The Christmas Quilt (The Shadow Lake Series Book 3)
290 pages Zebra Books publisher August 22,2023 publish date
ABOUT THE BOOK
As the holidays approach, Colette King is eager for Matthew Mueller’s return to Shadow Lake. Especially now that she has finally surrendered to the truth—that the friend she has known forever, the first man she ever kissed, is the one she longs to spend her life with. So when Mattie shows up at her sister’s wedding with another woman on his arm, Colette’s hopes are shattered. To heal her broken heart, she begins a quilt honoring her memories of Mattie. But every square she adds only makes her yearn for him more . . .
Matthew’s new inheritance comes with a lot of responsibilities—including his late-uncle’s deathbed request that he marry the woman who was his ward. But from the moment Mattie sees Colette again, he wishes he could escape his familial duty, even though doing so could bring scandal upon his mamm and daed. Will his desire to protect his parents cost him the life—and the love—he dreams of? Or can faith work a Christmas miracle that blesses all . . .
MY THOUGHTS
Amish woman, Collette King is looking forward to welcoming Matthew Mueller back to Shadow Lake, a historic inn located near Lake Erie, Pennsylvania. It is being run by Collette and her sisters. She hasn’t seen him in some time, and she knows in her heart when he returns it is time to let him know exactly how she feels about him.
She eagerly anticipates the moment when he returns, and then he does. Her expectations fall to her feet when he shows up with another woman, a beautiful one, on his arm. Not wanting to speak to him, he convinces her to anyways. This woman is going around telling anyone who will listen and even some who won’t, Matthew is her intended and the wedding is upcoming.
Matthew made a promise to his late uncle when he was on his deathbed that he would marry this woman and he feel obligated to keep this promise though Collette is his true love. Collette has always enjoyed sewing, it clears her mind and relaxes her. As she makes a Christmas quilt honoring Matthew, she just thinks of him more.
I did not like the “other woman.” Her attitude is terrible. How could she treat Matthew this way? Will Collette’s heart stay broken, or will the holiday season ring in with a new true love?
I enjoy reading books by this author and this was a fun read.
Pub Date 22 Aug 2023
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.
Ruth’s Ginger Snap Surprise (The Heart of the Amish)
258 pages Barbour Books publisher December 1,2023 publish date
ABOUT THE BOOK
Ruth Defies Authority to Hold on to her Family Farm
Full of faith, hope, and romance, this new series takes you into the Heart of Amish country.
Ruth Helmuth has never been rude in her life; trust her to choose the bishop of her Amish community for her first time!
Ruth has worked hard to keep body and soul together since her husband, Levi’s, death. She tends her herd of goats, making her living from the milk and fiber she gets from them, all while running a farm and household by herself—and very competently, thank you! How could she imagine the bishop suggesting she should give it all up to another family, who will “make better use of the space”?
Enter widower Jonas Hershberger, owner of a pair of adorable dimples and father of a charming 4-year-old daughter. Jonas is in need of a larger place to house his growing business. Ruth’s big red barn may be just the ticket. Little Abigail is in need of a new mother. Ruth might be just the ticket there, too!
Can two independent souls learn to work together for their mutual good? And will they be willing to explore what grows between them? Or will Ruth’s fear over her “big secret” and Jonas’s caution about allowing someone new to get close to his young daughter, kill their love before it has a chance to grow?
Luckily for both of them, God’s plan involves the stubborn pair getting a little help in the form of a wise, elderly friend; a quirky orange kitten; and a smart little girl who takes one look at Ruth and decides she would make her the perfect new mother!
The Heart of the Amish Series Also Includes:
The Flower Quilter by Mindy Steele
The Quilt Room Secret by Lisa Jones Baker
Courting the Amish Bishop by Mindy Steele
Mary’s Calico Hope by Anne Blackburne
MY THOUGHTS
This is a new to me author and quite often I am willing to give these authors a try. This is how I find some great reads. I am glad I tried this new author.
Though not at the writing level of some of the more established authors who write Amish fiction I still enjoyed the story. The presentation was easy to follow along with, the plot, nothing out of the ordinary that I haven’t seen in other Amish books, but it was a fun story. When you add in kittens, big friendly guard dogs, and mischievous goats I don’t think you can go wrong.
Ruth Helmuth, a childless widow has a nice farm, outbuildings and a dawdi house attached to her house. She uses all of these though to raise her goats and make her goat milk products, including soaps and lotions. When the bishop comes for a visit, he believes she should sell her farm to a man from the community who needs the prime property to expand his business. The bishop also believes she should remarry and quickly. She is pretty shocked when he makes her an offer, he thinks she won’t be able to pass up.
A widowed neighbor man with a young daughter starts helping her with chores around her farm and they become close. When he sees how takes she is with his daughter he knows she’d be the perfect mother for her but is that all he is interested in her for? It was fun seeing the interaction with her neighbor’s daughter and Ruth’s kitten. She is a fun and spunky little girl. I will be reading more by this author.
Pub Date 01 Dec 2023
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.
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