Review: Her Brother's Keeper by Beth Wiseman

Book One in the Amish Secrets series

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

Charlotte’s heart has been hardened by personal tragedy, but now she has the chance to find peace in a place she didn’t expect.

Charlotte Dolinsky arrives in Lancaster County with brand new Amish digs and a renewed purpose. It doesn’t take her long to fit into the close Amish community. She might not know how to cook, sew, tend a garden, or milk a cow, but she knows how to lie. And she is a woman on a mission—to wreak havoc on the Plain people and seek revenge for the death of her only brother. But a quiet stranger throws a kink in her plan not long after she arrives. As she delves deeper and deeper into what makes this handsome Amish man tick, she begins to wonder about her intentions and the direction her life is taking.

At twenty-four, Isaac Miller is still unmarried and doesn’t see his status changing anytime soon. The Lord has blessed him with above-average physical attributes, but his awkward shyness keeps him from pursuing a relationship with anyone. When Charlotte—or "Charlie" as she calls herself—arrives in Paradise, she steals his heart, and he longs to be a different man.

Can Charlie get past the resentment she feels and open her heart? What happens when Isaac comes out of his shell, drawing attention from all the available women in the area? Will Charlie be able to hold onto him? And will he still want her when he learns the truth?

My Review

This is not your average Amish romance. I was surprised by the serious issues tackled by the author and appreciated that it was done in an authentic way without shying away from the difficult emotions and providing insight into various perspectives. At the beginning Charlotte almost seems like the villain since she is deceptive and has an agenda. What she doesn't expect is the journey her heart will go on as she uncovers the truth behind her brother's relationships with members of the Amish community and how her own struggles with her dysfunctional past will surface and have to be dealt with. I grew to love the King family as she did with their sweetness and way of looking at situations that differed from how she was raised. The connection to God that she felt in their presence and the stirrings of faith began her long progress toward healing. I just have to point out that the book description is a bit misleading when it comes to the romantic connections that are and are not made, and I felt like the book went much deeper than I anticipated, with less focus on romance and more on the struggles Charlotte and her "cousin" Hannah are facing. An outstanding start to a series that is perfect for fans of Amish fiction and women's fiction.

(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)

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Book Two in the Amish Secrets series

Read my 5 star review

Synopsis

Could God be o­ffering Charlotte a second chance at true love?

Charlo­tte Dolinsky needs time to recover after breaking up with her boyfriend, Ryan. But when a surprise visitor shows up on her doorstep in Texas, she’s forced to put aside her own worries to help her Amish friends in Lancaster County. Soon she is entangled in a web of deception—and this time, she isn’t the only one keeping secrets.

Daniel Byler struggles each day in his Amish community to heal from his fiancée’s betrayal. When he discovers that a member of his family is in danger of being shunned, his pain turns to fear. His only way to help is by partnering with Charlo­tte, a woman he barely knows who has already deceived them all before.

Charlo­tte begins building a friendship with Daniel that she’ll need to lean on when more surprises surface from her past and she once again finds herself torn between two worlds. Will Charlotte’s friends in the Amish community be able to show her the power of redemption and lead her home? And can she help young Jacob realize that God offers second chances at happiness when she isn’t even sure herself?

Book Three in the Amish Secrets series

Read my 5 star review

Synopsis

Charlotte has made a home for herself in Amish Country with Daniel. But unforeseen events rock their fragile world and may move them even further away from the life they long for.

Charlotte, an Englisher, is living in Amish Country, and she has formed strong and lasting bonds with the people in her new community. She has even fallen in love with an Amish man. But just when she is considering a permanent conversion to the Amish way of life, her world crashes around her. An unexpected death and a mysterious visitor unsettle Charlotte, and she begins to question her faith and her choices.

Daniel loves Charlotte and wants to share his life with her, even it if means leaving the only world he’s ever known. But as he walks alongside of her through her struggles, his own world is turned upside down when a loved one receives a grim medical diagnosis and a prodigal relative returns home. Will Charlotte and Daniel’s relationship succumb to the many pressures around them, or will their faith and the strong community around them allow them to weather the storms of their own lives in order to build a life together?

Review: A Noble Masquerade by Kristi Ann Hunter

Book One in the Hawthorne House series

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

Lady Miranda Hawthorne acts every inch the lady, but inside she longs to be bold and carefree. Entering her fourth Season and approaching spinsterhood in the eyes of society, she pours her innermost feelings out not in a diary but in letters to her brother's old school friend, a duke--with no intention of ever sending these private thoughts to a man she's heard stories about but never met. Meanwhile, she also finds herself intrigued by Marlow, her brother's new valet, and although she may wish to break free of the strictures that bind her, falling in love with a servant is more of a rebellion than she planned.

