Amish

A Sister’s Wish (The Charmed Amish Life #3) by Shelley Shepard Gray

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a sisters wish

Pages: 243 (Paperback)

Publisher: P.S. a trademark of HarperCollins

Published: September 27, 2016

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Amelia Kinsinger has had her eye and heart on Simon Hochstetler for as long as she can remember. The trouble is her family doesn’t think he is good enough for her because of the time he spent away from the Amish after he ran away from an abusive home. Her family also thinks she is still a child that they need to protect even though she is in her young twenties. When Simon discovers Amelia hurt in the family barn he is determined to take care and never leave her side from that moment on. Will the Kinsinger family see that Simon has left his past behind and let love blossom between him and Amelia?

Amelia has been my favorite character throughout this series so far. I was happy to see that book three was about her. She is very soft spoken but full of gumption. Who else but Amelia would convince her family to keep her pet goat that has eaten everything but the house and barn? She has a spunkiness that comes out when she gets riled enough.

Simon is the character that we all wish was true in real life. He has taken his rough childhood and his misfortunate young adulthood and turned the bad into something good. He has learned how not to treat his own future “kinner” (kids) one day and to take his knowledge and try to help those who find themselves in the same situation. I like to believe that people can really change when it comes to drugs and alcohol but I have yet to see that in real life.

There is one more book in this series and I am excited to read Levi Kinsinger’s story.

A Daughter’s Dream (The Charmed Amish Life #2) by Shelley Shepard Gray

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a daughters dream

Pages: 238 (Paperback)

Publisher: P.S. a trademark of HarperCollins

Published: May 24, 2016

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Once again we are visiting the Kinsinger family in Charm, OH. Rebecca Kinsinger has always dreamed of being a teacher at the Amish school but when her father died in a tragic accident at the family lumber mill her dream was put on hold. Now that some time has passed she has the opportunity to volunteer at the school when the regular teacher, Rachel, needs her. As she and Rachel are getting ready to leave the school for the day, Jacob enters with his niece, Lilly, to enroll her. Rebecca is smitten upon contact. Is Rachel’s dream of becoming a teacher still the dream of her future?

I am used to the Amish way of life in Northern Indiana as I have visited there several times. I have never been to Charm, OH (yet) so I am not sure if they practice a bit different. There are many difference sects of the Amish faith. I noticed that Gray mentions “he has short cropped hair” and the picture on the book shows the same thing and I am used to all the Amish men having bowl shaped haircuts. The characters seem a tad bit more prideful than I am used to reading. Even with this few differences I still love her Amish books and this series.

I enjoy reading Gray’s books as they are always entertaining and light enough to make it a calming reading experience.

A Son’s Vow (The Charmed Amish Life #1) by Shelley Shepard Gray

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a sons vow

Pages: 262 (paperback)

Publisher: P.S. a trademark of HarperCollins

Published: January 26, 2016

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

In A Son’s Vow, we enter Charm, OH as it is healing with the deaths of five lumber mill workers. Darla Kurtz’s dad was killed when a chain of events , one of which a rag her father had thrown in the dumpster, caused a fatal fire. Several in the town blame her father and have taken it upon themselves to publicly blame the Kurtz family. Darla wants nothing more than to be able to talk and share her heartache with her best friend, Lukas Kurtsinger, but his family owned the lumber mill and his dad was also killed in the fire. Lukas does not blame Darla’s father and misses her also. As he tries to renew their friendship he realizes something is off with Darla and her family. He is in for a shock when he finds out Darla is being physically abused by her brother and the family is helping her hide her secret. Can Lukas fix Darla’s problem like he has throughout their childhood or is the loss of their fathers to much to overcome?

Gray tackles the very heavy subject of physical abuse but does so with understanding, kindness and forgiveness as the main healing properties. I enjoyed how the Amish faith was not used as a cover up to the abuse but shown as a way to help someone in need.

This is the first book in a four part series and I hope the other books explore the secondary characters, especially Hannah, in more detail. Gray has it down perfectly in how she weaves the community in her story and her main characters lives. You feel that they are a part of the story and not just filler thrown in.

Shelley Shepard Gray is a great addition to my list of must read Amish authors.

