The Orchard 

September 6, 2022

by Beverly Lewis  (Author)

"She realized there was peace right here in the midst of this heavenly sort of place, despite the unpredictable storm churning around her family."

For generations, Ellie Hostetler's family has tended their Lancaster County orchard, a tradition her twin brother, Evan, will someday continue. Yet when Evan's draft number is called up in the lottery for the Vietnam War, the family is shocked to learn he has not sought conscientious objector status, despite their Old Order Amish belief in non-resistance. The faraway war that has caused so much turmoil and grief among their Englisher neighbors threatens too close to home.

As Evan departs for boot camp, Ellie confides her disappointment to Sol Bontrager, the brother of her best friend and cousin to her new beau, Menno. In contrast to Evan, Sol is a conscientious objector. Despite Ellie's attraction to Menno, she finds herself drawn to Sol's steady presence as they work together in the orchard. Suddenly, it feels as if everything in Ellie's world is shifting, and the plans she held so dear seem increasingly uncertain. Can she and her family find the courage to face a future unlike any they could have imagined?

My thoughts:  The Orchard is Ms Lewis's newest release, available for preorder.  It is a bit of a historical, set around the Vietnam War, I didn't enjoy it as much as I usually do her books.  It was telling, mostly, and I couldn't get into the story.  Fans of Ms. Lewis will probably love it...  This story was a miss for me but check it out for yourself.  I was given a copy free and all opinions are my own.

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No Matter the Cost (The Epic Story of RJ and York Book 3)

 

No Matter the Cost 

(The Epic Story of RJ and York Book 3) 

by Susan May Warren  (Author) 

She put her hand to her chest, still unable to breathe.
He had dark hair and a beard, ripped pants, a dirty suit coat and wore such an intense expression of pursuit on his face, she just knew—
He was going after Alan Martin.
And she might never see him again.
No. Not again.
Not ever again.
He passed her, didn’t even look at her, his gaze pinned on Martin, who’d vanished down the stairs.
And that’s when she found her voice. With everything inside her, she let it out, praying he heard it through his haze of fury.
“York!”


Her worst nightmare has happened….

RJ refuses to believe it, and until she has proof, she’s going to keep searching for answers. And most of all, for the man she loves, even if it means diving into the past he always wanted to keep secret.

The kind of secrets that could have set York free. It’ll take a trip back to Russia, to the sketchy and dark history of York’s life to find the clues to the sinister plans of a global terrorist. And the answers that might lead her to a happy ending.

Or has it? What if her happy ending is more than a dream?

If RJ hopes to save her country—and find out the truth about York—she’ll have to become the high-action, Sydney Bristow spy that she always dreamed of being. But really, does RJ really have what it takes—with, or without the man she loves—to save the world?

And if she does…what will be the cost?

The riveting conclusion to the Epic Story of RJ and York!


Continue the adventure!
Book 1: Out of the Night
Book 2: I Will Find You
Book 3: No Matter the Cost

Find other epic romantic adventures by SMW!
Sky King Ranch series
Montana Marshalls
Montana Fire
Montana Rescue

My thoughts:  This is the third book in SMW's newest series. Fans wanted more York and RJ and she was happy to comply.  I will admit to some surprises along the way and the who-dun-it surprised 'me.  I love Ms. Warren's books but I am so NOT in a hurry to get to Europe or Russia. I'm quite happy traveling by book.  The story is well written and engaging and I loved the ending.  If you love romantic suspense thrillers you won't want to miss this collection.  But make sure you read them all in order, starting with the last book in the Marshall family series, RJ.  Well, actually you will want to read that series first.   I was given a copy free and all opinions are my own.

