A WIDOWS HOPE, BY MARY ELLIS

What do you get when you take an independent Amish widow named Hannah, and a stubborn Amish widower named Seth? You get a book that is interesting and entertaining. Hannah loves being Amish but sometimes does things that can get her into trouble. At the risk of being shunned, she sells her farm to her brother and moves to another state. There she tries hard to help her sister who is ill and is having trouble taking care of her own family.
If you enjoy reading books about the Amish this one you will love. The author is talented and I love how she leads us to realize it does not matter if you are Amish, or English, we all have problems. We just handle them differently.

This is the first book of "The Miller Series."

Excellent book and easy read.

Rated G

Face the Rain, by Jennifer DeNaughel

“We the jury, find the defendant, guilty on all charges.”
“Guilty...”
Just one simple word, but it was the word Jenna had been praying to hear. The moment the jury foreman uttered it the air rushed from her lungs and she felt a suffocating pressure lift from her chest leaning forward, she lowered her head and covering her face with her hands, allowed herself to cry for the first time since that night. That night was the night her husband tried to kill her.

As Jenna was leaving the court house her concerns were getting to the "safe house" and getting her daughter Kylie and son Erik. Then heading up to the Oregon coast to the home she grew up in. A home her children could finally feel safe in. She knew she would have to face some things she had left unfinished when she left there many years ago. Things that would change her son's life forever. Plus the one man she had never stopped loving.

The characters are well thought out and the story line compelling. I have read this book twice now and both times it captured my attention and held my interest. It is the type of book you can read over and over.


I would rate this book: PG 13

Sandra Heptinstall

A Feather in the Rain, by Alex Cord

I knew when I read the dedication and saw the sketch of Mr. Cord’s son that this book was going to take me on an emotional ride. This book did not let me down.

From the world of cutting horses, to the deep depression of the main character Jesse, your heart is crying out for him. The loss of his son from a drug over dose, fills him with pain and wondering if he could of done more to help him.

When he finds a chance for hope and love again, will Jesse be able to come to terms with his past? Will he have the strength to try again? Or will his past always sabotage any type of relationship?

This book should be made into a movie. It is that good.

Because of some of the sexual content between the main characters this should be rated R

DON’T THROW AWAY YOUR STICK TILL YOU CROSS THE RIVER
(The Journey of an Ordinary Man)

As you read this book you will find that Mr. Beach’s life story is anything but ordinary. In fact it has been an extraordinary adventure for eighty plus years. I felt that in each chapter the author was trying to teach us all a lesson.

Vincent was born in a small village called Knollis, in Jamaica. His family was poor but I feel he learned a lot of life’s lessons that helped him as he grew. His mom was abusive, but always told him “Don’t throw away you stick, till you cross the river.” I found that bit of advice to be profound. His father was a quiet man that did not talk a lot but loved his kids. His family life was not one that was filled with affection. Yet as a child he longed for it.

His thirst for knowledge would take him far in life; as well as his love for music. As in some non-fiction books there can be many lessons that we can take to our hearts and use it. This book is no exception.
Rated G

In my humble opinion this book is a must read. On a sad note I have found out that Vincent Collin Beach has passed away. But his life story is still alive and is still available for all to read and learn about this amazing man.
Rated G

"A Journey to Die For"

In the opening pages, Carrie and Henry King are about to take the historic train ride from Springdale to Van Buren, Arkansas. Carrie is left alone (to her disgust) with a nosey busybody who rudely comments on how old she thinks Carrie looks, by saying Carrie and Henry look old enough to be retired. Carrie tells her no, she and Henry are not retired but are in fact private detectives.

“My how very unique. I guess you chase after people who owe money, spy on husbands, stuff like that. I know if Claude ever did-“ “No, Carrie interrupted, we chase after murderers.” Then she walked away, hoping Henry would never find out what she’d just said. Little did Carrie know how soon her words would come back to haunt her.

This is the first book I have read by author Radine Trees Nehring but it won’t be the last. I have to warn everyone who may buy this book; do not decide to read just a few chapters before going to bed. You will find you can’t stop. Your mind will not shut down as it will be filled with questions.

Who would have ever guessed the importance a handful of buttons would make in solving a murder investigation? I love the many twist and turns this book has. Just when you think you have the mystery solved, along comes something new and you are lost again. Dang, I hate it when that happens. But that is what makes a book good. This book is really good.

Plus, at the end of the book you will find some recipes mentioned in the book.

Excellent read for all.
Rated G

Little Skiff Copes With Valley Fever

I adored this second book about Skiff the Shetland sheepdog. Once again Skiff is telling his story which is a delight to my youngest grandson. Skiff and his owners are now living in Phoenix, Arizona. Skiff is having a lot of fun in his new home. He loves to dig and run in the sun. One morning Skiff woke up and did not feel well. He had never been sick but knew that something was wrong. His owners took him to a vet and that is when they found out Skiff has Valley Fever.
This little book is educational as you get to see real X-rays, listen as a veterinarian explains all about what Valley Fever is and how long it can last. You will find a glossary of words at the end of the book. That will help little minds to understand words they may not know.


Excellent Read

Rated G

"Little Skiff’s Moving Adventures”

This is a cute little book about a puppy who is a Shetland sheepdog. Shelties were trained generations ago to help humans round up their flocks of sheep. Skiff's grandparents used to work as herding dogs in the Shetland Islands, a cool, rainy and windy archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean. When they retired, they moved to Alaska, and the Shelties of Skiff's canine family have enjoyed cold snowy winters ever since.
Skiffs owners nicknamed him Little Sheltie or Skiff. Skiff loves everything about living in Alaska. He loves the cold weather, snow and being with his friends. Then one day he is told they are moving to Arizona. Skiff is very sad as he does not want to leave his friends and begins to cry. His owners talk to him about the move and that helped him a lot. Skiff will soon learn to love his new home.

This book was a delight and I loved it that the story was told by Skiff. I also loved the illustrations. When you read this book you will see different facial expressions on Skiff’s face. So look closely and you will see for yourself.
This is a great book for families who are planning to move. It will help younger children to accept and even look forward to the move when they read this book. The illustrations and story line are great and will hold the attention of smaller children. I think they will find they like Skiff as much as I do.
Rated G
_________