The Amish Ballerina by Wanda Brunstetter

 Eighteen-year-old Arie Kauffman loves to twirl and leap around the barn in her Amish bonnet and dress, practicing ballet moves her English friend taught her. Her parents would be upset to learn that this longtime interest has progressed to her secretly attending ballet classes. Arie even hides her dance skills from her boyfriend, Edwin Chupp, who often invites her to try new things, knowing she has an artistic heart. Her secrecy, however, is causing damage she may not be able to repair. When offered new opportunities to dance, will Arie break from Amish tradition or hold true to the bonds of her faith and family?

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The Amish Ballerina: Brunstetter, Wanda E, Brunstetter, Richelle: 9798891511972: Amazon.com: Books

Wanda Brunstetter is an award-winning romance novelist who has led millions of readers to lose their heart in the Amish life. She is the author of over 100 books with more than 12 million copies sold. Many of her books have landed on the top bestseller lists, including the New York Times, USA Today, Publisher's Weekly, CBA, ECPA, and CBD. Wanda is considered one of the founders of the Amish fiction genre, and her work has been covered by national publications, including Time Magazine and USA Today.

Wanda's fascination with the Amish culture developed when she met her husband, Richard, who grew up in a Mennonite church, and whose family has a Pennsylvania Dutch heritage. Meeting her new Mennonite sister-in-laws caused Wanda to yearn for the simpler life. In their travels, she and her husband have become close friends with many Amish people across America. Wanda's desire to explore their culture increased when she discovered that her great-great grandparents were part of the Anabaptist faith.

All of Wanda's novels are based on personal research intended to accurately portray the Amish way of life. Many of her books are well-read and trusted by the Amish, who credit her for giving readers a deeper understanding of the people and their customs.

Wanda's primary attraction to the Amish is their desire to live a devout Christian life that strives to honor God, work hard, and maintain close family ties. Whenever she visits her Amish friends, Wanda finds herself drawn to their peaceful lifestyle, sincerity, and close family ties, which is in stark contrast to the chaos and busyness that plagues so many modern "Englishers." Time and time again, Wanda loses her heart in the Amish life, and she hopes her readers will, too. For more information, visit: www.WandaBrunstetter.com

This was way different than most of Brunstetter's books. I was not very pleased with the ending. It played out much more different than how I thought it would. I hope the next one is better.
Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable review was not required, and all views expressed are our own.

Guarded Knight by Sienna Judd

 

I’ve been in a lot of bad situations. War zones. Hostage rescues. But nothing prepared me for protecting Lara Young.

My buddy’s sister. The kiss that made and broke me.
The woman I swear was written into my bones.

When Xander says her ex won’t back off, I agree to step in, even though being near Lara means tearing open scars I fought hard to survive. Being with her reminds me life is more than survival. She lives every heartbeat like it’s a gift—still defying the clock her illness set.

But our past hurt us both.

She’s drawn lines, kept her distance, tried to make me just a memory. Now protecting Lara means being close again, and the rules neither of us said aloud are unraveling fast. No matter how many walls we build, fate keeps pulling me back to her.

And every time I look at those lips, I remember exactly why she’s off-limits…and why I want her anyway.

She pushes back, tests my restraint, and makes me crave the forever I swore I couldn’t have.

Keeping her safe isn’t a job anymore. It’s the fight of my life.

Because if she falls, I fall with her.

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Guarded Knight: A Brothers Best Friend, Small Town Romantic Suspense (Echo Valley Book 3) - Kindle edition by Judd, Sienna. Romance Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com.

Sienna Judd is a small town, contemporary romance author who lives for all the spice and book boyfriends who are book husband material.

Sienna is an American girl married to her Prince Charming. She lives with her husband, three children, pony, dogs, guineas pigs and countless other animals on a small farm England. She thinks kitchens are for dancing, is everybody's hype girl and might be known for talking too loudly. Like every respectable woman she also loves drinking champagne and eating half of every chocolate in a truffles box.

Her spirit animal is a butterfly.

This was my first read by Judd, I will be reading the rest of this series. Guarded Knight can be read as a standalone. I was not lost or confused. 

I love a good grumpy male character. I was so invested with these characters. I cant wait to read more from Judd.

Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable review was not required, and all views expressed are our own.

The Second Story Bookshop by Denise Hunter

 She inherits the bookshop of her dreams . . . But she has to run it with the ex she vowed never to speak with again. "Book lovers, book clubs, and anyone who's ever dreamed of owning a bookstore will adore this cleverly interwoven story" (Lisa Wingate, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Shelterwood). Full of fall vibes, The Second Story Bookshop is perfect for fans of Debbie Macomber and Gilmore Girls.

Shelby Thatcher adores working in the charming small-town bookshop her grandmother opened years ago. Since high school she's helped Gram turn the shop into a community hub for book lovers in the lakeside town of Grandville, NC. When her beloved grandma passes away, Shelby inherits the bookstore. But to her shock, Gram leaves half ownership to Gray Briggs, the man who broke Shelby's heart years ago.

