The Proposal at Siesta Key (Amish Brides of Pinecraft #2) by Shelley Shepard Gray

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the Litfuse Publicity Group book blogger campaign. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”  

About the Book:

The Proposal at Siesta Key (Avon Inspire, May 2015)

A young Amish woman, yearning for freedom, crosses paths with a handsome Mennonite celebrity in a deeply moving tale of friendship and self-discovery—the second installment in the unforgettable New York Times bestselling author’s new Amish Brides of Pinecraft series.

Penny Troyer rarely disobeys her parents. In the years since her sister’s tragic death, they’ve wanted nothing more than to keep her safe…even if it means never leaving the house.

But tonight, she’s bending the rules because Michael Knoxx, the most famous member of The Knoxx Family Singers, a traveling Mennonite Evangelical family —is scheduled to speak. Penny has heard of Michael—how he lost part of his leg in a terrible accident and uses the experience to inspire others—and knows she must meet him. So, for the first time ever, Penny stands up to her parents and goes out on her own.

Though he speaks about living life to the fullest, Michael knows he needs to take his own advice. Life on the road is grueling and Michael wants to slow down, to rest…to perhaps meet someone who sees him as a man, not just a celebrity. So when a twist of fate allows him the chance to stay a little longer in Pinecraft, Michael knows God is showing him a new path, especially when he discovers how much he and Penny Troyer have in common.

But new friendships can’t stop time. Soon, Michael’s time in Pinecraft will be over and he’ll be back on the road. Her time with Michael has brought her happiness, but will she be able to follow her heart? Or will she be faced with the one thing she’s sure she’ll never have the courage to do?

Learn more and purchase a copy.

About the author: 

Shelley Shepard Gray is a two-time New York Times bestseller, a two-time USA Today bestseller, a finalist for the American Christian Fiction Writers prestigious Carol Award, and a two-time Holt Medallion winner. She lives in Southern Ohio, where she writes full-time, bakes too much, and can often be found walking her dachshunds on her town's bike trail.


Find Shelley online: website, Twitter, Facebook

Dynamic Uno here:  If you've kept up with my blog and social media posts within the last year or so, you will know that I have a soft spot for the Pinecraft area of Sarasota.  When I learned that book #2 in the Amish Brides of Pinecraft series was coming out, I knew I had to read more about this lovely area and people, even if the characters were fictionalized.

Michael Knoxx is touring the country with his family to discuss how God used a horrible situation in his life (losing a leg from a fall in a ravine) for the good. After having a sister who was brutally murdered, Penny Troyer has since lived a very sheltered life, until she decides she can't stand it any more.   Both are living out the Amish proverb "Growing old is easy--the hard part is growing up," by deciding to change their lives in an amazing way with God's help.  The actual proposal Michael had for Penny was to embrace each hour/day and to cherish each moment as they move forward in their lives.

I think we can all apply this proposal to our lives.  I know that I tend to wish for the work day to end or the weekend to come, so I can go home and relax rather than enjoy the little moments of peace throughout the day.  I need to learn to enjoy each of the little moments as they come rather than wishing my life away.

I enjoyed the strong friendship that developed between Michael and Penny from their basic day-to-day interactions.  Their raw emotions being shared and honestly painful stories brought both of the characters closer as trust began to form in their bond.  I also liked how each character began to notice the little details about one another as they forged their friendship and it began to blossom into a mutual attraction.  This gives me hope that I may find someone with whom I can be completely honest with and share my innermost concerns and feelings.

While The Proposal of Siesta Key dealt with some heavy topics, all were treated with dignity and respect and were not over-dramatized.  Michael's mission and Penny's new found freedom were the main parts of the story, as was their friendship.  All in all it was a light-hearted read that made me want to visit Pinecraft again, just so that I might have the chance to run into a few of the "characters."

If you enjoy Amish romance, or even if you want to explore life in a new order village, this series is for you!  

Let me know what you think and Happy Reading!

