An Amish Christmas Promise

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BROWN, JO ANN
AN AMISH CHRISTMAS PROMISE

Secrecy kept her family safe...will she risk it all for a chance at love?

Carolyn Wiebe discarded her Amish roots to hide her niece and nephew from their violent father. Yet when a hurricane crashes into their isolated Mennonite life, she can no longer keep the world at bay. With Christmas approaching, Amish carpenter Michael Miller wants to help her rebuild her home. But can their burgeoning love withstand the rising storm of her secrets?

Green Mountain Blessings

My Review:

An Amish romance with more than one unique twist. Love the unusual (for Amish stories) locale of Vermont. And I found the inner workings of disaster relief organizations like Amish Helping Hands and the Mennonite Disaster Service absolutely fascinating. Brown really captures the trauma and heartache that comes after a natural disaster -- in this case a flood that destroyed most of the town. She portrays the stark reality through the eyes of both victims and volunteers with vivid imagery.

This is a romance fraught with obstacles that even includes a bit of suspense drama towards the end. Carolyn and Michael are drawn together during challenging times and I love the gentle pacing of their romance. Carolyn's niece and nephew add some heart-tugging and grin-inducing moments. Particularly loved little Rose Anne's unique grasp of the English language. :-)

This is the first book in Brown's new Green Mountain Blessings and she's created a captivating community filled with tantalizing characters -- including a few I've pegged as deserving of their very own stories. Can't wait to see what's up next -- and who will get their chance at a happily ever after!

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a gently read copy of  An Amish Christmas Promise leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it's easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday December 7 2019. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

How the Light Gets In

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PETERSHEIM, JOLINA
HOW THE LIGHT GETS IN

From the highly acclaimed author of The Outcast and The Alliance comes an engrossing novel about marriage and motherhood, loss and moving on.

When Ruth Neufeld's husband and father-in-law are killed working for a relief organization overseas, she travels to Wisconsin with her young daughters and mother-in-law Mabel to bury her husband. She hopes the Mennonite community will be a quiet place to grieve and piece together next steps.

Ruth and her family are welcomed by Elam, her husband's cousin, who invites them to stay at his cranberry farm through the harvest. Sifting through fields of berries and memories of a marriage that was broken long before her husband died, Ruth finds solace in the beauty of the land and healing through hard work and budding friendship. She also encounters the possibility of new love with Elam, whose gentle encouragement awakens hopes and dreams she thought she'd lost forever.

But an unexpected twist threatens to unseat the happy ending Ruth is about to write for herself. On the precipice of a fresh start and a new marriage, Ruth must make an impossible decision: which path to choose if her husband isn't dead after all. 

My Review:

Well, I'm gobsmacked! Seriously speechless. This book was everything I didn't expect it to be and that ending!!!! I'm still coasting on the shock waves and it's been a week since I reached the end. A week of mulling over plot points and characters, wondering if I'd actually read what I...well, read! lol And how do I possibly compose a review without revealing spoilers? I'm stymied. 

How the Light Gets In is profound and moving. A raw and honest exploration of grief. And Ruth's grieving is all the more difficult because of her broken marriage. The agony of not being able to go back and change things or have the opportunity to go forward and fix things makes for a heart-wrenching read. But it's also a story that embraces the wonder and hope of new beginnings; of learning from the past in order to build a better future. 

But be forewarned -- there are plot twists galore and Petersheim delivers them with  the kind of impeccable pacing that left me reeling. Left hook after left hook until my head was spinning! So many rich layers -- from setting to characters to that wicked pummel-me-senseless storyline. Phew! Prepare to be caffuzled and addlepated by the time you finish!

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of How the Light Gets In, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it's easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday June 22 2019. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

The Divide

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PETERSHEIM, JOLINA
THE DIVIDE

In the gripping conclusion to The Alliance, nearly six months have passed since Leora Ebersole's Old Order Mennonite community fled to the mountains for refuge after an attack destroyed the region's power grid and altered life as they knew it. Since then,  Leora has watched and waited for news of Moses Hughes, the young Englischer pilot who held off invading looters long enough for everyone to escape. Unsure Moses even survived, Leora has begun to warm to the affections of Jabil Snyder, who has courted her patiently. But she struggles to see herself as the next bishop's wife, especially when she learns that Moses is alive and has now joined a local militia.

An unexpected encounter in the woods deepens Leora's crisis, as does a terrifying new threat that brings Moses's militia into the community's shaky alliance with the few Englischers left among them. When long-held beliefs are once again put to the test, Leora wrestles with the divide between having faith and taking action. Just how much will her shifting landscape changer her?

My Review:

An eerily compulsive read especially in these unsettled times. This is the sequel to The Alliance, and I do think it's better if you have read that book first. There's just so much that happens before the opening scene in The Divide, and though the author does a great job of covering the important stuff, you'll feel all the emotional nuances in this one more if you've experienced Moses and Leora's journey from the very beginning. And what a journey it is!