Grandville residents have been vilifying Gray as long as he can remember. After graduating high school he couldn't skip town fast enough, even though it meant leaving the girl he'd fallen deeply in love with and alienating her family once and for all. Now he's back, the beneficiary of his elderly friend's will. Facing the town's animosity is difficult, but seeing Shelby again is sheer torture. No one could ever stir his heart the way she did.

As the adversaries are forced to work together, Gram's beyond-the-grave scheme is working--Shelby's old feelings for Gray begin to resurface. But the problems that destroyed their relationship before still remain, and a new one surfaces--one that threatens Gram's beloved bookshop. Is their love doomed to fail again, or will they find a way to make it work this time around?

If you're looking for an enemies-to-lovers, second-chance romance set in a cozy lakeside bookshop brimming with healing, heart, and Southern charm, The Second Story Bookshop is your perfect, feel-good escape. Let Shelby and Gray's tender journey remind you that sometimes the path back to love starts at the front step of a bookstore.

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The Second Story Bookshop: A delightful, sweet, second chance romance: Hunter, Denise: 9781400348695: Amazon.com: Books

Denise Hunter is the internationally-published bestselling author of more than forty novels, three of which have been adapted into Hallmark movies. She has appeared on the The 700 Club and been featured in Southern Living and Woman's World.

Denise writes heartwarming, small-town love stories, peopled with layered characters who have real-life issues. Her readers enjoy the vicarious thrill of falling in love and the promise of a happily-ever-after sigh as they savor the final pages of her books.

In 1996, inspired by the death of her grandfather, Denise began her first book, writing while her children napped. Two years later it was published, and she's been writing ever since. Her husband says he inspires all her romantic stories, but Denise insists a good imagination helps too!

When Denise isn't orchestrating love lives on the written page, she enjoys traveling, drinking chai lattes, hiking, and playing drums. Denise makes her home in Indiana where she and her husband raised three boys and are currently enjoying an empty nest and four beautiful grandchildren.

You can learn more about Denise through her website.

Twice by Mitch Albom

 A GOOD MORNING AMERICA BOOK CLUB PICK

What if you got to do everything in your life —twice? The heart of Mitch Albom’s newest novel—charmingly narrated by Mitch himself—is a stunning love story that dares to explore how our unchecked desires might mean losing what we’ve had all along.

When he is eight years old, Alfie Logan discovers the magical ability to get a second chance at everything. He can undo any moment and live it again. The one catch: he must accept the consequences of his second try—for better or worse.

He grows up correcting his mistakes and saving himself from adolescent embarrassments. He even takes foolishly dangerous risks, just to see what it’s like to come close to death, before tapping back to safety.

Eventually, Alfie turns his gift to his love life, studying his crushes and going back to make himself more appealing. In time, he falls deeply in love with Gianna, the woman he believes is the one. He seems to find contentment.

But as the years pass, Alfie’s eye begins to wander. Which is when he learns a lone caveat to his power: once he undoes a love, that person can never fall in love with him again. Knowing if he gives into to temptation, he will risk losing what he has with Gianna, Alfie makes a choice that changes his life forever.

The book begins many years later, after an ailing Alfie is arrested for allegedly cheating and winning millions at a casino roulette wheel. As a curious detective interrogates him, he slowly uncovers Alfie’s incredible story, and its most unlikely conclusion.

In Twice, America’s favorite storyteller, Mitch Albom, is at the top of his powers. A love story that is enchanting, probing, and clairvoyant in matters of the heart, Twice will make you think, weep, and overflow with love from beginning to end. And what better way to experience this story than through the delightful audiobook, narrated by Mitch himself.

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Twice: A GMA Book Club Pick: Albom, Mitch: 9780062406682: Amazon.com: Books

Author, screenwriter, philanthropist, journalist, and broadcaster Mitch Albom is an inspiration around the world. His fiction and non-fiction books — which include 8 #1 New York Times bestsellers — have collectively sold 42 million copies worldwide in 48 languages. TUESDAYS WITH MORRIE, the bestselling memoir of all time, topped the list for four straight years and celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2022. He has also written Emmy Award-winning TV films, stage plays, screenplays, a nationally syndicated newspaper column, and a musical. Through his work at the Detroit Free Press, he was inducted into both the National Sports Media Association and Michigan Sports halls of fame and was the recipient of the Red Smith Award for lifetime achievement.

Following his bestselling memoir FINDING CHIKA and HUMAN TOUCH, a web and audio weekly serial that raised funds for pandemic relief, he returned to fiction with the bestselling novels THE STRANGER IN THE LIFEBOAT and THE LITTLE LIAR. His much-anticipated new novel is a stunning love story about magical second chances called TWICE, which dares to explore how our unchecked desires might mean losing what we’ve had all along.

Albom spends the majority of his time in philanthropic work. In 2006, he founded the nonprofit SAY Detroit, which provides pathways to success for Detroiters in need through major health, housing and education initiatives. All profits from an original dessert shop and a gourmet popcorn line also help fund the nonprofit. He operates Have Faith Haiti, a home and school for impoverished children and orphans, in Port-au-Prince, which he visits monthly. He lives with his wife, Janine, in Michigan.

