Amish Wanderer by Laura V. Hilton

                                               

Book Details: 

Title:  The Amish Wanderer 

Series: (The Amish of Webster County Book 3)

Author: Laura V. Hilton

Publisher:  Whitaker House

Pages:  240

Release Date:   February 14, 2017

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Book Description:

Desperate for a Ticket Out

Bethany Weiss is ready to leave town. Tongues haven't stopped clacking in Jamesport, MO, since her daed, the bishop, was admitted to a mental hospital after hurting their small Amish community. But her sharpest wounds Bethany hides from prying eyes, quietly biding her time until she can take a chance at a new life away from Jamesport and away from God.

Searching for a Home

Silas Beiler was kicked out of his own family's home. Dogged by a rough childhood and a family who blames him for each new disaster, he begins hitchhiking across the country, sleeping in barns where he can, working for food when possible; headed for Pennsylvania, in the hope of some stability. 

A Memory of Lemonade

When Bethany spies a man asleep in the hayloft, she first fears the return of an unwelcome suitor. But when it is Silas who turns and speaks, the memories flood back: a happy summer six years ago full of lemonade, long walks, and budding courtship. Now, however, those months of bliss seem naive and idyllic. Will their old love overcome new pain? Or will hurt and rejection continue to haunt their path?

My Thoughts: It will stay with you long after you've read it

Bethany Weiss wants out.  Out of her house.  Out of town.  Away from the wagging tongues.  Away from the problems.  She just wants a fresh start.  Her family has been through so much, but that’s not all.  Bethany also carries the burden of her own share of personal “stuff” that she has to deal with. So, her solution to is to get out and get away, and that includes getting away from God.  

Silas Beiler got out and got away.  Away from his family.  Away from their issues.  And just like Bethany, Silas carries the burden of his own share of personal “stuff.”  So, Silas’ solution was also to get out and get away. However, Silas differs from Bethany in that although he’s trying to get away from many things, God isn’t one of them.   

Silas and Bethany’s story drew me in right from the first page.  Author Laura V. Hilton’s writing has a way of doing that to the point that once you start, you won’t want to put it down until the last word is read. The author is also able to make you feel all of the emotions the characters are feeling, which draws you into the story that much more.   Another element that will draw you in is the reality of the issues the characters dealt with.  Each issue is a delicate one, and one that many authors will not even attempt to tackle.  However, the author flawlessly tackled these sensitive issues with honesty, respect, and tact.  All of this together makes Amish Wanderer a beautiful story of love, faith, trust, and forgiveness, that will stay with you long after you are finished reading it. 

***** I received a copy of this book from the publisher for my honest review.  This review reflects my personal opinions, and I received no compensation for it. 

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Author Biography: Laura V. Hilton

Award winning author, Laura Hilton, her husband, Steve, and their five children make their home in Arkansas. She is a pastor’s wife, a stay-at-home mom and home-schools. Laura is also a breast cancer survivor.

Her publishing credits include three books in the Amish of Seymour series from Whitaker House: Patchwork Dreams, A Harvest of Hearts (winner of the 2012 Clash of the Titles Award in two categories), and Promised to Another. The Amish of Webster County series, Healing Love (finalist for the 2013 Christian Retail Awards). Surrendered Love and Awakened Love followed by her first Christmas novel, A White Christmas in Webster County, as well as the Amish of Jamesport series, The Snow Globe, The Postcard, and The Birdhouse. Other credits include Swept Away from Abingdon Press’ Quilts of Love series. Laura is contracted for another three book Amish series set in the Jamesport area, with the first book, The Amish Firefighter, planned for April 2016.

She has indie published a Christmas novella, Christmas Mittens. 

Laura is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and a professional book reviewer.

Dodging Destiny by Derinda Babcock

Book Description:

Lexie Logan thought she could run from God…but like the Prophet Jonah, she soon faced a storm of epic proportions.

Lexie knows God has called her to the mission field of Guatemala as a missionary’s wife, but she has no intention of obeying. She has her own dreams: she wants to complete a Master’s degree program in music and to play violin for the Topeka Symphony Orchestra. 

As she waits to speak to an advisor, she pillows her head on her arms in the library of Kansas State University in June 2014, and wakes up in the back of a Conestoga wagon in June 1857, four years before the Civil War. Kansas is not yet a state, women do not have the vote, and slavery divides the nation. She is taken in by the Bells, who are homesteading in the newly opened territory. 

