What do you think?
Rate this book
Harmony #2
Simple Deceit: A Mennonite Community's Way of Life Is Threatened by Outsiders
In this sequel to "Simple Secrets," there is nothing simple about deceit and how it threatens to tear apart the Mennonite community Gracie has come to love.
196 pages, ebook
First published December 1, 2010
14 people are currently reading
383 people want to read
About the author
Nancy Mehl
62 books1,450 followersNancy Mehl is the bestselling author of over 50 books. She’s won the Daphne Du Maurier Award, as well as an ACFW Mystery Book of the Year Award and a Carol award. She was also a finalist for the prestigious Christy award. Her short story, Chasing Shadows, was in the USA Today bestselling Summer of Suspense anthology. Learn more about her at www.nancymehl.com and on her blog, the Suspense Sisters: www.suspensesisters.blogspot.com.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
October 12, 2016
This is a strong, faith-based mystery with a sweet romance is challenged by rumors and tension. Rating 4.5.
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.
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.
June 3, 2019
Such a wonderful book!
Life happens. That's a favorite saying of the group I hang with. And it's so true. In Simple Deceit, Nancy shows us that into each life a little rain must fall. But it's how we handle it that shows what we're made of. Grace and Sam, Sarah and John, Gabe, Sweetie. Everyone faces challenges. I definitely recommend this book!
Life happens. That's a favorite saying of the group I hang with. And it's so true. In Simple Deceit, Nancy shows us that into each life a little rain must fall. But it's how we handle it that shows what we're made of. Grace and Sam, Sarah and John, Gabe, Sweetie. Everyone faces challenges. I definitely recommend this book!
February 17, 2018
Great suspense novel
This is a really good sequel to Simple Secrets. A lot of suspense in the story and great believable characters. Looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
This is a really good sequel to Simple Secrets. A lot of suspense in the story and great believable characters. Looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
June 21, 2023
A thoroughly enjoyable book
A good mystery and full of beautiful scriptures. I was given clarity and a few times I was convicted by the Holy Spirit ! I really enjoyed the characters.
A good mystery and full of beautiful scriptures. I was given clarity and a few times I was convicted by the Holy Spirit ! I really enjoyed the characters.
December 3, 2018
Ok story...just seemed to go on and on. I had an idea who was guilty from the beginning.....
February 23, 2021
Really enjoyed this book
December 30, 2021
Kind of feels like filler...like it was only written because it had to be written
October 28, 2010
Simple Deceit is the second book in the Harmony Series by Nancy Mehl, and I have to say I wasn't disappointed.
I really enjoyed Simple Secrets and I was so glad to get a chance to read Simple Deceit before it came out. Thanks again to NetGalley for allowing me to review this book!
If you want to read my review of Simple Secrets then go ahead and go to http://books-camilleelise4.blogspot.c... to read it!
Gracie has returned to Harmony, this time to live there for good, but once again the peace and quiet is disturbed in the town. It starts right during Gracie's arrival as she sees a young woman leaving a baby outside the church door, but gets knocked unconscious as she tries to figure out who left the baby.
Shortly thereafter, someone leaves a note at the church and starts a nasty rumor both stating that Gracie is the mother of the baby and she was the one leaving the baby at the church. Now her reputation is potentially at stake, including with her own boyfriend, Sam.
Gracie's former boss has found some work for her to do because a developer by the name of Eric plans to bring a retirement home close to the community of Harmony which will not change the makeup of the town greatly but will promote the businesses in the area as the retirees. However, the old timers in the town are not happy with this proposed change, and Ida insists that she has a terrible feeling about the project, but Gracie knows this can only help Harmony and she works with her boss, Grant, and Eric to help try to make it happen, even though the land deal falls through.
More drama occurs when Sara, the daughter of the strict old order Mennonite, Gabe, tries to tell Gracie that she is in love with John Keystone, who is not religious, much less Mennonite, and Gabe overhears. Will all the progress Gabe has made in allowing his daughter more freedom be lost? Or will the terrible snowstorm that snows them in and forced John and Gabe to be in the same house together bring them to see their differences?
