Blessing Bentley Celebrate Lit Book Tour and Giveaway

Posted on July 12, 2019July 11, 2019 by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

Greetings and welcome to my stop on Celebrate Lit’s Book Tour and Giveaway for Blessing Bentley. This sweet Christian romance by author Chautona Havig is a page turner. Read all about the book, the author, and the giveaway below. Thanks for stopping!

My Thoughts:

This is a contemporary Christian romance that glorifies God without needing to get out a magnifying glass to see if it does. It unapologetically gives glory to our maker throughout the entire book. Bravo! Author Havig is a modern day story teller extraordinaire. She takes words and weaves them into the most entertaining stories using her God given talent.

”Blessing Bentley” is my favorite one written by here. It is Book 1 in her new Marriage of Conviction Series. The author has done a thorough job researching scripture on marriage. She has compiled arguments on both sides of her debate. As I read this delightful novel, I found myself nodding my head and talking to the book, the characters, or perhaps Chautona, the author.

The characters are lovable. Some are predictable while others are complete surprises. The differences in ages allow for some humor and heartwarming moments. Bentley’s idea is good in theory but I can’t imagine doing it. However, television is filled with reality shows that are similar, just without the scripture.

So many life lessons are included in this book. Faith, family, forgiveness, friends, finances, trust, leaning on God, and praying. Communicating between a couple is essential and the shows that.

I loved this fiction offering by author Havig. I was invested in it within the first few pages and my attention stayed until “the end.” The conversations were witty, barbed, and humorous. The storyline had some twists and turns to keep it interesting. Characters were like old friends that I adored. My dishes piled up while I kept reading. It is that good!

I highly recommend this book. There were two things that I missed. Discussion Questions is the first. This book is perfect for a book club, maybe a newly engaged ladies’ group. Questions would be such an added bonus. So would recipe’s from the story. That’s becoming a common thing and I love getting to read about someone making and enjoying cookies or a casserole and then find the recipe in the book. Even without these, I still rate this 5 out of 5 stars.

A copy was provided by Celebrate Lit, but I was under no obligation to write a review. These are my own thoughts.

About the Book

Book: Blessing Bentley

Author: Chautona Havig

Genre: Fiction / Christian / Romantic Women’s Fiction

Release date: June 13, 2019

Bentley Girard’s about to propose… to a guy she doesn’t even love.

Not THAT way anyway.

After studying everything the Bible has to say about marriage, she’s decided she wants in. Now. So who’s going to take her up on that offer?

And just why did no one reminded her that those vows include that little word, “love.”

Oops!

With her Bible in her hip pocket, and a shiny new ring on her finger, Bentley navigates this new world of marriage with grace and… oh, who is she kidding? She flounders until she gets a sure footing and hangs on tight.

About the Author

Chautona Havig lives in an oxymoron, escapes into imaginary worlds that look startlingly similar to ours and writes the stories that emerge. An irrepressible optimist, Chautona sees everything through a kaleidoscope of It’s a Wonderful Life sprinkled with fairy tales. Find her on the web and say howdy—if you can remember how to spell her name.

More from Chautona

If You Need to Save Time, Don’t Ask for Help

Not from my friend anyway. It all started with a conversation about Bentley…

She pops up now and then—the most ubiquitous (and yet not) of my unpublished characters, you might say. Who is this unsung Bentley, and why should we care about her? For that matter, why has her story been languishing in my “to be edited” pile for over a decade?”

It’s worse than that. Bentley isn’t the only book that’s been sitting there, unedited, waiting for a chance at daylight. There’s also Tait’s story. Andi’s story. Ami’s story… all the unpublished stories. Those don’t even include the partially done ones.

It’s an illness, I tell ya.

Some people may not know this about me, but I plot out my books while I’m driving. I get in the car, turn on my voice recorder, and talk to myself. You can’t know how grateful I am for cellphones. I don’t own or use one, but man I’m glad they exist. Know why? Because people don’t give you weird looks when you talk to yourself in the car now. When I was a kid, that wasn’t true. Not that I know from personal experience or anything. *whistles*

So one trip down south (it’s an hour and a half to go anywhere from my house, and most of my trips are at least three hours one way), I realized that Tait and Bentley’s stories could be merged. It would be awesome. Two books. One stone. If I did that to a bunch of my languishing manuscripts, I could clear out that unfinished file in no time! (Okay, let me dream here. Eternal optimist, remember?)

And that brings us back to Blessing Bentley

I was at my friend Sandy’s house (if you know Celebrate Lit, yes, that Sandy), and I told her I needed a new title. Why? Because now it included Tait and his story.

We talked. We schemed and plotted. Sandy wanted something to happen that just can’t. I’d seriously have to rewrite the entire series. Oh, and then there would be issues with already published books. Ahem.

Then it happened. She said the words. “It needs to be two books.”

I could have put an ice cube down her shirt. Do you remember how excited I was to have two combined into one??? Now we’re back to two books. Still, they were written as two. I just don’t have a satisfactory ending for Tait’s.

That’s when things got fun. Sandy tossed out one idea. I tossed it back. She remolded it and flipped it in the air. I caught it, made a few changes, and voila! We had a BOOK. And it would be adorable.

Then she swore at me.

Okay, so she actually just said, “You really need a third book, friend.”

Anyone who has ever heard her talk, can hear her voice there. I know you can. Still, as sweet and kind as she might have meant to sound, I heard swearing.

Another book. You’ve got to be kidding me! I went from having two books morphed into one being split back in two, and now you want to add one? I’m trying to reduce the to-do pile!

But then I remembered another story that’s been percolating since I wrote 31 Kisses.Carson’s brother is newly single. And well…

Yep. Enter trilogy.

Marriage of Conviction—that was supposed to be the title of Blessing Bentley. Who knew that when I started writing that book fifteen years ago—who knew it would end up being the title of a series instead. Marriages of Conviction. Blessing Bentley, Tempting Tait, and Charming Chloe.

Welcome to a new look on marriage and a wild ride with these characters!

And remember… if you think I have too many series… Well, this one’s Sandy’s fault.

