Matched and Married (An Amish Mail-Order Bride Novel Book 2) by Kathleen Fuller

 Book Description:

Neither Margaret nor Owen has any interest in getting married. But in the small Amish town of Birch Creek, where marriage is on everyone’s mind, their plans don’t stand a chance.

Margaret Yoder can’t seem to catch a break. Even though she’s dedicated to her Amish faith, her wild rumspringa won’t stay in the past, and her mother keeps pressuring her to get married. To placate her mother and get away from former “friends”, she decides to return to Birch Creek to visit family—and pretend to find a husband.

Like Margaret, Owen Bontrager isn’t looking for a spouse, something that’s hard to avoid in Birch Creek, where an ad for brides in the local paper has brought a swarm of single women to the thriving town. When he meets Margaret in an unexpected way, they discover they have more in common than they ever expected. In some ways, they are a perfect match.

Margaret struggles to keep her goal of avoiding romance in order to focus on being a faithful member of the Amish church, and it doesn’t help that she finds Owen intriguing. Knowing they don’t have a future together; she returns home and gives in to her mother’s insistence that she get married.

Can Margaret betray her feelings for Owen and become a dutiful daughter and wife to the man of her mother’s choosing? Or will Owen find a way to free Margaret of her past by giving her the future they both are surprised to find they desire?

About the Author - Kathleen Fuller:

Best-selling author of Amish fiction. Also a wife, mother, crafter, coffee addict, football fan, and chocolate aficionado.

My Thoughts:  A Fun Story

Matched and Married was such a fun story about two people who insist they have absolutely no plan or desire to get married.. And that ends up being the tie that binds Margaret Yoder and Owen Bontrager together. As Margaret and Owen realize that they are in agreement about their feelings toward marriage, they don't realize that they have quite a few more things in common. As they discover these commonalities, the "no marriage" waters begin to get muddied. 

The story had moments that made me laugh, moments that had me holding my breath, and moments that had me reflecting on the importance of faith and forgiveness. That combination is what made this fun and romantic story so entertaining! I thoroughly enjoyed this delightful story, and I highly recommend it.

***I received a complimentary copy of this book from Zondervan through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

An Amish Flower Farm by Mindy Steele

Book Description:

She grows flowers.
He raises bees for honey.
They help each other out,
because that’s what neighbors do…

Belinda Graber loves growing flowers for her family to sell at the Amish marketplace. Venturing beyond the farm to sell them in town, though, is out of the question. People would stare at the birthmark on her cheek, and she’s dealt with enough teasing in her life.

As a beekeeper, Adam Fisher knows how blessed he is to live next door to the Grabers’ greenhouses and fields. But when his father is injured, Adam has to take a job at the local mill. How will he manage the honey harvest?

Adam and Belinda make a deal: if she tends his hives, he’ll sell her flowers in town.

Belinda’s sure that her growing feelings for Adam could never be returned. Meanwhile, Adam can’t help but notice how his shy neighbor charms the bees…or is he the one being charmed? Because his last courtship ended badly, Adam tells himself this arrangement is strictly business, even if Belinda is sweet as honey.

This uplifting Amish romance includes a free Hallmark original recipe for Bee Sting Cake For Two.

About the Author:

Raised in Kentucky timber country, Steele writes Amish Romance peppered in humor, 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, her readers will find something of themselves within her pages.

My Thoughts:

Heartwarming

Belinda has been hurt in the past , Because of this, she tends to be very shy., even with people she's known her whole life.  However, one place where Belinda's shyness disappears is when she's among her flowers. She  loves flowers and desires to have a flower farm one day.  On the other hand, Adam, is not the least bit shy, Well, except when it comes to Belinda. Although Adam has also experienced hurt, it hasn't affected his social skills.  But for some reason, when it comes to Belinda, Adam often finds himself at a loss for words.  While Belinda's passion is flowers, Adam's passion is bees.  And that makes for a very interesting combination.

This was such a sweet and heartwarming story.  I loved Belinda's journey. She grew from a shy young woman to a savvy business owner and business partner. I also loved Adam's journey of healing and dedication. Most of all, I loved their journey together as they went from practically strangers to partners, friends and on from there. Their journey also included a journey in forgiveness, which added a lovely inspirational touch to the story. The mix of romance, humor and inspiration make An Amish Flower Farm  a heartwarming story that should not be missed by anyone. 

