The Seamstress of Acadie by author Laura Frantz is a Christian historical romance novel. For me, it is the best book this author has written. I was absolutely captivated from the very beginning until the end. It is certainly a page turner.
Set in 1750s this is the story of Silvie Galant. She lives with her family in Canadian Acadia. Silvie is strong, gentle, caring, selfless, and everything you want in a heroine. Her character has been carefully crafted to perfection. I adored her. William Blackburn is equally heroic. Handsome, smart, rugged, caring, gallant, and basically as close to a perfect man as one could imagine. The chemistry between these two sizzles.
The writing in this book is extraordinary. I was able to feel so many emotions as I read what the characters lived. The vivid descriptions and prose swept me up and took me back in time to Canada and Virginia. Scenes played out in my mind like a blockbuster movie.
I gleaned so much knowledge of the time and places just by reading this book. Some of the things were heartbreaking and others heartwarming. Lovers of French, British, and early American history will adore this beautiful tale. The story has stuck with me long after finishing the book. There are good Christian and life lessons to be found in this mesmerizing book.
It gets a 5 out of 5 stars from this reader. I highly recommend it to all historical fiction lovers. A copy was provided by Revell Publishing, but these are my honest words.
About the Book
As 1754 is drawing to a close, tensions between the French and the British on Canada’s Acadian shore are reaching a fever pitch. Seamstress Sylvie Galant and her family–French-speaking Acadians wishing to remain neutral–are caught in the middle, their land positioned between two forts flying rival flags. Amid preparations for the celebration of Noël, the talk is of unrest, coming war, and William Blackburn, the British Army Ranger raising havoc across North America’s borderlands.
As summer takes hold in 1755 and British ships appear on the horizon, Sylvie encounters Blackburn, who warns her of the coming invasion. Rather than participate in the forced removal of the Acadians from their land, he resigns his commission. But that cannot save Sylvie or her kin. Relocated on a ramshackle ship to Virginia, Sylvie struggles to pick up the pieces of her life. When her path crosses once more with William’s, they must work through the complex tangle of their shared, shattered past to navigate the present and forge an enduring future.
About the Author, Laura Frantz
Laura Frantz is passionate about all things historical, particularly the 18th-century, and writes her manuscripts in longhand first. Her stories often incorporate Scottish themes that reflect her family heritage. She is a direct descendant of George Hume, Wedderburn Castle, Berwickshire, Scotland, who was exiled to the American colonies for his role in the Jacobite Rebellion of 1715, settled in Virginia, and is credited with teaching George Washington surveying in the years 1748-1750. Frantz lives and writes in a log cabin in the heart of Kentucky.According to Publishers Weekly, “Frantz has done her historical homework.” With her signature attention to historical detail and emotional depth, she is represented by Janet Kobobel Grant, Literary Agent & Founder, Books & Such Literary Agency of Santa Rosa, California.Readers can find Laura Frantz at www.laurafrantz.net.
New Chicks at The Peaceable is part of the Peaceable Farm & Bookery Grami’s Stories for Children series by Caryl “Grami” McAdoo. This is a lovely children’s book that has a sweet real story, cute pictures, and thoughtful messages. Younger readers will adore this book.
Children will learn about all about chickens and be entertained with this tale. This book teaches lessons on how to overcome being afraid, obeying parents, and how to trust. A message about bullying and why it is bad is woven into this book. Chickens are known for having a “pecking order” and being bullies.
In the back of the book there are fun chicken facts and chicken terminology that will be engaging for children to read. There are many opportunities for discussions throughout this book. It would make a nice birthday gift or “just because” gift for children ages 4 to 9. I give it a 5 out of 5 star rating. A copy was provided by CelebrateLit, but these are my honest words.
About the Book
Book: New Chicks at The Peaceable
Author: Caryl “Grami” McAdoo
Genre: Children’s Animals Picture Book
Release Date: November 23, 2023
Chickens from newborns to old hens have a “pecking order” but bullying is never right! What to do if you’re bullied by those around you!
Award-winning, Christian author Caryl McAdoo prays her story brings God glory. Of her best-selling novels, readers love her historical Christian romance family sagas most, but also enjoy their contemporary cousins, Caryl’s Biblical fiction, her new historical mystery series, and tales for young adults and mid-grade booklovers as well as the new picture books for the still younger set. The majority of reviewers award her stories five-stars and praise Caryl’s writing style and the depth of her characters, feeling as though they get to know them well.