I Will Find You (The Epic Story of RJ and York Book 2) #preorder

 

I Will Find You

 (The Epic Story of RJ and York Book 2) 

by Susan May Warren  (Author) 

He released a sound, deep inside, part growl, part acquiescence. “Ruby Jane. You are going to be the death of me.”
“No. Not anymore. I’ve learned my lesson.”
He cocked his head.
Maybe because yes, she’d said that before, but this time — “I never again want to look out into the dark sky and wonder where you are, and if you’re alive. Never want to be more than a phone call away from you. Never want to think that you might…might think that I don’t love you.”
He blinked. Then, finally, finally, he smiled. And it was sunshine, right to her soul.
“Do you…do you still have my ring?”
He nodded and reached into the front pocket of his jeans.
How it remained untarnished, she hadn’t a clue, but there it was, still gorgeous. A beautiful vintage two carat white gold solitaire, with tiny diamonds in the cradle.
“York —”
“Just put it on your finger and keep it there.”
“You’re so bossy.” But she held out her hand for him to put it on her finger.
“I should put a tracker in it.”
She looked at him. “No need. I’m not going anywhere.”
He smiled again, a softness in his eyes that made her want to weep. “Not without me, you’re not.”


The woman he loves has vanished…

When RJ Marshall said she’d be right back, York should have objected. No, he wasn’t going to let her run off to Berlin, even if it was to save a little girl.

Only problem—she’d told him this while he was unconscious. So really, it doesn’t count, and it’s not his fault that she’s gone missing. And, he didn’t know why he expected RJ not to chase danger into trouble. But now he has to find her before criminal mastermind Alan Martin tracks her down.

She’s in over her head…

RJ didn’t mean to leave York behind, but she’s on a mission to save a little girl caught in the crossfire of Martin’s terrorist plot. Now, she’ll have to find the girl and keep her safe while leaving clues for York to follow her.

But who will catch up to her first—York, or the man with a vendetta?

The gripping romantic adventure continues across Europe in this second installment of the Epic Story of RJ and York!

Continue the adventure!
Book 1: Out of the Night
Book 2: I Will Find You
Book 3: No Matter the Cost

Find other epic romantic adventures by SMW!
Sky King Ranch series
Montana Marshalls
Montana Fire
Montana Rescue

My thoughts:  I Will Find You is the second book in this epic adventure series and it does NOT stand alone.  Fans must read RJ of the Marshall series, and the these follow-up books in order.   Warning: this book might have some heat and it might not have a happy ending, but then all great novels end with a tragedy, right? There is some drinking too...   The adventure held my interest but I had to tak, e a two book break from the collection and read something calmer before diving in to the third book and the conclusion....maybe.  Fans of SMW will want to read these three novellas and plan their own trip to ...  okay, maybe they would rather stay safe at home and be an arm-chair adventurer.  I was given a copy free and all opinions are my own.

Laura's Shadow (Doors to the Past, 9)

 

Laura's Shadow 

(Doors to the Past, 9) 

July 30, 2022

by Allison Pittman  (Author)

Family Secrets Spill One Conversation at a Time

Visit historic American landmarks through the Doors to the Past series. History and today collide in stories full of mystery, intrigue, faith, and romance.

De Smet, South Dakota--1890
Young women growing up in De Smet live by two rules: don't go out in a snowstorm and don't give your heart to Cap Garland. Young Mariah Patterson only managed to obey one. Orphaned and having devoted her youth to scrapping out a life with her brother Charles, Mariah finds herself with no option but to marry the devoted but dull Merrill Gowan. Throwing caution to the wind, she seizes an opportunity to lay her feelings at Cap's feet, even though she knows Cap sees the world through the torch he carries for Laura Ingalls. Mariah is certain her love for Cap will be strong enough to break both bonds, and she's willing to risk everything to prove it.

De Smet, South Dakota--1974
Trixie Gowan is the fourth generation of living Gowan women residing in the sprawling farmhouse on the outskirts of De Smet. Well, former resident. She's recently acquired her own bachelor girl apartment in Minneapolis, where she works writing ads for a neighborhood paper. She might live and work in the city, but her co-workers still call her Prairie Girl. Thus the inspiration for her comic strip "Lost Laura", in which a bespectacled girl in a calico dress tries to make her way in the city. The name is a quiet rebellion having grown up in a household where she'd been forbidden to mention the name, Laura. But when her great-grandmother Mariah's declining health brings Trixie home for a visit, two things might just keep her there: the bedside manner of Dr. Campbell Carter and the family secret that seems to be spilling from GG's lips one conversation at a time.

