When a Man Loves a Woman, book #1

Well this book looked like it had lots of promise, but I was sadly disappointed.  The story was sweet, and if I had all the time in the world to read I might like to go back and read about the other brothers, but ... nah ... too many grammatical errors and inconsistent characters.  

Seven boys adopted from the foster care system by Alec and Maggie Donahue, a loving Irish couple living in Breeze Point, Cape Cod. Now grown men, the brothers are making their way in the world in their chosen professions, each hoping to find a love to last a lifetime. Faith. Family. Honor. And an abundance of love.

The Quiet One: The last single Donahue brother, Mac Donahue, is quiet and reserved. His brawny physique hides a kind heart and a wounded soul. Haunted by the tragic disappearance of his sister and scarred by childhood abuse, Mac has done his best to survive and thrive, in large part due to his adoptive family, the Donahues. A woodworker with a new business in Breeze Point called Woodworks, Mac is determined to move ahead with finding his sister, Callie, and discovering what happened to her all those years ago. Tired of being the object of matchmaking by his family members, Mac is stunned when he develops a bond with Delilah Dalton, the beautiful sister of his own sister-in- law, Sarah. When love blossoms between them, can they both put away the hurts of the past in order to forge a new future?
Delilah Dalton is a social worker who finds fulfillment in her profession. Jaded by numerous romantic relationships that have crashed and burned, Delilah has steered clear of love. When she connects with Mac Donahue over his missing sister, she finds a warm, tender-hearted man who has every reason to be bitter yet exudes positivity. As the two begin a relationship and pursue leads to the whereabouts of Mac’s sister, they find a special kinship in each other. Can Delilah put away her doubts long enough to accept Mac’s open arms?

(Picture and description from amazon.)

The next book up is for Book Club and it looks super awesome!  Can't wait to read it!!

Happy Reading in 2018!

O:)

Melissa

An Amish Gift, book #26

I did actually finish this in 2017 so it does count for last years total.  (It's only 12:57 and it doesn't seem right to say "last year" hehehe ... )

Loved loved loved this book!  It was the classic Englischer family comes in and is completely opposite of the Amish and Englischer mom yearns for her kids to be like the Amish kids (kind, helpful, etc).  I won't give it away, but let's just say I always love a happy ending!

After her husband, Shep, loses his latest job, Jennie Davis is grateful to be in a car en route to beautiful Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Shep has inherited a house from a distant cousin, along with the cousin’s long-established bicycle shop. The move gives Jennie, Shep, and their two children a welcome chance for a fresh start. While Shep dives into his new venture at the bike shop, Jennie carefully restores their broken-down house. She loves being a stay-at-home mom but yearns to find some fulfillment outside of her family—particularly as they struggle financially. On morning walks, she forges a friendship with her Amish neighbor, Mattie Fisher, who opens up about her modest way of life. Mattie’s unswerving good character in the face of adversity encourages Jennie to seek practical solutions to her own difficulties. A passing remark by Jennie’s son transforms desperation about their finances into inspiration, leading her to embark upon a candy-making enterprise.  Soon, Jennie’s newfound purpose collides with Shep’s growing stress at work and long-simmering tensions between husband and wife rise to the surface. As the holiday season approaches, their family is challenged as never before—until an unexpected visitor arrives to give Jennie the greatest gift of all. (picture and description at amazon)

Happy Reading in the New Year!

O:)
Melissa

When Christmas Comes, book #25

Almost like reading a Hallmark Movie ... sweet, crazy, and even though once you work through all the surprises you know how it is going to end, you still want to keep reading ....

Through an internet site, Charles Brewster and Emily Springer arrange to swap houses over Christmas. Emily, a widow, wants to celebrate in Boston with her only daughter. Charles, history professor and curmudgeon, wants to avoid the holiday altogether. He figures a prison town should be nice and quiet over the holidays—except he’s thinking of the wrong Leavenworth, and ends up in Washington State—in Santa’s village! Through all the mix-ups and misunderstandings, amid the chaos and confusion, romance begins to emerge in unexpected ways. Because everything changes at Christmas! (picture and description from amazon)

Wondering if I have time to squeeze in one more Christmas book or not .. hehehe!

Merry Christmas!

>O:)

Melissa

The Christmas Secret, book #24

Quick read ... fun book!