Chaos reigns as people struggle to eke out a livelihood in a post apocalyptic US. It's a grim and bleak world where lawlessness is the norm as divisive groups fight for power. Though rife with danger and hardship, Petersheim still manages to weave a thread of hope amidst despair. as she highlights the best and worst in humanity. A desperate setting for love to blossom, but that makes it all the more precious.

This is the kind of story that really makes you think. Assess your values, your faith and contemplate what you would do if it was all threatened. A triumphant page-turning conclusion that may not give us all the answers but does give us enough hope to believe that good really can come from evil.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of The Divide, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you add your email to a comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it's easier for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday November 19 2017. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck.

The Alliance

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PETERSHEIM, JOLINA
THE ALLIANCE

When Leora Ebersole sees the small plane crash in her Old Order Mennonite community, she has no idea it's a foreshadowing of things to come. Soon after the young pilot, Moses Hughes, regains consciousness, they realize his instrument were destroyed by the same power outage that killed the electricity at the community store, where Englischers are stranded with dead cell phones and cars that won't start.

Moses offers a sobering theory, but no one can know how drastically life is about to change. With the only self-sustaining food supply in the region, the pacifist community is forced to forge an alliance with the handful of stranded Englischers in an effort to protect not only their supplies but their very lives.

In the weeks that follow, Leora, Moses, and the community will be tested as never before, requiring to make decisions they never thought possible. Whom will they help and whom will they turn away? When the community receives news of a new threat, everyone must decide how far they're willing to go to protect their beliefs and way of life.

My review:

Kind of eerie and a little uncomfortable to read but totally compelling. I was riveted from the very first page. Complex characters and an intriguing plot made The Alliance a real page-turner. And my goodness, this story has left me with a lot to think about.

Dystopian fiction can be tricky because it shows so much of what is bad in humanity and that can get depressing. But while Petersheim doesn't shy away from the harsh realities of this new bleak world, she is careful to weave in messages of  faith and hope as well.

The Alliance is told from two points of view -- nineteen year-old Leora, an Old Order Mennonite woman and returned soldier Moses, the pilot who crash lands in her family's field. Such a contrast in views! I found myself alternately siding with both as they strive to find the best way to navigate this new chaotic world.

There are so many layers to their backstories. Both Leora and Moses have suffered difficulties and loss before they become entangled in this dystopian catastrophe. The kind of depth that keeps you up at night so you can read one more chapter and then another and another...Captivating stuff.

The hint of an impossible romance blooms even though Leora has ties to a community man. It seems that everything she understood to be true is challenged in just a few short weeks and that leaves Leora questioning where her allegiance lies.

The ending left me breathless and aching for more because there's a second installment due out in the spring. The Divide. I can't believe I have to wait until then to get full closure but you better believe I'll be first in line to buy the sequel! A stunning and thought-provoking book and well worth the read.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

 If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of The Alliance please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you post a comment and add your email address, please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in the address to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so that it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday August 28 2016. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

Rising Darkness

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MEHL, NANCY
RISING DARKNESS

Sophie Wittenbauer left her strict Mennonite hometown under a cloud of shame and regret. Certain she's left her post far behind her, she's now focused on her job at a newspaper and is shocked when she stumbles upon the name of someone she knew in her old life. But when she learns the man -- a prisoner -- claims a suspect from a decades-old unsolved crime is hiding out in the small town of Sanctuary, Missouri, she can't resist following the lead in hopes of furthering her career.

Almost immediately upon her arrival, Sophie's confronted with a face from her past and fears her intention of using a false identity to investigate is doomed. But with the help of Sanctuary's charismatic young pastor, Sophie knows she's getting close. Will she be able to conceal the truth of her own past long enough to find the suspect before someone puts a stop -- fatal or otherwise -- to her investigation?

Review:

This is Mehl at her absolute best. Not only is it a stunning conclusion to her Finding Sanctuary series but there's the thrill of a crossover with her earlier Road to Kingdom series. It isn't necessary to have read all the books in both series to enjoy this one -- it's just a book nerdy bonus if you have. :-)

I always felt that Sophie Wittenbauer had a story to tell and I'm so glad she nagged the author until she was given the chance to shine as the heroine of her very own book. Way to go Sophie! Such a complex character -- terribly wounded by her past, she's still held captive by those demons. But she's pushing forward, determined to overcome her shame and guilt. A professional journalist now, she's hungry for success. And that hunger is the only thing that could bring her to another small Mennonite town. Where she certainly didn't expect to run into her former secret crush. But that was a lifetime ago. Sophie's changed so much that Jonathan doesn't recognize her and it's so easy to fall into a pattern of deceit.

An impossible romance, a delicious blend of mystery/suspense and compelling secondary characters all conspire to hold a reader enthralled.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of  Rising Darkness please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you post a comment and add your email address, please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in the address to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so that it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday April  2016 . Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

A Christmas Bride in Pinecraft

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GRAY, SHELLEY SHEPARD
A CHRISTMAS BRIDE IN PINECRAFT

Christmas has come to Pinecraft in bestselling author Shelley Shepard Gray's final Amish Brides of Pinecraft novel, an uplifting story that proves anything is possible when you follow your heart

When manager Beverly Overholt's beloved Orange Blossom Inn is broken into, she's shaken to the core. The inn has been her whole life since arriving in the quaint Amish vacation town of Pinecraft, Florida. Hoping to repair what's been lost, Beverly calls Eric Wagler, the inn's handsome owner. To her surprise, he promises to be on the next flight out of Philadelphia.