In the midst of the terrible storm, Gracie is guarding Sam's fruit orchard making sure the trees don't catch fire while they attempt to keep the roots of the trees warm so they do not die, when Gracie gets hit again and knocked unconscious and finds herself in the midst of the blaze as the orchard has been set on fire.
Suddenly the odd sheriff appears and rescues her. However, he has been hanging around a lot in Harmony, one of many towns in his jurisdiction, and he becomes the object of Gracie's suspicion. He might have it out for her and/or Sam, and she wants to know why.
Will the baby's mother be found? Will the attacks on Gracie end, and will she be able to put to rest the rumors that she mothered the baby? Or will this be too much for her relationship with Sam? And will Eric's interest in her cause her to see maybe she's with the wrong man? Will the retirement home bring more business to Harmony? Or is Ida right that there is just something not right about the project?
Read Simple Deceit to find out!
I thought this was a well-written book. If you enjoy Amish fiction and/or Christian fiction, this is the book for you. At a point here and there I think it went a little overboard with religion to the point where it felt forced rather than a natural part of the story, but other than that, I really enjoyed the book.
I think it picks up nicely and continue the story quite well. It answers some questions from before, but at the end does leave us with a few more. I do hope there will be another book in the series because I really grew to like the characters in the story and how I've seen them grow and progress over the past two novels.
I will definitely be recommending this novel for those who have read Simple Secrets, and will recommend the entire series for anyone who loves this genre in general.
Five out of five stars!
I really enjoyed Simple Secrets and I was so glad to get a chance to read Simple Deceit before it came out. Thanks again to NetGalley for allowing me to review this book!
If you want to read my review of Simple Secrets then go ahead and go to http://books-camilleelise4.blogspot.c... to read it!
Gracie has returned to Harmony, this time to live there for good, but once again the peace and quiet is disturbed in the town. It starts right during Gracie's arrival as she sees a young woman leaving a baby outside the church door, but gets knocked unconscious as she tries to figure out who left the baby.
Shortly thereafter, someone leaves a note at the church and starts a nasty rumor both stating that Gracie is the mother of the baby and she was the one leaving the baby at the church. Now her reputation is potentially at stake, including with her own boyfriend, Sam.
Gracie's former boss has found some work for her to do because a developer by the name of Eric plans to bring a retirement home close to the community of Harmony which will not change the makeup of the town greatly but will promote the businesses in the area as the retirees. However, the old timers in the town are not happy with this proposed change, and Ida insists that she has a terrible feeling about the project, but Gracie knows this can only help Harmony and she works with her boss, Grant, and Eric to help try to make it happen, even though the land deal falls through.
More drama occurs when Sara, the daughter of the strict old order Mennonite, Gabe, tries to tell Gracie that she is in love with John Keystone, who is not religious, much less Mennonite, and Gabe overhears. Will all the progress Gabe has made in allowing his daughter more freedom be lost? Or will the terrible snowstorm that snows them in and forced John and Gabe to be in the same house together bring them to see their differences?
In the midst of the terrible storm, Gracie is guarding Sam's fruit orchard making sure the trees don't catch fire while they attempt to keep the roots of the trees warm so they do not die, when Gracie gets hit again and knocked unconscious and finds herself in the midst of the blaze as the orchard has been set on fire.
Suddenly the odd sheriff appears and rescues her. However, he has been hanging around a lot in Harmony, one of many towns in his jurisdiction, and he becomes the object of Gracie's suspicion. He might have it out for her and/or Sam, and she wants to know why.
Will the baby's mother be found? Will the attacks on Gracie end, and will she be able to put to rest the rumors that she mothered the baby? Or will this be too much for her relationship with Sam? And will Eric's interest in her cause her to see maybe she's with the wrong man? Will the retirement home bring more business to Harmony? Or is Ida right that there is just something not right about the project?
Read Simple Deceit to find out!
I thought this was a well-written book. If you enjoy Amish fiction and/or Christian fiction, this is the book for you. At a point here and there I think it went a little overboard with religion to the point where it felt forced rather than a natural part of the story, but other than that, I really enjoyed the book.
