The Prodigal by Beverly Lewis

Abram's Daughters, book 4. Leah has many unanswered questions, but continues her life, raising her dead mothers' young children along with her Dat and community of friends and family. Sadie still agonizes over her lost child and still has a secret from Leah regarding Jonas. Dat seems to be noticing Aunt Lizzy and softening up his "hard-nosed" stance about Bishop Bontrager's stand on shunning. Lydiann's beau is a surprise for Leah and Sadie. Book four continues to be fascinating and enthralling. Sandy Penton

The Sacrifice by Beverly Lewis

Abram's Daughters book 3. Leah Ebersol, Abram's daughter, finds herself being mother to a younger sister and baby brother when her mother dies in child birth. She and her beau had planned a fall wedding but if appears those plans will not be. They don't know where oldest sister Sadie is and even if they did, she is still under the bann. The reader senses that in this close, patriarchal Plain community there is some what of a communication problem as no one wants to hurt anyone's feelings or family by saying the wrong thing. Or else they decide to shun them completely.Younger sisters Hannah and Mary Ruth are growing up and starting their families. A very interesting and close look at an Amish family. Sandy Penton

The Betrayal by Beverly Lewis

Abram's Daughters - Book 2. Sadie Ebersol is grieving deeply over the loss of her son, born prematurely. Unwed, she faces shunning and banning unless she repents and asks for forgiveness. Sister Leah is looking forward to baptism and joining the church so that she and Jonah can be wed. Leah's Dat is not happy with her plans to marry Jonah and plots to get her and the neighbor Gideon together. When Leah foolishly arranges for Sadie to go to Ohio where Jonah is learning cabinetry, things begin to go awry. Will Aunt Lizzie's secret be revealed? Is Dat going to be able to interfere with Leah and Jonah's plans? As they say, the plot thickens. Looking forward to reading book 3. Sandy Penton

The Covenant by Beverly Lewis

Abram's Daughters - book 1. It is after Word War II, the Ebersol family has two daughters, Leah and Sadie who are in the midst of rumschpringe. Leah is content to dream of her young love Jonas and Sadie is tempted by more worldly ways, becoming involved with a neighboring Englischer. Drawn into a secret with her sister, Leah faces the unthinkable. Jonah is going to Ohio to learn cabinetry. Will Leah be able to keep the secret? Will Sadie repent and ask for forgiveness? This is a series of 5 books and the reader is anxious to start book 2. A very good read. Sandy Penton

The Reckoning by Beverly Lewis

The Heritage of Lancaster County - book 3. Katherine Mayfield, aka Katie Lapp, has left her Amish life and family and become the lady of the house when her birth mother leaves Katherine her estate. As time passes, she finds that she is missing her family and friends from Lancaster County and begins to search her heart for the peace and love that she feels she needs. The arrival of long-lost Daniel, her first love, upsets the apple cart and Katherine finds she needs to return to her Amish home. A good story. The reader wanted to shake some sense into Katie a time or two, but it is just a story after all.... Sandy Penton

Fire and Ice by J. A. Jance

Beaumont and Brady are brought together by a series of events and crimes. Beau is investigating the murders of six young women who have been wrapped in tarps, doused with gasoline and burned to death. Joanna is looking into a homicide in which the caretaker of an ATV park was run over and left to die. Good story line. Too many characters, too much going on. Was hard to keep my attention. Sandy Penton

Shadows of Lancaster County by Mindy Starns Clark

Skip tracer Anna Bailey has a secret past. She has moved to California and established a new life. Someone has found her and now her brother is missing. Coming out of hiding Anna goes back to Lancaster County to help his wife find him. Using her investigative skills, she discovers a connection with her past and tries to connect the dots, to explain the happenings. and find Bobby. Ok story line, but a bit dramatic. Sandy Penton