Blog Stops

Among the Reads, July 8

Cultivating Us, July 8

Texas Book-aholic, July 9

janicesbookreviews, July 10

Book Bites, Bee Stings, & Butterfly Kisses, July 10

A Reader’s Brain, July 11

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, July 12

CarpeDiem, July 12

Retrospective Spines, July 13

Splashes of Joy, July 13

Back Porch Reads, July 14

Inklings and notions, July 15

Through the Fire Blogs, July 16

Godly Book Reviews, July 16

Lots of Helpers, July 17

Captive Dreams Window, July 17

Daysong Reflections, July 18

She Lives To Read, July 19

Blogging With Carol, July 19

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, July 20

For Him and My Family, July 21

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, July 21

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Chautona is giving away a Blessing Bentley grand prize package that includes a paperback copy of the book, a book cozy, a Blessing Bentley Candle, and a $25 Amazon gift card!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter. https://promosimple.com/ps/e550/blessing-bentley-celebration-tour-giveaway

Hadassah by Diana Wallis Taylor, Celebrate Lit Tour & Giveaway

Posted on July 10, 2019July 8, 2019 by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

Today my blog is a stop on the Hadassah, Queen Esther of Persia Book Tour and Giveaway. Could anyone use a $20 gift card to Starbucks and a surprise book? Well, be certain to register at the end of the blog and daily at the other stops. Now, let’s talk book!

My Thoughts:

I love Biblical fiction if it aligns with scripture and this one does. “Hadassah, Queen Esther of Persia,” is a 302 page paperback Biblical Fiction by author Diana Wallis Taylor. The first thing that drew me in was the absolutely gorgeous cover. From now on that is how I will picture Queen Esther.

Author Taylor has a style that was pleasant but did not seem consistent throughout the book. The beginning read more like a novel for teenagers or older girls. It was enjoyable but a little slow and stripped down. Then after a few chapters it picked up a bit. For me, I could not become emotionally invested in this novel. The writing was nice, details were accurate, but it lacked feeling.

The familiar bible story of Esther has been written into an excellent fictional account. The author did her homework and provided accurate details. She researched Hadassah in scripture, the Persian Empire and its culture, and the Greek/Persian War. This helped her fill in the blanks to the story. She penned a mesmerizing love story about a beautiful Jewish girl and a pagan king. The result was a wonderful book that made Hadassah more real while keeping true to scripture.

I would recommend it to anyone that enjoys Biblical Fiction. After the story are pages of author notes and about the author. There are no Discussion Questions which is a shame because this would be a great church reading group selection. I rated it 4 out of 5 stars. A copy was provided by Celebrate Lit but I was under no obligation to post a review. These are my own thoughts.

About the Book

Book: Hadassah

Author: Diana Wallis Taylor

Genre: Christian Historical Fiction

Release date: July 2, 2019

One of the great heroines of the Old Testament, Hadassah was a beautiful, graceful young woman who put her faith in God and her guardian, her cousin Mordecai.
She dreams of marrying Shamir, a tall, handsome, studious young man who is the rabbi’s son. Her heart beats faster when she hears the sound of his deep voice as he reads the Torah. And she hopes that he will visit Mordecai soon to present a betrothal request.

Then, an upheaval in King Xerxes’s palace changes everything. Queen Vashti has been banished and an edict goes out for all qualified young virgins throughout the empire to be taken to the palace as he searches for a new queen.

Fear strikes in the hearts of many, including Mordecai, as he realizes Hadassah will be taken. To hide her identity as a Jew, he tells her to go by the name of Esther. Since he works as a record-keeper at the king’s gates, he can keep tabs on how she is doing.

Hadassah: Queen Esther of Persia imagines what life was like for the woman who saved her people—and perhaps found love in the process.

Click here to purchase your copy!

About the Author

Diana Wallis Taylor was first published at the age of twelve, when she sold a poem to a church newsletter. After receiving her B.A. in Elementary Education at San Diego State University, she was an elementary school teacher for twenty-two years. Diana has also sold real estate, opened two coffeehouse/used book stores, and was a conference director for a private Christian college.
She has an extensive portfolio of published works, including a collection of poetry; an Easter cantata, written with a musical collaborator; contributions to various magazines and compilations; and several books, including Lydia, Woman of Philippi; Mary, Chosen of God; Ruth, Mother of Kings; and Halloween: Harmless Fun or Risky Business?

Learn more at www.dianawallistaylor.com.

Read an Excerpt

Besides the usual vendors, there were strange, sweaty men with beady eyes who were looking to get rich from the additional population.

In the wee hours of the morning, while Mordecai sat with his head in his hands, silently praying, Jerusha stopped breathing, slipping away so quietly that Hadassah thought she was still sleeping.

One day, to the people’s relief, the news was spread that the unwelcome banquet guests had been ordered back to their provinces—to prepare for war.

Instead of bowing, Hadassah smiled unabashedly and gazed directly at the king, who at that moment had turned his head.

“Do not give your name as Hadassah, but tell them it is Esther, which is a Persian name. I would have you hide your Jewish heritage for now.”

She felt their eyes silently appraising her; some with open interest, some with sympathy, and others with calculating shrewdness.

Esther asked each maid gentle, innocuous questions about her homeland, favorite foods, culture, and the like, listening attentively to their answers and making sure to speak to them by name both to let them know they were important to her and also to help her remember who was who.

“If you maidens help me to be my very best when I am called to the king’s chambers, if he honors me by selecting me as his queen, I will not forget you, who helped to put the crown on my head.”

Esther had seen some of the women pass her quarters so laden with jewelry they could hardly walk. She wanted to laugh out loud, but suppressed even a smile.

Recognition came. “Ah, the maiden in the crowd. I thought about you many times.” He moved closer. “I remember your hair, like a cloud around your face.”

Blog Stops

Back Porch Reads, July 4

Retrospective Spines, July 4

Hallie Reads, July 4

My Devotional Thoughts, July 5

Through the Lens of Scripture, July 5

For The Love of Books, July 5

Fiction Aficionado, July 6

The Becca Files, July 6

For Him and My Family, July 6

EmpowerMoms, July 7

Madeline Hope, July 7

Locks, Hooks and Books, July 7

A Baker’s Perspective, July 8

Godly Book Reviews, July 8

Moments, July 8

Stephanie’s Life of Determination, July 9

Book Bites, Bee Stings, & Butterfly Kisses, July 9

Emily Yager, July 9

Aryn the Libraryan, July 10

Purposeful Learning, July 10

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, July 10

Through the Fire Blogs, July 10

Lights in a Dark World, July 11

Mary Hake, July 11

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, July 11

Splashes of Joy, July 12

Simple Harvest Reads, July 12 (Guest post from Mindy Houng)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, July 12

Bigreadersite, July 13

Pause for Tales, July 13

Texas Book-aholic, July 13

Creating Romance, July 14

A Good Book and Cup of Tea, July 14

janicesbookreviews, July 14

Older & Smarter?, July 15

She Lives To Read, July 15

A Reader’s Brain, July 15

For the Love of Literature, July 16

Just the Write Escape, July 16

Inklings and notions, July 16

Henry Happens, July 17

Hebrews 12 Endurance, July 17

Little Homeschool on the Prairie, July 17

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, July 17

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Diana is giving away a grand prize of a $20 Starbucks card and a surprise book!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/e5a0/hadassah-celebration-tour-giveawa

Married to a Stranger Book Tour & Giveaway

Posted on July 9, 2019July 4, 2019 by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

Welcome to my blog and the Married to a Stranger Celebrate Lit Book Tour. Author Laura V. Hilton has penned another spectacular novel that is featured here. The giveaway is a $20 Starbucks card (yum) and a surprise book, so be sure to enter at the bottom.

My Thoughts:

“Married to a Stranger” is Book Three in Laura V. Hilton’s Amish of Mackinac series. It can be read as a stand-alone with no confusion. The other two books are so captivating you will want to read those, also. This is a compelling Christian Amish Romance novel that was a page turning wonder.

Author Hilton has written a book that is filled with life lessons. Telling the truth, forgiveness, starting over, faith, truth in God, obedience, and caregiving are just a few in this God glorifying story of love and family. From the beginning I was drawn into the story. Never did the story drag or get boring, but it held my interest throughout the entire book.

The characters were realistic. Each one had a unique personality. They were all well described and relatable. I loved the descriptions of Amish life, especially the cooking. The author writes in such a way the tempting aromas almost waft off of the pages.

This is the tale of Bethel. She has had an unwanted suitor after her. Each one of his past girlfriends ends up missing so she is cautious and fearful of him. Through a series of events she ends up marrying Gideon, a widower in another district. He lives with his parents, sister, and his infant son.

This fascinating story is filled with mystery, intrigue, romance, danger, inspiration, and faith. Author Hilton is a fabulous storyteller and writes page turning, do no put me down books. I enjoy her clever descriptive wording and smooth dialogues. She has a way of transferring emotions from the characters to readers and making them unforgettable.

This is definitely a Christian book. I didn’t need to search to see that. That is so important if a book is classified as Christian. I learned more about the Amish. That is another thing important to me. Gleaning information from a book is such a bonus.

I highly recommend this Amish novel to everyone that is a fan of Amish stories. It would also be good for those wanting to explore this genre or that like romance and family books. It is a beautiful story with many life lessons to discuss. I rated it 5 out of 5 stars. A copy was provided by Celebrate Lit but I was not obligated to write a review. These are my own words.

Click here to purchase your copy.

About the Book

Book: Married to a Stranger

Author: Laura V. Hilton

Genre: Christian Amish Romance Fiction

Release date: July 2, 2019

He marries her out of need. She marries him to escape. What does love have to do with it?

When her father falsely accuses a stranger of dishonoring her, Bethel Eicher finds herself promised in marriage to a man she’s never met. Not exactly a dream come true, but since she has spent several years caring for her handicapped mother, she’s already considered an old maid at twenty-five—and she longs to escape her lonely life as permanent caregiver.

When newly-called Amish preacher Gideon Kaiser learns he’s been accused of a dishonorable act, he’s horrified. But his wife died in childbirth and his baby needs a mother, so he figures marrying a woman he’s never met could be beneficial.

How can Bethel and Gideon possibly make their marriage work—especially when the truth behind the accusations is revealed?

About the Author

A member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, Laura V. Hilton is a professional book reviewer for the Christian market, with more than a thousand reviews published on the Internet.
Laura’s first series with Whitaker House, The Amish of Seymour, includes Patchwork Dreams, A Harvest of Hearts, and Promised to Another. In 2012, A Harvest of Hearts received a Laurel Award, placing first in the Amish Genre Clash. Her second series, The Amish of Webster County, consists of Healing Love, Surrendered Love, and Awakened Love, followed by a stand-alone title, A White Christmas in Webster County. Laura’s last series, The Amish of Jamesport, includes The Snow Globe, The Postcard, and The Birdhouse. Prior to Married to a Stranger, Laura published Firestorm, Love by the Numbers, The Amish Firefighter, and The Amish Wanderer.

Previously, Laura published two novels with Treble Heart Books, Hot Chocolate and Shadows of the Past, as well as several devotionals.
A member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Laura earned a business degree from Ozarka Technical College. She and her husband, Steve, have five children and make their home in Arkansas. To learn more about Laura, read her reviews, and find out about her upcoming releases, readers may visit her blog at http://lighthouse-academy.blogspot.com/.

Read an Excerpt

He marries her out of need. She marries him to escape. What does love have to do with it?

He’s falsely accused of dishonoring her. She longs to escape her father’s household. Can they make their forced, arranged marriage work?

“Gideon, choose love. Not loss.” Lizzie gave a quiet sigh and then her eyes rolled back in her head.

“It’s a lie.” Bethel straightened. “Whoever he described has never touched me. Nobody has.”

Either he marry the woman who’d accused him of sexually assaulting her—a woman he had nein recollection of ever meeting, not to mention the fact that he had never touched any woman besides his beloved frau—or his name would be dragged through the mud for a sin he hadn’t committed, a sin for which he’d be forced to kneel and confess.

It wouldn’t do any gut to ask der Herr for this stranger—what was his name, anyway?—to be nice to her, because it seemed apparent Gott hadn’t heard one word of her endless prayers over the last few days. Either that, or He callously chose to disregard her requests.

It was probably the only wedding nacht in history during which the groom had hidden in the basement and raged, huddled upon and beneath a pile of blankets for warmth—warmth that never seemed to reach his core—before he cried himself into a fitful sleep.

At least, with this situation being handled directly between Gideon and both their fathers, with nein preacher or bishop involvement, none of the potentially damaging dirty laundry was hung out to dry.

The condemning stares from Gideon’s family members seemed to bore into Bethel’s back the entire time she prepared their breakfast and then washed the dishes.

She should’ve packed her bags and run away instead of going through with the wedding. Which was probably what her sister had done, kum to think of it.

He could see the hurt and bewilderment lingering in her eyes, as if she still didn’t fully realize how she’d gotten here, or why her father had chosen to believe an old widower over his own dochter.

Bethel’s first time changing Elam’s diaper didn’t go as badly as she’d feared. Lying on the changing table in his bedroom, the boppli waved his feet in the air and blew bubbles at her, completely winning her heart.

