The Cactus Creek Challenge

This novel is laugh out loud funny with witty comebacks in difficult situations. To balance out the funny parts Vetsch threw in some mystery, danger, love, and a whole bucket load of stretching opportunities for the challenge contestants.

I really enjoyed how this isn't your typical history nor romance novel. I was drawn into the story immediately and found myself from the beginning of the challenge, guessing who would win. In the end I wasn’t disappointed in how the story wrapped up.

I would recommend this book to anyone who likes Old West stories and enjoys a good laugh.

*This book was given to me by NetGalley for an honest review.

An Amish Christmas Gift

An Amish Christmas Gift leaves me wanting more, yet happy with the little glimpses into other series. Amy Clipston's story takes us back to rub elbows with the characters in the Kauffman Amish Bakery Series and Kelly Irvin takes us back to The Amish of Bee County. After having invested time into the characters lives by reading the other books, it was exciting to go back and get another glimpse of the stories. I've never read a novel by Ruth Reid, but I enjoyed her novella here. I found myself identifying with Abigail perhaps a bit more than I care to admit. Abigail teaches us to show kindness to everyone and think before you speak.

The novellas feel like they ended short especially Kelly Irvin's. I wish her story had been made into a novel with more details of how the situation played out. Also, I was surprised to find that characters I loved in the original series, that played only small roles in this book, weren't as likable. Eventually one of the characters in A Christmas Visitor won me over by showing the same kindness as in The Beekeeper's Son.

*This book was given to me by NetGalley for an honest review.

Macrame Fashion Accessories & Jewelry

A popular 70's craft with current day projects. Sure there are some throwbacks to the 70's, but many of the patterns are current. I love the pattern for the pretty edging on the stole. The small jewelry is simple enough my 8 year old daughter could make them with me.

I appreciate how the book not only gives me the degree of difficulty for each pattern, but they show me the techniques being used.

I would recommend this book to anyone wanting to try their hand at macrame.

*This book was given to me by NetGalley for an honest review.

Joline's Redemption

Action packed, tense, and exciting to the end. This book was entertaining to read and worth the late nights. Although the story is set in the late 1800's, Vickie McDonough did a wonderful job incorporating current lessons for us to learn. One nugget that can be taken from Joline's Redemption is how to God, sin is sin; man ranks sin as some being worse than others, but God sees them all the same. She weaves God in the story so naturally and easily it didn't feel like a random "God drop".

I really enjoyed the story and recommend it to anyone who enjoys old west stories.

*This novel was given to me by NetGalley for an honest review.

The Mistress of Tall Acre

The Mistress of Tall Acre is an engaging story that is difficult to put down. We read through a whirlwind of struggles, death, legal battles and so much more. I kept thinking I had to be nearing the end of the book because so much had happened, but I would only be at 40%, 60%, ect. And my goodness the twists the book takes.

This is a novel I struggle to leave a review for that doesn't include spoilers. I absolutely loved it! I read the book until I feel asleep and woke up to read it some more. I would recommend it to anyone who loves novels about the Revolutionary War or just great stories.

*This book was given to me by NetGalley for an honest review.

The Christmas Cradle

The cover and title of this book doesn't do the riveting story justice. This is an Amish story unlike any I have ever read. Charlotte Hubbard hit multiple big and current topics in The Christmas Cradle. She covers the consequences of premarital relations, revenge, shunning, death, love and grace. This was a book I struggled to put down. It's a mixture of sweet and intense moments all wrapped up in grace.

I would recommend this book to anyone enjoys a mystery or Amish fiction. It's definitely a great read.

*This book was given to me by NetGalley for an honest review.

Safe In His Arms

Safe in His Arms is a late night, edge of your seat, reading till you pass out from exhaustion kind of novel. If you love action and mystery novels you should give this one a read. Colleen hits on inheritance debates, murder, bank robbers, and of course love. I could relate to Margaret's feelings on her looks. Actually I believe most women find flaws in their appearance. We can all view ourselves to tall, short, heavy, skinny, big feet, small boobs and so on. Yet, despite our shortcomings, those closest to us can see the real us.


This book was a great read that I really enjoyed to the breath holding end.

*This book was given to me years ago for an honest review by Net Galley. I downloaded the book, but somehow missed reading it. Many apologies to Colleen Coble for delaying this review. It truly is a wonderful book.