Mini Review: Thanksgiving Blessing by Marta Perry

 

Thanksgiving Blessing (The Promise Glen #6) by Marta Perry

Publication Date: October 24th 2023 by Berkley & Tantor Audio

Pages: 272

Source: Publisher & Library audio

Rating: ★★★½

Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Audible | Goodreads

My Thoughts:

Nate inherits the property next to Becca’s and they get off on the wrong foot when he proposes to buy her farmstand and she has no intention of selling. Of course, there’s a romance brewing that neither wants to acknowledge. Both are grieving the death of their mates, and Nate’s also struggling to raise his younger teenage brother. They end up helping each other, growing close along the way.

I enjoyed seeing Becca and Nate’s feelings grow, and each helping each other without taking over. Becca needed that with her mother’s doubts over her handling the orchard on her own and Nate needed to realize he could do a good job with his brother. Nate’s doubts over letting love back in and his ability to care for his brother were a bit repetitive, and I wished the romance was developed more instead of one minute they’re reluctant friends/neighbors and then they’re together. I did enjoy the added bits of mystery and suspense surrounding fires and destruction in their town. The story was easy going and heartwarming with supportive family, friends and community.

I alternately read and listened to Thanksgiving Blessing. Lauren Pedersen did a wonderful job narrating. I listened at my usual 1.5x normal speed.

3.5 Stars

Book Description:

When Promise Glen is struck by a vandalism spree around the Thanksgiving holiday, a community’s values—and two weathered hearts—are put to the test.

As a widow with two-year-old twins and a struggling orchard, Rebecca King’s dreams of expanding her business seem near impossible. To make matters worse, a troublesome string of destructive acts around Promise Glen threatens her roadside fruit and vegetable stand, forcing Rebecca to accept the help of her condescending new neighbor, Nathan Mueller.

Nathan didn’t intend to offend Rebecca with his offer to share the stand, especially since he’s a widower and single parent himself. He admires Rebecca’s strength and kindness in the face of adversity. If only they hadn’t started off on the wrong foot…

Despite their best efforts to shield their hearts, working side by side through the busy harvest plants the seeds of a budding friendship. But when the vandalism spreading through Promise Glen escalates to arson and rumors blaze through the town, they’ll have to learn to rely on each other more than ever. As Thanksgiving approaches, Rebecca and Nathan are forced to reconcile with their own grief, forgive what can’t be changed, and come to truly understand the core values of the love and gratitude.

Review: Home From the Storm by Laurel Blount

 

Home From the Storm by Laurel Blount

Publication Date: December 26th 2023 by Berkley 

Pages: 352

Source: Publisher 

Rating: ★★★★

Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Goodreads

My Thoughts:

Caleb Hochstedler’s parents were violently murdered and he left his Amish life and wife behind to pursue their killer, Trevor Abott. Two years later Caleb narrowly misses Trevor, and what he’s left behind chills him to the bone: pictures of Caleb’s wife, Rhonda.

 

Caleb high tails it back home to Johns Mill and has the shock of his life when he discovers he’s a father of two-year old twins. There’s so much he missed. There’s hurt, betrayal and old wounds that need to be addressed. Not the least is Caleb’s issues with the church. Will he be able to reconcile his differences of opinion with the Amish faith, his love for his family, and his pursuit of justice to lead to a HEA? That’s what I wanted to know.

 

Caleb and Rhonda’s story has been brewing in the background throughout the series. I felt bad for Rhonda, but also for Caleb since his grief caused him to act hastily. Details of Rhonda and Caleb’s history were revealed and even though it seemed like Caleb was the one mainly in the wrong, there were other factors at play. Both needed to step back and examine their actions, past and present. There was still so much love between Caleb and Rhonda, and I was rooting for them to heal and make their way back to each other, especially since they now had the two little ones to think about.

 

I loved the Hochstedler’s close knit family. The bumped heads a bit here and there, but there was an abundance of love between them. Caleb and Rhonda’s twins were so adorable, too!

 

Like the other stories in the series, there was a bit of danger and suspense with Trevor lurking about and unhinged. I was afraid for all the Hochstedler’s, not knowing when or where he’d surface and what kind of damage he’d inflict.

 

Home From the Storm was a well-done second chance/marriage-in-crisis romance. Not only that, it was also an uplifting story of healing, forgiveness, looking for the best in each other, and love. I’ve loved this series from the start! A definite recommend!