Ever since her fiancé jilted her, Beverly's been closed off to love. However, with Eric things feel different. She can't help but be hopeful that their work relationship will turn into something more—even though they are from different worlds. She grew up Amish and is now Mennonite. Eric, on the other hand, grew up on the city streets of Philadelphia. How could they ever find common ground?

But as Beverly and Eric put the inn back together, prepare for Christmas, and even witness romance blossoming for another couple, the trust—and love—between them grows. Will Christmas bring a second chance for Beverly? And if it does, will she be brave enough to take it?  

My Review:

At last -- it's Beverly's chance at romance. I was giddy with anticipation before I started reading and  I'm giddy with satisfaction now that I've reached the end. And yes, I know it's January and Christmas has passed but I couldn't sit on this one for a whole year without shouting from the rooftops about how much I loved it!

I'm a total fan of An Amish Bride of Pinecraft series. This is the fourth and last book and I love the way the author managed to give loyal readers a glimpse into the lives of so many beloved characters from past books. Including young Effie, an Amish junior high student with special challenges and her own story thread. No worries if you haven't read all the other books (though you really should), this one will make sense on it's own, it will just pack an extra dose of happy if you're familiar with the rest of the series.

There's a bit of mystery to solve in this one and a touching story about caring for your neighbour, the perfect theme for a Christmas novel. Love how real Beverly is. She can be snippy and unreasonable and there was a time or two I wanted knock some sense into her! Poor Eric -- he is so gallant and eager to please, wary of moving forward into a relationship with Bev but unable to resist anyway. They both have an epiphany of spiritual healing which is also perfect for a Christmas read.

An exquisite finish to an amazing series. The only way it could have been better is if Frankie, the Naughty Beagle had made a cameo...though he did merit an honorable mention at least. :-)

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of  A Christmas Bride in Pinecraft please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you post a comment and add your email address, please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in the address to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so that it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday January 17 2016 . Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

When Love Returns

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SAWYER, KIM VOGEL
WHEN LOVE RETURNS

Riddled with doubt and lingering regrets, will Suzanne and Paul find strength in God to explore a second chance at love?

It wasn’t easy to move back to the Old Order Mennonite community from which quiet, responsible Suzanne Zimmerman was shamefully sent away as a pregnant teen. Returning twenty years later to take care of her mother, Suzanne and Alexa—the daughter she raised as her own—have spent months rebuilding relationships with her family.

Now with the upcoming wedding of their biological daughter, Suzanne and Paul find themselves drawn to one another once again—but with new challenges to face. They have been single parents with painful pasts. Can Paul and Suzanne find the strength to rebuild the loving relationship that was torn apart by their teen pregnancy so long ago?

Suzanne must also let go of Alexa as she heads back to Indianapolis to visit friends--and as her chance to find her birth parents. Leaving the bed-and-breakfast in Suzanne’s apprehensive hands, Alexa embarks on a journey that will certainly change her life completely. Can mother and daughter trust God to restore all things in His timing?

My Review:

Stunning conclusion to The Zimmerman Restoration trilogy but, unlike the first two books, I really think When Love Returns will make more of an impact if you've read When Mercy Rains and When Grace Sings first.

This is a beautiful second chance love story with plenty of grit and emotional angst to leave a reader breathless. Suzanne and Paul have waited two decades to be reunited and there is all the delicious uncertainty, not to mention mistakes from their past, to over come. A lot for a romance lover to sink her teeth into.

But love returns in other unexpected ways as well -- like Alexa's quest to discover the mother who abandoned her at birth. It's an exceptional story thread -- real and raw and gutsy. Sawyer explores both sides of the volatile issue with compassion and grace and it made a powerful impact on me.

A host of beautifully flawed secondary characters bring a rich depth to this compelling novel. Somehow, they all come together for the good of the overall theme. In a way, this book is about choices -- whether to judge and condemn or forgive and accept. It's as simple...and complicated...as that.

A truly incredible read.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of  When Love Returns please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you post a comment and add your email address, please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in the address to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so that it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday January 10 2016. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

When Mercy Rains

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SAWYER, KIM VOGEL
WHEN MERCY RAINS

Suzanne Zimmerman was only seventeen and pregnant when her shamed mother quietly sent her away from their Old Order Mennonite community in Kansas. With her old home, family, and first love firmly behind her, Suzanne moved to Indiana, became a nurse, and raised a daughter, Alexa, on her own.

Now, nearly twenty years later, an unexpected letter arrives from Kansas. Her brother asks her to bring her nursing abilities home and care for their ailing mother. His request requires that Suzanne face a family that may not have forgiven her and a strict faith community. It also means seeing Paul Aldrich, her first love.

