"Becoming Bea"

The Courtships of Lancaster County #4 

by Leslie Gould

 Another great tale in this series!

Description

Inspired by “Much Ado About Nothing”

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?

Purchase at the following locations:

http://www.amazon.com/

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/

http://www.christianbook.com/

http://www.deepershopping.com/

Biography

Leslie Gould is the bestselling author of The Courtships of Lancaster County series and The Amish Midwife and The Amish Nanny, coauthored with Mindy Starns Clark. She holds an MFA in creative writing from Portland State University and has taught fiction writing at Multnomah University as an adjunct professor. She resides with her husband and four children in Portland, Oregon. Learn more at www.lesliegould.com.

https://www.facebook.com/lesliegouldauthor

My Review ~

Beatrice Zook has always been somewhat strong-willed and standoffish with her peers, but she is not ready to be whisked off to Montana, far from her roots in Lancaster County. A lifelong sparring match ensued between Beatrice and Ben Rupp over the years as the two competed against each other in their school spelling bees. The sparring continues even though Bea knows it's prideful to have the last say. Marriage has never been an option where Bea is concerned. No one measures up to her high standards.  As she attempts to overcome her bad habits she finds that change is much less difficult while working with an Amish couple with newborn triplets. Her entire outlook changes as she discovers herself more competent and compassionate than she ever thought possible. It seems that love is in the air for everyone but her, but is there anyone capable of making her happy?

I've thoroughly enjoyed the books in this series by Leslie Gould. Her information pertaining to the Lancaster Amish culture is well researched and delineated in "Becoming Bea." The characters throughout this story exemplify believable traits and characteristics that add a great deal of  interest and variety throughout this story of multiple characters. Personality conflicts as well as new friendships and family dynamics are strong features that surface through difficult days and nights spent keeping up with newborn triplets and a multiplicity of other characters and events. "Becoming Bea" will make you laugh, bring you to tears and cause you to reflect on your own attitude about life. Grab a copy and enjoy the evolving drama as it escalates throughout this great story! You're sure to enjoy it!

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from Bethany House in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own, and no monetary compensation was received for this review.

"A Shenandoah Christmas"

by Lisa Belcastro

 The true spirit of Christmas

Description

Andrew Roberts has picked out the perfect Christmas present–an engagement ring. His Christmas wish is to marry the woman he loves. There’s only one catch – Allyson Flanders suddenly has plans that do not include Andy. Will Allyson and Andy celebrate Christmas together? Spend the holidays on Martha’s Vineyard with the Roberts family, celebrating love, family, and faith.

Read Chapter 1
Glimpse of Passion

Purchase at the following location:

http://www.amazon.com/

Biography

Lisa Belcastro lives with her family on Martha’s Vineyard. Her inspiration for the Winds of Change trilogy and A Shenandoah Christmas came while she was chaperoning two Tisbury School summer sails with her daughter, Kayla, aboard the schooner Shenandoah. The weeklong adventure, sans electricity, Game Boys, iPods and modern conveniences, kindled her imagination to dream of an altogether different voyage. In addition to writing Shenandoah Nights, Shenandoah Crossings, Shenandoah Dreams, and A Shenandoah Christmas, Lisa currently pens the cuisine column for Vineyard Style Magazine. She has worked as a staff and freelance reporter and photographer for the Chronicle of the Horse and as assistant editor at the Blue Ridge Leader. She has written articles for USA Today, Dressage (London), USA WEEKEND Magazine, the Blue Ridge Leader and Sidelines. When she’s not at her desk working on A Dream for Love, the first novel in the upcoming (im)Possible Dreams trilogy, Lisa is volunteering at her daughter’s school, serving in her church community, planting and weeding her numerous gardens, running marathons with TEAM 413, training for her first fifty-mile road race, or enjoying a prayer walk along the beach, looking for sea glass.

http://lisabelcastro.com/

https://www.facebook.com/belcastrolisa

My Review ~

This is a beautiful Christmas novella based on the Roberts family from Lisa Belcastro's Winds of Change series. Lisa has brought to light the beauty and spiritual importance of the true meaning of Christmas. 