A Courtship on Huckleberry Hill (The Matchmakers of Huckleberry Hill #8) by Jennifer Beckstrand

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a courtship on huckleberry hill

Pages: 368

Publisher: Kensington

Published: December 26, 2017

In the eighth installment of The Matchmakers of Huckleberry Hill we join the lovable grandparents of Anna and Felty as they once again take to finding love for one of their grandkids. Their granddaughter Elsie has traveled to Bonduel, Wisconsin to teach and Anna has decided to find Elsie’s one true love. A typical Amish teacher is soft-spoken, mild mannered and obedient to the Ordung. Elsie is a little different in that she has no trouble speaking her mind, especially when it involves one of her beloved students. Such outspokenness has gotten her in trouble in the past. When Elsie decides to push the limits of one of her students, Wally, she riles up the Wally’s older brother, Sam. As Elsie and Sam dance around each other over Wally, Anna is trying to get them together unbeknownst to each of them. The trouble is Sam has attracted his next door neighbor, Rose and Rose has become a thorn in his side. She has decided that Sam is the one for her and will stop at nothing to get what she wants. Can Sam shake Rose to fall in love with Elsie or will Rose succeed in her life plan to become Sam’s bride?

This is my favorite book of the series and that says a lot as all the books are a pleasure to read. Jennifer Beckstrand writes her books with love and it shines through in her characters. Anna and Felty are the grandparents I think everyone wants. Feisty and spunky and oh so unlovable. I know when I pick up a Huckleberry Hill novel that I am for a treat and will turn the last page filled with happiness.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington for a copy to read in exchange for a review based on my own thoughts and opinions.

Who the Bishop Knows (The Amish Bishop Mysteries #3) by Vannetta Chapman

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who the bishop knows

Pages: 352

Publisher: Harvest House Publishers

Published: March 6, 2018

A perfect ending to a great series.

In book 3 of The Amish Bishop Mystery series, a young Amish boy is murdered during the rodeo. Bishop Henry is attending the rodeo with his fiancé and family and was outside the grandstands when the murder occurred so he did not see it take place. As he works with Sheriff Grayson he learns the deceased and many of the Amish youth were involved in betting. A huge no-no for the Amish. Will Henry still be able to use his drawing talent to help solve the crime? Can the murder be solved before more murders occur? Jon Henry and his community in this final installment to find out.

Each book in the series can be read as a stand alone but you get the maximum effect if you read in order.
Book One: What the Bishop Saw
Book Two: When the Bishop Needs an Alibi
Book Three: Who the Bishop Knows

Each book will keep you awake past your bedtime. You will be saying “just one more chapter” repeatedly. I cannot pick a favorite.

In Who the Bishop Knows you will get answers to many questions and many romances are finalized. I will miss my time with Lexi, Bishop Henry’s dog and Katie Ann. I am longing to visit the Monte Vista community.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harvest House Publishers for an advanced copy to read and review based on my own thoughts and opinions.

A Plain Leaving (The Sisters of Lancaster County #1) by Leslie Gould

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a plain leaving

Pages: 352

Publisher: Bethany House

Published: October 3, 2017

A fresh new approach to Amish fiction. Leslie Gould has taken Amish fiction to a new level and has excelled.

Jessica left her family for the English world three years ago and family tragedy has brought her back. Her older brother, Arden, is dead set against her returning to the farm. The brother and sister have never agreed on how the farm should run. Arden wants to allow fracking and Jessica is against as she knows the dangers. Will Arden be able to see past Jessica’s shunning to listen to her or will Jessica need to convince her Mamm that Arden is going against their Dat’s wishes?

Yes, this novel has the common themes of Amish novels such as shunnings, farming, distrust of the English world but it tackles new subjects of fracking and wanting to get the law involved to help others.

If you like a little more to your stories than just a complicated romance this is a book for you. You will be left hungering for more. I know I was. I am anxious to learn what the second book tackles and which characters will become the main characters. I am also interested to go back and look at her other works and start reading.

A refreshing, new approach to one of my favorite genres. I hope you take a chance and read A Plain Leaving by Leslie Gould.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bethany House for a copy of the book to read and review in exchange for a review based on my own honest opinion and in my own words.

A Place at our Table (An Amish Homestead Novel #1) by Amy Clipston

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a place at our table

Pages: 352

Publisher: Zondervan

Published: November 14, 2017

An emotional read that will have you going for the tissues.