Paul, widowed with an eight-year-old son, is relieved to see Suzanne again, giving him the chance to beg her forgiveness for his past indiscretion. But when he meets Alexa, his guilt flickers in the glare of Suzanne's prolonged secret-one that changes everything.

Suzanne had let go of any expectation for forgiveness long ago. Does she dare hope in mercy-and how will her uncovered past affect the people she loves the most?

My Review:

After I read book two in this series, a few weeks ago, I couldn't wait to backtrack and read When Mercy Rains. And even though I read them out of order so I knew a few spoilers when I started this one, I still loved it. In fact, knowing the outcome of a few threads made the read even edgier.

Love the family dynamics -- The Zimmermans are a complicated bunch and Sawyer magnificently illustrates how one action can snowball into a multitude of reactions that have long reaching effects. Sawyer has created a riveting tale of loss and love and what mercy can mean for second chances.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of When Mercy Rains please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you post a comment and add your email address, please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in the address to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so that it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday May 10 2015. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

When Grace Sings

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SAWYER, KIM VOGEL
WHEN GRACE SINGS

When trouble roars into quiet Arborville, Alexa and Anna-Grace find themselves the target for discord and exposed secrets. Can they continue to seek the God of all grace amidst the fog of confusion? 
Alexa Zimmerman wonders if the Old Order Mennonite community in Arborville, Kansas will ever fully accept her. Her family roots here aren’t what anyone thought when she first arrived, but she is hopeful that her culinary and hospitality skills will win the skeptics over. The bed-and-breakfast she’s operating needs to succeed so Alexa agrees to allow Briley Forrester, the hotshot reporter from Chicago, to stay as a long-term boarder not knowing his real motives for being amongst the Plain folk.

But when Alexa agrees to host her cousin Anna-Grace Braun, the presence of extended family brings out Alexa’s insecurities and sets Briley on the trail to uncovering a web of hidden truths.

Plans for a secure future and the sweetness of young romance hang in the balance when Alexa and Anna-Grace have to face that their secrets are interconnected, binding the two in ways they could not have imagined. They must trust in a loving, heavenly Father and His plan for their futures.

My Review:

Probably my favourite book by Kim Vogel Sawyer -- and that's saying something since I missed Book 1 in the Zimmeran Restoration Trilogy! Sawyer does an excellent job of infusing the pertinent bits from the first book into this one so there's no confusion. Mind you, my curiosity is piqued and I can't go without reading When Mercy Rains so look for it in a retro Saturday sometime soon.

This is the kind of emotional roller coaster ride I love to read. The author tells the story through multiple viewpoints and that creates a sense of urgency to the read. I could see how everyone interconnects and anticipating the fallout when that happens is pure torturous delight! And fallout did happen, but the author wisely left some for Book 3. So while there is a satisfying resolution to a few threads, she's left her readers eagerly anticipating the grand finale for the rest. And she's done that in such a way that the reader doesn't feel robbed. I hate abrupt cliffhanger endings and this isn't one. She leaves each character solidly planted on the right path so I feel I can leave them untended until September! (When Love Returns release date.)

I think Briley's story made the most impact on me. I really did not like him at first (and he opens the book!) The kind of guy who is too good looking for his own good -- and worse -- knows it! And he's out to prove himself regardless of who he has to step on to do that. Sawyer slowly unravels layers of Briley's past and allows readers a peek at festering hurts that have never healed. My heart couldn't help but soften towards the guy. And I loved how his heart softened after getting to know the Old Order Mennonites community in Arborville.

So many twists and turns. Emotional conflict that left me on tenterhooks for the entire read. Captivating. Exciting. Riveting. But most of all -- hopeful.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of When Grace Sings please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you post a comment and add your email address, please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in the address to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so that it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday May 3 2015. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

Sanctuary

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LEWIS, BEVERLY
LEWIS, DAVID
SANCTUARY

Melissa James has a picture-perfect existence--or so it seems. In reality, she has been looking over her shoulder her entire life. Just as her secrets are about to catch up with her, she seeks a haven in Pennsylvania Amish Country. Will her stay bring her peace, or will it bring danger to the Plain community?

My Review:

Originally published in 2001, this is vintage Lewis. And hard to categorize. It's a little bit Amish, a little bit suspense, a little bit romance and a whole lot of page-turner. Honestly, I was completely whisked away by the story. A sense of frantic edginess pulsates from the very first page and I was hooked. Why is Melissa fleeing her ideal existence, not to mention the love of her life? The authors leave a clever trail of breadcrumb clues -- delectable hints that helped me slowly put the pieces together. So there's definitely that sense of suspense and danger throughout the entire book.

But Sanctuary is also a journey of faith. Melissa manages to find breathing space in Amish country (at least she thinks she has) and her friendship with some Plain sisters as she rents a room from a Mennonite woman is the catalyst for a change in her spiritual outlook.

