a Sleigh Ride on Ice Mountain by Kelly Long

My review today is on the novella  The Amish Christmas Sleigh. As I usually do on novellas I will write a review on each story in the book. Today my review is on the story, A Sleigh Ride on Ice Mountain. I love Kelly's book on Ice Mountain so I was thrilled when they sent me this one to review. I think the thing I like most about her stories are the men. They are big strong men that are gentle and loving. I like that. This story is well written, humorous, and heartwarming. The issues that her characters are dealing with are complex and life changing but she uses faith to turn things around.

Kate Zook feels that she is past the age of marriage but she doesn't mind because her little brother is the whole world to her. Her parents were killed in a buggy accident and her brother was crippled. Caring for him is a constant struggle but her cousins has offered her a place to stay and she does housework for them for food and necessities.

Sebastion Christner, is a toy maker. He lives alone out in the woods. He loves children. He sees young Ben Zook sitting on a tree trunk watching the other children sledding. It breaks his heart so he takes him in the sled and heads down the hill only to be stopped by the boys sister. When Sebastion sees how these two live he decides to hire Kate as a housekeeper and the boy to help him make toys. He wants to help them but his past means there can be no relationship between them no matter how much he is drawn to her.

God has a plan for these two heart broken people; a plan neither of them had ever even dreamed of. God has a plan for you too and it's greater than you can even imagine. We just have to believe God's Word and trust Him to do it.

Desperate Escape by Lisa Harris

My review today is on the Love Inspired Suspense, Desperate Escape. I enjoyed this book very much. It's well written, action packed, and full of adventure. Lisa's faith is woven throughout the entire story like a tapestry.  I know you will want to get a copy of this book.

After the death of her father, Madison Grant decided she would become a doctor to save lives. Her brother was killed by a land mine and she left her comfortable life in private practice to go to West Africa and help the people of one the poorest counties in the world. But a journalist was shot and brought into her hospital. Right before he died he gave her information that proved a man high up in the American government was involved in drug trafficking. Then five days ago she was kidnapped and taken to drug lord's compound to care for the people from a cholera epidemic. Maddie knew as soon as the people were well she would be killed.

Special Ops.Grant Reese was Maddie's brother's best friend. It was his fault that he joined the Marines and his fault that he died. When Maddie's step father contacted him he had no choice but to try to rescue her. At one time he had loved her, now could he save her without getting another broken heart?

These two people are both dealing with issues of guilt and unforgiveness; Maddie is determined not to love again, after all she had lost her father and her brother she couldn't survive another loss, Grant had been her first crush but now he disarmed mines for a living, he could be killed at any moment. Grant was still dealing with the guilt of her brothers death plus a broken engagement. It was obvious that Maddie had a problem with what he did. Can these two people let go of their issues and let God  take control of their lives. He has a plan for them and it's much greater than anything they could ever hope for.

My Greatest Gift by Glenda Parker

My post today is not my usual book review today I want to tell you about my greatest gift God gave me. Fifty years ago I married an airmen. I became pregnant right away but unfortunately I lost that baby. It broke my heart. No one seemed to realize how hard that was for me but even though I wasn't very far along it was devastating to me.  Because I lost that child my husband received orders for Vietnam. He had had orders before but because of the first pregnancy they had  let him stay; now I was going to have to go through almost all of my pregnancy alone. My father came and picked my up in Lincoln and took me to Minot, North Dakota to stay with them at their air base. I lived in total fear I didn't know God then, at least not like I do now. I would go weeks without hearing from my husband and during that time I was so afraid I'd lose him and this baby. It was the worst six months of my life.

Forty-nine years ago today I woke up with contractions. When I went to the hospital the doctor sent me home. He said I could be like that a month, the baby just wasn't ready yet. (I had already gone over my due date 25 days.) I know more than got back to the air base than my water broke and they had to rush me back to the hospital. At 7:31 P.M. my beautiful baby girl was born.

Kellie Koree Parker was 6 lbs. and 15 ounces, she was 16 inches long. Such a tiny little thing to turn my life upside down. What a great gift you have been in my life. I thank God for such a wonderful gift, you have stood beside me when I had no one else and you are my best friend. I love all my children but the rest have always lived far away and are not a part of my life. I'm doing good to see them one or twice a year but Kellie is always there for me. You are a great joy.