4 Stars

Book Description:

In this stirring Amish romance about love and second chances, a shunned man returns to protect the wife he left behind—and falls in love with the family he never knew he had.

After a senseless loss, hotheaded Caleb Hochstedler left his Amish faith and his young wife to seek justice. Two years later, he tracks his parents’ killer back home to Johns Mill, where he’s astonished to learn he’s the father of twins. Now he's determined to protect his children and the woman he still loves—if she’ll let him.

Her new husband’s abandonment broke Rhoda Lambright’s heart and proved her father, the bishop, right. Such a stubborn man could never be happy among the peaceful Amish. When Caleb unexpectedly returns, Rhoda is caught between her rock of a husband and a very hard place.

Her church forbids divorce and requires forgiveness, so Rhoda lets Caleb back into their home. But can she ever let him back into her heart? One thing’s for certain sure. This second chance will take all the faith they can find.

Review: Courage in the Storm by Laurel Blount

 

Courage in the Storm by Laurel Blount

Publication Date: April 25th 2023 by Berkley

Pages: 336

Source: Publisher

Rating: ★★★★★

Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Goodreads

My Thoughts:

I’ve been looking forward to Miriam’s story since she witnessed the tragic murder of her parents when were gunned down by an obsessive “Englischer” in her family’s general store. Since then, Miriam has suffered from major PTSD, and has not been able to leave the family home in more than a year. Only now has she been able to venture outside to feed the chickens and visit Breeze, a traumatized horse. A horse she’s become attached to, and unfortunately may not last if they can’t get him past his fears enough to be useful. Breeze is her brother-in-law’s horse injured in a buggy accident that scarred them both and Sam doesn’t want to sell the horse for slaughter, so he decides to call in a favor from an old friend with a special talent for working with horses.

Reuben Brenneman left the Plain/Amish life when the abuse of his father, a mean drunk, was reported and overlooked. Reuben felt betrayed by the people he felt should’ve protected him, and so going to the Hochstedler’s farm, an Amish one, isn’t something he wants to do, but he owes Sam. What he doesn’t count on is Miriam. The Amish woman terrified of him at first, in his Englischer clothes, but she’s willing to try to work with him to help Breeze, since Breeze has formed an attachment to Miriam. They work together and form a friendship, Miriam making progress overcoming her fears while helping with Breeze and with Reuben seeing a different side of the Amish people. Both falling a little more for each other with every day that passes.

 Courage in the Storm was a moving, emotional story with three souls overcoming a tragic past: Miriam, Reuben and yes, Breeze. I was invested in their journey of healing and love! It was a gradual process, but every step brought me such joy. The story is inspirational, compelling, and filled me with happiness!

5 Stars

Book Description:

In this powerful Amish romance, an isolated woman and a compassionate man learn that love can build a bridge between their two worlds.

Since witnessing the murder of her beloved parents, Miriam Hochstedler suffers from paralyzing anxiety and a deep-seated fear of the Englisch . Unwilling to venture beyond her family’s Tennessee farm, she forms a close bond with a badly injured gelding. Like Miriam herself, the traumatized animal seems unlikely to recover—until skilled horse whisperer Reuben Brenneman arrives.
 
A survivor of an abusive childhood, Reuben understands fear better than most. He’ll do whatever it takes to help a terrified animal, but his compassion doesn’t extend to the church that turned a blind eye to his family’s suffering. Once he finishes this job, he’ll return to the Englisch world, putting his Amish heritage behind him forever.

As Miriam works alongside Reuben, battling the horse’s fear—and her own—an unexpected friendship blooms and deepens into romance. But the Amish faith that sustains her inspires only distrust in Reuben, and the Englisch world he’s chosen has already broken her heart once.
 
Falling in love was easy. But staying together will take all the courage they have.

Review: The Second Christmas by Marta Perry

 

The Second Christmas (The Promise Glen #4) by Marta Perry

Publication Date: September 27th 2022 by Berkley

Pages: 272

Source: Publisher 

Rating: ★★★★

Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Goodreads

My Thoughts:

Leah thought she’d be inheriting her Aunt Miriam’s plant/herbal business in upstate New York, but instead she’s back home in Promise Glen. Her family is unaware of the circumstances, but it was parting that left Leah shaken and hurt. On the bright side she’s setting up her own business on the land adjacent to her family’s property. The dilapidated little cottage needs work, but with some work and a little love and care it’s the perfect place for her new business. Unfortunately, her father asked Josiah, the man who broke her heart, to do the work. Determined to show she’s moved on Leah agrees.