Told from multiple viewpoints, Sanctuary hurdles its way through to a breath-taking conclusion. Honestly, I didn't know how it would work out until the very end. Such a treasure of a read and so fun to read Lewis at the beginning of her career.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Sanctuary please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you post a comment and add your email address, please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in the address to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so that it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday April 4 2015. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

Deadly Echoes

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MEHL, NANCY
DEADLY ECHOES

After years of upheaval, Sarah Miller’s life is finally settled with all echoes of the past stilled and silent at last. She spends her time teaching the children of Sanctuary, a town she is happy to call home.

When the sister Sarah hasn’t seen in years reappears, it stirs up hard memories of the past and their parents’ murder. Even so, Sarah’s joy at being reunited with Hannah and meeting the niece she didn’t know she had is too soon interrupted when Deputy Sheriff Paul Gleason informs Sarah her sister has been killed.

As Sarah learns more about Hannah’s death, the circumstances seem eerily similar to her parents’ death. She enlists Paul’s help in digging deeper into these murders the police are dismissing as burglaries gone wrong. Paul’s concern encourages Sarah’s growing feelings for him, but as their investigation peels back the layers of lies almost twenty years old, they get close to uncovering the truth one man will do anything to hide–even if he must do away with the last remaining members of the Miller family.

My Review:

The kind of read that will leave you breathless. Mehl is such a skilled master of her craft. She's a 'don't think twice' author purchase for me. I don't even bother reading the back description because I know the quality and enjoyment that will be in each book. And Deadly Echoes is no exception.

The read was made all the more intimate because Mehl tells the story through Sarah's viewpoint in first person narrative. I was immediately immersed in her world, felt her pain and fear and insecurity. There's a steel rod of strength buried deep within Sarah though, and she begins to discover it over the course of the story.

Once again Mehl captured my suspense loving attention -- that woman sure knows how to spin a compelling mystery!. The foreshadowing was ominous in places. I caught on right away, sometimes even before Sarah did but other times I had my light bulb moment after the fact. Made for a page-turning read.

This author's other strength is the way she creates a community of characters you love -- or love to hate. :-) She humanizes them all until they come to life and become part of yours. Love the balance between the Old Order Mennonites and the rest of the town. And I love how everyone rallies around Sarah and her niece. Mehl doesn't 'pretty up' the aftermath of Hannah's murder and it's effect on both Sarah and Cicely. The dynamics between aunt and niece are complicated. They struggle to find their way into relationship with each other. Such a raw and tender story of renewal and hope in the aftermath of tragedy.

And lets not forget the friendship turned romance between Sarah and Paul. So fragile and hesitant. Their halting steps forward brought some gentle relief from all the murder and mayhem. Over all, an astounding book from an equally astounding author.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Deadly Echoes please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you post a comment and add your email address, please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in the address to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so that it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday March 8 2015. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

Gathering Shadows

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MEHL, NANCY
GATHERING SHADOWS

Wynter Evans is a promising young reporter for a television station in St. Louis, but even a bright future doesn't take away her pain over the disappearance of her brother nine years ago. So when she stumbles across a photograph of a boy with an eerie resemblance to him, she can't pass up the chance to track him down. With research for work as her cover, she sets out with one of the station's photogs for the place where the picture was taken: the town of Sanctuary.

Almost as soon as she arrives, she meets the town's handsome young mayor, Rueben King, and together they begin to uncover long held secrets that could tear the small town apart and change everything Wynter thought she knew about her life. As the truth of her family's past hides in the shadows, it's clear someone will stop at nothing to keep the answers she's searching for hidden forever--even if the cost is Wynter's very life.

My Review:

A riveting read. Honestly, I couldn't put it down and read right through into the wee hours of the morning. Mehl has a talent for pacing a mystery so that the reader is held captive -- in a delicious way, of course! The problem with that is the read is over all too soon. Luckily the next in this series, Deadly Echoes releases February 3. Guess what I have on order? LOL

The suspense angle totally captivated me. Wynter's desperate search for her missing brother -- the repercussions of his kidnapping still haunting her a decade later. Her parents have given up all hope but Wynter can't let it go and now she's found proof that her brother might actually be alive. There are so many emotional layers to her story and Wynter has to work through them all one by one.

Reuben lends his expertise and his support to the newcomer in town, but he's hard pressed to gain her trust. More emotional layers to delve into. Raw and real and ultimately renewing.

The suspense is palpable all the way through. It just doesn't let up as Mehl taunts the reader by slowly revealing pieces of the puzzle bit by bit. Danger lurks and grows more sinister as Wynter and Reuben get closer to finding answers someone doesn't want uncovered. And the whodunit? Nigh impossible to figure out until...wait...could it be? You'll just have to read Gathering Shadows to find out.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Deadly Echoes please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you post a comment and add your email address, please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in the address to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so that it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday February 1 2015. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

The Midwife

PETERSHEIM, JOLINA
THE MIDWIFE

The story about a mother who risks everything to save a child not genetically hers . . .

