The Second Christmas

 

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PERRY, MARTA

THE SECOND CHRISTMAS

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

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

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

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

My Review:

Marty Perry + Christmas = One Big Happy Sigh!

Such a charming story with so many Christmas elements gently woven in. And I say gently because it's not all tinsel and lights and holiday bustle. Much simpler and thoughtful and yet all those special touches create a very Christmasy feel in this holiday Second Chance Romance.

We're back in Promise Glen -- this is the fourth book in the series but reads 'gut' as a standalone. I love the layers the author brings to the story. Some of it is H/h back story, but some involve secondary characters which adds more depth and kept me engaged right to very last page. 

I love Perry's storytelling style -- so much happens but I never feel rushed. The story unfolds in what seems like a leisurely pace but it is actually chock full of drama and angst and humour and so much heart! 

Goal Update: #7 Stay current with a series

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a paperback or ebook copy -- Winner's Choice.

If you would like a chance to win a copy of  The Second Christmas, 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 3 2022 . Offer open to International Readers.

Murder in Plain Sight

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RETRO RANDOM READ DAY!

PERRY, MARTA

MURDER IN PLAIN SIGHT

Did a sweet-faced Amish teenager brutally murder a young woman? To save her career, big-city lawyer Jessica Langdon is determined to defend him -- against the community's bitter and even violent outrage. Yet without an understanding of Amish culture, Jessica must rely on arrogant businessman Trey Morgan, who has ties to the Amish community...and believes in the boy's guilt.

Jessica has threats coming from all sides: a local fanatic, stirred up by the biased publicity of the case; the dead girl's boyfriend; even from the person she's learned to trust the most, Trey Morgan. But just when Jessica fears she's placed her trust in the wrong man, Trey saves her life. And now they must both reach into a dangerous past to protect everyone's future -- including their own.

My Review:

published in 2010

Marta Perry is one of my catch-up authors for this year and I'm surprised that this one slipped past me because I have read the second and third books in The Brotherhood of the Raven series. Though, after reading this one, I know I'm going to be diving into the other books again soon.

Chills and thrills and the sweet, slow burn of both romance and suspense. Very atmospheric and even a little bit eerie at times but Perry doesn't go over the top with frantic scenes of danger and mayhem. Oh, there's danger all right, but she sneaks it up on you..well, on Jessica...in a delightfully shivery fashion. 

Excellent pacing -- she writes as if we have all the time in the world to get to the heart of the mystery. Dangling diverse threads, tossing in red herrings and mixing it all up into an edge-of-your-seat read.

The romance is just as beguiling, with a horrendous meet-cute that makes this a bit of an enemies to more love story. Tumultuous definitely sums it up -- in the most thrilling kind of way. I didn't even know if l liked Trey in the beginning. He does grow on you, though, for all his bossy, take-charge blundering. :-)

Love the way the author weaves in Amish fact and fiction as Jessica is introduced to the community for the very first time. Some lovely threads of faith, forgiveness and prayer enrich the story through the lives of some secondary characters. So, while not quite a Christian fiction selection, it definitely has faith elements.

I listened to the audible edition narrated by Therese Plummer. Squuueeealll -- I love the way she fine tunes a story, reading as if she relishes the adventure right along with me.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for an ebook copy.

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Murder in Plain Sight, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. 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 easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday May 7 2022. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck 

Home by Dark

GIVEAWAY
RANDOM RETRO READ DAY

PERRY, MARTA

HOME BY DARK

The past can catch up to you...

Rachel Weaver Mason is finally going home to Deer Run, the Amish community she left behind so many years ago. Recently widowed, she wants desperately to create a haven for herself and her young daughter. But the community, including Rachel's family, is anything but welcoming.

The only person happy to see her is her teenaged brother, Benjamin, and he's protecting a dark secret that endangers them all. Determined to keep Benjamin saffron a suspected killer, Rachel has no choice but to turn to the one man she wanted to get as far away from as possible. Colin McDonald was her late husband's friend, and the man who came between them.

He's never forgotten her and would do anything to keep her and her family safe. Rachel doesn't now if she can trust Colin, or her growing feelings for him. But as they hunt for the killer, the tension between them builds and soon both their lives, and their hearts, are on the line.