Being home makes Leah realize just how much she missed her big, boisterous, and loving family. Losing that future in New York is starting to feel like a blessing in disguise. This close-knit, loving family filled me with joy! I liked learning about their Amish ways and holiday traditions.

Josiah was a fool when he courted Leah, too immature to recognize what he had with Leah until she was gone. With the work on her cottage, he hopes to mend their friendship and maybe win her trust and heart again. Also, it gives him a chance to prove himself to his father in the family business.

Working together in the cottage gives Leah and Josiah time to mend fences and remember that they were friends first before any romantic feelings developed. They shared confidences and support, something they fall back into. Leah helps Josiah see the situation with his father a little more clearly and Josiah helps Leah work through her feelings of shame and betrayal over her aunt’s reaction. He couldn’t help but be outraged for her.

The Second Christmas was a heartwarming second chance romance that gave me all the Hallmark-holiday romance vibes! I thoroughly enjoyed every minute!

4 Stars

Book Description:

The warmth of the Christmas season and a woman's return home to the charming Amish community of Promise Glen opens the door to a second chance at love.

When Leah Stoltz pictured returning to Promise Glen, she imagined taking everything she learned from her aunt's business in Upstate New York and starting up a quaint herbal tea shop of her own. What she didn't expect was for Josiah Burkhalter to insist on helping her. Josiah might have been her childhood sweetheart but they've both changed a lot since then and Leah's not sure she can trust the man who once broke her heart.

Josiah is determined to make the most of this unexpected second chance. When he hears of Leah's plans to open her own shop, he resolves to help in any way he can--beginning his gentle campaign to win her back by renovating the small cottage on her family's farm.

During her time away, Leah looked forward to once again spending the holiday season with her family, especially Second Christmas, December 26th, a time of celebrating with extended family and close neighbors like the Burkhalters. But as Christmas nears, her feelings for Josiah grow more confused, strengthened by their time of working together. Now it will take all the magic of the season for Leah to confront her fears and reach for the love she deserves.

Review: Strength in the Storm by Laurel Blount

 

Strength in the Storm (Johns Mill Amish Romance #2) by Laurel Blount

Publication Date: February 22nd 2022

Pages: 336

Source: Publisher

Rating: ★★★★½

Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Goodreads

My Thoughts:

Emma’s family suffered a tragic loss when her parents were gunned down by an “Englischer” (a non-Amish person) obsessed with Emma. The event has left her sister, Miriam, who was present, shaken and with PTSD. Unfortunately, it seems Emma is hindering Miriam’s recovery being a little too helpful. 

When the aunt of Emma’s childhood sweetheart, Sam, needs caring for it seems like the perfect opportunity to get out of the house and give Miriam some space to progress in her healing. Aunt Ruth is not an easy patient and I admired Emma’s patience dealing with her. She was empathetic despite Ruth’s sharp tongue, but not to the point of being a doormat.

 Emma and Sam were once best friends and a little more, or as much as you can be as young teenagers, but Emma broke Sam’s heart. Of course, caring for Aunt Ruth means Emma and Sam spend more time together. Being around Sam brings back some of the old feelings she had for him and now being more mature she’s able to appreciate his good qualities. His good looks certainly don’t hurt either! However, when another tragedy strikes, will the second chance they have at romance evaporate? These two had a bumpy road to cross. Their romance was full of longing and a bit of angst, and I loved every bit of it!

There’s a lot at play here with the “Englischer” who murdered Emma’s parents on the run and still posing a threat and then an accident that put their future together in peril. I loved how determined and steadfast Emma was. She dealt with so much, but she tried to stay positive. Sam went through a lot as well and like any normal person, didn’t deal with it well at times, but that was more because he didn’t want to be a burden.

I haven’t read many Amish romances, but I’ve enjoyed the ones I’ve read so far.  I like the inspirational outlook presented in Strength in the Storm. With so much negativity out there it’s nice to read about characters, like Emma and Sam, who try to look for good wherever they can find it and persevere through adversity. I was rooting for their well deserved HEA. 