The Past — Graduate student Beth Winslow was sure she was ready to navigate the challenges of becoming a surrogate. But when early tests indicate possible abnormalities with the baby, Beth is unprepared for the parents’ decision to end the pregnancy — and for the fierce love she feels for this unborn child. Desperate, she flees the city and seeks refuge at Hopen Haus, a home for unwed mothers deep in a Tennessee Mennonite community.

The Present — As head midwife of Hopen Haus, Rhoda Mummau delivers babies with a confident though stoic ease. Except in rare moments, not even those who work alongside her would guess that each newborn cry, each starry-eyed glance from mother to child, nearly renders a fault through Rhoda’s heart, reminding her of a past she has carefully concealed. Past and present collide when a young woman named Amelia arrives in the sweeping countryside bearing secrets of her own. As Amelia’s due date draws near, Rhoda must face her regrets and those she left behind in order for the healing power of love and forgiveness to set them all free.

My Review:

What an astounding book! A profound story about life and loss and ultimately hope. A wonderful witness to the glory of God's master plan and his divine ability to heal the deepest wounds.

Petersheim has a unique writing style. Rich descriptive passages paint vivid images that add depth and vibrancy to a compelling plot. Unusual too, because the story is written in first person point of view. Pay attention to the headings and dates because The Midwife is told from different characters' viewpoints, both past and present. That took a bit of getting use to in the beginning, especially since some scenes were written in past tense and others in present tense, but once I got the hang of it, the words flowed until they built to an astonishing crescendo. Honestly, there is more than one gobsmacking surprise buried in this emotional tale.

There's also unspeakable sorrow as well. Experience has taught Rhoda to guard her heart and she has turned herself into an outcast in many ways. The broken pieces of her past mesh with the shattered ones in her present and turn into something so hopeful and good it defies description. An incredible read.


*My thanks to the publisher and Net Galley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Unforseeable

GIVEAWAY

MEHL, NANCY
UNFORSEEABLE

Callie Hoffman has a good life in Kingdom, Kansas. She's engaged to Levi Housler, the new pastor of Kingdom Mennonite Church, and she spends her days working with Lizzie Housler, her friend and soon-to-be sister-in-law, at the town cafe.

When a body is discovered on the road outside Kingdom and the deceased turns out to be the victim of a serial killer, the new county sheriff begins questioning Kingdom residents. Unsettled at the prospect of a killer in Kingdom, Callie is desperate to find answers for herself, especially when her own fiance seems to know more about the murder than he's telling.

As the town battles an entirely unforeseen danger and Callie's very life is threatened, the stakes are as high as they've ever been and the people of Kingdom must learn anew to put their trust in God alone.

My Review:

I love Nancy Mehl's books. She always leaves me with something thought-provoking to ponder upon. I feel my spirit stretched and my faith stronger for having read one of her novels. In Unforseeable, Mehl tackles the complex issues  that come with following your heart as you travel on your personal faith journey. A myriad of questions came to mind as I read.

Should you forsake the traditions of your family or do you cling to the familiar that has succored generations of your ancestors?

Is there room for a different kind of growth within the bounds of an existing standard of faith?

Is there only one true path to salvation or are there a myriad of forks in the road that lead to the same destination?

Lots of fodder for reflection that brought me deeper into the story as I wrestled for answers right along with the characters.

The suspense is riveting -- and the contrast between the evil in the world and the haven Kingdom strives to be makes that much more of an impact as the action revs up. I got to a point where I just couldn't put this book down.

A bonus for fans of the Road to Kingdom series is getting reacquainted with characters from the previous two books. They provide a solid support to Callie and Levi without taking away from the current love story. And no worries if you haven't read the earlier books -- Unforseeable reads well as a standalone novel.

A captivating conclusion to a fantastic series that will definitely leave you richer for the read.

Giveaway Opportunity:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Unforseeable please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you post a comment and add your email address, please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in the address to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so that it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday October 27 2013. Offer open to international readers. Good luck! 

The Outcast

GIVEAWAY

PETERSHEIM, JOLINA
THE OUTCAST

Raised in an Old Order Mennonite community, Rachel Stoltzfus is a strong-willed single woman, content living apart from mainstream society until whispers stir the moment her belly swells with new life. Refusing to repent and name the partner in her sin, Rachel feels the wrath of the religious sect as she is shunned by those she loves most. She is eventually coerced into leaving by her brother-in-law, the bishop.

My Review:

This is a sobering book. There is a distinct absence of light-hearted moments but it is a gripping, often dark tale that I found compelling to read. The author draws on her family Mennonite history to lend real authenticity to a gritty story about condemnation and ultimately forgiveness. It was hard to read at times because I'd become so infuriated over the injustice of it all! I'd have to give way to a bout of ranting before I could continue on with the story.

This is Petersheim's debut novel and I was really struck by her maverick writing style. Chapters alternate between Rachel's first person point of view and the omnipotent point of view from a recently deceased bishop who narrates the scenes dealing with all the other characters.  It was a bit jarring at first and I found it difficult to adjust to this particular literary rhythm.

Definitely a different look at the popular Mennonite/Amish genre and certainly a read I won't soon forget.