My Review:

published in 2012

I thought I was all caught up with Marta Perry's mystery books but then I stumbled upon this series (Watcher in the Dark) on audible and realized I'd only read the second one. Squeeeppp, you bet I bought book one in an nanosecond and started listening just as fast. :-)

Kinda contemporary romance / mystery mashup with a bit of a creepy vibe. I get all nostalgic when I read these HQN mystery series by Marta Perry because I immediately connect with the thrill of my Mary Stewart and Phyllis Whitney reading days. It has the same kind of pacing -- where the mystery develops slowly, gradually building to the 'Noooooooo" moment when my heart flies into my throat and I can barely catch my breath. 

And the romance is just as deliberate, building from an almost frenemies relationship (especially on Rachel's side) to wary friendship -- and I do mean wary. Rachel doesn't trust easily. And she and Colin have a history that's only hinted at for much of the book. "Bout drove me crazy trying to figure out what was up with them!

The Amish setting, and Rachel's fractured relationship with her family bring added depth and tension to the plot and I love the way the author brings healing and hope to the situation. So, while this isn't a Christian Fiction selection, it does provide an uplifting message of forgiveness and grace.

Goal Update: #2 Catch up with series I'm behind in, #8 Play author catchup. 

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a paperback or ebook copy -- winner's choice.

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Home by Dark , leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. 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 easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday April 16  2022. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck  

A Harvest of Love

 

GIVEAWAY

PERRY, MARTA

A HARVEST OF LOVE

A determined widow and a single father learn that love is about taking chances and turning over new leaves.

When widowed shop owner Dinah Hershberger is unceremoniously charged with safely escorting an infant to his uncle, she finds herself torn. Jacob Miller is everything Dinah could want in a partner -- he's kind, handsome, strong -- and nothing she can ever have. As much as she yearns to help the new family adjust, each minute Dinah spends with Jacob and the baby leaves her heart more vulnerable and her head more certain that the secret she hides makes a future with the Miller men impossible.

Jacob has long admired Dinah for her stength and independence, but it's her generosity of spirit that tempts him like never before. With Dinah at his side, Jacob opens himself up to the daunting new world of fatherhood, but how can he pursue his feelings for her when his life is in such disarray? After the disappointments of her first marriage, she deserves better than what Jacob can offer.

But Love has a surprise in store for these two troubled hearts, and happiness is within reach if only they can grasp it, making Promise Glen their own promised land.

My Review:

Happy, happy sigh. There's just something about a Marta Perry story that satisfies every nook and cranny of my bibliophile heart. And that this book takes us back to Promise Glen makes it all the sweeter. No worries if you haven't read A Christmas Home or A Springtime Heart, because A Harvest of Love is easily enjoyed as a standalone too, though it was fun to catch up with some of the characters from the previous books! And, given the seasonal theme of this series, I'm really hoping there's going to be a summer story in our reading futures too!

Dinah's first marriage wasn't all she'd hoped it would be and Jacob knows a thing or two about life's disappointments. Neither is looking to further complicate their lives but when they bond over an abandoned baby it becomes even harder to keep emotions out of the mix. 

Love the very real struggles these characters wrestle with and Perry writes in such a way that it's easy for a reader to become emotionally engaged. And the Amish community -- both family and friends -- rallying around them to help and tease and offer sage advice makes the read all the richer. 

A delightful mix of angst and laughter and the hope of second chances.

Goal Update: #2 Catch up on series I'm behind in

 GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a paperback or ebook copy -- winner's choice.

If you would like a chance to win a copy of A Harvest of Hope, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. 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 easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday January 22 2022. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck

A Secret Amish Crush

GIVEAWAY

PERRY, MARTA

A SECRET AMISH CRUSH

A man from her past. 

A heartbroken child. 

Could she be their answer?

Lydia Stoltzfus is content being a maidal, unwed but happily running an Amish coffee shop. Until her schoolgirl crush returns home and she falls in love...with his timid five-year-old daughter. Widower Simon Fisher has no plans to remarry, especially not his lighthearted former neighbor. But will devotion to a child -- and a matchmaking community -- show them their future is together?

A Brides of Lost Creek Story

My Review:

Perry brings depth to Lydia and Simon's emotional struggles, both individually and collectively. Love the way I felt like I knew them right from the start -- not everything, the author still holds back some pertinent stuff -- but enough to cement that alluring reader/hero/heroine bond that makes reading a story so special. I cared about these people (and yes, I should have said characters, but they are that real to me.) 

