BFB Where the Fire Falls

I'm sad to say that this is my last review for Blogging for Books. They are no longer in business. I have enjoyed so many books and found new authors whose work I love through this program and will miss it for sure.

"Where the Fire Falls" by Karen Barnett is set in Yosemite National Park. Artist, Olivia Rutherford is commissioned to paint the park for a travel magazine. She isn't that excited about it, but needs the money to hide a secret. Clark Johnson is her guide with secrets of his own.

The author writes in such a way that you can almost see the park in your mind. The story was very captivating.

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I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.

BFB: Martha's Flowers

I received this beautiful hardback book filled with gorgeous photos of flowers and lots of information and tips on growing them. I can't wait to put some of the advice to test this spring and summer.

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I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.

BFB Lemon's Are a Girl's Best Friend

Lemon's Are a Girl's Best Friend  by Janet Hayward is a fun hardback book filled with lots of recipes that aren't just using lemons, but healthy herbs, vegetables, and fruits.

There are recipes for not only foods, but beauty treatments as well. With each herb, vegetable, and fruit, there is information of the health benefits.

This was a fun book to go through and now I will be making some of the recipes.

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I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.

BFB Beneath a Prairie Moon

Beneath a Prairie Moon by Kim Vogel Sawyer is her newest book out this year. Set in the late 1800's in Spiveyville, Kansas; this story is about a group of men who wait for their mail-order brides.

But instead of their brides arriving as they think is going to happen, it's Mrs. Bingham, owner of Bingham's Bevy of  Brides and her assistant Miss Grant who show up. They tell the men they have to go through a series of classes on manners and how to treat a woman before they will be matched up to their prospective brides.

All but two men, the sheriff and hardware store owner have signed up for a bride. After a series of events including a kidnapping, Mrs. Bingham and Miss Grant see how the whole town comes together and changes their initial views of the tough exteriors of the men.

I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.

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BFB God Gave Us Family

God Gave Us Family by Lisa Tawn Bergren is a cute children's book explaining what makes a family. It starts out with little pup from the wolf family asking why he is the only child in the family. He points out that of his friends, one has 8, one was adopted... Papa explains that God gives us family in many different ways. It goes on to explain about different family dynamics with working parents, some children live with grandparents, etc.

You can see another book I read by  the same author HERE.

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I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.

BFB Bringing Maggie Home

Bringing Maggie Home 

I was excited to receive another book by author Kim Vogel Sawyer to review. I have enjoyed every book I've read of hers and I've read most if not all of them.

This book was quite different from her other books and still very well written. The kind that you don't want to put down.

It's 1943 and Hazel was 10 years old, when she and her 3 year old sister Maggie were picking berries and when Hazel had turned her back, Maggie disappears. 

The story continues 70 years later and tells the story of 3 generations of women and the effect on their lives from that day so long ago.

Hazel, her daughter Diane and granddaughter Meghan all end up under the same roof as Meghan recovers from an accident. The secret of that day so long ago is revealed and the mystery of what happened to Maggie is weaved into the story.

I definitely recommend this book.

I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.

BFB Gathering the Threads

Gathering the Threads by Cindy Woodsmall is the last book in the Summer Grove series. It had been so long since I had read the second book, I had to refresh myself with the story.

This story did not disappoint. Ariana is back in her Amish home after finding out that she was switched at birth and being forced to spend time with her biological family.

Having lived in the "Englisch" world for 3 months has changed her. She learned to find out what she believes and to stand up for what is right.

This was a completely different view in an Amish story and I really enjoyed it.

There were so many plots and twists and turns that it kept this story interesting. One of the main points was to not believe something just because someone says it's true, esp when what is being told/preached to believe is harmful to others. 

**I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review

BFB Road Food

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It's been a long time since I had a book from Blogging for Books to review. I was excited to get this next book. I was expecting it to be filled with fun "mom and pop" type places to eat in off the beaten path places. I couldn't have been more wrong and was very disappointed.

Here is the sub title: 

An Eater's Guide to More Than 1,000 of the Best Local Hot Spots and Hidden Gems Across America 

I felt that it was very misleading. I don't know about other states that I'm not familiar with, but for Nebraska, it was places in the largest cities. Now these may be "hidden gems", but that wasn't at all what I thought it meant. And even those didn't have descriptions to entice me to travel and try them out.