Giveaway Opportunity:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of The Outcast, please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you post a comment and add your email address, please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in the address to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so that it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday August 18 2013. Offer open to international readers. Good luck! 

Unbreakable

GIVEAWAY

MEHL, NANCY
UNBREAKABLE

Gentle and unassuming Hope Kauffman has never been one to question or try to make changes. She quietly helps her father run Kingdom Quilts and has agreed to the betrothal her father arranged for her with the devout but shy Ebbie Miller.

Despite Hope's and other Kingdom residents' attempts to maintain the status quo, changes have already begun to stir in the small Mennonite town. The handsome and charismatic Jonathon Wiese is the leader of the move to reform, and when one of Kingdom's own is threatened by a mysterious outsider, Jonathon is one of the first to push for the town to arm itself. Hope's fiance, Ebbie, is at the forefront of those demanding the town stay true to its traditions of nonviolence.

When strange incidents around town result in outright attacks on several townspeople, Hope can't help but question what she's always been taught. As the town that's always stood so strong together is torn apart at the seams, Hope is caught between opposing sides, both represented by those she has come to care for. With tensions high and lives endangered by an unknown threat, Hope fears Kingdom can never survive in one piece.

My Review:

Mehl tackles a very controversial topic and does an admirable job of presenting varying viewpoints. Like Hope, I found myself caught between opposing sides all the way through the book. It really made me think and would be a great springboard for a book club discussion. There's lots of meat to this story.

There are multiple layers in the suspense -- including a romantic one. Not only is Hope caught up in the town's conflict, she also finds herself pulled between two men as well. The author has created two worthy heroes, both captured my reader's heart for different readers. I didn't know who would be the better choice for Hope and was relieved that the author had the job of figuring that one out! The reveal is a startling, climatic, aha moment (at least it was for me) and suddenly felt like the obvious choice. Loved living through that roller coaster ride.

Road to Kingdom fans (series) will be thrilled to reacquaint themselves with the town of Kingdom and its residents -- especially Lizzie, Noah and Charity. No worries if you haven't read the first book, Inescapable. Mehl knows how to set up a series so each book reads as a standalone.

Unbreakable is an exceptional read and a great choice for suspense fans who would like to be challenged by a thought-provoking subplot.


Giveaway Opportunity:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Unbreakable, please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you post a comment and add your email address, please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in the address to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so that it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday March 31 2013. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

When Hope Blossoms

GIVEAWAY!!!

SAWYER, KIM VOGEL
WHEN HOPE BLOSSOMS

Amy Knackstedt hopes a new start in Weaverly, Kansas, will help heal the pain of losing her husband and provide a better future for her three children. But her new neighbor, Tim Roper, is not pleased to have an Old Order Mennonite family living next to his apple orchard. Tim left the Mennonite faith years ago and doesn't want any reminders of his former life.


Yet when circumstances throw Amy and Tim together, they form a friendship that surprises them both. Will past hurts always be a barrier between them, or will this tentative relationship blossom into something more?

My Review:

Sweet, sweet, SWEET! Brilliantly crafted, Sawyer delivers a story that brings hope from despair -- a theme that aptly matches the title. Amazingly tight plotting blends three life experiences into one incredibly moving conclusion. Sawyer is a gifted storyteller.

Told from three POVs -- Amy's, Tim's and Beckah's (Amy's 13-year-old daughter) -- their diverse take on life and circumstances propel the story along at the perfect pace. I'm still marveling at how various story strands meshed together, building to one of the best feel-good endings I've ever read. Just LOVED this book so much.

And yes it is a Mennonite story -- but it's so much more as well with themes that will attract and satisfy even non-Amish/non-Mennonite fans. Themes like searching for a fresh start, finding ones faith, staying true to that faith no matter what, coping with grief, and learning to accept help from others in times of need. When Hope Blossoms is a wonderful celebration of the hope Christ can bring into every life.

Giveaway Opportunity:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of When Hope Blossoms, please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you post a comment and add your email address, please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in the address to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so that it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday July 22 2012. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group".

Inescapable

GIVEAWAY

MEHL, NANCY
INESCAPABLE

Lizzie Engel is used to running away. At eighteen, she left her Mennonite hometown, Kingdom, Kansas, with plans never to return.


But five years later, the new life she built is falling apart. Lizzie knows she's being followed, and she's certain the same mysterious stranger is behind the threatening letters she's received. Realizing she'll have to run again, the only escape Lizzie can manage is a return to the last place she wants to go.

Once she arrives in Kingdom, Lizzie is confident she'll be safe until she comes up with a new plan. In reacquainting herself with the town and its people--especially her old friend, Noah Housler--she wonders if she judged her hometown and her Mennonite faith too harshly. However, just as she begins to come to terms with her roots, Lizzie is horrified to discover the danger she ran from is closer than ever.

No longer sure who to trust and fearful for her life and the lives of those around her, Lizzie finds she has only one place left to run--to the Father whose love is inescapable.