There are light-hearted moments, achingly sweet ones too, especially with Simon's little girl. But Perry managed to get my dander up too, often courtesy of Simon. :-) Ach, but that man can be grouchy as a bear with a sore paw at times and, just like an injured animal, he lashes out. He's always contrite afterwards, though not always unbending. Think emotionally contained and stoic. Until he's not. 

And Lydia is a breath of fresh air -- a nice blend of pragmatic and fanciful -- and secure enough in herself that she's not worried about sharing an opinion or two. You can imagine how much that thrills Simon. 

Their love story is set in a quaint Amish/Englischer community that's facing some perilous times. Love the way the author weaves the two tumultuous plots together to deliver a breathtaking, sigh-worthy read.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a gently read paperback copy

If you would like a chance to win a copy of A Secret Amish Crush, 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 winners announced on Saturday March 13  2021. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck! 

Amish Secrets

 

GIVEAWAY

PERRY, MARTA

AMISH SECRETS

Rachel Hurst sacrificed the life she wanted to stay home and care for her father and siblings after her mother's death. But now her father had decided to remarry, and there's no room for Rachel. Desperate to find a job, she accepts the position of housekeeper for a wealthy elderly woman in her isolated mansion.

Jacob Beiler thought he had gotten over Rachel's rejection, but when she arrives as the new housekeeper, he is battered by both joy and bitterness at seeing her again.

When odd near accidents threaten the elderly woman's well-being, her relatives are quick to point fingers, but Rachel suspects someone is intent on harming her employer. When no one believes her, the only person she can turn to for help is Jacob. With danger deepening, Rachel faces a situation that could cost her life...and will certainly break her art once again.

My Review:

Marta Perry has become one of my go-to authors whether it's mystery or Amish but when the two are combined? Oh, happy, happy days, I kick up my heels and high step a celebratory jig!!!! 

Amish Secrets is a more subtle mystery than others I've read by this author but it's atmospheric all the same. And just as compelling when you add in all the emotional angst and exasperating secondary character hijinks. Plus there's a wee bit of eerie courtesy of the mysterious goings on in the isolated mansion. (Cue soft, creepy background music to set the right reading mood.)

Rachel and Jacob are about as exasperating a pair of reunion lovers as you'll ever meet in the pages of a book. :-) The abrupt end to their youthful courtship has left some residual resentment and suddenly they find themselves working together to support a crotchety old lady and her displaced grand-niece. Oh my, but these two clash and battle and nurse old wounds to the bitter end. It was fun to watch the sparring punctuated by unwary lapses into long forgotten friendship. That's when sparks fly and teasing camaraderie blossoms.

A compelling mystery romance by a favoured author.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a paperback or ebook copy -- winner's choice

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Amish Secrets, 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 January 23 2021. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck! 

A Springtime Heart

GIVEAWAY

PERRY, MARTA
A SPRINGTIME HEART

A second chance at love blooms in the quaint Amish community of Promise Glen.

Dorcas Beiler's reckless teenage years are far behind her. She's serious and responsible now, and the good people of Promise Glen trust her with the education of their children. But when her first love returns after years of exile from the community, her past comes rushing back. Thomas is the only one who knows her secret, and despite his careless charm and teasing manner, she refuses to let her guard down.

Thomas Fisher has plans -- plans to start a construction company and prove himself a success to all those who doubted him, and plans to find the woman he left behind. His chance comes when he lands the opportunity to rebuild the stable and shed at the community school. He won't be paid for his time, but he'll be able to showcase his abilities...and spend time with Dorcas.

Feeling love in the air, Dorcas's young pupils make excuses to bring them together. As old feelings stir, Dorcas and Thomas wonder whether their first love might also be their last.

My Review:

Reading a Marta Perry novel puts me in my bookish happy place.  She takes her readers back to Promise Glen in this second book in the series. No worries if you haven't read A Christmas Home, each of these books reads well as a standalone though I found it fun to catch up on community gossip and get a glimpse of Sarah and Noah deep in married bliss.

I'm always fascinated any time an author takes me into an Amish schoolhouse so I loved those scenes. Dorcas is a compassionate teacher who loves her scholars, convinced that they will be the only children she'll ever have now that she's an 'old maid at twenty-five.' But then Thomas comes home. And they have a rocky history with some baggage that needs sorting.