The Confession by Beverly Lewis

The Heritage of Lancaster County book 2. Katie Lapp has found out she was adopted. Angry because she felt her adoptive parents have lied to her, she rebels, and is shunned. Her Englischer birth mother is looking for her because she, herself, is dying. Katie decides to try to find her birth mother herself. Meanwhile, her adoptive family and especially her Amish mother are grieving mightily. Will Laura be found in time? Will Katie find the answers she is looking for? Kept my interest to the end. Sandy Penton

The Hope of Refuge by Cindy Woodsmall

An Ada's House Novel. Cara Moore, and Englischer and running from her past, brings her daughter to a place she only recalls in a distant memory. Disappointed in life, turning from God, Cara meets people who will change her life. Ephraim sees someone who needs help. Others feel she is a threat to them and their community. The reader finds himself pulling for Cara, wanting her to feel the love a family and community can offer to her. A very good story. Want to read more. Sandy Penton

Salem Falls by Jodi Picoult

Jack St. McBride is released from prison after 8 months. A former student with a crush had caused accusations and robbed him of his reputation. He pretty much just wants a job and to be left alone. Addie Peabody runs the Do - Or - Diner and is looking for a dishwasher. Addie, never married, mourns her dead daughter. She hires Jack, after all he looks good, like a loner, maybe, but not scary. Although Jack reports in to the authorities that he is in town, he fails to tell Addie. The plot thickens when you read about four teenagers who are into Wicca, have formed a coven and are casting spells. There is more to everyone of the characters than meets the eye. Picoult has done a great job of intertwining these characters together and keeping the story going. A suspenseful read. This one kept me up until I had read it all. Sandy Penton

Guardian of Lies by Steve Martini

Defense attorney Paul Madriani gets caught up in a web of deceit and murder. A chance meeting with illegal (?) alien Katia Solaz leads to accusations of being a murder accomplice. With Katia in jail and partner Harry Hinds helping, Madriani finds himself on a path that takes him to Costa Rica. Lies, deceit, espionage, conspiracies, all combine to keep this reader interested to the end. Martini writes a novel using history as a basis that enthralls. Good reading. Sandy Penton

Bahama Burnout by Don Bruns

I read this because I like Carl Hiaasen and Tim Dorsey and reviewer said it was on a parallel with their work. Not. Mick Sever is in Bahamas researching material for a story about a music studio called the Highland where many rock stars put together their hits. The author clearly is into music and the stars, but writes a boring tale. Very disappointing. Sandy Penton

Ice by Linda Howard

Gabriel McQueen is on leave from the service in Maine visiting his son who lives with the grandparents due to his wife's death. His county-sheriff father sends him to check on a distant neighbor who has fallen out of contact and an ice storm is moving in. You guessed it. Gabriel is caught up in the storm, makes it to Lolly's house only to find her "entertaining" a couple of meth addicts. Gabe's first thought is to rescue Lolly (of course) without alerting the couple. In the middle of the freezing rain, ice-covered everything. A good suspenseful story, quick to read, entertaining. Liked it. Sandy Penton.

Plain Truth by Jodi Picoult

Ellie Hathaway, gifted defense attorney, is compelled to defend eighteen-year-old Amish girl, Katie Fisher, against the charges of murder. Of her baby. Ellie, familiar with the Amish beliefs, sincerely believes Katie is innocent. After all, Katie can't remember what happened, can she? She seems to be telling the truth. Or is she? When the judge agrees to allow Ellie to be Katie's 24/7 supervisor during the months and including the days of the trial, Ellie must stay at the Fisher homestead and join in with the work that needs to be done. Full of suspense, twists and turns, Picoult teases the reader from chapter to chapter, leading us toward the end of the story. A great read. Sandy Penton

The Missing by Beverly Lewis

Season's of Grace - Book two. Grace Byler is working hard to keep the house running smoothly in the absence of her mother who left, not telling anyone where she would be. Since then, they have received one telephone communication and a brief letter just saying she was ok. Add an Englischer to the mix and Grace receives a surprising invitation. Her mother, Lettie, doesn't seem any closer to getting the answer she seeks, but is befriended by Amish woman Susan who unknowingly provides an answer to one of Lettie's questions. Lewis weaves mystery into the lives of the Plain people. Am looking forward to book 3. Sandy Penton

