A Path to Forgiveness: Hiding Her Amish Secret by Carrie Lighte and A Widow's Hope by Vannetta Chapman

 Book Details: 

Title:  A Path to Forgiveness (2 Novels): Hiding Her Amish Secret by Carrie Lighte and A Widow's Hope by Vannetta Chapman

Authors: Carrie Lighte and Vannetta Chapman

Publisher:  Love Inspired Amish Collection

Pages:  419

Release Date:   August 23, 2022

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Book Description: 

Can love and forgiveness set them free?

Hiding Her Amish Secret by Carrie Lighte

Arleta Bontrager’s convinced no Amish man will marry her after she got a tattoo while on Rumspringa, so she needs money to get it removed. But taking a job caring for Noah Lehman’s sick grandmother means risking losing her heart to a man who has his own secrets. Might revealing their truths release them from the past…and open up a future together?

A Widow's Hope by Vannetta Chapman

After tragedy claimed her husband’s life and her son’s ability to walk, Hannah King doesn’t want a new man. She has her family, a home and mounting debts. Scarred Amish bachelor Jacob Schrock offers Hannah the job she desperately needs. But while Hannah helps Jacob resolve his accounting issues, can she and her little boy also heal his wounded heart?

About the Author: Carrie Lighte

Carrie Lighte loves hearing from readers and can be found at carrielighte.com or on Twitter.

About the Author: Vannetta Chapman

Vannetta Chapman writes inspirational fiction full of grace. She is the author of over twenty novels, including the Pebble Creek Amish series, Shipshewana Amish Mystery Series, and Plain and Simple Miracle series. Vannetta is a Carol award winner, a Christy finalist, and she also received more than two dozen awards from Romance Writers of America chapter groups. She currently writes Christian suspense, Amish romance, and Amish mystery. She was a teacher for 15 years and resides in the Texas hill country. For more information, visit her at: 

webpage -- www.VannettaChapman.com 

blog -- http://vannettachapman.com/blog

facebook -- www.facebook.com/VannettaChapmanBooks

pinterest -- http://pinterest.com/vannettachapman

instagram -- https://instagram.com/vannettachapman

twitter -- https://twitter.com/VannettaChapman

My Thoughts: Beautiful and Inspirational

I loved this two in one combination of two stories connected by the theme of forgiveness, the first one being Hiding Her Amish Secret by Carrie Lighte, where we meet Arleta Bontrager.  Arleta struggles with guilt from a tattoo that she got during her Rumpshringa. In order to get the money she needs to have the tattoo removed, Arleta takes a job caring for Noah Lehman's grandmother.  Noah struggles with guilt as well, because he has secrets of his own.  Like Arleta, Noah needs money to help him deal with his situation. 

Although they don't know it, Arleta and Noah are two of a kind with their guilt and secrets.  As they get to know each other and as their relationship grows, God’s love, grace, and forgiveness shine through helping them work toward the healing and forgiveness they each need. 

In A Widow's Hope, we meet Hannah King and Jacob Schrock. They are  two souls, each shouldering the weight of pain from their pasts. A very special little boy provides a connection that brings the two together. The story is sometimes sad and painful. Then at other times it makes you smile, laugh, or even hold your breath. But here too, the message of God’s love, grace, and forgiveness shine through.

Both stories are beautiful and inspirational. They are stories of grace, letting go of the past, forgiveness, hope, trust, healing, and finding love. I absolutely loved both stories, and I think anyone who reads them will come away feeling the same way. 

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

An Amish Marriage of Convenience (Surprised by Love Book 4) by Rachel J. Good

Book Details: 

Title:  An Amish Marriage of Convenience

Series:  Surprised by Love book 4

Author: Rachel J. Good

Publisher:  Zebra Books

Pages:  352

Release Date:   August 23, 2022

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Book Description: 

When widower Stephen Lapp moves his five children from New York State to Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, his only plan is to buy his family’s farm stand, Lapp’s Pastured Pork. That way, his brother can move closer to his fiancée and open his own stand. But on Stephen’s first trip to the market, his brave act of kindness nearly ends in catastrophe—until strong-willed Nettie Hartzler saves him—and makes an impression he can’t forget . 

