Showing posts with label Amish fiction. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Amish fiction. Show all posts

Friday, June 5, 2020

Book Review: The Christmas Remedy

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When an Old Order Amish woman takes a job at a small-town pharmacy struggling to survive in a world of "big box" stores, her motive is to help her Plain community. But the advent of the holiday season brings an unusual mystery to the surface--and possibly love.

Twenty-four-year-old Holly Zook lives a unique life for a young Amish woman. Years ago, her bishop allowed her to continue her education and become the lead technician for Greene's Pharmacy, an old-timey drugstore that looks out for the Amish community--a group largely without secure healthcare plans. She knows she can't marry and hold onto her professional job. She's Amish, and she can only have one or the other, so she spurns love and works toward addressing treatable diseases--like the one that claimed her father's life.

As long as Holly continues to avoid Joshua Smucker, the one man who draws her like a warm hearth in winter, she should be fine. When something unexpected threatens Greene's Pharmacy, Holly and Joshua must work together to unravel what's happened and find the "missing" patient before the Board of Pharmacy shuts them down. As the snows of December arrive, with Christmas in the air, will Holly succumb to the generous spirit of the season?

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The Good:
This is a sweet story told in a way that you end up feeling as if you know the characters. I was pulled in and read this in one sitting.

The Bad:
Honestly? I can't think of anything. The characters are likable, the book moves at a nice pace and while short, I didn't feel as if it were cut off or that things were left out.

The Summary:
If you like sweet Amish stories, then I can't recommend this book enough. It's full of characters that the reader connects with, each in their own way. The pacing is great...and who can resist a good mystery?

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Wednesday, March 18, 2015

Book Review: The Promise of Palm Grove

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Don't miss Shelley Shepard Gray's new series, Amish Brides of Pinecraft, and the first book in the series, The Promise of Palm Grove! Romantic Times said, "Vibrant descriptions and details bring the plot to life in this heartwarming tale of new beginnings and renewal." Does Leona follow the path set out before her? Or take a chance with only the promise of what could be to guide her?

Enter to win a copy of The Promise of Palm Grove—five winners will be chosen! The winners will be announced March 30 on Shelley's blog!


A young Amish woman finds herself torn between the man she's pledged to wed and the man her heart desires in this heartwarming story of chance, duty, and choice in the face of love—the first volume in beloved New York Times bestselling author Shelley Shepard Gray's new Amish Brides of Pinecraft series

Amish bride-to-be Leona is thrilled to be in Florida, on a mini vacation in the pretty town of Pinecraft. Her girlfriends think she's happy because she's away from the stress of wedding planning. They have no idea that Leona's real joy is in being away from her fiancé.

Edmund is a good man and will make a decent husband . . . just not for Leona. The more time she spends with him and his overbearing ways, the less she wants to be his wife. Her cousins are sure Edmund is the right man for her—and their certainty makes Leona begin to doubt herself. But when a chance encounter with a wayward cat brings her face-to-face with a handsome, fun-loving Amish man named Zachary Kaufmann, Leona's faced with two vastly different futures.

Leona must decide: Should she follow the path set out before her? Or take a chance with only the promise of what could be to guide her?

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It's been forever since I've had the chance to read a really good Amish fiction book. Shelley Shepard Gray never disappoints and she certainly didn't in this book. It was such an easy and wonderful read that the pages seemed to turn themselves and before I knew it, I was done with the book and looking forward to the next one in the series. The author writes in such a way that the characters will come to feel like friends and people that you've known for ages. All I can say is thank goodness this is book one in a series and there are more to look forward to!

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I received a copy of this book for the purpose of this review.  All thoughts, comments, and opinions are my own.