Blog Stops

The Avid Reader, July 2

Through the Lens of Scripture, July 2

Maureen’s Musings, July 3

Among the Reads, July 3

Emily Yager, July 3

Random Thoughts From a Bookworm, July 4

D’S QUILTS & BOOKS, July 4

For The Love of Books, July 4

EmpowerMoms, July 5

Book Bites, Bee Stings, & Butterfly Kisses, July 5

Bigreadersite, July 6

Through the Fire Blogs, July 6

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, July 6

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, July 7

Life of a travelers Wife, July 7

Texas Book-aholic, July 7

Daysong Reflections, July 8

Stephanie’s Life of Determination, July 8

Mary Hake, July 8

Blossoms and Blessings, July 9

Britt Reads Fiction, July 9

janicesbookreviews, July 9

Carla Loves To Read, July 10

Reading Is My SuperPower, July 10

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, July 10

For Him and my Family, July 11

Moments, July 11

A Reader’s Brain, July 11

She Lives to Read, July 12

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, July 12

Older & Smarter?, July 13

Inspiration Clothesline, July 13

Locks, Hooks and Books, July 14

Pause for Tales, July 14

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, July 15

Little Homeschool on the Prairie, July 15

Inklings and notions , July 15

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Laura is giving away a grand prize of a $20 Starbucks Card and a surprise book!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter. https://promosimple.com/ps/e594/married-to-a-stranger-celebration-tour-giveaway

LuLu’s Cafe Celebrate Lit Book Tour and Giveaway

Posted on July 8, 2019July 1, 2019 by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

To My Thoughts:

Author T.I. Lowe has created a novel that has a character I wanted to befriend It did not take long to become invested in Leah and feel some of her her emotions. The first part of the book was difficult to read and tore at my heartstrings. Then the book lightened into a more fun, romantic tale. I was captivated by this contemporary fiction early and it kept me interested until the end.

The characters are realistic. I am sure we all have friends like most of the. They are relatable and well described. It was easy to fall in love with Leah and want to be her friend. There are too many characters to mention that I loved.

The author has filled this book with humor, twists and turns, and life lessons. Subjects tackled are relevant and timely. Spousal abuse and rape, fear, terror, forgiveness, new beginnings, friendships, truth, helping others, and hope are just a few of the topics in this novel. I did find it light on the faith and inspirational side, but it wasn’t altogether missing.

One of the things I really enjoyed was how food, healthy and junk, was incorporated into this story. This was done in a nonchalant, easy way that should plant seeds of healthy choices and lifestyles. Loved that!

Because of the abuse, I would not recommend it to everyone. A friend of mine in a somewhat similar situation declined reading the book saying it would bring back too many memories. This is for a very selective reader. I enjoyed it but thankfully have no history of being abused.

There are discussion questions at the end of the book. With the right group of people this would be a great group read. I wanted to discuss it with people. A copy was provided by Celebrate Lit but I was under no obligation to write a review. These are my own opinions. I give this book a 4 star rating.

About the Book:

Book: LuLu’s Cafe

Author: T.I. Lowe

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Release date: June 4, 2019

When a damaged young woman is given a chance to reclaim her life in a small South Carolina town, she must reckon with the dark secrets she left behind in order to accept the love she deserves.

On the run from a violent past, Leah Allen arrived in tiny Rivertown, South Carolina, battered and broken, but ready to reinvent herself. By a stroke of fate, Leah is drawn to the Southern hospitality of a small café, looking for a warm meal but finding so much more. Lulu, the owner, offers her a job, a place to stay and a new lease on life. Through Lulu’s tenacious warmth and generosity, Leah quickly finds herself embraced by the quaint community as she tries to put herself back together. Given she’s accustomed to cruelty, the kindness is overwhelming.

Soon Leah meets Crowley Mason, the most eligible bachelor in town. A lawyer and friend of Lulu’s, Crowley is wary of Leah’s sudden, mysterious arrival. Despite his reserve, something sparks between them that can’t be denied. But after all she’s been through, can Leah allow herself to truly love and be loved, especially when her first urge is to run?

Exploring the resiliency of both the heart and the spirit, Lulu’s Café gorgeously illustrates how old scars can finally heal no matter how deep they seem.

Click here to purchase your copy.

About the Author

T. I. Lowe is a native of coastal South Carolina. She attended Coastal Carolina University and the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, where she majored in psychology but excelled in creative writing. Go figure. Writing was always a dream, and she finally took a leap of faith in 2014 and independently published her first novel, Lulu’s Café, which quickly became a bestseller. Now the author of ten published novels with hundreds of thousands of copies sold, she knows she’s just getting started and has many more stories to tell. A wife and mother who’s active in her church community, she resides near Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, with her family.

Read an excerpt of LuLu’s Cafe

The building was a two-story redbrick structure with expansive windows along the first floor’s front and sides. Each set of massive windows was shaded with sprawling royal-blue awnings, which were decorated with vibrantly painted sunflowers and whimsical white letters spelling out Lulu’s Café across the remaining space. It looked inviting from the outside. Peering into the window, Leah could see that the café was bustling with customers. Outside the café, the sidewalk was lined with wrought-iron tables and chairs. Every table was occupied with customers chatting as they sipped steaming mugs of coffee.

The sign for the store hours indicated that, Monday through Saturday, the café opened at six each morning and closed at two each afternoon, and it was closed on Sundays. Leah found the hours a bit odd. Most restaurants served dinner and were open on Sundays too, or so she thought. She reminded herself that she was in a new environment and that the customs from the West Coast probably wouldn’t apply here.

The café had its fall decorations on display as well. Large planter boxes overflowed with giant yellow and orange mums. One had a wooden sign sticking out from the middle declaring, Happy Fall, Y’all.

Leah was beginning to think the place was too happy and, more importantly, too busy for her liking, when she spotted a vacant four-person table right inside the door. She made her way in and slipped into the chair closest to the window. She deliberately faced away from the entrance, hoping not to draw much attention. Once she was situated, she noticed that the back of the café was made up of a large butcher-block counter that housed a bakery case full of treats on the right. The remainder of the counter was lined with half a dozen stools, with customers perched on each one. Leah noted approvingly that the tables and chairs were a variety of mismatched shapes and sizes stained in the same mahogany tint. She liked the relaxed, unpretentious atmosphere.

Leah watched a petite lady behind the counter serving up coffee and laughs. Her stomach began to rumble at the fragrant smells whirling around her, so she turned her attention to the menu resting on the table. Turkey sausage, turkey bacon, egg-white omelets, whole grain breads and cereal, fresh fruit . . .

