A Treasure Concealed by Tracie Peterson

Come to the wilds of Montana and meet Emily Carver and her mother Nyola and Henry Carver.

I loved this book and felt like I was there with the Carvers and their friends. I could actually hear the river gurgling as it ran by the Carvers' claim. I could see the trees and imagine anything else that was there.
Emily is a giver. She is also a caretaker. I loved this about her on both accounts. Little by little her faith has also been growing especially since her mother passed on. It will take every ounce of faith throughout the story that she has.
There are bad men everywhere even back in Emily's time. They want what everyone else has been working hard for. They especially like to pick on Henry Carver. They thought they could run him out but they were in for a surprise!!! Mr. Singleton is definitely one that loves to take from people.
Caeden is my hero in more ways than one!! Caeden is a geologist who was sent by Washington to study the area and the land. Washington wanted to know more about this area.  He is also a giver!! I was surprised by this because usually most men are takers. I've always imagined him tall, dark and handsome!!!
I'm so glad that Caeden didn't turn out like his parents like he was afraid that he would. I think he turned out just fine with God's help and a lot of determination.  I believe that God sent Caeden to watch out for the Carvers especially Emily.  There are also children who grow up without parents who turn out to be alright too.
Nyola  is sort of my favorite character. I loved the insight that she has!! It's like she knows the future and what is going to happen before it does. I didn't like the way she died though. I can't imagine the horrible way she died. NO one deserves that!!!
Then we have Mr. Arnold and his daughter Catherine. I didn't like him but Catherine was ok. I didn't like Mr. Arnold because he was all bluster and liked to spend money that wasn't there.
Catherine didn't want to marry Caeden at all because she didn't love him.  She loved someone else something her father didn't understand.
See, back then all the rich and well to do families wanted to marry their children to a prospective family so that their own families could do well in times of trouble. Catherine didn't want to be a part of this. Mr. Arnold didn't want to listen. People like him have to learn the hard way!!!
Jake is a pretty cool guy too. I love how he watches out for Emily and her father while Caeden is gone to do what he has to do.
This book is action packed and full of entertainment.  It's like watching a western movie on TV!! Only better!!
This book was given in exchange for an honest review from Bethany House publishers

An Unbroken Heart by Kathleen Fuller

I really admired Joanna Schrock. She has amazingly bounced back from a lot of events in her life. 
I enjoyed this book so much but of course I say this about almost every book I've read. There were a few that I've had trouble getting into. I like the stories that revolve around our Lord and Savior so much because without Him we'd be nothing. He is the truth, the life and the way. We must enter through Him in order to get to the Kingdom of Heaven. I'm believing this is the message that the author is wanting to say to us. 
I rejoiced and grieved with Joanna because of what happened. when she finally realizes that it takes trust and finally some much needed healing after her buggy accident that killed her parents. Take each day and fully appreciate what you have because you never know what will happen or when your life will end. 
Andrew was going through some tough times as well. I thought him rather pushy with Joanna. I believed that if God wants them together then it should be in His own time. They weren't ready and they didn't know how to show their love. I completely understand Andrew's motivation but they really needed to grow up some and let Joanna find some things out on her own. 
I also admired Andrew's mother who kept some secrets of her own. I was glad that she finally to her children so that they can go on with their lives. I believe that because she did this Andrew was finally able to except what happened to his father and it also helped him to grow up and be the man I figured he could be. 
Cameron had a lot going on in his life too. I think it takes a man to confess on what he did was wrong. It's wrong to run away from certain circumstances in life. I'm so very happy that he did right by his daughter. It also takes a man to think about someone other than himself. 
I loved this book and will recommend it to anyone who loves to wile away the hours reading Christian fiction. I was definitely kept on the edge of my seat waiting to see what would happen with each page turn. 
I gave this book 5 stars for the reason I stated above. 
I received this book in exchange for an honest review from Booklook Bloggers.

Amish Sweethearts by Leslie Gould

ABOUT THE BOOK

I grew up with a steady diet of William Shakespeare and Jane Austen. After all that literary immersion, I naturally decided to get a degree in mathematics, which came in handy when one of my six children needed help with homework. After my fourth daughter was born, I started writing. By juggling diaper changes, soccer games, music lessons, laundry, and two more children, I finished my first manuscript—a Western—in just under fourteen years.

I have always been fascinated by the Amish way of life and now write Inspirational Amish Romance. I am drawn to the strong faith of the Plain people and admire the importance they put on enduring family ties. I have visited and studied Amish communities in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin where I met with a bishop and a minister as well as several Amish mamms, dats, and children. It has always impressed me at what salt-of-the-earth people they are. My interactions with these kind people have been some of the most rewarding experiences of my life. I have a dear Amish friend with whom I correspond in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. She helps me keep my facts straight and gives me inspiration for my stories.

