Tag Archives: book

A Season of Love – Amy Clipston

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Love is in the air in Bird-in-Hand, Pennsylvania for everyone except Katie Kauffman. To Katie it seems like all of her friends are moving forward with their lives and she is not. Her best friends Lindsay and Lizzie Anne are happy and in love. Lindsay has started to date Matthew Glick and Lizzie Anne and Samuel, who is Katie’s brother, are to be married. Katie feels left out and often the fifth wheel. She fills her days working at her grandmother’s bakery and taking care of her family. Katie desperately wants what her friends have, someone to love and to be loved. Jake Miller is a carpenter, who is tending to a broken heart. He is stuck in a rut. He goes to work every day, and every night he goes home to a frozen pizza. Jake starts a job at the Kauffman Amish Bakery doing some remodeling. While working Jake and Katie forge a friendship and become lunch buddies. Katie and Jake enjoy their time together but trouble is brewing. Katie is Amish and Jake is Mennonite. Katie’s family strongly warns her of the dangers of getting close to Jake. The Amish do not mix with the Mennonite. The bottom line is that it cannot happen. As they grow closer, Katie and Jake realize just how strong their feelings are. The end result is Katie being forbidden to see Jake. Having already joined church she has no choice but to comply. Can the boundaries be broken so that these star crossed lovers can be together? Will the ways of the Amish and Mennonite be their downfall before they even begin?

What a book! This is a great story with wonderful characters that you will immensely enjoy. I felt so bad for poor Katie throughout this book! Let’s just say her father is set in his ways. And that’s putting it mildly! Previous storylines are wrapped up beautifully, and I was left with a sense of contentment. It is always such a pleasure reading Amy’s books. A Season of Love is the final book of her Kauffman Amish Bakery Series, but no need to fret, Amy has many more books in the works!

This book was provided to me from Zondervan Publishers via NetGalley in exchange for my review.

Book is available for Pre-Order in the Destination Amish Store.

You can visit Amy Clipston’s website at http://www.amyclipston.com/

Don’t forget to Like and Follow Amy on Facebook and Twitter.

Review: A Promise For Miriam – Vannetta Chapman

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Miriam King loves her life in Pebble Creek, Wisconsin.  She loves her teaching job at the local Amish school. At twenty six many wonder why she has not married. She is beautiful and adores her students. Gabriel Miller is a widow who decides to move to Pebble Creek. Gabe is determined to leave his past in Indiana and start a new life with his daughter Grace.  Grace is an adorable little eight year old who has not spoken in three years. When Grace comes to Miriam’s school, Miriam is determined to help her speak.  Gabe moved to Pebble Creek to keep to himself and not take any help or handouts, but now that’s all out the window because the feisty Miss Miriam with jet black hair and beautiful gray eyes demands his attention.  He has guarded his heart well since the death of his wife, but feels a spark when he is around Miriam. Torn by his feelings for her and also realizing he is but a humble man with nothing to offer her, he pushes her towards Aden Schmucker.  He feels Aden can provide an easy life for her. Miriam feels a connection to Gabe and is confused when he encourages her to give Aden a chance. She knows he feels something, so why is he rejecting her? How can she make him realize his heart is the one she longs for?

A Promise for Miriam is an endearing love story written by Vannetta Chapman, who has quickly become one of my favorite authors. This was such a heartwarming story. I found myself laughing, crying, and smiling, all the while feeling a sense of joy reading about these characters. I loved reading from Grace’s point of view. It’s very refreshing to see the world through a child’s eyes.  I am only covering the tip of the iceberg with this review because this book has so much more to offer than I can put into a few paragraphs.  It’s a book filled with honest and genuine characters that will make you feel right at home in Pebble Creek.

This book was provided to me from Harvest House Publishers via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

Vannetta Chapman, inspirational author
www.VannettaChapman.com
www.facebook.com/VannettaChapmanBooks

Pre-order A Promise For Miriam in the Destination Amish Store.

Orders are processed through Amazon.

The Search: The Secrets of Crittenden County, Book Two

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The Search puts us smack dab back in the middle of Perry Borntrager’s murder investigation. Luke Reynolds and Mose Kramer are hard at work trying to solve the mysterious death. There’s still not much to go on, but if sheer determination was the answer they would have their man. This time around our attention is focused mainly on Luke and Frannie Eicher. Frannie, as you know dated Perry, and runs a local B&B. Luke doesn’t anticipate his feelings for Frannie, a growing attraction that comes as a surprise. When Frannie is hurt and has to stay at the hospital, Luke is right there by her side. The death of Perry Borntrager may have brought Luke to Crittenden County in search of a killer, but deep down inside he is searching for much more. Is Frannie what he is looking for? Frannie longs to be loved and with her choice in men has yet to find it. When her feelings for Luke come to the forefront, she can’t help but wonder if he really cares for her, or is he trying to get close to find out if she knows more than she is saying about Perry’s death. We also meet Beth Byler, who steps in to run the B&B when Frannie is in the hospital. I loved this character because she and I share similar kitchen techniques! This book doesn’t miss a beat. It picks up effortlessly where book one left off. Chalked full of suspense, romance, and some of the best characters that I have had the pleasure to meet, The Search cannot be missed. Shelley writes with a real knowledge of what a reader wants, intriguing and unique characters who will leave you wanting more. I can honestly say as I closed in on the end of this book I was left feeling sad but a happy sad. I did not want the book to end! My suspicions are running amuck with my own theories of who killed Perry and cannot wait read the conclusion of this most excellent series of books!

This book was provided to me from HarperCollins Publisher’s via Edelweiss in exchange for my review.

Book is available for pre-order here on Amazon or can be purchased in the Destination Amish Store.

Orders are processed through Amazon.com.

Shelley is active on Facebook and also has a website, www.shelleyshepardgray.com.

Beverly Lewis: The Fiddler – Home to Hickory Hollow

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Amelia DeVries is a world class musician with a secret. She is a classically trained violinist but harbors a secret passion for fiddling. Amelia is under pressure from her agent to sign the papers for a European tour but just can’t commit to it. She doesn’t want to disappoint her parents especially her ailing father. Needing a break from her obligations, Amelia heads to Pennsylvania for a fiddling gig. Although she loves the violin she is able to let go and be free when she plays her fiddle. Michael Hostetler is struggling to join the Amish church. He feels a pull towards the English world. Michael knows what is expected of an Amish son but can’t make his vows to the church.

A dark and stormy night brings these two confused people together. They spend one night together tucked away in a cabin deep in the Pennsylvania Mountains; a night that will forever impact both their lives.  Although they just met, Michael and Amelia immediately feel a connection and confide in each other.  Their lives are very different from one another, but they are more alike than what meets the eye.

I didn’t connect with the main characters as much as I thought I would. Actually, I preferred the supporting characters like Joanna Kurtz, who is a young Amish girl with a sweet demeanor.  She is instantly likeable and you want to get to know her better. Joanna’s story will be in the upcoming book The Bridesmaid. Also there is Elizabeth, Michael’s niece who has left the Amish community and is living in the English world. I found her story quite compelling which touches on domestic abuse, and I think her story could be a book on its own. I especially liked visiting with Ella Mae Zook again, a beloved character from The Shunning.  Overall I enjoyed my trip back to Hickory Hollow and I am sure you will too!

This book was provided to me from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing, in exchange for my review.

About the author: http://www.beverlylewis.com/

The Fiddler can be purchased through the Destination Amish Store.
Don’t forget you can pre-order The Bridesmaid in the store too.
Orders are processed through Amazon.com.