When Marlow accidentally discovers and mails one of the letters to her unwitting confidant, Miranda is beyond mortified. And even more shocked when the duke returns her note with one of his own that initiates a courtship-by-mail. Insecurity about her lack of suitors shifts into confusion at her growing feelings for two men--one she's never met but whose words deeply resonate with her heart, and one she has come to depend on but whose behavior is more and more suspicious. When it becomes apparent state secrets are at risk and Marlow is right in the thick of the conflict, one thing is certain: Miranda's heart is far from all that's at risk for the Hawthornes and those they love.

My Review

I loved Miranda's enthusiasm and spirit! She reminds me of my own four year old- busting full of life and feelings. I could relate to Miranda's mother who is trying her best to teach her daughters the proper behavior for ladies... but I'm just hoping for good manners ;) I liked the angle that the letters brought to the story, where even though Miranda felt compelled to suppress her emotions as a lady, she found an outlet to release them. It was good to see part of the story through Marlow's eyes and the intrigue and mystery he was caught up in. I thought it was interesting that Miranda's discovery of hidden secrets made her fight all the more against what would have seemed like her dreams coming true. There is plenty of action in between the drawing room scenes that made the pace of the book swift, and I was surprised at how much the author was able to fit into one book! There is great chemistry between Miranda and Marlow, and complex family dynamics also come into play with Miranda's relationship with her vain sister and corrective mother, both whom she loves but are wearing on her. It was great to have Amelia from the prequel novella present as her friend and staunch supporter. I can't wait to read the rest of the books in this Regency series!

(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)

Check out the previous books in the Hawthorne House series . . .

Prequel Novella (FREE e-book!)

Synopsis

Miss Amelia Stalwood may live in London at her absent guardian's townhouse, but she's never actually met any nobility, and instead of aristocrats, her closest friends are servants. Quite by happenstance, she's introduced to the Hawthorne family and their close family friend, Anthony, the reformed marquis of Raeburn. They welcome her into their world, but just as she's beginning to gain some confidence and even suspect she may have caught Anthony's eye, she's blindsided by an unexpected twist in her situation accompanied by nasty rumors. Will she lose her reputation when the world that has only just accepted her turns its back on her, or will she rest in the support of the friends who've become like family and the man who's shared his faith and captured her heart?

Book Two

Synopsis

Lady Georgina Hawthorne has worked tirelessly to seal her place as the Incomparable for her debut season. At her first London ball, she hopes to snag the attention of an earl.
 

With money and business connections, but without impeccable bloodlines, Colin McCrae is invited everywhere but accepted nowhere. When he first encounters the fashionable Lady Georgina, he's irritated by his attraction to a woman who concerns herself only with status and appearance.
 

What Colin doesn't know is that Georgina's desperate social aspirations are driven by the shameful secret she harbors. Association with Colin McCrae is not part of Georgina's plan, but as their paths continue to cross, they both must decide if the realization of their dreams is worth the sacrifices they must make.

Book Three

Synopsis

 Life for Lady Adelaide Bell was easier if she hid in her older sister's shadow--which worked until her sister got married. Even with the pressure of her socially ambitious mother, the last thing she expected was a marriage of convenience to save her previously spotless reputation.

Lord Trent Hawthorne couldn't be happier that he is not the duke in the family. He's free to manage his small estate and take his time discovering the life he wants to lead, which includes grand plans of wooing and falling in love with the woman of his choice. When he finds himself honor bound to marry a woman he doesn't know, his dream of a marriage like his parents' seems lost forever.

Already starting their marriage on shaky ground, can Adelaide and Trent's relationship survive the pressures of London society?

Book Four

My rating: 

Synopsis

Griffith, Duke of Riverton, likes order, logic, and control, and he naturally applies this rational approach to his search for a bride. He's certain Miss Frederica St. Claire is the perfect wife for him, but while Frederica is strangely elusive, he can't seem to stop running into her stunningly beautiful cousin, Miss Isabella Breckenridge.

Isabella should be enjoying her society debut, but with her family in difficult circumstances, her uncle will only help them if she'll use her beauty to assist him in his political aims. Already uncomfortable with this agreement, the more she comes to know Griffith, the more she wishes to be free of her unfortunate obligation.

Will Griffith and Isabella be able to set aside their pride and face their fears in time to find their own happily-ever-after?

Book Tour Grand Finale: A Priceless Find by Kate James

On Tour with Prism Book Tours.

Book Tour Grand Finale for

A Priceless Find

By Kate James

We hope you enjoyed the tour! If you missed any of the stops

you can see snippets, as well as the link to each full post, below:

Launch - Note from the Author

I’m excited to be on tour again with Prism Book Tours with A Priceless Find, a sequel to my award-winning Heartwarming novel, A Child’s Christmas. A Priceless Find is my third and final release for 2017...

