"The Tinderbox," by Beverly Lewis

"The Tinderbox," by Beverly Lewis

With her parents' twentieth anniversary approaching, eighteen-year-old Sylvia Miller finds her father's cherished brass tinderbox left unlocked. Against her better judgment, Sylvia opens the heirloom, not realizing that what she is about to discover will splinter apart her happy life and alter everything for her close-knit Old Order Amish family. As the long-kept secret emerges into the light of day, can the Millers find a way forward through the turmoil to a place of forgiveness?

If you enjoy reading about the Amish way of life you will enjoy this book.  Beverly Lewis takes us into the lives of the Miller's and how an event from the past can rear it's head unexpectedly and cause a multitude of problems.  The tinderbox should be called "Pandora's Box" as when it is opened a whole lot of issues escape.

This book is part of a two book series, with the second book "The Timepiece," being released in September of 2019.  You have to read that book also to find out what happens as this book's ending is very open ended.

Stars out of 5 : 4.5 A very solid book; easy to read and not over taxing on your brain.  If you like Beverly Lewis' books you'll enjoy this one.

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. 

Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group".

"When You Are Near," by Tracie Peterson

"When You Are Near," by Tracie Peterson

After her father's death, Lizzy Brookstone, a trick rider in the all-female Brookstone Wild West Extravaganza, wants nothing more than to quit her role as the star of the show and live a quiet life on her family's ranch. But returning home would bring Wesley DeShazer, the ranch's foreman and the man who broke her heart, back into her life. In addition, the troupe's new manager fears that Lizzy's departure could doom the already cash-strapped show.

Hope grows in Lizzy during a stopover at Fleming Farm. Ella Fleming not only has a natural talent for trick riding and could easily replace Lizzy, but she's eager to join the show to flee a forced betrothal. However, while there, one of the show's wranglers is killed in a manner Lizzy finds suspicious. And during her escape from the farm, Ella stumbles across a secret that could affect all of their lives, as well as the future of the Brookstone Extravaganza.

This book moved along at a great pace and it kept you interested in what was going on.  The descriptions and details of the trick riding were interesting, as it's something I know nothing about.  As this book is the first in the Brookstone Brides Series what I thought would happen and what actually happened were two different things.  However the ending does pave the way for the next book in the series so that's good.

Tracie's books are always good and not overly taxing on the brain I find.  I would like to read the other two books in the series; they come out later in the year.

Stars out of 5 : 4 A good book to read over a couple of afternoons.  You'll enjoy the characters and the overall message in the book.

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. 

Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group".

"Justice Delivered, by Patricia Bradley"

"Justice Delivered, by Patricia Bradley"

Carly Smith came by her trust issues honestly. She's been at the mercy of merciless men, ignored by law enforcement officers who should have helped her, and seemingly rejected by her family. She can't even trust herself to do the right thing. Though she is working hard on building a new life, the past continues to haunt her when she discovers that the man she couldn't bring herself to report to the police is still out there, luring vulnerable girls under the guise of being a modeling agent.

When her own niece is kidnapped, Carly must overcome her fears and come forward with the information she has. But if that proves to be too little, too late--she'll have to go after the perpetrators herself.

Another action packed book that makes you want to turn the next page to see what's going to happen next.  You get sucked into the book right away and the lead character Carly is a one you won't forget soon.  I did guess who the main bad guy was pretty early on in the book, so you will have no trouble doing that either.  That did not spoil the story for me, as it's not actually revealed who the bad guy is until the end.

Stars out of 5 : 5 This book is a lot of action, with a bit of mystery and a pinch of romance dropped in to make it a great book well worth reading.  This is the 4th book in "A Memphis Cold Case Series."

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell , a division of Baker Publishing Group".

"Border Son, by Samuel Parker"

"Border Son, by Samuel Parker"

It's been years since Edward Kazmierski has seen his wayward son, or even allowed thoughts of him to enter his mind. The last place he knew Tyler to be was in an El Paso jail six years ago. Then, in one day, he receives a cryptic phone call from a woman that his son needs him, another from a federal agent searching for Tyler, and a terrifying visit from the Mexican cartel. The chain of events set into motion by one impulsive act will almost certainly lead to death--for Tyler and for those who try to help him. But before Ed can recover his son, he will have to tear down the wall that has been built up between them. 

The dangerous streets of a Mexican border town come into sharp focus in a suspenseful retelling of the Prodigal Son story like you have never heard before.