Wild Faith Devotional for Kids

 A stunning devotional for kids, featuring 52 amazing animals that will have young believers marveling at how awesome God is as they discover more about the journey of wild faith God invites them to experience!

“This devotional feels like a warm hug! It’s perfect for starting meaningful conversations about kindness, faith, and the love of Jesus with your kids.”—Mandy Arioto, president and CEO of The MomCo

God created the world. Every aspect displays God’s strength and love. And though Creation can never fully express the wonders of the Lord, sometimes examples from nature can make God’s truth come alive to us.

That's why the Wild Faith Devotional for Kids gathers well-known animals like flamingos, snakes, dogs, and cats along with lesser-known creatures like the capybara, glass frog, and rock-climbing goby to help kids celebrate God’s creativity, seek God with all their hearts, and rest in God's great love for them.

Packed with spiritual truths and scientific knowledge, all 52 devotions include:
• stunning illustrations and striking photography
• Bible verses and short prayers
• interactive “Make It Stick” and “Live It Out” sections

• fun facts highlighting quirky or unbelievable details

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Wild Faith Devotional for Kids: 52 Amazing Animals That Point to One Great God: Ellis, Valerie, Bricking, Jen: 9780593582596: Amazon.com: Books

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Valerie Ellis is an author, speaker, and founder of Our Everyday Parables, an online resource with book reviews and ideas for families pursuing faith and compassion. She lives in Houston, Texas, where she stays involved with The MomCo, SCBWI, and a variety of local nonprofits. In addition to writing and reading kids' books, Valerie enjoys hiking, live music, and adventuring with her husband, Josh, and their two boys.

Faded Scars Kristi Copeland

 

Trust your instincts; intuition doesn’t lie.

Kennedy:
I thought I finally left my torrid past behind after my husband died. But now worry consumes me as a stalker fixates on a newcomer to Talkeetna. As each instance intensifies, I’m haunted by memories of the trauma I desperately tried to escape.

Together with our girls’ group, Faith and I work to uncover the shadowy figure’s identity. I’m determined to keep my community safe, so I force myself to face my fears head-on, even if it kills me.

Faith:
I fled the lower forty-eight after my manipulative ex introduced me to a life I didn’t want. Following in my mother’s footsteps, I hope I can create a better version of myself in Alaska without being completely obsessed, like she was. But as I get to know the locals, I wonder who I can trust.

In a small town, though, secrets are hard to keep and it’s almost impossible to hide. On the contrary, someone’s been watching me. I refuse to admit I have a stalker even as his actions grow bolder. It may be too late for anyone to help me, even Kennedy.

As the danger escalates in the shadows of the great Denali, Kennedy and Faith are forced to face their own faded scars. If you love Whiskey Scars, dive into the mystery of Faded Scars to continue the saga.

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Amazon.com: Faded Scars: (A Vigilante Justice Alaskan Suspense: Kennedy-Book 2): 9798988964575: Copeland, Kristi: Books

All my life, writing, sharing experiences through story-telling, and intensive research has interested me. All of these loves are combined to give my readers an experience through the written word. I reside in a small town in northeast Texas and originate from a small town in Michigan. Both MI and TX are prominent in my writing.

Everywhere I look, I see someone begging me to write about them. Music, every day life, and even my husband’s dreams inspire ideas about new books! Like so many of my favorite novels have done for me, I sincerely hope to connect with you through my writing. My simple communication style brings words off the page to a vision in your mind.

Join me as I create scenarios that could happen to anyone…and probably have. Maybe me, maybe you.

Christmas Cheer Adult Coloring book

 A fun and festive resource for hours of Christmas crafting, with holiday-themed coloring pages and instructions for homemade paper gifts

Grab your glittery pens, get your playlist ready, and create your own ornaments, puzzle purses, chatterboxes, gift tags, and more! Each of the illustrations can simply be colored and left in the book, or they can be removed and folded into crafts for decorations or gifts. Instructions for folding Christmas tree ornaments, mini gift boxes, and personalized envelopes, and other nostalgic crafts are included.

The bleed-proof, bright white paper stock is heavy enough to use pencils, pens, or markers and light enough to fold easily into desired shapes. With festive illustrations and Christmas-themed crafts, this coloring book contains more than thirty creative projects and is a perfect gift, stocking stuffer, or holiday impulse buy!

From the creative studio of Ann-Margret Hovsepian, one of the illustrators who contributed to the bestselling Whatever Is Lovely, Choose Joy, and Peace, Be Still coloring books, Christmas Cheer is sure to become a holiday favorite for the whole family!

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Christmas Cheer: A Christmas Coloring Book with Paper Crafts and Simple Handmade Gifts: Hovsepian, Ann-Margret: 9780593602843: Amazon.com: Books

Ann-Margret Hovsepian is an award-winning writer and illustrator from Montreal, Quebec. She has had more than 300 articles featured in a variety of Canadian and U.S. print publications and has authored, co-authored, illustrated or contributed to multiple books. Her specialities are devotional books and colouring books.