Christmas in Apple Ridge

Three short novellas by Cindy Woodsmall. These are touching stories but I just don't get enough time spent with the characters in the short stories. I want more time with them. I want to hear more about them - it is like a sample. Don't get me wrong they are a good read but I think I am going to stick with the books vs the Novellas.

Dear Deb

Dear Deb is not a book I would normally read. But the concept of this book intrigued me. This was a book of letters that Margaret Terry wrote to her friend Deb who was dying. They started out being letters of encouragement but so many of them seemed to bring new meaning to simple things, stories of the past, understanding, God!

Silent Night by Colleen Coble What a great short story to catch us up with everyone at Rock Harbor. It was great to read about Bree, Sampson, Davy, Kade and the rest of the gang. It was a sweet story one that brought tears to my eyes and a smile to my face. My only complaint it that it was too short.

His Love Endures Forever by Beth Wiseman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

What a great book. Good job Beth.

This was book 3 in the Land of Canaan Series, I will be honest it took me a few pages to remember who everyone was but hey I read a lot. I have read over 80 books so far this year.

Danielle, who we know was abused from a previous book, thinks she finds love with Matthew. Danielle finds out she is pregnant and when she tells Matthew he runs. Danielle's best friend Levi belives God has told him to marry Danielle. This is there story.

Spoiler Alert....
Thank you Beth for not having an accident in this book. Thank you for just a honest book about blended families. I really hope we have another and find out what happens to Uncle Noah.

View all my reviews

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.

View all my reviews

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.

View all my reviews

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.

View all my reviews