Kate's Song by Jennifer Beckstrand
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I had a like / dislike relationship with this book.

I loved watching Katie grow in her relationship with God, seeing her get angry and question her relationship. Most readers can understand those feelings.

There was one point I was so disappointed in where the book was going that I had to put the book down and walk away.

As with most Amish books I read there was an accident that was a major turning point and also a misunderstanding. I don't understand after spending so much time together there wasn't more trust in that relationship and then how quickly there was a new relationship and how serious it become so quickly.

Also with most Amish books there are a lot of characters brought in and I know that is because there are other books coming in the series but it makes it hard to follow sometimes.

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Stay Close by Harlan Coben
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

For the most part this was a very enjoyable listen. It was interesting enough that I forgot I had a 45 minute commute every day.

There was one scene that was so graphic I couldn't listen. I actually had to skip part of that, I hope I didn't miss too much else.

Otherwise I thought it was ok - some of it you saw coming and a few things I never saw coming and those are things that makes a good book and makes you come back to another.
I am not ready for another by him but I might do another someday.

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Never the Bride: A Novel by Rene Gutteridge
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Goodreads writes:

Since she was just a little girl, Jessie Stone dreamed up hundreds of marriage proposals, doodled the romantic ideas in her journal with her treasured purple pen, and fantasized about wedding dresses and falling in love. She’s been a bridesmaid nearly a dozen times, waved numerous couples off to sunny honeymoons, and shopped in more department stores for half-price fondue pots than she cares to remember.

But shopping for one key component of these countless proposals hasn't been quite as productive–a future husband. The man she thought she would marry cheated on her. The crush she has on her best friend Blake is at very best…well, crushing. And speed dating has only churned out memorable horror stories.

So when God shows up one day, in the flesh, and becomes a walking, talking part of her life, Jessie is skeptical. What will it take to convince her that the Almighty has a better plan than one she’s already cooked up in her journals? Can she turn over her pen and trust someone else to craft a love story beyond her wildest dreams?

I wanted to like this book more than I did. Now don't get me wrong it was a book I enjoyed enough to read but there were parts of it that just didn't sit well with me. And I am a big fan of closure, I didn't get it with all the characters that became a part of 'my reading family' for a few days. I just feel a little let down when I finished the book.

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Ties That Bind by Marie Bostwick
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This is the latest book in the Cobbled Quilt series. It was Margot's story.

I enjoyed this book - although it got a little long for me. I felt like it dragged in places.
We spent so much time / energy on the Custody battle and then ir seemed to wrap up on a page, some how I felt a little cheated.

A few suprises were thrown in and I always loe books with dogs as characters. This was on exception, the visual I have of Clemetine will stay with me for a long time.

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Found by Shelley Shepard Gray
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Great ending to this series, in this book we finally find out what happens to Perry. I would say for the most part loose ends were tied up but there are stila few things I wonder about. I really came to care for a lot of the characters and hope that somehow they might how up in another book someday.



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Gone Missing by Linda Castillo
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

A little too much language for me.

I liked the story behind this book the amish adult who left and became police chief.
But I think the story could of been told with less language. The story would of been just as good to me. I will never understand why people beleive that adding vulgar language makes a better story.

I have decided not to read the third book at this time.

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Until Forever by Darlene Shortridge
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This books was excellent! It had just a few character and we really started to care for them. God was on every page of this book. The focus was always on God. There wasn't fluff just greaet story telling. One of the coolest things is that although God was on every page you didn't feel like God was being choked upon you. This was a great showing of who God was in the lives of these people.

I read a lot of Christian fiction but this book took that to a whole new level. It made you want to pray for them as they struggled.

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Season of Tending - Cindy Woodsmall

Cindy has hit the ball out of the orchard with this book. This is the first in a new Amish Vines and Orchards Series. You will come to care for these characters and will be sad when this book is done and the second one is not released yet. Rhonda, who has a 'gift' for sensing when bad things are going to happen decides it is easier to be by herself than with others. That is not to be when she finds Leah sleeping in her garden. Samuel King, has a struggling apple orchard after meeting Rhonda and seeing her amazing garden, he asks for help. What happens? You wil have to read the book to find out.

If I'd Never Known Your Love (Center Point Premier Romance by Georgia Bockoven
My rating: 3 of 5 stars



I had read a lot of Georgia's books years ago and just came across this one that I had not read. I enjoyed it. It does a good job of showing true love.
I really was surprised in a few spots and that always makes for a great book.

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Tidewater Inn by Colleen Coble
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Loved that Sampson was back and played a big part (Rock harbor series). The rest kept my interest for the most part but a few things I am still shaking my head about.

Libby learns a lot of lessons in this book - what the term family really means, love, when to (if ever) give up.
The inn is a place I would love to go visit and spend a weekend- great detail to make me fall in love with.

Goodreads writes:

Inheriting a beautiful old hotel on the seaward shore of Hope Island could be a dream come true for Libby. The inn cries out for her restorer's talent and love of history. She's delighted to learn of family she never knew she had. And the handsome Coast Guard lieutenant she's met there on the island could definitely be the man of her dreams.

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Friends Forever by Danielle Steel
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book wad very enjoyable, it follows 5 families who met the first day of kindergarten and finished as the children were adults. Great telling of how life can be. These are friendships that I am afraid don't exsist as much today and that means that the young adults of today are missing out on so much laughter, joy,tears, adventures with forever friends.