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Tuesday, December 9, 2014

Book Review: The Bachelor

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In this sequel to The Bargain, Betsie Troyer is back home in her Amish community where she knows she belongs, free from the confusing Englisher way of life. She and Charley Yoder have made promises to each other, and her life is back on track--until Gerald Sullivan shows up with his young daughter, asking for Betsie's help. He’s on his way to find his estranged wife, and begs Betsie to take young Sheila in. When she agrees, Betsie's carefully planned life is shaken up again. Sheila's newfound faith is troubling to Charley--and his attraction to another girl is beginning to be a problem. But how can Betsie confront him when she is still trying to confront her own feelings about Sheila's brother, Michael? Keeping the peace between the Amish man she's always loved, a twelve-year-old Englisher girl, and a draft-dodging hippie is more than she ever thought she’d have to deal with in her simple, orderly life. Still, Betsie is convinced she can keep things from falling apart completely. Then during her best friend's wedding, tragedy strikes and her world is upended. She has to make a decision: does she love Charley or Michael . . . or is she craving a deeper love that only God can give? The compelling second novel of the Plain City Peace series, The Bachelor deftly weaves together the strands of a solid, simpler time with the turmoil of an era of change, revealing the strengths of both in its powerful narrative.

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I really enjoyed this book. The story moves at the perfect pace to keep you turning page after page after page. The characters are engaging and you can't help but love little Sheila especially. If I had one complaint it's that this is the second book in a series and while it works well as a standalone, there are many, many unanswered questions at the end so you or I will have to go get the next book to find out the answers. Personally, I'm going to be keeping my eyes open for it.

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I received a copy of this book for the purpose of this review.  All thoughts, comments, and opinions are my own.
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Monday, November 24, 2014

Book Review: A Dream of Home

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When she moves to Amish country to find peace and healing, Madeleine finds a special community—and a special man—who pull her out of her solitude into a new life.

Moving to Pennsylvania wasn’t in Madeleine’s original plans. She should still be in California and should have married her pilot fiancé a year ago—but death has a way of changing everything. Now the former Air Force flight nurse is living alone in Paradise, Pennsylvania, and working as a maid at the Lancaster Grand Hotel. She isn’t exactly a widow . . . but she sure feels like one.

Saul Beiler isn’t exactly a widower . . . but his wife is long gone. His six-year-old daughter, Emma, doesn’t know that her mother fled the Amish community—and married another man—but she does know that her dat is lonely, and that a pretty young maedel just moved in next door. Madeline’s numb heart begins to thaw as she spends more time with the innocent and ever optimistic Emma. The stronger her friendship grows with the young girl, the more intrigued Madeline grows about the humble, strong, man raising her on his own.

But even as a strange attraction pulls Saul and Madeleine across a stark cultural divide, they—and everybody else—have to wonder: What could they possibly have in common besides heartache? Will love allow Madeleine to finally find the home she’s been dreaming of all along?

About the Author

Amy Clipston is the award-winning and best-selling author of the Kauffman Amish Bakery series. Her novels have hit multiple best-seller lists including CBD, CBA, and ECPA. Amy holds a degree in communication from Virginia Wesleyan College and works full-time for the City of Charlotte, NC. Amy lives in North Carolina with her husband, two sons, and four spoiled rotten cats.

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Last night, I couldn't quite fall asleep so I thought I would read for just a little bit. Three hundred and two pages later, I closed the book with a soft sigh and a wish that the next book was already out. It's authors like Amy Clipston that keep my love for Amish fiction alive. Her characters come alive and by the end of the book, it's like they're old friends. I really cannot say enough good things about this book. If you haven't read the others in the series, go and find them and then prepare yourself for a marathon reading session because once you start, you're not going to want to put them down.