In this brief narrative the members of the Roberts family not only celebrate the birth of Christ, and God's infinite love, but share examples of the importance of unconditional love in all circumstances,  

Although brief, "A Shenandoah Christmas" is expressive and inspirational, spiritually rich in love, and truly a celebration of Christmas. Also included are the first chapters from each of the three books in the Winds of Change series. This book would make a wonderful gift! Pick up several copies, one for yourself, and others for friends and family. This book can be enjoyed in an evening.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own, and no monetary compensation was received for this review.

"When Night Comes" 

by Dan Walsh

 Gripping suspense!

AVAILABLE NOW! Order this Book on Amazon, Barnes & Noble or Kobo (print editions available also).

Read First Chapter Here

Description

Jack Turner comes back to Culpepper to give a series of lectures for his old history professor. Within days, he starts having bizarre experiences at night. Like he’s traveling back in time, experiencing the epic events in his lectures firsthand. He has no control over these experiences and can’t make them stop.

Joe Boyd thought he’d left big city crime back in Pittsburgh when he took a detective job in Culpepper, Georgia, a sleepy southern college town. His peaceful life ends when two students turn up dead in two weeks. The coroner is saying natural causes, but something doesn’t add up.

Rachel Cook, a teaching assistant at Culpepper, can’t believe Jack is back in her life again. She’s had a crush on him since she was fourteen, but Jack never knew. He instantly seems attracted to her, but she can tell…something is deeply troubling him.

Watching all this from a distance is Nigel Avery. He’s certain this experiment’s about to unravel. It’ll be his job to tie up all the loose ends when it does.

Bestselling author Dan Walsh is known for page-turning storylines. Fans of his novels The Discovery and What Follows After will especially love…When Night Comes.

About Dan

Dan Walsh is the bestselling author of 12 novels, published by Revell and Guideposts, including The Unfinished Gift, The Reunion and The Discovery. He has won 3 ACFW Carol Awards, 2 Selah Awards, and three times his novels have been named as finalists for RT Reviews Inspirational Novel of the Year. 

For those who haven't read Dan's books, reviewers often compare him to Nicholas Sparks and Richard Paul Evans. Although more recently, Dan has also started to pen suspense novels (like, What Follows After and When Night Comes). Dan has been writing fulltime since 2010. He and his wife Cindi have been married 38 years and have 2 grown children and 3 grandchildren. They live in the Daytona Beach area, where he grew up. You can follow him on Facebook or Twitter, read his blog, or preview all his books by visiting his website at http://danwalshbooks.com.

My Review ~

I am not providing a synopsis of "When Night Comes" as it would reveal obvious spoilers. In my estimation the reader should discover the events depicted as the story unfolds. This book contains so much action that I don't want to reveal information that might take away from the reader's experience of this incredible story.  

I've been a fan of Dan Walsh's writing for many years, and have never been disappointed in his books. "When Night Comes" is no exception! An incredible amount of research is obvious in Dan's portrayal of events from World War II. Detailing is so precise he transports the reader to the events he portrays. I was transported to the campus in Culpepper, GA and envisioned in vivid detail the events that transpired. Descriptive character development was sharp and focused. Powerful and unexpected events increased in intensity throughout this book.

This reading experience brought me to the brink and did not let go. Dan Walsh definitely pulled out all the stops in this creative suspense experience.  My heart rate and breathing increased as the suspense continued to build throughout. This riveting suspense is filled with intrigue, a bit of romance and a lot of fast-paced action. I highly recommend this book, and look forward to more of this type of writing from Dan Walsh in the future! 

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own, and no monetary compensation was received for this review.

"The Westward Christmas Brides Collection"

by

Wanda E. Brunstetter, Susan Page Davis, Melanie Dobson, Cathy Liggett, Vickie McDonough, Olivia Newport, Janet Spaeth, Jennifer Rogers Spinola & Mary Lu Tyndall

 Tales of Christmas Romance

Description

Take the journey into the American west alongside nine women who are chasing their dreams—Cynthia, for security; Beryl, for a new family; Adeline, for freedom; Molly, for marriage; Beth, for a new start; Belinda, for a place to heal; Suzette, for adventure; Juliet, for peace; and Caroline, for a future for her children. Celebrate Christmas alongside these pioneers as love finds them in nine distinctly different romances penned by leading Christian fiction authors, including New York Times bestselling author Wanda E. Brunstetter.

