Hunting for a Husband Book Review and Giveaway Celebrate Lit

Posted on August 4, 2025 by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

Hunting for a Husband by author Mindy Steele is an Amish Christian romance. This is book nine in The Heart of the Amish series. It may easily be read as a stand alone. This is both a nice story and very unique.

The characters are believable and relatable. Their words sounded authentic. One of my favorite ones was Mammi Iolene. She was feisty and offered some inspiration to the tale. The writing was smooth and allowed the story to progress at a nice pace. There is a bit of mystery as well as some sweet romance. The author has a surprise or two, also.

This is the story of Leah and Joe. He was in a car accident and is still harboring bitterness about it. He is struggling with his relationship with God. Leah just wants to find someone to love, and she is certain that she won’t. As their friendship goes so does their relation ship with God. This beautiful story is full of Christian and life lessons.

It would make a nice book club selection. There is a lot of material to discuss. I highly recommend Hunting for a Husband. It gets a 5 star rating from me. I thoroughly enjoyed. A copy was provided by Celebrate Lit, but these are my honest words.

About the Book

Book: Hunting for a Husband (The Heart of the Amish Book Nine)

Author: Mindy Steele

Genre: Amish/Christian Fiction

Release Date: July, 2025

Love Is the Bull’s-Eye Leah Aims For

Full of faith, hope, and romance, this series takes you into the Heart of Amish country.

Ten years ago, Joe Shetler took a leap, and it cost him his ability to walk. Accepting that this is God’s will for him, Joe finds his independence running Shetler Outdoors, an archery and outdoors shop.

Leah Wicky moves to Kentucky where her father has set up a deer farm. With a strong desire to marry, she soon sets her sights on Joe who, despite his disabilities, has determination and an easy way about him. A sticky situation finally affords the opportunity for a friendship to form between them.

When the Wickey’s prize buck attracts attention in the community—and attempted poachers—Leah is caught in the crosshairs, and Joe’s fears of inadequacy haunt him when he fails to protect her. A future once bright has dimmed.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Mindy Steele was raised in Kentucky timber country and has been writing since she could hold a crayon against the wall. Steele writes Amish Romance peppered with just the right amount of humor, as well as engaging Suspense, using rural America and the residents as her muse. Steele strives to create realistic characters for her readers and believes in engaging all the senses to make you laugh, cry, hold your breath, and root for the happy ever after ending. A hopeless romantic, with a lyrical pen, Steele wants her readers to find themselves somewhere within her pages. A mother of four and grandmother to a half dozen blessings, Steele enjoys hiking and gardening, coffee indulgences and weekend road trips, and is personally doing all she can to make peanut butter its very own food group.

More from Mindy

The Story Behind the Story

I love thinking outside the box and crafting a story filled with originality as well as taking the common trope and hijacking it to suit my own reading interest. Thankfully readers do too as they continue buying my books. However, none of what I create is mine to claim, as God continues to spark my imagination in the ordinary every day. Hunting for a Husband started with a chance encounter, a few God winks, and ended with lots of research on my part.

Long story short, my husband was commissioned to work on an all-terrain vehicle for a Mennonite gentleman who was disabled. His condition didn’t allow him to drive a vehicle, and his livelihood was quite unique. This gentleman owned and operated an outdoor shop with archery being the center of the focus. Before this book was released he sold the business, but the echoes of his many years remain.

I had the opportunity to meet him. He was funny, informative, and had a beautiful wife and family. I never crossed over to asking his story. It’s his story after all, but everything about the encounters struck a chord in my writer’s brain.

Fast forward a year when I came across an article about deer breeding farms. Don’t ask. You have to be married to an avid hunter to understand why some things pique my interest. And we do have a few deer farms locally. Discovering one of the most well-known deer farms belongs to an Amish gentleman surprised even me.Again, all these little bits collected in my head. It wasn’t until I learned of an Amish man who aligned bows and was an avid hunter that I realized I needed to stop sitting on these thoughts and start writing them.

Thus, the Wickey deer farm was born. This story took me across four state lines, a short novella, and a very detailed and informative conversation with a surgeon!

The Wickey deer farm was first introduced to readers in Leaving Lancaster, a short novella in A Lancaster Amish Christmas. Readers fell in love with the three Wickey sisters, and though the plot twist appealed to readers, Leah deserved to find the same love as her sisters. She wasted so many years on the wrong man. Joe Shetler, after years of accepting his future was set by one boyhood mistake, needed to learn that God is the Author of our lives.