So, all in all, not a book I would recommend.

I received this book from Blogging for Books for this honest review.

BFB Grace and the Preacher

Grace and the Preacher by Kim Vogel Sawyer is a story set in Fairland, KS during the Depression Era. This story is about Grace Cristler who is a postmistress and had pretty much given up on finding a husband. When her preacher uncle decides to retire, Grace is responsible for finding a replacement. She starts to fall for one man, who applies for the position, who she only knows through correspondence. 

What she doesn't know is that Theophil Garrison is on the run from his past. 10 years ago, Theo decided not to help his cousins with a robbery and now that they are out of jail, they are after him with revenge.

I loved this story with an unusual twist to it. Kim Vogel Sawyer has a beautiful way of writing that makes you feel like you are there.

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I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.

BFB The Angel of Forest Hill

The Angel of Forest Hill by Cindy Woodsmall is the latest book I have received and read from Blogging for Books. I love all the books I've read by C. Woodsmall, so had a pretty good feeling about this one as well and I wasn't mistaken. There are even 2 recipes shared that you can try.

This book is an Amish Christmas romance story about Rose and Joel. Joel's wife dies after giving birth. It is an Amish custom for someone from the community to help out, but because it is so small, they seek help from another community and Rose, the only girl of 12 children is sent. In order for Rose to live in the house and help out, they must marry and their marriage is one of convenience.

Not only does she marry a man she doesn't know, but now Rose has 3 small children and a home to care for. She came from a family that wasn't kind to her and is looking for kindness and love. Joel is grieving the loss of his wife. As time goes by Rose begins to have strong feelings for Joel and then a new beautiful widow comes to the community and among misunderstandings, Rose's heart is broken again.

This story is one of love and forgiveness and understanding. It is a small book and can easily be read in a day. Once you start, you won't want to put it down.

 I received this book from Blogging for Books for my honest review.I received a copy of this book from Blogging for Books and this is my honest review.

I received a copy of this book from Blogging for Books and this is my honest review.

I received a copy of this book from Blogging for Books and this is my honest review.

BFB God Gave Us Thankful Hearts

Today I have a fun book review. This one is a children's book. I'm always looking for books to read to my nephews when they come, so now I have a new one I can read next time they come to visit.


God Gave Us Thankful Hearts by Lisa Tawn Bergren is a beautiful story in learning that there is always something to be thankful for. Little Pup was focusing on what he didn't have and his mom shows him to be thankful in every season. This is a great lesson for children and adults alike.

Mama says in the book "the trick to having a thankful heart, is thinking about the things that make us happy, rather than the things that don't." wise words for us all.

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I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.

BFB: Fraying at the Edge

Today I have a book review for one of my favorite genres: Amish. Fraying at the Edge by Cindy Woodsmall (also one of my favorite artists) is the second book in her series The Amish of Summer Grove. I was also blessed to have received the first book in the series Ties That Bind that I worte about almost a year ago here.

Ariana Brenneman was raised Old Order Amish, but finds out 20 years later, she was switched at birth. Her birth family is atheist and the baby she was switched with is Skylar. Skylar is addicted to prescription drugs and is forced to make a decision: rehab or go live with her Amish birth family.

Both girls struggle with their new families as you can well imagine. This was a different twist than is normally written about the Amish and I really enjoyed it. While I feel that most books can stand on their own in a series, it really seemed like I would have been lost a bit had I not read the first book.

I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review

BFB Together at the Table

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Together at the Table by Hillary Manton Lodge is the last book in her Two Blue Doors series. In this book, questions are finally answered that arose reading her first two books. Hillary has a way of making the stories interesting in such a way that you can't put the book down and you want to find out how it all ends and the stories of the characters come together.

In this book we get to see Juliette come to an understanding of what and who she wants in life. This story is full of romance, mystery, family and food. In case you've read the first two, I won't ruin the ending for you. I have enjoyed reading all 3 of the books in this series and while I suggest you read them all, as they can each stand on their own as well.

**I received this book for free from Blogging for Books in exchange for my honest review.**

Room for Hope Giveaway

Happy Leap Year Day! Recently, I was contacted by someone asking if I would participate in a blog tour for WaterBrook Multnomah by reading and writing a review for a new book by Kim Vogel Sawyer and in doing so, I could give away 2 of the books! Kim is one of my favorite authors and I believe I have read every one of her books, so I was excited to do so.