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I received a copy of this book for the purpose of this review.  All thoughts, comments, and opinions are my own.
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Tuesday, November 18, 2014

Book Review: Trading Secrets

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Back in fifth grade, Micah Knight got an Amish pen pal, and over the years, they've exchanged many letters--and many secrets. At age seventeen, Micah finally has the chance to meet her pen pal face-to-face. The only problem is that because of confusion about her name when the pen pals were assigned, her pen pal was a boy, Zack Miller. And all this time, Micah's never told Zack that she's actually a girl! While she wants nothing more than to experience life on Zack's Amish farm, she's afraid he'll hate her for deceiving him all these years. But she makes up her mind to face the music--and that's where the fun really begins.
Bestselling author Melody Carlson brings young adults another fascinating tale of worlds colliding, secrets being revealed, and friendships forming. Teens will love this story of miscommunication and mishaps along the way to the truth.
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More young adult fiction! I wish that I could say that I enjoyed this one as much as the others that I've reviewed recently, but I just can't. While the story itself is good and kept me reading, this wasn't a book that I had a hard time putting down when I needed to go and do something else. Also, I really felt that it wasn't always entirely accurate in its portrayals of the Amish community. I'd say more, but then I'd be dipping into spoilers territory so I really don't want to do that. Overall, I'd say the story is cute and perfect for the young adult/tween set, but just not totally my cup of tea.

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I received a copy of this book for the purpose of this review. All thoughts, comments and opinions are my own.
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Friday, November 14, 2014

Book Review: An Amish Second Christmas

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When Christmas Comes Again by Beth Wiseman

Katherine Zook and her four children are facing their first Christmas without a loved one, and the future seems dim.But when a mysterious "Englisch" man begins to show up in the most unlikely of places, Katherine can t help but be suspicious . . . and a bit curious.

Her Christmas Pen Pal by Ruth Reid

WhenJoy Stolzfus s boyfriend tells her he wants to court other women, she s shocked.She pours her heart out in a letter, but it mistakenly reaches Noah Esh. The two begin writing letters back and forth, but a misunderstanding threatens to topple the relationship they re building.

A Gift for Anne Marie by Kathleen Fuller

Anne Marie Smucker s life is pretty perfect. Until she discovers her widowed mother is getting married and they re all moving. On top of that, Anne Marie s relationship with her friend Nathaniel has changed, and she s more confused than ever about her feelings for him.

The Christmas Aprons by Tricia Goyer

Esther Glick bakes a Christmas pie for a fundraiser, and she soon finds herself sitting across from bachelor Ammon Schwartz. Esther receives many orders for pies, but when she breaks her wrist, she discovers what community and love are all about."

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Ahh Christmas...and Amish fiction...and novellas... What better way is there to get yourself in the mood for the upcoming holidays? None that I can think of. With two of my favorite authors in this book, I couldn't say no to reading and reviewing it. I'm happy to report that I have zero regrets. What did surprise me was that my favorite story was by an author that I can't recall reading before. I'm not going to give it away because there's no fun in that. I want all of you to read it and let me know which was your favorite! Each author did a wonderful job in setting the scene, helping you get to know their characters and sharing tales that will stick in your mind as you prepare for your own Christmas.


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I received a copy of this book for the purpose of this review.  All thoughts, comments and opinions are my own.
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Tuesday, October 28, 2014

Book Review: Becoming Bea

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Can Bea and Ben Turn Rivalry Into Romance?

Beatrice Zook knows God wants her to learn patience toward others. When assisting a family overwhelmed by triplets proves surprisingly successful, her confidence in dealing with others, both young and old, grows.

One person she'll never be able to find peace with though is Ben Rupp. They've known each other forever, and Ben understands precisely how to antagonize her. What neither she nor Ben will admit is that beneath all their bickering, attraction awaits. When friends decide to try and bring the couple together, will the pair be able to find true love? Or will they damage their relationship beyond repair?

Leslie Gould is back with the latest book, Becoming Bea, in her Shakespeare-inspired series, The Courtships of Lancaster County. Don't miss the other books in the series, Courting Cate (retelling of The Taming of the Shrew), Adoring Addie (inspired by Romeo and Juliet), and Minding Molly (inspired by A Midsummer Night’s Dream).

