Thursday, April 16, 2009

Book Review: Love Finds You in Paradise, Pennsylvania by Loree Lough/4 Stars

About the book:

For as long as anyone can remember, tourists have flocked to the quaint town of Paradise, Pennsylvania, where Amish buggies are as common as shops selling handcrafted goods. But to attorney Julia Spencer this town is anything but a paradise. Raised in foster homes, Julia has succeeded in life only through steely determination and independence. The close-knit Amish people are a mystery to her, but local veterinarian Simon Thomas knows them well and is fiercely protective of their simple ways, which are increasingly threatened by the outside world. When Julia agrees to defend a local teenager charged in a case involving an Amish boy, she and Simon find themselves on opposite sides of an intense and emotional legal battle. Just when it seems they will never understand one another, God has something to teach them both about the power of forgivenessand the joys to be found in Paradise.

My thoughts:

Love Finds You in Paradise, PA was my second experience with a new and delightful series of books published by Summerside Press. I was so excited to read another one of these books, and author Loree Lough did not disappoint with her first offering in this series.

Love Finds You in Paradise, PA constantly left me with a smile on my face and an eagerness to get to the next page. The emotions shown between Simon and Julia were very natural and believable, and I found myself rooting for their relationship to succeed right to the very end. Even though this book is definitely geared as a romance, issues such as justice and loss are things that Simon and Julia must face as they are getting to know each other.

Simon and Julia also share a very special friendship with a local Amish family with three children. The youngest child, Levi, provided several LOL moments for me, particularly when he is trying to learn why Julia has no husband. I appreciated the small amount of Amish culture that was added to give another dimension to the storyline. As a whole, I wouldn’t put it in the category of “Amish fiction,” but there are evident signs of their simple lifestyle and beliefs scattered throughout the book.

Overall, if you’re looking for that next light read, then this would definitely be a recommendation of mine. This was not my first experience with Loree Lough, so I knew that I would be in for a treat. I’m eagerly awaiting the next 2 books that she’s got planned for the Love Finds You series.

4 Stars

Southern?  No
Sass?  No
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Be on the lookout tomorrow with my interview with Loree as well as a giveaway of this great book!

5 comments:

  1. This book sounds so wonderful....a bit like "The Pact" from Jodi Picoult only I am sure it is more positive and has a strong message. I so look forward to reading it.

    Blessings and big sales;
    Gayla

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  2. Very good review. I am also looking forward to reading this book. I have it already and it is high on my reading list.

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  3. worth waiting for your book. It should be good rating for your new book. I pray.

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  4. I would love a chance to win this book. It sounds great! Please enter me in the contest. My email address is shryackmom[@]charter[.]net

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  5. I've fallen in Love with the Love finds you series! and this sounds great! Please enter me into the contest

    raebyuel(@)gmail(.)com

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