Christmas at Rose Hill Farm Review

Bess Riehl is preparing Rose Hill Farm for her Christmas wedding, but her groom isn't who she thought it would be. Billy Lapp is far away from his Amish roots working as a rose rustler for Penn State and wants nothing to do with Stoney Ridge, his family, or Bess. And that suits Bess just fine. Why should she think twice about a man who left without a word, without any explanation? It's time she moved on with her life, and that meant saying yes to Amos Lapp, Billy's cousin and best friend. But as Bess and Amos's wedding day draws near, her emotions tangle into a tight knot. She loves Amos. Yet she can't forget Billy. 

When a "lost" rose is discovered at Rose Hill Farm, Billy is sent to track down its origins. Get in, identify the rose, and get out. That's his plan. The only catch is that he's having a hard time narrowing down the identity of the lost rose, and he can't get those tropical blue eyes of Bess Riehl out of his mind. 

As the history of the lost rose is pieced together, it reminds Bess and Billy--and Amos, too--that Christmas truly is the season of miracles.

Christmas at Rose Hill Farm by Suzanne Woods Fisher is a heartwarming Christmas read that definitely got me into the mood for Christmas. (Seriously, I had a hard time keeping myself from pulling out my Christmas records). But really Christmas at Rose Hill was a really sweet short read that certainly had its moments. The only thing I didn't really like was the whole love triangle thing, I've never been a fan of that. But other than that I loved the characters, they were all very likable and overall I enjoyed this read. 

4.5 out of 5. So grab you favorite hot beverage and settle in for a sweet Afternoon Snack. 

  I got a free review copy of Christmas at Rose Hill Farm from Revell Publishers in return for my honest review.

Surprised by Love Review

She can turn the head of the man who spurned her--but can she turn his heart?

When Megan McClare left San Francisco to study in Paris, no one would accuse her of being poised and pretty. But on the other side of the Atlantic, this wallflower blossomed into a beauty with big dreams. When she returns to California and accepts an internship at the district attorney's office, she's thrilled that her life is taking shape. But the exciting opportunity quickly loses its glow when she discovers she'll be working alongside Devin Caldwell, who mercilessly mocked her at school--and with whom she was hopelessly enamored. 

Bram Hughes is the best friend to whom Megan has always turned for support and advice. But when she seeks his counsel about working with Devin Caldwell, Bram's vision is clouded by his sudden unwelcome attraction to a girl he had always thought of as a little sister. He advises forgiveness, but can he forgive himself for pushing the woman he loves into the arms of another man? 

Surprised by Love is the third book in the Heart of San Francisco series by Julie Lessman. I always love how Julies characters love God and I love seeing them grow in their faith. I also love how Julie takes her characters and writes an amazing romance mixed with humor, sadness and real struggles. I love how inspiring Julies books always are. Pretty much I love everything about Julies writing! Surprised by Love is an amazing read and I think Meg and Bram are my favorite couple of Julies to date! Everyone needs to read this series! 

5 out of 5. An Afternoon Snack that I loved so much! 

I got a free review copy of Surprised by Love  from Revell Publishers in return for my honest review.

Buttermilk Sky Review

Weary of the expectations imposed on her by her strict upbringing, eighteen-year-old Mazy Pelfrey prepares to leave her home in the Kentucky mountains for the genteel city of Lexington, where she’ll attend secretarial school. She knows her life is about to change—and only for the better. Everything will be blue skies from now on.

But business school is harder than she thought it would be and the big city not as friendly, until she meets a charming young man from a wealthy family, Loyal Chambers. When Loyal sets his sights on her, Mazy begins to see that everything she’d ever wished to have is right before her eyes. The only hindrance to her budding romance is a former beau, Chanis Clay, the young sheriff she thought she’d left firmly behind.

Danger rumbles like thunder on a high mountain ridge when Mazy’s cosseted past collides with her clouded future and forces her to come to terms with what she really wants.

Okay first things first, I love the cover! Just one look at it was enough for me to want it! Look at it yourself, isn't it gorgeous!?! 

But, back to my review. 

Buttermilk Sky by Jan Watson was a beautifully written book. This author just has a way with words, let me tell you!  But throughout the whole book I had trouble connecting with these main characters. I didn't mind them but there was nothing that really truly grabbed at me with them. I don't know why but I just didn't feel them. If this book were written by anyone else I would have set it down and quickly forgotten about it. But its not written by just anyone, its written by Jan and she is amazing! And that was why I couldn't put this book down. Which says a lot about her writing because usually with me if I don't like the main characters I don't like the book no matter how good the plot is. 

So that said while I would like to give this book 5 stars (for the amazing writing talent!) I can't because of my dislike for the main characters.

3.8 out of 5 . A wonderfully crafted Afternoon Snack.

I received a copy of this book from Tyndale House in exchange for an honest review.

At Bluebonnet Lake Review

Her life is set to warp speed. His is slowing to a crawl. But love has its own timing.

Marketing maven Kate Sherwood's world is fast-paced, challenging, and always changing. The last thing she wants to do is slow down to a crawl at Rainbow's End, a dilapidated resort in the Texas Hill Country. But she cannot deny her ailing grandmother's request to visit the place where she and her deceased husband spent one glorious week (albeit fifty years ago). There Kate meets Greg Vange, the resort's handyman. But there's more to Greg than meets the eye--billions more, in fact, as he recently sold his successful software company and is at the resort in search of what's next for his life.

Kate isn't looking for romance, but she can't deny the sparks of attraction that fly every time she and Greg are together. She even starts to see potential in the rundown resort. Could there be a future there? Or will Kate's long-sought promotion take her back to the big city?

Amanda Cabot invites readers to step away from the pressures of the daily grind. They might be surprised by what they find at Rainbow's End.

At Bluebonnet Lake is the first book in the new Texas Crossroads series by Amanda Cabot. While I enjoyed this story it is not my favorite of Amanda Cabot's. I found that this story is very slow going and it dragged a bit at parts but I loved each character and the story was really sweet. At Bluebonnet Lake really helped to remind me to slow down a little. But the thing that bothered me was that there was nothing huge that happened to make the story pick up the pace, and I think it needed a little of that excitement. 

3.5 out of 5. A snack for a nice lazy afternoon.

I got a free review copy of At Bluebonnet Lake from Revell Publishers in return for my honest review.

Where Treetops Glisten Review

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Read Chapter One

Author Bio

The crunch of newly fallen snow, the weight of wartime
 
Siblings forging new paths and finding love in three stories, 
filled with the wonder of Christmas
 
Turn back the clock to a different time, listen to Bing Crosby sing of sleigh bells in the snow, as the realities of America’s involvement in the Second World War change the lives of the Turner family in Lafayette, Indiana. 

In Cara Putman’s White Christmas, Abigail Turner is holding down the Home Front as a college student and a part-time employee at a one-of-a-kind candy shop. Loss of a beau to the war has Abigail skittish about romantic entanglements—until a hard-working young man with a serious problem needs her help. 

I think that out of the three stories White Christmas was my favorite! Not that I didn't like the other story's I just enjoyed this one a little bit more. I loved Abigail, the realness of her pain from past lost and her skittishness to become attached again made my heart go out to her. I also fell in love with Jackson and his need to care for his family. I enjoyed that the story was just simply sweet, there was no need to toss in an extra stumbling block for the characters to overcome like I see a lot of novella authors try to do. You only have a short time to tell a story and I think Cara used hers perfectly.

5 out of 5. 

Abigail’s brother Pete is a fighter pilot hero returned from the European Theater in Sarah Sundin’s I’ll Be Home for Christmas, trying to recapture the hope and peace his time at war has eroded. But when he encounters a precocious little girl in need of Pete’s friendship, can he convince her widowed mother that he’s no longer the bully she once knew?

I'll Be Home for Christmas was also really really good! I think everyone who has read this story will agree with me when I say that Linnie is the best! Now the adult characters weren't to bad themselves (I loved seeing Pete learn from Linnie and I enjoyed getting to know Grace) but Linnie totally stole the show in I'll Be Home for Christmas and I'm pretty sure she stole my heart too!

5 out of 5.

In Tricia Goyer’s Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, Meredith Turner, “Merry” to those who know her best, is using her skills as a combat nurse on the frontline in the Netherlands. Halfway around the world from home, Merry never expects to face her deepest betrayal head on, but that’s precisely what God has in mind to redeem her broken heart. 

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas tells Merry's story away from home in Lafayette, Indiana. Though she ended up growing on me Merry wasn't my favorite character at first. I think it had to do with her focus on how her heart was broken in the past but I don't know really there was just something. But by the end I came to enjoy her character. 

4 out of 5.

The Turner family believes in God’s providence during such a tumultuous time. Can they absorb the miracle of Christ’s birth and His plan for a future?

A very Christmas worthy Afternoon Snack. 

I received a free copy of this book from Blogging for Books for this review.

A Promise to Protect Review

In a steamy small town riddled with broken promises, one woman's secret could change everything.
Acting Sheriff Ben Logan hasn't heard from Leigh Somerall in a very long time, but it doesn't mean he can get her--or their whirlwind romance of ten years ago--out of his head. When she calls out of the blue, it is with a strange request to protect her brother, Tony. But all too soon, Ben is charged with a different task--protecting Leigh from the people after her brother. With Leigh doing everything in her power to avoid Ben, it's no easy task. And the secret she is keeping just may change their lives forever.

A Promise to Protect by Patricia Bradley is the second book in the Logan Point series and a very intense read! There are twists and turn everywhere and they make for one pretty suspenseful read. If you love Christian romantic suspense then Patricia Bradley is one name you should add to your 'To Read' pile and not the bottom put it right up there on the top! The characters are easy to love and the mystery is sure to keep you on the very edge of your seat. So make room on your shelf because you are sure to be adding A Promise to Protect by Patricia Bradley to it very soon! 

5 out of 5. An amazing Afternoon Snack! 

I got a free review copy of A Promise to Protect from Revell Publishers in return for my honest review.

Becoming Bea Review

Can Bea and Ben Turn Rivalry Into Romance? 
Beatrice Zook knows God wants her to learn patience toward others. When assisting a family overwhelmed by triplets proves surprisingly successful, her confidence in dealing with others, both young and old, grows. 

One person she'll never be able to find peace with though is Ben Rupp. They've known each other forever, and Ben understands precisely how to antagonize her. What neither she nor Ben will admit is that beneath all their bickering, attraction awaits. When friends decide to try and bring the couple together, will the pair be able to find true love? Or will they damage their relationship beyond repair?

Becoming Bea by Leslie Gould is a really great Amish romance, one of the best I have read in awhile. It's an Amish retelling of Shakespeare's  Much Ado About Nothing. I didn't know that until after I read the story and not because I didn't see any similarities but because I have never read Much Ado About Nothing. I've never read much Shakespeare to be honest I've never really got it (Sorry Shakespeare lovers). Anyway about the book itself, I really enjoyed the story. I found Ben and Bea's relationship interesting to say the least, it wasn't until towards the end when I really felt like they were ready to be in one.  All in all I really fell in love with this book.
This is one Amish book you won't want to miss!

5 out of 5. A delightful Afternoon Snack! 

I got a free review copy of Becoming Bea from Bethany House Publishers in return for my honest review.