Leslie is celebrating the series with a Kindle giveaway and a Facebook party on November 11th.
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One grand prize winner will receive:
  • A Kindle Fire
  • One copy each of the entire The Courtships of Lancaster County series: Courting CateAdoring Addie, Minding Molly, and Becoming Bea.
Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on 11/11. Winner will be announced at Leslie's 11/11 Becoming Bea Facebook author chat party. RSVP for a chance to connect with Leslie and Amish fiction fans, as well as for a chance to win some great prizes!
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{NOT ON FACEBOOK? ENTER HERE.}

RSVP today and spread the word—tell your friends about the giveaway via FACEBOOK, TWITTER or PINTEREST and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 11th!

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I want to say that I loved this book, but sadly, I just can't. I will say that I liked this book, though! For some reason, I really had a harder time than usual diving into this one. I think it was somewhere around chapter 3 before it got to the point where I was really enjoying reading it. That being said, once I got into it, I did really enjoy the book. The title fits this book perfectly. You really do watch Bea grow up and become the woman that she's meant to be. None of the characters are perfect and that makes the story feel all that more real. This is the final book in the series, but not having read any of the others, I didn't have any problems with keeping up with who was who and what their individual personalities were. Another good Amish read, but perhaps reading the other books might have made this one easier to jump into.

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I received a copy of this book for the purpose of this review.  All thoughts, comments and opinions are my own.
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Friday, October 24, 2014

Book Blast: The Bachelor

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Don't miss Stephanie Reed's newest book in the Plain City Peace series, The Bachelor. This compelling second book deftly weaves together the strands of a solid, simpler time with the turmoil of an era of change, revealing the strengths of both in its powerful narrative.

Join Stephanie in celebrating the book's release by entering her Kindle giveaway and RSVPing to her Facebook launch party on October 28th!
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One grand prize winner will receive:
  • A Kindle Fire
  • The Bachelor by Stephanie Reed
Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on 11/9. RSVP for the Facebook launch party today for a chance to connect with Stephanie and Amish fiction fans and a chance to win some great prizes! Winner will be announced November 10th here.
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Wednesday, September 17, 2014

Book Review: Joyful

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 A young Amish couple gets a second chance at love in New York Times bestselling author Shelley Shepard Gray's final book in her Return to Sugarcreek series.

Randall Beiler is doing his best to put his family and the farm's needs first, even forsaking love. But though he tries, Randall knows he needs help caring for his younger siblings and keeping the house together.

When his brother offers pretty Elizabeth Nolt a job taking care of the house and cooking for the family, Randall is furious---and guilty about the way he once broke Elizabeth's heart. But when he learns that Elizabeth and her grandmother are struggling to make ends meet, he knows the offer, no matter how painful, is the right thing for everyone.

Elizabeth wants to refuse---to stay far away from the man who hurt her---but she needs the money. Though she vows to protect her heart, spending time in the Beiler household makes Elizabeth realize that, while she's older and wiser, her love for Randall still burns strong.

Randall, too, seems to want something more. But does he want Elizabeth because he truly loves her---or because he needs a housekeeper? If Randall sincerely wants something more, he must find a way to show Elizabeth---or risk losing his chance at love forever.

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Oh how I hate to see a good series end. It seems like just when you feel as if you know everyone and you can't wait to see what happens in their lives, it's all over. It had been quite some time since I had read another book in this series and so, in some ways, it was like learning about everyone all over again. Like the other book, I very much enjoyed immersing myself into Sugarcreek. This book showed a side of the Amish community that I haven't seen in other books...money and the need for it. It's easy to think of the Amish world as that of a fairy tale land, but in this book, the reader gets to see that money worries touch everyone. I won't give anything away but I was so happy in the way that the author wrapped up stories that I had followed through the other books, as well as Randall and Elizabeth's story.

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I received a copy of this book for the purpose of this review.  All thoughts, comments and opinions are my own.
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Tuesday, September 9, 2014

Book Review: Christmas at Rose Hill Farm

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Bess Riehl is preparing Rose Hill Farm for her Christmas wedding, but her groom isn't who she thought it would be. Billy Lapp is far away from his Amish roots working as a rose rustler for Penn State and wants nothing to do with Stoney Ridge, his family, or Bess. And that suits Bess just fine. Why should she think twice about a man who left without a word, without any explanation? It's time she moved on with her life, and that meant saying yes to Amos Lapp, Billy's cousin and best friend. But as Bess and Amos's wedding day draws near, her emotions tangle into a tight knot. She loves Amos. Yet she can't forget Billy.

