Sharon R. Paavola

Life moments and Book Reviews

Who The Bishop Knows – Delightful Mystery!

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Who the Bishop KnowsWho the Bishop Knows by Vannetta Chapman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Book three of The Amish Bishop Mysteries, Who the Bishop Knows, created an enjoyable diversion in between projects I had procrastinated doing. The story opens with a death at the local rodeo. The bishop who usually discovers the answers to crime through his photographic mind wasn’t there when the murder occurred. His vibrant, caring community trusts him and the longer the suspect is out there the more tension builds. He must rely on his drawings to see anything unusual.
You will find this book delightful as well as the characters.
I received a copy from Net Galley. I was not compensated for this review. All thoughts are my own. 

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Colors of Christmas – Heartwarming Novellas!

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Colors of Christmas: Two Contemporary Stories Celebrate the Hope of ChristmasColors of Christmas: Two Contemporary Stories Celebrate the Hope of Christmas by Olivia Newport
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Both of these Christmas novellas surprised me with their genuine spirit and characters. Angela grieves her best friend. She would rather forget Christmas this year, but circumstances plop her right into the biggest public celebration with neon blue decorations. She wants to hide yet the town will not have its annual joyous parade and holiday music unless she plans, prepares, and produces. She receives help from an unusual stranger and who knows? She may pull it off after all. A delightful heartwarming story!
Astrid’s life has included more loss and pain over the years and now her family wants her to move into an assisted living community. Her grace and wit, her attitude and fortitude may see her through this difficult transition. Another pleasurable novella to set the Christmas tone with challenging situations that we often face in what should be a happy time of year.
~I received a copy from Net Galley. I was not compensated for this review. All thoughts are my own.  br />

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The House on Foster Hill – Mysterious Intrigue!

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The House on Foster HillThe House on Foster Hill by Jaime Jo Wright
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was curious about this book and was not sure if I liked it. I persevered to discover intrigue, suspense, and romance. The further I read, I grew to care about the characters and their dilemmas. The House on Foster Hill contains two story lines about the same home from different periods, the present and the 1800s.

Kaine seriously seeks a new beginning but finds the home she purchased, sight unseen, a dilapidated money pit. It seems her past has followed her across the country and danger lurks in her new surroundings. Will this be her home or should she abandon her refurbishing plans?

Ivy finds a dead girl on the Foster Hill property. What can she do to solve the murder mystery and the obscure home? Who wants her to stop investigating? Are there unknown secrets to uncover?

~I received a copy from Net Galley. I was not compensated for this review. All thoughts are my own. 

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Advent in Narnia – Excellent Tradition Addition!

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Advent in Narnia: Reflections for the SeasonAdvent in Narnia: Reflections for the Season by Heidi Haverkamp
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Advent in Narnia will please any Narnia fan and others, too. What a unique way to prepare for Christ’s birth! The author mixes in both Narnia characters and scripture to enlighten the season. The book holds twenty-eight devotions with reflection questions. I read this by myself but will enjoy using it in the future with my grandson and family as Narnia becomes real to him. Since my copy is an e-book I look forward to purchasing the hardbound edition. It is lovely and will complement my Christmas collection.
I am thankful to NetGalley for this reading and reviewing opportunity. My views and honest opinions are my own.

All She Left Behind – Fascinating and Worthy!

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All She Left BehindAll She Left Behind by Jane Kirkpatrick
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

All She Left Behind is another great book by Jane Kirkpatrick! Her characters have depth, her dedicated research authenticates it, and the trials faced pull you into the story.. Jennie Pickett is an unusual woman for her time and is a real person in history. She has goals most women would not dream of pursuing. Her longing to be a physician and bring healing to others never leaves her. She is raising her young son with very little help from her husband and continues to find her way. She faces many disappointments and often wants to quit. How will she maintain her desires with all that is going against her?
This is another of my favorite books and I don’t want to spoil any of the plot for you. It is worthy of reading!
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley. My thoughts in my review are my own and I was under no obligation to write one.