Marilyn's thoughts:   Laura’s Shadow is a split timeline from 1891 to 1974. Mariah had Laura

Ingalls Wilder as a teacher. Trixie, a great daughter to Mariah, is a cartoonist

with her “Lost Laura” cartoon and creative ads for a newspaper. I could picture

Trixie’s drawings with the descriptive words about her character. The story was

slow in places and not what I thought it would be in regards to Laura Ingalls

Wilder. There was hardly a faith message in this story, thus I cannot classify it

as a Christian fiction that Barbour Publishing is known to publish.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing without

any obligation to write a positive review. I have shared my own thoughts.

Don't Worry by B J Bassett

 

Don’t Worry

 

Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. Matthew 6:33 MSG

 

My daughter Kathy and I took my husband to the ER, where he was diagnosed with pneumonia. Instead of admitting him to the hospital, we were encouraged to care for him at home. So we did. They instructed us on how to operate all the breathing devices. I was overwhelmed and worried. Could I do it? I was now a caregiver 24/7.

 

Kathy assured me she would not return to her home until she felt comfortable with leaving us alone. By the time she left, I felt on top of what I needed to do to care for him, yet I was still worried and feeling stressed.

 

My husband suffered from Parkinson’s for two years before he developed pneumonia, and I needed help to care for him. Friends had offered, but I thought I could do it all. Then the nurse practitioner set in motion the aid we needed. She requested a physical therapist, an occupational therapist, a nurse, and a social worker to come to our house. There was no need to worry. God provided.

 

Are we worrying? Or do we trust God to meet our concerns?

 

Father, forgive me for being a worrywart. You are with me during my daily concerns and a crisis as well. I put my complete trust in You. Amen.

 

Reprinted from The King’s Daughters—

A Women’s Devotional

BJ Bassett

B. J. Bassett encourages others as an author, teacher and speaker. Her books include a contemporary novel, Gillian’s Heart; a historical novel Lily; Sweet Charity; A Touch of Grace—The G.R.A.C.E. Ministries Story; and coauthor of a children’s devotional My Time with God, Focus on the Family, Heritage Builders, with over 55,000 copies sold.

 

As a contributing writer, publications consist of Writer’s Handbook 2000, The Writer, and The Focus on the Family Guide to Growing a Healthy Home, Wolgemuth& Hyatt, Publishers, Inc.—consistently on Bookstore Journal’s Best-selling Christian Books List from November 1990 - February 1991, and voted the 10 Best Books for 1990 by Today’s Christian Woman.

 

Magazines, devotional booklets, curriculum and newspaper publishers include Focus on the Family, Woman’s World, The Quiet Hour, Pathways to God, Devotions, Harcourt Brace, WordAction, Gospel Publishing and Times Standard (newspaper).

 

She teaches writing workshops at Umpqua Community College, Roseburg, OR and at writer’s conferences. As a speaker for Stonecroft Ministries, she tells her story of rejection and acceptance, not only in life, but as a writer as well. She also offers book talks, including discussion questions and shares the journey -- from the seed of an idea to a published book.

 

Memberships: ACFW and Oregon Christian Writers (OCW).

 

She enjoys reading, jigsaw puzzles, knitting, munching warm scones oozing with butter and strawberry jam and sipping earl grey tea.

 

 

 

The Apple Creek Announcement (Creektown Discoveries, 3)

 

The Apple Creek Announcement 

(Creektown Discoveries, 3) 

July 30, 2022

by Wanda E. Brunstetter  (Author)

An Amish Quilt Unlocks Secrets from the Past

Welcome to Apple Creek, Ohio, where piano teacher and artist, Andrea Wagner, has a fascination with painting the rural Amish landscapes around her home. She has made it to her thirties feeling like she has had a charmed life and finally has fallen in love with Brandon Prentice, a local veterinarian. But then she discovers she was adopted and all she thought she knew about herself has crumbled. Andrea becomes so fixated on finding her birth mother that she pushes Brandon away, so she writes to the "Dear Caroline" column in the newspaper for romance advice. What will Andrea lose before she finds herself again?