When a "lost" rose is discovered at Rose Hill Farm, Billy is sent to track down its origins. Get in, identify the rose, and get out. That's his plan. The only catch is that he's having a hard time narrowing down the identity of the lost rose, and he can't get those tropical blue eyes of Bess Riehl out of his mind.

As the history of the lost rose is pieced together, it reminds Bess and Billy--and Amos, too--that Christmas truly is the season of miracles.

Join bestselling, award-winning author Suzanne Woods Fisher for an Amish Christmas to remember. Filled with heart-twisting moments amid the sweet anticipation of love, this story will charm readers into the holiday spirit

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Join best-selling, award-winning author Suzanne Woods Fisher for an Amish Christmas to remember. Filled with heart-twisting moments amid the sweet anticipation of love, Christmas at Rose Hill Farm will charm readers into the holiday spirit.

Suzanne is hosting a "Christmas Rose" iPad bundle giveaway and a nation-wide Christmas at Rose Hill Farm Book Club Brunch in November. Enter the giveaway below and sign up to host a brunch HERE.
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TWO grand prize winners will receive:
  • An iPad
  • A Rose-patterned iPad case
  • A Rose-patterned phone case (for any model phone)
  • A Christmas wreath
  • A set of Christmas hand-towels
  • Christmas at Rose Hill Farm by Suzanne Woods Fisher
Five second place winners will receive:
  • Christmas at Rose Hill Farm by Suzanne Woods Fisher
Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on September 28th. All winners will be announced September 29th at Suzanne's blog.

rosehill-brunchbuttonHost a Christmas at Rose Hill Farm Book Club Brunch! This fall Suzanne is inviting book clubs across the nation to throw a Christmas at Rose Hill Farm Book Club Brunch. Sign up here between now and September 29. If you’re selected as one of the 50 hosts, you’ll receive a copy of the book plus two other Revell titles (give them away as party prizes or door prizes or keep them for yourself), a complete party kit, and a discount code to purchase copies of Christmas at Rose Hill Farm for your book club at a discount. Suzanne is also encouraging each book club brunch to collect non-perishable items for their local community shelter. She will be making a donation to her favorite charity (helping abused women and children) for every brunch that meets their goal. Click here for more details and to SIGN UP!

Don't miss a moment of the fun; enter today and be sure to visit Suzanne's blog on the 29th to see if you won one of the great prizes! (Or better yet, subscribe to her blog and have the winner announcement delivered to your inbox!)

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After I was lucky enough to review one of Suzanne's other books, she said that she hoped I'd be reviewing her next one. Imagine my joy and surprise when not more than a few days later, this one became available. As y'all know, I have this soft spot for Amish fiction. I think that it calls to my desires to live a simpler, more fulfilling life. While this book didn't specifically reach that desire, it was still a well written book filled with characters that though you've never read them before, they somehow seem to be familiar to you. This is a book that you certainly don't have to wait until Christmas to read. Heck, as someone from Michigan, I'd say first snows don't always wait until December..though I'd be happy if it snowed between December 23rd and January 3rd and then it'd be done. I love snow, but man I do not love shoveling it or driving on bad roads!

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I received a copy of this book for the purpose of this review.  All thoughts, comments and opinions are my own.

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Thursday, July 10, 2014

Book Review: The Revealing

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Naomi King, soft spoken, loyal, and easily overlooked, has a gift. She sees what others can't see. Intuition, she calls it. Others in Stoney Ridge don't know what to make of it and dismiss her hunches and inklings altogether.

When a young woman arrives at the Inn at Eagle Hill with a shocking secret about Tobe Schrock, Naomi fears the worst. She can't ignore the feeling that something sinister is at work-- something more than a threat to the tenuous love begun between her and Tobe.