Leah blinked at the odd menu. She gazed around at the customers enjoying their healthy meals. Her heart had been set on a stack of pancakes and greasy bacon. She studied the bakery case but found no donuts hiding.

“Humph.” She went back to studying the menu.

“I didn’t keep you waiting too long, did I?” A Southern drawl interrupted Leah’s thoughts.

Leah looked up to find the petite lady with a perfectly coiffed silver bob smiling at her. She was so short that she was nearly eye level with a seated Leah. Her clear gray eyes seemed to bubble with hospitality. Leah instantly liked the woman and gave her a slight smile, being careful not to stretch her bottom lip.

“Well, you gonna keep giving me that sweet smile or are you gonna order something?” the lady asked in a teasing voice.

Leah pointed at the bright-orange cursive L embroidered thickly on one of the lady’s apron pockets. “Please tell me you’re Lulu.”

“Of course I’m Lulu. Why do you ask?” Lulu smoothed her ruffled apron, which swam in a variety of rich blue swirls.

“You match the happiness of the place perfectly,” Leah said.

“Well, that’s the nicest thing someone has said to me today. What can I get you?”

“Coffee and whatever you recommend.”

Lulu gave her a wink and strolled back to the kitchen.

Blog Stops

Back Porch wwwwwwahhReads, June 29

Godly Book Reviews, June 30

Daysong Reflections, July 1

Inklings and notions, July 1

Retrospective Spines, July 2

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, July 2

Quiet Quilter, July 3

For Him and My Family, July 4

The Becca Files, July 4

Maureen’s Musings, July 5

Through the Fire Blogs, July 5

The Becca Files, July 6

Ashley’s Bookshelf, July 7

janicesbookreviews, July 7

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, July 8

Remembrancy, July 9

Reader’s Cozy Corner, July 10

A Reader’s Brain, July 10

Pause for Tales, July 11

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, July 11

Living Life Free in christ, July 12

Texas Book-aholic, July 12

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, T.I. Lowe is giving away a grand prize of a $25 Amazon gift card and a copy of LuLu’s Cafe!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter. https://promosimple.com/ps/e4f3/lulu-s-cafe-celebration-tour-giveaway

Happy Birthday America! Patriotic Desserts for All!

Posted on July 4, 2019July 3, 2019 by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

Happy 4th of July to you and Happy Birthday to America! This is the 243rd birthday for this country of ours. The United States of America is the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave. Each year on this day we celebrate by throwing a big birthday party!

What are you giving America this year? Peace, harmony, and respect might be on her list. She deserves all three and much more.

Usually the party ends up being a picnic or pool party. Family and friends gather from near and sometimes far to celebrate living in the extraordinary country. We celebrate freedom, our freedom. Summer is in full swing. The weather is hot with the nights warm. Fireworks light up the skies to celebrate.

When my family gathers to celebrate we usually have a pitch-in. Does yours? We have some favorite dishes and try to make at least one patriotic dessert. What are some that you make? Here are a few from our recipe box:

Recipe for above:

Take any flavor of cookie dough and spread in the Pampered Chef round white stone. Bake according to directions for a big cookie. Let cool. Frost with white icing and decorate with red, white, and blue M&M’s.

Below:

The following is a luscious, light dessert that pleases everyone. It looks gorgeous, too.

Flag Red Velvet Cakes:

These Red Velvet Flag cakes are really a hit at the party. They are easy to make and eat! Kids and adults love them. They work for more than Flag Day.

Today is about much more than red, white and blue desserts, fireworks, and picnics. Far more. It is about freedom, liberty, and justice. Blood was shed so that we might live free. Never take that for granted. Our forefathers planned and organized to make certain this would be the best land for them and their descendants. Their blood was given for it.

While you are celebrating the birthday of this land that I love today, please lift this country, her leaders, and her protectors up in prayer. They need our prayers daily now just like our founding fathers prayed for them. Our country and each one of us needs God. Let’s start with prayer. That would be a precious birthday gift for America.

No Ocean Too Wide by Carrie Turansky Book Review

Posted on July 3, 2019July 2, 2019 by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

“No Ocean Too Wide” by Carrie Turansky is a Christian romantic historical fiction based on true events. It is Book One in the McAlister Family Series. This was a compelling novel that I could not put down! There is no way I can do it justice with just a few words.

My emotions took a roller coaster ride with this book. I became enraged, shocked, joyful, elated, saddened, scared, hopeless and then hopeful as the feelings from the characters jumped from the characters into me.

This is a story set in England in the early 1900’s. It centers around the McAlister Family which has a mother, seven year old Grace, fourteen year old twins Katie and Garth, and twenty year old Laura. As tragedy befalls the family with the mother in the hospital, the children are separated from each other and their mother.

The characters are well described and believable. Each one has a depth that makes him or her come to life on the page. There is even a rich, handsome hero! The conversations sound authentic for the era and location. The descriptions took me to a time and place that I had never been.

Author Turansky did impeccable research. I had never heard of this before in all my reading and studies. I was stunned and livid to learn that children were sent from England to Canada, orphaned or not. In fact, at times I wished this was not based on a true story. However, I could not stop reading this captivating tale.

The writing is exquisite. The book flows at an even pace. It isn’t sluggish or hurried. The author has a style that made this book easy to read and not want to put down. It is quite the page turner. I eagerly await Book Two.

I highly recommend this poignant novel. It has stayed with me long after reading it. I keep thinking of all of the poor children in similar situations. The Christian element is definitely present. Themes of faith, family, God, helping others, and hope are woven throughout this emotional, beautiful story. I rated it 5 out of 5 stars. I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley but was under no obligation to write a review. These are my own thoughts.

Yours Truly, Thomas by Author Rachel Fordham

Posted on July 2, 2019June 29, 2019 by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

My Thoughts:

This was an absolutely spectacular book. I devoured it from cover to cover in one evening. Yes, I stayed up all night just to finish this beautiful tale of love, intrigue, mystery, family, secrets, and honesty. Author Rachel Fordham has a talent which can only be given by our maker. Her skill is heavenly.

From the beginning I was invested in this book. “One hundred percent, let those dishes pile up, no I don’t want to watch television, sorry I forgot to fix dinner, tell her I will call her back” invested. The book had me mesmerized and I was trapped willingly in Azure Springs. Pages flipped and I couldn’t wait to see what would happen next. There is mystery, romance, adventure, a lovable rambunctious standard poodle, and a cast of quirky characters. Characters from other Azure Springs books spring up and I was thrilled. I would ask my husband “Oh, guess who just came to visit Penny?” He would good heartedly play along and send his best wishes.

