The Amish Candymaker by Laura V. Hilton

Book Description:

Agnes Zook finds herself on her own in a small Amish community in Mackinac County after a tragedy kills her family. Most of the Amish call her “off in den Kopf” (strange) since she’s starting her own business and forging her own way in the community instead of relying on the bishop to take care of her. Since she’s viewed as non-submissive and too-forward for an Amish woman, she’s not courted by young men in the area.

Isaac Mast is on the verge of leaving the Amish church. He’s become a sought-after auctioneer and has a thriving business, but he feels confined by the strict rules. When his brother is severely injured in a wild fire, Isaac receives a letter from his sister-in-law, begging him to come to Mackinac County to help out while his brother is hospitalized. Isaac agrees but is unsure how to manage their young children when he has weekend auctions he’s expected to attend.

Agnes may be the answer to a prayer. Sparks fly when she and Isaac meet. But could their differences help them form a deeper connection to their faith...and each other?

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About the Author:  Laura Hilton

Laura V. Hilton has authored more than two dozen books and is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers. She is also a professional book reviewer for the Christian market, with more than a thousand reviews published on the Internet.The Amish Candymaker is Laura’s second book in the Amish of Mackinac County series; the first was Firestorm. Her last series, The Amish of Jamesport, included The Snow Globe, The Postcard, and The Birdhouse. Although not part of that series, her novels Love by the Numbers, The Amish Wanderer, The Christmas Admirer, and The Amish Firefighter also take place in Jamesport.Laura’s first series with Whitaker House, The Amish of Seymour County, consists of 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, includes Healing Love, Surrendered Love, Awakened Love, and A White Christmas in Webster County.Laura and her pastor-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:

lighthouse-academy.blogspot.com
www.familyfiction.com/authors/laura-v-hilton
www.amazon.com/Laura-V.-Hilton/e/B004IRSM5Q
booksbylaura.blogspot.com

My Thoughts:  Fun and Entertaining!

Although I am not an author, I feel it’s safe to say that an author faces many challenges when  creating a story.  They write a quality story whose plot and characters engage and entertain the reader.  Yet, I often read reviews stating that although the book was enjoyable, the characters were not likable.  Sadly, that last part doesn’t do much to encourage one to read the book.  However, I can assure you that as you read The Amish Candymaker, you will not come away complaining about the characters.  Instead, you will find that Agnes and Isaac are two of the most endearing characters you’ve come across in quite some time. 

Agnes is quite a unique character.  She doesn’t quite fit the mold of a typical Amish woman.  She runs her own business.  She’s quirky.  She’s blunt.  She speaks her mind in that if it pops into her head, it’s going to come out of her mouth.  Zero filter.  But, at the same time, she’s extremely caring and lovable.  Then there’s Isaac who is also quite unique. Isaac doesn’t live in one place.  He has a job that keeps him traveling all of the time.  Because he’s never in one place very long, he’s not a member of a particular church.  Instead he attends church wherever he is.  So, when it comes to following the Ordnung and rules of the church, he pretty well marches to the beat of his own drum.  

Together, Agnes and Isaac make quite the pair.  Although these two are fun and endearing, they’re also two individuals full of pain, guilt and scars left behind by events they’ve each had to face in their lives. But through it all, these two are drawn to each other and begin to grow in love for one another. In doing so, they also begin to find their way back to God’s plan for their lives as they receive forgiveness and freedom from the weight of guilt they’ve been carrying for so long.

An engaging storyline, endearing characters, romance, twists and turns, laugh out lout moments (and there were many), as well a message of hope and forgiveness make The Amish Candymaker a fun, entertaining, hard to put down, definite must-read.

Disclaimer: I was given a copy of this book. All expressed opinions are my own.