As signs mount, they begin to point to Jake Hertzler, the elusive mastermind behind Schrock Investments' downfall. Soon, events spiral hopelessly out of control and Naomi must decide whether to listen to her head or her heart.

In this riveting conclusion to The Inn at Eagle Hill series, bestselling author Suzanne Woods Fisher pulls out all the stops with a fast-paced tale of deception, revelation, and just the right dose of romance.

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Suzanne Woods Fisher never disappoints. Being the final book in this series, it doesn't work as a stand alone, but don't let that stop you! Just pick up the whole series and read the other ones first! This book does a great job at wrapping up the loose ends that have dangled. The characters are so well developed that you honestly feel as if they're people that you know or that you wished were your own neighbors. If I had a complaint, it would be that the series is over. I want to know what happens with Mim and with Bethany. With any luck, there will be a whole new series as they find themselves and they find love.
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In The Revealing, the riveting conclusion to the Inn at Eagle Hill series, bestselling author Suzanne Woods Fisher pulls out all the stops with a fast-paced tale of deception, revelation, and just the right dose of romance.

Suzanne is celebrating by giving away THREE iPads!
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  THREE grand prize winners will receive:
  • An iPad
  • The Inn at Eagle Hill series (The Letters, The Calling, and The Revealing) by Suzanne Woods Fisher
Five second place winners will receive:
  • The Inn at Eagle Hill series (The Letters, The Calling, and The Revealing) by Suzanne Woods Fisher
Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on July 20th. All winners will be announced July 21st at Suzanne's blog. AND ... if you're looking for more in the Inn at Eagle Hill series, be sure to pick up the ebook novella, The Rescue, for just $1.99!

BUT WAIT! THERE'S MORE!

Suzanne is also giving away two 10-book mystery prize packs! 

One of the major themes of The Revealing is learning to trust your intuition and instincts. These are God-given qualities that we sometimes are too timid or unsure of to act on. For a chance to win one of the 10-book prize packs, leave a comment on this blog and share about a time when your intuition or instinct saved the day—or a time you ignored it and missed an opportunity. 

Don't miss a moment of the fun; enter today and be sure to visit Suzanne's blog on the 21st to see if you won one of the great prizes! (Or better yet, subscribe to her blog and have the winner announcement delivered to your inbox!)

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I received a copy of this book for the purpose of this review. All thoughts, comments and opinions are my own.

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Saturday, July 5, 2014

Book Review: A Mother's Secret

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An unwed Amish woman yearns for real love and a family. The only thing in her way is the shame she’s been carrying for half of her life.

Thirty-one-year-old Carolyn Lapp has never been married—but she’s been a mother for fifteen years. In a community with strict standards and a long memory, Carolyn knows she might never find a man who will have her and her son, Benjamin.

Carolyn’s family tries to marry her off to a widower with a daughter who needs a mother. A marriage of convenience doesn’t sound so bad, yet despite her loneliness, Carolyn knows what she really wants: a traditional Amish family and a marriage for love.

When Benjamin gets into trouble at an auction, he finds himself beholden to a handsome horse breeder named Joshua Glick. Joshua and Carolyn feel an instant attraction, and soon a romance is budding between them. The trouble is Joshua believes Benjamin is Carolyn’s nephew, not her son.

After years of shame and loneliness, Carolyn suddenly has two men vying for her attention. Can either man give her the family—and the unconditional love—she longs for? Or will her past once again sabotage the future she wants?

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Every so often I get a sneak peak at a book that hasn't been released yet and I'm like a kid in a candy store. A Mother's Secret was a book that gave an entirely new insight into a culture that has long fascinated me. What happens when a young girl makes a mistake? I won't tell you the answer because I don't want to spoil anything for you, but I will encourage you to pick up this book and find out for yourself. My only complaint? One of the questions in this book wasn't answered, but as this is a book that's part of a series, I expect that it will be answered in the book to come. With any luck, I'll have the opportunity to review it so I can find out!