A widow with private heartaches of her own, Nettie has no interest in getting involved with any man, though she doesn’t discourage their respective children’s new friendships—despite Stephen’s contentious oldest daughter. But when Nettie runs into serious money worries and Stephen proposes a marriage of convenience, she’s distressed and conflicted. She’s come to know Stephen’s gentle heart and generous soul, and she can’t believe he’ll want her if she reveals the sins of her past. God has His own plans for the faithful, however, and this time they may include a second chance at love . . .

About the Author: Rachel J. Good

Rachel J. Good is the USA Today bestselling author of inspirational fiction including the Unexpected Amish Blessings series, the Sisters & Friends series and the Amish Popcorn Shop Mysteries. She grew up near Lancaster, Pennsylvania, the setting for her Amish romances, and she frequently visits Amish friends, who help to ensure the accuracy of her novels. In addition to her Amish novels, she's written more than 40 books, including children's educational books, adult nonfiction, and fiction for children and teens under several pen names. A former teacher and children's librarian, Good completed her MA from Vermont College while raising five children and is presently completing her thesis in the Hollins University MFA program. A member of RWA, ACFW, ALA, and SCBWI, Good speaks regularly at civic events, schools, libraries, and conferences across the country. Rachel can be found online at: RachelJGood.com.

My Thoughts: Delightful Story

An Amish Marriage of Convenience, which is the fourth book in Rachel J. Good's Surprised by Love series, is a wonderful addition to the series.  While it can be read as a standalone, I highly recommend you read the entire series.  Each story in the series revolves around the Green Valley Farmer's Market. Therefore some characters, such as Mrs. Vanderbilt, appear throughout the series, and you will also have been introduced to Nettie and Stephen prior to their story in book 4. That little detail is the first thing that drew me to this story as I wanted to see what would become of Nettie and Stephen.

While I thoroughly enjoyed Nettie and Stephen's story, I did struggle just a bit with some of the characters. Nettie is the first one I struggled with. I found her very lacking in the kindness department. However, when I came to understand her struggles and concerns for her and her family, she moved to the likable category. 

The other character I struggled with was Jolene. I know she'd been through a lot from a young age, but the girl was just not nice. Even when things began to improve, Jolene never quite crossed into the nice category the way I would have liked to see her do. However, that didn't take anything away from Nettie and Stephen's story.

As for Stephen, I liked him immediately. My heart went out to him completely. Even with all he'd been through, he was kind, caring and just an all around great person. 

The combination of these characters and overcoming their pasts for a second chance at love made for a very entertaining, engaging and touching story. It was truly a delight to read and I hope you add it to your "to read" pile very soon. 

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley. All comments and opinions are completely my own.

A White Christmas in Webster County (The Amish of Webster County Book 4) by Laura V. Hilton

Book Details: 

Title:  A White Christmas in Webster County 

Series:  Amish of Jamesport #3

Author: Laura V. Hilton

Publisher:  Whitaker House

Pages:  224

Release Date:   August 14, 2014

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Book Description: 

Mercy Lapp is ready for a fresh start. Having lost her fiancé in a fishing accident during his rumschpringa, she escapes the painful memories by moving from her community in Shipshewana, Indiana, to Seymour, Missouri, where she takes a job as a mother’s helper. She isn’t exactly shy, but she’s hesitant to get involved with the youth in the community because she isn’t going to stay. She especially doesn’t want a new romance.
Abner Hilty is excited to see his twin brother, Abram, for the first time in years. The two fled their hometown of Shipshewana when their witness of a murder put their lives in danger, Abner heading to Montana to work on a ranch and hunt big game, Abram meeting a girl in Missouri, marrying, and settling down there. Abner decides to spend the holidays with them in Seymour, but he has every intention of returning to Montana, maybe even for good.
At a chance encounter, Abner is immediately drawn to Mercy, and even more so when he realizes that they’ve met before, back in Shipshewana. Initially alarmed, Mercy soon warms to his attentions. She also branches out and begins attending youth functions, forming new friendships that are solidified during a rare snowstorm. Just when Mercy and Abner are beginning to think about a long-term relationship, Mercy gets a phone call that changes everything. The information would have been welcome months ago, but now that she knows Abner, she’s torn, and she will have to do some serious soul-searching to decide how to act on it.  

About the Author: Laura V. Hilton

Laura V. Hilton is an award-winning author with more than twenty Amish, contemporary, and historical romances. When she's not writing, she reviews books and writes devotionals for Seriously Write.

Laura and her pastor-husband have five children and a hyper dog named Skye. They currently live in Arkansas.