The prolific writer loves singing the new songs God gives her almost as much as penning new novels—hear a few at YouTube! She’s been married to Ron fifty-five years, and they share four children and twenty-seven grandsugars. The McAdoos live at The Peaceable in the woods south of Clarksville, seat of Red River County in far Northeast Texas, waiting expectantly for God to open the next door.
More from Caryl
As the chicken population grows at The Peaceable Farm & Bookery, troubles come–all based all on the true story! One of our beautiful ‘Golden Laced Wyandotte’ hens got broody and wanted to sit on a nest and hatch a clutch of chicks!
The wee peepers, designated the “Songsters” and named Reba, Celine, Loretta, and Miley (the last by a reader’s daughter), experience the famous and proverbial “pecking order” chickens are so famous for. In human terms that can be called bullying though, and so Goldie, their mother teaches the girls how to respond those bully chickens!
Grami loves her “backyard birds”, and so does O’Pa! She expects the name of the twenty acres she and O’Pa live on in Red River County—The Peaceable—to be the spur for all its inhabitants to cohabitate peacefully with one another—and that includes the chickens!
She and O’Pa, her husband of fifty-five years have bought an incubator to hatch purebred chicks then raise fine, healthy birds to their laying age—usually four to five months—before finding them forever homes. We love our flock, and the babies grow so fast. Watching them is so much fun and relaxing, too!
Grami knows each hen and rooster by name, and they all are so affectionate! They come running whenever I head out the door (mostly because they want to see if I brought any food!) I love thinking about what they are saying to each other with all their clucking and purring and cackling!
This is why the books are partially written from the hens’ point of view as our first animals’ series, The River Bottom Ranch Stories featuring horses and goats and dogs among other wild animal characters. And all those farm animals were real ones that we owned and loved, too—like the chickens!
This series ‘Grami’s Stories for Children’ also has a narrator speaking throughout—that’s me, Grami McAdoo! I talk to the children through a few pages full of dialogue to teach them about poultry and things of God. In NEW CHICKS at the Peaceable, I talk about bullies and how Jesus teaches us to respond, how they can be scary, but God is always with us and sends His angels to protect us!
The illustrations are photographs of our real chickens and The Peaceable Farm & Bookery. In the back of the book, there are a few pages of “Chicken Terminology” and fun “Chicken Facts” to teach the little ones more about the wonderful world of chickens!
I pray the precious little ones so dear to God’s heart will love the story and be blessed by it!
Remain True: Amana by storyteller extraordinaire and author Thomas Nye is a Christian split time romance novel. The main story is set in modern day. There are a few flash backs to older times.
This is the story of Timothy Hay. It begins in 2020 during the Covid pandemic. He has moved to the Amana Colonies in Iowa to begin a new life. His next door neighbor, Oma Zuber, is a delightful lady. She is always inviting Tim and his dog over for tea and stories. I loved her! The characters were quirky and believable. I wanted to have tea with Oma Zuber and hear more of her stories.
The Christian message is expertly sprinkled throughout the entire book. I loved the take-aways of faith, hope, and love. There are some twists and turns that made me want to keep reading to see what would happen.
For me, the story was a bit slow in some parts. Perhaps because I lived through the pandemic, I did not enjoy reading those details. An Introductory Section tells the history of the setting. I learned a lot about the Amana Colonies. It was very interesting.
I would recommend this for anyone who likes sweet romances, dual time stories, or has an interest in the Amana Colonies. It gets a 4 out of 5 star rating from me. A copy was provided by Celebrate Lit, but these are my honest words.
About the Book
Book: Remain True: Amana
Author: Thomas Nye
Genre: Christian Romance
Release Date: January 31, 2023
Rebounding from a failed relationship, Author Timothy Hayes escapes to the beautiful Amana Colonies to begin a new life. Smalltown Iowa, during the 2020 pandemic, proves lax with social distancing. Social awkwardness, however, is at an all-time high as a host of quirky neighbors crowd Tim’s personal space. Tim’s pug must go for walks which opens the door for adorable children, annoying neighbor men, old ladies who want to tell their life story, and a matchmaker set on “fixing Tim up.” Several attractive young women emerge as contenders for Tim’s heart. A woman twice his age infatuates him with her magical gift of storytelling. Remain True is a dual timeline. Tim’s life in 2020 becomes interwoven with the storyteller’s history, resulting in a surprising singular conclusion. No matter what happens in life, God will Remain True.Click here to get your copy!
