Sharing my love of books…
It’s time to announce the GRAND PRIZE WINNER
So, without further adieu…
Our GRAND PRIZE Winner – who wins the entire Forever After in Apple Lake Series
LISA UNDERWOOD
I will be contacting you via e-mail
to let you know what you need to do to collect your prize.
THANK YOU to everyone for entering!
Please keep coming back to read my reviews and share your thoughts!
There will be more chances to win next month!
God bless you!
© Donna J. Mynatt 2014
Today I’m reviewing Susanna’s Christmas Wish, by Jerry S. Eicher.
Here is a brief synopsis from Goodreads:
Fans will be delighted by this peek at an Amish Christmas, complete with the romantic wish of Susanna Byler to spend the holidays with the man of her dreams.
But who is the man of her dreams?
Is it the competent but plain Amishman she married for convenience… or is it her first love — an Englisha man with whom she has recently had an unexpected encounter — and who wants her back in his life?
A perfect holiday delight for lovers of Amish fiction…and those who love a heartwarming and tender Christmas tale.
MY THOUGHTS:
I love reading Amish books written by Jerry Eicher!
They make me laugh… too often they make me cry (on many occasions)… but their truth and fullness always enrich my life. I put a lot of stock in Jerry’s books about the Amish people and their faith. Jerry Eicher had a traditional Amish childhood, then he taught in Amish and Mennonite schools, so naturally he would be a great source of information concerning the Amish people. I’m sure this is why his books seem like true stories!
Sweet Susanna Keim suffers a broken heart after her boyfriend leaves the church and the community. When Herman Wagler courts her, she turns to him for comfort. After they marry, she finds it’s not as easy as she hoped it would be to fall in love with Herman. It’s even harder when she discovers that Herman expects her to give up things dear to her heart.
When Matthew, her boyfriend from the past, returns to spend Thanksgiving with their family, Herman’s and Susanna’s marriage suffers. Will Susanna turn to Matthew, or will she remain true to her vows and find a lasting love with Herman?
This is a great Christmas novella… you’ll be glad you took time to read it.
You can read more reviews and more about the book on Goodreads HERE
You can find more about Jerry Eicher… HERE
God bless you!
© Donna J. Mynatt 2014
Don’t miss these fantastic Christmas reads – available for purchase NOW! – Tweet this!
And now… here’s a look at what we have to look forward to from Jennifer Beckstrand in 2015:
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February 2015
Ever since the Helmuths’ grandson, Ben, abruptly broke his engagement and moved to Florida, Emma Nelson has kept busy tending her vegetable garden and raising award-winning pumpkins. She can put her heartache aside to help Ben’s mammi with her own pumpkin patch.
At least until Ben shows up to lend support to his ailing dawdi…
Gardening side by side with pretty, nurturing Emma is a sweet kind of torture for Ben. She could have her pick of suitors who can offer what he can’t, and he cares too much to burden her with his secret. Leaving once more is the only option.
Yet Emma’s courage is daring him to accept the grace that flourishes here, and the love that has been calling him back to Huckleberry Hill.
Huckleberry Spring – a wonderful misadventure you won’t want to miss! – Tweet this!
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May 2015
Mandy Helmuth doesn’t like Noah Mischler.Not one little bit. First he breaks her best friend’s heart, and then he has the nerve to chastise her for being a busybody.
She feels quite justified in her dislike until Noah does something heroic, like save her life, and she’s forced to bestow her grudging respect even as she determines to keep her distance. But when she unwittingly stumbles into his family troubles, she catches a glimpse of the person Noah so successfully hides from others.
Will Mandy be able to look past Noah’s rough and unyielding exterior to see the man she is destined to love?
Much to Noah Mischler’s annoyance, uppity Mandy Helmuth thinks she has the right to tell him how to live his life. If he weren’t helping Mandy’s grandfather install a stove and fix his roof, Noah wouldn’t be within a mile of Huckleberry Hill or that nosy girl who gives him a lecture every time she opens her mouth.
But when Mandy discovers the horrible truth about his father, Noah is forced to reveal humiliating secrets that he’s never shared with anyone. He trusts her with his secrets, but can he trust her with his heart?
Watch for Huckleberry Harvest in 2015! – Tweet this!
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I’m told there are more to come in this wonderful series but no information is available yet. Keep watching though… Jennifer is bound to let us in on more soon!
I can’t wait to read and review each new release!
And don’t forget to click below to find out how you can enter the…
God bless you!
© Donna J. Mynatt 2014
Today I’m reviewing The Christmas Cat, by Melody Carlson.
