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Saturday, May 28, 2016


MEDICAL JUDGMENT by RICHARD L. MABRY, M. D.

I just received this book yesterday and finished it in one day. It was so intriguing I couldn't put it down. The author does an outstanding job of delivering mystery at its very best. The storyline is superior and has all the makings for a great movie. I always look forward to reading Mr. Mabry's  books and this one is definitely one of his very best.

 Sarah is trying to pull her life back together after a tragic accident killed her husband and daughter. She feels empty inside and angry at the world. All she has now is her job as an ER doctor. She tries to fill her empty days by working but inside  she feels nothing.  Several men in her life start to take interest in her, but she feels she would be dishonoring  her dead husband if she went out with anyone. Suddenly strange things start to happen that makes Sarah uneasy. A fire in her house, strange calls, threats made on her life all start to make her rethink her safety. Who is trying to harm her? Can she trust someone who was her husband's best friend to protect her?

The reason I liked this book so much was for several reasons. The main character was a strong woman who didn't fall apart at the first sign of trouble. Her character was well written and even shared her anger  and struggle  with God. There were several references to overcoming anger and how to heal with the help of God.  and the author The story was so detailed with its surprising twists that I couldn't figure out who the person was causing Sarah so much uneasiness. That is a sign of an author who not only develops a great plot but keeps you guessing and on the edge of your seat. The added characters in the story compliment each other and interact very well together. I loved the preacher and his words of wisdom as he counseled several people.

If you are looking for a mystery with a  action packed story that is explosive and at the caliber of one of the best writers around, this book is a must read.

I received a copy if this book from the author and Abingdon Press for an honest review.

Wednesday, May 25, 2016


THE GOODBYE BRIDE by DENISE HUNTER

This is another great book from an author that writes with humor, compassion and gives readers a touch of romance . I loved the characters and how they were developed easily over a course of a few chapters. It was nice to get to know them and sense their feelings just by the stroke  of a pen with words that flowed easily.


I've seen shows where the main theme is someone has amnesia and it takes forever for them to get it back. They cry and walk around depressed and I quickly lose interest. With this book, it was refreshing and written with a flow that didn't detour into unimportant details. Lucy wakes up in a bathroom after hitting her head . She is wearing a wedding dress and can't remember a thing. I would hate to have that feeling of confusion . Poor Lucy can't remember the last seven months. She does remember that she was getting married but she has the wrong fiancĂ©  in mind. What is a woman to do? Well of course  she calls her Zac to rescue her. There is one little catch though;  she isn't engaged to the man she calls on the phone anymore.

Zac is floored when he receives a call from Lucy asking to be rescued. He reluctantly goes and picks her up, still remembering how hurt he still feels when she left him seven months ago with no explanation. Lucy , you got some explaining to do. The story is so good with some unexpected twists. Will Lucy ever regain her memory? Who is this other man who claims to be her fiancĂ© ? Why is she uncomfortable around him?

The book is well written and will have you glued to the story as it gives you a glimpse into redemption, trust, faith and forgiveness. Who will win Lucy's heart?

I received a copy of this book from The Fiction Guild for an honest review.

Tuesday, May 24, 2016


THE NEWSMAKERS by LIS WIEHL with SEBASTIAN STUART

At the beginning of the book, I was having a difficult time getting into the story. As the details started to emerge I found myself intrigued and was able to get involved in a heartstopping action filled book.

Erica has been through a very difficult divorce and lost custody of her child. Her alcohol addiction cost her dearly and now she is trying to start over. She lands a job at the prestigious Global News Network. She is determined to be the best reporter they have ever had. As Erica reports on a major disaster it seems that overnight her popularity has skyrocketed. Will fame cost her more than she is willing to deliver? What happens when she investigates the disaster on her own? Why are there so many horrible things happening around her?

The story is written with a great look into the news business and how cutthroat it can be. The more Erica gets great stories that become major headlines, the more her life is in danger. Is her boss, Nylan behind a sinister plot to take out major influential people? Who can Erica trust as she gets closer to the truth? There is mention in the book of alcoholism and drug abuse which draws attention to the destruction it can cause to a person.

The book really picks up speed at the halfway mark and delves into deception, and a story that is believable with twists and turns. I liked the characters and how  each one played an intricate part in the story. The author does a good job of making Nylan so evil that I instantly didn't trust him. I am looking forwarding to the next installment of this story to see if Erica can continue to be strong and fight for truth and justice.


I received a copy of this boom from The Fiction Guild for an honest review.

Monday, May 23, 2016

the quieting FB cover

Purchase your copy of The Quieting here.