I think it picks up nicely and continue the story quite well. It answers some questions from before, but at the end does leave us with a few more. I do hope there will be another book in the series because I really grew to like the characters in the story and how I've seen them grow and progress over the past two novels.
I will definitely be recommending this novel for those who have read Simple Secrets, and will recommend the entire series for anyone who loves this genre in general.
Five out of five stars!
October 18, 2010
Simple Deceit by Nancy Mehl is the second book in her Harmony series. I was given an advance copy of this book to review through NetGalley and Barbour publishers. Grace Temple is returning to Harmony, a small Mennonite Commuinty after finishing her job and moving out of her apartment to live in the house her late Uncle Benjamin left her. She also going back to work on a freelance project her boss has given her. She is working for a group who is trying to build a retirement center close to Harmony that is anticipated to bring lots of needed customers for the small town of Harmony. Once again, as soon as Grace enters Harmony she is dealt with conflict, as she sees a mother leaving her baby on the steps of the church. That starts lots of conflict going on in Harmony. The community members start to blame Grace for what is going on in Harmony. Gracie and her boyfriend Sam also get into a fight and Gracie thinks the relationship might be over. The people in Harmony also get caught in a huge blizzard and once again the community comes together to help each other. Once you thought nothing else bad could happen more awful things happen to the community. At the end, we learn of the deceit that had been going on the entire time. We also understand the secrets and mysteries that the reader has been trying to figure out are finally revealed and just when you think they have all been revealed we learn of another secret that I feel sure the author will deal more within the next book to the series.
This is the second book that I have read by this author and I really enjoy her writing style. I just can’t seem to put the book down. So much happens in one day in the story and in the few days that the story is happening that the reader is trying hard to guess or find out who did it and what the real story is behind the things that are happening. I would highly recommend this book, but read the first book in the series first. That book lays a lot of groundwork for the second. This book would be a perfect read during a winter storm. I felt like I was right there with the characters in the storm. Simple Deceit comes out December 1, 2010.
This is the second book that I have read by this author and I really enjoy her writing style. I just can’t seem to put the book down. So much happens in one day in the story and in the few days that the story is happening that the reader is trying hard to guess or find out who did it and what the real story is behind the things that are happening. I would highly recommend this book, but read the first book in the series first. That book lays a lot of groundwork for the second. This book would be a perfect read during a winter storm. I felt like I was right there with the characters in the storm. Simple Deceit comes out December 1, 2010.
May 30, 2011
Simple Deceit is the second book in Nancy Mehl's Harmony Series, and in this story Gracie Temple has decided to make Harmony, Kansas her permanent home, but staying hinges on the fact that she will be able to do freelance work and her first job is for a land developer who wants to build a retirement community outside Harmony. As she wraps up her job in Wichita and heads home to Harmony, things start to go awry as soon as she gets back into town. The local sheriff pulls her over, and then she sees a woman leave an abandoned baby on the church steps, but when rumors circulate that the baby actually belongs to Gracie, her longtime beau Sam Goodrich doesn't respond well to the rumors. To top things off the man who was going to sell his property to the developer winds up dead! Add to all this is a blizzard that hits the town, and one of Gracie's friends is caught out in it! How will things work out in Harmony? Will Gracie and Sam work out their problems, and what about the handsome land developer that seems to have his sites set on Gracie?Will Gracie be able to stay in Harmony even if the land deal falls thru?
While this is the second book in a series I feel like it could easily be read as a stand alone work, the author provides enough background that you feel perfectly at ease in the tiny town of Harmony. Reading this book was like visiting with old friends, I love the Sam's aunt Myrtle Goodrich aka as "Sweetie," even though she often appears gruff on the inside she really is a sweetie, I particularly enjoyed the little story with the cat Snickle. While this book wasn't as exciting as the first book in the Harmony Series it is still a worthwhile read. Anyone who enjoys a nice mystery woven together with a bit of romance set in a nice little town full of interesting characters really should check this series out.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing a copy of this book for review.
While this is the second book in a series I feel like it could easily be read as a stand alone work, the author provides enough background that you feel perfectly at ease in the tiny town of Harmony. Reading this book was like visiting with old friends, I love the Sam's aunt Myrtle Goodrich aka as "Sweetie," even though she often appears gruff on the inside she really is a sweetie, I particularly enjoyed the little story with the cat Snickle. While this book wasn't as exciting as the first book in the Harmony Series it is still a worthwhile read. Anyone who enjoys a nice mystery woven together with a bit of romance set in a nice little town full of interesting characters really should check this series out.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing a copy of this book for review.
August 26, 2011
Title: SIMPLE DECEIT
Author: Nancy Mehl
Publisher: Barbour Books
December 2010
ISBN: 978-1-60260-781-1
Genre: Inspirational/Mennonite/Romantic suspense
Gracie Temple has grown to love the Mennonite community in Harmony, Kansas, but she didn’t think she’d ever leave Wichita until she met and fell in love with Sam Goodrich. Now she’s moving to her late uncle’s house to do freelance graphic design work.
Her arrival in town is anything but smooth. A police officer pulls her over for seemingly no reason. A baby is found abandoned on a church steps, and when Gracie stops to investigate she is knocked unconscious. And when she arrives at her new home, someone is skulking around in the dark.
Then Gracie lands a new client, a developer interested in building an upscale retirement community in Harmony. But the news of this impending improvement has the town divided. And things begin to turn ugly…
SIMPLE DECEIT is the second book in Ms. Mehl’s Harmony series, but it easily stands alone. I didn’t like coming in on the middle of the relationship between her and Sam, so I think it might be better to read Simple Secrets first, so the romance is new and progresses more naturally.
Written in first person, it is so smoothly done, I didn’t even notice what person it was written in until I went back to check something. Gracie is the only point of view character and the reader gets to know her well. If you enjoyed Barbour’s cozy mysteries when they were being released, then you will love SIMPLE DECEIT. It is written in the same upbeat style, yet with plenty of suspense to keep the pages turning. I did figure out who villain was early on, but that wasn’t enough to stop me from reading. $12.99. 320 pages.
Author: Nancy Mehl
Publisher: Barbour Books
December 2010
ISBN: 978-1-60260-781-1
Genre: Inspirational/Mennonite/Romantic suspense
Gracie Temple has grown to love the Mennonite community in Harmony, Kansas, but she didn’t think she’d ever leave Wichita until she met and fell in love with Sam Goodrich. Now she’s moving to her late uncle’s house to do freelance graphic design work.
Her arrival in town is anything but smooth. A police officer pulls her over for seemingly no reason. A baby is found abandoned on a church steps, and when Gracie stops to investigate she is knocked unconscious. And when she arrives at her new home, someone is skulking around in the dark.
Then Gracie lands a new client, a developer interested in building an upscale retirement community in Harmony. But the news of this impending improvement has the town divided. And things begin to turn ugly…
SIMPLE DECEIT is the second book in Ms. Mehl’s Harmony series, but it easily stands alone. I didn’t like coming in on the middle of the relationship between her and Sam, so I think it might be better to read Simple Secrets first, so the romance is new and progresses more naturally.
Written in first person, it is so smoothly done, I didn’t even notice what person it was written in until I went back to check something. Gracie is the only point of view character and the reader gets to know her well. If you enjoyed Barbour’s cozy mysteries when they were being released, then you will love SIMPLE DECEIT. It is written in the same upbeat style, yet with plenty of suspense to keep the pages turning. I did figure out who villain was early on, but that wasn’t enough to stop me from reading. $12.99. 320 pages.