This book can be purchased here:

http://www.amazon.com/

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/

http://www.christianbook.com/

http://www.deepershopping.com/ 

About the Authors:

Wanda E. Brunstetter:

Wanda Brunstetter is an award-winning romance novelist who has led millions of readers to lose their heart in the Amish life. She is the author of over 60 books with more than 7 million copies sold. Many of her books have landed on the top bestseller lists, including the New York Times, USA Today, Publisher's Weekly, CBA, ECPA, and CBD. Wanda is considered one of the founders of the Amish fiction genre, and her work has been covered by national publications, including Time Magazine and USA Today.

Wanda's fascination with the Amish culture developed when she met her husband, Richard, who grew up in a Mennonite church, and whose family has a Pennsylvania Dutch heritage. Meeting her new Mennonite sister-in-laws caused Wanda to yearn for the simpler life. In their travels, she and her husband have become close friends with many Amish people across America. Wanda's desire to explore their culture increased when she discovered that her great-great grandparents were part of the Anabaptist faith.

All of Wanda's novels are based on personal research intended to accurately portray the Amish way of life. Many of her books are well-read and trusted by the Amish, who credit her for giving readers a deeper understanding of the people and their customs.

Wanda's primary attraction to the Amish is their desire to live a devout Christian life that strives to honor God, work hard, and maintain close family ties. Whenever she visits her Amish friends, Wanda finds herself drawn to their peaceful lifestyle, sincerity, and close family ties, which is in stark contrast to the chaos and busyness that plagues so many modern "Englishers." Time and time again, Wanda loses her heart in the Amish life, and she hopes her readers will, too. For more information, visit:www.WandaBrunstetter.com

Susan Page Davis:

Susan Page Davis writes romantic suspense, historical romance, and mystery. She is a Maine native now living in Kentucky, and a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers. Her books have won several awards including the Carol Award for her novel The Prisoners Wife; the Inspirational Readers' Choice Award for The Prisoner's Wife and The Lumberjack's Lady (Maine Brides series); and the 2012 Will Rogers Medallion Award for her novel Captive Trail (Texas Trails series). Visit her website atwww.susanpagedavis.com

Melanie Dobson:

Melanie Dobson is the award-winning author of thirteen historical romance, suspense, and contemporary novels including Chateau of Secrets, The Courier of Caswell Hall, and The Silent Order. Two of her novels won Carol Awards in 2011, and Love Finds You in Liberty, Indiana won Best Novel of Indiana in 2010.

Melanie has loved writing fiction since childhood, but it was a long journey to publication. After seven years of writing and rewriting, her first novel (Together for Good) was published in 2006-a story inspired by the adoption of her oldest daughter.

Melanie and her husband, Jon, have two daughters. After moving numerous times with Jon's work, the Dobson family has finally settled near Portland, Oregon, and they love to travel and hike in both the mountains and the cliffs above the Pacific. When Melanie isn't writing, she enjoys exploring ghost towns and dusty back roads, line dancing, and reading stories with her kids.

More information about Melanie and her books is available at:

www.melaniedobson.com

Cathy Liggett:

Coney Island was never at the top of my list when I was a kid (scaredy cat!). My favorite places were the library, the card shop and hardware stores. As my husband will tell you, it's a good thing that books were my first love. I'm a lot better at fixing up characters in stories than anything that involves a hammer and nails or even super glue. Besides writing, I enjoy impromptu visits from our two grown kids and doing the empty-nester thing with my one true love. We're also enjoying the latest addition to our family, a Boxer mix named Chaz. Please visit me at www.cathyliggett.com.  I'd love to hear from you.

