Book Review and Giveaway: Simple Deceit by Nancy Mehl

This is a strong, faith-based mystery with a sweet romance is challenged by rumors and tension.

Simple Deceit: 
A Mennonite Community's Way of Life Is Threatened by Outsiders
(The Harmony Series Book 2)
by Nancy Mehl

File Size: 869 KB
Print Length: 322 pages
Publisher: Barbour Books; Reprint edition (December 1, 2010)
ASIN: B00492AV0O
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

In the sequel to Simple Secrets, watch how a raging current of deceit runs through the once peaceful Mennonite community of Harmony, Kansas. As soon as Gracie decides to stay in town and take freelance work involving a local land developer, the townspeople blame her for bringing on this change that could ruin life as they know it. Gracie’s motives in romance with Sam, in helping an oppressed teenager, and in trying to make a living are all suddenly drawing suspicion. Should she leave or stay and fight for what she has come to love?

Review:
Gracie inherited her Uncle’s home and land in Harmony, Kansas. Although she was an outsider when she arrived, she soon found a warm welcome among the close knit, loving Mennonite community. Gracie has been away at work for several months. Now she has returned to her boyfriend, Sam, and the warm community she has learned to love. But it seems that trouble may have followed her.

The night Gracie returns she startles a girl leaving a baby at the door of her church. No one sees the girl and someone begins a rumor that the infant is hers. Sam reacts badly to this rumor.

Gracie does freelance work for a public relations firm that is about to produce work for a developer, Eric, who wants to bring a small retirement resort on the outskirts of Harmony. The developer has convinced small business owners that the project can help them. Other members of the community are reluctant to allow such outsiders fearing that the influence on their way of live.

Eric has scheduled a town meeting to discuss his project. The bitter man who had supposedly agreed to sell his land to the developer has doubled his price so the project is on hold. Eric drives Gracie home where he gets stranded by a snow storm, causing further tension with Sam.

Sam lives with his Aunt who raised him since a young boy. Although he thought he had come to accept his past, the baby’s abandonment brings back bad memories for Sam to face. Can he deal with his demons before he loses Gracie? Can Gracie re-gain her reputation

This is the second book in the series and apparently the first included a mystery body found on Gracie’s land. The characters and faith community have a wonderful warmth.  Ms. Mehl presents a good story with mystery, intrigue, conflict, humor and sweet romance. I enjoyed the gentle faith shared through the characters lives. All of the ladies in my book club enjoyed this story and would be willing to read more by Ms. Mehl. I recommend this to readers who enjoy faith-based mystery and sweet romance.

This book was for our Ladies Book Club.

GIVEAWAY: Two Winners:

One (gently read) PRINT COPY

US Only for Print; Worldwide for Kindle eBook

ENTRY FORM HERE

(Don't forget to fill in the form for entry!

I have noticed a few commenters who forgot to enter through the Form.)

For 3 Extra Bonus entries

(a) comment on the review, OR

(b) Visit the Author's website and tell me something you learned or like there.

* This contest is open to US only for Print Copy; worldwide for eBook.
* This contest will close 5 PM (Central)October 16 , 2016.
WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED in Sunday Salon/Monday Reading on October 16, 2016.
Winners will have 72 hours to respond on the winners form linked in the announcement or by email.