My goal is to write uplifting, inspiring stories with happy endings and hopeful messages. If my books make readers want to give themselves a big hug or jump up and down for joy, I’ve done my job. I am a member of Romance Writers of America and American Christian Fiction Writers and am represented by Mary Sue Seymour of The Seymour Agency.

There are three Amish romances in the Forever After in Apple Lake Series (Summerside/Guideposts). Kate’s Song, Rebecca’s Rose, and Miriam’s Quilt are all now available.

I have six Amish Romances in the works with Kensington Books. The first and second books, Huckleberry Hill and Huckleberry Summer, are now available in stores and online. The Matchmakers of Huckleberry Hill is set in northern Wisconsin Amish country.

The series, The Matchmakers of Huckleberry Hill, is about an elderly Amish couple who try to find suitable mates for their grandchildren. What could be more fun than throwing two young people together to see if sparks ignite? No one would ever suspect two octogenarian Amish folks of mischief.

Romantic Times gave Huckleberry Hill 4 1/2 stars and chose Huckleberry Summer as a TOP PICK.

I have four daughters, two sons, three sons-in-law, and two adorable grandsons. I live in the foothills of the Wasatch Front with my husband and one son still left at home.(less)

MY THOUGHTS

I enjoyed this book as well. I guess I say this about every book that I read. 

Zane is an impulsive character. By this I mean he's jumps into things without thinking things through. I think also sometimes he's very headstrong. He doesn't want to listen to no one. He's also quiet and doesn't say much. I'm like that as well.  There's nothing wrong with being quiet. I don't like a lot of drama so I keep to myself whenever I can. People like to pick on the quiet ones.

Now that he's grown things are not what they always seem!!

I do like that he's always putting other's needs first before his own.  I believe I would  want Zane as my boyfriend lol!!

Lila is just the opposite of Zane. I think she is a little too timid. Always afraid of what other people will think. Lila is also a hard worker. She is a people pleaser just like I try to be!! Lila has been this way all of her life. I think opposites do attract!!!

Tim is Lila's father. When we meet him in the first book he is very strict on his family. In this book it seems as time goes on, he lightens up a bit. I don't know if age has anything to do with it but we shall see won't we?

 Simon is almost like Zane except that he was raised Amish. He is on his Rumspringa. (Running around time for the Amish youth). He is his father's favorite son. Simon does a foolish thing too in my opinion. It's bad enough to hurt his father. Simon does something that no other Amish man would think of doing. It's against their beliefs.

 Daniel is Lila's twin. He's the opposite of Simon. Daniel enjoys being Amish. He finds a nice young lady and they've been dating for a few years.

Lila has joined the church. Some things are forbidden. Some of the things that Lila does is extraordinary!! I don't think she would have done them if it weren't for Zane.

 Beth is a new character. She's a lively soul who brings joy to the students especially Trudy Lila's sister. Trudy is trying to be a matchmaker!! Maybe it will work maybe not. We'll just have to see.

Joel is Zane's step dad. He served in Iraq. When he is  released and comes home he has a hard time with dealing in his time in Iraq. He takes it out on everyone until God and a good friend intervenes in his life. I think that this has to be my favorite scene in the first book

. Shani is Zane's mom. She's the one that keeps her family together. Shani's a little flighty always on the go. She wears me out!!! But, I think without her, the family would fall apart. I do have to admire Shani. She a lot of determination!!! What I like most about is that she's a prayer warrior. Her faith is strong. It has to be!!!

I have no idea what it's like over seas. This may be the reason that Zane does the foolish thing that he has done because his dad has had a great impact on him. In some ways, I wish that I had a dad like Zane.

It seems  like that you could learn some life lessons from Joel.

Then there's Leona Lila's Mennonite grandmother. I think that Lila learned the hard way that no matter how old you that you can still get sick. I'm thinking that this is another of life's lessons. I know that it sure brought me down to earth!! I'm glad that Mammi made it through and that she had God's healing hand.

I'm thinking that Lila and Zane are my favorite characters. They've been friends since childhood. It's great that this friendship will get them through the hard times.

There are places in this book that made me cry though. There are some places where I wanted to punch someone's nose because of the way he bullied people around.

Another lesson that this book teaches is it's never no good to run away just because things aren't going your way or that you no longer want to do it. To run away is to deceive who you truly are. I believe  that God has had a hand in this. This was my favorite scene in the book

God always has hand on things. They may not be what we want but in His own time!!

This book was given to me by Leslie Gould in exchange for an honest review. Leslie I enjoyed this book a lot. You have given some life lessons along the way in this book. I definitely got something out of it!!! Thank you for writing another wonderful story about Zane and Lila!!!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR