Pennyslvania Patchwork Sneak Peak

Seattle native Holly Fisher is smitten by Lancaster County, its simplicity and her long lost relatives. In the sequel to bestselling Leaving Lancaster, Holly embraces the Amish culture, learning to slow down to see what – and who – really matters.

Meeting the family that her mother had kept hidden from her, Holly comes face to face with her real life and blood legacy. She also falls for the charming Zach, a handsome Mennonite veterinarian who is everything she’s ever wanted in a husband: confident, kind, successful, and authentic. And Zach proposes marriage. Is this too soon? Is this the right choice? Mother and Amish grandmother think she’s rushing into too much of a lifestyle change. Holly is in love with Zach and that precludes everything. Until she meets an attractive Amish man. And an old suitor shows up.

Pennyslvania Patchwork is the moving, richly told story of one woman’s heart, her faith and trust, and the choices she makes. Never easy, but one choice can change your destiny.

My review will be posted on Monday, June 24.

Halfway There

Halfway There by Susan Mallery
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

ebook, 52 pages
Published May 1st 2013 by Harlequin
ISBN 146031199X (ISBN13: 9781460311998)
Series: Fool's Gold #10.5

Fayrene is one year into her five year plan and has no intentions of getting into a relationship before her plan is complete. When Ryan steps in to help her with a stressful cat sitting job, Fayrene's not sure she can hold to that no relationship part of her plan.

I normally feel that novellas are way too short and you just don't ever get enough information. However, my hats off to the Susan Mallery for being able to achieve such a sweet story in so few pages. Susan was able to portray a story, the ever wanted love at first site, within a few short pages. Now, obviously I would have loved to read more about each of them and their personalities and had a chance to get to know them better, but I'm satisfied with this novella. Susan also did a great job of wrapping the story up without making it feel rushed.

I read this as an in between two other longer books and it was a nice, short, sweet story to break things up a bit. I've not read any of the other books in this series and had no problem in not knowing the other stories. If you're looking for a quick, easy read with romance, then I would definitely recommend this one!

I've included the "See no evil" book cover because it did talk about premarital sex, but it did not go into any detail and explain it any great detail. I've also included the "Speak no evil" book cover because there was at least one use of profanity in the book, very minor though. Just wanted to be honest and share those points with those that may be looking for strictly Christian fiction.

I was graciously provided a free digital copy of this book from Harlequin to review it. I was not required to write a positive review and the opinions I have expressed are my own.

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Pennsylvania Patchwork | Win an Amish-made Quilt from Kate Lloyd!

Kate Lloyd is celebrating the release of book two in her Legacy of Lancaster Trilogy, Pennsylvania Patchwork, by giving away an authentic Amish-made quilt!

 
  One "grand" winner receive:

• An authentic Amish-made Quilt
• Pennsylvania Patchwork and Leaving Lancaster by Kate Lloyd

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on June 29th. Winner will be announced on July 1st at Kate's blog.

Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning.

Gone South by Meg Moseley

Gone South by Meg Moseley
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

ebook, 352 pages
Published May 7th 2013 by Multnomah Books
ISBN 0307730816 (ISBN13: 9780307730817)

After helping her mother move, Tish decides to revisit her ancestors' home that she had once visited with her dad. When she sees the house is for sale, she knows she needs to uproot herself from Michigan and head to Alabama to buy the house. Once she arrives, she realizes the local community is not friendly to her, matter of fact, they're rude. Determined to find out why the locals don’t like her, she begins reading more of the history of her ancestors. When Tish decides to take in another local outcast, Mel, they are in for an uphill battle to restore the locals' trust in the two of them.

I was so excited to read this book after reading When Sparrows Fall also by Meg Moseley. I loved the story line in that it was so different than anything I've read before. I have heard of family feuds such as the Hatfields and McCoys and was thankful it didn't go that far. I've also heard of teens being disowned by their families for poor decision making. But, reading it in the context Meg put it, well it was just interesting.

Meg did a great job of creating a story-line where you just couldn't help but rooting for Mel. She was the youngest in her family, the "oops" child, and just never lived up to the standards her brother set. When she began "stealing" from her jobs and her family, they kicked her out. While Mel was out on her own, she had the same problems, accused of stealing from employers and ultimately fired. Feeling helpless, she decided to return back home. However, that reception was anything but welcoming and she once again found herself wondering the streets.

