The Guardian by Beverly Lewis

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers.  Jodi is still reeling from losing her only sister a year ago.  She has come to Lancaster to house-sit and spend some time regrouping.  Soon after arriving she finds a little girl asleep on the roadside.  Where did she come from?  The girl cannot speak English and Jodi finds herself in Hickory Hollow trying to find the girls family.  Can the gentle Amish friends that she makes help her draw closer to God and help mend her relationship with her Fiance?  I enjoyed this story.  It is interesting to get a glimpse of the Amish life.  I also enjoyed how the characters had a complete faith in God and what he had planned for them.  They were striving to listen to Him and do what He wanted them to.  Jodi is able to find the answers that she needs and make the changes that she needs to.  Even when things don't look like they are going to work out, she is gently be lead down the path that she needs to go.  I would give this book 3.5/5 stars.

The Winnowing Season by Cindy Woodsmall

I received a complimentary copy of this book from WaterBrook publishers.  Rhoda Byler is just about to finally escape.  She is on the verge of moving to Maine to help start a new Amish community.  She is going to be able to leave behind all of the rumors and misunderstanding that has made her life so hard.  Suddenly she is called home to be questioned by her religious leaders.  Will she be able to be true to herself and still be allowed to move?  I enjoyed this book.  I really liked the characters and I liked some of the questions that were brought up by the story.  Jacob is trying to start a new life by ignoring his old life.  But his old life just keeps showing up on his doorstep.  I liked that Jacob has to deal with his past before he can move forward.  He can't just ignore what he has done, he has to be held accountable.  I also liked Rhoda.  She is a strong female character who knows what she wants and how to get it.  But she also has a strong faith and is willing to let God lead her life.  I would give this book 4/5 stars.

Rock Harbor Search & Rescue by Colleen Coble

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson publishers.  Emily O'Reilly is trying to save up enough money to buy her very own search and rescue puppy.  While watching over a booth at the fall festival for a renowned jewelry artist an expensive necklace is stolen.  Emily has to clear her name or she won't be able to get the puppy that she so desperately wants.  This was a fun book.  Emily and Olivia are fun characters.  A lot of the adults seem very one dimensional and under developed at the beginning of the book.  By the end they are developed a little bit better.  I enjoyed reading about Emily's investigations and how she was able to solve the mystery in the end.  I would give this book 4/5 stars.