Kroosreads and Reviews

  This is a new author to me and I really enjoyed her writing! This was a sweet story as Lydia moves to Pinecraft to help the owner of a bed and breakfast recover from an injury.  Of course, Lydia has a past but she is reacquainted with her friend Wesley and the reader is left to wonder whether he can continue the relationship despite the past secrets.   I enjoyed that she made a quilt for Theo and included letters and scripture verses in the pockets. Thanks so much to netgalley and the publisher for the arc.  The opinions are my own.  

  This is the first book that I have read by this author but will definitely be checking out her other books. This book had me turning the pages like crazy trying to figure out what is going to happen next.  Leah is a former Amish person who leaves the community after her family is murdered.  She becomes a police officer to avenge her families deaths.  Almost 10 years later there is another murder that is very similar to Leah's attempted murder.   The dreamy new police chief, Dalton, is also keeping secrets on how he is connected to the initial murders.  I enjoyed how protective he was of Leah.   This was a great story to read and definitely kept my interest. Thanks so much to netgalley and the publisher for the arc.  The opinions are my own.  

  Surprised by Love book 4 I usually really enjoy anything by this author, but this book was a little slow to keep my attention.  I really enjoyed being back in the farmers market and continue to love Mrs. Van.  Her generosity and love for her community is remarkable.  She can be a little bit pushy with her matchmaking stuff, though. Stephen's daughter was insufferable in the story.  I know she was a teen and didn't want to see her dad re-marry but I found that part of the story to drag on for far too long. Thanks so much to netgalley and the publisher for the arc.  The opinions are my own.  

  Two worlds collide in the midst of the VietNam War--Amish and English. Ellie and her twin, Levi, have been raised as Pacificists but Levi has been spending more time with the English during his Rumspringa.  This has challenged his worldview and made him consider enlisting. This book was an interesting look at standing up for your beliefs even in the midst of hard times. Thanks so much to netgalley and the publisher for the arc.  The opinions are my own.  

 I enjoyed how the characters in this novel go to the quilt shop and Jane shares the story of Amos and Katie from 1918.  It was such a unique way to tell the story and something that I had never seen before. In the present day, Tally is an Amish girl who meets her English neighbor, Danielle.  Danielle is a struggling widow and war hero.  Even amidst Danielle's struggles, she comes alongside of Tally and her family when her mom is sick.  Danielle's brother, Kenan is a wonderful person as he seeks to care for his sister and niece. There are lots of topics that are covered in this book:  war, Spanish flu and prescription drug abuse. Thanks so much to netgalley and the publisher for the arc.  The opinions are my own.  

Abigail is a young lady who is thrown for a loop when she meets an English woman at her home and she reveals a secret to her.   I really enjoyed seeing the English world through the eyes of an Amish person! It took me a little while to get in to the story but I am so glad that I continued reading. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Love's Dwelling (Amish Blessings #1 review can be found here:    https://www.blogger.com/u/1/blog/post/edit/8389805168206511453/6846451959486833054

 Gosh, I didn't realize that this book contained the characters from the book, Foundation of Love!  I enjoyed reading about how Duane and his family were doing.   This book takes a closer look at the relationships between the two older boys, Tyler and Korey.  It frustrated me a little bit on how immature Korey was throughout the book.  His family and friends gave him so much grace but his character was pretty unlikable.   I enjoyed the character Michelle and how hard she cared about those she interacted with.  It was pretty cool how her hobby brought her so much joy! Thanks so much to netgalley and the publisher for the arc.  The opinions are my own.  

I have pretty much read all of the books by this author.  This book was a little bit slow to develop for me.   I really enjoyed seeing the characters of Orley and Lois that were in the previous book.  The character Lisa was a little bit of a downer for me.  She had her heart shut down to everyone because of the circumstances in her life and it made me find her difficult to enjoy. Thanks so much to netgalley and the publisher for the arc.  The opinions are my own.  

  Yvonne is an English woman who is engaged to Trevor.  She finds rare books for clients and has found the book that her client wants.  Unfortunately, the Amish man, Jake, doesn't want to sell the book because he made a promise to his grandfather to never sell it.   I really enjoyed the premise of the book but unfortunately it did not capture my interest like I thought it would.  I enjoyed how the ending tied it all together but it the boo9k was lacking for me in engagement. Thanks so much to netgalley and the publisher for the arc.  The opinions are my own.  