About the Author
Thomas Nye, author of the beloved Amish Horses Series, writes romance novels with an Historical flare and a touch of humor. He and his wife live on an acreage her grandparents bought in 1918. They have five grown children, nine grandchildren, and a team of draft horses. Their home is situated between an Amish community and the Amana Colonies, a perfect location to inspire his writing.
More from Thomas
Most of us have experienced some dark episodes in this life. How do we find our way back into hope and sunshine? My wife and I have been married for almost 43 years, but about halfway through we were separated for 4 months. The storyline of Remain True has almost nothing in common with the details of my dark time. The difficult emotions and subsequent hopefulness of God’s graceful intervention led me to write this novel.
For Timothy Hayes, life has become incredibly dark. In the opening scene we find him reluctantly removing his wedding band and placing it in a miniature, coffin-like box. To make matters worse, Tim’s personal struggle coincides with the heaviness of the Coronavirus outbreak. His will to live is shrinking. Tim visited the Amana Colonies ten years earlier and thought of the villages as a hauntingly beautiful getaway where he could sulk.
God has another plan.
Small town Iowa is not the place to isolate, even during Covid, as it proves an epic failure in social distancing. Social awkwardness, however, is at an all-time high as a host of quirky neighbors invade Tim’s personal space and refuse to allow him any opportunity to submerge into depression.
I hope those who read Remain True will be able to relate with Tim’s struggle enough to rejoice with him as God provides a ray of sunshine during his darkest hour.
My wife and I found hope and restoration and are looking forward to our 43rd anniversary. We thoroughly enjoy grandparenting our 9 grandchildren (and counting) together. God is good!
Settlers & Toffs by the wonderful storyteller Caryl McAdoo is a Christian historical romance. This book is Book Two in her New Beginnings Family Saga. It could be read as a stand-alone without having first read Book One.
Filled with many characters, story lines, and sweet romance there is a lot of inspiration tucked inside this story. As I read I found heroes, good guys, villains, and everything in between. There were surprises, twists, and some humor. Set in early Texas and England, it was a fun, interesting book that included a lot of history.
A few times I thought the story slowed down a bit, but basically the pace was nice. The conversations sounded authentic. I loved getting to know the various characters, but sometimes had a little trouble keeping them straight. The message of faith shines brightly in this book.
I highly recommend this novel. It receives a 4 out of 5 star rating from me. A copy of Settlers and Toffs was provided by the publisher, but these are my honest words.
Settlers & Toffs
About the Book
Book: Settlers & Toffs
Author: Caryl McAdoo
Genre: Historical Romance
Release Date: August 23, 2023
New and old collide in SETTLERS & TOFFS as Ambrose Lee and Blaire build a hotel and a new life together with a remnant from the wagon train he captained in ’49. Settling in Auburn, California, they deal with the gold rush boom town’s growing pangs while the next Earl of Farnsworth, William Cromwell, voyages home to England with his intended Clara and her family. Though separated by a country and an ocean, troubles and trials plague them all. Revisit old friends from Book One WAGONS WEST and meet new ones in this second novel of the New Beginnings Family Saga! This story has been previously published on Kindle Vella with the same title as episodes for Season Two. Season Three, ANSWERING THE CALL episodes are now available at Kindle Vella now.Click here to get your copy!
About the Author
Award-winning author Caryl McAdoo prays her story brings God glory, and her best-selling tales—coming up on seventy titles now published—delight readers all around the world. The prolific writer also enjoys singing the new songs the Lord gives her; you may listen to those at her YouTube channel.
She loves working in the yard at The Peaceable, her home tucked away on twenty acres, mowing and planting flowers. She lives there with Ron, her high school sweetheart and husband of fifty-five years, five dogs, two dairy goats she milks daily, a flock of chickens, and a plethora of barn cats.
The couple shares four children and twenty-seven grandsugars, six are greats. Caryl and Ron love their quiet, country life in the woods south of Clarksville, seat of Red River County in far Northeast Texas and wait expectantly for God to open the next door so they may do His will.
More from Caryl
I started writing “episodes” for Kindle Vella the first month they opened the new format with WAGONS WEST, season one in the New Beginnings Family Saga Season One. For those who don’t read at Kindle Vella, after the ”season” has been up thirty days, the author can create a book!