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These Healing Hills – I Loved It!

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>These Healing HillsThese Healing Hills by Ann H. Gabhart
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

These Healing Hills captured me! I loved the characters, the life of the midwives and the mountain people they served. Francine Howard choses to leave her privileged life behind to become a Frontier Nurse in the Appalachian mountains after her boyfriend breaks off their relationship. Her mother is horrified and no one thinks she can manage the rough rigors of serving the mountain people. She wants to try but there’s more to learn than bringing babies into the world. She meets a recently returned War II veteran, Ben Locke when she gets lost on the hill. They survive a deluge under a rock outcropping which starts an edgy relationship. Francine’s faith in God deepens as her trials stretch her dealing with the mountain people.
I could say more but you really need to read it. The characters are full, complex, and real. The author’s writing is superb..

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and Publishing. My comments are my own and was under no obligation to do so.

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The Trust – Mesmerizing!

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The Trust: A Novel (Liam Taggart and Catherine Lockhart)The Trust: A Novel by Ronald H. Balson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book draws the reader in immediately and doesn’t let go. The action, twists, and turns make this mystery mesmerizing. Liam Taggart reluctantly returns to Ireland for Uncle Fergus’ funeral to learn he’s been named the Trustee and the funds cannot be distributed until Fergus’ killer is discovered. Since Liam left Ireland and his family in less than friendly terms this appointment doesn’t sit well with anyone. He enlists his private investigation partner and wife, Catherine, at home in the US in the hunt for the murderer. Fergus isn’t the only family member who has a murderer and the angst grows. Who knows what will happen next? I may have to read the other novels in this series!
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and was under no obligation to post anything but my honest review which I have done.

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The Two of Us – Sweet and Real!

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The Two of UsThe Two of Us by Victoria Bylin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This sweet novel combines deep faith in God, second chances, and family ties. Mia Robinson, an independent woman with a mission to work with an International aid organization receives a disconcerting phone call from her pregnant niece who is planning on eloping. Mia’s life direction changes and she moves to a small town to give support and hopefully wisdom to her cherished relative, Lucy. Lucy is madly in love with Sam, a son of a fallen officer being mentored by Jake Tanner, a former policeman. Mia has been burned by love too many times to consider romance in any shape and Jake figures life will be good if he can make a difference in young men’s lives. Lucy and Sam, at times seem more mature than Mia and Jake but they all have life lessons to learn. God opens doors they do not see and closes doors they think they want just like so many of us.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and was under no obligation to post anything but my honest review which I have done.

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Seeking Sarah – Intriguing!

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Seeking SarahSeeking Sarah by ReShonda Tate Billingsley
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I read this on a whim and it definitely held my attention through unexpected twists and turns. Recently engaged, Brooke Green’s reality flips upside down on the day of her father’s funeral. She learns painful facts that send her on a gripping search. Her father thought he knew best by keeping secrets. Even though she knows God’s way to live life, she heads in the wrong direction desperate to find truth and she may lose everything doing it. How far would you go seeking to unravel lies you believed your whole life? You’ll need to read Seeking Sarah to discover Brooke’s revelations, actions and reactions.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and was under no obligation to post anything but my honest review which I have done.

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Heart on the Line (Ladies of Harper’s Station, #2)Heart on the Line by Karen Witemeyer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A delightful novel about a woman working on a telegraph transition line station in a small town. Grace believes she will be hunted down by the same men who killed her father so she is hiding out and laying low. She begins after hours’ transmissions with a mysterious telegrapher and they become companions. Humorous happenings occur in this female only berg, Harper’s Station. Characters learn to trust God in this great read that will take you away for a few hours.
I won this book through a book giveaway opportunity on Rel Mollet’s website who is a book reveiwer and offers author services. Thank you! The opinions offered here in my review were my own and I was not asked to do a review.

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