Book Tour & Giveaway, The Amish Midwife’s Secret by Rachel J. Good

Posted on December 3, 2018December 1, 2018 by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

My Review of The Amish Midwife’s Secret:

It is no secret I like to read Amish fiction. Lately there have been books in various genres about midwives and healing. I enjoy those also. This book was especially enjoyable because it had all of those.

Author Rachel J. Good knows about the Amish culture. She has researched it and has friends that are Amish. That is one reason her books are authentic to their way of life. This author has an easy way with words. Her characters are well rounded and described. I felt as if I knew Leah, Kyle, and the old doctor. I was invested in the story early.

The story was organized written, organized, and planned so that there were a few twists. I wanted to keep reading and longed to visit Amish country again after finishing this delightful book. Christian inspiration was sprinkled throughout along with life lessons. It is a sweet romance.

I would recommend it. It earned a 4.5 out of 5 stars from me. I received a copy from Celebrate Lit. All opinions are my own, honest ones.

About the Book

Book: The Amish Midwife’s Secret

Author: Rachel J. Good

Genre: Inspirational Amish Romance

Release Date: November 27, 2018

“A beautiful story of forgiveness and second chances.” -Shelley Shepard Gray, New York Times bestselling author

They won’t see eye-to-eye until they meet heart-to-heart…

Kyle Miller never planned on becoming a country doctor. But when he’s offered a medical practice in his sleepy hometown, Kyle knows he must return… and face the painful past he left behind. Except the Amish community isn’t quite ready for Kyle. Especially the pretty midwife who refuses to compromise her herbal cures and Amish traditions with his modern medicine…

The more Leah Stoltzfus works with the handsome Englisch doctor, the more she finds herself caught between the expectations of her family and her own hopes for the future. It will take one surprising revelation and one helpless baby in need of love to show Leah and Kyle that their bond may be greater than their differences… if Leah can find the courage to follow her heart.

Click here to purchase your copy!

About the Author

rachel good Inspirational author Rachel J. Good writes life-changing, heart-tugging novels of faith, hope, and forgiveness. The author of several Amish romance series, she grew up near Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, the setting for many of her stories. Striving to be as authentic as possible, she spends time with her Amish friends, doing chores on their farm and attending family events.

Rachel’s Amish series include Sisters & Friends (Charisma House/Harlequin), Love & Promises (Grand Central), Hearts of Amish Country (Annie’s Book Club), and Surprised by Love as well as several anthologies—Springs of Love, Love’s Thankful Heart, Plain Everyday Heroes—and the Amish Quilts Coloring Books.

Guest Post from Rachel

The Amish and Herbal Remedies

As many of you know, my Amish novels are based on real life. I get ideas from hanging around Amish friends, hearing their stories and observing their lives. I’d never invade their privacy by telling their stories exactly as they happen, but the things I learn trigger plot ideas.

I’ve always been fascinated by the way the Amish approach healing. Once thing I’ve learned is that, although they’re usually willing to visit doctors, they don’t always take the medicines that are prescribed. Instead, they often substitute herbal remedies. That, and several visits to one of my favorite Amish natural products stores, gave me an idea for one of the conflicts in The Amish Midwife’s Secret.

Leah, an Amish midwife, prefers herbal remedies. Of course, that puts her in direct conflict with Kyle, the new Englisch doctor in town, who only believes in science and traditional medicine. Put the two together and lots of sparks fly. Of course, some of those sparks are also of a romantic nature.

Leah is not only a midwife, but her family owns a natural products store. She knows the best herbs for healing. Rather than sending a small boy to the hospital for pneumonia, Leah covers the baby’s chest with a warm mixture of onions and other herbs and spices (some Amish friends prefer raw onion for congestion), and she feds the baby fresh pineapple juice for his cough.

As a doctor, Kyle is horrified. He wants to admit the baby to a hospital at once. And he expects the old country doctor he’s replacing to back him up. Instead, Dr. Hess informs Kyle that many of the Amish go to doctors for a diagnosis, but then rely on herbal treatments rather than prescriptions.

