Book Review - The Return (Amish Beginnings #3) by Suzanne Woods Fisher

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Besty Zook never questioned her family's strict rules or the affections of her beau, Hans. She never had a reason to question her life until she is taken captive during an Indian raid.  During her captivity, Besty endures brutality and hardship but, she also experiences unexpected kindness and kinship. She befriends a native named Caleb, who encourages her to find God during her time of need.  Betsy finds herself torn between her loyalty to her family and Caleb.

Hans is distraught that the love of his life, Besty has been captured. He turns to Tessa Bauer for comfort and friendship. Tessa has been in love with Hans for many years and eagerly accepts his companionship as a sign of love. Tessa is over the moon with her feelings for Hans that she ignores the warning signs that Hans's might be out for revenge. 

The novel is inspired by true events and it was an emotional read. It gave readers a glimpse of the hardships faced during the early years. At first, I was torn between Tessa as a character. I felt like she was a very complex character and different from other characters I normally read in Amish novels. She seemed naive but, also had a streak of maliciousness that isn't normally shown in Amish literature (at least the ones I have read). I felt like the author did a good job of showing things are not always black and white. I have not read the other books in the series but, I didn't feel like I was missing anything. I was, however, a bit dismayed by the ending. I felt like it was left off on a cliffhanger and this was the final book in the series.

**Disclosure - I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion. This post may contain affiliate links which means I earn advertising and/or referral fees if you purchase an item through my link. Please note, there will be no extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**

Book Review - Crimson Lake (Crimson Lake, #1) by Candice Fox

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Ted Conkaffey was a prominent detective on the Sydney drug task force, a beloved husband and a soon to be a father. All it took was six minutes in the wrong place at the wrong time to ruin everything Ted holds dear to him.  Ted is accused but, not convicted of a brutal abduction of a young child. He is a free man but, he becomes public enemy number one when he is released. However, he staunchly maintains his innocence and goes up north to lie low.

Upon his arrival to Crimson Lake, Ted's lawyer introduces him to a private investigator Amanda Pharrell. Amanda is an eccentric convicted murderer. However, Ted has a hard time believing that Amanda is a cold-blooded killer. He agrees to help with her investigation of a missing author. While digging into the case, he secretly digs into Amanda's past.

I am torn after reading this book. After reading the positive reviews online and on the book cover, I was actually expecting a bit more from this book. I found Ted to be very "weak" of a character and relies on Amanda for support but, then he questions her innocence. Amanda's character seemed a bit weird that she is oddly outspoken but, refused to talk about her trial or defend herself. I felt if the story wasn't as slow, I would have enjoyed it better.

 **Disclosure - I received a free  copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion. This post may contain affiliate links which means I earn advertising and/or referral fees if you purchase an item through my link. Please note, there will be no any extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**

Book Review - The Dollhouse by Fiona Davis

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In 1952, Darby McLaughlin decides to leave her home to enroll in secretary school in New York City. She arrives at the Barbizon Hotel and realizes that she is surrounded by beautiful women. While she considers herself to be very plain looking.  Darby becomes homesick and falls prey into her roommates' cruelty. When she befriends Esme, a maid at the hotel, she is exposed to a different side of New York City. Esme takes Darby to downtown jazz clubs, where the music causes Darby to feel things she keeps bottled up.

Half a century later, the Barbizon hotel is converted into condos. However, the infamous incident involving a hotel maid falling to her death still taints the hotel's history. When Darby crosses path with journalist Rose Lewin, Rose becomes obsessed with finding out about Darby's past. Rose welcomes this distraction as her personal life starts to fall apart. As Rose digs deeper into Darby's past her true motives become muddle with her search of the truth. 

I have read "The Address" and enjoyed it. The book was well written and the premise was interesting. However, I thought the plot was a bit dull and found that some of the characters to be very basic.  As a person who went through a recent heartbreak, I couldn't picture myself simply falling for a new person in less than a week. It took time to mourn and even understand what exactly went wrong. While this book was disappointing, I am looking forward to reading other books by the author.

 **Disclosure - This post may contain affiliate links which means I earn advertising and/or referral fees if you purchase an item through my link. Please note, there will be no any extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**