My Review:

Nancy Mehl excels at creating realistic communities filled with complex characters and Kingdom doesn't disappoint. This tale is as much about the growing pains of the Mennonite town as it is about Lizzie Engel. In fact, there's some interesting parallels between Lizzie's spiritual growth and the Mennonite congregation's which adds a new dimension to the story. Fascinating stuff.

Even though Lizzie gained my immediate sympathy, I wanted to slap her silly a time or two...or three. Why oh why don't conflicted characters listen to my advice? Their lives would be so much easier that way. Oh...wait...that would mean my reading pleasure would be shorter, wouldn't it? Okay, scrap that last comment, I'm glad Lizzie didn't listen to my sage advice...sort of...because I enjoyed the emotionally tumultuous journey she took me on. Besides, she did figure it out in the end...nearly too late mind you...but then, this is a suspense, right?

Lizzie's daughter, Charity, stole my heart with her quest for Prince Charming. So many cute scenes that tugged at my heartstrings! Even though they annoyed and embarrassed her mom.

And Noah, solid, dependable, smitten. Pair those characteristics with some very un-Mennonite ones, like jealousy, and you get a multi-dimensional hunk of a hero. Throw in a mysterious stalker, tons of family dynamics and the forgiving love of our Savior and what do you get?  A compelling page-turner that you won't want to put down.

Giveaway Opportunity:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of  Inescapable, please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you post a comment and add your email address, please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in the address to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so that it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday July 8 2012. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!


"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group".

Hiding in Plain Sight

GIVEAWAY

WALLACE, AMY
HIDING IN PLAIN SIGHT

World weary and down to a threadbare faith, police officer Ashley Walters seeks refuge in Montezuma, Georgia, a quiet town with a thriving Mennonite community. Yet even in the peaceful surroundings, she can’t escape the haunting memories of crime-ridden Atlanta.

Then marriage-and-family counselor Patrick James partners with a teenaged Mennonite runaway to offer Ashley a second chance at redemption…and romance. But when violence erupts over revitalization plans that pit the Montezuma and Mennonite communities against each other, Ashley is forced to stop the person responsible—even if he is someone she’s come to love.

As God unlocks the secrets darkening Ashley’s heart, she must answer two crucial questions: Who is in control? And can she trust Him?

My Review:

This book has one of the best inspirational threads I've ever read. In fact, it's not even a separate thread -- the inspiration seeps into every page. Characters are all at different stages of their spiritual development and that adds fresh interest to an already captivating plot. But the suspense is stellar too and there are puzzle pieces galore and the fun of trying to figure out the mystery before Ashley and Patrick do.

And let's not forget the romance. A hero who isn't afraid to pray for the heroine. A heroine who doesn't want to be touched by those prayers. They're at completely different places but Wallace doesn't let that stop her from zinging them with electric currents of the romantic kind! Tension grows taut as the story progresses, with lovely soft interludes that give the reader hope in a happily ever after.

A great book any way you look at and one you won't want to miss.

Giveaway Opportunity:


If you wold like a chance to win a copy of Hiding in Plain Sight, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. Please remember to put the title in the address line so it's easy for me to spot your entry. Offer open to international readers. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday April 15 2012.

The Scent of Cherry Blossoms

GIVEAWAY!

WOODSMALL, CINDY
THE SCENT OF CHERRY BLOSSOMS

Annie Martin loves the Plain ways of her Old Order Mennonite people, like those revered by her beloved grandfather. Retreating from a contentious relationship with her mother, Annie goes to live with her Daadi Moses in Apple Ridge. But as spring moves into Pennsylvania and Annie spends time amongst the cherry trees with the handsome Aden Zook, she wishes she could forget how deeply the lines between the Old Order Amish and Old Order Mennonite are drawn.

Can Annie and Aden find a place for their love to bloom in the midst of the brewing storm?

My Review:

I battled a raging snowstorm to get to the Christian bookstore before work on Saturday and was greeted by this beautiful cover the second I walked into the store. What a breath of spring! I had to buy it -- especially since it's written by Cindy Woodsmall. Need I say more? And bonus! It's a sequel to her Christmas novella, The Christmas Singing and we even get to catch up with Mattie and Gideon! Hoping that Woodsmall continues with the series because she has two seasons left to cover!

Even though this is a novella, Woodsmall has managed to pack it full of angst, romance and beautiful prose.  She is such a gifted wordsmith! This is a Romeo/Juliet kind of love story with an Amish/Mennonite twist and I absolutely loved it. All the way through I kept fretting over how she could possibly turn this into a happily ever after. And I loved the fascinating details that explain the differences between the Amish and Old Order Mennonite faiths.

As usual, the author has created characters who have won my heart -- including Aden's twin brother, Roman, who has his own story to tell. Hopefully that will be covered in the next novella. This beautiful little hard-cover book is definitely destined for my keeper shelf. How about yours?

Giveaway Opportunity:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of The Scent of Cherry Blossoms, please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. Make sure to put the title in the subject line so that I can spot your entry easily. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday March 4, 2012. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!