It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

What I read last week:
1) Liar's Bench, by Kim Michele Richardson
2) Charade (Sabby Carlyle #1), by Kristy Douglas
3)  The Genesis Reversal, by Jillian Cornell
4) A Faith Of Her Own by Kathleen Fuller
5) A Mouthful Of Murder by Carol Durand
6) Soul Surrender by Kathi Daley
7) A Fine Piece Of Chocolate by Jacqueline R. Banks

What I listened to last week:
1) Plagued By Quilt, by Molly MacRae

What I'm currently reading:
1) Someone Is Watching, by Joy Fielding
2) Under Color Of Law by Sylvie Fox
3) Eighty And Out by Kim Cano

What I'm currently listening to:
1)  Deadly Appearances by Gail Bowen

What I plan to read this week:
1) God's Buried Children by Daniel Farcas
2) Antique Discovery by Eileen Harris
3) Love Letters by Beverly Lewis

What I plan to listen to this week:
1) A Small Hill To Die On by Elizabeth Duncan
2) Keeper Of The Light by Diane Chamberlain

PREORDER BLITZ: Rundown (Curveball #2) by Teresa Michaels

A Fine Piece Of Chocolate by Jacqueline R Banks

Synopsis: Do you find yourself in an endless cycle of Prince Charming jerks or ignore every woman's sixth sense when in the rush of a passionate relationship? You don't need drama to have an exciting relationship. Learn from the three brave heroines in A Fine Piece of Chocolate how to pick up the pieces of life when the chocolate is no longer smooth and move on.

Thoughts: I was too distracted by the grammatical and formatting errors to get beyond the first chapter. There may be some good information to be found in the book, but if the author wants more people to read it, then the manuscript needs to be cleaned up quite a bit. 

The cover design is clever and professional, and I wish the inside lived up to the outside.

**I was given a copy of this book by BookLookBloggers in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.**

My rating: One star

A Faith Of Her Own by Kathleen Fuller

Synopsis: Can Anna Mae heed God's call on her life, even if it means leaving behind everything she knows . . . and everyone she loves?

Ever since Anna Mae's childhood friend Jeremiah left their Amish community, she's questioned her own place in the Amish world. The Amish life feels as if it's closing in on her, and with her mother trying to set her up with potential suitors, Anna Mae feels trapped in a life she's not sure she wants anymore. But she's never told anyone that she longs for a tiny taste of freedom--freedom that could be very costly.

When Jeremiah suddenly reappears in Middlefield to help his mentor, Yankee veterinarian Dr. Miller, new questions surface for Anna Mae, along with feelings she'd never fully acknowledged before.

As Anna Mae and Jeremiah rekindle their friendship, old feelings take on new meaning. Yet the question still lingers: What is God's plan for her life? Should she stay, keeping loyal to her Amish family, or does God have a bigger plan--one that provides more freedom than she could imagine? The answers do not come easily, and the answer to God's call may lie in different directions . . . for both of them.

Thoughts: A great look at several romantic relationships in various stages. Johnny and Katie are an Amish married couple who have been trying for several years to have a child; Bekah and Caleb have known each other for years, and treat one another as pests in their lives; Anna Mae is still in love with Jeremiah, who left the church and his family to pursue his education and a career as a veterinarian; Judith, a widow, has feelings for David, the father of Jeremiah and of Amos, a special needs young man, but David has an unresolved relationship with his wife, Marie, who deserted the family years ago.

This is the first full-length novel I've read by Fuller, although I have read several things by her in Amish anthologies. I enjoy her writing, and the insight she provides into the Amish culture here in Ohio. 

I was drawn into the story from the first page, and couldn't put it down till I got to the last one. I read it cover to cover in one sitting, which is very unusual for me these days. Looking forward to reading more about Middlefield in the future.

**I received a copy of this book from BookLookBloggers in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.**

My rating: Five stars

Liar's Bench by Kim Michele Richardson

Synopsis: In 1972, on Mudas Summers' seventeenth birthday, her beloved Mama, Ella, is found hanging from the rafters of their home. Most people in Peckinpaw, Kentucky, assume that Ella's no-good husband did the deed. Others think Ella grew tired of his abuse and did it herself. Muddy is determined to find out for sure either way, especially once she finds strange papers hidden amongst her mama's possessions. 

