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Review of two sweet Love Inspired books by Angie Dicken: His Sweet Surprise and Her Chance at Family

224 pages Published May 1, 2023 LoveInspired.com

ABOUT THE BOOK

All he wants is a fresh start but the past has other ideas…
After leaving city life and heartbreak behind, Lance Hudson’s come home to his family’s apple orchard. And ex-girlfriend Piper Gray is there for the same reason. But the spirited single mum has her own secrets…including that Lance is the father of her sweet-faced little girl. But can Piper spill the truth without upsetting the applecart? Mills & Boon Love Inspired — Heartfelt stories that show that faith, forgiveness and hope have the power to lift spirits and change lives.

MY THOUGHTS

His Sweet Surprise is the first book in the Heartland Sweethearts book series. The second book in the series is Her Chance at Family which I have also read and loved.
Taking place in the heartland of Iowa in fictional Rapid Falls. My daughter lives in Iowa so it was so nice to see this series takes place there.


Lance Hudson and Piper Gray were previously in a relationship when they were teens and haven’t seen each other in several years. Big city life wasn’t all it was cracked up to be for them and they both somehow end up back at his family’s apple orchard never expecting to see each other there.


As they spend more time together and enjoy it, Piper knows she must reveal a big secret to Lance she has kept from him. Will this reveal cause this second chance at love to sour? Sweet romance filled with faith, hope, understanding and forgiveness. Loved it.

Published May 1, 2023
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

226 pages Expected publication January 23, 2024 LoveInspired.com

ABOUT THE BOOK

She needs all the help she can get. Will she accept it from him? Getting left at the altar wasn’t in Elisa Hartley’s planner—but neither was gaining custody of her two orphaned nieces. Determined to be the best guardian possible, Elisa moves them into a newly renovated house. When landscape architect Sean Peters arrives to fix up her yard, he might just be able to heal her heart, too. Except Sean’s got a secret…and revealing it could throw a wrench in their happily-ever-after.From Love Uplifting stories of faith, forgiveness and hope.[HEARTLAND SWEETHEARTS] Book 1: His Sweet SurpriseBook 2: Her Chance at Family

MY THOUGHTS

Her Chance at Family is the second book in the Heartland Sweethearts book series. The first book in the series is His Sweet Surprise which I have also read and loved.
Taking place in the heartland of Iowa in fictional Rapid Falls. My daughter lives in Iowa so it was so nice to see this series takes place there.


This is the lovely story of Elisa Hartley, getting left at the alter wasn’t exactly in her plans. Life must move forward she think to herself as she receives custody of her two orphaned nieces.


Adjusting to a new home isn’t easy but she must do the best she can when she has her nieces to think about. Helping her to make the adjustment is landscape architect Sean Peters, who helps her with odd chores needing done. He’s afraid to get too close to her though as he has something he’s hiding. Uplifting and encouraging story filled with hope, faith and love.

Expected publication January 23, 2024
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

I am hoping the author will continue the series.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Angie Dicken credits her love of story to reading British literature during life as a military kid in Cambridgeshire, England. Now living in the U.S., she’s an ACFW member, a blog contributor to the Writer’s Alley, a baseball mom, and a self-proclaimed foodie. You can connect with her
on social media and learn about upcoming releases at www.angiedicken.com.

I thank you for stopping in today.

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New Release, One More Time For Joy by Amy Lillard

About The Book

290 pages Zebra Books March 28,2023 publish date

In this uplifting inspirational romance series, award-winning author Amy Lillard unites a “Widows Club” of women who share solace, friendship, faith—and mouthwatering Whoopie Pies—in the Amish community of Paradise Valley, Missouri. Will appeal to fans of Charlotte Hubbard, Molly Jebber, Susan Lantz Simpson, and Kelly Long.

At the heart of a Missouri Amish community, a circle of caring friends—the Widows’ Club of Paradise Valley—sees each other through life’s storms, in this uplifting series from award-winning author Amy Lillard . . .

 
Joy Lehman has pressed on faithfully since losing her husband, raising their children and running a thriving bakery alone. Even caring for her oldest son, Johnny—seriously injured after a fall—has not shaken her fierce independence. Johnny will walk again, she’s sure. Until then, a meeting of the Widows’ Club at her home makes it clear that Joy must consider some costly renovations. Her brother-in-law, Uriah, is happy to provide the lumber and the labor—if Joy will accept his help.
 
Uriah understands family challenges—he’s a widower himself, and father to four daughters. Yet he can see that Joy’s struggle lies deeper than house repairs, in learning to accept an altered future for her son. As Uriah’s daughters begin helping in the bakery, and Joy and Uriah’s bond grows deeper, a new possibility glows bright—the unexpected happiness that lies in embracing one strong, united family, filled with support and love . . .
 