May 12, 2011
SIMPLE DECEIT: A Mennonite Community's Way of Life Is Threatened by Outsiders by Nancy Nehl is a wonderful inspirational Mennenoite romance/suspense set inHarmony, Kansas in present day. This is a sequel to "Simple Secrets",a Harmony series,but can be read as a stand alone.It is a wonderful story with an abandoned baby,murder,faith,some humor,danger,secrets,deceit,romance,love,the Mennonite faith,the Mennonite way of life,community,and change.When Gracie goes back to Harmony she finds that not only is her love for Sam growing but that secrets the past will come back to surface. While Sam learns that his past will come back to haunt him and may place Gracie in danger.The community blame's Gracie for coming back to town as they struggle to decide if they want a new retirement village.For Gracie freelance's with the town developer. In the meantime an abandoned baby is found a murder committed,and Gracie and Sam struggle to determine if their relationship can survive all the turmoil aroung them. Simple Deceits threatens to not only tear a community apart but to also tear a young love apart.While each struggle with their faith and every thing they believe in.This is a fast paced story of faith,deceit,secrets,love and a communtiy.While this is a Christian it is not preachy but allow each to grasp their own faith.A wonderful sequel to "Simple Secrets".This book was received for the purpose of review from Net Galley and the publisher and details can be found at Barbour Publishing and My Book Addiction Reviews. 4.5
*Coming soon, in June of 2011 "Simple Choices",the third in the " Harmony Series"
published by Barbour Publishing***
*Coming soon, in June of 2011 "Simple Choices",the third in the " Harmony Series"
published by Barbour Publishing***
November 17, 2012
The Harmony Series by Nancy Mehl book #2 "Simple Deceit"
this continues the story of Gracie Temple and her move to Harmony, Kansas...
Grace lived in a big city and worked as graphic designer but when she went to Harmony after her uncle dies, she meets a different type of folks and falls in love with them and also Sam, a quite strong gentle man who is so kind and generous. She had forgot there were men like this and likes the feeling.
Grace moves back to Harmony and plans to work part-time with her work, she is assigned a new client who is a developer intent on building an upscale retirement community in Harmony, soon the Mennonite comunity begin to turn on each other and an annonymous note appears after Grace finds a baby that had been abandoned at the church the night she came back to Harmony. The note says Grace was the one that left it....
you will meet many of the community from the first book and a few new ones and watch as they struggle to keep their faith intact..
there is a winter storm that stops many in their tracks and slows down all in the community, tragedy when someone dies and another is lost in this bad storm...The blizzard forces Grace to make a choice that just might lead to the final straw between she and Sam.
this book is about Love-forgivness-mystery, I enjoyed reading
this continues the story of Gracie Temple and her move to Harmony, Kansas...
Grace lived in a big city and worked as graphic designer but when she went to Harmony after her uncle dies, she meets a different type of folks and falls in love with them and also Sam, a quite strong gentle man who is so kind and generous. She had forgot there were men like this and likes the feeling.
Grace moves back to Harmony and plans to work part-time with her work, she is assigned a new client who is a developer intent on building an upscale retirement community in Harmony, soon the Mennonite comunity begin to turn on each other and an annonymous note appears after Grace finds a baby that had been abandoned at the church the night she came back to Harmony. The note says Grace was the one that left it....
you will meet many of the community from the first book and a few new ones and watch as they struggle to keep their faith intact..
there is a winter storm that stops many in their tracks and slows down all in the community, tragedy when someone dies and another is lost in this bad storm...The blizzard forces Grace to make a choice that just might lead to the final straw between she and Sam.
this book is about Love-forgivness-mystery, I enjoyed reading
May 4, 2012
The 2nd book in the series starts with Gracie heading back to Harmony for good after settling everything in Wichita. The night she arrives she sees a lady leave a baby on the steps of the church. This begins another adventure for Gracie. She also finds herself in the middle of a possible retirement home development plan which some in the town are not to sure about. Sam and her hit a rough spot in their relationship which leads to a new possible suitor for Gracie. Will Gracie and the people she has come to love find peace once again?
This book had a little more depth to the mystery and suspense aspect of the story line. I wanted to keep reading to find out what was going to happen. I was a little worried that the romantic story line might not be as interesting in the 2nd book but I was happy to see that the author found away to keep it interesting. Again my only real complaint about this book was the fact that Sam did not have a voice in the story. He is such a important charter but we don’t get to see things from his side and in this plot I felt like I was missing part of the story at times. Over all a good book and I am looking forward to seeing how the 3rd book wraps up this series.
http://abbiesreadingcorner.com/2011/0...
This book had a little more depth to the mystery and suspense aspect of the story line. I wanted to keep reading to find out what was going to happen. I was a little worried that the romantic story line might not be as interesting in the 2nd book but I was happy to see that the author found away to keep it interesting. Again my only real complaint about this book was the fact that Sam did not have a voice in the story. He is such a important charter but we don’t get to see things from his side and in this plot I felt like I was missing part of the story at times. Over all a good book and I am looking forward to seeing how the 3rd book wraps up this series.
http://abbiesreadingcorner.com/2011/0...