But Peckinpaw keeps its secrets buried deep. Muddy's almost-more-than-friend, Bobby Marshall, knows that better than most. Though he passes for white, one of his ancestors was Frannie Crow, a slave hanged a century ago on nearby Hark Hill Plantation. Adorning the town square is a seat built from Frannie's gallows. A tribute, a relic--and a caution--it's known as Liar's Bench. Now, the answers Muddy seeks soon lead back to Hark Hill, to hatred and corruption that have echoed through the years--and lies she must be brave enough to confront at last. 

Kim Michele Richardson's lush, beautifully written debut is set against a Southern backdrop passing uneasily from bigotry and brutality to hope. With its compelling mystery and complex yet relatable heroine, Liar's Bench is a story of first love, raw courage, and truths that won't be denied.

Thoughts: 

A fascinating story with lots of historical relevance. There is family drama, domestic violence, racism, coming of age, blossoming romance, cock fighting...a whole spectrum of events and relationships. There are lies and secrets which need to be uncovered, and somehow it falls to 17 yr old Mudas Summers to set things right.

The novel's plot runs from 1860 to 1972, and has several stories which eventually tie together in Mudas and her boyfriend, Bobby Marshall. The author does a fabulous job of describing the settings and events, and of making us feel something for all the characters, whether positive or negative.

I would highly recommend this book to pretty much everyone.

**I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.**

My rating: Four stars

Soul Surrender (Zoe Donovan #14) by Kathi Daley

Synopsis: Now that Zak and Zoe have their house, their lives, and their wedding back, things seem to be on track once again, until a man is found dead and Zoe is once again pulled into a murder investigation. The victim is a well known and liked member of the community who didn't appear to have any enemies until his secret past caught up with him. Zak and Zoe work together to find the killer while Zoe deals with the fact that Levi and Ellie seem to be imploding before her very eyes. Meanwhile Alex shares a shocking piece of news which causes Zak and Zoe to consider taking a huge step which could forever alter their future. 

Thoughts: This story picks up right where Matrimony Meltdown left off. Zak and Zoe are back in control of the wedding plans, although Mrs. Zimmerman still tries to manipulate events on occasion. 

With less than a week till the wedding, of course Zoe finds a dead body and finds herself in the middle of yet another murder investigation as well as all the last minute wedding details. Zak's grandmother arrives on her pink Harley, wearing a pink leather jacket. She's wild and crazy, and she and Zoe begin to build a relationship.

Alex gives Zoe some news that has Zak and Zoe planning something HUGE for their future...can't wait to see how that works out for everyone. However, the next installment will take us through the "family" honeymoon, which I'm sure will include yet ANOTHER murder, and another chance for Zak to have to rescue his new wife.

**I received a copy of this book from the author in return for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.**

My rating: Four stars

Plagued By Quilt (Haunted Yarn Shop Mystery #4) by Molly MacRae

Synopsis: Kath and her needlework group TGIF (Thank Goodness It's Fiber) are preparing to teach a workshop at the Holston Homeplace Living History Farm, but their lesson in crazy quilts is no match for the crazy antics of the assistant director, Phillip Bell. Hamming it up with equal parts history and histrionics, Phillip leads an archaeological dig of the farm's original dump site--until one student stops the show by uncovering some human bones.
When a full skeleton is later excavated, Kath can't help but wonder if it's somehow connected to Geneva, the ghost who haunts her shop, and whom she met at this very site. After Phillip is found dead, it's up to Kath to thread the clues together before someone else becomes history.

Thoughts: This is my first story from this series, but it definitely won't be my last. I love Kath and her "posse," and most especially Geneva, the ghost, and the conversations she has with Kath.

Even though this is the fourth installment in this series, I had no problem keeping up with the characters and their relationships. I have a feeling I will go back and read the first three in time, though, just to have a stronger background for the future.

Aside from the main mystery the group tries to solve, there is a secondary mystery--a cold case--brought on by the discovery of two skeletons. There is the paranormal aspect provided by Geneva, the romance of Kath and Joe, and the various family relationships and friendships of the main characters.

Thanks to some things we learned in this book, I think future installments are going to be even more interesting. Can't wait to see where Molly takes us next!

My rating: Four stars