Dorcas especially needs work on forgiving herself for the antics of a brash youth. And Thomas serves as a constant reminder of what she hasn't dealt with. Which makes her prickly and standoffish at a time when Thomas really needs a friend. "Grossmammi always said to give your troubles to God and stop fretting. She'd tried so many times. She was pretty good at turning them over, but unfortunately, she promptly picked them up again.' (p 26) Oy, I'm right there with Dorcas on that score! Loved the authenticity of her struggle and the headway she makes through the course of the story.

And Thomas's family! The realistic dynamics of fractured relationships. He's home to mend fences but his austere father is difficult to reach and his siblings' reaction to his return are varied and confusing which just adds more chaos to his simple plan of slipping back into the community as if he'd never left.

A solid cast of secondary characters add additional depth (and drama!) to Thomas's homecoming. Loved the way the author weaves Dorcas and Thomas's story in with the day-to-day life in an Amish settlement. Heartwarming and inspirational. A definite not-to-be-missed for fans of Amish fiction.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of  A Springtime Heart, 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 August 15 2020 . Offer open to International Readers. Good luck

The Amish Widow's Heart

GIVEAWAY

PERRY, MARTA
THE AMISH WIDOW'S HEART

She can't change the past...but can she choose a new beginning?

To secure her young son's future, widow Bethany Esch steps in to help Daniel Miller to keep the store he owned with her late husband running smoothly. But she soon discovers her marriage hid a stunning secret. Though Daniel had no knowledge of his clandestine life, hr'll now do anything to help Beth. But can his steadfastness convince her to forgive -- and love once more?

Brides of Lost Creek

My Review:

I see the name 'Marta Perry' on a book cover and I get butterflies in my tummy and the excitement keeps mounting until I start reading and then I just lose myself in the story. This author fits into my must-read category and just having finished The Amish Widow's Heart, I'm reminded why.

The storytelling is exquisite. Word choice, pacing, characterization all woven together to make an unforgettable story of loss and betrayal and the very real struggle to forgive what seems unforgivable. Bethany and Daniel's longstanding friendship slowly nudges towards something deeper, but gently, respectfully given this widow's wounded heart. More of a promise of romance to come which is fitting for the circumstances. Lovely and sweet and thoughtprovoking.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a gently read copy of  The Amish Widow's Heart, 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 March 8 2020 . Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

Anna's Return

GIVEAWAY
RANDOM RETRO READ DAY

PERRY, MARTA
ANNA'S RETURN

In the third Pleasant Valley novel, the Amish community welcomes back one of their daughters, but she hasn't returned alone.

After spending three years in the English world, Anna Beiler has come back to Pleasant Valley with a baby girl, which will surely cause a stir since Anna is unmarried. She is also hiding secrets: the baby is not hers by birth, nor does she intend to stay. Rather, she desperately needs sanctuary from the child's violent father...

It surprises Anna how quickly her Amish habits return to her, and how satisfying it feels to reconnect with her friends and family. Even Anna's childhood friend Samuel, whose slow, thoughtful manner used to frustrate her, becomes a fond and reassuring companion.

But Anna hasn't fully faced the consequences of her irresponsible youth, and now, her mere presence may endanger the family she holds dear. If she wants to stay, she must seek forgiveness from the community whose blessing she took for granted, and experience the true change of heart required to make a new beginning.

My Review:

published in 2010

I am a huge Marta Perry fan but I started reading her books at the middle of her career so I have lots of backtracking to do. I've enjoyed some of the other books in the Pleasant Valley series so when I discovered Anna's Return (book 3) on audible at a great price I knew I had to give it a listen. Tanya Eby's narration made the listening a delight and I loved hearing the Penn Dutch dialect spoken out loud. (I've been mispronouncing tons of words!)

The gripping opening scene sets the stage for a sweet romance with dangerous undercurrents. While, not a suspense, Anna's desperate situation adds an enthralling edge to her return. Anna's on the run and, ironically, she's running back to the community she fled a few years earlier. Love this coming home story -- especially the inspirational thread that sees Anna finally learning to stand her ground and trust God when life gets complicated.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy (paperback or ebook)  of  Anna's Return, 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 February 15 2020 . Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

A Christmas Home

GIVEAWAY

PERRY, MARTA
A CHRISTMAS HOME

A woman returns to the quaint Amish community of Promise Glen hoping for a new future in a joyful novel that captures the spirit of Christmas.

After ten years spent keeping house and raising her younger siblings, Sarah Yoder returns home to Promise Glen determined to make a fresh start. Her new job with neighbor Noah Raber's furniture business seems promising -- until she and the woodworker clash over everything from the best way to reach new customers to how to raise his mischievous six-year-old twin boys.