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

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: Only Five?

Sometimes I read a book where I ask myself, "You mean the highest rating I can give it is a five?" And I must say that A White Christmas in Webster County is one of those books. I definitely don't make that statement lightly. It's the truth. Laura Hilton has a way of writing stories that grab you from the very first page, and often times from the first line of the book, as was the case with this story. The first page was funny, silly, endearing, romantic, and definitely peaked my curiosity right off the bat, and made me a fan of Abner Hilty from his very first line in the book. Mercy's reactions to Abner were priceless as she was completely caught off guard by this young man that was so different from any that she had ever met. And thus begins their story.

I so enjoyed how the author unfolded Abner and Mercy's story. I thought I had a few things figured out but the author threw in a few unexpected surprises making the story that much more enjoyable. Laura Hilton is a pro at writing love stories mingled with humor, surprises, and a message of faith, and she hits the mark once again with this book. Although her books in a series can be read as stand alones, I very much enjoyed how she brought back characters from previous books. She blended them in flawlessly to where not having read the past books was not a deterrent in the flow of the story.

So, that being said, A White Christmas in Webster County is a most enjoyable story that well deserves a rating of not only five, but five plus, plus, plus!

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

The Snow Globe (Amish Of Jamesport Book 1) by Laura V. Hilton

The Birdhouse (Amish of Jamesport #3) by Laura V. Hilton

Book Details: 

Title:  The Snow Globe 

Series:  Amish of Jamesport Book 1

Author:  Laura V. Hilton

Publisher:  Whitaker House

Pages:  256

Release Date:   September 26, 2014

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Book Description: 

Esther Beachy enjoys working for an elderly wheelchair-bound woman and her husband. Her clients are pleasant, and their home is far more peaceful than Esther’s, with so many siblings. She only dreads the day when their grandson Viktor will return from the river to take care of some business on the farm. She and Viktor were classmates years ago, and he was an obnoxious flirt who paid attention to every girl but her.A seasoned riverboat crew member, Viktor Petersheim has seen his share of trials. He left the Amish after the death of his parents and siblings in a house fire for which he still feels responsible. Now, after years of working on the Mississippi River, he returns home to help out on the farm—and, hopefully, to repair some of the damaged relationships and broken hearts he left in his wake.
When Viktor returns home, it doesn’t take long for him and Esther to realize their mutual attraction. Even so, their relationship remains as tumultuous as a shaken snow globe. Viktor isn’t the only man with an eye on Esther, and soon it looks as if she’s ready to make a future with someone else. Will the two go their separate ways again? Or will the hand of God work something beautiful out of their angst and agitation? 

About the Author: Laura V. Hilton

Laura V. Hilton is an award-winning author with more than twenty Amish, contemporary, and historical romances. When she's not writing, she reviews books and writes devotionals for Seriously Write.

Laura and her pastor-husband have five children and a hyper dog named Skye. They currently live in Arkansas.

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

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: Beautiful Story

She remembers him as the most annoying bu in school. A flirt. And she would not think about him more than she had to......Not at all.
He remembers her as a thin, gangly girl he'd gone to school with. A few years younger than him. But...., she definitely wasn't a beanpole anymore. Had she always been this pretty?

When I picked up this book, it was late in the evening, so I told myself, "One chapter and that's it for today." Well, that didn't quite work out as planned. Once I got started, I couldn't put it down and one chapter turned into the entire book which I finished in the wee hours of the morning. Well worth it, I might add.

What was it about this book that captured my attention? It is a story of what self placed guilt can do to a person. It is a story of the harm caused by gossip and envy. It is a story of having your whole life planned out for you and not having a say in the matter. It is a story of sadness, joy, love, forgiveness, salvation, and new beginnings. It is a story of what happens when one's world gets shaken up, like a snow globe, and everything just feels topsy turvy and out of control. But eventually, everything settles and falls into place. Laura Hilton weaves all of these elements into the story. Nothing is overdone. The combination is just right. And she definitely knows how to add tender, sweet, romantic, toe curling moments into the story. She is truly a master at it, and it is indeed a beautiful story.

**I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Book Quote via Laura V. Hilton

The Heart of the Mountains by Pepper Basham

Book Details:

Title:  The Heart of the Mountains

Author:  Pepper Basham

Publisher:  Barbour Books

Pages:  322

Release Date:  July 1, 2022 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Book Description:

Can their hearts overcome the darkness of the mountains?
 