***I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.  All comments and opinions are my own.

Christmas Grace by Mindy Steele

 Book Description:

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?

About the Author:

Raised in Kentucky timber country, Steele writes Amish Romance peppered in humor, 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, her readers will find something of themselves within her pages.

My Thoughts:

A Tender Story

Grace Miller finds herself being sent away to live in Walnut Creek, Kentucky.  There she finds a group in the community that takes to helping her with her situation, which surprises and pleases Grace.  Most surprising is the continuous help that her neighbor, Cullen Graber, is always ready to offer. These two seemingly have nothing in common. However, in getting to know Grace and Cullen better, it is obvious that they do have something in common, and that something has to do with forgiveness.  

Although I'm not a newcomer to this genre, I am a newcomer to the works of author Mindy Steele. Therefore, I wasn't sure what to expect. That being said, I found Christmas Grace to be a very tender and touching story. I loved getting to know Grace and Cullen and I loved their story. Some parts had me smiling, some parts almost had me in tears, some were heart wrenching, and some were frustrating. But through it all, the message of love, faith and forgiveness stood out, which also made it a sweet and inspirational read that you are sure to enjoy. 

***I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

A Christmas Engagement by Linda Byler

Book Description: 

Bestselling Amish novelist Linda Byler spins a sweet tale of heartache, disappointment, and ultimately hopes fulfilled at Christmastime.

Liz had been in love once, had even been engaged. In fact, the wedding had been planned, the barn cleaned, and the celery was set to be harvested to make the traditional wedding soup. Just two weeks before the day she was to exchange vows with her beloved, he changed his mind, and that was that.

The humiliation was almost as bad as the heartbreak. The whole community had celebrated her engagement, had participated in the wedding planning, had started giving her advice on keeping a home and raising children. When the wedding was canceled, no one knew what to say. She had to bear the pitying looks and awkward glances for many months. She vowed never to be such a fool again, never to trust her heart to a man who could just up and leave her with hardly an explanation. She'd rather be an old maid than go through that again.

Years pass, and Liz has made peace with her life as a single woman, a "leftover blessing" as the Amish say. She can admit to herself that Matthew, the owner of the Amish restaurant at the market where she works, is handsome. And she is aware that he is single. But she reminds herself over and over that it's not worth feeling anything for the man. He's her boss and that's it. So why does she look forward to work so much every day? And why can't she make her heart beat at a normal pace when he comes near?

About the Author

Linda Byler grew up Amish and is an active member of the Amish church today. She is the author of several bestselling fiction series, all set in the Amish world: The Dakota Series, Hester’s Hunt for Home, Lancaster Burning, Sadie’s Montana, and Lizzie Searches for Love. She is also the author of The Healing, A Second Chance, and several Amish Christmas romance novels. Linda is well known within the Amish community as a columnist for a weekly Amish newspaper. She lives near Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

My thoughts:

A Touching Story

I have always thoroughly enjoyed each of Linda Byler's stories, and A Christmas Engagement is no exception to that rule. 

Main characters, Liz and Matthew, have each had their share of heartache from past relationships, making it somewhat difficult for them to trust and love again. As they work through this, they focus on their faith and God's will to help them move forward.  While the journey has some bumps in the road, they remain steadfast in their faith and God's will.

I found this story to be inspirational, funny, romantic, and touching which made it a very enjoyable read. I also love how author Linda Byler includes pieces of Amish culture which help draw the reader in and give the reader more insight.  I especially enjoy the faith message that is an integral part of the story. She has a special talent for adding all of these components in such a way that is not overwhelming and does not overshadow the main characters' story. Those details are what make A Christmas Engagement a very moving and touching story that I'm sure you'll enjoy. 

***I received a complimentary arc copy of this book from the Author and Publisher through NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

A Season of Change (The Amish Inn Novels Book 3) by Beth Wiseman

 Book Description:

Finding peace means letting go of the past—and embracing the change that is to come. 

Sisters Esther and Lizzie have a new employee, Rose Petersheim, to help them tend to The Peony Inn. But their old matchmaking ways have stayed the same. The sisters focus their efforts on the lovely twenty-five-year-old Rose. Though Rose is witty and outspoken, her nervous chattering makes her the best match for someone calm and good at listening. Someone like Benjamin—the handsome handyman who recently moved to town. 