Vickie McDonough:

Vickie McDonough grew up wanting to marry a rancher but instead, she married a computer geek who is scared of horses. She lives out her childhood dream by penning romances set in the Old West. Vickie is an award-winning author of more than 30 books and novellas. Her books have won the Booksellers Best Award, OWFI Best Fiction Book Award, Inspirational Reader's Choice Contest, Texas Gold, and the ACFW Noble Theme contest, and she has been a multi-year finalist in ACFW's BOTY/Carol Awards contest. Vickie is the author of the Texas Boardinghouse Brides series and is a co-author of Texas Trails: A Morgan Family series. Her newest series called Pioneer Promises features a family that runs a stage stop in 1870s Kansas. Whispers on the Prairie, book 1 in this new series, was a Romantic Times Recommended Inspirational Book for July 2013.

Vickie and her husband live in Oklahoma. She is a wife of thirty-nine years, mother of four grown sons and grandma to a feisty eight-year-old girl. When she's not writing, Vickie enjoys reading, gardening, watching movies, traveling, and collecting antiques and stained glass. To learn more about Vickie's books, visit her website: www.vickiemcdonough.com

Olivia Newport:

Olivia Newport's novels twist through time to find where faith and passions meet. She chases joy in Colorado, where day lilies grow as tall as she is. Her husband and two twenty-something children provide welcome distraction from the people stomping through her head on their way into her books.

Janet Spaeth:

For as long as she can remember, Janet Spaeth has loved to read, and romances were always a favorite. Today she is delighted to be able to write romances based upon the greatest love story of all, that of our Lord for us. When she isn't writing, Janet spends her time reading a romance or a cozy mystery, baking chocolate chip cookies, or spending precious hours with her family in North Dakota.

Jennifer Rogers Spinola:

Jennifer Rogers Spinola, originally from the South, lives with her Brazilian husband, Athos, and two active boys. She has lived in Brazil for nearly eight years and Japan for two years. Jenny is the author of Barbour Books' "Southern Fried Sushi" series - the first of which was a finalist for the 2012 Christy Awards - and a romance novella collection based on Yellowstone National Park (also with Barbour Books).

Jenny loves camping, hiking, cooking, and taking pictures of the outdoors and her rowdy sons. She has a B.A. in English from Gardner-Webb University in North Carolina and has worked as a journalist, Christian missionary, Language Arts teacher, and ESL teacher.

Right now she's trying to 1) put Seth in bed for a nap 2) keep Ethan in bed and 3)desperately the nasty colds everybody's getting around her - all the while write paragraphs in her upcoming novella.

To find out more about Jenny's novels (and browse some Southern-fried recipes), find Jenny atwww.jenniferrogerspinola.blogspot.com.

MaryLu Tyndall:

Acclaimed author, M.L. (MaryLu) Tyndall dreamt of pirates and sea-faring adventures during her childhood days on Florida's Coast. After obtaining a degree in Math and working as software engineer for 15 years, she decided to test the waters as a writer. With now more than fourteen books published, she makes no excuses for the deeply spiritual themes embedded within her romantic adventures. As a follower of Christ, her stories often reflect her own journey and walk with God. Her hope is that readers will not only be entertained but will be brought closer to the Creator who loves them beyond measure. In a culture that accepts the occult, wizards, zombies, and vampires without batting an eye, MaryLu hopes to show the awesome present and powerful acts of God in a dying world. A Christy award nominee, MaryLu makes her home with her husband, six children, and four cats on the California coast, where her imagination still surges with the sea.

My Review ~

This is a collection of historical stories of Christian romance that are centered around the Christmas holiday. The featured female characters are traveling westward toward a new life, leaving the past behind. Each story is written by a different author, and the themes vary as much as the authors' personalities. A strong Christian theme is woven throughout these stories of love and the ambiance of Christmas. 

These short stories make up a wonderful holiday collection of cozy reads. I thoroughly enjoyed picking up this book and reading a story in the evenings as I relaxed and became swept into the lives of these young women searching for change and new lives. I normally enjoy a full-length novel over a novella or short story, but I found it refreshing to enjoy a brief tale of Christmas romance. Pick up a few copies to share with friends, and keep a copy for yourself to enjoy with a cup of your favorite beverage. This would make a wonderful gift, a book to be kept on the coffee table or next to your favorite chair, to pick up and enjoy as time allows. I will undoubtedly read this book again as the holidays approach each year.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from The Book Club Network For Readers Only program in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own, and no monetary compensation was received for this review.