The Secret by Beverly Lewis

Grace Byler's mother has a secret. She weeps and wanders in the night and her husband Judah seems as puzzled as the rest of the family. Leaving a note for Grace, her mother Lettie, disappears in the dark. Why doesn't Judah look for her? Does Dawdi Jakob and Mammi Adah know what is troubling Lettie? A good beginning to the series. Sandy Penton

Shades of Blue by Karen Kingsbury

Brad Cutler is about to marry the girl of his dreams. But he has a secret. If he tells his fiance his secret will the wedding be off? Can talking with his first love ease the guilty burden he has been carrying? So-so story of a life-changing experience. Sandy Penton

The Sound of Sleigh Bells by Cindy Woodsmall

Beth Hertzler is grieving and guilt-ridden over a past tragedy. Gifted carver, Jonah Kinsinger, has recovered from a childhood accident involving his siblings and sometimes feels like the "old man" that some have nicknamed him. Fate and Beth's aunt Lizzie bring the two together for a feel good story. A quick read. Sandy Penton

The Weight of Silence by Heather Gudenkauf

This book was written by someone who lives in Iowa and takes place in Iowa. On a quiet August morning, two little girls are found missing from their bedroom. Seven-year-old Calli Clark is a sweet, gentle, dreamer who suffers from selective mutism. Her best friend, Petra Gregory is Calli's voice. This is a story of how the families copes during the search and the aftermath of that search. It is written through all the participant's narrations. I thought it was a interesting book, and got really exciting at the end. It is well worth reading. PatM

Proud Quail of the San Joaquin by Stephen Bly

Book three of the Old California series. Bly gives his characters humor and believability. A good read. Sandy Penton

Last Swan in Sacramento by Stephen Bly

Second in a series of Old California, romance and adventure of the years beyond the Gold Rush.
Martina Swan hasn't seen her husband in over a year and heard from him in six months. He borrowed against their store and now the bank wants to foreclose. She wants to take their baby and go find him. Pretty interesting story line. Sandy Penton

Red Dove of Monterey by Stephen Bly

This first book in the Old California series by Bly sets the stage for romance and adventure in the years before the gold rush. Sandy Penton

Sarah's Child by Linda Howard

One of Howard's first novels, Sarah's Child illustrates Sarah Harper's secret love for her best friend's husband, Rome. When Diana and her two children are killed in an auto accident, Sarah hopes that Rome will reach out to her. Two years later, it seems like he might be doing just that. Will Sarah be willing to marry Rome, who doesn't want to have any more children, when all she has ever wanted was to be his wife and the mother of his child? Compelling. Sandy Penton

Intervention by Terri Blackstock

Written after Terri Blackstock's own daughter struggled with addictions, she captures the angst, the emotions, the fears of a distraught parent. An educational read, deals with life as only Blackstock can. It seems funny to say I enjoyed reading this book, but I did. Sandy Penton

The Believer by Ann H Gabhart

Elizabeth Duncan flees with her younger brother and sister when their father dies suddenly and an odious neighbor says her father promised her to him due to a debt owed. They head to a Shaker village that is known to provide shelter to those in need and are gladly taken in with their promise to learn the Shaker ways. It is harder to shed the worldly ways than Elizabeth had imagined and when she is attracted to a handsome young Believer named Ethan, life becomes more difficult for both of them. This book is quite different from other Christian books, and I enjoyed it very much. Sandy Penton

Beat the Reaper by Josh Bazell

What an idea. Doctor Peter Brown, aka Pietro Brnwa, is in the witness protection program and working as an intern in Manhattan's worst hospital. His day starts with a mugging and gets worse. Every other chapter brings you up to date on his history and why he is where he is today. Funny. Shocking. Crude. For the broad-minded. Liked it. Sandy Penton

A LIght to My Path by Lynn Austin

A so-so story about slavery in the south and during the civil war. A tale of Anna and Grady, their love for each other and how their owners treated them. Sandy Penton