While she lives with this family, God teaches her many things about obedience, trust, faithfulness, and love, but the most important lesson she learns is that there is no place in time or space where she can go to run from God, and there is nothing that can separate her from His love. 

When given a second chance, will she obey though there is risk involved, or will she play it safe and settle for second-best?

My Thoughts:

First of all, let me begin by clarifying that I never, ever read science fiction, let alone fantasy.  Ever.  So, I had no idea what exactly I was getting into when I decided to read this book.  All I can say is that I’m glad I gave it a chance.

Lexie Logan is a Christian, but she struggles with her plan and her will vs. God’s plans and God’s will.  This is evident when her fiancé, Lance, tells her about his call to the mission field of Guatemala.  Lexie already has her plans all laid out, and going to the mission field as a missionary’s wife isn’t one of them.  Although she has some mixed feelings about saying no to being a missionary’s wife, Lexie continues on the path of her plans.  While she waits to see an advisor at KSU, she falls asleep in the library and wakes up in a Conestoga wagon in June 1857 with people she has never seen before in her life.  However, the family that finds her, the Bells, are on their way to a new homestead, and although they don’t understand why she’s dressed the way she is and why she’s so different from them, they take her in.  What follows is a journey for Lexie, as well as a journey for the Bells and the others that Lexie comes to know during her time in the past.  

I was completely sucked into the story from the get go.  Once Lexie went back in time, I couldn’t read fast enough to find out what was going to happen.  At first, and for quite some time, I found Lexie to be extremely annoying.  Her reaction to so much of what was normal at that time was over the top.  However, as God continued to allow her to go through certain things, and as He began to reveal things to her, she eventually came around.  And that was what I enjoyed the most…her spiritual journey.  Lexie’s journey had so many lessons about God’s love for us and plans for us.  It was truly wonderful how the author wove all of that into the story, taking the reader along on the same spiritual journey that Lexie and the others went on.  That being said, I not only recommend this book, but I will also be reading the rest of the trilogy.  A big thank you to author Derinda Babcock for helping me find yet another genre to appreciate and enjoy. 

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

About the Author:

Derinda Babcock writes short stories and full-length historical novels (coming 2015). Most are told from the Christian world view.

Surrender to Love by Dr. MaryAnn Diorio

Book Description:

When young widow and life coach Dr. Teresa Lopez Gonzalez goes to Puerto Rico to coach Pilar Sanchez, the granddaughter of her mother’s best childhood friend, Teresa comes face-to-face with her own unwillingness to surrender to God's will for her life. In the process, she learns that only by losing her life will she truly find it.

My Thoughts:

One of the first things I notice about a book is the cover, and this was no exception.  I was immediately drawn in by the cover because the scenery looked very familiar to me.  Once I read the description, I knew I was correct.  This is a book whose setting is Puerto Rico, and that  made the book unique, which is the first thing that drew me to the book.  As I read it, I found that the uniqueness of the setting was just one of the things that made this book so special.

Puerto Rico is called “the island of enchantment” and that is what it turned out to be for Dr. Teresa Lopez Gonzalez.  Teresa’s trip to the island wasn’t planned.  It just sort of came up.  As a life coach, Teresa was invited to Puerto Rico by her mother’s longtime friend, Ramona Sanchez.  Ramona requested that Teresa coach her granddaughter, Pilar Sanchez, who suffered from the grief of growing up without a mother.  Pilar’s father, Marcos Sanchez, was at his wits’ end with how to help Pilar, until a ray of hope came in the form of Teresa.  However, for Teresa to help, she had to leave her comfort zone, aka New Jersey, where she had been “existing” by throwing herself into her work after the unexpected passing of her husband five years earlier.  Once in Puerto Rico, the lives of Teresa, Marcos, and Pilar are thrown together in a way that no one expected.  

And that’s where the story really takes off. There were similarities with Teresa, Marcos, and Pilar.  Each one had suffered loss, and each one dealt with it in a different way.  The common factor of how is expertly woven into a story that combines loss, grief, faith, new beginnings, romance, and a splash of humor, which makes Surrender to Love such a special book.  Throw in some breathtaking descriptions of “the island of enchantment” and you have a lovely story that you won’t want to miss.  

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

About the Author

Dr. MaryAnn Diorio is a follower of Jesus Christ who is passionate about writing compelling and entertaining fiction that transforms lives. Her fiction has won several awards, including the Silver Medal for eBook Fiction in the Illumination Book Awards Program sponsored by the Jenkins Group; First Place in Inspirational Fiction in the 2011 Colorado RWA Heart of the Rockies Contest; and First Place in Inspirational Fiction in the 2011 Space Coast Authors of Romance (STAR) Launching a Star Contest. 

