Letters of Trust (Book One) by Wanda E. Brunstetter

Letters of Trust is book one in the Friendship Letter series. I have read Wanda Brunstetter’s books before. However, this is a very unique novel. Eleanor has recently married Vic. Her parents have some concerns about his history and his use of alcohol in the past. However, since Vic is clean and has recently joined the Amish church it should not be an issue. Leaving her home and family to join her husband upon marriage in Lancaster, Pennsylvania is new and exciting for Eleanor. However when she moves and tragic circumstances happen with Vic’s younger brother, everything changes. Will Vic and Eleanor have a happy marriage she dreamed of? Will this work out? Where is God in all of this?

This is a unique book in that it deals strongly with alcoholism. I did find the novel interesting in that it did take quite a long time to build the storyline. It is a sensitive subject as the author shares in her epilogue. While not unheard of in the Amish community, it is rarely spoken about. It is a rather unique novel. I did find the novel quite interesting and I also appreciated that many of the facts and cities were accurate. I was given a free copy from the publisher for my honest review, which I was happy to do. I would recommend Letters of Trust.

Second Time Around by Melody Carlson

 Mallory has just celebrated her daughter's marriage. It was not the most pleasant with her ex-husband walking back into their children’s lives. She’s now seeking what is next. All of a sudden, she finds out she inherits her grandmother’s tourist shop in Portside, Oregon. Since she’s at a crossroads in life, she’s off to look at the shop and decide what she can do to sell it. Enter her childhood crush Grayson Matthews. What exactly is he up to? What is his role in town? Will Mallory keep her grandmother’s shop? What about all the memories as a young child visiting her grandmother? And why does her grandmother leave the shop to Mallory and not other family members? 

Melody Carlson writes this exciting novel, that is very similar to a Hallmark movie. I did enjoy the storyline. Melody writes in such a way that keeps the reader intrigued. Simple hometown fun is found in this fantastic contemporary romance. I was given a free copy from the publisher which I highly recommend. Enjoy getting lost in a novel.