Room for Hope is based on true events from Sawyer’s family history, It is a touching story of forgiveness is a way that I would truly struggle with. The story begins in 1936 when Neva (along with her twins) finds out that her husband Warren has died....along with his "wife" and has also left 3 children that he had requested their "Aunt Neva" take in to care for. 

This story is one that isn't predictable (which I like) and keeps you turning each page unable to put it down.

To win a copy of this book, just leave a comment on this post (only US and Canada, please, and no PO Boxes, please). You will need to be signed in and leave an e-mail or way for me to contact you if you win. I will draw a name on Thursday and you will have until Friday night to respond. If I don't hear from the winner(s), I will draw another name on Saturday morning.

BFB A Refuge at Highland Hall

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A Refuge at Highland Hall by Carrie Turansky is the 3rd and last book in her Edwardian Bride series. Set in 1915 in England and France we find the Ramsey family struggling with losses due to the first World War.

As Penny welcomes orphans to Highland Hall, she finds she has bit off a bit more than she can chew.

This story is filled with romances, but also the hope and courage of those who face loss and difficult challenges that war brings. I loved this series from Carrie and look forward to reading more by her.

I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.

BFB Amish Christmas at North Star: Four Stories of Love and Family

 

Amish Christmas at North Star by Cindy Woodsmall, Mindy Starns Clark and Emily Clark, Amanda Flower, and Katie Ganshert was a fun book to read with 4 stories about 4 babies born on one night and their stories written by the different authors.

While the stories are written separately, the lives of the 4 babies born on the same night under the care of the same midwife are interwoven. Cindy Woodsmall is one of my favorite authors and I enjoyed her story, but Katie Ganshert is becoming a favorite as well.

I would recommend this book for a fun read around the holidays. Stories filled with faith, forgiveness, and love.

I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.

BFB When Love Returns

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When Love Returns by Kim Vogel Sawyer is the 3rd book in her Zimmerman Restoration Triology. 

Suzanne Zimmerman who was sent away as a pregnant teen, has now moved back after being gone 20 years to take care of her ailing mother. She returns with Alexa the daughter she has raised as her own and both have a lot of healing as relationships are rebuilt. There are lots of twist and turns in the story, but one I believe you will enjoy.

I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.

 

BFB Ties That Bind

The next book I received from Blogging for Books to read is from one of my favorite authors Cindy Woodsmall. I love reading about the Amish and this had a completely different twist to it. It was about a former Amish guy Quill, who helps the Amish leave and enter the "English" world.

In the story, Ariana and Quill were best friends growing up. She doesn't understand why Quill left the faith and now helps others leave. Her world is turned upside down when she learns he is back to help one of her sibling leave.

This is the first book of a new series and it left so many questions in my mind that I can't wait for the next one to come out. You can click below to learn more about the book and author.

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I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.

BFB Waiting for Morning

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WOW! Another great book by my favorite author Karen Kingsbury. Karen rights "real" books. "Real" in that people die, struggle, fail, etc and then she shows how by God's grace they can survive. 

This story was no exception to her "real" writing. In this story, it opens as Hannah is waiting for her husband and daughters to return from their annual end of summer fishing/camping trip and they are much later than they are supposed to be. Then comes the dreaded visit from a police officer letting her know that they have been hit by a drunk driver.

This was hard to read and yet hard to put down. "Hard" in that I've had 2 friends killed by drunk drivers. This story is all about forgiveness and was beautifully, though very hard as forgiving is sometimes the last thing we want to do.

I highly recommend this book.

I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.

BFB Reservations for Two by Hillary Manton Lodge

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I was excited to see the second book in the Two Blue Doors series available on BFB: Reservations for Two by Hillary Manton Lodge.


The story continues as Juliette’s current life working to open a restaurant with her brother and her travels abroad to learn of her grand-mère’s WWII past. Just like the first book, this one is filled with recipes that sound delicious.


Juliette's life is complicated by her love interest who lives across the states from her and doesn't believe that things can work out for them to get together.


Reservations for Two is another wonderful story filled with romance, suspense, a dialogue that makes you feel like you are right there experiencing what is going on and yummy recipes.


Even though this book starts where book 1 left off, it could easily stand on it's own.


I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review