Bound to the Warrior by Barbara Phinney

My review today is on the Love Inspired Historical, Bound to the Warrior. This was the first book in a series about the middle ages. I had read the second and the third book but was thrilled when Barbara sent me the first one. It was great to see how the whole story came about. I love stories about middle ages. I'm glad I didn't have to live then but I enjoy reading about them. This book is like all of Barbara's books; well written, full of adventure, and a weaving of faith throughout her work like a tapestry. I know you will love this book.

Widowed Lady Ediva Dunmow had just buried her husband when the new Norman King sent for her only to force her into another loveless marriage. Her first husband had been abusive and cruel. She had no desire to marry another man and certainly a huge warrior. She had promised her people she would protect them but after her marriage someone was threatening her and her people if she didn't kill her Norman husband.

Baron Adrien de Ries is a soldier not a land owner and certainly not husband material for the beautiful Saxon Lady but he must do as his king commands. He takes the widow as his wife and moves to her Keep Dunmow. He soon realizes he is unqualified to have the care of the Keep but falls in love with the people who now depend on him. He begins to court his wife but soon finds someone is trying to kill her. Will he be able to protect her?

A journey of two people forced together in an unwanted marriage. One fears for her life as she blames God for all the horrors she has gone through and the other prays for God to reveal Himself to his wife and show her His love. Can he make her understand how important it is to forgive? A great book!

Rodeo Rescuer by Lynette Eason

My review today is on the Love Inspired Suspense, Rodeo Rescuer. This book is a part of the Wrangler's Corner Series. I just love Lynette's books, this is no exception; it's well written, action packed, and full of faith. I loved it. I come from Nebraska; cowboys and rodeo's are just a part of our life in the Sandhills. You really need to get a copy of this book.

Tonya Waters is hiding out on the rodeo circuit. Her former boyfriend threatened her and her family years ago. He was sent to prison but was released soon after. She never told him of her love for bullfighting so she thought she'd be safe here but someone was trying to kill her. She had no where to go to hide from this mad man.

Seth Starke is a bull rider. He has just returned to bull riding after a serious injury to his leg. Seth finishes ride only to take a mysterious fall at the end. Tonya steps in and saves him from the bull but he has reinjured his leg. After an attack on Tonya, break-in attempt at Tonya's trailer, and a bomb planted in her equipment Seth takes Tonya home so he can protect her.

A journey of two broken souls trying to survive the destruction surrounding them. They soon learn that only God will be able to keep them through the trauma that surrounds them. God always has a plan and when we learn to trust Him, He always makes a way.

Submerged by Eizabeth Goddard

My review today is on the Love Inspired Suspense, Submerged. This is the fourth book in the Mountain Cove Series. I have loved this series and hate to see it end. Elizabeth does an excellent job on suspense stories. This book is well written, action packed, and full of faith. I will tell you to be careful because once you start this book you will have a very difficult time putting it down. It's an awesome adventure.

Cobie MacBride's father is missing, hoping to find information about his disappearance she arranges to meet a couple of friends and go caving at the the last place she knew he visited. Cobie arrives before her friends and decides to go ahead and check out the cave. As she is about to enter the cave she is attacked by a large man. Cobie manages to hit the man with a rock as he is strangling her. Running from her attacker she has no choice but to jump off the ledge and into the freezing waters below. Ready to die she is rescued by the man she had once loved but now blames for her brothers death.

Adam Warren and his friends are on a trip to map out caves on a small island when he sees a woman jump off a ledge and plunge into the water. The men change course and go to her rescue. Adam jumps in and rescues her only to find Cobie, the love of his life. He had always loved this girl but his part in her brother's death was keeping them apart. Now someone is trying to kill her, can he keep her safe without shattering his heart?

A journey of two broken hearts struggling to find their way through the trauma that surrounds them. Can they forgive each other, find forgiveness, and learn to trust God and each other? An awesome story!