  I loved coming back to Birch Creek and hearing about the previous characters in the series.  My heart hurt for Katherine as she had to escape to Birch Creek.  I also enjoyed the character of Ezra.   I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

 4 stars This was a sweet, Amish fiction story that revolves around Crystal who is an amazing aunt to her brothers kids.  She becomes friends with the roofer, Duane, but both parties wonder if their differences would keep them apart. The story was charming and a quick and easy read.  Crystal was so selfless in the care for her brothers kids.  I at times was tired for her and a little sad that her brother and sister in law took advantage of her.   Thanks so much to netgalley and the publisher for the arc.  The opinions are my own.  

 4 stars I was so excited to check back in at the Peony Inn.  I was welcomed back to the inn by the elderly sisters Esther and Lizzie.  It was so good to see Rose who is still so chatty but there seems to be so much pain behind the chatter.  Esther and Lizzie want to get back to their matchmaking and they have their eyes on Rose.  They think that the newcomer to town, Ben, would be a good match for her since he is so shy, but will opposites attract?  I wasn't sure if I would want to become reacquainted with Grumpy Gus, the elderly neighbor that lives in one of their cottages, but in this book he grows on the reader! Thanks so much to netgalley and the publisher for the arc.  The opinions are my own!

 4 stars Jeff and Rhonda are a couple that are struggling a lot.  They have wanted to have a child for years and have not been able to.  They decide to sell their house and move to the beautiful property in Amish country. Orley and Lois are a sweet, older couple who are Amish and own an antique store.  They come alongside Jeff and Rhonda and mentor them.   I found Rhonda to be a character that I did not enjoy as much.  The other characters made me want to keep reading the story.  I found it sweet how much Orley and Lois cared for the people that came in to their store. I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.

 4 stars This is a collection of 3 novellas.  I enjoyed that they were each pretty full novels and that I could fully invest in the characters and the stories. The first novella was about Israel and Martha and this one was my favorite.  It was such a sweet story and I loved the way that Israel and Martha cared for the 5 boys in the midst of such a hard time.   The next story was about Martha and Glenn.  Martha was a little different because she enjoyed hunting and fishing.  I liked that Glenn was interested in her for who she was.   The last story was about Alma and was probably my least favorite.  She went to live with her friends after the loss of her husband.  I did not really enjoy her character because everything has to be her way. Thanks to the publisher for a copy of this book.  The opinions are my own.  

5 stars      I love that this continues the story of so many different Amish "friends" that I have read about in previous books by the author.  I really enjoyed the characters of Owen and Margaret and enjoyed how their friendship flourished as they foraged for herbs and food in the forest.  I can't wait to read the next book in the series to see what happens to the characters.  Birch Creek seems like such a lovely place and Freemont and Mary are such wonderful characters as well. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the arc.  The opinions are my own.  

 5 stars I really enjoyed this book-it was a quick read and easy to fall in love with the characters in the book.   I particularly enjoyed the character of Clara.  She rose above the serious medical challenges that life had dealt her and managed to find joy in her job and family and friends.  I might even go back and read the first book in the series!

 4 stars This book was a quick and easy book to read. I enjoyed that the premise to the story was different from many that I read. I particularly enjoyed the character of Cassie. She is a young lady who is working for the Keim family when their 5 grandchildren move in. Cassie also moves in to help with all of the added responsibilities. She works hard for the family and loves deeply. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the arc. The opinions are my own. This book is published by Zondervan and will be released on July 6, 2021.  You can find it on Amazon here:   Love's Dwelling (Amish Blessings Book 1) - Kindle edition by Irvin, Kelly. Religion & Spirituality Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com.

 4 stars This book was a quick and easy book to read.  I enjoyed that the premise to the story was different from many that I read. I particularly enjoyed the character of Cassie.  She is a young lady who is working for the Keim family when their 5 grandchildren move in.  Cassie also moves in to help with all of the added responsibilities.  She works hard for the family and loves deeply.   Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the arc.  The opinions are my own.

 5 stars I really enjoy reading anything by this author!  The books are always a quick and enjoyable read. I enjoyed that I was back in the farmers market and seeing Mrs. V. back with her matchmaking and her love for others.  I enjoyed getting to know the pickle lady, her niece Sovilla and Isaac.    Thanks so much to netgalley and the publisher for the arc.  The opinions are my own.

 A Little Child Shall Lead Them #3 5 Stars Aaron is a widowed father of three who is having a difficult job running the sawmill and attending to the needs of his three kids. Beth is a young lady who lives with her brother and father who treat her terribly because of a problem with her leg that causes a limp. Beth agrees to marry Aaron as a marriage of convenience to take care of the kids and the house. Beth is amazingly selfless woman who tackles the job with such love for Aaron and the kids even when they can be unkind. I loved the character of Beth so much! She worked hard from before sunup to long after sunset without complaining. She treated others with such compassion even when they did not return the gesture. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the arc. The opinions are my own.