Beloved, bestselling author of Amish fiction, Wanda E. Brunstetter tells a heartrending story from 1880 Pennsylvania.  Elizabeth Canning discovers an awful secret in her deceased mother’s diary. Believing her chances for a happy marriage are spoiled, she leaves her fiancé a letter and flees town thinking all hope of a marriage to David is lost. Praying that distance will heal her broken heart, she takes refuge in her grandparents’ Pennsylvania home.  Anticipating a Christmas Eve wedding with Elizabeth, David Stinner is confused by her letter and desperate to find her. Can David root out the truth about the past and bring back his bride? Or is the truth destined to bring an ultimate end to their romance? (picture and description from amazon)

Happy Reading!

O:)

Melissa

The Paper Bag Christmas, book #23

Sweet story in the end, but didn't care for the telling of it ...

Dr. Christopher Ringle is the last person you'd expect to find moonlighting as Santa Claus at the mall on the day after Thanksgiving. But it is there that he meets a young man named Molar Alan, who desperately needs a new perspective on the underlying value of Christmas. Dr. Ringle recruits Mo and his older brother as volunteers at a nearby children's hospital for the holiday season. At the hospital, Mo is tasked to help bring holiday cheer to the young cancer patients on the fifth floor. His biggest challenge is befriending a decidedly angry girl who is so embarrassed by her scarred appearance that she hides her face behind the safety of a paper bag. Almost in spite of himself, Mo finds that Christmas joy emanates from a source far greater than the North Pole, while the young girl learns that she is more beautiful than she had ever imagined.(Picture and description from amazon)

Wonder is up my stocking next?

Happy Reading!

O:)
Melissa

Quilted by Christmas, book #22

This my second Christmas book was an ok book, I liked the plot but surprisingly I did not like the extra details she had in it.  Normally I'm a "the more the better" when it comes to details to help me smell it, hear it, feel it, etc but the details she wrote about were more superficial.  It took me a while to get started with it, but I'm glad I stuck it out!

Taryn McKenna believes she's easy to forget. Abandoned by her parents and left behind when her high school sweetheart joined the army, she vows to never love again and throws herself into her love for the outdoors and the pursuit of a college degree—something no one else in her family has ever accomplished. Her goal, as a young teacher in the hills of North Carolina, is to leave a legacy in the lives of the middle-schoolers she teaches. When Taryn's grandmother Jemma, the only other person who ever held her close, has a heart attack that reveals a fatal medical condition, Taryn is corralled into helping Grandma work on a final project—an Irish chain quilt that tells the story of her history and the love Jemma knows is out there for Taryn. As the pieces of the quilt come together, Taryn begins to see her value. Can she learn to believe that God will never leave her behind even though others have? (picture and description at amazon)

Looking forward to our Christmas Novella for Book Club next week!

O:)
Happy Reading!

Christmas at Carnton, book #21

Sigh.  I loved this book.  There was so much in here that I loved and I'm so glad Robi picked it for us to read.  

I love Christmas.  I love Civil War stuff when written from the Confederate side.  (Not trying to pick battles here, just a personal choice)  I love that this is written about a place just down the road from me.  I love that she tied in real people (with poetic license I am sure) with the characters.  I love that the author lives right here in my town.  I love the redemption that book held for Aletta.  I love the descriptive details she used when writing.  I'm pretty sure I'd love that sweet Andrew, as I can just imagine his light brown hopping up and down as he and Winder ran around the farm, similar to brother's hair when he was young like that. I am also pretty sure I'd love Tempy and can imagine she gives some of the best hugs of comfort, despite how life has treated earlier.  

In short, I highly recommend this book!

Amid war and the fading dream of the Confederacy, a wounded soldier and a destitute widow discover the true meaning of Christmas - and of sacrificial love.  Recently widowed, Aletta Prescott struggles to hold life together for herself and her six-year old son. With the bank threatening to evict, she discovers an advertisement for the Women's Relief Society auction and applies for a position - only to discover it's been filled. Then a chance meeting with a wounded soldier offers another opportunity - and friendship. But can Aletta trust this man? Captain Jake Winston, a revered Confederate sharpshooter, suffered a head wound at the Battle of Chickamauga. When doctors deliver their diagnosis, Jake fears losing not only his greatest skill but his very identity. As he heals, Jake is ordered to assist with a local Women's Relief Society auction. He respectfully objects. Kowtowing to a bunch of "crinolines" isn't his idea of soldiering. But orders are orders, and he soon discovers this group of ladies - one, in particular - is far more than he bargained for. (picture and description from Amazon.com)

Happy Reading!
O:)
Melissa