The episodes become chapters and WAGONS WEST debuted last November 2022! The SETTLERS & TOFFS story is “Season Two” and I’m tickled pink with it! Book One in the series was an epic wagon train story that ended when they got to the gold fields around Auburn California.
In Book Two, the characters spread out across the globe, and we follow them all. Some of those who arrived in covered wagons began to build the pioneer town of Auburn, making a new home for themselves. Some panning for gold and others building hotels and businesses the miners need.
Some travel to merry old England where one of the wagon train sojourners has been called home after his older brother’s death to be the future Earl of Farnsworth. Having fallen in love, he couldn’t bear to leave Clara behind, so arranges for her family to accompany him. So many of the main characters sail away cross the seas.
The third storyline in SETTLERS & TOFFS becomes another wagon train when the scout in book one decides with his wife to go and bring another group of settlers to the new land—a very lucrative business venture for the captains who knew the way.
There are plenty of characters who come in and out as the story progresses. I’ve come to love the primary ones. There are struggles at every turn. Trials and tribulations fill many of their days, but there are those joyous ones as well!
Through it all, the Lord—still on the throne and in control in 1850—helps His children overcome and blesses them beyond measure . . . just as He does today. He is the Rewarder of those who diligently seek him and obey His commandments—then and now.
My author’s motto is “Praying my story gives God glory!” I also pray that its readers will be drawn into a closer walk with the Almighty as they walk alongside these awesome, stalwart folks who settled the West! They had it rough, but God . . . PRAISE HIM!
Marshaling Her Heart by the amazing wordsmith Mary Connealy is Book Three in her Wyoming Sunrise series. This is a Christian historical western book that includes danger, adventure, and romance. Even though this is Book Three, it may easily be read as a stand alone.
From the very first page this book had me hooked. I was totally invested in spunky Becky and Nate. It was easy to see this was going to be another page turner. The characters were unique and quirky. I enjoyed the strong women in the story, and Becky certainly is one. Nate is an honorable, great guy. There are also some bad guys, too, like the Deadeye Gang.
The writing is evenly paced and the story doesn’t lag. There is a lot going on to keep readers entertained. The author throws in some twists to keep readers on their toes. Her humor is delightful. The conversations sounded authentic for 1870s Wyoming.
There are life and Christian lessons woven throughout this novel. I love books that entertain and educate. Readers will learn about redemption, hope, love, marriage, and taking chances. The best lesson in this series is respect. In today’s world respect is in short supply, especially for women.
I highly recommend this fabulous book. Fans of historical and western fiction will adore it. The series would make a great Christmas gift. It gets a 5 star rating from me. A copy was provided by Celebrate Lit and NetGalley, but these are my honest thoughts.
Be sure to enter the giveaway at the bottom of this post. #MarshalingHerHeart #NetGalley
About the Book
Book: Marshaling Her Heart
Author: Mary Connealy
Genre: Historical Romance
Release Date: October 17, 2023
Will their lives and romance survive the trouble coming their way?
Becky Pruitt has always prided herself on knowing everything that’s happening on her successful ranch, so an unexpected admission from her foreman, Nate Paxton, comes as quite a surprise. With the notorious Deadeye Gang on the loose, Nate–a former U.S. Marshal–believes Becky’s ranch is the best spot for a group of Marshals to use as a base to hunt them down.
The timing couldn’t be more crucial for the town of Pine Valley, and Becky feels obligated to help. But after escaping the grasp of her harsh father, she’s never liked giving up control, of her life or her ranch. If there’s anyone she can trust with her ranch, and her heart, it might be Nate. But the outlaws won’t go away quietly, and as danger draws ever nearer, Becky and Nate are faced with impossible choices that will test their growing bond.Click here to get your copy!
About the Author
Mary Connealy (maryconnealy.com) writes “romantic comedies with cowboys” and is celebrated for her fun, zany, action-packed style. She has sold more than 1.5 million books and is the author of the popular series Wyoming Sunrise, The Lumber Baron’s Daughters, Brothers in Arms, Brides of Hope Mountain, High Sierra Sweethearts, The Kincaid Brides, Trouble in Texas, Lassoed in Texas, Sophie’s Daughters, and many other books. Mary lives on a ranch in eastern Nebraska with her very own romantic cowboy hero.
More from Mary
Becky Pruitt has a problem. Her ranch is being invaded by good guys.