I hope you smile, laugh, and find yourself immersed within these pages of second chances, leaps of faith, and the power of friendship and family.

Mindy

Blog Stops

Texas Book-aholic, July 31

Guild Master, August 1 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, August 1

Simple Harvest Reads, August 2 (Guest Review from Marilyn)

Holly’s Book Corner, August 3

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, August 4

lakesidelivingsite, August 5

The Avid Reader, August 6

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, August 7

Happily Managing a Household of Boys , August 8

For Him and My Family, August 9

Jeanette’s Thoughts, August 10

Cover Lover Book Review, August 11

Fiction Book Lover, August 12 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, August 12

Life on Chickadee Lane, August 13

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Mindy is giving away the grand prize of a $25 Amazon e-Gift card and a print copy of the book!!

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

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf54264

The Flower Quilter Celebrate Lit Book Tour

Posted on October 5, 2023October 5, 2023 by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

The Flower Quilter by amazing storyteller Mindy Steele is Book One in her The Heart of the Amish series. This is a contemporary Christian Amish romance. Within the first few pages I was interested in the delightful story.

This is the tale of Barbara Schwartz, a Kentucky Amish woman, who travels to Shipshewana, Indiana to help her grandparents for the summer. There she meets Melvin Bontrager, an Amish man with a landscaping business. Life is much different in this Amish tourist community.

Barbara is the only one in her family that is at a loss with a needle and thread. She has a plethora of other talents, including a caring heart. Melvin comes with some past baggage. He carries guilt that is misplaced. As the two begin working together, they both start to open up more.

The author did a great job crafting her characters, right down to some unruly children. I loved the humor and twists that were included. The story was well done and had me turning page after page until I had read the book in one sitting.

I thoroughly enjoyed this delightful story. It was full of entertainment, life lessons, as well as spiritual ones. The author taught me some things about the different Amish communities. I highly recommend it. It gets a five out of five star rating from me. A copy was provided by Celebrate Lit, but these are my honest words.

About the Book

Book: The Flower Quilter

Author: Mindy Steele

Genre: Amish/Christian Fiction

Release Date: September, 2023

Barbara Breaks from Amish Tradition to Express Her Artistry

Full of faith, hope, and romance, this new series takes you into the Heart of Amish country.

Barbara Schwartz was born into a family of quilters, but she would rather eat dirt than partake in another quilting frolic or sew on another binding. When her parents send her to Indiana to help her grandmother in her quilting shop, she finds herself amongst a very different community. It’s only one summer and then she will be back in Kentucky where she belongs.

Melvin Bontrager’s world stopped six years ago when his parents died. Now when his only means of providing for his widowed sister and niece is threatened, Melvin finds his landscaping business disappearing too. When spring delivers a newcomer who is immune to his salty moods, Melvin does something he has never done before, accepts help.

What blooms is the last thing Barbara ever expected, and everything Melvin could ever want.Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Mindy Steele is the award-winning author and bestselling author of over a dozen novels and novellas in Christian fiction. Raised in Kentucky timber country, Steele has been writing since she could hold a crayon on the wall and lives in northeastern Kentucky—where many of her stories are set.

More from Mindy

The Story Behind the Story

I’ve connected with many wonderful readers since my debut in 2021 and while attending my first multi-author and reader event in Shipshewana, Indiana, I was blessed to finally meet many of them in person. I connected with my amazing assistant, my Mississippi fishing buddy, and the golden girls who have been with me from the beginning. God handpicked each of these women and I am so thankful he did.

I knew before leaving home I would not be writing about Shipshewana or the touristy areas considering I love our small rural communities, but you know what they say about thinking you know everything. . .

I was charmed at a little Bed and Breakfast and further charmed by Bridgett the owner. After touring the Amish Market and a few other memorable sites, my husband and I spent an afternoon with our dear friends Barb and Mel. Barb insisted I see her favorite place, the Krider Fair Gardens. Being a lover of flowers and gardening myself, I was entranced. I walked over every inch and stored its details in my heart. I even called my mother.

I quickly learned the quilt gardens were signature in Indiana, sprawling along the Pumkinvine Trail and covering multiple counties. From May to September, thousands come to photograph the designs that change each year. There is even an app for that now.

I had learned so much about Amish gardens and greenhouses from my neighbors who had family-owned greenhouses which I wrote about in An Amish Flower Farm.

It was also a no brainer that I would include quilting into the story. I love to quilt, much more than my dear sweet heroine needless to say.