The author has researched her subject well. This is a brilliant idea for a book. I was able to learn something about the Dead Letter Office. There is scripture, prayer, and references to God. I love this, too. If your classification is Christian fiction, put the Christians in the book, please. The big old lovable unruly dog was a very sweet part of the story.

The writing was exemplary. I felt like I was back in Azure Springs among old friends and making new ones. Conversations flowed gently and naturally. They never seemed rushed, but very authentic. The bad guys were very bad and easy to dislike. There are twists and turns to keep you on your toes and your interest piqued until the very last page.

All while reading this sure to be an award winning book, I kept thinking, this would be the best movie. It really would with the unique story, big muddy dog running amok, a quaint town with unique individuals, and mysteries. I kept changing the cast as I continued to read. Faces finally came together with characters and voila, I was ready to rally for a movie. I bet you will be, too. Let me know who your pick would be for some of the celebrities to play people from this book. I would love to hear.

Yes, I highly recommend this book to anyone. I rated this literary jewel 5 out of 5 stars. I was provided a copy from the publisher but was under no obligation to write a review. These are my own, honest words.

About the Book:

For three years, Penny Ercanbeck has been opening other people’s mail. Dead ends are a reality for clerks at the Dead Letter Office. Still she dreams of something more–a bit of intrigue, a taste of romance, or at least a touch less loneliness. When a letter from a brokenhearted man to his one true love falls into her hands, Penny seizes this chance to do something heroic. It becomes her mission to place this lost letter into the hands of its intended recipient.

Thomas left his former life with no intention of ending up in Azure Springs, Iowa. He certainly didn’t expect a happy ending after what he had done. All he wanted to do was run and never look back. In a moment of desperation, he began to write, never really expecting a reply.

When Penny’s undertaking leads her to the intriguing man who touched her soul with his words, everything grows more complicated. She wants to find the rightful owner of the letter and yet she finds herself caring–perhaps too much–for the one who wrote it.

About the Author:

Rachel Fordham has long been fascinated by all things historical or in the words of her children “old stuff”. Often the historical trivia she discovers is woven into her children’s bedtime tales. Despite her love for good stories she didn’t attempt writing a novel until her husband challenged her to do so (and now she’s so glad he did). Since that time she’s often been found typing or researching while her youngest child naps or frantically writing plot twists while she waits in the school pick-up line. In addition to her passion for storytelling she enjoys reading, being outdoors and seeing new places. Rachel lives with her husband and children on an island in Washington state.

“Bipartisan Love” Celebrate Lit Tour & Giveaway

Posted on July 1, 2019July 1, 2019 by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

My Thoughts:

This is an older Contemporary or newer historic Christian romance written by author and storyteller extraordinaire, Caryl MacAdoo. The reason I say older is it is set right after the assassination of Bobby Kennedy. While that might not seem historic to me, it actually is.

Bipartisan Love is another delicious serving of God glorifying fiction from author MacAdoo. It is a different type of story and I loved every bit of it. The author’s down home honest style of writing draws me right in from the first page and keeps me until the story is finished. This was filled with emotions, life lessons, faith, humor, and of course romance.

The author has researched her material well. The characters were delightful and very realistic. Each seemed like someone we would know. Conversations were saturated with colloquialisms, making them even more authentic. With the author’s vivid descriptions I felt like I was in the middle of the story myself.

This is the story of Cynthia and Cody, high school sweethearts. It is a tale of forgiveness, trusting God and His timing, starting over again, betrayal, love, and second chances. It is about faith, family, and friends.

I highly recommend this delightfully written novel. It gets a rating of 5 out of 5 stars from me. A copy was provided by Celebrate Lit but I was not required to write a review. These are my own honest words.

About the Book:

Book: Bipartisan Love

Author: Caryl MacAdoo

Genre: Historical Christian Romance

Release date: June 20, 2019

Don’t lean to your own understanding. Acknowledge God in all your ways, and He will direct your path.

Does time truly heal a broken heart?

Cody thought it had until she walked into the diner like she owned the world and back into his life as if she owned him.

Can betrayal ever be completely forgiven?

Cindy thought it could until she saw him with the bleached blonde. Her Cody!

Separated eighteen years, Cody Wayne Buckmeyer and Cindy think they can put the past behind them and work toward a common goal, a congressional seat . . . but is that possible?

About the Author:

Praying her story gives God glory, award-winning, best-selling author Caryl McAdoo loves revisiting beloved characters in her novels. And her readers are glad she does! She’s blessed that her titles earned over fifty-percent 5-Star ratings and eighty-five to ninety percent 4 & 5-Stars! With forty-four novels (thirty-four in the last four-and-a-half years), it’s obvious she loves writing, but singing the new songs the Lord gives her also rates high. (Listen to a few at YouTube.)

Married to Ron, her high school sweetheart, she counts their four children and eighteen grandsugars life’s best blessings. The McAdoos live in the woods south of Clarksville, seat of Red River County in far Northeast Texas, waiting expectantly for God to open the next door.

More from Caryl:

I totally enjoy revisiting characters from previous stories! That’s one reason I love writing ‘Family Sagas” like the Texas Romances that has ten full length novels and Cross Timbers Romances with two books and counting! The third launches this coming September.

In BIPARTISAN LOVE, we get to spend time again with the Buckmeyers—Travis and Emma Lee from Texas Romance Book Ten CHIEF OF SINNERS. My heart could barely leave these dear people after book ten, so I’ve written a few “Companion Books” (five and counting 😊) that go with the Texas Romance series—either going back to meet ancestors or forward for their descendants or just more stories with the characters you already love.

Readers first met Cody Buckmeyer and his kissing cousin (by marriage) best friend Cynthia Kramer as pre-teens in SON OF PROMISE. In that story, Emma Lee, so longing to be a mom, gets her heart’s desire in Cody, her husband’s son she’s never known about. The two youngsters became fast friends, but Cindy went overseas when LBJ gave her father an ambassadorship.

It’s been eighteen years, and Cody’s engaged to another. After her letters stopped, he gave up all hope. A liberal Democrat, Cynthia comes home after working in Hubert Humphries’ losing bid for the presidency, and wants Cody, a conservative Republican, to run for a Congressional seat with her as his campaign manager!

How’s this supposed to work?

