What the Heart Sees by Kathleen Fuller

What the Heart Sees is a collection of three Amish short romance stories by Kathleen Fuller that were previously published in other compilations. I have read many romance stories, but this is the first time I have read ones that have an Amish background. I have to say I enjoyed these stories more than I do regular contemporary romances. Sometimes contemporary romances are so annoying, with the man and woman both being so stubborn it is a wonder that they get together at all. But these stories were different. My favorite was the first one, "A Miracle for Miriam", about a young lady named Miriam who has absolutely no confidence in herself and Seth, a young man who had initially rejected being Amish and went to live with the “Englisch” people before a terrible accident causes him to return to his home. It was short and very cute, there were parts that I cried, and I enjoyed it a lot.

As mentioned before, I really liked these stories and will be looking to read more of these types of Amish romances. My only pet peeve was the constant peppering of the story with the Pennsylvania Dutch language. All the words used in the stories are in a glossary in the front of the book, and most of them you can figure out what they mean. But sometimes I had to refer to the glossary to know what someone was being called. I know that the Amish speak the Pennsylvania Dutch or German dialect, but it was a little annoying to be enjoying the story, then come across a phrase that I had to look up the meaning. I might be just picky with this, but that is my only negative comment. Other than that, the stories are wonderful and I cannot wait to read more from this author.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

The Mountains Bow Down by Sibella Giorello

The Mountains Bow Down is the first book I have read from Sibella Giorello. Raleigh Harmon is an FBI agent (but don’t tell her mother) who, while on a combination family vacation/movie advisor job aboard a cruise ship to Alaska, is caught up in the investigation of a woman found hanging from the side of the ship. At first it looks like a suicide, but quickly turns out to be a murder. What’s more, the dead woman is the wife of the movie’s star. Raleigh asks for help from her boss at the FBI and he sends out a former co-worker, FBI Agent Jack Stephanson, a person Raleigh would rather not see again. During their investigation, they uncover some interesting facts about the movie crew, the actors, and the deceased wife, and it seems like any of them would have a reason for murder.

I really enjoyed this book. This is the fourth book in the series, so I am definitely going to get the previous books to read them. I would like to understand more of the references to past cases and incidents mentioned in this book. The writing is not too descriptive, not too repetitive and the action starts right away. Everything is just right. A side plot is also thrown in. During this investigation, Raleigh has to deal with her widowed mother's mental slide, and her Aunt Charlotte's (the owner of a New Age boutique) and Charlotte's friend Clair's (a psychic) weird antics. The book is great, and I am definitely wanting to read the next installment.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

The Shelter of God's Promises by Sheila Walsh

This was the first book that I read from Sheila Walsh and it really makes me want to check out her other books and read them too. Through personal experiences and corresponding examples from the Bible, the author explains that God is will always provide for us what we need. At times, some people might feel that God has left them, or let them down. They have such pain, mental and physical, that they feel they cannot go on in their lives. But then, God puts something in their path which shows them that whatever strife they are experiencing or feeling can be overcome. There is a reason for everything that happens in our life and we should take these experiences and learn from them. By learning from them, it will make us stronger.

I really enjoyed this book, it made me feel better about some issues I am experiencing and made me have a more favorable outlook on my life. I feel now that I can overcome some of my problems, and I am taking these experiences as a learning tool.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”