I was especially happy to include the quilt shop, just a block down from The Blue Gate and the owner was thrilled her shop was the inspiration to Anna Beechy’s quilt shop.

Writing about two different Amish communities was a fun challenge made easy thanks to dear friends from both. Especially Anna Mae, the best garden tea maker north of Ohio who never let my questions bother her.

What was most memorable about writing this book over all others?

I had no desk!!!

I love writing about new things not explored yet, and well…my writer heart was ready to start before we even got home. Often, I let an idea percolate a few days, but this story unfolded like a favorite re-run and I knew all the words. It was time to get writing, but suddenly we had covid and hours turned to days and weeks. It was a scary time as my husband struggled with it terribly, but we got through and then Hurricane Ida struck the south and my husband was called up. I decided to travel with my husband and son to deliver Fema Relief.

My family needed me, and I needed to write this book!!! So, in pure Mindy fashion, I packed up my notepads, extra fine tip pens, and did both.

The draft of The Flower Quilter was written in the back of an old semi that leaked like a strainer as we delivered trailers and supplies from Kentucky to the hardest hit areas of Mississippi and Louisiana nonstop for nine days.

I hope to never try that again, but no matter what we encountered, those gardens of Indiana, keep popping up and adding a little sunshine to the chaos around me. God sure knows how to keep beauty in focus when everything gets turned upside down. He also knows how to take our worst traits and turn them into something remarkable.

I hope you love this story and my take on the gardens as much as I did. Thank you for being part of the tour!!! And may God bless and keep you!

Blog Stops

lakesidelivingsite, September 26

The Avid Reader, September 27

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, September 27

Lighthouse Academy Blog, September 28 (Guest Review from Marilyn Ridgway)

Texas Book-aholic, September 28

She Lives To Read, September 29

Locks, Hooks and Books, September 30

Mary Hake, September 30

Connie’s History Classroom, October 1

Christina’s Corner, October 1

The Book Club Network, October 2

Jeanette’s Thoughts, October 2

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, October 3

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, October 4

Books I’ve Read, October 4

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, October 5

For Him and My Family, October 6

Elly Gilbert, October 6

Cover Lover Book Review, October 7

Simple Harvest Reads, October 8 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

Holly’s Book Corner, October 9

Splashes of Joy, October 9

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Mindy is giving away the grand prize package a $25 Amazon gift card and a print copy of the 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/282a3/the-flower-quilter-celebration-tour-giveaway

Christmas Grace Celebrate Lit Book Tour

Posted on November 1, 2021September 26, 2021 by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

Christmas Grace by author Mindy Steele is a poignant Contemporary Amish tale. She is a new author to me and I really enjoyed her style and storyline. The author was able to put a twist on a trial that is often used. It captivated me immediately.

This is the story of Grace. She is sent from her home in Indiana to stay in her aunt’s community in Kentucky. Her father has sent her there to live under her aunt’s supervision. Grace has made a grave mistake and her father will not allow her to remain at home. Grace barely remembers her aunt, and those memories are not of a happy woman.

Author Steele has written a unique plot filled with many twists and surprises. My interest was captured immediately and not released until I read the last page. The characters were a combination of lovable, quirky, and despicable people. Some were so easy to love, and other so easy to dislike. Not only was this a romance, but it had a mystery that had me guessing.

The author skillfully wove timeless life and spiritual lessons all throughout her story. This is a lesson in family, love, forgiveness, redemption, trusting God, and hope. It is about doing the right thing even when it is difficult.

I highly recommend this beautiful, moving story. It will give you all kinds of emotions and things to ponder. This would be an excellent choice for a reading group. I gladly rate it 5 stars. A copy was provided by Celebrate Lit but these are my honest words.

About the Book

Book: Christmas Grace

Author: Mindy Steele

Genre: Amish Romance

Release date: October 26, 2021

Second chances and the Christmas spirit abound in Mindy Steele’s heartwarming novel, one of faith, love, and the power of community.

Grace Miller believed herself in love with the charming Englischer who eventually broke her heart. Now alone except for the secret life growing inside her, she arrives in the unfamiliar small village of Walnut Ridge, Kentucky, to hide and hopefully gain forgiveness. She is pleasantly surprised, however, to find a tight-knit, welcoming group who help her heart grow right alongside her belly. And with the holidays around the corner, there’s plenty of preparations to occupy her mind. Also occupying her mind? Her strong, protective neighbor, Cullen Graber, the town’s blacksmith, who seems intent on not allowing her to ever suffer alone.