Goodreads writes:

Five children meet on the first day of kindergarten. In the years that follow, they become friends and more than friends. Together, they will find strength, meet challenges, face life’s adventures, endure loss, face stark realities, and open their hearts. In this moving novel, #1 New York Times bestselling author Danielle Steel traces their unforgettable journey—full of tests and trials—as three boys and two girls discover the vital bonds that will last a lifetime.


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Almost Amish by Kathryn Cushman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Really enjoyed this book. I love Amish fiction and this was a different spin in it.

As part of a TV series a family goes Amish for the summer. They learn what it is like without electricity, a oven, and the on goings of life on a Amish farm - canning, chickens. Now I don't want to give it away but there was a point that was a stretch for me but maybe it is just me and I don't stretch that way.
A book I would suggest to all.

Goodreads writes:

Julie Charlton is at the breaking point. She's overwhelmed and burned out, and in today's unrelenting society, her kids are, too. When her sister-in-law Susan, a Martha Stewart-in-training, lands the chance to participate in a reality TV series promoting simple living, and needs another family to join her, it seems like the perfect opportunity.
The location is an idyllic farm outside an Amish community in Tennessee. Julie, with her two children, joins Susan and her teenage daughter for a summer adventure. Susan needs to succeed in order to become self-sufficient after an ugly divorce, Julie needs to slow down long enough to remember what her priorities are and regain a sense of purpose and meaning. It becomes clear from the start that "living simple" is no simple matter. With the camera watching every move, Susan's drive for perfection feels a lot like what they left behind, while Julie suddenly finds herself needing to stand up for slowing down. With each new challenge, their season of "going Amish" gets more and more complicated, as each woman learns unexpected lessons about herself and her family

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Inescapable by Nancy Mehl
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was an enjoyable read.

Elizabeth and her daughter have to leave Kansas City and head back to Elizabeth's home town due to some bad luck.
In this town with bad memories lots of good things start happening.

Although I really liked it - I also had a few issues with it. A few things just thrown in there for dramatic effect maybe.

I don't think this book stood out - it has the same story line of a lot of books that I read but I enjoyed it.

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The Bridge by Karen Kingsbury
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

For the first time in a long time I was disappointed in a book by Karen Kingsbury now to be fair I was a huge Baxter fan and maybe because this is different that was part of it but I doubt it. I raed a lot and I either like a book or I don't, I rarely compare them to others by the same author or other books in general.

This book just didn't do it for me. I loved the concept and parts of it were very heartwarming but overall it was just ok.

Who doesn't love a good bookstore and the history of this bookstore is amazing. But it just fals short for me. I suggest you read it and see what you think.


Goodreads writes:
Molly Allen lives alone in Portland, but her heart is back in Franklin, Tennessee, where five years ago she walked away from a man she cannot forget, a rare sort of love she hasn't found since.
Ryan Kelly lives in Franklin and spends plenty of time at The Bridge-the oldest bookstore in historic downtown Franklin-remembering the long hours he and Kelly once spent there.
Now, Ryan and Molly's favorite bookstore is in trouble. For thirty years, Charlie and Donna Barton have run The Bridge, providing the people of middle Tennessee with coffee, conversation, and shelves of good books-even through dismal book sales and the rise of eBooks. Then in May a flood tore through Franklin and destroyed nearly every book in the store. By Christmastime, the bank threatens to pull the lease on The Bridge and is about to take the Bartons' house as well. Despondent, Charlie considers ending his life. And in the face of tragedy, miracles begin to unfold.(

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Come Home by Lisa Scottoline
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

I have heard about Lisa for years and thought I would give her a try.

Was not impressed with this book and then saw that it was her 18th so maybe it was just me.

I just have issues with this book - I understand she was trying to solve a mystery but the lack of parenting just rubbed me the wrong way and then the twist of Mega and the boy, the one patient we heard about out of all of her patients, just so many little things that didn't sit well with me.

I think I will stick with Danielle Steele, Nora Roberts, Debbie Macomber.

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Never the Bride: A Novel by Rene Gutteridge
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Goodreads writes:

Since she was just a little girl, Jessie Stone dreamed up hundreds of marriage proposals, doodled the romantic ideas in her journal with her treasured purple pen, and fantasized about wedding dresses and falling in love. She’s been a bridesmaid nearly a dozen times, waved numerous couples off to sunny honeymoons, and shopped in more department stores for half-price fondue pots than she cares to remember.

But shopping for one key component of these countless proposals hasn't been quite as productive–a future husband. The man she thought she would marry cheated on her. The crush she has on her best friend Blake is at very best…well, crushing. And speed dating has only churned out memorable horror stories.

So when God shows up one day, in the flesh, and becomes a walking, talking part of her life, Jessie is skeptical. What will it take to convince her that the Almighty has a better plan than one she’s already cooked up in her journals? Can she turn over her pen and trust someone else to craft a love story beyond her wildest dreams?

I wanted to like this book more than I did. Now don't get me wrong it was a book I enjoyed enough to read but there were parts of it that just didn't sit well with me. And I am a big fan of closure, I didn't get it with all the characters that became a part of 'my reading family' for a few days. I just feel a little let down when I finished the book.

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