Though Sarah longs for a home of her own, she fights the appeal of Noah's ready-made family, resolved to maintain a professional distance. But when she and Noah both agree to help with the school's annual Christmas program, Sarah finds her heart touched by the motherless boys and Noah's quiet strength. Thrown together at work and at the school, their feelings continue to grow, and Sarah struggles to keep Noah at arm's length.

Loving Noah may seem impossible, but with faith, love, and a little help from their close-knit community, there may yet be a Christmas home for them both.

My Review:

Who doesn't want to go home for Christmas? After a decade of being uprooted by her father's wanderlust, Sarah is ready to return to the place she thinks of as home and into the welcoming arms of her extended family -- without her father. (Or her siblings who have all settled into married life at various stopping points on their travels.) She's looking for a place to belong and that's Promise Glen -- at least the way she remembered it before her mam died and her life was upended.

Sarah is one of the most likable heroines I've ever met between the pages of a book. She's so vulnerable and hopeful, but pragmatic too. Generous and kind and outgoing. A born organizer who deftly manages situations...and people.  Which kinda irks Noah even as he admires that quality in his new employee. Theirs is such a heart-tugging romance and I'm not going to tell you why -- you need to discover that on your own. I will tell you that I loved the way their relationship developed -- the rapport that builds, the desperate longing that they know must go unfulfilled. Laughter and arguments -- I don't know which made better scenes, the guarded moments or the unguarded ones.

And then there's Matty and Mark -- Noah's rambunctious twins who steal the spotlight whenever they make an appearance. More laughter and sweet heartache which means this was a blissfully emotional read for me. Just what I'm looking for in a Christmas romance.

Perry has done an exceptional job of setting up the Promise Glen series in this first book. There are agreeable...and not so agreeable...secondary characters and a wonderful sense of the Amish community and sweet hints (I think) at future heroines and maybe one hero? Crossing my fingers on that one! And the anticipation of a simple, faith and family filled Christmas shines out from every page. The author has even included a few recipes and notes on Amish Christmas customs at the end of the book which I think makes it the perfect kind of gift for the bibliophiles on your list.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of A Christmas Home, 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 November 2 2019. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

The Forgiven

GIVEAWAY
RANDOM RETRO READ DAY!

PERRY, MARTA
THE FORGIVEN

In the first novel in the Keepers of the Promise trilogy, three cousins sort through the treasures of their Amish family and discover stories from the past that provide inspiration for their own lives.

Central Pennsylvania, current day. Rebecca Fisher gladly accepted her husband Paul's dreams as her own, but now that he has passed away, she's struggling to raise tow children and keep her home. Renting her stable to carpenter Matthew Byler offers a partial solution -- even though Matthew has a troubled history, having sometimes failed to embrace Amish beliefs. As Matthew seeks to prove himself, Rebecca realizes how dependent she has become on others. Where can she find the courage to grown and change?

Lancaster County, 1941. As war threatens, Anna Esch pours her experiences into her diary. Her world seems to crumble as neighbors turn against the Amish and her love, Jacob, is sent to a camp far away for refusing to fight. She can't know, as she grows from a girl into a woman, during a time of trouble and grief, that one day another Amish woman will gain strength from the words she writes and will learn that she, too, can become a keeper of the promise.

My Review:

published in 2014
My thanks to my public library for providing me with this retro read

I have absolutely no idea how I missed the entire Keepers of the Promise series but I plan to make up the slack starting with this first book. And my heart did loop-de-loops when I discovered this is a dual timeline story!

Marta Perry has created an emotionally charged present day love story centered around change and second chances. Both are hard to accomplish -- and next to impossible without forgiveness.

I could feel the panic welling up in me as Rebecca faces the challenges of widowhood and the changes it brings. She does a lot of growing on this journey -- discovering not only her strengths, but that it's okay to have weaknesses too. Love that she isn't perfect -- she can be prickly and snappish, especially when Matthew's in the picture. :-) He's endearingly patient with Rebecca and her children. But he comes home with his own set of issues that make him feel less worthy. Love the clashing of wills and sweet pull of romance!

The historical timeline romance is just as compelling but in a very different way. World War II is the ominous backdrop for Anna and Jacob's love story. The details of how the war affected the Amish made for a riveting -- and emotional -- read. And I love how Anna's faith not only carries her through wartime hardships but provides insight and inspiration to Rebecca generations later.

