Tempting Fate

Tempting Fate by Jane Green

Book Description by Goodreads:

When Gabby first met Elliott she knew he was the man for her. In twenty years of marriage she has never doubted her love for him - even when he refused to give her the one thing she still wants most of all. But now their two daughters are growing up Gabby feels that time and her youth are slipping away. For the first time in her life she is restless. And then she meets Matt . . .

Intoxicated by the way this young, handsome and successful man makes her feel, Gabby is momentarily blind to what she stands to lose on this dangerous path. And in one reckless moment she destroys all that she holds dear.

Consumed by regret, Gabby does everything she can to repair the home she has broken. But are some betrayals too great to forgive?

This is my second read of a Jane Green book so I wasn't sure what to expect. I am not a huge fan of books where there is infidelity in marriage but all the reviews said that once you got farther into the book the story really grabs your attention and you want to see how the book will end. The book involves a handful of characters. The main character Gabby, her husband Elliot, her to kids, and a couple of friends. I have to be honest after reading the first couple chapters I really did not like the character Gabby and didn't want to continue reading the story. But once I got through half of the book the story became more interesting and real to life. I though Jane did a really good job of describing how the fallout is for a family when one of them cheats. It was interesting to also read the twist that Jane buts in the book that you did not see coming. This book kept me interest and I finished it with in a couple hours which doesn't happen very often. I would recommend that reader who like romance and books that have a really good gut wrenching story read this book. I would also recommend what others to do which is continue to read even if you aren't sure what you think after the first couple characters as the book gets better.

A Simple Change to a Simple Life

A Simple Change by Judith Miller

Book Description Courtesy of Goodreads:

Judith Miller's Novels Offer a Fascinating Look inside the Amana Colonies
Joining the communal society of the Amana Colonies isn't what Jancey Rhoder planned for her future, but when unforeseen circumstances force her family  to make some difficult decisions, she chooses to give up her teaching position in a Kansas City orphanage and move with her parents to Iowa. 
Her besotted suitor, Nathan Woodward, isn't at all happy about the move and is determined to get Jancey to change her mind. And Jancey herself isn't sure what she's gotten herself into when the simple life of the Amana Colonies means she'll be assigned a job and may have to give up teaching for good. Will Nathan woo her back to the city, or will she be forever changed by the mysterious events and new relationships that await her in the quiet villages of the Amana Colonies--and decide to make this unique place her forever home?


This was the first book that I have read by Judith Miller. With this being the second book in the series I was a little worried that I was going to be lost with not knowing what happened in the first book. However, that didn't happen because this book could stand alone in the series because even though the first books characters were in this one you would not need to know it The main character Jancey has always lived in the modern time in Kansas City splitting her time between the orphanage and spending time with her family and suitor Nathan Woodward. However, that all changes when her parents tell her that they are going back to the simple life in the Amana Colonies to live out their rest of their lives. Jancey is shocked and doesn't want to leave her children at the Orphanage but she doesn't want to miss the last couple months/year with her mother. So she leaves everything behind to move there with her parents.

As you continue to read the book you will find that Judith Miller does a fantastic job of describing how the people in the Amana Colonies live and how it is different from what the modern people in Kansas City lived. I really liked in addition how she showed the struggles that Jancey faced well trying to fit in to the colonies.  Lastly I really liked to the romance story she had included between Jancey and Ritt who is one of the colonies citizens and her relationship between Nathan and her. I felt like I was in the 1880's and experiencing what Jancey and her family were going through.

Having been my first read by Judith's I really liked it and I am very interesting to read other books in this series and by this author. I would not only recommend this book to Christian readers but also by readers who love history and romance as it has all three of those genres in them.

I received this ARC from Bethany House Publishers and Netgalley.

ARC of The Secret Keeper by Beverly Lewis

The Secret Keeper is the 4th book in the Home to Hickory Hollow series. The story starts out with Jenny Burns making her way to Hickory Hollow to start her life as an Amishwoman. Having always felt like she was a plain woman and never really belonged in current society she feels right at home in Rebecca Lapps house. Rebecca and Samuel Lapp who were in the first Hickory Hollow series are reintroduced again as Jenny's mentors as she strives to one day belong to the church and one day become Amish. However, things don't come as easy to Jenny as she thought she would and she soon wonders if this is what she really is meant for her. Also introduced into this story is Marni Lapp who is the person that convinced Jenny to come. Lastly, Katie and Daniel come back in a few chapters of the book which is interesting to see as the Shunning was one of the first books that I read of Beverly's.  As you read the book Beverly introduces laughter, love, family and heartbreak. Keep your attention from start to finish.


Having only read four of Beverly Lewis books before and reading only this book from the Return to Hickory Hollow series I wasn't sure what to expect as I read the first couple chapters. I found that Beverly really shaped the characters well and you really felt that you were taking part of the amish life as she made you feel like you were in the kitchen with Jenny and Rebecca baking. I am also a hopeless romantic so I loved that she also introduced two love stories into this book that you got to see grow through out this book. It was interesting also to see where Beverly had taken Katie's character. I am very interested in reading the first three books in this series and very excited to read Beverly's future releases.

I received this ARC of The Secret Keeper courtesy of Netgalley and Bethany House!

Baby & Bump and the HOT OBGYN

This is my second book that I have read of Brooke Moss and I absolutely loved it. Lexie Baump is a Thirty old single woman who owns her own business and now is pregnant. Her cousin tells her that she needs to go to good OBGYN and not the family one anymore. Agreeing she sets up an appointment with Dr. Fletcher Haybee who comes recommended from her cousin. In walks Fletcher to the appointment and Lexie feels an instant connection but so does Marisol her hot friend/co-owner of her catering business. Knowing it wouldn't be correct to date her doctor she tells her best friend to go for it not realizing that Fletcher feels something too. As the book goes on you see Lexie's relationship with her mother break and strengthen and also her love for Fletcher growing. In addition you also get to see the relationship between Lexie and her friends especially Marisol who is dating Fletcher and how it changes throughout the book.

I really liked this book because I felt the story line was very well written and the characters were very well developed. In addition I also liked the comedy that she brought into the story. I can't wait to read the next book in the series!!

Once is Never Enough by Mira Lyn Kelly

I received this book courtesy of First Reads and Harlequin.

Nichole has always been on the end of its not you, its me in relationships. So now her goal is to enjoy her single life and have fun. That all changes when she goes to her friends party and runs in a man with beautiful blue eyes who makes her forget everything. Garrett Carter is ready to get back into the swing of the things after having his head stuck in a book for the last couple years. He just didn't realize it would be at his friends welcome back party a beautiful read head with beautiful brown eyes. Not until the next morning do they realize that they do know each other because they both know Maeve, his sister, her best friend. They try to deny their feelings but their attraction becomes even stronger and sometimes you just have to give into your feelings.

The was my first Harlequin Kiss series book and I thought that it was very good. I liked the way that Mira progressed the story and how you really felt like you knew the main characters by the end of the book. The only part I found unrealistic was how the sister reacted to Nichole and Garrett being together. Other than that I really liked the book and would recommend it to other romance readers.