Her latest work of fiction is a novel titled THE MADONNA OF PISANO. It is the first in the trilogy called THE ITALIAN CHRONICLES. 

MaryAnn also writes for children. Her latest children’s book is titled CANDLE LOVE and helps little ones cope with sibling rivalry. TOBY TOO SMALL is a story about a little boy who learns that it's not how big you are on the outside that matters; it's how big you are on the inside.

MaryAnn holds the PhD and the MPhil in French and Comparative Literature from the University of Kansas, the MA in Italian Language and Literature from Middlebury College, and the MFA in Writing Popular Fiction from Seton Hill University. She writes a popular blog titled "Matters of the Heart" (www.maryanndiorio.com/blog) that, like her fiction writing, deals with the deepest issues of the human heart. She also writes a blog for teen girls called Gabriel Girls (gabrielgirls.blogspot.com). In her spare time, she loves to read, paint, and make up silly songs for her grandchildren.

Dr. MaryAnn resides in New Jersey with her husband Dom, a retired ER physician. They are the blessed parents of two wonderful daughters, a fantastic son-in-law, and five rambunctious grandchildren.

You may contact Dr. MaryAnn at the following social media venues:

Website: www.maryanndiorio.com

Blog (Matters of the Heart): http://www.networkedblogs.com/blog/maryanndiorioblog

Amazon Author Central: http://www.amazon.com/author/maryanndiorio

Facebook: http://www.Facebook.com/DrMaryAnnDiorio

Twitter: http://Twitter.com/@DrMaryAnnDiorio

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6592603

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=45380421

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/drmaryanndiorio/

Google+: http://plus.google.com/u/0/+DrMaryAnnDiorio

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/drmaryanndiorio/

A Splash of Substance: Contemporary Christian Romance (Taste of Romance Book 1) by Elizabeth Maddrey

Book Description:

She doesn't vote. He works for a Senator. Is it a recipe for romance or disaster? 

Paige Jackson has always stayed out of politics, leaving it to God to govern the world. She has enough on her plate as the owner of a catering company founded on convictions to buy local, sustainable fare. Jackson Trent works on Capitol Hill for Senator Carson, putting his beliefs in action to help shape national policy. 

Hoping to find high-end clients to keep her business afloat, Paige bids on a contract to cater the Senator’s next fundraiser. Shake-ups in the Senator’s staff leave Jackson grudgingly in charge of the event. After Paige is chosen as caterer, she and Jackson must work together despite opposing beliefs on how God calls Christians to participate in government. As Paige introduces Jackson to sustainable fare, it’s not just the food that piques his interest. 

When Senator Carson becomes front-page news in Washington, Paige is sucked into the whirlwind of scandal. Can Jackson convince Paige he wasn't complicit and win her back or has politics burned his chance at love? 

Book One in a new series of Contemporary Christian Romance from Elizabeth Maddrey, A Splash of Substance is a heartwarming romance that also provides readers a chance to consider their views on the civic responsibility of Christians and sustainable living in the suburbs. 

My Thoughts:

Being that this is the first book I’ve read by this author, I was not sure what to expect.  However, having read it, I know that I’ll be coming back to read more of her works.  

Elizabeth Maddrey’s A Splash of Substance is a very enjoyable romance.  I liked how the main characters were quite different from each other.  On the one hand you have Paige Jackson, owner of a catering company, who isn’t even registered to vote.  On the other hand, you have Jackson Trent, who works for a senator on Capitol Hill.  That alone puts them on opposite ends of the spectrum, but as the saying goes, opposites attract.  However, it doesn’t happen over night and I enjoyed the way their relationship evolved from work associates, to friendship, and then to romance instead of immediately to romance.  I also enjoyed how they each embraced different viewpoints on issues that they originally didn’t see eye to eye on.  All of this added more to the realism of their relationship.

The author also threw in some interesting supporting characters that added to the humor that was also part of the story.  Jackson’s roommates were so fun.  Their dialogues, interactions, and banter with one another were so spot on and added so much to the story.  Paige’s roommate, on the other hand, left much to be desired, but their interactions added much to the story as well.     

Although A Splash of Substance is a romance, it also had humor, faith issues, some social issues, and a little splash of intrigue.  All in all it made for a fun and entertaining read that you’re sure to enjoy.