Becky wants the Deadeye Gang caught and thrown in jail as much as anyone, but the lawmen asking her to hire them on at her ranch aim to do their investigating while working undercover as cowhands. She runs a good ranch, however, and doesn’t like the idea of a bunch of low-skilled men making her look like she’s hired them foolishly.
Yet she goes along with it, suspicious and annoyed, because her foreman, Nate Paxton, a man she trusts, convinces her that these men are honorable. Then the three lawmen she hires, all of them U.S. Marshals, urge her to send every single one of her regular cowhands—except Nate, a former Marshal himself—off on a cattle drive.
Now she’s got Marshals cropping up everywhere. Her ranch isn’t being run in a way that suits her. She’s got trouble with her father, and an important speaker is coming to town to talk about women’s suffrage. So much is distracting her when all she really wants to do is make sure her herd is being tended properly.
Before long, Nate starts to question the behavior of the U.S. Marshals Service. They’re secretive to the point that they put him in jeopardy a few times before he decides to quit. Here he’d found a decent job on a top ranch, and he even shared a few special moments with his pretty, feisty boss that gave him ideas of how he’d like to change things around a little just so he could be with her. And then his brother, who’s still a U.S. Marshal, invades the ranch with a few fellow lawmen. Quite a few.
Meanwhile, the Deadeye Gang is more dangerous than ever. The woman coming to Pine Valley to speak is now at risk, which makes Becky frantic to protect her. The cattle aren’t being looked after like they ought to be. And yet Nate finds himself being drawn closer to Becky with each passing day. He’s determined to stand firmly between her and danger, but he’s got to keep up with her to do that. He soon discovers that nothing is easy when it comes to the hard-charging Becky Pruitt.
Wyoming Sunrise is a series I wrote in which I cast women as having nontraditional jobs: Forged in Love has a woman blacksmith, Laws of Attraction a woman justice of the peace, and Marshaling Her Heart a woman rancher. Those are all nontraditional for sure, but not really in my case personally. I must force myself not to make all my heroines feisty lady ranchers. It’s almost a reflex at this point. I fought that reflex as hard as I could, but I decided it would be okay to sneak one lady rancher into this series, and that’s Becky Pruitt. I slipped her into the western vernacular, the tough attitude, the riding skirts and boots and Stetsons—and I loved it.
Marshaling Her Heart is my first true lady rancher, and so I let loose and had fun with Becky. The foreman Nate recognizes intelligence and competence in his boss, and he’s smart enough to take orders from her because he knows those orders are the right way to run the ranch.
Add in the backdrops of the other books in the series, the vicious, stagecoach-robbing Deadeye Gang, the coming of the lady suffragist speaker to town, and you’ve got a story full of trouble, action, adventure, romance, and fun.
Author: Paula Peckham Genre: Historical Christian romance
Against the backdrop of the Civil War, spirited Quenby Martin despises the monotony and restrictions imposed on women. Then San Antonio’s most respectable widow befriends her. Unbeknownst to Quenby, her genteel companion harbors a life-risking secret. Soon after, Quenby meets Jonathan Campbell, a Texan farmer struggling to make ends meet, and eagerly offers her help. Despite Jonathan’s reservations about trusting his future livelihood to the pretty young know-it-all, he accepts. As their relationship develops, Quenby’s confidence and knowledge lures Jonathan in.
Quen draws the attention of a bounty hunter, whose charms cannot hide his evil intentions. Danger puts Quen’s wavering belief in God to the test. With the hunter on her heels, she embarks on an important mission that inadvertently involves
Jonathan in a web of kidnapping and murder. His efforts to keep her safe expose his growing feelings. Will Quenby have enough courage to face the perils of standing up for what she believes in? And at what cost? Immerse yourself in the Texas frontier in book three of the San Antonio series that vividly depicts love, faith, and bravery amid shifting societal times.
Ready to buy your own copy? Click here.
My Review
Accepted by author Paula Peckham is Book 3 in her San Antonio Series. Even though it is the third in a series, it may be read as a standalone without any problems. This Christian historical romance is filled with suspense, adventure, danger, kidnapping, murder, and romance.
Paula Peckham is a new author to me. I enjoyed her style of writing, it flowed nicely. Her characters were easy to engage and believable. Her deft pen brought them to life on the pages.
This is the story of feisty Quenby Martin. Raised in Nigeria by missionary parents, she is now living in San Antonio, Texas just as the Civil War has begun. It is a bit of an adjustment for her, especially the prejudice in Texas. This is also the tale of Jonathan Campbell, a struggling farmer who Quenby offers to help.