Kyle, who’s been debating about whether to stay in Amish country or move to a big-city hospital, decides to remain in Lancaster and make it his mission to prevent the Amish midwife from harming newborns and their mothers. He certainly doesn’t expect to have his eyes opened to other ways to handle illnesses. But he has to admit, Leah’s methods do seem to work. When a crisis comes, they soon discover that it takes both of them to save a baby.

***

A extra little secret: Those of you who get my newsletter already know this, but Kyle in The Amish Midwife’s Secret appeared in two earlier books. The Midwife story stands alone, but if you want to know more about Kyle and Emma’s past, you can find it in the Sisters & Friends series, Book 1, Change of Heart, and Book 2, Buried Secrets.

Blog Stops

Among the Reads, November 27

Christian Bookaholic, November 27

KarenSueHadley, November 27

The Avid Reader, November 28

A Baker’s Perspective, November 28

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, November 28

Genesis 5020, November 29

Reading Is My SuperPower, November 29

cherylbbookblog, November 29

Because I said so- adventures in parenting, November 30

Bigreadersite, November 30

Quiet Quilter , December 1

Blossoms and Blessings, December 1

Bibliophile Reviews, December 2

Britt Reads Fiction, December 2

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, December 3

Captive Dreams Window, December 3

Cafinated Reads, December 4

Chas Ray’s Book Nerd Corner, December 4

Carpe Diem, December 4

Maureen’s Musings, December 5

Christian Author, J.E. Grace, December 5

Janices book reviews, December 6

D’S QUILTS & BOOKS, December 7

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, December 7

For the Love of Literature, December 7

Inklings and notions, December 8

Jeanette’s Thoughts, December 8

Moments, December 9

Random Thoughts From a Bookworm, December 9

Texas Book-aholic, December 9

Miss Tinas Amish Book Review, December 10

The Becca Files, December 10

Vicky Sluiter, December 10

Giveaway

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To celebrate her tour, Rachel is giving away a grand prize package of two faceless Amish dolls and an autographed copy of The Amish Midwife’s Secret and Plain Everyday Heroes!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries! Click the link below to enter. https://promosimple.com/ps/d66f/the-amish-midwife-s-secret-celebration-tour-giveaway

Giveaway Book Tour Love’s Christmas Blessing

Posted on November 16, 2018November 11, 2018 by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

My Review:

Are you an Amish fan like I am? Reading about their lifestyle takes me away to a world I wish I could live in but know I cannot. I am too much of a modern conveniences girl. The family and friendship bonds are enticing to me as are many other things.

These two novellas were charming. In the first one, Winter’s Treasure by Laura Hilton, we meet birthday girl Paris, her friend Sarah, and newcomer Quil. I loved the way Paris’ father celebrates her birthday. It was a new one for me and I wish I had known about something like this when my kids were growing up.

This story is about true friendship, jealousy, and forgiveness. It has a nice message which anyone will appreciate.

The second novella is Mistletoe and Miracles by Rachel J. Good. It is the story of Daniel Graber and his father, who is recovering from a broken hip. We meet Fern and her young daughter Lyddie. The characters are relatable and likable. In this tale it shows how a young girl can make friends and overcome sadness. We also see how her mom might love again.

I enjoyed both of those novellas. They were short reads and very charming. I preferred the second just a little bit more. This gets a 4 out of 5 star rating and definite recommendation from me.

I received a copy of this book from CelebrateLit. These are my own honest opinions.

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About the Book

Book: Love’s Christmas Blessings

Author: Laura V Hilton, Rachel J Good

Genre: Christian Fiction, Amish, Christmas

Release Date: November, 2018

Publisher: Celebrate Lit Publishing

Winter’s Treasure

Paris Kauffman believes she is about to embark on her family-tradition birthday treasure hunt, but for the first time ever, her daed is sending her to various businesses and homes in the community. Little does Paris expect that when she enters the bakery to collect her gift, the bus will drop off none other than her old crush, Aquila Stutzman, the man she’d done everything except cartwheels and handstands to get his attention. And failed. Of course, Quil doesn’t remember her.