Here is a brief synopsis from Goodreads:
After years abroad, Garrison Brown returns home to Vancouver to build a new life.
When his beloved grandmother passes away a few weeks before Christmas, Garrison goes to her house to sort out her belongings, including six cats who need new homes.
While Garrison hopes to dispense with the task quickly, his grandmother’s instructions don’t allow for speed.
She has left Garrison with some challenging requirements for the future homes of her furry friends–plus a sizeable monetary gift for the new owners.
Garrison’s job is to match the cats with the right owners without disclosing the surprise gift. Along the way, he may just meet someone who can make him stay.
Humorous and heartwarming, this latest Christmas story from bestselling author Melody Carlson is the perfect gift for pet lovers and anyone in whose heart Christmas holds a special place
MY THOUGHTS:
When I began reading this story, I just had to laugh…
Just imagine a single guy who inherits six fussy felines from his grandmother; there are restrictions on who they can be given to…
Who could possibly place all six cats with happy homes before Christmas?
Then it really hit my funny bone – hard – when everyone heard a rumor that those who took a cat also received a million dollars! Talk about incentive!
Garrison makes certain that the folks who receive one of his grandmother’s cats knows the rules – and not to expect a million dollars. After being sure the cat is happy and everything is working out, the owners do receive a check!
If you’re asking yourself how a man who is allergic to cats can find peace, home and happiness – then just read the book because I’m NOT going to spoil it for you!
You can read more reviews and more about the book on Goodreads HERE
You can find more about Melody Carlson… HERE
God bless you!
© Donna J. Mynatt 2014
Today I’m reviewing All’s Fair in Love and Cupcakes, by Betsy St. Amant.
Here is a brief synopsis from Goodreads:
Kat inspected rows of the same old cupcakes. They seemed to blink back at her, as if they knew she was capable of so much more.
Kat Varland has had enough of chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry.
At twenty-six years old, Kat is still living in the shadows of her family in Bayou Bend, Louisiana. Still working shifts at her Aunt Maggie s bakery. Still wondering what to do with her passion for baking and her business degree. And still single.
But when Lucas Brannen, Kat s best friend, signs her up for a reality TV bake-off on Cupcake Combat, everything Kat ever wanted is suddenly dangled in front of her: creative license as a baker, recognition as a visionary . . . and a job at a famous bakery in New York.
As the competition heats up, Lucas realizes he might have made a huge mistake. As much as he wants the best for Kat, the only thing he wants for himself is suddenly in danger of slipping away.
The bright lights of reality cooking wars and the chance at a successful career dazzle Kats’ senses and Lucas is faced with a difficult choice: help his friend achieve her dreams . . . or sabotage her chances to keep her in Louisiana.”
MY THOUGHTS:
All’s Fair In Love And Cupcakes was a fun book to read!
For the past few years, I have been following a series where the main character owns a cookie shop; however, I finally tired of the same old drama – with lots of relationships, but no closure.
And I’m not talking about three or four sequels… I’m talking about many, many sequels – almost twenty!
I’d rush out to buy every book – or pre-order them so I could read them right away – hoping that this book would be the one in which our heroine would tell the loser boyfriend to “take a hike” and commit to the “almost perfect” boyfriend.
But it never happened – ever.
And to be honest, there were too many mistakes in the stories… the author didn’t pay attention to details, such as the car the main character drove, or her friends, her goals or even her future.
And she never – ever – learned from her mistakes. In every book, she’s made several mistakes, almost getting herself killed. Next book… more mistakes. Again and again.
So you can just imagine how ticked I was to find a funny, romantic story about someone who bakes! And I’m looking forward to reading a delightful, new tale of baking and romance.
Kat is stuck baking plain old vanilla, chocolate, or strawberry cupcakes. No German chocolate. No dark chocolate. No lemon. She certainly finds a little variety in her life when her best friend Lucas signs her up for a baking competition.
This is the first book I’ve read by Betsy… and I can’t wait to read more by this wonderful author!
You can read more reviews and more about the book on Goodreads HERE
You can find more about Betsy… HERE
God bless you!
© Donna J. Mynatt 2014
It’s time to announce the FOURTH weekly winner
BONNIE TRAHER
I will be contacting you via e-mail
to let you know what you need to do to collect your prize.
THANK YOU to everyone for entering!
And keep coming back to read reviews and share posts!
There is ONE more chance to win!
Merry Christmas and God bless you!
© Donna J. Mynatt 2014
HEY! it’s almost time for the 4th Saturday giveaway!
No more entries will be accepted for tomorrow’s giveaway after midnight tonight CDT.
Entries received after midnight will be added to the final drawing for next Wednesday.