The author has researched the era and area of her story well as is evidenced in the details she provides. I was able to glean some information about the Civil War and Texas from reading this. My emotions were all over as I immersed myself in Accepted. There were so light-hearted moments and Christian messages, too.
I truly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it. Lovers of historical, Civil War, and Texas fiction will be fans of it. It gets a 5 out of 5 star rating from me. A copy was provided by the publisher, but these are my honest words.
Meet the Author:
A fifth-generation Texan, Paula Peckham graduated from the University of Texas in Arlington. She worked at Burleson High School for 19 years as a math teacher. She divides her time between her home in Burleson, Texas, and her casita in Rio Bravo, Mexico. She is married to John, and they have four children and nine grandchildren.
Her debut novel, Protected, book one in the San Antonio series, placed in the semi-finalist round of the 2020 ACFW Genesis contest and won the gold medal in the Global Book awards. Protected was followed by book two in the series, A Father’s Gift, a Christmas novella that continues the saga of Abby and Manny from book one and was a finalist in the 2023 Selah Award contest. Paula has an online presence on Facebook (Paula Babb Peckham), Twitter, Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/paulajopeckham/), TikTok, and her website, UnaPAULAgetically Texan.
Enter for a chance to win a copy of the book! Enter your email address for a chance to win a copy of any of the three books in the San Antonio series: Protected, or A Father’s Gift, or Accepted. By entering your email address, you agree to let the author subscribe you to her website/blog. You may unsubscribe at any time.
“Against the Wind by author Amanda Cabot is a Christian historical romance novel and Book Two in her Secrets of Sweetwater Crossing series. This book weighs in at 368 pages. The cover is intriguing. Even though it is Book Two, I was able to follow the story without having read the first one.
Set in 1883 Texas, this is the story of Louisa Vaughn. She is the youngest of three sisters and being trained as a doctor, as well as a midwife. Louisa goes back to Sweetwater with the intention of returning as quickly as possible.
The writing is exquisite in this novel. Details all appear to be historically accurate. I found myself being transported back to the late 1880s Texas. Characters were thoughtfully crafted and realistic. The book opened strong and immediately captured my attention.
I loved the Christian element and scriptures that were woven throughout the story. Filled with prayer, praise, worship, and God, this is an inspiring tale. It did bother me that when God was referenced using He or Him, the “h” was lower case and not upper.
The story has romance, mystery, and a few twists. There are many intense moments and issues throughout the book such as death, illness, verbal abuse, physical abuse, child birth, imprisonment, grief, but there are also a lot of light, happy ones. After the story’s conclusion, there is an author’s letter, sneak peek for the next book in the series, acknowledgments, the author’s biography, and advertisements.
I highly recommend this riveting novel. It is a page turner and diffuse to put down. I would not recommend it to anyone younger than older high school age. Mature readers will be fine. This would make a wonderful book club selection. It gets a 5 out of 5 star rating from me. A copy was provided by the publisher, but these are my honest words.
Sisters by the Sea by best selling and award winning author Wanda E. Brunstetter, Jean Brunstetter, Richelle Brunstetter, and Lorine Brunstetter Van Corbach is a lovely collection of novellas. These four Amish Contemporary Christian stories are written by four women in the same family about four sisters. It is a delightful collection that goes together beautifully.
This is the story of the four Lambright sisters from Amish country near Shipshewana and Middlebury in Indiana. Each novella tells the tale of each sister’s trip to Amish community in Pinecraft or Sarasota, Florida. The stories are as different as the authors and sisters.
The writing is excellent. It takes a bit to get accustomed to the less strict ways of the Florida Amish, but I was totally captivated for each lovely story. The characters were skillfully designed and realistic. It was easy to become engaged with them and their stories. The details made me want to visit Florida and the Pinecraft community.
Each novella had an inspirational message as well as life lessons included within its entertaining pages. Humor and twists were used along with some Amish words. The pages number 401 for the four stories, which make it easy to completely finish one in a sitting. Each story was something original that I had not come across yet. At the end of each novella there is a recipe from the story, along with a picture and bio of the author.
I highly recommend this collection. It would make a nice gift for someone. Fans of Amish fiction will enjoy it. It receives a 5 out of 5 star rating from me. A copy was provided by Barbour Publishing, but these are my honest words.