Kayla Dienner is still healing from losing her older brother, Simeon, to a house fire when a barn fire at her home puts her little brother’s life in danger. James Riehl, an Amish volunteer firefighter, responds to the fire and one look into Kayla’s eyes lights a fire inside of him. Will he flame that fire or will a personal tragedy extinguish it before it has a chance to burn?

Amy Clipston writes so beautifully that the love between her characters jumps off the page into your heart. I’ll be the first to admit I can become attached to characters quickly but no other Amish characters have touched my soul as Kayla and James. I did not think that my heart could take any more and Clipston would throw another heart twinging moment at me. I heavily suggest in a box of tissues and several hours of quiet time when you read A Place at our Table. You will not want to put the book down as the story will keep grabbing at you even when you are not reading.

I hope there are more books involving the Riehls and Dienners as it would be a shame to not visit them again.

Thank you to NetGalley and Zondervan for an advance copy in exchange for a review based on my own thoughts and in my own words.

The Quilting Circle by Amy Lillard

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the quilting circle.jpg

Pages: 304

Publisher: Kensington

Published: October 31, 2017

A collection of three novellas centered around three women in a quilting circle. The stories focus on love, family and learning what makes you happy.

In More than Friendship, Clara Rose is set to marry Thomas until her best friend, Obie, throws a snag into the plans. Will Clara Rose be able to figure out where her heart belongs before it is too late?

In More than a Promise, Mariana learns she is pregnant soon after she buries her husband. She turns to her husband’s best friend, Reuben, in her time of need. Will they find love together?

In More than Marriage, Tess and Jacob have hit a rough patch. There is more arguing than sweet words of love. Will Tess leave Jacob or will she see a way to find the love in her marriage?

I enjoyed these novellas and found them short enough to read the entire book in under 24 hours. The strangest thing for me was their use of tractors to get around. That was a first. These novellas have made me curious about the Amish in Oklahoma.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review in my own words.

Belle by Sarah Price

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belle

Pages: 320

Publisher: Kensington

Published: October 31, 2017

Belle is an Amish retelling of the classic story of Beauty and the Beast and it lives up to its expectations.

Belle Beiler lives with her dad and two older sisters on their farm in Echo Creek. Her father is a dreamer who loves to invent things from new tools to outdoor grills. When an adventure to a neighboring town goes awry, he must tell his girls that he is broke and soon they will lose their farm. Their neighbor Adam, who is known as The Beast due to a horrific childhood accident, has offered to buy the farm. Belle hates to see her family have to uproot and move so she offers to be Adam’s housekeeper on one condition. He must let her family stay in the house. Does The Beast accept this offer or does he have a more permanent solution?

Beauty and the Beast is one of my favorite stories and I enjoy reading different takes on it. This was a clean read with many great messages. The message that spoke the most to me is towards the end when the bishop talks about “Just one speck of dust can blind an eye.” The sermon he gives makes the reader think about their own life and how they treat others.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington for an advanced copy in exchange for a review in my own words.

Sarah Price does a great job in retelling classics. Below is a list of her classic retelling works:
1. Second Chances (Jane Austen’s Persuasion)
2. Sense and Sensibility (Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility)
3. Mount Hope (Jane Austen’s Mansfield Park)
4. Belle (Beauty and the Beast)
5. Ella (Cinderella) – to be released

An Amish Christmas Candle by Kelly Long, Jennifer Beckstrand and Lisa Baker Jones

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an amish christmas candle

Pages: 352

Publisher: Penguin

Published: September 26, 2017

I enjoy being able to read short story compilations by different authors as it allows me to see if I will enjoy reading the author’s other works.

I did not enjoy the first story, Snow Shine on Ice Mountain by Kelly Long. First let me say, this is my own personal opinion on how the story spoke to me. Please make your own opinions when you read the story. Second, the author is a great writer and my opinion in no way reflects her great writing. I read Amish fiction as a change from novels with lots of sexual innuendos and such. For me this story was too sexually charged.

A Honeybee Christmas by Jennifer Beckstrand was my favorite. Bitsy is a real hoot. We all need a little bit of Bitsy in us. This story has sparked my interest in reading the Honeybee series.

The Christmas Candle by Lisa Jones Baker was exactly what you expect of a sweet Amish Christmas story. You will finish with a smile on your face.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington for an advanced copy to read and provide a review based on my own honest opinion.