amish - No Apology Book Reviews

Interview with Jo Ann Brown (A Wish for Home)

May 15, 2021

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper A Wish for Home by Jo Ann Brown is a wonderful read. It delves into love, forgiveness, and second chances, something every reader can relate with. The heroine, Lauren, must reconcile her anger and resentment toward the Amish community for shunning her parents but also must deal with the boy who bullied and tormented her as a young teenager. The book opens with Lauren driving her 1966 VW Beetle through her old hometown of …

Interview with Amanda Flower (Lemon Drop Dead)

May 1, 2021

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper Lemon Drop Dead by Amanda Flower highlights a town, Harvest, Ohio, where both Amish and “English” people co-exist along with tourists, babies, and killers. This book continues Flower’s winning streak of writing fun and riveting stories. Not only do they gain a glimpse into Amish culture, but also have great characters, some humor, and a who-done-it mystery. In this novel, a friend and co-worker of the main character, Bailey King, is pregnant. Although not …

Interview with Amanda Flower (Courting Can Be Killer)

December 10, 2020

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper Courting Can Be Killer by Amanda Flower is book two in a great Amish cozy mystery series. It has a combination of quirky characters, close-knit community, and a fun suspenseful story. The main character, Millie Fisher, is becoming more of an amateur sleuth than a matchmaker. The plot has a massive fire at the Amish flea market. Ben Baughman, who has set his heart on marrying Tess Lieb, is found dead. Millie is devastated …

Elise’s Review – Softly Blows the Bugle by Jan Drexler

December 3, 2020

Book Review by Elise Cooper Softly Blows the Bugle by Jan Drexler is the third in the Weaver’s Creek series. It delves into family bonds and faith, where forgiveness, love, loss, and resilience play a role. The plot starts off with Jonas Weaver returning home after being a medic during the Civil War. Coming home with him is Aaron Zook, a Confederate soldier who lost his leg in the battle of Vicksburg. Jonas’ sister, Elizabeth Kaufman, is trying to get …

Interview with Amanda Flower (Marshmallow Malice)

June 5, 2020

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper Marshmallow Malice by Amanda Flower is another winner. As with all books in this series there are wonderful characters, a charming small-town setting, and a sense of community/family. Her mixture of murder and humor allows for a very fun read. This novel ties up loose ends with the marriage of Juliet Brody and Reverend Brook as well as the backstory on the Reverend. Everyone in the town is excited about attending the wedding, even …

Interview with Marta Perry (Amish Protector)

April 9, 2020

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper Amish Protector by Marta Perry has both the hero and heroine as each other’s defenders. The story skillfully explores how children feel they are to blame for the sins of their parents, and what happens when secrets are revealed that have the birth parents possibly coming back into a child’s life. All this comes into play, intertwined within the Amish culture. The main character, Joanna Kohler, the Bishop’s daughter, discovers a mysterious unconscious woman …

Interview with Amanda Flower (Matchmaking Can Be Murder)

January 25, 2020

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper Matchmaking Can Be Murder by Amanda Flower, is the first in a new series for the New Year. This spin-off from the wildly popular “Amish candy-Shop Mysteries” has some of the beloved characters including Deputy Sheriff Aiden Brody, and introduces some interesting others, some eccentric and some very appealing. The plot has matchmaker Millie Fisher just returning to Harvest, Ohio after spending 10 years taking care of her ailing sister. Millie is a widow …

Elise’s Review – A Killer Carol by Laura Bradford

December 24, 2019

Book Review by Elise Cooper A Killer Carol by Laura Bradford expertly combines a good mystery within the Amish community. In this novel, she is able to highlight the suspense with a secondary story about Christmas preparations and festivities. Bradford decided to write the series because she wanted to “have an interesting backdrop for a mystery. They live in the 1800s with no cell phones in their houses, do not keep large amounts of money in their house, will not …

Interview with Amanda Flower (Toxic Toffee)

June 28, 2019

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper Toxic Toffee by Amanda Flower is a delightful cozy mystery that will put a smile on readers’ faces while they try to solve the who done it mystery. As with all the books in the series, murder seems to find Bailey and she enjoys her role as an amateur sleuth along with her “hot” boyfriend Deputy Sherriff Aiden Brody. She divides her time between New York, where she films a cable TV show, and …

Interview with Amanda Flower (Premeditated Peppermint)

November 24, 2018

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper Premeditated Peppermint by Amanda Flower is a delectable read. People are treated to an intriguing mystery with likeable characters, some kooky, a charming setting, and humorous dialogue that will put a smile on reader’s faces. The main character, Bailey King, returns to Harvest Ohio in Holmes County to help take care of her Amish grandmother after the death of her grandfather. She takes over the running of the family shop, Swissmen Sweets. In this …