge by Litfuse Publicity Group for my honest review.)



Celebrate the newest book in the Stoney Ridge Seasons series with Suzanne by entering her 4 eReader Giveaway and Facebook Party and RSVPing for the Live Video Chat on 8/30! 

See what folks are saying about The Haven!

Four grand prize winners will receive:

• A Brand new Kindle Fire or Nook Color 
• $25 Amazon.com or Barnes&Noble.com Gift certificate 

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on August 29th. Winner will be announced at Suzanne's Live Author Chat Party on 8/30. Suzanne will be hosting an author chat (party will start on Facebook AND then be Live from her website) and giving away books, gift certificates and several Burt's Bees® Nourishing Radiance Kits!!

So grab your copy of The Haven and join Suzanne on the evening of the August 30th for a fun chat (both on Facebook and via Live Video), trivia contest and lots of giveaways. 

Don't miss a moment of the RSVP today. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 30th!