Carla's Book Crush

The Rise and Fall of Miss Fannie’s Biscuits by Wanda E. Brunstetter & Martha Bolton
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Why Are Baking Contestants Disappearing?
 
Mysteries have a way of following Fannie Miller, so when she makes it into the finals of the Tuscarawas County Baking Contest and contestants start disappearing, she calls on her old friend Foster Bates, a retired cop and part-time private investigator. Could it be that other finalists are somehow responsible for these disappearances, thinning out the competition? Like the couple on verge of divorce who need the prize money, or the three Beiler sisters, always in a huddle whispering. One thing is for certain—Foster and Fannie will stay on the case until the end, and everyone involved will have learned something important about baking contests, solving mysteries, and life.

Risking Her Amish Heart by Jackie Stef
Series: Bird In Hand Brides – Book 2
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Can an unexpected friendship…

Turn into a happily-ever-after?

After being jilted, Grace Ebersol moves to Bird-in-Hand, Pennsylvania, to care for her ailing grandfather—and avoid any future heartache. Good thing the only eligible Amish bachelor nearby is her grandfather’s standoffish employee. But Grace quickly sees that Aaron King’s awkwardness hides a gentle, caring spirit. Can Grace learn to trust again…or will a secret Aaron is keeping destroy her second chance?

A Husband for an Amish Bride by Christina Rich
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She’ll do anything for her family…

Even if it means marrying the man who broke her heart.

Naomi Lambright has only two months to find a husband. According to her father’s will, she must marry—or lose her family home, the farm…and be separated from her cherished siblings. But the only bachelor who will take on an Amish maed with a disabilityand her seven younger siblings is Abe Dienner, Naomi’s once-betrothed. She’s been let down by Abe before, and trusting him might be the ultimate act of faith. But can a marriage of convenience be the answer to Naomi’s prayers…or put her family—and her heart—at risk?

Her Pretend Amish Beau by Patricia Johns
Series: Amish Country Matches – Book 5
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Falling for each other was never part of the plan.

With four sons and a flower farm, widow Delia Swarey has little time for courtship. But that doesn’t stop her boys from rejecting every potential suitor. And widowed dad Elias Lehman is in the same boat with his daughter. They hope that pretending to court each other will teach their children about opening their hearts. But Delia and Elias could soon learn their own lessons about love…

Her Surprise Amish Match by  Pamela Desmond Wright
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Until an unexpected matchmaker proves them wrong

Amish business owner Amity Schroder can’t stand her neighbor Ethan Zehr. Sharing a building for their individual shops has never been easy, since the stern widower bristles at every one of Amity’s too-progressive business ideas. So when Amity starts to fall for her new anonymous pen pal, she knows there’s no way it could be Ethan. Their constant arguments are nothing like the heartfelt letters she’s been receiving. But as she gets closer to discovering her secret admirer’s identity, will she let the truth stand in the way of her happiness?

Ambush on the Ranch by Tina Wheeler

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Seeking ranch refuge…

with lethal threats at every turn.

After running for her life through the forest, art gallery owner Janel Newman wakes up in the hospital with no memory of the past forty-eight hours. A car bomb and masked gunman make it clear she must’ve seen something she shouldn’t have. When she’s forced to hide at deputy sheriff Zach Walker’s family ranch along with her twin sister, secrets are uncovered, and a murderous conspiracy is revealed. With ruthless criminals dogging their every step, will Janel and Zach be able to thwart these villains’ plan to silence Janel for good?

Christmas at Sugar Plum Manor by Roseanna M. White
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The Nutcracker and Edwardian-Era England combine to weave a magical tale of love and friendship at Christmastime.

As the beloved stepdaughter of the Earl of Castleton, Lady Mariah Lyons cherishes her home at Plumford Manor, but her idyllic world will be threatened when the estate passes to Cyril Lightbourne, a childhood friend she hasn’t seen or heard from in years. Once, Mariah dreamed their friendship would kindle into something more, but that was before she heard Cyril was courting the cruelhearted Lady Pearl. Now Mariah is willing to welcome him as a friend and pray he will be the heir her stepfather needs, but she’ll keep her heart locked safely away from anyone with such poor taste.

Cyril Lightbourne has long avoided returning to Plumford Manor, yet he reluctantly arrives in time for Christmas. When his friendship with Lady Mariah reignites, he finds himself caught between his affection for her and her family’s misunderstanding of his attachment to Lady Pearl. Then, more trouble arrives in the form of a Danish lord on a mission to win Mariah’s hand by Christmas. Will the magic of the holiday season help lead to the discovery of true love, or will duty to country leave all longing for what could have been?

What I Left for You by Liz Tolsma
Series: Echoes of the Past — Book 3
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A Family’s Ties Were Broken in Poland of 1939   1939 Helena Kostyszak is an oddity—an educated female ethnic minority lecturing at a university in Krakow at the outbreak of WWII. When the Germans close the university and force Jews into the ghetto, she spirits out a friend’s infant daughter and flees to her small village in the southern hills. Helena does everything in her power to protect her family, but it may not be enough. It will take all of her strength and God’s intervention for both of them to survive the war and the ethnic cleansing to come.   2023 Recently unengaged social worker McKenna Muir is dealt an awful blow when a two-year-old she’s been working with is murdered. It’s all too much to take, so her friend suggests she dive into her family’s past like she’s always wanted. Putting distance between herself and her problems might help her heal, so she and her friend head on Sabbatical to Poland. But what McKenna discovers about her family shocks everyone, including one long-lost family member. Also in the Echoes of the Past Series:What I Would Tell You What I Promise You

When Stars Light the Sky by Elizabeth Camden
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In a world on the brink of war, two hearts must navigate shadows of uncertainty.

Inga Klein’s carefree life in New York takes a dramatic turn when she sails for Berlin, Germany, to serve as the secretary for America’s ambassador. Amid the glamour of life at the embassy, she continually finds herself at odds with the straitlaced and imposing Benedict Kincaid, the diplomatic chief of staff who harbors deep misgivings toward the German-born Inga.

As Europe hurtles toward World War I, Benedict’s determination to keep America out of the conflict adds to the already tense atmosphere. Despite their relentless sparring, Inga and Benedict succeed in keeping the embassy afloat through one crisis after another. But when they run out of diplomatic options, a marriage of convenience may be Inga’s only hope of escape from the impending war.

An Overdue Match by  Sarah Monzon
Series: Checking Out Love – Book 1
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Can a librarian’s matchmaking mischief lead to a love that rewrites their stories?

If the covers of every romance book ever published didn’t convince librarian Evangeline Kelly that she isn’t heroine material, her fiancé calling off their wedding when she lost her hair to alopecia did. But what’s a girl head over heels for love to do when her feelings are unrequited? Matchmake, that’s what. Armed with library patrons’ check-out histories, she’s determined to make at least one love connection–even if it’s not her own.

Tattoo artist Tai Davis is used to people judging him with a single glance, so it doesn’t surprise him when the town’s quirky new librarian believes his bad-boy reputation without giving him a chance. He can’t help being intrigued by her, though, so when he discovers Evangeline’s secret matchmaking scheme, he’s not above striking a bargain with her. She just has to agree to one date with him for every time she uses his hometown knowledge to set up library patrons on a romantic rendezvous. The deal is made, but in the process, they both might learn you can’t judge a book–or each other–by the cover.

What’s on your winter reading list?

Thank you to The Artsy Reader Girl for hosting Top Ten Tuesday!