ONE WINNER is selected each Friday at midnight and announced on Saturday… these WINNERS will each receive one of Jennifer’s awesome books — autographed — and sent to you directly from the author! Tonight is the last night for the weekly winners.
ALL entries received in December – until December 31, 2014 at 11:15pm CDT are eligible for the final drawing. The final winner will be selected next Wednesday, December 31, 2014, at 11:15pm CDT (Central Daylight Time) and will be announced by 11:30pm.
To enter, just do the following:
1) follow this blog (if you aren’t following it)
2) “like” this post (if you can’t, just let me know)
3) leave a comment below stating which of Jennifer’s books is your favorite.
Feel free to comment on the reviews of Jennifer’s books… one entry per blog post will be added to the list of possible winners!
Thank you for participating!
Blessings!
Please remember that all of my giveaways are limited to US residents only. Visit my giveaway rules page for a complete explanation of the terms and conditions of this giveaway.
© Donna J. Mynatt 2014
Today I’m reviewing Huckleberry Spring, the fourth book in the Matchmakers of Huckleberry Hill series by Jennifer Beckstrand, an amazing, wonderful, multi-talented author.
Here is the synopsis for Huckleberry Spring:
Nothing gives Anna and Felty Helmuth greater satisfaction than seeing their grandchildren happily married–except for planning their next matchmaking venture.
And as springtime comes to Huckleberry Hill, Wisconsin, the air is filled with promise. . .
Ever since the Helmuths’ grandson, Ben, abruptly broke his engagement and moved to Florida, Emma Nelson has kept busy tending her vegetable garden and raising award-winning pumpkins.
She can put her heartache aside to help Ben’s Mammi with her own pumpkin patch.
At least until Ben shows up to lend support to his ailing Dawdi. . .
Gardening side by side with pretty, nurturing Emma is a sweet kind of torture for Ben. She could have her pick of suitors who can offer what he can’t, and he cares too much to burden her with his secret.
Leaving once more is the only option.
Yet Emma’s courage is daring him to accept the grace that flourishes here, and the love that has been calling him back to Huckleberry Hill…
MY THOUGHTS:
Exciting… wonderful… awesome…
Receiving a copy of Huckleberry Spring from Jennifer was such a huge blessing — and I count it as one of my best Christmas gifts!
… and it will be available February 2015!
I’m going to do my best to not give away anything — well, not much. Because I want all my readers to enjoy this book every bit as much as I did.
I gotta confess, when my daughter asked me why I wasn’t laughing halfway through the book, I might have (un)intentionally led her to believe some things were or were not happening in the story… I really can’t say what… but she really shouldn’t have asked about it.
Whenever she asks me how a book (or movie) turns out, I usually tell her the main character either broke up, ran away or died — and whichever I pick, she won’t know until she finishes the book (or movie). More often than not it isn’t true; once in a blue moon I tell the truth, so she never knows when to believe me! I can’t believe she still asks, but she does… so I might have misled her — just a teensy bit.
I don’t like to give anything away… okay?
And there’s a lot to not give away in this book — because…
I REALLY LOVE THIS BOOK!!!
Jennifer is amazing! She creates the most wonderful characters!
Poor Emma… after falling in love with Ben (Anna and Felty’s grandson) and planning for a wedding after he proposes, she finds it impossible to get over the pain and move on — after he breaks their engagement — and her heart!
Anna has no idea why Ben broke his engagement to Emma, nor why he ran off to Florida to live afterwards. But she’s determined to get them back together, no matter what it takes — just ask Felty!
OK, no more hints… you’ll love this story; it’s wonderful — absolutely wonderful!
Huckleberry Harvest is the next story — and is scheduled to come out next year…
Don’t forget to click below to find out how you can enter Jennifer’s GIVEAWAY contest!
Click HERE for the book page on GoodReads
And click HERE for Jennifer’s website!
God bless you!
© Donna J. Mynatt 2014
In An Amish Christmas Quilt, Jennifer Beckstrand adds a novella to her amazing list of stories in the Matchmakers of Huckleberry Hill series…
A Perfect Amish Christmas
Here is the synopsis:
Anna and Felty Helmuth’s grandson, Gideon, plans to spend Christmas on a beach in sunny Mexico.
But Anna is quite sure he’d rather be with them, snowshoeing, ice fishing–falling in love. And she knows the perfect girl. Not only is Dottie Schrock an excellent quilter and baker, she’s having a party.
There’s just one complication–Gideon is not invited. Dottie has her reasons, but Anna trusts that the spirit of Christmas–and true love–will change her mind, and her future . . .
