Never too Late by Lawrence W. Gold

My book review today is on the novel Never Too Late. This book was sent to me to read and review and all of the thoughts on this book are my own. This is not a Christian book so I want to tell you that up front to those who follow my blog. The language isn't bad and there's no sexual situations. I did like this book. As a sixty eight year old, I like to think people like me can do such exploits, even I can dream. The book is well written, I like his characters, and the situations he puts them into. You have to really feel for his main character and what she has to deal with.

Isabel Kramer is a respected psychiatrist and a a professor of psychology at U C Berkeley. At the age of sixty, Issy's seventeen year old daughter asks her to run with her in the Bay to Breakers race in San Francisco. As they prepare for the race Issy discovers a love of running. When she was a teen she had wanted to run cross country but was greatly discouraged by her mother but now she remembers the thrill she had felt. At the finish of the race she decides to continue racing and hires a coach to prepare for running marathons. Issy finds that the whole world is about to try to keep her from her desire to run in the Boston Marathon. Barriers are at every turn but Issy is determined to run her race.

This is a great story of determination and courage. I'm sure you will enjoy this story.

A Perfect Amish Christmas by Jennifer Beckstrand

My book review today is on the Novella, An Amish Christmas Quilt, A Perfect Amish Christmas, this is the third and last story of the novella. I have really enjoyed this novella, I was sent the book to read and review from the publisher as I read, review, and love all of Jennifer's books. The views on the stories are all my own and no one has influenced my post. I love Christmas stories, I love Amish stories, and I do really love the Huckleberry Matchmakers.

Anna and Felty Helmuth are at it again, they bring their grandson, Gideon, back for Christmas. They plan to bring him together with their neighbor Dottie Schrock. Gideon returns for Christmas but comes a day early after he receives a letter from his cousin asking him to come a day later. Intrigued he shows up at Dottie's door the day she is planning a perfect party for her mamm.

Dottie's mamm had almost died last Christmas and this year she was determined to show her mamm a perfect Christmas even if that meant hurting a few peoples feelings. When the handsome Gideon shows up at her door, she tells him he is not welcomed at her party but when an extra girl shows up she is forced to go to him and beg him to come after all. How humiliating!

Gideon can't believe how she had grown up. He tries to go out of his way to help her with her perfect Christmas, but when a freak storm shows up and Dottie is lost, he's the one to go and find her.

A great humorous story you will absolutely love. This novella isn't out yet but will be soon. You may preorder it at the address below. I know you won't regret it;

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A Christmas on Ice Mountain by Kelly Long

My book review today is on the second story in the novella, An Amish Christmas Quilt. This story is A Christmas on Ice Mountain and I enjoyed it very much. I haven't read any of Kelly's work before but will certainly read more. The story is well written, if anything it was just to short but then novellas are like that. I enjoyed the characters and the whole Hatfield and McCoy concept. It's an excellent read.

Matthew Beider is in love with a beautiful girl. The only problem is that his father and her father aren't speaking and haven't for years. The couple have been sneaking out to meet but have decided to visit the Bishop and have their marriage announced in church. Now they pray for a miracle.

Laurel Lapp is sneaking out to meet the man of her dreams. She attends a Quilting Frolic but manages to sneak out to meet the Bishop. Upon her return she is asked to take the Quilt to Grossmuder May up the mountain. As she heads out the weather suddenly turns colder. Snow and sleet make visibility almost impossible, she finally arrives but is force to spend the night.

Matthew learns that Laurel has gone up the mountain in the storm so he heads out to make sure that she had arrived. Matthew is wet and frozen when he arrives and he to is forced to spend the night.

Laurel's father is worried so head out to find Laurel early the next morning. Now the couple is found in a compromising situation and Laurel's father forces them to marry that day. Is this the miracle they prayed for? Could their love bring the families back together? You will want to buy this novella, you will enjoy every moment of it. You can preorder the book at the address below.

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A Willow Ridge Christmas Pageant by Charlotte Hubbard

My book review today is on the novella, An Amish Christmas Quilt. Today I will talk to you about the first story, A Willow Ridge Christmas Pageant. I felt like I needed to take one story for each blog instead of reviewing the whole novella. This book was sent to me to read and review as I review all of Jennifer Beskstrand's books. All of my thoughts are my own and wasn't influenced by anyone. I love Amish stories so I was excite when I received this one and I do love Christmas stories too. I have never read any of Charlotte's books but I really enjoyed this one and hope to read more of her work. It was well written, heart warming, and I loved the characters.

Mary Kauffman is a recent widow. Her husband had been older and not the man she had once dreamed of. Her marriage took place mostly because her harsh father told her not to do it. Now she was left with two children that weren't her own; one a son that wanted nothing to do with her and a daughter she couldn't seem to console. Mary leaves her home and goes several hours away to stay with her aunt until she delivers her unborn child and can get back on her feet. As she drives to her aunt's home her water breaks and she goes into full labor. She comes to a place on the road when she can't go any farther.