Huckleberry Hearts by Jennifer Beckstrand

My review today is on the book, Huckleberry Hearts. This is yet another book about The Matchmakers of Huckleberry Hill. I have loved this series and I'm glad to read there will be a few more books about this wonderful pair and their family. I wish they would have been my grandparents and I might not be alone today. This book is an excellent example of Jennifer's work. The story is well written, faith based, and very humorous. You will love this book.

Cassie Coblenz has come back to Huckleberry Hill to care for her mammi after she has cancer surgery on her foot. Cassie has left the Amish community to attend college. Her mamm and her brother are determined to force her back into the community and the church. Cassie has had some bad experiences out in the world and is unsure where she really belongs. Imagine her shock when her mammi's doctor is one of the depraved men from her college.

Dr. Zach Reynolds has come to the Amish community to work his residency in plastic surgery. He falls in love with Anna and Felty Helmuth. So it;s only natural he would be drawn to their beautiful grand daughter. He knows that he is unworthy of this Godly woman. In an effort to get to know Cassie better he agrees to house calls. During those house calls he struggles to prove to Cassie that he is ever bit the man her mamm is trying to force to marry. His efforts are quite humorous but quite heartwarming.

A struggle of two people trying to find their way to their faith in God and in each other. You will love their journey, at least I did. God always has a plan for our lives and it's not what we thought we wanted but it is so much great than we even imagined. Let God take control of your mess and watch Him change everything.

The Texan's Inherited Family by Noelle Marchand

My review today is on the Love Inspired Historical, The Texan's Inherited Family. This is the first book in the Bachelor's list Matches Series. It's a cute story that I'm sure you will enjoy. It's well written, faith based, and quite humorous. I enjoyed her characters.

Quinn Tucker is a farmer. He came from nothing and has struggled to follow his grandmother's rules and has done well for himself when a man shows up on his door step with his brother's four children. After trying to care for them and the ranch he decides he must marry. One of the ladies in town has drawn up a "Bachelor List" and Quinn find the list. Unable to read he has his friend read it to him so he will know who to marry. When it ends up being the girl of his dreams he makes a pack with God. If He allows Helen to marry him and give the kids a mother he won't touch her.

Helen McKenna grew up in society but when she tells her betrothed she can't have children he dumps her and Helen flee to Texas to teach school. Quinn's proposal sounds like a gift from God. Everything she had ever prayed for. She has no idea how to do chores, cook, clean, ect.  The children are wonderful but she soon finds out that there are some obstacles in the way of their happy ever after.

A great story of seeking God's will and plan for their lives. Sometimes we have to break free of the bondage that often surrounds us. Life isn't always the way we see it.

The Amish Heart of Ice Mountain by Kelly Long

My review today is on The Amish Heart of Ice Mountain. This is the third book about Ice Mountain. I have really enjoyed this series. Kelly has a beautiful way with her Mountain Amish tales. This book is well written, humorous, and heartwarming. Her characters are flawed and complex but you just have to love them. I hope she does more books with this community.

Sarah Mast became the healer of the Ice Mountain community when their beloved healer past away. Sarah had been in a courtship but her beloved went to the oil rigs to earn enough money for them to marry. The man that returned wasn't the same man that left her. She broke her engagement but her father found Edward in her home without a shirt. They were force to marry immediately although neither of them wanted it.

Edward King had a traumatic childhood and was introduced to alcohol at the age of eight. He had loved Sarah in his own way but after living in the Englischer world and yielding to their ways he knew he was unworthy of her love. After their marriage and a devastating accident Edward tries to survive his own fears and struggles.

Two young broken people struggling to find their way through a world they were forced into. A journey that will change everything. They soon find out that only God will be able to get them through the trauma that surrounds them. God always has a plan and it will be much greater than anything you can imagine. God is your way out of the mess you find yourself in, all you have to do is believe and trust Him.

Easy Prey by Lisa Phillips

My review today is on the Love Inspired Suspense, Easy Prey. I always enjoy Lisa's books, she writes a mean suspense. This book is no exception; it's well written, action packed, and faith filled. Her characters although flawed are intriguing. I know you will love this book.

Elise Tanner returns home to rehabilitate the zoo that was destroyed in a devastating storm. She never planned to return to the town that had almost destroyed her; two decades ago she walked away from her husbands funeral and never looked back. She didn't know what to expect from her family or her husband's family when they saw the son she never told them about. As Nathan and Elise check out the zoo she is attacked and rescued by her former brother-in-law, a man she once loved but he had left her to survive alone.