About the Authors
New York Times bestselling and award-winning author Wanda E. Brunstetter is one of the founders of the Amish fiction genre. She has written nearly ninety books translated into four languages. With over 12 million copies sold, Wanda’s stories consistently earn spots on the nation’s most prestigious bestseller lists and have received numerous awards. Wanda’s ancestors were part of the Anabaptist faith, and her novels are based on personal research intended to accurately portray the Amish way of life. Her books are well read and trusted by many Amish, who credit her with giving readers a deeper understanding of the Amish people and their customs. When Wanda visits her Amish friends, she finds herself drawn to their peaceful lifestyle, sincerity, and close family ties. Wanda enjoys photography, ventriloquism, gardening, bird-watching, beachcombing, and spending time with her family. She and her husband, Richard, have been blessed with two grown children, six grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. To learn more about Wanda, visit her
Jean Brunstetter became fascinated with the Amish when she first went to Pennsylvania to visit her father-in-law’s family. Since that time, Jean has become friends with several Amish families and enjoys writing about their way of life. She also likes to put some of the simple practices followed by the Amish into her daily routine. Jean lives in Washington State with her husband, Richard Brunstetter Jr., and their three children but takes every opportunity to visit Amish communities in several states. In addition to writing, Jean enjoys boating, gardening, and spending time on the beach. Visit Jean’s website at http://www.jeanbrunstetter.com.
Richelle Brunstetter lives in the Pacific Northwest and developed a desire to write when she took creative writing in high school. After enrolling in college classes, her overall experience enticed her to become a writer, and she wants to implement what she has learned into her stories. Just starting her writing career, Richelle’s first published story appears in The Beloved Christmas Quilt beside the writings of her grandmother, Wanda E. Brunstetter, and her mother, Jean. Richelle enjoys traveling, her favorite destination being Kauai, Hawaii.
Lorine Brunstetter Van Corbach became interested in the Plain people’s culture as a young child after visiting the Lancaster Amish with her parents. Lorine is a music teacher and lives in southwest Idaho with her husband, Bil. They have three daughters and two grandchildren. Lorine enjoys playing the piano, singing, writing, gardening, cooking, and traveling.
Texas Times by talented storyteller Caryl McAdoo is Book 9 in her Cross Timbers Romance Family Saga. This Christian historical tale may be read as a stand alone as well as part of the series. It is a clean romance that is appropriate for anyone.
Set in Dallas, Texas in late 1870s, this is the story of Alexandria (Alex) Bell. She has recently inherited the newspaper and moved there. Alex is a lovely, single woman and quickly catches the eyes of three different me.
The author’s creative pen exquisitely crafts the characters into ones that are relatable and believable. It was entertaining to read how the men pursued Alex. The story was easy to follow and engaging. Dialogue was time and location appropriate. I gleaned some historical tidbits about Texas life and the newspaper business.
The Christian message is beautifully woven into the tapestry of this story. It is heartwarming to read. There is so much to love about this fabulous book. Mysteries, romances, adventure, faith, and new beginnings are just a few of the things I found.
I highly recommend Texas Times to everyone. Book Clubs would have a nice time discussing this book. It gets a 5 out of 5 star rating from me. A copy was provided by Celebrate Lit, but these are my honest thoughts.
About the Book
Book: Texas Times
Author: Caryl McAdoo
Genre: Historical Romance
Release Date: September 8, 2023
A prim and proper country girl is thrown into a mayhem of madams and mercy killing when Alexandria Bell inherits her estranged uncle’s portion of a big city’s premier newspaper, the Texas Times. She does find the pickin’s better in Dallas as before she knows it, three suitors vie for her attentions. One makes her laugh, one speaks to her heart, and the third possesses such a way with words, he make her envious of his talent . . . but she’s his boss. Come along on Alex’s new career adventure and see if any are successful in winning her heart and hand.Click here to get your copy!
About the Author
Award-winning author Caryl McAdoo prays her story brings God glory, and her best-selling tales—coming up on seventy titles now published—delight readers all around the world. The prolific writer also enjoys singing the new songs the Lord gives her; you may listen to those at her YouTube channel.
She loves working in the yard at The Peaceable, her home tucked away on twenty acres, mowing and planting flowers. She lives there with Ron, her high school sweetheart and husband of fifty-five years, five dogs, two dairy goats she milks daily, a flock of chickens, and a plethora of barn cats.
The couple shares four children and twenty-seven grandsugars, six are greats. Caryl and Ron love their quiet, country life in the woods south of Clarksville, seat of Red River County in far Northeast Texas and wait expectantly for God to open the next door so they may do His will.