A Season of Change by Lynette Sowell (Seasons in Pinecraft series, Book #1)

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received the book for free from the publisher through the Litfuse Publicity Group book  blogger campaign and I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

ABOUT THE BOOK: (Information taken directly from LitFuse Publicity's Promotions page.)

Book One in the NEW Seasons of Pinecraft series | A Season of Change

An Amish widower finds love in unexpected places.

Amish widower Jacob Miller believes it was a mistake to visit the Amish village of Pinecraft for winter vacation, especially after his daughter is struck by a car. Stranded in Sarasota until his daughter recovers, Jacob grows increasingly wary of events that unfold in his unfamiliar surroundings—including the strange curiosity of Englischer Natalie Bennett.

Natalie never thought her circus career as an aerial silks artist would end with a blown-out knee at the age of 25. She also never knew her late mother had a secret—that she was once Amish.

When Natalie meets the Millers at the Sarasota hospital, she is attracted to their warm hospitality and simple ways—and soon wonders if they can help her find her mother’s family. As Jacob and Natalie fall in love, their worlds collide. Will their differences tear them apart? Or will their love be strong enough to blend their clashing cultures?

Learn more and purchase a copy at Lynette’s website.

Lynette Sowell was born in western Massachusetts in the shadow of the Berkshire Mountains, raised on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, and now makes her home on the doorstep of the Texas hill country. The award-winning author of more than 15 titles, Lynette loves reading, cooking, watching movies, and is always up for a Texas road trip. When not writing fiction, she works in medical transcription and is a freelance writer and columnist for her local newspaper.

Dynamic Uno here:  When I realized A Season of Change took place in Pinecraft, I was even more excited than usual.  You see, I live in a suburb of Tampa, Florida, which is just north of Sarasota- where Pinecraft is located!  

In fact, I've been to Yoder's Amish Village several times and can't wait to go back!  The food at the restaurant is FABULOUS!  Really--it's like the food your grandma used to make.  Meatloaf, macaroni and cheese, apple butter for the fresh sliced bread, and lots of pie!   Everything is homemade and not from some box--like I normally use.  (Now I'm hungry...)

I love to shop at their market and deli area.  My favorite thing to buy, aside from everything, is their sweet mint tea!  Around Christmas, I went there with my aunt and I forgot to order several gallons ahead of time, but they went ahead and made them for me as a special order.  Talk about generous! 

I've eyed the pizza shop and Big Olaf's Ice Cream place, but haven't ventured in yet.  Maybe in the fall when things cool down a bit and I can enjoy the outdoors without melting.  Now that I've read more about the village area, I may even be a "tourist" and venture around a bit more to see if I can find some of the locations in the story.

And now back to the story...I thought it was really neat that Natalie worked as a former circus performer and now teaches children how to do the acrobatics in the silks.   Having her dress up as a clown to entertain the children in the hospital at Christmas was a welcome treat--especially since they were so far from home and in desperate need of some cheer.  (The Circus Clown School is actually right down the road from Yoder's.) 

Jacob seemed like a lost little puppy with his children.  With no wife to help with their care, I'm glad that his grandmother was able to help while they had their extended stay.  Zeke seemed like a bright young boy and Rebecca seemed very mature for her age--although they'd been through a lot of heartache for being so young.

I enjoyed reading about the developing friendship between Natalie and Jacob's family--especially when she learned that her own mother had been Amish and found part of a quilt she had started.  

I was a bit frustrated by the "rules" that Jacob had to follow--they remind me a bit of my grandmother's denomination--but I understand their reasoning and can see how it may not be a problem for him since he was raised with those beliefs.

Of course, I was really excited to read about the developing feelings Jacob and Natalie had for one another, but I couldn't figure out a middle ground as Mammi had suggested because their worlds are so very different.  I'm so glad that everything worked out in the end and I can't wait to read more about the other villagers! 

If you like to read romance with a twist, then you need to read A Season of Change!  Who knows, maybe I'll see you around Pinecraft sometime.  ((I'll be the one buying all of the Sweet Mint Tea.)

Let me know what you think and Happy Reading!!!