Hearts & Scribbles - Excerpt

CHELSEA’S HEART TRIPPED at the sight of the bright yellow Do Not Cross police barricade tape and blue-and-white flashing lights. Peering through her windshield, she couldn’t tell for certain this far down Willowbrook Avenue, but it looked as if all the activity was in front of the Sinclair Art Gallery.

It was too early for any of her colleagues to be at work. Whatever was going on, at least none of them would be hurt…or worse.

Janices Book Reviews - Review

"Love the suspense, love the romance, love the storyline. . . . I only put it down when I really had to. I could visualize the characters and the scenes. . . . Definitely five stars plus."

It's All About the Romance - Excerpt

Elegant wasn’t a word she usually associated with herself nor, frankly, was it something she normally strived for. But tonight? She thought she’d hit the mark.

It was important to her to set the right tone. Not just because she’d put so much personal effort into the event, but because of her goal to be the next curator. She wanted to ensure that Mrs. Sinclair found absolutely no fault with the evening…or her.

Getting Your Read On - Review

"Kate James is excellent at writing gentle, sweet romances. Her books are so easy to settle into. This particular story brought in an element of mystery with an unsolved crime and some strange things happening. I enjoyed that aspect of it even though the story kept a pretty sedate pace. . . . you cannot go wrong picking up any book by Kate James. Especially if you love a good, sweet, clean romance."

Thoughts of a Blonde - Excerpt

“I hope I’m not underdressed,” he said.

Chelsea felt the heat rise to her cheeks. She obviously hadn’t been as subtle in her perusal of him as she’d hoped. “Oh, no, you look perfectly fine.” Now she could feel her cheeks burn even more. “What I meant is your attire is fine. Black tie is optional. Are you here for professional or personal reasons?” she rushed on, wanting to change the subject.

“A bit of both.”

Deal Sharing Aunt - Review

"I liked how they worked together and tried to catch the bad guys. I was sure that I knew who was guilty, but the author kept me reading. The ending was good, and I would like to read more about these characters."

Reviews by Crystal - Excerpt

“Help me understand what, exactly, this painting is supposed to represent.” The deep voice, with a touch of humor, had Chelsea glancing over her shoulder.

Her courteous reply caught in her throat as she found herself staring into familiar bold blue eyes. “Detective Eldridge, I didn’t know you had an interest in art.”

Katie's Clean Book Collection - Review

"The word I'm going to use to describe this story overall is: gentle. The mystery is gentle, without any heart-pounding drama; the romance is gentle--sweet, but not overly dynamic chemistry and drama; the characters are gentle--the kind you want for neighbors. This is a perfect read to escape and enjoy your time spent in small town Camden Falls and it's exactly the kind of book that I was in the mood for."

Brooke Blogs - Excerpt

THE FIRST THING Sam noticed when Chelsea walked out of the back was that she looked…taller. He slid his gaze down and saw the shoes. Unless he was mistaken, they were the same shoes she’d worn the night of the exhibit, but they worked even better with the skirt she wore today.

Caught in the act, he realized when he looked up and saw Chelsea’s amused smile. “Ready to go?” he asked, proud of how smoothly he managed to recover from his lapse of professionalism.

Rockin' Book Reviews - Review

"The conflicting turn of events in this story, keeps the reader captivated. There is action, a touch of romance, humor, mystery, suspense and intrigue within the pages of this book.

As always, Kate James does a magnificent job in creating characters the reader feels he/she knows and scenes portrayed so well, the reader will feel he/she is actually there. With the various elements of subject matter in A Priceless Find, this is one of her best creations in the literary world. The reader is kept hoping for a “happily ever after” but unsure of the outcome until the end of the tale.

This definitely earns a Five Stars rating."

Heidi Reads... - Excerpt

Very gentlemanly, Chelsea mused, how Sam had walked her to her car at the gallery and waited until she’d pulled out of the parking lot. It was a thoughtful gesture.

Although Detective Sam Eldridge was about as far from what she considered her “type” as she could imagine, he intrigued her. He was undeniably attractive, but it was more than that. She found his personality appealing, so steady and solid—and her complete opposite.

Slice of Life - Review

"Anyone who loves art will be intrigued by Kate James’ romance novel, A Priceless Find, as she takes us to the small town of Camden Falls via Chelsea Owens. . . . The case is complicated, causing suspicions to flit from one person to another, creating a rollercoaster ride for Chelsea’s relationship with Sam. . . . If you’re ready to delve into the art world with an excellent writer as your guide, pick up a copy of A Priceless Find."