But when Esther receives an anonymous love letter and flowers, Rose’s love life is no longer the only one capturing the sisters’ attention. As they sleuth around searching for Esther’s secret admirer, they uncover that their grumpy renter, Gus, has a secret of his own that could bring about a difficult change in all their lives. And their continued meddling in Rose’s affairs reveals she, too, is hiding something—an old wound that could threaten her future happiness. 

As Rose, Lizzie, Esther, and Gus struggle to release the weight of their pasts, they discover that although people are complicated, love doesn’t need to be. 

This charming third installment of the Amish Inn series from bestselling author Beth Wiseman is a picture of loss and healing in which forgiveness will prove to be the greatest act of love.

About the Author:

Bestselling and award-winning author Beth Wiseman has sold over two million books. She is the recipient of the coveted Holt Medallion, a two-time Carol Award winner, and has won the Inspirational Reader’s Choice Award three times. Her books have been on various bestseller lists, including CBD, CBA, ECPA, and Publishers Weekly. Beth and her husband are empty nesters enjoying country life in south central Texas. Visit her online at BethWiseman.com; Facebook: @AuthorBethWiseman; Twitter: @BethWiseman; Instagram: @bethwisemanauthor.

My Thoughts:

Beautiful Story!

There is so much I want to say about this book, but in doing so, I feel I’d give too much away. Let me just say that this story is beautiful! I thoroughly enjoyed every bit of it. Beth Wiseman has written a beautiful story. It’s sweet, sad, moving, inspirational, touching, funny, romantic, bittersweet, heart wrenching and so much more. I hope that all of those adjectives don't turn anyone away from reading this wonderful story. Instead I hope the description piques your interest and curiosity and drives you to read it as soon as you can. 

A Season of Change is the last book in Beth Wiseman's Amish Inn Novels series. Although it can be read as a standalone, I highly recommend that you read the entire series. You’ll  be so glad you did!

***I received a complimentary copy of this book from Zondervan through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

A New Love for Charlotte (A Wells Landing Romance Book 11) by Amy Lillard

Book Description:

Renewed faith and happiness await three generations of women in this heartwarming series from Amy Lillard, set in the Oklahoma Amish community of Wells Landing . . .

 

With her daughter newly married, widow Charlotte Burkhart should have been content to find a companion for her later years in Amish widower Glenn Esh. Yet, Charlotte longs for more than life has offered her thus far. When she discovers a baby on her doorstep, the child seems like the miracle Charlotte’s been praying for.  Unfortunately, Glenn doesn’t feel the same way. What’s a single woman aching to experience motherhood once more to do?

 

From the moment Paul Brenneman sees Charlotte Burkhart with a new baby, he senses his lovely neighbor and the sweet child are meant to be. Which is why he offers to marry Charlotte and make her adoption dreams come true. No stranger to heartache himself, the stalwart widower knows second chances don’t happen every day—especially not with a woman like Charlotte, the first woman in a long time who has him taking a leap of faith that happily-ever-after is still possible . . .

 

About the Author:

Amy Lillard is an award-winning author of over forty novels and novellas ranging from Amish romance and mysteries to contemporary and historical romance. Since receiving a Carol Award for her debut novel, Saving Gideon (2012), she has become known for writing sweet stories filled with family values, honest characters, a hometown feel and close-knit communities. She is a member of RWA, ACFW, NINC, and the Author's Guild. Born and bred in Mississippi, she now lives with her husband and son in Oklahoma. Please visit her online at www.AmyWritesRomance.com.

My Thoughts:  A Real Winner 

Charlotte is a widow who lives with her mother-in-law, Nadine. Charlotte has been having difficulty adjusting to various changes in her life. Her daughter’s recent marriage and Nadine’s possible upcoming marriage have Charlotte feeling sad as she faces the prospect of being alone. She is saddened even more when she receives information about further changes that she will have to face. Charlotte continues to struggle with these situations while opening her heart to finding love. 

Just when things seem to be moving along for Charlotte, she receives a very unexpected surprise. A baby is left at her doorstep. The arrival of the baby is a game changer that results in Charlotte having to do some deep digging into her new found love, her faith and God’s will.

I found this story to be extremely heartwarming. Its messages of love, trust, faith, and hope tugged at my heartstrings and completely pulled me in. Any story that can do that is a real winner in my book (no pun intended), and that’s exactly what A New Love for Charlotte is, a real winner. 

*****I received a complimentary copy of this book.  All comments  and opinions and are strictly my own.*****