Don't miss the newest offering in the Hearts of the Lancaster Grand Hotel series from Amy Clipston, A Mother's SecretAn unwed Amish woman yearns for real love and a family. The only thing in her way is the shame she’s been carrying for half of her life. The novel received 4-1/2 stars from Romantic Times and was chosen as a Top Pick.

Amy is celebrating with a Kindle Fire giveaway.
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 One winner will receive:
  • A Kindle Fire
  • Books 1 and 2 in the Hearts of the Lancaster Grand Hotel series, A Hopeful Heart and A Mother's Secret.
Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on July 6th. Winner will be announced July 7th on Amy's blog.

Don't miss a moment of the fun; enter today and be sure to stop by Amy's blog on July 7th to see if you won.

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I received a copy of this book for the purpose of this review. All thoughts, comments and opinions are my own.
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Friday, May 30, 2014

Book Review: A Season of Change

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Can a past filled with loss lead to a new season of life? Stranded at a Sarasota hospital at the bedside of his ailing daughter, Amish widower Jacob Miller is wary of his unfamiliar surroundings—including the strange curiosity of Englischer Natalie Bennett. Natalie, an aerial silks artist whose career in the circus ended before it began, has just uncovered a secret her mother kept hidden for years. Her mom—or rather, mamm—was once Amish. A hundred questions suddenly surface. Why did Natalie’s mother keep this secret for so long? Does Natalie still have Amish relatives? How can she learn more about her heritage? Can Jacob trust Natalie’s piqued interest in his family and their simple ways, or will their clashing cultures thwart their hopes for finding the love of a family?

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Another day, another book! I love how much reading I've been doing lately. This book, while very well written, somehow left me feeling like something was missing. The characters are charming, well rounded and relatable. I think that the problem comes that there wasn't quite enough angst. Yes, bad things happened but the book just kept cruising along. The ending seemed almost too easy. That being said, this book is certainly still worth picking up and giving it a read. It's very enjoyable. So enjoyable that I finished it over an 18 hour period (of reading on and off!).

In A Season of Change, book one of Lynette Sowell's new series, Seasons of Pinecraft, readers will discover a different side of the Amish community. A Season of Change follows Natalie and Amish widower Jacob Miller as they each discover the mysterious ways God works. Inspired by the image of a Plain woman sitting on a three-wheeled bicycle by the Pinecraft (an Amish community in Florida) post office, Sowell’s latest is a new take on the popular trend in fiction.

Lynette is celebrating with a Kindle Fire HDX giveaway and a Facebook author chat party on June 12th.
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One winner will receive:
  • A Kindle Fire HDX
  • A Season of Change by Lynette Sowell
Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on June 12th. Winner will be announced at the A Season of Change Facebook author chat party on June 12th. Connect with Lynette for an evening of fun book chat, Amish-themed trivia, and prizes. Lynette will also be answering audience questions and giving an exclusive look at the next book in the Seasons of Pinecraft series!

So grab your copy of A Season of Change and join Lynette on the evening of June 12th for a chance to connect and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the book, don't let that stop you from coming!)

Don't miss a moment of the fun; RSVP todayTell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 12th!

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I received a copy of this book for the purpose of this review. All thoughts, comments and opinions are my own.
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Sunday, February 23, 2014

Book Review: My Amish Boyfriend

10:55 AM 0 Comments
Sixteen-year-old Shannon McNamara has exciting plans for the summer, and she can't wait to get to them. Unbeknownst to her, however, her widowed and ailing mother has plans of her own--to relocate them both to the heart of Amish country in Ohio where she has relatives who can look after her. Shannon quickly learns that living a "simple" life is actually a lot of hard work. But when a hot young Amish guy named Ezra enters the picture, she's ready to get an Amish makeover and even consider making it a permanent change. But does Ezra share her attraction? Will Shannon really make the jump into this new way of life? And will it be for the right reasons?

Teen favorite Melody Carlson brings fans another sweet story of worlds--and families--colliding, exploring themes important to teen girls through an engaging tale.