Mello & June, It's a Book Thang! - Excerpt

As he pulled up in front of Sorley’s fifteen minutes later, he saw Chelsea’s car. One more thing to like about her. She was punctual. If things went well, maybe he’d be able to talk her into having dinner with him.

One step at a time, he cautioned himself, as he walked into Sorley’s.

She was sitting in a booth, facing the door, and noticed him right away. Smiling, she waved to him, and he felt that strange sensation in his gut again.

Reading Is My SuperPower - Review

"Once again, Kate James has written a novel that warms your heart and makes you smile. It’s sweet, suspenseful and romantic, and the characters are delightfully genuine. Camden Falls feels like a place any of us could call home, except perhaps for the recent crime spree. *wink* A Priceless Find is a great read from start to finish!"

underneath the covers - Excerpt

Her first inclination was to follow the footprints to see where they led. Feeling a tingle on the back of her neck, she thought better of it. Slipping out the door, she locked it and hurried to her car.

The footprints—and the possibility of someone having seen her inside the warehouse and maybe recognizing her car—made her rethink once more what she’d found and what it might mean.

Inside the Mind of an Avid Reader - Review

"I absolutely love Kate James writing style. She has a way that just makes me love her characters. Chelsea and Sam are just absolutely great. This sweet romance takes my breath away. "

Teatime and Books - Excerpt

“Chelsea. Hi. What brought you here?”

She could see amusement—and was it pleasure?—on Sam’s face. She could also see over his shoulder that Marla was watching them intently. “There’s something I’d appreciate your opinion on,” she said in a subdued voice.

“Okay,” he said with a quizzical look, and led her through the door to the back and into his office.

And don't forget to enter the giveaway below, if you haven't already...

A Priceless Find

(Camden Falls #2)
by Kate James
Contemporary Romance

Paperback & ebook, 365 pages
October 1st 2017 by Harlequin Heartwarming

Can opposites really attract?

A robbery followed by the discovery of a forgery at a respected art gallery thrusts Chelsea Owens into the center of an investigation headed by Detective Sam Eldridge. The instant chemistry between the high-spirited aspiring curator and the tall, dark, brooding cop is a classic case of opposites attract.

Complications arise when Chelsea uncovers a connection to an unsolved art heist. Teaming up with Sam to find the stolen paintings ignites feelings that could lead to lasting love. But Sam isn't ready to move beyond the tragedy in his past, no matter how promising his future with Chelsea could be…

Goodreads│Amazon│Barnes & Noble│Harlequin│iTunes│Indigo

Other Books in the Series

A Child's Christmas

(Camden Falls #1)

by Kate James

Contemporary Romance

Paperback & ebook, 376 pages

November 1st 2014 by Harlequin Heartwarming

There's a stranger at the door on Christmas Day… 

Single mother Paige Summerville wants to give her seven-year-old son the Christmas of his dreams. Jason needs surgery to beat the illness that's plagued his young life, leaving Paige desperate to make ends meet. So she turns to a charity that grants the wishes of sick children… 

Then a stranger arrives bearing gifts for Jason—and for her. He's Daniel Kinsley, a lawyer who's grown cynical about family. But his kindness in making Jason's wishes come true offers him more than he ever imagined. Is there room in Paige's heart for a man who could fulfill all their dreams? And not just at Christmas!

Goodreads│Amazon│Barnes & Noble│Harlequin│iTunes│Indigo

About the Author

Kate spent much of her childhood abroad before attending university in Canada. She built a successful business career, but her passion has always been literature. As a result, Kate turned her energy to her love of the written word.

Kate's goal is to entertain her readers with engaging stories featuring strong, likable characters. Kate has been honored with numerous awards for her writing. She and her husband, Ken, enjoy traveling and the outdoors, with their beloved Labrador Retrievers, Harley and Logan.

Kate would love to hear from you! You can connect with her by email, through her website, her Facebook page, Twitter, or mail at PO Box 446, Schomberg, ON, L0G 1T0, Canada.

Tour Giveaway

Prize Pack:
- The prize pack includes:

   · Aqua over-the shoulder tasseled bag
   · San Diego K-9 Unit mouse pad
   · Signed copy of Sanctuary Cove
   · Signed copy of The Truth About Hope
   · Singed copy of When the Right One Comes Along, first book in the San Diego K-9 Unit series
   · A pack of three metallic page markers with an inspirational quote on each
   · Pair of heart-shaped earrings embellished with ruby-colored stones
   · Assortment of signed bookplates
   · $20 Amazon gift card
- Prize pack available for Canadian and US residents. Should the winner be international, e-books will be substituted.

- Ends October 11th

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