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

About the Author

Elizabeth Maddrey began writing stories as soon as she could form the letters properly and has never looked back. Though her practical nature and love of math and organization steered her into computer science for college and graduate school, she has always had one or more stories in progress to occupy her free time. When she isn't writing, Elizabeth is a voracious consumer of books and has mastered the art of reading while undertaking just about any other activity. Elizabeth lives in the suburbs of Washington D.C. with her husband and their two incredibly active little boys.

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Loving A Lawman (A Cattle Creek Novel) by Amy Lillard

Book Description:

As cowboys, the Langston brothers of Cattle Creek, Texas, know it can hurt like hell to fall off a horse. But it can hurt even more to fall in love. . . .

Sheriff Seth Langston is head over heels for local wild child Jessie McAllen and has been for years. The trouble is she has eyes only for Seth’s rodeo star brother, Chase. Even though he considers Jessie his girl, Chase is an incorrigible ladies’ man with a wandering eye and no chance of settling down soon.

Jessie is ready to move away from Cattle Creek to put her feelings for Chase behind her, but after she shares a white-hot kiss with Seth, things get a little complicated. Jessie realizes her heart should have been his all along. And in the face of sudden tragedy, they’ll discover if their newfound passion will tear the Langston men apart or make the family stronger than ever. . . .

My Thoughts:

A Fun and Entertaining Read

It happens.  I pick up a book and say, “I’m just going to read one chapter.”  However, one chapter turns into two, which turns into three, which turns into the whole book.  Yup.  That’s exactly how it went down when I read Loving a Lawman by Amy Lillard.  Why was it so hard to put down?  Here are some of the reasons.

First, It’s a contemporary romance  with a western theme.  This is one of my favorite genres.  It doesn’t matter if it’s current or in the past.  If it’s a western romance, I’m there.

Second, I loved the main characters!  Jessie McAllen, for lack of a better term, is a hot mess, or rather, has a way of ending up in some kind of a hot mess.  She’s “in love” with commitment phobic, bad boy, rodeo star, Chase Langston.  However, unbeknownst to Jessie, kindhearted Sheriff Seth Langston, Chase’s brother, has been in love with her for years.  The two share a passionate kiss and that’s where the surprises and changes begin. 

And that brings me to reason number three.  Loving a Lawman had some unexpected twists and turns that kept me turning the pages, because I had to know what happened next.  The story made me laugh, but at the same time had some gut wrenching parts that had me ready to cry.  I enjoyed how the relationship between Jessie and Seth developed.  I also enjoyed the banter between the two. It was very entertaining.  Although not all contemporary romance stories contain bedroom scenes, this one does have few. 

I found Loving a Lawman to be a fun, romantic, and entertaining read, one that once you get started,  you won’t want to put down.

***In my humble opinion, although there are no graphic scenes, I would recommended this for mature readers. 

*****I received an ARC copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.  All opinions and viewpoints are my own.  

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http://bit.ly/25I4NdS

Author Biography:

I'm a wife, mother, and bona fide Southern belle. Published author, expert corn bread maker, and Squirrel Princess.

I live in Tulsa, though I was born in Mississippi. I moved to the Sooner State when I was seventeen and met my soul mate and best friend not long after. I've retained a little of my Mississippi accent though most people think I'm from Texas. (?) Rob and I have been married for over twenty years and have a son-a mom proclaimed prodigy, of course!

I love homemade tacos, nail polish, and romance novels-not necessarily in that order. I'm a big fan of country music, a staunch proponent of saving the Oxford comma, and I'm shamefully obsessed with all things Harry Potter.

I believe that God is love. I guess that's why I love to write inspirational romances. The two go hand-in-hand for me.

I have always been intrigued with the Amish culture, their gentle ways and slower-paced lifestyle. (And I love, love, love the fact that they stay married for their lifetime.) But until recently I never thought to blend this interest with my penchant for romance. Okay, okay, I'm a bit old-fashioned and even enjoy the gender roles that are present in this culture. I love to cook and take care of my family. Yes, that's me June Cleaver with a laptop.

I dislike people trying to convince me to read the Twlight series (I'll get to it or I won't, either way I'm good with it), gratuitous violence, and strawberry ice cream. (I know I'm alone on this last one, and again, I'm good with it.)

Favorite movies-(besides HP) French Kiss, Maid of Honor, A Lot Like Love, Just Married, and Sweet Home Alabama. Oh, and Miss Congeniality, Sabrina (both versions) and a 1940′s movie called Dear Ruth. If you haven't seen it, you should! A-dorable. Anything with Doris Day and most all of Marilyn's and Audrey's.