O Pioneers! written in 1913 by Willa Cather.

My review of O Pioneers! by Willa Cather which I read for a book buddy read earlier this month.

I read this for a book club read otherwise it might never have been something that I would look at. I gave it 3.5 stars which I rounded down to 3. It was not at all what I expected and I did find it extremely interesting. I have read other books about Pioneers that had a little more meat to the story and I felt that while this was a very good book it was lacking. I also have to remember that it was written back in 1913. There was so much more that could have be written in certain parts and less in others. I am glad that I read it but I don't think I am going to go on and read the other two books in the Prairie trilogy.

Shelter in the Storm. Book One in the Johns Mill Amish Romance series by Laurel Blount, a wonderful author and friend

 My 5 star review of Shelter in the Storm by Laurel Blount - Johns Mill Amish Romance book 1

5 stars does not do this book justice. I read book 2 in the series first, thanks to an ARC that the author gifted me, but I had to go back and read book 1.

This book enthralled me from the very first word to the very last word. I felt the butterflies in my stomach fluttering and also had to take deep breaths on several occasions and remind myself that this was fiction and not a true story. It could well have been. The characters were so inspiring and interesting...each and every one of them. While this book was full of sadness it was also full of many happy moments. It should be an inspiration to us all that from out of the bad can come good as it did for the characters in Johns Mills. Thank you Laurel for the Uncle Melvin character. Not typical of the Amish gentlemen that we read about, he proved that Amish are not all the same and that some are happier than others just like us Englisch.

I hope that y'all will pick up a copy of this book if you haven't already. It is a must read and yes, it can be read after book 2. I never will read a series out of sequence but I made an exception here and glad I did.

Laurel thank you for such a wonderfully crafted and written book and I cannot wait to take another trip to Jones Mill with you.

Girls in Pants: The third summer of the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants by Ann Brashares

Girls in Pants: The Third Summer of the Sisterhood by Ann Brashares.

This was a very endearing 4.5 star read for me. It had been some time since I read the prior two books in the series but once I started reading this one it all came back to me. So many wonderful characters that is difficult to pick a favorite. They are all my favorites. Even the minor characters were beautifully crafted to fit with the story. How lovely to read a book that is set in Maryland and mention places that I know and have been too. This was so charming and I loved every minute of it. If you are a Pants fan then don't miss this one. If you haven't met our Sisterhood girls before then you could read this book but I would suggest you familiarize yourself with everybody through books one and two. I will not leave it so long to pick up the last in this series and sad that it will be the end. Ann Brashares....you could take us into the future and have all girls married or with their own families and have the pants passed on to their daughters. Just an idea 😄.

Under the Magnolias by T. I. Lowe

I firstly should like to thank NetGalley and Minotaur Books for providing me with an ARC of this book in return for an honest review. This was a 4 star read for me. As a debut novel it was a wonderful read with an interesting plot and a host of characters...some likeable and some not. I enjoyed the writing style and I enjoyed the plot. There were enough twists to make it compelling reading. I did figure out a lot of the story and was quite proud of myself for doing so but it did not spoil my enjoyment of this book. I would recommend that those who enjoy psychological thrillers, suspense and murder mysteries read this. It is definitely one to read to the end because there could be another unexpected twist. Again, my thanks to NetGalley and Minotaur Books and promise that this review is my honest opinion.

Escape to Honeysuckle Hall by Rebecca Raisin

This is my review of Escape to Honeysuckle Hall by Rebecca Raisin.

I should like to thank NetGalley for my ARC of this book in return for an honest review.

This book started really slowly for me and I hated the thought that I might have to DNF it. I continued reading and am so very glad I did. This 4.5 star book, once I got into it was charming and a delight to read.

Each character had a unique personality and provided the reader with many laugh out loud moments, as well as shed a tear here and there moments. Having grown up in England I had a picture in my mind of the house and grounds and I loved seeing it to come to life under Orly's supervision.

Each of the guests were entertaining and unique in their own ways and I really enjoyed meeting them all for the grand opening.

I don't want to spoil this by giving things away so I will say, I am truly glad I read this to the very end and would recommend it those who like British humor mixed in with romance and many other layers that at first were not visible. This was maybe my second Rebecca Raisin book and I cannot wait to read another of hers.

Thank you Rebecca Raisin and NetGalley for allowing me the opportunity to receive, read and write a review of this ARC.

The Heart of Splendid Lake by Bestselling Author Amy Clipston

 My five star ++++ review of The Heart of Splendid Lake by Amy Clipston.

This was another amazing more than 5 star read from Amy Clipston. The more I read of hers, the more I want to. Another Amy book that I read in two sittings. Could have been one but I didn't want to stay up all night reading.

I thoroughly enjoyed the story and the characters. I felt like I was at Splendid Lake and was having a friend tell me what had been going on. How sensitively Amy handled the the loss and health issues was brilliant. What a learning experience for some who read this and have never experienced those things in their lives.

Each contemporary fiction book is so different from Amy's Amish books, which are totally wonderful too and got me hooked on her. Amy has this way of engaging the readers, painting a picture with words and making us want to pack our bags and go to all the wonderful places she is writing about which although fictitious remind us of places we know.

If you are an Amy fan but haven't read this one yet, it is a must read and must add to your TBR list. If you are new to Amy's books, this is a wonderful introduction and I am sure you will be like most of us who read her...completely drawn in and hooked.

Thank you Amy Clipston for keeping us enthralled with every word you write, and I cannot wait to read more.

 

A Plain Leaving by Leslie Gould

My five star review of Leslie Gould's A Plain Leaving is below. This is not a typical Amish fiction novel.

This 5 star read by Leslie Gould was my first of hers in a long time and it was a complete surprise. It is not a very typical Amish fiction book but it was an amazingly written and addictive read. Once I got into it I did not want to put it down.

This book covered subjects not usually part of Amish fiction. The Revolutionary War, an in depth view of shunning, the possible sale of land for fracking, and so many more subjects that are normally not see in Amish fiction books.

Leslie Gould has crafted a story with an unbelievable double timeline plot and written in her most inimitable style. With characters who become like friends and scenes and scenery painted in such a great way with words that it feels that one is right there. So many twists and unexpected turns kept me riveted.

This book is like no Amish fiction book I have ever read and while it covers the family aspect of Amish living it does so in a completely and different way. Strong female protagonists are featured who have to do more than is usually expected of Amish women in other books that are more typical of the genre.

This is the first book in The Sisters of Lancaster County series and I cannot wait to read more. I highly recommend this book and would say that if you are new to the Amish fiction genre this is not at all typical but one of the best of the year. If you are a fan of the genre and have read other Leslie Gould books then you are in for a treat with this one.