“A delightful voice in Amish romance. Sweet and funny.” –Emma Miller
“A delightful cast of characters in a story that overflows with Amish love and laughter.” –Charlotte Hubbard
MY THOUGHTS:
Can I vent just a little, please?
Dottie Schrock… oh man, if you know anyone who excels at everything, and insists on taking on every job — just so it’s done right — then you know someone like Dottie Schrock.
I’ve been told that I’m a perfectionist; actually I pretty much agree with this assessment, except that I know I’m not perfect but I do try to do my very best in everything I do (although I fall far from this goal much of the time).
But being a perfectionist makes it easy for me to identify with Dottie. It also makes it easy for me to say that Dottie needs to back off — and let others help more, even if she doesn’t think they can do things as well as she can!
Especially when she hurts the feelings of others, like her younger sister Eva, who only wants to be helpful — and most likely really needs to learn how to do things for herself, if Dottie will only give her a chance.
However, it’s just as easy to talk about how wonderful Dottie acted when she and Gid visit a friend, who needs help. She decides helping him is important and she does all she can to make him a delicious meal and do some much-needed cleaning for him.
Now, of course I know I’m talking about a fictional character… but Jennifer’s characters seem so real, it’s easy to get caught up in their lives, at least for me.
Jennifer is such an amazing author! I wish I had just a small portion of her talent!
And Gideon… of course he cancels his trip to Mexico to go help his Dawdi… he’s an awesome guy! (too bad he’s just a fictional character).
OK, no more chitchat… let me just say this novella is every bit as good as the full length novels in the Matchmakers of Huckleberry Hill series!
And keep watching for Huckleberry Spring — it comes out soon… but yours truly will be reviewing it the day after Christmas (one of the best Christmas gifts I’ve received).
Now don’t forget to click below to find out how you can enter Jennifer’s GIVEAWAY contest!
Click HERE for the book page on GoodReads
And click HERE for Jennifer’s website!
God bless you!
© Donna J. Mynatt 2014
Huckleberry Christmas is the third book in the Matchmakers of Huckleberry Hill series by the amazing, wonderful, multi-talented author, Jennifer Beckstrand.
Here is the synopsis for Huckleberry Christmas:
Now that they’ve happily married off two of their grandchildren, Anna and Felty Helmuth are ready for their next matchmaking challenge.
What better way to celebrate the most heartwarming of seasons–and make Huckleberry Hill, Wisconsin, the place for unexpected love…
A difficult marriage has left the Helmuths’ widowed great-granddaughter, Beth, finished with wedlock. She’s content to live with them and make a life for herself and her toddler son.
But once she turns down handsome Tyler Yoder’s proposal, it seems only fair to encourage him to find a suitable wife.
Trouble is, his gentleness and generous ways are showing her how joyous a real meeting of hearts can be…
After a failed courtship, Tyler thought the best he could hope for in a wife was mere companionship. But spirited Beth is the one he longs to protect, and hold close. Earning her trust is the hardest thing he’s ever had to do.
And soon, both will discover that forgiveness and understanding are gifts that only rekindled faith — along with the happiest of holidays — can bring.
MY THOUGHTS:
Jennifer is an amazing author!
Is it possible that this one is even better than the previous two!
I keep reading comments from my readers who are telling me that Huckleberry Christmas is their favorite book in this series… so I have to consider this.
I don’t know… Huckleberry Hill was my favorite… until Huckleberry Summer came out and I read it… then it was my favorite — I loved it when Lily called Aden’s dog Piecrust!
Now I have a new favorite… Huckleberry Christmas!
Oh my… it is perfect!
I don’t have a clue how Jennifer’s books just keep getting better and better, but that’s my honest opinion! They just keep getting better!
Wow! I’m in awe!
Not only does Jennifer continue to amaze us with her wonderful stories with Anna and Felty, but each book adds new characters to the ones we previously met, and the surprises, along with twists and turns, keep us glued to each book (or our tablets)!
Okay, on to the characters from Huckleberry Christmas!
Take a woman who has been submissive for too many years, with too many others taking advantage of her, of treating her more unkindly than they probably would their horses or other animals.
Yes! It was past time for her to finally begin to stand up for herself; only did she have to just when the perfect man appeared and wanted to help!
… and Aden helps this time…
OK, no more hints or clues… but let me assure you that you’ll love this sequel; it’s absolutely wonderful!
Huckleberry Spring comes out soon… release date is January 2015.
And don’t forget to click below to find out how you can enter Jennifer’s GIVEAWAY contest!
Click HERE for the book page on GoodReads
And click HERE for Jennifer’s website!
God bless you!
©Donna J. Mynatt 2014
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