Unbreakable by Nancy Mehl

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the Litfuse Publicity Group book  blogger campaign. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Title: Unbreakable (Road to Kingdom book 2)

 Author: Nancy Mehl

 Format: trade paperback

Genre: Christian, Romantic Suspense, Mennonites

Source: Litfuse Publicity Group book blogger campaign

Published: Bethany House / 2013 / ISBN: 978-0-7642-0928-4 / 326 pages / $14.99

Buy the Book:  Amazon / Publisher / Christianbook / Barnes & Noble 

Find the Author Online:  Website / Facebook / Suspense Sisters Blog

Why I Read this Book:  I first learned of Nancy Mehl's work through the LibraryThing Early Book Reviewer's site when I received a free copy from the publisher of Inescapable- (book one in the Road to Kingdom series.)  I had only read a few Amish/Mennonite books at that point in time, so when I saw the word suspense with Mennonite, I was intrigued to find out how it would play a role in their everyday lives.  I mean, suspense and Mennonites?  It didn't really add up.  Well, I was proved very wrong.  Murder, lies, and broken family relationships were all a part of the first book. After reading Inescapable, I was hooked!

What I Liked:  I really enjoyed the fact that the characters in Unbreakable are realistic.  I think oftentimes, the Amish and Mennonite ways of life are painted as boring and perfect because they do not incorporate the same technologies that the rest of the world abuses uses on a daily basis.  Unbreakable shows that while the Mennonites are considered "plain," the people still suffer and fall prey to the same temptations and sins that the rest of us do.  Thankfully, their sense of community and faith are strong enough that rather than lock their doors to everyone, they all chip in and help each other out.

The suspense of who was causing all of the destruction both inside the town of Kingdom and outside kept me reading; hungry for more information.  I don't want to give spoilers to the story, so let's say that I was just as angry, sad, and confused as the characters while they were living through these attacks on the town and its members.

When sparks of attraction started to fly between several of the characters, I was biting my nails in anticipation of the final decision that had to be made.  Which of the suitors would be chosen and why?  I can honestly say that I didn't envy the decision that had to be made, but I'm glad there was a choice.

I enjoyed that the issue of faith and trust in God was brought up many times throughout the book.  I think as believers, we tend to doubt and not really trust that God is on our side, even if we say we do.  The characters had to actually live out their trust in God, and some even had to put their lives on the line and live out their belief that God would take care of them, even in the face of dire circumstances.  It's a great lesson to be learned by us all.  

What I Didn't Like:  The book ended too soon! I wanted to learn more about the other characters and their relationships, but I guess that will have to wait for the next book in the series.  *wink*

Overall Impression:  I thoroughly enjoyed reading Unbreakable, the second book in the Road to Kingdom series. It has opened my eyes to the reality and struggles that the members of the Mennonite and Amish communities face on a daily basis.  It has also made me realize that though their way of life is drastically different from my own, we still share the same struggles and frustrations, as well as doubts.  The good news is that our faith in God helps us to conquer the challenges that we face, and sometimes helps others to see that there is a proverbial "light at the end of the tunnel"
 if we just practice our faith and show what we believe.

 

Rating: 4 out of 5

Let me know what you think!  Happy Reading! 

Unbreakable Kindle Fire Giveaway and 3/5 Facebook Party!

Celebrate the release of Unbreakable with Nancy Mehl by entering her Kindle Fire Giveaway and RSVPing to the March 5th Author Chat Party on Facebook!

One fortunate winner will receive:

• A Kindle Fire
• Books one & two in Nancy's Road to Kingdom series (Inescapable and Unbreakable)

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on March 4th. Winner will be announced at the "Unbreakable" Author Chat Party on March 5th. Connect with Nancy, get a sneak peek of her next book, try your hand at the trivia contest, and chat with readers just like you. There will also be gift certificates, books, and fun Mennonite-themed giveaways.

Grab your copy of Unbreakable and join Nancy on the evening of the March 5th for a chance to connect with Nancy and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the book, don't let that stop you from coming!)

Don't miss a moment of the fun, RSVP today. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 5th!