Quil was offered employment working on his grandparents’ new tree farm in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Since he’s recovering from a broken heart when his longtime girlfriend Priscilla up and married his cousin, a move Quil never saw coming, he decides to take the job. This will give him time to separate himself from the hurt and maybe, eventually, move on.

Paris and Quil have sparks from the beginning, especially since his appearance causes a vicious rivalry between friends. But who can resist when a chance meeting beginning with donuts and coffee ends with a missing person, puppies, a skunk, and a sleigh ride—not to mention a trip the Amish young people plan to Niagara Falls. Could it also involve falling in love?

Mistletoe and Miracles

Daniel Graber has spent years caring for his aging parents. Now Daed’s in rehab with a broken hip and a bad case of irritability. He snaps at the workers and complains about doing physical therapy, so Daniel is grateful for the new aide, Fern Chupp, who uses her sweetness and charm to convince Daed to cooperate. Turns out, Daed isn’t the only one she charms.

As a widow, Fern is grateful for her new job at Fairview Rehab Center, even though it meant relocating to Ephrata, Pennsylvania, with her nine-year-old daughter, Lyddie. But Lyddie is grieving the recent death of her grandfather and dislikes leaving her Ohio home. Lyddie’s shyness also makes it difficult to make friends orh recite school lessons.

When her class goes to the rehab center to interview patients, Lyddie’s too scared to do her assignment, so she runs away. During the hunt for her missing daughter, independent Fern learns to accept and appreciate Daniel’s help and support. By the time they discover Lyddie, she’s made a very unusual friend, and Fern and Daniel have developed a friendship. Can four lonely heart create special bonds to make it a Christmas to remember?

Click here to purchase your copy!

About the Authors

Laura V. Hilton is an award-winning, sought-after author with over twenty Amish, contemporary, and historical romances. When she’s not writing, she reviews books for her blogs, and writes devotionals for blog posts for Seriously Write.

Laura and her pastor-husband have five children and a hyper dog named Skye. They currently live in Arkansas. One son is in the U.S. Coast Guard. She is a pastor’s wife, and homeschools her two youngest children.

When she’s not writing, Laura enjoys reading, and visiting lighthouses and waterfalls. Her favorite season is winter, her favorite holiday is Christmas.

rachel good Inspirational author Rachel J. Good writes life-changing, heart-tugging novels of faith, hope, and forgiveness. The author of several Amish romance series, she grew up near Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, the setting for many of her stories. Striving to be as authentic as possible, she spends time with her Amish friends, doing chores on their farm and attending family events.

Rachel’s Amish series include Sisters & Friends (Charisma House & Harlequin), Love & Promises (Hachette/Grand Central), Hearts of Amish Country (Annie’s Book Club), and the forthcoming Surprised by Love (Kensington). She also has several anthologies in print as well as the Amish Quilts Coloring Book.

To learn more about Rachel, visit her at www.racheljgood.com.

Coconut Potato Fudge Recipe:

Ingredients:

1/2 cup plain, mashed potatoes, either instant or one medium potato, cooked

1/8 cup finely chopped (or crushed) almonds (optional)
3 cups powdered sugar
1 cup shredded coconut
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
3 ounces semi-sweet baking chocolate
give3 tablespoons butter

Instructions:

Beat powdered sugar and coconut into warm potatoes; then add the vanilla extract and almonds.

Press into a lightly-greased 8-inch square pan; set aside.

In a saucepan over low heat, melt chocolate and butter, stirring occasionally. When melted, pour over top of the potato mixture.

Refrigerate until set and then cut into squares.

