Book Review: Kappy King and the Pickle Kaper (An Amish Mystery #2) by Amy Lillard

Barbara Thompson | @barbmaci61

Kappy King and the Pickle Kaper (An Amish Mystery #2) by Amy Lillard

BLURB

Kathryn "Kappy" King is happy being a plain-spoken unmarried odd-woman-out in her Pennsylvania Amish hometown. Her talent is making the special kapps local women use to cover their hair. But her skill at uncovering trouble in this quiet valley is about to be truly tested . . .

At first, young Sally June Esh's tragic death doesn't look like murder. Even in peaceful Blue Sky, collisions between buggies and Englisch cars aren't unheard of. Still, the Eshes are skilled drivers used to delivering their popular pickles for miles around. And after Kappy notices Sally's buggy was deliberately run off the road, her ex-Amish friend Edie gets strange texts saying the crash was no accident . . .

Kappy won't let her community's silence keep justice from being done. And even though a still-shunned Edie thinks of moving back to the city, she and Kappy start rooting out secrets about the Eshes' long-time neighbors--and new pickle-producing rivals. But when they learn that Sally's brother is secretly courting an Englisch girl, their investigation takes a disturbing turn . . .

REVIEW

Kappy King and the Pickle Kaper is a great reading book. Author Amy Lillard combined mystery, humor and a hint of romance for an amazing book. I enjoyed reading this book. The author was excellent as I was reading, I thought I knew what happened then there was a twist or turn. This is a great mystery. Author Amy Lillard kept my interest through the whole book. An amazing book I recommend to read. Kappy King and the Pickle Kaper is Book Two in Amish Mysteries by Author Amy Lillard.

I received a copy from the author, but was not required to review it. This review is one hundred percent my opinion.

BARBARA THOMPSON (aka barbmaci61) is an avid reader. When not reading, she likes to cross-stitch on her kindle. Reading is an important aspect of her life because she has quite a few health issues. While she doesn't have a blog she does try to promote great books anywhere she can. You can finder her on twitter at @barbmaci61

September 2018 New Releases

All Made Up by Kara Isaac (Bellbird Press, 28 September 2018) 

Everyone thinks Katriona McLeod is living the dream. Her professional career as a make up artist sees her traveling the world working with the stars and she's got no shortage of men wanting her affection. Only problem is she's never gotten over Caleb Murphy, the one guy she's ever loved. When she accepts a job on the latest looking-for-love reality TV show, Falling for the Farmer, she discovers to her horror that Caleb is the leading man and she's cast as one of his harem. But she hides a secret that means that even if she wanted a second chance with the guy who broke her heart she could never have it.

Caleb Murphy couldn't care less about C-Class celebrity fame or reality TV and he certainly doesn't believe it could lead him to love. The one thing he does care about is fulfilling his mother's last wish. Kat's presence on the show seems to offer up a solution that will make both the network and his mother happy. It might have been almost ten years since they split but he knows he can trust her with his plan. Just as long as he doesn't fall in love all over again with the woman who will never stay.

Amazon link

For The Joy Edited by Miriam Chan & Sophia Russell  (Anglican Aid, September 2018) 

From the desert to the mountains, from remote far-flung places to some of the most populated cities in the world, For the Joy brings together 21 unique perspectives on what it’s really like being a mother on the mission field. Stories include:

home-schooling while living in a bus

giving birth in a foreign hospital

navigating the toddler years as a ‘third culture mum’

raising a child with special needs

recovering from anxiety on the field

the grief of losing your family to persecution

… and more.

Honestly written, raw in emotion, sad and joyful in equal measure, this collection of stories offers insight into the complexities of parenting children while serving God far from home.

“I found myself enormously challenged while reading this collection of missionary mums’ stories. I am grateful for the opportunity, through this book, to engage with my heavenly Father about my commitment to His mission to take the good news of Jesus to a lost world…. no matter the risk, the hardship, the suffering, the tears. I am also thankful that I now have a much greater understanding of what the missionary mums that I regularly partner with in prayer are experiencing on the field.”

Lesley Ramsey

editor of What Women Really Need

“Whenever I visit Bible colleges where missionaries train, women want to know what it is like to be a mother on the mission field … this a set of stories that need to be told.”

Evelyn Hibbert

Leading Multicultural Teams

“For the Joy is a powerful compilation of honest hearts. Be prepared to cry some, to be comforted, affirmed in your calling and challenged to continue on in Great Commission living. I highly commend it to you.

Robynn Bliss

Expectations and Burnout: Women Surviving the Great Commission

Website link

Forgiven by Alison Smallwood (Spiritual Milk, August 2018) 

Could all our wrongs be forgiven simply by the things we believe?

Christians think so.

Discover the essence of what Christians believe through this richly illustrated telling of the Ancient “Apostles’ Creed” - a statement of faith that Christians have been declaring for over a thousand years.

Evocative imagery and smatterings of scripture help simplify the key concepts of the life-changing story of Jesus Christ.

Even today, in our darkest moments, God’s promises can give us hope and assurance that forgiveness is possible for all who believe.

Koorong link

A Wells Landing Christmas by Amy Lillard (Kensington Zebra, 25 September 2018) 

As the most joyous of seasons comes to the Amish community of Wells Landing, Oklahoma, one young woman gets a chance to start again—and rediscover the gift of true love . . .
 