As Tish gets to know Mel, she doesn't really trust her, but tries to give her a chance. And I realize that the main focus of the story is Tish, but personally, I loved the story line with Mel much more. I really enjoyed watching her self esteem grow as the story unfolded. What I did love about Tish was her willingness to take her “under her wing” and help Mel make something of herself.

My only fault for the book was that at times I felt like it was dragging a little bit. However, my overwhelming curiosity and hopefulness in seeing the "outcasts" gain the locals' trust and favor kept me reading.

I was graciously provided a free digital copy of this book from Multnomah Books in partnership with The Christian Manifesto to review it. I was not required to write a positive review and the opinions I have expressed are my own.

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A Revelation in Autumn

A Revelation in Autumn by Wanda E. Brunstetter
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Paperback, 128 pages
Expected publication: June 1st 2013 by Barbour Books
ISBN 1620291460 (ISBN13: 9781620291467)
Series: Discovery #5

In book 5 of the Discovery Series by Wanda Brunstetter, Meredith discovers the joy of motherhood. As Jonah begins to come around more often and has an obvious fondness for Meredith and Levi, he wonders if Meredith is ready for the next step. Will Meredith be able to move on after losing Luke?

I really found Meredith's honesty with herself quite interesting, which is most likely why she was able to allow Jonah to court her. She realized from the beginning, and was honest with Jonah, that she probably wouldn't love Jonah like she had Luke. What was interesting too, was that coming to that conclusion didn't make her feel like she couldn't ever move on and be happy again. I'm not sure I explained that well, but to me, not ever having been in that situation, I just found it very interesting.

Normally in a series you can pick up in the middle and still be fine, but with this one, I highly recommend that you start from the very beginning. This series has some of the best cliffhangers at the end of each section. I just can't stand waiting to find out what happens in the next one!

I was graciously provided a free digital copy of this book from Barbour Publishing in partnership with NetGalley to review it. I was not required to write a positive review and the opinions I have expressed are my own.

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Hidden in the Heart

Hidden in the Heart - A Novel by Catherine West
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Paperback
Published September 15th 2012 by OakTara
ISBN 1602903298 (ISBN13: 9781602903296)

Claire has had a rough year. She lost her mother, her unborn child, she has pushed her husband away, and turned to alcohol to ease her pain. Now, trying to pull herself back togehter, she is determined to find her birth mother. What she doesn't realize is that when she does, she may get more than she bargained for, something that could completely tear apart her family.

I chose to read this book as I heard such great things about Catherine's first book Yesterday's Tomorrow. I began reading the book just knowing that I would love it. Then, as I began to read, I was a little let down.

You see, for me, the story line was a little too close to home and Claire's reactions to her life events just left me shaking my head. I was only 19 when my mother passed, my family was torn apart, and I lost an unborn child just 3 months after I lost my mom. I also, never knew my father growing up. It was always just me and mom. So, reading Claire's reactions and knowing she had a very well to-do life, a husband who adored her and would have given her the world, just seemed a little self-centered to me. Especially when the reason for her looking for her birth parents was because she wanted to see if it was a genetic trait. What? I was told when I had my miscarriage that a lot of first time pregnancies end in a miscarriage. It took me nearly three quarters of the book before I was able to read it without being completely irritated with Claire.

However, removing my personal emotions from the closeness of the story, Catherine obviously wrote a great story or I would not have been so upset by Claire. Claire's struggles, emotions, and the need to find answers seemed very real. I would say it's a good read for anyone looking for a modern day read. It was certainly a roller coaster of emotions from beginning to end!

I was graciously provided a free digital copy of this book from Litfuse to review it. I was not required to write a positive review and the opinions I have expressed are my own. 

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Totino's Pizzeria Rolls - New Flavors

Totino's, famous for their frozen pizza, now has three new pizza snacks that were created with the busy family in mind. Flavors of their all-new Pizzeria line include Cheese Garlic, Chicken Parmesan, and Meatball Marinara. They can be baked in the oven for just 10-15 minutes or cooked in the microwave in only 60 seconds!

You have got to try these great new flavors. My kids love the pepperoni ones, but had stopped eating them because they got tired of them. Now, with three new flavors, we have found a great variety of ways to add them to our meals either as appetizers or part of the meal itself. Remember, these come out of the oven or microwave piping hot, so be sure to allow them to cool so you don't get a burned tongue and so the flavor is more intense! ENJOY!!

I was graciously provided a prize pack for my honest review. The prize pack, information, and giveaway have been provided by General Mills and Totino's through MyBlogSpark