Book Review-Her Secret-Shelley Shepard Gray

About the book (provided by Litfuse)

A suspenseful tale of a young Amish woman who is forced to move to a new town to escape a threatening stalker

After a stalker went too far, Hannah Hilty and her family had no choice but to leave the bustling Amish community where she grew up. Now she’s getting a fresh start in Hart County, Kentucky…if only she wasn’t too scared to take it. Hannah has become afraid to trust anyone—even Isaac, the friendly Amish man who lives next door. She wonders if she’ll ever return to the trusting, easy-going woman she once was.

For Isaac Troyer, the beautiful girl he teasingly called “The Recluse” confuses him like no other. When he learns of her past, he knows he’s misjudged her. However, he also understands the importance of being grateful for God’s gifts, and wonders if they will ever have anything in common. But as Hannah and Isaac slowly grow closer, they realize that there’s always more to someone than meets the eye.

Just as Hannah is finally settling into her new life, and perhaps finding a new love, more secrets are revealed and tragedy strikes. Now Hannah must decide if she should run again or dare to fight for the future she has found in Hart County.

And I thought

Described as suspenseful.  And it is.  I would not add thriller to the description which I think sometimes becomes part of a book with this type of story line... A suspenseful tale of a young Amish woman who is forced to move to a new town to escape a threatening stalker.

 I was not on the edge of my seat.  But I will say I picked this book up yesterday  at around 10 a.m. about 12 hours later I turned the last page . 

Yes.  I read it in one day.  Did the book keep my attention?  I 

would say so.  The story flowed in a steady pace from page 1. 

It did pick up rather quickly nearly to  the end when it's discovered the stalker is in town and up to his old tricks. 

I have to say I really loved the main characters Hannah and Isaac. They were a pleasure to get to know.  This wasn't a story where they meet, get together, have conflict, then get back together in the end. 

They pretty much met, became friends then became closer friends and ended courting with plans to marry in the end.

There was no family interference or other distraction for the couple.  In fact everyone seemed to agree that Hannah and Isaac were a great couple. 

The stalker really only made a very brief appearance at the very end when his identity was revealed at about the same time he became bolder in his activities.  

The characters really didn't seem to jump off the page for me. 

In fact I actually didn't really like Hannah's family.  The drama and trauma of the stalking which preceded the move to a new town basically caused the entire family to blame Hannah.  Their treatment of her including her parents I thought was a bit harsh.    The parents had some personal underlying difficulties and did redeem themselves  in the end but I just didn't connect with them or the other children in the family.  

Hannah's younger sister played a big part in the story.  Her character did not display the religious beliefs of the family and acted out in ways that caused Hannah more trauma.

I enjoyed Her Secret.  I really like a book that I can't put down! 
I look forward to reading more in this series.  

I received a complimentary copy from Litfuse.
This review will appear at retail sites were the book is available.
This review will appear on Good Reads, My Journey Back and 
Springtime In Magnolia.

Available

Amazon Barnes &Noble CBC

Visit Shelley's website for additional retail links.

Social Media links.  Click Here.

 

Click here to enter Givaway

The Search--Suzanne Woods Fisher

Great story. I really enjoyed this one. It is book 3 in series. But you don't have to read the other two. They all stand alone and each one draws you in and you want to stay in Lancaster County awhile. That's what happened to me. Not convinced? Watch the trailer . . .

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/oaaTlhXu2dY" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Here's the synopsis from the back cover. . . 
Fifteen years ago, Lainey O'Toole made a split-second decision. She couldn't have known that her choice would impact so many. Now in her mid-twenties, she is poised to go to culinary school when her car breaks down in Stoney Ridge, the very Amish town in which her long-reaching decision was made, forcing her to face the shadowed past.

Bess Reihl is less than thrilled to be spending the summer at Rose Hill Farm with her large and intimidating grandmother, Bertha. It quickly becomes clear that she is there to work the farm--and work hard. The labor is made slightly more tolerable by the time it affords Bess to spend with the handsome hired hand, Billy Lapp. But he only has eyes for a flirty and curvaceous older girl.
Lainey's and Bess's worlds are about to collide and the secrets that come to light will shock them both.

"Beautifully written, 'The Search' is a skillfully woven story that takes readers through unexpected twists and turns on the long country road toward truth. Fans both old and new will find themselves immersed in this heartwarming--and surprising--tale of young love, forgiveness, and coming to grips with the past."

And I thought . . . 