To escape a forced marriage, Cora Taylor travels from England to the Blue Ridge Mountains in search of her brother, who is working as a teacher in a mission school. She hopes to find a place where her nursing skills and independent ideas will be accepted and appreciated, but nothing prepares her for the wild mixture of isolation, community, brokenness, and hope within these mountains…or in the person of Jeb McAdams.
 
Returning from the devastation of World War 1 emotionally damaged, Jeb McAdams struggles against the rampant mountain alcoholism to soothe his nightmares. It’s easy to hide within the mountains, or it was, before Cora Taylor arrived. Now, she seems to show up at every turn, bringing her modern ideas, curiosity, and beautiful eyes with her.
 
Bound by their shared war history, the pair develop an unlikely friendship, which unexpectedly hints to something more. But when Cora’s desire to help the women of the mountains crosses an unspoken line, will Jeb be able to protect this feisty flatlander from the wrath of the mountain men or will he end up losing much more than his heart?

About the Author:  Pepper Basham

Pepper Basham is an award-winning author who writes romance peppered with grace and humor with southern Appalachian flair. Both her historical and contemporary novels have garnered recognition in the Grace Awards, Inspys, and ACFW Carol Awards. Her historical romance, The Thorn Healer, was a finalist in the 2018 RT Awards. Her historical romance novels, My Heart Belongs in the Blue Ridge and The Red Ribbon, and her contemporary novels, the Mitchell's Crossroads and Pleasant Gap series, showcase her Appalachian heritage, as well as her love for humor and family. She currently resides in the lovely mountains of Asheville, NC where she is the mom of five great kids, a speech-language pathologist to about fifty more, and a lover of chocolate, jazz, hats, and Jesus.

Connect with Pepper at  http: //www.pepperdbasham.com or connect with her on FB, IG, or Twitter.

My Thoughts: Beautiful and Heartfelt

When a story grabs you right from the start, you know it's going to be great. That is definitely the case with The Heart of the Mountains. The minute I met Cora and realized what brought her to Maple Springs I was all in. Immediately after meeting her, I was drawn into the crash course that was thrust at her as she realized how different her past experiences were to her new reality. Parts of that had me smiling and parts had me holding my breath. It also drew me in even more as I wondered what other new realities Cora would experience. 

Jeb quickly became a very important and special part of her new reality, and I loved getting to know him. He was strong, sweet, caring and just plain wonderful.  Jeb was also Cora's knight in shining armor because he was with her time and time again to help guide her through various situations.  Their interactions  were priceless and added so much to their growing friendship and relationship and made the story that much more enjoyable. 

I was completely amazed at how beautifully author Pepper Basham described the beauty of the mountains and what life was like during that time. It made me feel like I was right there seeing everything and experiencing what the characters were experiencing and feeling. In my humble opinion, The Heart of the Mountains is a beautiful, heartfelt story that will leave its impact on you long after you've finished reading it.  Yes, it's just that good. 

Book Quote:

"Life is hard everywhere." He shrugged a shoulder. "Maybe we can't choose our hard, but we can choose how to live with it the right way."

I received a copy of this book via NetGalley. All comments and opinions are completely my own. 

WHY CAN'T IT JUST BE EASY?

 WHY CAN'T IT JUST BE EASY?

When you receive a harsh word or a reprimand

It doesn't matter if it's substantiated or all for naught

It's not the time to fire back or take a stand

And it's not the time to get angry or distraught

----------------------

This is the time to stop and reflect

This is the time to make sure you don't speak

And this is the time to forgive and forget 

Instead of firing back with an emotional  critique

--------------------------

Even when you struggle and ask why can't this be easy

This is the time to show God's love without feeling uneasy

Just follow His example of forgiving seventy times seven

Maintaining a temperate spirit knowing that your Father in Heaven

 

Sees you and is saying, " Well done, my good and faithful servant,"

"Yours is the reward if you continue to serve Me with fervence."

MGC 02/22/2021 2:29pm

No Voice 

Where, oh where, oh where is my voice

When I express opinions of my choice

They get shut down in an instant

With contradictions that are persistent

Making me feel like my tongue has been cut out

And that you don't want to hear anything I talk about

Your opinion is the only one that matters

Causing me sadness as my heart shatters

Being that my words are not wanted

My mouth will remain closed and my words guarded

Because I no longer have a voice

To speak my opinion or words of my choice.