“Readers will delight in this sweet love story and stay hungry for the next installment.”
Publishers Weekly on Marry Me, Millie

My Thoughts

I can't even begin to tell you how much I enjoyed this book.
It was such a powerful and uplifting that I felt so good while I was reading it and even afterwards.
In this third book in the Paradise Valley series the “Whoopie Pie Widow’s Club,” a group of widowed women whom Joy is a part of help each other and others in need in the community in their time of need. In Joy's case she has a wheelchair bound son who is bitterly disappointed when doctors tell him he'll never walk again.
I just loved Joy's character, after her husband's death she has to support her children and she works long, exhausting hours in her home bakery, with very little help.
Widower Uriah, who happens to be her brother-in-law is contacted by the Widowers club to help with some home improvements at Joy's home to accommodate her son's wheelchair.
Joy and Uriah both being widowed with children have challenges in their daily lives but do have a positive outlook on life. I loved seeing the children from each family become more involved with the other family in trying to bring their parents together. I very much enjoyed meeting Johnny, Joy's wheelchair bound son and hope we'll see an update on him in a future book.
There is support from each family member as the relationship between Joy and Uriah progresses and I think they know how the relationship will turn out before the couple does.
Such a positive and uplifting book that I was happy to have read.

Pub Date 28 Mar 2023
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

The Author

Amy loves nothing more than a good book. Except for her family...and maybe homemade tacos...and nail polish. But reading and writing are definitely high on the list.

Born and bred in Mississippi, Amy is a transplanted Southern Belle who now lives in Oklahoma with her deputy husband, their genius son, two spoiled cats, and one very lazy beagle. Oh, and don't forget the stray kitty that has taken up residence on her front porch. ^..^

When she's not creating quirky characters and happy endings, she's chauffeuring her prodigy to guitar lessons, orchestra concerts and baseball practice. She has a variety of hobbies, but her favorite is whatever gets her out of housework.

Amy also writes contemporary romances under the pen name Amie Louellen.

An award-winning author, Amy is a member of RWA and ACFW. She loves to hear from readers. You can find her on Facebook, Instagram, Google+, Twitter, Goodreads, and Pinterest. For links to the various sites, check her website: www.amylillardbooks.com.

Have a wonderful day and don’t forget to share a smile with someone.

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Her Heart’s Desire (A Season in Pinecraft Book #1) Amish fiction by Shelley Shepard Gray-Review

Print length 291 pages Revell Publisher Jan 3,2023 Publication Date

Grab A Copy Here

About The Book

Mary Margaret Miller needs an escape from her small Amish community. She boards a bus, all alone, for a vacation in Pinecraft, Florida. Meeting Betsy and Lilly on the way, she’s amazed to find two kindred spirits. They become fast friends and determine to have the best two weeks of their lives. For Mary, it starts when she meets Jayson Raber. The handsome and charming carpenter is taken by Mary from the get-go, but he has responsibilities back home in Kentucky–including a girl he’s supposed to marry.

When someone from Mary’s past shows up in Pinecraft, it seems like her perfect vacation is ruined. But that’s nothing compared to what’s coming when she realizes what Jayson has been hiding.

Take a vacation with New York Times bestselling author Shelley Shepard Gray as she explores what happens when we allow our pasts to define our futures in this story of friendship, romance, and new beginnings.

My Thoughts

I always look forward to the author’s newest releases coming out. This one is the start to a new series, and we are once again back in Pinecraft, which I would love to visit someday. It sounds so peaceful.
This is A Season in Pinecraft, #1.


The author is such a master storyteller. no matter the genre she writes, I especially enjoy her Amish stories. Her stories are so compelling with such a nice faith message in them. I always feel so much better after reading her books, such a positive boost they give me.


I was moved by the characters, how they examined who they were and worked on improving their character.
I am looking forward to the next delightful book in this series.

Pub Date 03 Jan 2023
I received a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

About The Author

Shelley Shepard Gray is a NYT and USA Today bestselling author. She’s published over a hundred novels and has over a million books in print. She currently lives in northern Ohio and writes full time.

Shelley lives just an hour from Holmes County, where many of her Amish-themed novels are set. She currently writes contemporary romance and Amish fiction for a variety of publishers. When not spending time with her family or writing, she can usually be found walking her two dachshunds on one of the many trails in the Cleveland area.

She also bakes a lot, loves coconut cream pie, and will hardly ever pull weeds, mow the yard, or drive in the snow.

Shelley also spends a lot of time on line! Please visit her website, http://www.shelleyshepardgray.com to find out her latest news or to sign up for her newsletter.

You have blessed me by visiting my blog today. Thank you, friend!