Seth Brenneman is a carpenter. He's hard at work when a strange dog comes to his shop and refuses to stop barking until Seth follows him. At the buggy he finds two children, an unconscious woman, two cats,( who escape into the buggy and cause chaos)  and a miniature horse. He takes her to the clinic and goes to tell her aunt. The aunt leaves to help Mary and leaves him with the kids and a circus in the buggy. He soon ends up helping to deliver the child as Mary is to worn out to deliver.

The teacher of the school suggests a community pageant since they don't have enough children in the school. They decide to do a living nativity but Mary's father shows up at the service and forbids them to do such a wicked thing. Mary and the other members decide to have the nativity anyway; Mary, her tiny son, and Seth the carpenter. Soon word has gone out throughout the land.

A great Christmas journey of love, forgiveness, and faith. this is a must read story. The novella will be out in November but you can preorder it now at the address below.

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Wilderness Target by Sharon Dunn

My book review today is on the Love Inspired Suspense, Wilderness Target. This book is one of Sharon's best, I loved it. Sharon does an awesome job on suspense books. This book is well written and action packed. You won't be able to put it down.

Clarissa Jones returns to Discovery to find a friend after she has lost everything at the hands of her ex-boss. Clarissa had a tragic childhood and had lived in Discovery for only a year but the memories were some of her best. She soon found that she had been followed by one of her ex-boss' thugs. At the airport she jumps in the back of a van picking up passengers. The driver saw her but didn't give her away when the thug asked about her. Calling her friend she waits for her to show up but is attacked and almost killed. In desperation she signs up for the man's survival training school.

Ezra Jefferson is an ex-military outdoorsman, he runs a survival training center and picks up passengers for a week long adventure. He notices the young, beautiful, city girl but also notices the terror in the girl's eyes. He offers help but isn't surprised when she refuses. The next morning she shows up and signs up for his trip; he accepts her even though he can tell she is trouble.

This adventure leads to a horrifying run for their lives. Ezra is forced to leave his group on their own to save Clarissa. Several men are chasing them and a helicopter with her ex-boss shows up. A thrilling chase takes place and only God can save them. A great story. You can purchase this book at the address below.

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Danger at the Border by Terri Reed

My book review today is on the Love Inspired Suspense, Danger at the Border. This book is the first book in a new series, Northern Border Patrol. I don't know about you but I have never read a book by Terri that I didn't love. This book is no exception. It is well written, full of action, and interesting characters; from a fish biologist to the border agents. There is a lot of information about the drugs, the people who grow them, and the people that work to keep our borders safe. I loved it.

Biologist Dr. Tessa Cleary works for the Forest Service's Fish and Aquatic Ecology Unit and is called in to check out a toxin spill of some kind. Fish are dying and people are becoming ill when exposed to the lake water. Tessa comes to find out what toxin is in the water and fix the problem, a cut and dry assignment, right? She is sent out in a boat to check the lake at different intervals and see if she can find the point of entry.

Border Patrol Agent Jeff Steele is sent out to find the culprit. He is disappointed in the doctor and assumes she will be a high maintenance woman and he'll be stuck by her side the whole day. He soon finds that is not the case as they are kidnapped and brought to a camp where thousands of drugs are being grown. This doctor is a feisty little thing that has him questioning his stand about relationships.

Both Tessa and Jeff come from a family where they were unloved and unwanted. Both have had bad relationships and have come to the place where they won't risk their hearts again but God has other plans. This is a story of commitment, faith, and trust; a book that is a must read. You can purchase this book at the address below. God bless you all.

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The Homesteader's Sweetheart by Lacy Williams

My book review today is on the Love Inspired Historical, The Homesteader's Sweetheart. I always enjoy Lacy's books; she tells a great romance, her characters are people you fall in love with, and she weaves her faith like a  tapestry throughout the story. You will love this book.

Jonas White was an orphan. As a young man he was taken as an apprentice to a brick layer back in Philadelphia. As he worked across the street from a finishing school her became enamored by a beautiful girl. Unfortunately he is accused of fathering a child with another girl. Because he had been unwanted he took the baby girl and fled town. Now several years later he has adopted eight boys and his one daughter but the daughter had developed seizures. In a desperate attempt to get medication to help her he goes to the banker's home to ask for a loan. There standing before him is the girl he had adored.

Penny Castlerock was a disappointment to her father when she returned from Philadelphia unmarried. So in an attempt to rectify that situation he promises her hand to his partner, but Penny wants nothing to do with this arranged marriage. When Jonas brings a letter from her grandfather telling them he had been ill she takes her younger brother and flees to the farm. Unfortunately she must ride with the farmer that had interrupted the party the night before. Jonas reveals who he is and she fears for her virtue but fears the situation more so leaves with him.

As Jonas fights his attraction, his children all fall in love with this socialite. Penny is drawn to the handsome farmer and his children. When she tries to cook she almost burned down the house. Now they must go next door to eat until the kitchen can be rebuilt. One of Jonas boys take the spoiled little brother and teaches him how to work and how to become a man. As they struggle to care for the farm and earn enough to get the medication, they experience all kinds of problems, who can be causing the problems and why? A great story of love, trust, and forgiveness. You can purchase the book at the address below.

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