About the Book

the quietingThe Stoltzfus family faces serious problems, both in the church and at home. Everyone in the community expects minister David Stoltzfus to fix things–fast. But David doesn’t work fast. He prefers to wait for God to work in individual hearts. However, even he is left wondering if the solution to their most pressing problem might be a Quieting.
When David’s mother arrives, uninvited, more upheaval is in store. She has matchmaking plans for everyone in the family, including David and her eligible granddaughters–and especially for David’s niece Abigail. When Abigail stumbles onto a curious connection during her genealogical research, it could help David solve one problem–but will it create another?
Bestselling author Suzanne Woods Fisher takes fans back to Stoney Ridge, delivering the twists, turns, and romance they adore.

About the Author

suzanne-croppedSuzanne Woods Fisher is an award-winning, bestselling author whose most recent novels include Anna’s Crossing and The Inn at Eagle Hill series, as well as nonfiction books about the Amish, including Amish Peace and The Heart of the Amish. She lives in California. Learn more at www.suzannewoodsfisher.com and follow Suzanne on Twitter @suzannewfisher.

Blog Stops

May 17: Heidi Reads…
May 18: Just Commonly
May 19: A Holland Reads
May 20: Quiet Quilter
May 21: cherylbbookblog
May 22: Giveaway Lady
May 23: Splashes of Joy
May 24: Lane Hill House
May 24: Book by Book
May 24: Mary Hake
May 29: Bukwurmzzz
May 29: Bigreadersite

Guest Post from Suzanne Woods Fisher

Twenty years ago, my husband and I attended a large church with a dynamic senior pastor. Each Sunday, we would sit spellbound during 40 minute sermons—he was that good a preacher. And then a terrible thing came to light—this very man had been taking advantage of vulnerable women during counseling sessions. Fourteen women, it turned out, and the pastor remained unrepentant. As issues were dealt with, our entire church suffered. We were a hurting community. The sins of one affected all.
As I plotted out ‘The Bishop’s Family,’ I wanted to borrow the theme of how a leader’s sins hurts the church community. (Now, I need to clarify that this is not a novel that addresses sexual sin. However, it does address unrepentant sin in an ordained leader.) First, I spoke to some Amish friends to see if my story idea had any merit. Was I was on the right track? To my amazement, a similar situation to my novels had occurred in one Amish friend’s church, and it resulted in a “quieting.” That’s an Amish phrase that means revoking the responsibilities of an unrepentant ordained leader. Just like it sounds–he is, essentially, “quieted.”
In this novel, you’ll see the behind-the-scenes of Amish church leadership, and get a sense of how a community is hurting. And how it begins to heal, too.
This series began in the Stoney Ridge, Pennsylvania community with The Imposter. More twists and turns are coming to Stoney Ridge after The Quieting—so stay tuned for The Devoted to hit bookshelves in early October. Just in time for autumn reading by a warm fireplace.
Warmly, Suzanne

Review.jpg


I have read a lot of Amish fiction books and thought I knew about most of their beliefs , but I was pleasantly surprised to learn something I have never read about them before. I know about shunning and how it distances the person from the community, but I have not heard the word quieting before. As explained in the book it is basically removing an Amish bishop that  has done something wrong and will not repent for it. This made for a very intense story that completely engrossed me. What did the bishop do that would cause quieting to be informed?

I can't imagine what turmoil the community was in as they faced this very hard decision to remove a bishop. The author does  a great job in sharing the characters feelings and how they anguish over this very seldom action being enforced . What will the decision be from the community? Can they repair the damage done to the community? Will it tarnish the trust in the community? The story was very intense and I couldn't stop reading it because I had to see how the characters would each deal with this. The characters are very well written and I admire the way the author wrote  such a moving story that showed deep rooted faith.

There is another part of the story that is so well written and made me really like Abigail. Her main focus is to finish her ill father's genealogy work for a client. On top of this is a cute little diversion for  Abigail from an admirer. She has a hard time communicating with others and sometimes is a bit shy. I loved the story and all the twists it took. We all have pasts we sometimes have a hard time letting go of. Will there be secrets revealed as Abigail digs deeper in the genealogy research she is doing for a client? Will she let someone into her life and find love?

The story is filled with intrigue, redemption and forgiveness. It gives a glance into a bishop's life as he juggles serving the community while meeting the needs of his own family. You will find many characters in the book that at first confused me, but as I really got into the story I understood the importance of each character. It is a well written book that shows the struggles of relationships and how a community comes together to support each other.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit an honest review .

Giveaway

The Quieting giveaway
To celebrate her tour, Suzanne is giving away a grab bag of Amish-made gifts worth over $100! Click the link to enter: https://promosimple.com/ps/99a8