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Blog Stops

Vicky Sluiter, November 11

The Avid Reader, November 11

Bigreadersite, November 11

Among the Reads, November 12

Wishful Endings, November 12

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, November 13

Britt Reads Fiction, November 13

Reading Is My SuperPower, November 14

Maureen’s Musings, November 14

Quiet Quilter, November 15

Blossoms and Blessings, November 15

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, November 16

Jeanette’s Thoughts, November 16

Random Thoughts From a Bookworm, November 17

Through the Lens of Scripture, November 17

Bibliophile Reviews, November 18

Splashes of Joy, November 18

D’S QUILTS & BOOKS, November 19

Mary Hake, November 19

Miss Tina’s Amish Book Reviews, November 20

Just the Write Escape, November 20

Moments, November 21

Bukwurmzzz, November 21

Blogging With Carol, November 22

Texas Book-aholic, November 22

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, November 23

Janices book reviews, November 23

Carpe Diem, November 24

A Baker’s Perspective, November 24

Giveaway

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To celebrate the tour, Celebrate Lit Publishing is giving away

Grand prize of $25 Amazon gift card

1st place: Paperback copy of Love’s Christmas Blessings

2-4th place: eBook copy of Love’s Christmas Blessings!!

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/d8a0/love-s-christmas-blessing-celebration-tour-giveaway

Book Review: The Christmas Remedy by Cindy Woodsmall & Erin Woodsmall

Posted on October 10, 2018October 5, 2018 by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

The Christmas Remedy by rauthors Cindy Woodsmall and Erin Woodsmall is a charming 198 page Amish Christmas book. The Woodsmall authors do a wonderful job of mixing contemporary Amish and what they call Englisch (us) cultures in this story. The sweet romance is a also a mystery. So we have a contemporary Christian Amish romantic mystery. What a great combination!

Their writing style is like opening the door into another place. I gladly glide on in and stay, making many friends while I am there. It was easy to become invested in this book. I did within the first few pages. It was difficult to put the book down until I had finished it. I felt like a kid wanting to stay on vacation a few more days. The characters were too likable to just leave.

This is the tale of Amish young woman Holly Zook. She works in the town pharmacy. After a medical issue her boss’ son, Brandon, comes home. These two characters are well defined and true to life. I met Brandon’s father, Lyle, the beloved pharmacist. A helpful chicken farmer, Josh Smucker. There were too many characters to name. All distinct and likable or perhaps not.

This book taught me some things I did not know. One of my three favorite things in a book. Teach me something. It also had a God glorifying message. Check. I wasn’t sure about that one, but good things come to those that wait. The last is I want to feel like I am there. I did. Obviously these wordsmiths know what they are doing and do it quite well.

The Christmas Remedy was a tad predictable but that did not make it any less enjoyable. There were issues touched that effect most all of us. Family, forgiveness, loving others as ourself, helping, healthcare awareness, and envy are a few of those topics.

I truly enjoyed this Christmas book. There were friendship, blossoming love, caroling, health fair, smores, family gatherings, and good Amish food. It received 5 out of 5 stars from me, especially for the strong closing message. This would be a great stocking stuffer for the reader on your list. Buy one for yourself. You will enjoy traveling to Amish country during the holidays while sipping cider in front of your fireplace.

I received a copy of this from Waterbrook and the authors. All opinions are my own, honest ones.

Preorder your copy

We don’t want you to miss Cindy Woodsmall‘s upcoming Christmas Novella. Pre-order today and we’ll send you Where Treetops Glistens for free!! Stock up in time for Christmas reading!

Pre-order today >> https://bit.ly/2QQ4TLR

Find a Book Friday: Ours for a Season by Kim Vogel Sawyer

Posted on August 31, 2018 by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

If you are like me, you enjoy reading novels about different times, places, and ways of life. These fiction books provide information, and I always learn something. In author Kim Vogel Sawyer’s Ours for a Season, I was taken into a small part of the Old Order Mennonite world. It is part Amish but with a modern touch. In this novel, you will find a lot more depth than a normal fiction book. This is not your typical Amish or Mennonite story. It deals with real life issues in heavy doses. Anyone will be captivated with it.

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In Ours for a Season we meet Old Order Mennonite husband and wife, Anthony and Marty Hirschler. They are part of a small close knit community in Pine Hill, Indiana. They have lost a child and have not been able to have any other children. Doctors have confirmed they will not have any others. Each deal with this loss in a different way. Anthony pours himself into his construction business. Marty is battling depression and yearns for a child. She struggles with living in a community where children are so important as are large families. Their marriage is a bit rocky.