Complex and poignant -- Perry captures real life with heart and faith. Can't wait to continue with this series.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of The Forgiven, 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 September 21 2019. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

Amish Outsider

GIVEAWAY

PERRY, MARTA
AMISH OUTSIDER

The Amish of River haven offer sanctuary and solace...even to those with a dangerous past.

In the wake of his estranged wife's murder, widower Michael Forester returns to the Amish community he'd left as a teen. He wants a fresh start for himself and his daughter, Allie, away from those who still believe he's guilty. In River Haven, a quieter life seems possible. If only Allie's Amish schoolteacher, Catherine Brandt, was easier to ignore.

A problem solver by nature, Cathy can tell Allie's withdrawn demeanor isn't due to shyness. But getting through to Allie also means breaching her father's hardened defenses. What starts as persistence soon grows into an attraction neither Cathy nor Michael saw coming. When the past suddenly threatens both his duaghter and the woman he loves, Michael must risk everything to save them.

My Review:

Incredible start to a new Amish series by Marta Perry. I love this author and the way she messes with my emotions! Amish Outsider grabbed a fistful of my heart and shook me to the core. I hated the way some of the characters in this book treated Michael. I agonized over his feeling of being on the outside looking in. And his desire to do the best for his daughter even though he felt inept was my undoing.

Teacher Cathy's penchant for problem-solving on behalf of her students has her plunging headlong into Michael Forester's troubled world.  He's remote and stubborn and surly and infuriating. But she sees through that facade to the hurting man struggling to make things right. Only the past won't leave him alone. And pretty soon Cathy is caught up in intrigue and danger.

Relatable struggles and the desperate hope of a chance at something new and fresh and blessed by God make this the kind of romance that spins me into a blissful tizzy. And the mystery percolating in the background all sinister and conniving just makes the HEA all the sweeter in the end.

Perry has created a captivating new Amish community with the perfect compliment of positives and negatives. Complicated families, enduring friendships wrapped up in the foundations of faith. Really excited to continue with the rest of this series though I'm gloomy despondent over the fact that the next one doesn't release until spring 2020!

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Amish Outsider, 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 July 20 2019. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

The Promised Amish Bride

GIVEAWAY

PERRY, MARTA
THE PROMISED AMISH BRIDE

A prodigal homecoming...the Brides of Lost Creek continues

Returning to his Amish community after losing his job in the Englisch world. Aaron King isn't sure if he wants to stay. Everything's the same, including his childhood friend Sally Stoltzfus. With an uncertain future and a big secret, Aaron has changed. But the more time he spends training a horse with Sally, the more he believes this is exactly where he's meant to be.

My Review:

Happy sigh. I do so love Marta Perry's books and this series in particular. The King brothers are reunited at last in this prodigal son story and I loved the sibling dynamics as they find their way towards becoming a family again. No worries if you haven't read the first two books in this series -- The Promised Amish Bride reads well as a standalone -- but if you are familiar with Caleb and Daniel it's just plain fun to revisit with them and their lady loves. Not to mention Onkel Zeb and the kinder!

It's all a bit overwhelming for Aaron who isn't quite sure what his return to Lost Creek really means. Is he back for a visit or something more permanent? He's guarded and wary, accepting the overtures of the community with a caution born of distrust. Except for Sally -- her open-hearted kindness and gentle acceptance breaks through all his barriers and leaves him more confused then ever. Their rekindled friendship soon heats up and then things really get complicated.

A moving story of reconciliation and second chances.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of The Promised Amish Bride, 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 . 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 February 9 2019. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

Shattered Silence

GIVEAWAY

PERRY, MARTA
SHATTERED SILENCE

A woman on the run seeks sanctuary in a peaceful Pennsylvania Dutch community -- and finds a protector in the most unlikely of men...

One moment Rachel Hartline is secure in her career and community. The next, she's in the wrong place at the wrong time -- watching her ex-husband commit a crime that puts her in unfathomable danger. Fear and hurt send her home to an Amish farm and the family she's always trusted. But a private investigator is close behind -- and he may be a threat to her in more ways than one...

Cold, calculating Clint Mordan isn't convinced Rachel is as innocent in her ex-husband's schemes as she claims, but when her ex's enemies target Rachel, Clint is driven to keep her safe. Maybe the terror in her beautiful eyes and the target on her back aren't an act. But as his feelings toward her deepen, Clint realizes he's the only one who can keep Rachel alive in a game where only the killer knows the stakes.