Other books in the series:
The Walnut Creek Wish
The Sugarcreek Surprise

Marilyn's thoughts: Brunstetter latest installment of  Creek Town Discoveries series is filled with ups and downs. Andrea and Brandon lives were busy with their occupations but were happy. Their struggles were realistic as Andrea wanted answers to her adoption. This story is well penned with twists and turns, romance and hidden secrets. I enjoyed how the Troyer’s desire to assist others in life gave them purpose and deepens their faith. Fans of Amish fiction will not want to miss reading The Apple Creek Announcement. This is my favorite book in the series. 

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing without any obligation to write a positive review. I have expressed my own opinion.

Out of the Night (The Epic Story of RJ and York Book 1)

 

Out of the Night 

(The Epic Story of RJ and York Book 1)

by Susan May Warren  (Author) 

See, this was why York should put a GPS tracker on the woman he loved.
Not that he would, but if he did, then he wouldn’t show up in a town and see said woman trying to do a Spiderman along the face of a building.
And, if York hadn’t simply followed his instincts and taken off across the street she would have left an ugly splat on the sidewalk, probably taking out a planter of geraniums.
As it were—“Gotcha.”
He wasn’t trying to be cute—it was more of a statement of relief, even fury, the spill over of watching her dangle, then slip off the balcony. The fear he wouldn’t reach her in time.
For a second, she just stared at him, also breathing hard, those blue eyes blinking in disbelief. Then, “York?”
“It’s not Superman.”
Then she threw her arms around him, holding so tight she might cut off his breathing. “You’re here.”
“I’m here.” She could probably feel his heart pounding, trying to leave his body.
“How did you find me?”

A steal-your-breath, fast-paced adventure from a master! Be prepared to have your heart warmed and ripped out at the same time! Warren’s skilled craftsmanship pits an indefatigable RJ and rugged York against daunting enemies in this nonstop action and heart-pounding extension of the Montana Marshalls that we all love. Feed your kids, walk your dog, and grab a drink because once you dive in, there’s no escaping! ~Ronie Kendig, bestselling and award-winning author

“The best parts of an action movie mixed with the best kind of romance. My heart is still pounding. You don’t want to miss this series!” ~Lisa Phillips, USA Today bestselling author


He’s not looking for trouble…

All former spy and current national security agent York Newgate wants is to propose to the woman he loves, RJ Marshall. Then they can move to Shelly, Washington, and start the calm, safe life he’s been dreaming of for over a year.

Too bad trouble doesn’t agree…

Or maybe RJ simply attracts trouble because she’s just going out for coffee when she spots a wanted, known terrorist standing in the middle of a street in Paris. At least she thinks it’s international criminal Alan Martin, the mastermind behind a plot to kill the president.

But he’s in jail, right?

Wrong. Martin has escaped, and it’s up to RJ—and York—to keep him in their sights until he can be apprehended. But chasing down Martin means following him into the darkness of whatever plot he’s cooked up now.

Will he ever outrun trouble to find his happy ending?

So much for York’s epic proposal. Now, he just wants to escape Europe with their lives.

The romantic trilogy ignites in book one of the Epic Story of RJ and York!

Continue the adventure!
Book 1: Out of the Night
Book 2: I Will Find You
Book 3: No Matter the Cost

Find other epic romantic adventures by SMW!
Sky King Ranch series
Montana Marshalls
Montana Fire
Montana Rescue

My thoughts: sometimes readers can't Get enough of certain characters and York is

one of them. He just reached into your heart and grabbed hold of the strings and held 

on tight and even when the series that he is in ended readers still wanted more York. 

Susan May Warren was kind enough to give us three more novellas starring York and 

RJ and more adventures that they not so accidentally stumble upon when trying to do

 something else. I would never survive being one of Susan May Warren's characters but

 they are so exciting to read about. I cannot get enough of her books. Don't miss your 

copy to grab this first book novella in a spin-off series starting York and RJ. You will be 

as riveted as I was. I can't Wait to read the second novella in the series and I am glad it's 

coming soon. I was given a copy free and all opinions are my own.