I have to agree it is beautifully written. The are twists and turns in the story that surprise and keep you interested. For this reader I am drawn into the story and wanting more. I was happy and pleased with the ending but I wanted more! I said the same thing about the other two books.

Here's a link to the authors blog for more info. about The Search and her other books.
The Secret by Suzanne Woods Fisher  deserves my 5 star rating.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free fromLitFuse as part of their bloggers review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The
 opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
The review is posted at Amazon, CBC, Barnes and Noble and Good Reads. 

A Son's Vow-Shelley Shepard Gray-Book Review

                                         

Book One of   The Charmed Amish Life a series taking place in Charm, Ohio a fictional little town.  The book is complete with a fun little map in the front.  I caught myself looking over the map as the story progressed. 
Book One is the story of a romance between Darla and Lukas. 
They've known each other all their lives growing up as best friends but when a tragedy strikes the town they drift apart. 
The author wove a sweet little romance together with the drama of 
domestic violence.  
This wasn't a story that I felt 'I knew what was going to happen'.
In fact I was pleased and surprised.  I had it all figured out based on the title and boy was I wrong.  
                     Isn't that what makes a good story?
I thoroughly enjoyed this installment and I look forward to the 
opportunity to read more.  
I want to know what happens with the sub characters like Hannah that worked as a nanny for an 'English' couple.   And the dog Rose that lived in the neighborhood where Hannah worked. 
                                   I look forward to the installment that tells Hannah's story!

On the negative side.  Yep there is one.  It's personal but I still want to include it. Get it said and be done with.  Personally I thought the inclusion of the Amish words was annoying.  Whew I said it. 
I might be the only one that feels this way.  But I personally didn't think it added to the story or to the realization.  I haven't been around the Amish and I might be totally off here.  But I think one word here and there was just annoying.  Personal opinion. 

One more negative for me. And it's not really negative exactly . . . 
 There was one point in the story.  A little mystery that was hinted at but didn't get solved and isn't really mention as if it will be solved in follow up stories.   
I don't want to give the storyline away.  But I'm just wishin' to find out what happened! 

All in all.  This was a great book.  I started it couldn't put it down. 
                              To me that's a good read.  

So here's my 4 stars for A Son's Vow. 

This book is widely available at Amazon, Barnes and Noble and
Christian Book(dot)com
Here's the fine print . . .
I received this book from the Litfuse Publicity Group for my honest review.

A Dream Of Miracles-Review

A Dream Of Miracles-- Book Review

                                                                

                                                                       
Much better than I expected.  I was pleasantly surprised.  I kind of had this idea this was book was going to be a typical sweet little Amish love story.  
This genre isn't really my favorite and I went into reading this book with a preconceived idea. 
I was totally wrong!  I couldn't put it down!  I had to force myself to put it down and go to bed.  I didn't work the next day so I finished very quickly . . . 

About the book: 

A Dream of Miracles (Thomas Nelson, April 2016)

Amish widow Mattie vows never to love again . . . until a suspicious outsider with a shadowy past comes crashing into her fragile world.

Mattie Diener can barely keep it together. A young Amish widow and mother of two young children, she faces the lingering heartbreak of lost love, her son's mysterious illness, and a torrent of accusations that threaten to undo her.

Bo Lambright is a fast-rising social services investigator whose high-society mother won't rest until she finds his Mrs. Right. Despite Bo's worldly success, the raw ache of a shadowy past and a series of unsettling dreams have left him reeling.

When Mattie and Bo cross paths, all signs point to disaster. Yet as they face a crucible of trials and tragedies together, longings begin to stir that seem destined only to end in more heartbreak. Is a miracle possible---not only of healing but of forbidden love? What secrets lie in Bo's dreams? And will Mattie find the courage to face her uncertain future . . . or will she simply run away?

What I enjoyed about the book was the interesting storyline it indeed kept me on the edge of my seat.  It was fast paced and intriguing in a strange sort of way.  I don't want to reveal too much to take away from this great story!  

The characters were believable Mattie is sweet and innocent and Bo is honest and dependable.  Exactly the kind of person you hope is a CPS worker.    

The sub characters are believably as well some you end up liking.  Some you don't.  Some your really not sure about till the end.   

                  Overall I give this book 5 stars.  

                     would recommend this book

I was offered this book from Litfuse and received a complimentary copy in exchange for my honest review.

This review is also post at Amazon, Barnes and Noble and Christian Book (dot)Com.  (click on the bold words for a direct link to purchase)