My Review:

"Some secrets should never be kept." Isn't that a great shiver-up-my-spine tag line? I can't get enough of Marta Perry's brand of romantic suspense! And she delivers another stellar read in this conclusion to her Echo Falls series. No worries if you haven't read Echo of Danger and Sound of Fear (though you really should!) because Shattered Silence reads fine as a standalone. And aren't those titles perfect for this genre?

You might say a series of unfortunate events places Rachel at exactly the wrong place at the wrong time and thrusts her into  a world of danger and intrigue. Enter PI Clint -- cold, calculating and cynical. He's good at his job because he concentrates on just the facts...which are leading him to the conclusion that Rachel is up to her neck in her ex's illegal schemes. There's such a contrast between these two -- mild-mannered kindergarten teacher vs tough-as-nails cop. Let's just say their first encounter doesn't go well. :-)

When Rachel is threatened in her own home she flees -- heading for the one place that makes her feel safe -- her grandparent's farm. Although she was raised Englisch by her troubled mother, she spent carefree summers living Amish with her extended family. It is to them she turns to...and brings peril to their door.

Great suspense, an awkward, wary romance and plenty of action and tummy-whooshing moments as danger dogs their heals. And while not technically a Christian Fiction selection, Rachel's Amish family provides plenty of food for thought when it comes to faith and trust and living right. Like this sage advice from Grossmammi:

"Poor child. She spent her life looking for happiness. But happiness isn't something you find. It's something that comes along unexpected when you're doing the right thing." (p 151)

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy Shattered Silence, 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 easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday August 19 2018. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

The Wedding Quilt Bride

GIVEAWAY

PERRY, MARTA
THE WEDDING QUILT BRIDE

The single mom's second chance...to become one of the Brides of Lost Creek!

Widow Rebecca Mast returns to her Amish community with her son and a dream -- to own a quilt shop. Carpenter Daniel King is determined to help Rebecca and revive their childhood friendship. But as he bonds with her son, Rebecca's afraid the secret she's been keeping will be revealed. Can Daniel convince Rebecca he's a man she can trust - and love?

My Review:

Astonishingly good! Maybe my favourite by Marta Perry. I think it's the way this story revolves around community that tugged at my heart. Extending a hand and, more importantly, being willing to accept the help of others, plays over and over again in this story in so many beautiful, moving ways.

Daniel and Rebecca were never sweethearts but they were good friends until Rebecca moved away to marry. During their time apart, they've both lived through personal tragedies, both harboring secrets that hold them back from courting.

Rebecca isn't the carefree, high-spirited girl Daniel remembers from his childhood. She's inexplicably guarded and tense but Daniel catches unexpected glimpses of the easygoing girl he used to know. I love how this romance grows from sweet childhood memories. There's a wariness in both hero and heroine but so much tenderness as well. These two are challenged in ways that draw them together and it's their faith that ultimately allows them to create something enduring and beautiful -- just like the quilts Rebecca makes.

Book provided courtesy of Love Inspired.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of The Wedding Quilt Bride, 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 title to the subject line so it's easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday May 6 2018. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

Love Inspired is also doing a giveaway for a $100 Visa card!

Click on the link below

https://gleam.io/gLe4I/love-inspired-blog-tour-sweepstakes

Leah's Choice

GIVEAWAY

PERRY, MARTA
LEAH'S CHOICE

In the Amish community of Pleasant Valley, a teacher must rely on her faith to guide her heart through challenging times.

All of Pleasant Valley seems to thinks the newcomer from Lancaster County is the perfect match for schoolteacher Leah Beiler. After all, so few new families come to their secluded Amish community, and even fewer unmarried men. Daniel Glick is a widower with three young children to look after -- clearly he's in need of a wife.

But Daniel's past haunts him at every turn. Though he cannot miss the beauty in Leah's bright eyes and patient ways, he also sees a reminder of the pain he came so far to escape. Leah, too, has a burden on her heart. Years ago she was engaged to Johnny Kile and was heartbroken when he decided to leave the Amish community. Since then she has immersed herself in her love of the children she teaches, forgetting any hopes of having her own family.

When Johnny returns, seeking reconciliation, Leah must decide between two pathways, either of which will change her life forever...

My Review:

first published in 2009 and reissued in mass market paperback format this year.

My thanks to my public library for keeping me in retro reads!

