My Comments: This is a quick sweet read.  The premise of the book is a little hard to swallow – making a town famous for love – but my husband and I honeymooned in Vermont and it IS a romantic state overall!  Snow, skiing, cold biting weather (and we went in April!), and quaint little towns.  Four women from the town of Smitten share their love stories.  Each is different according to the personality of the author.  They share other aspects of their lives as well such as making a go of a new business, and fighting people who don’t agree with their idea of making Smitten a town for love (because of it’s name).  This book would be great to read for Valentine’s Day!  I would overall give it a 3.5 out of 5.

Thank you NetGalley!  This book is already pubished and ready to order.

Just in time for back-to-school, “Dear Teacher” is a collection of humorous letters from a child to his teacher explaining why he cannot go to class. Each subsequent letter describes Michael’s increasingly outlandish escapades. Illustrations.

My Comments: I read this book to my second graders the first week of school and we enjoyed it.  It would serve two purposes in my classroom – writing letters and beginning of school.  The book uses imagination in a fun way and kept my class engaged throughout.  The illustrations are kid-friendly and the cover looks like a large envelope which adds to the appeal.  We also discussed places around the world such as Egypt, Africa, and Asia.  This is a keeper!

Author Kaye Dacus will ignite your love of romance with book 2 of her Matchmakers series. Dylan Bradley, who once illustrated steamy romances under the name Patrick Callaghan, has moved into his grandparent’s guest house in Nashville. Caylor Evans, having once written titillating novels under the penname Melanie Mason, lives with her grandmother. When their lives collide, due to the machinations of meddling matriarchs, the pasts of Dylan and Caylor threaten to derail their futures. Will they accept each other for who they now are—and once were? Or will they never discover the true art of romance?

My Comments: I found this book sweet and a little different in that it really seemed to cover life as it is today.  The characters were all older – there were significant age differences, which resembles today more than years past, and the education level of the characters was high (post graduate).  Yet this book appealed to me because it was clean and clearly stated Christian values without preaching.  I loved the idea of grannies match-making their grandkids.  If I have any areas of criticism it would be that the romance moved along too quickly.  I would have liked to to see it develop more slowly – over a little bit longer time period.  However, I liked it enough to order Book 1 in the series and look forward to reading Book 3 as well.

This book was released May 1, 2011.  I received a review copy from NetGalley.

Together for the first time, three Amish romances from Kathleen Fuller.

“A Miracle for Miriam” from An Amish Christmas

Miriam fell for Seth, but he broke her heart. Years later, after he’s nearly killed in an accident, Miriam sees him at a Christmas party and notices something is different about him-not just how he looks, but how he acts. When Seth pursues her, she must decide whether to guard her heart or accept his love.

“A Place of His Own” from An Amish Gathering

When Josiah left Paradise the first time, he didn’t even say good-bye. Now he’s back, ten years later, and he’s changed. Why is he so distant and bitter? Where is the boy who used to be Amanda’s best friend? Amanda is learning that there are things even a capable Amish girl can’t fix. But can she stand there and watch him walk away…again?

“What the Heart Sees” from An Amish Love

A tragic accident rocks a peaceful Amish community, leaving Ellie Chupp blinded and Christopher Bender’s future shattered. But they find love and forgiveness in a place they least expect.

My Comments: I had already read two of these stories and loved them, but this time I read the third one and also loved it!  Kathleen seems to tackle ideas that nobody else has yet in the Amish book world.  This story (the one I hadn’t read before), A Place of His Own, touches on physical abuse.  Kathleen Fuller is one of my favorite new author of Amish stories.  Each has touched me in a special way.  This book with three excellent stories is worth getting and reading.  The stories are happy and full of hope, although throughout the story that’s not always the case.  Other stories could be written as spin-offs, and I would definitely want to read them!

Product Description

In the middle of the year, in the middle of her life, Bethanne Hamlin takes a road trip with her daughter, Annie, and her former mother-in-law, Ruth.

They’re driving to Florida for Ruth’s 50th high-school reunion. A longtime widow, Ruth would like to reconnect with Royce, the love of her teenage life. She’s heard he’s alone, too…and, well, she’s curious. Maybe even hopeful.