Families rejoicing together, caroling parties full of cheer, and church get-togethers brimming with delicious cooking and warm fellowship. Ivy Weaver would give anything to be a part of Christmas in Wells Landing. But one reckless mistake made her an outsider, and it's all she can do now to tend to her ailing grandfather and make a living. She sure doesn't need Zeb Brenneman returning to help after he abandoned her for no reason. He's working hard to make amends, but Ivy isn't sure there's enough faith—or still-sparking love between them—to stir her forgiveness . . .
 
Zeb knows leaving Ivy was the biggest mistake he's ever made. Even though she won't hear him out, he's determined to prove he's become the trustworthy, steadfast man she truly deserves. But bright new chances and surprising revelations will give him and Ivy choices they never imagined. And finding their way back to each other will be the most 
challenging—and precious—Christmas gift of all . . .

Amazon link

July 2018 New Releases

Jenny Blake | @ausjenny

Miss Serena's Secret by Carolyn Miller (Kregel Publications 24 July 2018)

How can a wounded young woman ever trust a too-flirtatious earl with her heart?


With devastating scars in her past, Serena Winthrop is sure no man can be trusted—especially not a man like the too-smooth Viscount Carmichael. His reputation as a flirt and a gambler is everything she despises. And the young artist makes sure that this disreputable heir to an earldom knows of her deep disapproval whenever they encounter one another.

Henry, Lord Carmichael, is perfectly aware of his charms. He's gambled with plenty of ladies' hearts as easily as he has with their husbands' money. But lately he's wondered if there's more to life—and if his actions might prove unworthy of an admirable wife such as his friends have found.

When Serena's guardian asks his best friend to protect his young ward, Henry promises to be on his best behavior and not woo her. But the more he learns of her, the more he realizes she might be his best reason for changing his character.

Then the lady's art leads her to London infamy. Now Henry must choose between the life mapped out for him as the earl apparent and the love of his life. And Serena's secret may mean the end of his titled family line.


This second novel in a new series by internationally popular author Carolyn Miller is full of the rich historical detail and evocative writing her readers enjoy, and familiar characters make appearances here. The witty banter will continue to draw in fans of Jane Austen, Sarah Ladd, and Julie Klassen.

"Carolyn Miller gets better and better with each book!"
Becky

"This entire series is going straight to my all-time favorites shelf!"
Beth Erin

"My girls and I have fallen in love with the Regency Brides series."
Ann Hibbard

Amazon link

 

Seekers Finders Finders Keepers by  Jennifer Phillips (Wing To Wing

date of release June 2018) 

After her mother dies, Haras is left with an important message for the father she has never known, but how will she ever find him? Did he go looking for the ancient path? Will she find him if she finds the ancient path? Haras’s quest leads her to discover treasure she never set out to find. 

Amazon link

Fire Storm by Laura V Hilton (Whitaker House, July 10, 2018) 

Bridget Behr and her family migrate from the bustling Amish community where she grew up in Ohio to the mostly unpopulated Upper Peninsula of Michigan after a stalker breaks into their home. While her father and brother try to find work in the area, the family is forced to reside in a borrowed RV until the house and barn are rebuilt. While Bridget is hoping for a fresh start, she’s afraid to trust anyone—even Gabriel, the overly-friendly Amish man who lives nearby. Bridget thinks he’s a flirt who serial dates and doesn’t even remember the girls’ names.

Due to not enough construction work in his Florida community to keep him out of trouble, Gabriel Lapp has been sent to Michigan to work. His father is desperate for his son to settle down. When the family walks into Gabe’s home in the middle of a thunderstorm and he discovers their circumstances, he offers to help with construction. For Gabe, the beautiful girl he teasingly calls “the recluse” once he discovers she doesn’t attend youth events, confuses him like none other.

As Gabriel and Bridget grow closer, they realize there is more to a person than meets the eye. Just as Bridget is finally settling into her new life, and perhaps finding love, tragedy strikes. Now Bridget and her family must decide if they should move to another Amish community, or dare to fight for the future they’d hoped for in Mackinac County.

Amazon link

Plain Everyday Heroes by Laura V. Hilton (Amazon Digital Services LLC,   July 4, 2018) 

After her mother dies, Haras is left with an important message for the father she has never known, but how will she ever find him? Did he go looking for the ancient path? Will she find him if she finds the ancient path? Haras’s quest leads her to discover treasure she never set out to find. 

Amazon link

A Love For Leah by Amy Lillard (Zebra, July 31 2018)

For the Amish of Pontotoc, Mississippi, faith can open minds—and hearts—to create surprising bonds for a lifetime . . .
 
Independent-minded Leah Gingerich has always been outspoken. And even though she is now a progressive Mennonite, she's rediscovering the joys of family traditions back in her Amish hometown. Yet she can't help but clash with her handsome new Amish neighbor, Jamie Stoltzfus. He's too hard-headed and old-line to see that his traumatized young nephew, Peter, needs faith and help—or that a woman who stands up to him may be what he needs to heal . . .
 
After a devastating tragedy, Jamie moved to Pontotoc with his nephew for a fresh start. Holding fast to his beliefs is the only way he feels he can aid Peter—and himself. But somehow, Leah's freethinking ways and feisty challenges are sparking a happiness he's never felt before. Soon, Jamie can't imagine his life without her. But are their differences ultimately too great to overcome—or can love bridge their way to a future together?
 
Praise for Amy Lillard and her Wells Landing novels
 
“An inspirational story of romance, faith, and trust . . . will appeal to fans of Wanda Brunstetter and Beverly Lewis.”
—Library Journal on Caroline’s Secret

 
“Fans of inspirational romance will appreciate Lillard’s vivid characters and positive message.”
—Publishers Weekly

Amazon link