Blog Stops:

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, June 24

Godly Book Reviews, June 25

Simple Harvest Reads, June 26 (Spotlight)

For Him and My Family, June 27

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, June 28

Connect in Fiction, June 29

Power of Words, June 30 (Spotlight)

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, July 1

Just the Write Escape, July 2

Texas Book-aholic, July 3

Artistic Nobody, July 4 (Spotlight)

janicesbookreviews, July 5

A Reader’s Brain, July 6

Inklings and notions, July 7

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Caryl is giving away

Grand Prize – $50 Gift Amazon Card

1st Prize – Signed, Paperback copy of CHOICE of all my books

2nd Prize – Signed copy of Bipartisan Love

3rd Prize – eBook copy of Bipartisan Love

and

4th Prize – eBook copy of CHOICE of all my books!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter. https://promosimple.com/ps/e4f6/bipartisan-love-celebration-tour-giveaway

Andrew by Author Jennifer Beckstrand Celebrate Lit Book Tour and Giveaway

Posted on June 30, 2019May 15, 2019 by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

Hello! Today is my stop on Celebrate Lit’s book tour and giveaway for Jennifer Beckstrand’s new Amish book “Andrew, A Lesson in Love”. It is Book One in her new series the Petersheim Brothers. Not only will you learn about the book, the author, her thoughts, the tour stops, and the giveaway, but the author has included a recipe for you. It sounds yummy! Let’s begin…

My Thoughts

I always enjoy a nice Amish fiction especially when it has an inspirational message. Book one, Andrew, in author Beckstrand’s new series is an absolute delight! This contemporary Amish novel is heavily laced with inspiration and life lessons. It has light romance, humor, a bit of intrigue, and is so well written it is hard to put down.

Author Beckstrand is a storyteller deluxe. The Petersheim Family was filled with older boys (men) and a pair of rambunctious eight year old twins. Paternal grandparents had just moved in adding to the frenzy with an ever “helpful” mother-in-law.

I enjoyed the writer’s style. The pace was great, not rush or sluggish. The conversations sounded authentic. There was plenty of dialog which I like. The characters were so well described I felt like I knew them. My heart went out to Mary and then to Andrew. I could imagine them easily and feel their emotions.

The secondary characters were, well characters! I could see a book being written about many of them. Mammi was a typical mother-in-law wanting to help by setting things up her way. Jerry was a fireman that has a secret, Aunt Bitsy has a bunch of cats and blue hair, and so many others.

This is very entertaining but it is also an inspiration book with life lessons. It deals with choices, hypocrisy, judging, family issues, illness, love, trust, even abortion. Scripture is heavily quoted and mention of what would Jesus do. In fact, a lot of the book discusses the difference in helping someone verses judging them. To say this was a thought provoking read is and understatement. It has stayed with me weeks later.

I was astonished by how forthright the author was in taking on hypocrites. It is a topic everyone should read about and address. This book will give readers a lot to ponder. It might even change some attitudes.

This gets a glowing recommendation from me. Everyone should read this book. I am eagerly awaiting book two and the issues it will tackle. This book gets a 5 out of 5 stars for the lessons it teaches. We should all take them to heart. An Advanced Reader Copy was provided by Celebrate Lit but I was under no obligation to write a review.

About the Book

Book: Andrew

Author: Jennifer Beckstrand

Genre: Amish Romance

Release Date: June 25, 2019

Andrew, Abraham, and Austin Petersheim’s family business has earned them the nickname The Peanut Butter Brothers. But if their matchmaking younger siblings have their way, all three may soon bear another title: husband . . .

Handsome, hardworking, and godly, Andrew Petersheim has always been sure of his place in his Wisconsin Amish community. He’ll be a welcome catch for the local girl who finally captures his heart. Mary Coblenz certainly isn’t that girl. Two years after “jumping the fence” for the Englischer world, she’s returned, unmarried and pregnant. Yet instead of hiding in shame as others in the community expect, she’s working at the Honeybee Farm, ignoring the gossips—and winning over Andrew’s eight-year-old twin brothers . . .

For all Andrew’s certainty about right and wrong, it seems he has a lot to learn from Mary’s courage, grace, and resilience. She’s changing his notions about forgiveness and love, but will she in turn accept the challenge of starting over and choose to stay—with him?

Link to purchase book: https://amzn.to/3029xel

About the Author

Jennifer Beckstrand is the two-time RITA-nominated, #1 Amazon bestselling Amish romance author of The Matchmakers of Huckleberry Hillseries, The Honeybee Sisters series, and The Petersheim Brothers series for Kensington Books. Huckleberry Summer and Home on Huckleberry Hill were both nominated for the coveted RITA® Award from Romance Writers of America. Jennifer has written twenty-one Amish romances, a historical Western, Jessie and James, and the nonfiction book, Big Ideas. She and her husband have been married for thirty-four years, and she has six children and seven adorable grandchildren, whom she spoils rotten.

More from Jennifer

If you enjoyed The Honeybee Sisters, you’re going to love The Petersheim Brothers, or the Peanut Butter Brothers as they’re known in their small Amish community of Bienenstock, Wisconsin. The Petersheim brothers work their small farm and make peanut butter. The idea for The Petersheim Brothers series came when two of my friends and I were creating The Honeybee Sisters Cookbook. My friend Alicia suggested I write a book about Peanut Butter Brothers, and the idea stuck.

One of my favorite characters in my Amish romances is Aunt Bitsy, the irrepressible, unconventional woman who raised the Honeybee Sisters, tried to chase off all their suitors, and then lit fireworks at their triple wedding. In Andrew, the first book in the Petersheim Brothers series, Aunt Bitsy takes in a girl who has jumped the fence and wants to come back to the Amish community to have her baby. Aunt Bitsy is still protecting her dandelions and her bees, still dyeing her hair all sorts of bright colors, and still praying to Gotte right out loud.

Andrew is about forgiveness, second chances, and learning to love. It will have you laughing and crying, and you might just fall in love with two of the most mischievous little boys in Wisconsin. Enjoy.

In honor of the Peanut Butter Brothers, I want to share one of our favorite family recipes. These bars are perfect for picnics, parties, and potlucks. They’re easy and delicious!

Peanut Butter Bars

Cream together:

1 cup butter

1 cup brown sugar

1 cup sugar

Blend In:

2 unbeaten eggs

1 tsp. baking soda

2/3 cup peanut butter

½ tsp. salt

1 tsp. vanilla

Stir In:

2 cups flour

2 cups quick oats

Spread mixture in greased jelly-roll pan or large cookie sheet.

Bake: 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes. Do not overbake. Remove from oven.

Sprinkle on:

1 ¼ cups semi-sweet chocolate chips.

Let stand five minutes.

For peanut butter mixture on top, combine:

½ cup sifted powdered sugar

¼ cup peanut butter

2 to 4 Tbs. evaporated milk

Mix well.