MGC 08/05/2022 @ 11:50a.m.

The Amish Matchmaker's Choice: An Uplifting Inspirational Romance (Redemption's Amish Legacies Book 6) by Patricia Johns

Book Details:

Title:  The Amish Matchmaker's Choice

Series:  Redemption's Amish Legacies Book 6

Author:  Patricia Johns

Publisher:  Love Inspired

Pages:  203

Release Date:  May 24, 2022 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Book Description:

Even a matchmaker can’t predict true love…

She has to find him a bride

unless she falls for him first…

Widow Adel Draschel refuses to marry again, but that won’t stop her from playing matchmaker for her old schoolmate Jake Knussli. After a decade with the English, Jake’s six-month time limit to marry so he can inherit his uncle’s farm is quickly running out. Finding him the perfect wife won’t be easy…especially when Adel might just be his perfect match.

About the Author:  Patricia Johns

Patricia Johns is the bestselling author of inspirational, sweet romances including The Infamous Amish Trilogy published by Kensington and the Redemption's Amish Legacies series from Harlequin. She lives with her husband and son in Alberta, Canada. Visit her online at PatriciaJohns.com. 

My Thoughts: Wonderful Story

Finding the right someone to share his life with becomes quite the challenge for Jake Knussli, because he only has a few weeks in which to accomplish the task. However, he doesn't have to tackle the task on his own. Widow Adel Draschel has been tasked with the job of finding Jake a match. With Adel's help, Jake is introduced to various candidates. However, he runs into a problem when he realizes that none of the potential matches can hold a match to his matchmaker.

Although I had mixed feelings about the main characters, Adel and Jake, I loved their story. It took me awhile to warm up to Adel and to like her. As for Jake, I liked him right from the start. (Hence the mixed feelings) While I understood Adel's hesitation to be true to her feelings, she tired me out by her constant reminders of why she had to hold back. That being said, waiting to see what would happen with the tug of war with her feelings kept me captivated to the end in wonder of how it would all play out.

As for Jake, I loved how he was up front, honest and true to his feelings. I really enjoyed the banter between him and Adel, especially how he could get a rise out of her, which usually made me smile. (Keep that in mind when you get to the mashed potatoes.)

The combination of romance, humor, seeking God's will, and great characters are just a few of the things that made this story such a joy to read, and I highly recommend that you do just that.

Book Quote:
"I'm praying, Adel," he said quietly. "I pray constantly. but Gott doesn't always give us exactly what we pray for. He gives us what is good for us--and we don't always see the bigger picture."

Sold on Love (A Maple Falls Romance Book 3) by Kathleen Fuller

Book Details:

Title:  Sold on Love 

Series:  A Maple Falls Romance Book 3

Author:  Kathleen Fuller

Publisher:  Thomas Nelson

Pages:  334

Release Date:  August 2, 2022  

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Book Description:

She’s a high-fashion realtor; he’s a low-maintenance mechanic. What on earth could they have in common?

Dressed in designer labels and cruising around town in her red Mercedes, workaholic realtor Harper Wilson presents the picture of success in charming Maple Falls. But Harper’s carefully cultivated image is resting on a shaky foundation. With a sudden drought in sales, she’s starting to see her professional dreams—along with her posh lifestyle—slipping away.

Car trouble brings her to mechanic Rusty Jenkins, and their unlikely friendship is taken to the next level when the laid-back Rusty allows her to give him a makeover for a charity bachelor auction. Harper soon discovers that beneath the town mechanic’s wild beard and grease-stained clothing lies a true Southern gentleman—someone with a kind heart and dreams of his own. Their chemistry is undeniable, but as they get closer, past fears and relationships start to creep in, reminding them of just how much is at stake when carefully constructed facades fall apart.

Maybe their worlds aren’t so separate after all. And maybe covering up who you really are keeps you from discovering what was always meant to be.