Bethanne herself needs time to reï ¬ ‚ ect, to ponder a decision she has to make. Her ex-husband, Grant—her children’s father—wants to reconcile now that his second marriage has failed. Bethanne’s considering it….

Meanwhile, Annie’s out to prove to her onetime boyfriend that she can live a brilliant life without him!

So there they are, three women driving across America. They have their maps and their directions—but even the best-planned journey can take you to a turn in the road. Or lead you to an unexpected encounter—like the day Bethanne meets a man named Max who really is a hero on a Harley. That’s when Bethanne’s decision becomes a lot harder. Because Grant wants her back, but now there’s Max….

From Seattle’s Blossom Street to the other end of the country, this is a trip that could change three women’s lives.

My Comments: I love road trips and I love the Blossom Street series, so this book was a hit with me.  I love that Bethanne became a savvy business woman and could become independent after being a stay-at-home living basically for her husband and children.  She is a roll-model for women – single AND married who need to be their own person, not just an extension of her husband.

I love the way this book ended, although I wasn’t sure how it would end until it did (if that makes sense).  I wasn’t sure the best choice would be made – but it was!

Debbie Macomber writes great, warm and fuzzy romantic stories, and this one is another great addition to the Blossom Street series!

This book will be published the end of April.  I received an e-copy from NetGalley.

Elizabeth Avery could easily be the girl next door.

But what she has planned will make your blood run cold.

At first glance, the crimes appear random. Arson. Theft. Fraud. Murder. But these are more than random crimes. They’re moves in an increasingly deadly game. And the one element they have in common: a woman who is gorgeous, clever . . . and lethal.

Elizabeth Avery has a winsome smile and flawless figure, but underneath is a heart of ice. She’s a master at manipulating people, convincing strangers to do the unthinkable. And she orchestrates it all without getting too close. Until now.

When Elizabeth ruthlessly disposes of an inquisitive young reporter, her crime catches the attention of Federal Prosecutor Allison Pierce, FBI Special Agent Nicole Hedges, and crime reporter Cassidy Shaw. They know they’re dealing with a cold-blooded murderer who could strike at any time. What they don’t know is that they’re already on a first-name basis with the killer.

And one of them may be next on her list.

Because Elizabeth has no intention of getting caught – not when she’s having this much fun. She learned a long time ago that the safest place to hide is in plain sight . . . and the greatest way to defeat those weaker than her is to make it personal.

My Comments: Heart of Ice kept me on the edge of my seat, and I had a hard time putting it down.  I have often read about a male serial killer, but never a female.  This book is the third in a series (Triple Threat Novels) and I will be looking for the first two soon.

I always wonder what makes someone who can kill someone without a second thought tick.  I am pretty sure I couldn’t even hurt an animal, let alone a person.  I don’t think a person becomes a killer without many complex issues in their lives.  Of course everyone is an individual and there are many different type issues involved.

The heroines in this story are not your average amateur detectives – we have a reporter, an FBI agent, and a Federal Prosecutor – three very capable, very strong women.  They each have their own issues but easily could be somebody you know or have known.

Heart of Ice has a light Christian emphasis – not preachy at all – and could be enjoyed by anyone – person of faith or not.  The main characters are a mixed bag as far as faith is concerned.

I enjoyed this book and would recommend it for anyone who enjoys suspense novels.

This book will be released the beginning of April.  I received my e-book copy via NetGalley. Thank you!

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Faithful Christian Deidre Clark-Morris is a professional career-minded woman with a loving husband and beautiful home, but no children. Kenisha Smalls has lived in poverty her entire life and has three children by three different men. After learning that Kenisha has inoperable cervical cancer, the relationship between these two women becomes a catalyst of hope, leading them both to a place of redemption and healing.

My Comments: I cried throughout this book – it was so sad, yet had a very satisfying conclusion.  The struggles the characters had with their faith in God were so real-to-life.  The author made it easy to relate to each character.  I love the idea of one of the main characters being the principal to the other main character’s child.  Even the problems the principal faced at school and with her superintendent struck a familiar chord.  I “know” some of these people close and personal and you may also.  I highly recommend this book to anyone strong in the faith, weak in the faith, or without faith.  You will find hope.

The cover is beautiful, don’t you think?  I look forward to reading more books by Vanessa Miller!

Thank you NetGalley for an e-copy of this book!