More from Caryl
I can’t imagine the Cross Timbers Romance Family Saga coming to an end anytime soon, but I’m up to nine books in it! I love these characters so much and the fact that some of those beautiful fictitious people I love from my first family saga (Texas Romances) show up from time to time—I mean they all live in Texas so . . . !
This book nine, TEXAS TIMES has been so much fun because of its background setting—a Dallas newspaper in 1877. It lends itself to anything happening at any time, so the adventure and pace of the story know no bounds!
I introduce a new female character as my heroine in TEXAS TIMES, Alexandria who is moving to Dallas from the tiny Texas Hill Country community of Spicewood to assume a new position at the newspaper there after inheriting a forty-five percent ownership of it.
The Cross Timbers’ characters show up in TEXAS TIMES as the heroes. There’s Amos Humble, the paper’s star reporter and son of Landry and Arlene Humble (book three TEXAS TEARS) and Stephen O’Neal, the first class fiddler son of Flynn and Alicia (book one GONE TO TEXAS.) So I’m still in the third generation with no telling how many more books to go!
This story covers a lot. Forgiveness of others and one’s self, God’s supernatural miracles, His giftings, His plans and purposes for our lives, the importance of truth… I could go on and on. I pray you all will enjoy this fast-paced story and that it gives God glory!
The Two-Cent Piece by author Dennis Conrad is a lovely Christian children’s fiction book. The story is rich in history and very interesting. There are beautiful illustrated by Courtney Smith throughout the book to help children visualize the unique story. I loved it!
The audio is charming. Narrator Jenn Leigh Pengelly does a fabulous job with this book. Voice changes are made throughout to distinguish different characters. Children will be enthralled. I was!
This is set during the Civil War, but there are no battle scenes. It is the story of young sister, Anne, whose brothers go off to join the Union Army. She has some two-cent pieces that she shares with them because they are the first coins with the “In God We Trust” inscription.
The book has lessons of trusting God, hope, love, sharing, and joy. I learned about coins, too. It is the first in a series, and I am looking forward to the others. I highly recommend this book. It would be great for children. Adults will enjoy learning about the two-cent coin as they read it. It gets a well-deserved five star rating from me. A copy was provided by CelebrateLit, but these are my own words.
About the Book
Book: The Two-Cent Piece Audiobook
Author: Dennis Conrad
Genre: Christian 1800s Historical Fiction
Release Date: August 2, 2023
Anne wonders what secret her three older brothers are hiding. When she finds out they joined to fight with the Union Army and would leave the next day, she give them each one of her favorite two-cent pieces, and says, “I want you to take one of my new two-cent pieces. I learned these coins are the first with the word ‘In God We Trust.’ I just memorized Psalm 91:2. ‘I will say to the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: My God, in him will I trust.’”
Out of a heart of love, Ann gives six of her special coins away, hoping the message on the two-cent piece will strengthen each person’s faith.Click here to get your copy!
About Author
A former coin collector for over fifty years, Denniscombines his love for the Bible, children’s literature, and sharing stories about the history behind coins.
He retired as a professor of Speech Communications from Barstow Community College. He and his wife served as English and public speaking teachers ten summers overseas.
He became a life member of the Numismatic Association of Southern California in 1973. He is also a life member of the American Numismatic Association.
Dennis is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators and a Fellow of the National Writing Project.
Collecting Coins Can Change Your Life! It Did Mine…
As a child, my friends and I wanted to know everything about coins.
We learned about coins through stories: Who was on each coin? What were coins made of? How were coins made? Where were they made? Why were some more valuable than others? and How could I start collecting on my limited budget?
Coin collecting is a hobby where collectors never stop learning! For example, when I started to watch coin prices, without realizing it, I was learning basic economics.
Over the years, I kept adding to my collection. Decades passed. I attended coin conventions, read books and articles about coins, and remembered where I had found and/or acquired each coin.
One day, my wife looked at me. “Will you ever sell your coins?”
“No.”
That is when I heard God’s still small voice.
God pointed out to me that my coins had become more important than Him. Without my realizing it, my coins had become an idol.
At that time, at the top of the market, I sold my collection without regrets, and used the money to pay off my home mortgage.
Now, God has given me the privilege of writing stories about coins, and encouraging others to embrace a hobby that has given me a lifetime of joy.
Abba's Prayer Warrior Princess 