I've read a couple of books in the Pleasant Valley series and am happily backtracking to catch up on the ones I've missed. Leah's Choice is the first book in the series and Marta Perry has created such an enthralling Amish community! I love the way she includes so many fascinating details about the culture and the people, including Pennsylvania Dutch words and phrases. It's easy to grasp their meaning in context, but a glossary is included at the end of the book as well.

Leah has found her calling in the schoolroom. She is steadfast in her faith and her future until she's unexpectedly challenged by two very different men. Widower Daniel has moved into the community to give his traumatized children a fresh start but he has mixed feelings when Teacher Leah shows a special interest in Matthew, Elizabeth and Jonah. She sees needs in his kinner that he doesn't want to acknowledge. Lots of emotional undercurrents bring an edge to their developing romance as Daniel harbors secrets under the false assumption that he can handle it all. If that isn't enough angst, Leah is confronted with the return of her first love, Johnny Kile (who I wanted to purse whomp on more than one occasion!)

A powerful story that explores the deeply rooted need to belong -- a theme that plays out in various ways in the lives of different characters. The kind of story that captivates a reader right to the soul stirring end.

.GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Leah's Choice, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you leave your email in a comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday April 22 2018. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

Sound of Fear

GIVEAWAY

PERRY, MARTA
SOUND OF FEAR

In the sweet subtle wind of a Pennsylvania Dutch town, a lost woman and a man of duty will risk their lives to uncover her true identity.

The foundation of Amanda Curtis's very existence cracks the moment she discovers the woman she thought was her mother has never given birth. Where she belongs is a question she can't put to rest. But when the clues lead her to a charming yet chilling small town, the threat against her begins to unfold.

Trey Addison is a fixture in Echo Falls. The town and the people are his to protect. He was born to take his place in the family legal firm, but now that a stranger desperate to unlock her past is depending on him, he's forced to make an impossible choice. If Trey doesn't protect Amanda, she'll walk straight into a deadly trap. If he helps her expose the secrets that haunt her, the truth could shatter them both.

My Review:

A page-turning suspense with a Gothic air and a dash of Amish. I absolutely love these HQN Marta Perry novels. Not in the Christian Fiction genre I usually read and review, but delivers a clean read and the suspense is so scrumptious. Amanda's world is turned upside down after the unexpected death of her mother -- the woman she always thought had given birth to her. Now with her inheritance in possible jeopardy, she needs to discover the secrets of her past and that leads her to the quaint, Englisch/Amish town of Echo Falls -- a place seething with secrets. Cue the scary organ music and be prepared for drama and danger as a family's skeletons are exposed.

If you have fond memories of reading Gothic romantic suspense by legends like Phyllis A. Whitney, Mary Stewart and Victoria Holt you will absolutely, positively love Sound of Fear (and it's predecessor, Echo of Danger.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Sound of Fear, 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 easy 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.

Second Chance Amish Bride

GIVEAWAY

PERRY, MARTA
SECOND CHANCE AMISH BRIDE

An Amish Nanny

Caring for her late cousin's young kinder is Jessie Miller's duty -- even if it means seeing their faither again. Years ago, she thought Caleb King might be her husband -- until he met her cousin and Jessie's dream was cut short. Laid up with a broken leg and a demanding dairy farm, Caleb needs her. But Caleb wants no woman around...and no reminder of the wife who abandoned her family before her death. Especially since he fears Jessie will throw a wrench in his plan to remain a single dad. She's gentle and kind, and if Caleb isn't careful, she may be just what his little Amish famish needs.

Brides of Lost Creek: In Amish country, all roads lead to weddings.

My Review:

Woohoo! A new Amish series by Marta Perry! I am so in for the long haul and thankfully Caleb has two brothers and I'm sure the author can come up with a few more Amish bachelors to keep the series going. :-)

The power of forgiveness is explored in this compelling romance. Both Caleb and Jessie struggle with forgiving the same person though it affects them in different ways. Caleb is on the verge of bitterness, nursing his anger and allowing it to dictate his actions. He doesn't realize that those negative emotions are spilling over into the lives of his innocent children. Jessie has taken on the burden of guilt and tries to make amends in matters that aren't her fault. Two troubled souls with so much hope for a future if they can free themselves from the burdens of the past.

An Amish romance rife with emotion and the hope of happily-ever-after.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Second Chance Amish Bride, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you add your email in 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 easier for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday September 17 2017. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!