From the very start of this book you are taken on a roller coaster ride.  The one thing about this book that I liked/scared me was this could be a true story.  The fact that the dad lived in the middle of no where and had an unassuming life, and then was dragged into an unbelievable few days/weeks because of his son whom he had, had no contact in years is something that is out of a story book, but could happen in real life.

This book shows how blood is thicker than water when it comes to parents and their children.  A parent will do whatever it takes to protect their children and this is what happens in this book.  The story is a true page turner and you need to know what will happen next.

One thing I found disturbing/interesting is what happened to the priest.  However I don't doubt that will/would have happened in real life.

Stars out of 5 : 5  I thought this book may be a bit blood thirsty for me, but it wasn't.  You get the gist of what has happened without the author being too graphic.  This book is well worth reading.

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell , a division of Baker Publishing Group".

"Outbreak, by Davis Bunn"

"Outbreak, by Davis Bunn"

Something sinister is happening in the waters off the coast of West Africa, trailing death in its wake. Local insurgencies are no longer the only imminent danger--and the panic mounts. But before a global alarm can be sounded, the sea currents shift, and the outbreak evaporates. Coastal populations are relieved when life returns to normal, and the region's governments are all too happy to sweep the publicity nightmare under the rug.

Theo Bishop and Avery Madison saw the devastation with their own eyes, and they know the danger hasn't passed--it's just changed locations. But everywhere they turn, powerful interests are determined to silence all credible evidence of the impending biological disaster--by any means necessary. They will have to stay out of the crosshairs long enough to convince the powers that be of the toxic destruction about to be unleashed on American soil. . . .

First let me say this book will have you on the edge of your seat at each and every page turn.  That's what I like about this author's book's.  That and the interesting subjects and story lines he comes up with.  Every time I read one of his books, I always think; "how on earth did he come up with this idea."

However; the ending of this book was a bit of an anti-climax.  It felt as though he had put all his effort into writing the book and just ran out of steam and just quickly jotted something/anything down as the ending, which was a shame, as so much thought and detail was put into the rest of the book.  I didn't hate the book because of that; it just felt as though the ending was an after thought.

Stars out of 5 : 4 I really enjoyed the book, right until the last few pages; but it was the last few pages that let the book down.  I truly thought until close to the end that we were going to have to read another book and this was a series of books.  I even checked the front of the book to see if this was book one in a series.  Regardless I would recommend you read this book, as it is super interesting, just don't expect fireworks at the end!!

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. 

Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group".

"The New Farm, by Brent Preston"

"The New Farm, by Brent Preston"

The inspiring and sometimes hilarious story of a family that quit the rat race and left the city to live out their ideals on an organic farm, and ended up building a model for a new kind of agriculture.

You know those books where the city folks move to the country and have all kinds of crazy misadventures? Where the barnyard is a place of bucolic harmony and each passing season brings the author closer to understanding his proper place in the natural order? You know those books where the primary objective is not so much farming, but writing about farming?

This isn’t that kind of book.

It’s true that Brent Preston and Gillian Flies did leave the city and move to the country, and they did make a lot of stupid mistakes, some of which are pretty funny in hindsight. But their goal from the beginning was to build a real farm, one that would sustain their family, heal their environment, and nourish their community. It was a goal that was achieved not through bucolic self-reflection, but through a decade of grinding toil and perseverance.

Told with humour and heart in Preston’s unflinchingly honest voice, The New Farm is the story of one family’s transition from die-hard urbanites to bona fide farmers and passionate advocates for a more just and sustainable food system. It’s the story of how a couple of young professionals learned not just how to grow food, but how to succeed at the business of farming. And it’s the story of how a small, sustainable, organic farm ended up providing not just a livelihood, but a happy, meaningful and fulfilling way of life.

I don't remember how it came about that I ordered this book from the library, but must say I am glad I did.  I mean the Prologue of the book is titled: Euthanasia for Dummies.  You just have to read that part if nothing else.  I mean, despite the fact there is a loss of life, it is a funny chapter.

I was a bit misty eyed about this whole book as when we lived in the farmhouse we lived quite close to this farm.  Although I don't know any of the people in the book personally there were a couple of people mentioned who I knew about.  Places mentioned, events mentioned all brought back good memories of living in the area.  

Brent and Gillian were ahead of their time with their farming practices.  What they did then, is not as unusual now.  Their devotion to being organic should be applauded; as lesser people would have thrown in the towel.

Stars out of 5 : 5 A solid five as I thoroughly enjoyed this book.  It reminded me of the stupid things we did when we moved to the farmhouse...................boy I regret selling that house........{{{SIGH}}}

This is my own review; I borrowed the book from my local library.