About the Author:  Kathleen Fuller

With over a million copies sold, Kathleen Fuller is the USA TODAY bestselling author of several bestselling novels, including the Hearts of Middlefield novels, the Middlefield Family novels, the Amish of Birch Creek series, and the Amish Letters series as well as a middle-grade Amish series, the Mysteries of Middlefield. Visit her online at https://kathleenfuller.com/; 

Instagram: @https://www.instagram.com/kf_booksandhooks/; 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WriterKathleenFuller; 

My Thoughts:  Absolutely Charming

Harper and Rusty's story is absolutely charming! It grabs you from the very beginning and keeps you engaged right to the end.  At first glance, Harper and Rusty, appear to be as different as night and day, with nothing in common.  Harper carries herself with all confidence and is always dressed to the nines, with not a hair out of place. Rusty, on the other hand, is very down to earth and humble, and fashion is the furthest thing from his mind. They share nothing in common with their occupations or much else. However, taking deeper look at each of their stories reveals some likenesses. One of these is the hurt and difficulties they've each experienced with their families. While they don't see it, this shared bond plays a small part in how they somehow become kindred spirits. 

I loved the romance, humor, and everything about Harper and Rusty's story. I also loved the message that I gleaned from it:  People will generally look at what they see on the outside, the clothes the person wears, what occupation a person has, what type of car someone drives, and all sorts of things to make an assumption about a person or pass judgment on them.  However, when you take the time to look and see what's on the inside, what's important to the person, how the person treats others, and so on, that's what truly matters. Not what's on the outside. 

Watching how Harper and Rusty evolved from friendship to more was absolutely beautiful If you want to see how it all plays out, I highly recommend you read and find out for yourself. You won't be disappointed. 

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Building a Future (An Amish Legacy Novel Book 2) by Amy Clipston

Book Details:

Title:  Building a Future

Series:  An Amish Legacy Novel Book 2

Author:  Amy Clipston

Publisher:  Zondervan

Pages:  347

Release Date:  August 2, 2022  

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Book Description:

They both had different plans for their futures . . . until their hearts led them to each other.

Michelle Lantz dreams of marrying and starting a family, and now that she’s been dating Korey for over a year, she thought it was only a matter of time before he proposed. But lately, Korey has seemed distant and is far from the attentive boyfriend she once knew. They’ve spent so much time together that she feels she can’t give up on their relationship, but she begins to question her own feelings as his seem to cool.

Tyler Bontrager is focused on expanding his father’s roofing company so he can take over one day. He throws himself into his work and thinks he’s too busy to worry about finding a wife. He and his brother Korey find themselves continually arguing: Tyler doesn’t approve of how Korey treats Michelle and Korey thinks Tyler is out to take anything that’s his. When Tyler happens to be around when Michelle needs a listening ear, he is startled to realize that he has feelings for Michelle, so he denies them because his relationship with his brother is too important.

But when there’s an accident and lives are at stake, true feelings come to the surface. Is it possible for Michelle and Tyler to put aside their feelings for the sake of their relationships with Korey, or will they find a new foundation on which to build their future?

About the Author: Amy Clipston

Amy Clipston has been writing for as long as she can remember. Her fiction writing "career" began in elementary school when she and a close friend wrote and shared silly stories. She has a degree in communications from Virginia Wesleyan College and is a member of the Authors Guild, American Christian Fiction Writers, and Romance Writers of America. She is the author of the bestselling Kauffman Amish Bakery series with Zondervan, which is part of HarperCollins Christian Publishing. An advocate for organ and blood donation, Amy donated a kidney in 2011 at Johns Hopkins Hospital. Through her donation, her husband received a second kidney transplant. Amy and her husband matched another couple and swapped kidneys with them. Amy's memoir, A Gift of Love, will be available in early 2014. She hopes her story inspires others to become organ and blood donors. Amy lives in North Carolina with her husband, two sons, mother, and four spoiled rotten cats. You can find her on the web at www.AmyClipston.com or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AmyClipstonBooks.

My Thoughts: Pleasant and Enjoyable

Sometimes, a story takes me on such an emotional roller coaster that I feel I might end up saying too much and giving it all away. Such is the case with Building a Future. Yes, it took me on an emotional roller coaster, but that tugged me right into a connection with the characters which made me enjoy the story that much more. 

I felt for Michelle who had been dating Korey for over a year, and yet he failed to commit in moving toward the next step, marriage.  I also felt for Korey. Although he was not my favorite and definitely needed to grow up, but he also was in a tough spot with how to communicate his true feelings with Michelle. Enter Tyler, my favorite character. He wanted to do the right thing by his family, Michelle, and his plans for his future, which was not an easy place to be. Through it all, there were family issues to contend with as well as how to be true to their hearts and following God's will for their lives. This combination makes Building a Future a very pleasant and enjoyable read. 

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.