4.5 Stars

Book Description:

In this touching Amish romance, a brokenhearted woman and a steadfast man discover that the safest place to weather tragedy is in each other's arms.

After the murder of both her parents, Emma Hochstedler returns to the small community of Johns Mill, hoping to resume her quiet existence. Reclaiming her place proves harder than expected--especially now that a movie is being made about her family's loss. But then, an old friend offers her a lifeline that gives her new purpose.

Amish builder Samuel Christner is the biggest--and the strongest--man in town. In fact, the gentle giant has only one weakness--Emma. Even though she broke his heart, he won't let his childhood sweetheart face her troubles alone. He hires Emma as a nurse for his elderly aunt...and finds himself falling for her all over again.

But while romance blooms, storm clouds gather. And when darkness falls, it will take all Sam's strength--and all their love--to see them through.

About the author:

Award-winning author Laurel Blount writes captivating romances full of grit and grace—with characters who’ll walk right off the page and into your heart. She lives on a farm in Georgia with her husband, their four fabulous kids, and an assortment of ridiculously spoiled animals. Learn more online at laurelblountbooks.com.

Review: A Christmas Courtship by Shelley Shephard Gray

 

A Christmas Courtship (Berlin Bookmobile #3) by Shelley Shepard Gray

Publication Date: October 19th 2021 by Gallery Books

Pages: 320

Source: Publisher

Rating: ★★★★½

Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Audible | Goodreads 

My Thoughts:

Atle, a forty-year-old bachelor, has admired Sadie Mast from afar for years, but she’d been off limits being married. Now a widower, mother of three, she asks Atle to build a room for her oldest son, Cale now that he’s older to give him so space and growing room, and Atle sees this as an opportunity to court Sadie if he can muster enough courage speak up and make his desires known.

Sadie feels bad that she’s had to rely on her teenage son, Cale, to help get the family by after the death of her husband, but now that she’s more steady she wants to make Cale’s Christmas gift extra special and give her son more room now that he’s getting older. Having the quiet and handsome Atle around is an unexpected joy.

There were two romances to love: Atle and Sadie and then Sadie’s son Cale and Hope, the daughter of his boss on the farm he works.  Atle is quiet and shy, so he asks Sarah Anne, the librarian running the bookmobile for some self-help books on romance, but Sarah Anne thinks Atle might have more success reading a couple of her favorite romances for advice. The novel ending up more inspirational to Atle, because if the couple in the book could somehow find love through all their unnecessary drama, then he for sure should be able to! The fictional book couple was kind of a mess, lol.

I just adored A Christmas Courtship so much! So heartwarming and sweet! I also loved the Atle and Sadie’s relationship with her kids. Sadie’s past husband left some emotional scars they all had to deal with, and I thought both Sadie and Atle dealt with it beautifully. I think I’ve only read one story featuring the Amish, but the premise of finding romantic help through a romance book appealed to me. Also, with life so messy and complicated having a story set in community where a simpler life is embraced sounded nice.  Now I’d like to go back and read the previous two romances.

4.5 Stars

Book Description:

In this endearing Christmas tale, a bookmobile librarian knows just the novel to help an Amish bachelor woo his next-door neighbor in the latest installment of the “charming” (Carla Laureano, RITA Award–winning author of Five Days in Skye) Berlin Bookmobile series.

A solitary sort, forty-two-year-old Atle Petersheim spends his time hard at work in his wood shop. But as the days get long, he realizes just how lonely he’s become. When his longtime crush, Sadie Mast, a widow and mother of three, asks him to help her build a room in their barn for her son Cale, Atle can’t say no. Eager to pursue Sadie at last, he turns to bookmobile librarian Sarah Anne Miller for courting advice. More than happy to help, Sarah Anne decides the best way to learn about love is through books—romance novels to be precise.

Between completing holiday orders for her flourishing food business, helping Cale navigate a dramatic new relationship with his boss’s daughter, and coming to terms with the trauma her late husband had inflicted upon her and her children—not to mention Atle showing up at her door with flowers—Sadie is in over her head. Though Atle’s efforts are initially clumsy and his declarations a bit awkward, Sadie can’t help but be charmed by him. He’s patient and kind...and at times even seems to know far more about romance than he’s let on.