US Marshall Jonah Rivers has always been drawn to Elise but she was to young for him. Thinking she would wait for him he joined the military but she married his brother. Soon after his brother's death she disappeared and he was unable to find her. Now in pursuit of her outlaw brother he finds her attacked and in need of protection. Is she involved in something with her brother? Could she have change that much? As he meets Nathan it's like looking into the eyes of his brother. He must keep these two safe.

A journey of two broken people as they struggle against ruthless men that only want them dead. They learn that God is the only one that will be able to get them out of this mess. God has a plan. God has a plan for each of us if we will reach out and trust him. It will be far greater than anything you ever dreamed of.

A Lancaster Amish Storm by Ruth Price

This is the first short story in the series, Amish Faith Through Fire. It's a story of kids coming of age. Well written and heart warming. Check it out.

 After a year of courtship, Katie Lapp is ready to settle down and start her life as an Amish wife.
Something is wrong with their relationship though. What can an Amish woman do? How can she get Zach to stay. Can love hold him?

Zach Yoder is in his rumspringa and he yearns to travel and find his way in the Englischer world.
Caught between love, his family's expectations, and the call of the world, will Zach and Katie's love survive the oncoming storm?

A struggle all young people have when coming of age. Do we believe what we have been taught or do we go out in the world to find what the devil is tempting us with? God always has a plan for us and if we can trust Him everything will work out but you must realize that the devil is out there to try to keep you on the side lines. Learn to trust God, it will work out far greater than anything you ever dreamed of.

The Protector's Mission by Margaret Daley

My review today is on the Love Inspired Suspense, The Protector's Mission. This is the third book in the Alaskan Search and Rescue Series. I have loved this series; of course I love Margaret's work, I love stories about Alaska, and I love search and rescue so it was a no-brainer. Margaret tells awesome suspense stories, you just can't beat them as far as I'm concerned. This book is well written, action packed, and faith filled. You will love it.

Divorced and broken Lydia McKenzie has returned to Alaska to take over her father's veterinary clinic after his death and help raise her teenage sister. Lydia is trying to forget her terrible marriage. She  takes care of the canines in the search and rescue teams and the dogs on the K-9 teams in the police force but does everything she can to stay away from the only man she ever loved. She meets a friend for lunch but she is late due to an emergency and Bree must return to the hospital. As Lydia is about to leave she goes back to the restroom and is leaving when the building explodes all around her.

K-9 Officer Jesse Hunt has been investigating a couple of bombings when the diner explodes. Jesse struggles to rescue his one time sweetheart, Lydia. Lydia had left him and married another breaking his heart, now she was back. He had managed to stay away from her as much as possible but he can't lose her to a bomb. Once she is out of the debris she is unable to remember what she had seen just before the explosion but the killer isn't taking and chances and comes after her. 

This is a journey of two broken people who are unable to trust each other because of their shared past. They soon learn that only trust in each other and trust in God is going to save them from the vicious killer. God is our only way out of the mess we find ourselves in. God always has a plan and it's always far greater than we ever thought possible. 

Lilies on Daybreak Pond by Mindy Starns Clark

My review  today is on a short story, Lilies on Daybreak Pond.This story is a prequel to the Men of Lancaster County series. I loved this story; it's well written, the characters are complex, and it will touch your heart. I have never read any of Mindy's work before but I look forward to reading more of her books. The faith she puts in this story is heart changing.

Joel Miller is out looking for his family's dog, Shadow. Joel's daughter Sadie had disappeared four months ago and his family is grieving the loss. Now her dog had taken off, probably trying to find her. Joel finally goes to the one place he never wanted to go to again, Daybreak Pond, Sadie's favorite place. His heart breaks as he sees the evidence of her love of this place but he sees sign that the dog could have been there so he set out to find a way to get the dog to come to him.

This is a story of a man and his family grieving the loss of a child. How to deal with their grief and how to deal with a God that they think took her from them. It's a heartwarming story of find God in the midst of a storm and giving Him your trust in the midst of your struggle. God has a plan and you will love it if you give Him the right to move in your mess.