Cullen Graber gave up on love after too many losses early in life. He planned to live out his days focusing on his smithy business, yet the beautiful and mysterious Grace refuses to leave his thoughts. But can they open their hearts to God’s grace and create a new family together before Grace must return home?

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Mindy Steele writes sweet Amish fiction as well as romantic suspense. She is an author of 7 novels. The Miller’s Creek Amish series, Christmas Grace, Christmas in Cranberry, His Amish Wife’s Hidden past, and An Amish Flower Farm, releasing 2021. If not gardening or visiting her Amish neighbors, she is on the family farm writing her newest inspiration.

More from Mindy

Behind the scenes with Christmas Grace:

Many are fascinated with the Amish. Their lifestyle, their faith and family. They are talented craftsman, extraordinary bakers, and wonderful stewards of the land. For me, it was their community as a whole. The Amish are some of the best examples of community. How they tend to one another and work alongside each other even without the need of a disaster or tragedy to occur. I didn’t even realize until a close friend who reads my manuscripts pointed it out, but every book I have written thus far has been mostly centered around community. ( I thought that was cool) Walnut Ridge was the first community I ever fictionalized and I still find myself wanting to go back and writing more about the wonderful people who live there.
As an avid reader of Amish fiction I wanted to write a story that wasn’t so…perfect, because none of us are. Grace Miller made a mistake, and finds herself having to face the consequences of that. I think we all can relate somewhat to her. Getting to know the three local communities near me, I find myself drawn more to the imperfect and how they carry on more than the upright and grounded. There is a scene where a group of women share their imperfections with Grace. It became a turning point in her life.
Walnut Ridge, Kentucky is completely fictional, as are all of my book settings currently. I have a love for setting a stage, building a place from the ground up. Although my hero, Cullen Graber was born and raised in Walnut Ridge, Grace Miller was not. Getting to know a character like Grace was a pleasure, but required a lot of research. Although I have seen much of our great country I live less than a half an hour from my birthplace.
Many books and films paint a picture on the meaning of shunning, but it doesn’t happen as often as you think or to the severity portrayed. I met a woman the year this book was wrote and learned a lot from her own personal plight. She had been shunned from her community and never returned, but still speaks to her mother and siblings, often. Grace was shunned for a time in her community, but even after confessing her sin, asking forgiveness and receiving it from her church and community members, her father sent her away from his house out of shame. As a parent to five, there are few times in those teenaged years I wanted to bann a kid or two, but my heart went out to Grace here.
I love creating characters who are realistic and relatable, but also swoon worthy and Cullen Graber is one I have had in my back pocket for a while. The gentle giant, slow to speak, fast to listen, and has a past too. I hope you come to find him as stoic yet imperfect as I wrote him.
There is a scene in the book where Grace finds herself completely alone and facing monsters. (No, I’m not giving out a spoiler here) I have found myself in such a place a time or two as I imagine many have. That moment when fear and bravery collide. This scene was actually inspired by a horrible nightmare while writing Christmas Grace. After reading, I bet you can guess what I’m afraid of.
I am a panster, not a plotter, but even I was shocked that I wrote this book in three weeks while working full time. I have tried my hand at plotting, but find once my characters start to reveal themselves, I have no more control over the story than I did my children’s choice in careers. My process is scary actually, according to Mr. Steele that is. (wink wink) I get an idea, start drafting out characters, setting, and pace or walk for two days while my head figures it all out. Then its pen and paper until that first draft is complete.
When you hear the word Amish, what’s the first thing that comes to mind? Yep, food. I happen to be a food lover and an expert on the subject. Grace found herself unable to work at the job her aunt had set up for her but found she had a purpose, and a place to fit in. We all have a purpose, and a place in our community.
When I first signed with my amazing agent, Julie Gwinn, we both had hopes for the first book I wrote. She had planned on pitching it two months later so there was time to polish it until it shined. Then she called me up and asked me how quick I could write a second book to pitch too, not wanting to simply go in with one book I assume, but I know nothing about the stresses of a agents work. My mother insist this is who I am, the one who best performs under pressure, without time to prep, think. I tend to disagree. But in three weeks Christmas Grace was finished and ready for editing. I have wrote two contemporaries in short time spans, but Grace’s book, my first contracted book, will always be that one I always remember. Mostly because of I ran out of coffee twice, forgot to shower and eat a few days and learned it’s alright to talk to yourself if you really need someone to hear your thoughts. Oh, and the publisher bought a second book too. I can’t wait to share A Cranberry Christmas with you.

Much love, Mindy