Shooting Sunshine by Wendy Rich Stetson
Publisher: Wild Rose Press
Publication Date: September 30, 2024
Pages: 374
Format: ebook – Author
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On assignment in Green Ridge, PA, New York photojournalist Darcy King will stop at nothing to bag a prestigious staff position at Hudson Magazine. Just one problem: her subjects are Amish, and they shun having their pictures taken.

As a wild teen on his Amish Rumspringa, Samuel Rishel fell prey to a photographer who splashed his face on a romance novel and left him with trust issues. Older and definitely wiser, he wants nothing to do with cameras until a pretty young photographer arrives in the family’s farmhouse B&B. Eager to support his mother’s fledgling business, he’ll help Darcy on one condition—no pictures of faces allowed.

Will Samuel and Darcy go from enemies to something more? Or will a single photograph shatter their trust forever?

My Review and Reflections

Five stars. Really? Is that all I can give? Sigh, I’ll go with five. The writing style of this book is so unexpected for an Amish romance. And I mean that in a very good way. I never wanted to put this book down and I’ll reread it. I fell in love with all the characters. Especially Darcy, Samual, and sassy Pammy who owns the local bakery. If I say more, I’ll just spoil the whole thing for you.    

I often get asked by people who do not read Amish books, what Amish book I recommend to them. 𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴. This is the book. If you love Amish romance, then 100% without a doubt you need to read this. But if you aren’t sure if the genre is for you, or maybe you haven’t liked it in the past, this book will take you in and make you fall in love with all things Amish.   

A Home for His Amish Children by Virginia Wise
Series: Bluebird Hills – Book 4
Publisher: Love Inspired
Publication Date: January 21, 2025
Pages: 272
Format: ebook – Author
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The wife he didn’t expect

Could be exactly what he needs

With his house and business destroyed in a fire, widower Silas Hochstetler desperately needs somewhere for him and his children to live. Needing help to pay her mortgage—and secretly longing for a family of her own—spinster Mary King answers his ad for a wife. Navigating their new life together with the children isn’t as easy as they thought, though neither can ignore the spark between them. They might be strangers, but their marriage of convenience might just lead to something real…

My Review and Reflections

I was hooked the moment I opened the book. Here we have this timid woman, Mousy Mary as her mean brother calls her, waiting for a man she has never met before to become her husband. How bold! Silas is sweet and strong and tries so hard to guard his heart. He wants to make this more of a business arrangement with Mary but she’s not the kind you ignore. It was heartwarming to see Mary blossom throughout the book and become her own. With the help of her friends and Sila’s quiet comforting ways, she becomes the person she was always meant to be. And it’s not timid at all, as her step-daughter finds out. When Mary starts standing up to Becky, you can see the change in both characters from that point on.  

Wise always writes wonderful books and this one does not disappoint. I adore the way this was written. It’s the right mix of Amish, romance, and real-life rolled up into one. Anyone who delights in Amish romance will want to read this. 

The Rise and Fall of Miss Fannie’s Biscuits by Wanda E. Brunstetter & Martha Bolton
Publisher: Barbour Fiction
Publication Date: January 1, 2025
Genres: Mystery | Amish Romance
Pages: 256
Format: ebook – NetGalley
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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—like the couple on verge of divorce who need the prize money. . .or the three Beiler sisters, always in a huddle whispering—are somehow responsible for these disappearances, thinning out the competition? One thing is certain—Foster and Fannie will stay on the case until the end, and everyone involved will learn something important about baking contests, mystery solving, and life.

My Review and Reflections

It took a while for me to really get into the book. The writing is too formal and not conversational in tone. At times the fact that there were two writers seemed very apparent because not everything was as cohesive as it should be. About halfway into the book things started to flow a little better and there were parts that got a genuine laugh out of me.

The characters were fun and pithy. Fanny and Foster’s relationship was realistic and endearing. The three sisters who were key secondary characters seemed a little over the top. Especially given that they owned a bakery and their behavior didn’t seem to impact sales.

Overall, I thought this was an okay read. It was not a typical Brunstetter book in my opinion so it fell a little flat for me. At the end of the book, I did read Bolton’s credentials which were very impressive with many plays and musicals under her belt. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘙𝘪𝘴𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘍𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘰𝘧 𝘔𝘪𝘴𝘴 𝘍𝘢𝘯𝘯𝘪𝘦’𝘴 𝘉𝘪𝘴𝘤𝘶𝘪𝘵𝘴 has been made into a musical and it made the writing style and even ending of the book make much more sense. I think it will be a delightful musical and one I’d enjoy seeing. Had I known that upfront, I would have approached this read from a different perspective and potentially would have enjoyed it more.

What are you reading?

In some instances, I receive books through the publisher, author, or NetGalley. This is marked next to “Format”. This in no way sways my opinion. All opinions are my own.