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Brooke Spalding, is a childhood friend and reconnects with Marty. She offers the Hirschlers an opportunity to get away from Indiana which they hope will mend their fragile relationship. Brooke has ulterior motives. This journey is a roller coaster one filled with twist and turns, mystery, faith, intrigue, action, hope, and love.

All of the characters in this exceptional book are so well conceived. It is easy to become invested in their lives. They come alive on the pages. The author has done a wonderful job with tackling so many issues we face in today’s life. Tough, heartbreaking issues. The message of redemption, trusting and turning to God is in the forefront of this hauntingly beautiful, power story. There is no confusion about whether or not this is a Christian novel. It absolutely is.

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I completely loved this emotionally charged story. It pulled, not tugged, on my heartstrings more than a few times. The author has done an exemplary job in researching, planning, and writing this novel. Her talent is evident in this “do not stop reading me” book. It drew me in within the first few chapters and I was hooked. Completely hooked.

This is a definitely yes, 5 star recommended book from me. With the issues broached I would lean toward teenagers and up as it might be too much for tweens to handle. The storyline is too good to share any more and ruin experiencing it for yourself. As I read this page turner, I kept saying WOW. Yes, it is a wow read that you need to experience yourself. Then find sometime to discuss it. Maybe a reading group. 54641D6B-7A59-4296-B104-CBFB182CC7DE

Read a Book Monday: The Hope Jar, a 5 Star Read

Posted on July 23, 2018July 22, 2018 by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

Do you read to feed your mind just as you eat to feed your body? Most people read but like we often eat we don’t consider the “nutritional contents” in reading. Today I have a book that will nourish your mind. No junk food in it at all. It is a clean Christian Amish novel that is engaging, thought provoking, provides information, inspiration, and even recipes. Are you interested? Great, I will tell you more.

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New York Times Best Selling author Wanda Brunstetter has penned a new series entitles The Prayer Jars. Book One, The Hope Jar, is a delightful 311 pages that will transport readers between the modern Englisch world and modern Amish world. The book is much different than any other I have read by author Brunstetter. Her writing style hasn’t changed but the story and information given has. This book was extremely well thought, planned, and organized as well as well written.

The book centers around an elderly Amish couple, two twenty something young women, and two young men. Many tough topics are tackled in this fiction work. Things in which we can all relate are presented in these pages such as family issues, parental rules, teenage and young adult disobedience, death, deceit, lies, abuse, dishonesty, betrayal, and someone struggling with faith. It would be an injustice to divulge much about the plot. Reading it and discovering this delightful story on one’s own is much better.

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The characters are lovely and some despicable. The author does a great job defining them and rounding them so that we come to love or really dislike them. I became invested in their lives and emotions. Certain situations were relatable either first hand or through a friend. Dialog flows smoothly and some Amish words are slipped in with definition. Readers will learn a few Amish or Pennsylvania Deutsch words by the end of this book. Much information on the Amish is provided. It would be the perfect book for someone wanting to know the what’s and why’s of Amish life.

After the story, readers will be delighted to find recipes that were mentioned in the story. As a bonus there are discussion questions for book clubs or if you want to dig a bit deeper yourself. Author information, a listing of all of the author’s works and a sneak peak at the cover of Book Two, The Forgiving Jar close out this book.

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Definitely I recommend for a variety of reasons. It provides information some readers may not currently know about Amish, farm life, and scripture. Topics broached are tough, real life issues, and someone might need help with their situation. Recipes used or discussed in a book and then given are a favorite thing of mine, and this book follows through with that. Don’t tease me. If you are going to tempt me with making a delicious dish, then please share the recipe. The life lessons and inspirational lessons are phenomenal. Rating this book a 5 out of 5 star is warranted. This reader is eagerly awaiting Book Two. A few of author Brunstetter’s works have been turned into plays. I for one am hoping for a movie next.

A copy of The Hope Jar was provided by Barbour Publishing for my honest opinion. I can and will give no other.