March 12, 2011
This book has a bit of everything! Romance, danger, abandoned baby, humor, murder, blizzards, and faith!! I enjoyed this book, being set in a quiet Mennonite Community in Kansas. I haven't read the first book in this series, but even though there were reference to the first book, I was able to read along. Throughout the book there seems to be on going fear to turn their problems over to God.
Once you start reading this book, it is hard to put down. You are drawn to the quiet KS town of Harmony....which sounds delightful! Most of the people here look out for one another! When something happens, even without phones, everyone seems to know about it!
I loved the way everyone gravitated to food...whether at Mary's or Sweeties...this book will make you hungry! I am now looking forward to the next book in this series...answers to questions! I would recommend this read to all!
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Barbour Publishing. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
Once you start reading this book, it is hard to put down. You are drawn to the quiet KS town of Harmony....which sounds delightful! Most of the people here look out for one another! When something happens, even without phones, everyone seems to know about it!
I loved the way everyone gravitated to food...whether at Mary's or Sweeties...this book will make you hungry! I am now looking forward to the next book in this series...answers to questions! I would recommend this read to all!
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Barbour Publishing. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
February 18, 2011
I received an advanced reader copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and NetGalley. (Thank you!)
This is the second book in the Harmony series by Nancy Mehl. I did not, unfortunately, read the first book, Simple Secrets, but after reading this one I plan on going back and reading it. I do think this one will stand alone just fine, but a back story would make it more enjoyable. I'm looking forward to the next one.
Grace returns to the small town of Harmony after living in the city to immediately be harassed by the Sheriff of the town. Shortly after, a baby is left on the steps of a church. Combine this with an interesting Mennonite family, and of course, a love story and you have a very interesting book.
I think I would have liked to hear more about the Mennonites in the community, otherwise they seem a bit randomly placed in the book, but that's my only real complaint.
A lot goes on in this book and it's an enjoyable, well paced novel. I've read a lot of Christian fiction through the years and this is certainly one of the better ones. I enjoy the way it shows the love of God, less preachy, more simply being revealed throughout the book. Pleasant, joyful read.
This is the second book in the Harmony series by Nancy Mehl. I did not, unfortunately, read the first book, Simple Secrets, but after reading this one I plan on going back and reading it. I do think this one will stand alone just fine, but a back story would make it more enjoyable. I'm looking forward to the next one.
Grace returns to the small town of Harmony after living in the city to immediately be harassed by the Sheriff of the town. Shortly after, a baby is left on the steps of a church. Combine this with an interesting Mennonite family, and of course, a love story and you have a very interesting book.
I think I would have liked to hear more about the Mennonites in the community, otherwise they seem a bit randomly placed in the book, but that's my only real complaint.
A lot goes on in this book and it's an enjoyable, well paced novel. I've read a lot of Christian fiction through the years and this is certainly one of the better ones. I enjoy the way it shows the love of God, less preachy, more simply being revealed throughout the book. Pleasant, joyful read.
April 5, 2011
Published at: Library of Lights
Date reviewed: 10th Feb 2011
Review link: http://mykindaland.com/?p=121
Simple Deceit by Nancy Mehl is the second book in The Harmony Series. I’m not quite sure what to make of this story. It’s a cross between romance and mystery, and the plot was rather overwhelming for me. I think I should read the first book first before reading this one, because I feel slightly out of place as I flip through the first few pages of this book.
Anyway, the storyline is somehow something that I can relate to… especially the part where the main character, Gracie is slandered and defamed. I could really feel for her. Although this is a mystery romance kinda story, it touches me nevertheless, and I think if I’ve read the first book in this series, I think I would be able to appreciate the story more.
Good book nevertheless. I rate this book 3 out of 5 stars.