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This one took me a bit before I really started to enjoy it. While I love Amish fiction, I felt as if Shannon's character was never fully developed properly. Also, since this was a teen book, the writing style met with that level of reader and I think that's part of what threw me off. I haven't been a teen for quite some time (though it's awful to admit that!). All in all, I think it's a book that a lot of teens will enjoy, but adult readers may not enjoy quite as much.

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I received a copy of this book for the purpose of this review. All thoughts, comments and opinions are my own.
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Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Book Review: A Road Unknown

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"Elizabeth is at a crossroad. She's been given the chance to experience life outside of her community, away from the responsibility to care for her eight younger siblings, but Elizabeth Bontrager can't decide which road to take. Goshen has its charms and pressures, but Paradise, Pennsylvania, sounds . . . well, like paradise. And it's also home to her Englisch friend, Paula. Decision made. Elizabeth is Paradise bound.

But will the small town live up to its name? When Elizabeth meets Paula's friend, Bruce, she quickly learns he wants more than a friendship. And the same might be true of Saul Miller, her new boss at the country story that sells Amish products to the Englisch community. As the two compete for her attention, Elizabeth is surprised to realize she misses her family and becomes even more uncertain about where she belongs. She has a choice to make: return home or embrace this new life and possibly a new love?"


Y'all know me and Amish fiction. I can't seem to resist it and in this case, I am so glad that I didn't even try to resist the opportunity to review this book. Imagine leaving everything you know to go and live in a place that you've never been and where you only know one person and her life is nothing like yours...Terrifying and maybe just a little bit exciting to be sure. I've never read any of Barbara Cameron's other books, but I loved this one. The characters are so well rounded and have depth. Elizabeth's struggles are so real that you can't help but hold your breath as she goes about discovering who she is and what she wants from her own life. If you have a chance to read this book and love Amish fiction or heck, just good writing, I can't urge you enough to check it out.

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Barbara Cameron is celebrating the release of A Road Unknown with a $200 Visa cash card giveaway and a fun "Amish Roads" Facebook party.
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One winner will receive:
  • A $200 Visa cash card
  • A Road Unknown by Barbara Cameron
Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on February 27th. Winner will be announced at Barbara's "Amish Roads" Facebook Party on February 27th. Connect with Barbara for an evening of book chat, Amish trivia, laughter, prizes, and more!

So grab your copy of A Road Unknown and join Barbara and friends on the evening of February 27th for a chance to connect and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the book, don't let that stop you from coming!)

Don't miss a moment of the fun; RSVP todayTell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 27th!

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I received a copy of this book for the purpose of this review. All thoughts, comments and opinions are 100% my own.

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Tuesday, January 28, 2014

Book Review: The Calling

2:54 PM 0 Comments
Twenty-year-old Bethany Schrock is restless. Her love life has derailed, her faith hangs by a thread, and she is spending the incredibly hot summer days wading through a lifetime’s accumulation of junk at the home of five ancient Amish sisters. About the only thing that holds her interest is the spirited and dangerously handsome Jimmy Fisher–and he seems bent on irritating her to no end.

When the sly old sisters and a guest at the Inn get Bethany involved in running the local soup kitchen and starting a community garden, she suddenly finds herself wondering, Shootfire! How did that happen? Despite her newfound purposefulness, a gnawing emptiness about a childhood mystery continues to plague her. Encouraged by Jimmy Fisher, she will seek out the answers she craves–and uncover a shocking secret that will break her heart, heal it, and point her to love.

Suzanne Woods Fisher has become one of my favorite authors. This book certainly didn't disappoint me. In fact, it made me want to go back and read the first book in the series, all while eagerly awaiting the next book. This book kept me glued from page 1 to page 320. While this is the second book in the series, I had no trouble picking it up and reading it without having read the first. All of the characters were well developed and you felt as if you were a part of the community, watching and waiting to see what would happen next. Honestly, if you love Amish fiction, you're going to love this book.
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I received a copy of this book for the purpose of this review. All thoughts, comments and opinions are totally my own.

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