The chocolate chips will melt on the bars. Spread melted chocolate evenly. Drizzle peanut butter mixture on top. Cool completely. Cut into bars.

Blog Stops

The Power of Words, June 26

The Avid Reader, June 26

Moments, June 26

Lighthouse Academy, June 27

D’S QUILTS & BOOKS, June 27

Blossoms and Blessings, June 28

Christian Author, J.E. Grace, June 28

Reading Is My SuperPower, June 29

Bigreadersite, June 29

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, June 30

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, June 30

Genesis 5020, July 1

Stephanie’s Life of Determination, July 1

Inklings and notions , July 1

Maureen’s Musings, July 2

Locks, Hooks and Books, July 2

Christian Bookaholic, July 3

Pause for Tales, July 3

Southern Gal Loves to Read, July 4

For Him and my family, July 4

A Reader’s Brain, July 4

Mary Hake, July 5

Splashesofjoy, July 5

Vicky Sluiter, July 5

Texas Book-aholic, July 6

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, July 6

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, July 7

janicesbookreviews, July 7

Little Homeschool on the Prairie, July 8

Older & Smarter?, July 8

Quiet Quilter, July 9

Jeanette’s Thoughts, July 9

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Jennifer is giving away a grand prize of a $20 Amazon gift card!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter. https://promosimple.com/ps/e57a/andrew-celebration-tour-giveaway

The Brides of the Big Valley Book Review

Posted on June 29, 2019June 29, 2019 by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

The Brides of The Big Valley is a compilation of three Christian contemporary Amish romance stories penned by the three Brunstetter ladies. Matriarch Wanda is joined by daughter-in-law Jean and granddaughter Richelle to produce a delightful fiction book that is unique and engaging. I have never read any Amish stories such as these.

The Amish lifestyle fascinates me and by reading these three books I was able to learn even more about it. Opening this paperback is an Introduction section that describes The Big Valley and Amish there. The three different buggy colors intrigued me. Their language and cooking do, too. The Brunstetter ladies have done their research well and really know the Amish culture. It is evidenced in their well written books.

Each story has believable characters that are true to life. They struggle with life issues such as strife, forgiveness, coveting, and not wanting to accept help from others. Through their tale solutions are given on how to deal with these unfortunate and stressful topics. God is frontmost in each of the three books.

All three novellas are set in an area in Pennsylvania known as Big Valley. There are many Amish here but they aren’t all alike in their beliefs and rules. The three separate districts here range from Conservative to Liberal. Each one has their own color of buggy to distinguish themselves.

Wanda has written the first book, Deanna’s Determination. In this story Deanna is a widow with a young son who has Down’s Syndrome. It is a heart wrenching story that has stayed with me long after I finished reading it. I was a bit bothered by switching between Dad and Daed throughout the book, but it could be a Big Valley practice. I loved the little boy, Abner. There are so many life lessons to be learned in this poignant tale.

Jean took on Book Two, Rose Mary’s Resolve. The common thread between these two books is Elmer. He works for her father. In this tale, Mary Rose is deliberating on her faith and finding a man to help her in her walk. She has been considering jumping the fence over into the Englischer World. It is a wonderful story and filled with faith, decisions, consequences, and inspiration. Jean has a very nice style of writing and knows her Amish, also.

Richelle wraps up the book with Leila’s Longing. Leila has been helping her mother and has done so without complaining. Secretly she yearns for a house and family of her own. Her friends are all married or getting married. She is goes to a singing where young people gather and mingle. Her dilemma is can a strict yellow topper be interested in beginning a relationship and family with someone from a different group?

I would highly recommend this to anyone. If you aren’t certain if you like Amish books, this is a sampling from three excellent authors. Each of the stories is equally entertaining and inspiring. After the novella each author has included a recipe from her story. There are no Discussion Questions at the end, but these would be great book club choices for many reasons. There is heartache, disabilities, and making choices involved in these captivating tales.

After reading these three novella, I am ready for a real trip to Amish Country. This gave me a taste for the real thing! I gladly rate this book 5 out of 5 stars. Each individual story would get a 5, also. A copy was provided by the publisher but these were my own, honest thoughts.

About the Book:

In an area of Pennsylvania called The Big Valley, a uniquely blended Amish community thrives in which three distinct groups of Amish identify themselves by the colors of their buggy’s top—white, black, or yellow. Join New York Times Bestselling Author Wanda E. Brunstetter, her daughter-in-law, and granddaughter in experiencing the stories of three young women who search for faith and love within this special place. Deanna is a widow who sees her second chance of love slipping away. Rose Mary is at a point in life where she must choose the path of her faith and the right man to walk with her on it. Leila is burdened with family responsibilities and wonders when she will ever start a family of her own.

About the Authors:

Wanda Brunstetter

New York Times bestselling and award-winning author, Wanda E. Brunstetter is one of the founders of the Amish fiction genre. She has written close to 90 books translated in four languages. With over 10 million copies sold, Wanda’s stories consistently earn spots on the nations most prestigious bestseller lists and have received numerous awards.

Wanda’s ancestors were part of the Anabaptist faith, and her novels are based on personal research intended to accurately portray the Amish way of life. Her books are well-read and trusted by many Amish, who credit her for giving readers a deeper understanding of the people and their customs.

When Wanda visits her Amish friends, she finds herself drawn to their peaceful lifestyle, sincerity, and close family ties. Wanda enjoys photography, ventriloquism, gardening, bird-watching, beachcombing, and spending time with her family. She and her husband, Richard, have been blessed with two grown children, six grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

Jean Brunstetter

Jean Brunstetter became fascinated with the Amish when she first went to Pennsylvania to visit her father-in-law’s family. Since that time, Jean has become friends with several Amish families and enjoys writing about their way of life. She also likes to put some of the simple practices followed by the Amish into her daily routine. Jean lives in Washington State with her husband, Richard Jr. and their three children, but takes every opportunity to visit Amish communities in several states. In addition to writing, Jean enjoys boating, gardening, and spending time on the beach.

Richelle Brunstetter

Richelle Brunstetter lives in the Pacific Northwest and developed a desire to write when she took creative writing in high school. After enrolling in college classes, her overall experience enticed her to become a writer, and she wants to implement what she’s learned into her stories. Just starting her writing career, her first published story appears in The Beloved Christmas Quilt beside her grandmother, Wanda E. Brunstetter, and her mother, Jean. Richelle enjoys traveling to different places, her favorite being Kauai, Hawaii.