Date reviewed: 10th Feb 2011
Review link: http://mykindaland.com/?p=121
Simple Deceit by Nancy Mehl is the second book in The Harmony Series. I’m not quite sure what to make of this story. It’s a cross between romance and mystery, and the plot was rather overwhelming for me. I think I should read the first book first before reading this one, because I feel slightly out of place as I flip through the first few pages of this book.
Anyway, the storyline is somehow something that I can relate to… especially the part where the main character, Gracie is slandered and defamed. I could really feel for her. Although this is a mystery romance kinda story, it touches me nevertheless, and I think if I’ve read the first book in this series, I think I would be able to appreciate the story more.
Good book nevertheless. I rate this book 3 out of 5 stars.
June 28, 2011
Well seeing on how I totally missed the first book in this series I loved this book. Gracie is such a loveable character and there is a bit of mystery in the small town of Harmony, Kansas. The people of this town are so close knit and most of them look out for each other and I love the fact that meal times are such a big thing. This book kept me wanting to read more and more and not wanting to quit. I was totally surprised by the ending with the Sheriff. I highly recommend this book.
You can see my complete review at: http://lovemy2dogs.blogspot.com/2011/...Simple DeceitNancy Mehl
You can see my complete review at: http://lovemy2dogs.blogspot.com/2011/...Simple DeceitNancy Mehl
January 18, 2011
The second book in the Harmony series and much more suspenseful than the first!
Gracie returns to Harmony for good in this book and before she even returns to town she finds troubled when she's pulled over. Once in town she discovers a baby abandoned on the church steps and is hurt trying to chase the mother. Immediately there is mystery as to who the mother is. There is also a mysterious person outside gracies house at night, a huuge storm, and conflict over a new retirement community proposal. Thru it all Gracie depends on her faith in God to see her thru.
Gracie returns to Harmony for good in this book and before she even returns to town she finds troubled when she's pulled over. Once in town she discovers a baby abandoned on the church steps and is hurt trying to chase the mother. Immediately there is mystery as to who the mother is. There is also a mysterious person outside gracies house at night, a huuge storm, and conflict over a new retirement community proposal. Thru it all Gracie depends on her faith in God to see her thru.
May 19, 2011
Nancy Mehl did a wonderful job of pulling the reader back into Harmony in this sequel to "Simple Secrets". With numerous plot twists and turns, she keeps the story moving and the reader guessing. In this sequel, Gracie cuts her ties to the city and moves back to Harmony, only to find an abandoned baby on the church steps, some skulking around her back yard, another dead body, and an arsonist. All of these events unveil more of Sam's background and how that might impact their future together. This one is worth reading! Now I need to find "Simple Choices" to find out how this series ends.
January 10, 2011
The mysteries continue in theis 2nd part of the Harmony Series. Grace seems to have trouble following her. Wants me to read the next book in the series as soon as it is out! I enjoy reading about how Grace puts pieces of the puzzle together by picking up little tibits from what different people say. It is neat to read about characters and their relationship with God, especially from various ages and different places in their walk with God.
318 pages
318 pages
August 25, 2014
I enjoyed this book but not as much as the first one. The author always seems to have a couple of twists in her books that are not resolved until the last few pages. I suspected one but the other was a complete surprise. I never saw it coming. I felt the middle of the book dragged a bit but the end was worth it. It's fun to read books set in Kansas because I live there. Most people don't realize what a great state it happens to be.
January 7, 2011
This was the second book in Nancy's series. I thought she did a very good job of story telling and keeping us guessing as to who would want to harm the town.
She also left it open ended enough for the third installment that will be coming later this year.
She also left it open ended enough for the third installment that will be coming later this year.
January 8, 2017
This was an interesting Christian mystery novel with a love story intertwined with it. I liked the characters and the overall story line. All of the twists and turns of the plot were exciting all while keeping the slower pace of a novel set mainly among the Mennonites.
June 11, 2012
Not quite as good as the first one.
January 6, 2013
SOOOOOOOOO GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
January 13, 2014
Read my comments with book #1
May 5, 2014
Was very good, I enjoyed it and dang I did not expect the thing in the ending to happen, in the middle of the third book, going well also!
August 21, 2014
I liked this book, and I wanted to keep reading to the end. The writing could use a little work, but overall, it's worth reading. Great spiritual messages!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews