Seeds of Hope by Barbara Cameron

Seeds of Hope (Gilead, November 2017)

A heartwarming tale of discovering love right in front of you

Miriam Troyer has had a secret crush on Mark Byler since she was a teenager, but she knows they can never have a relationship: Mark is a big-city attorney and an Englischer. Her Amish community is too far removed from all he knows–and she loves her quiet way of life.

Mark has always loved his visits to his grandfather’s farm, but he’s convinced the Amish life isn’t for him. There’s so much of the world to see and experience, and the excitement of his successful law practice can’t be matched by the slow pace of life found back home in the country.

But when things go wrong and his firm distances itself from him to try to save themselves, Mark finds himself back at his grandfather’s farm. Could life in this simple world be worth living after all? Especially when the teenager he remembers has grown into a woman that could be his future. Suddenly, these two people whose lives seem so far apart may get a chance to really see each other for the first time.

Learn more and purchase a copy.

{MORE ABOUT BARBARA CAMERON}

Barbara Cameron has a heart for writing about the spiritual values and simple joys of the Amish. She is the best-selling author of more than 40 fiction and nonfiction books, three nationally televised movies, and the winner of the first Romance Writers of America Golden Heart Award. Her books have been nominated for Carol Awards and the Inspirational Reader’s Choice Award from RWA’s Faith, Hope, and Love chapter. Barbara resides in Jacksonville, Florida.

Find out more about Barbara at http://barbaracameron

My Take : This was a typical Amish and English falling in love story.  I enjoyed it and will be looking forward to other in this series.  I enjoy reading Amish book that are set in Lancaster County as I live in Lancaster County and like to see if I recognize any of the landmarks.  I found it interesting that the Englischer in this book is a lawyer as they usually don't have such a lucrative job.  I enjoy by luxuries but I also enjoy the simpler life.  I liked how the author made the romance to seem to be plausible.  This was a bit predicable but still enjoyable.  Recommended if you enjoy Amish love stories.  

I received a review copy from Litfuse in exchange for honest review. 

A Sister;s Wish and An Amish Family Christmas by Shelley Shaprd Gray

A Sister’s Wish (Avon Inspire, September 2016)

In Shelley Shepard Gray’s third book in her Charmed Amish Life series, a respectable young woman finds herself falling for an Amish man from the wrong side of the tracks.

Amelia Kinsinger is the perfect Amish woman—at least according to her neighbors. And while Amelia takes pride in her role as homemaker, she’s also harboring a secret: She’s been in love with bad boy Simon Hochstetler for as long as she can remember. Too bad he’s about as far from “perfect” as an Amish man could get… but that’s exactly why she’s so drawn to him.

Life hasn’t been kind to Simon. He ran away from an abusive home at fifteen and things went downhill from there. Eventually, Simon landed in prison. But the experience changed him. Now back in Charm as a grown man, he’s determined to make a new life for himself and not think too much about his wild past…unless it pertains to Amelia.

He’s loved Amelia for years. To him, she represents everything good and kind in the world. When he realizes that she returns his affections, he starts calling on her in secret, even though her older brother Lukas—who just happens to be Simon’s best friend—has made it perfectly clear that Amelia deserves better. Simon disagrees and believes he’s the only one who can truly make her happy.

But when Amelia gets hurt, it sets off a chain of events that forces them to consider their future together—and face their past mistakes. There’s a chance for love… but only if Simon dares to trust Amelia with the secrets of his past.

Learn more and purchase a copy.

My Take: I really enjoyed this installment of the Charm Amish series.  I was glad to see Amelia get the respect that she deserved.  I was a bit surprised to see Amish treat Simon bad because of his past.  God forgives and the Amish claim to forgive  especially after the person has joined the church.  I was sad to learn about Simon's family life.  No one in the church bothered to reach out.  That just makes me sad. 

An Amish Family Christmas (Avon Inspire, October 2016)

In Shelley Shepard Gray’s fourth book in her Charmed Amish Life series, an unlikely Amish romance reveals that Christmas is a time for family, miracles—and love.

Ever since his father died in a tragic fire, Levi Kinsinger has felt adrift. Newly returned to Charm, Ohio, Levi is trying to fit into his old life, only to discover he seems to have outgrown it.

But when Julia, his young widowed neighbor, asks for his help with a Christmas project, Levi finds a sense of purpose for the first time in months. She and her daughter are new to Charm and could use a friend, a job Levi takes personally. Soon enough, friendship grows into attraction, but Levi can’t help having doubts. There’s something about Julia that doesn’t ring quite true…

Like Levi, Julia Kemps has survived her fair share of hardships—but only by hiding the truth of her past. Being an unmarried mother in an Amish community was unthinkable. Feeling hopeless, Julia did the only thing she could do: she moved to a new town and pretended to be a widow. But meeting Levi, she’s hopeful for the first time. Little by little, she begins to imagine telling him her darkest secret, and eventually…perhaps even sharing her life with him.

Christmas is a time for family, and as the holiday draws closer, Julia and Levi will have to face their pasts together…in order to find the healing, support and love they so desperately desire.

My Take:  I really liked this fourth book in this series.  I liked getting to know Levi the fourth Kinsinger sibling.  I Also liked getting to know Julia and her daughter.  This book brought home the fact that the Amish are still tempted the way we all are.  Again there was a situation in this book that I was surprised that the church didn't help.  I was very sad about this too.  

Learn more and purchase a copy.

Shelley Shepard Gray is a “New York Times” and “USA Today” bestselling author, a finalist for the American Christian Fiction Writers prestigious Carol Award, and a two-time HOLT Medallion winner. She lives in southern Ohio, where she writes full-time, bakes too much, and can often be found walking her dachshunds on her town’s bike trail.

Find out more about Shelley athttp://www.shelleyshepardgray.com.

A SISTER’S WISH AND AN AMISH FAMILY CHRISTMAS BY SHELLEY SHEPARD GRAY | BLOG TOUR AND 5-BOOK GIVEAWAY

Author: Shelley Shepard Gray

Don’t miss books three (A Sister’s Wish) and four (An Amish Family Christmas) in Shelley Shepard Gray’s Charmed Amish Life series. In A Sister’s Wish, when Amelia gets hurt, it sets off a chain of events that forces Amelia and Simon to consider their future together—and face their past mistakes. There’s a chance for love . . . but only if Simon dares to trust Amelia with the secrets of his past. In An Amish Family Christmas, Christmas is a time for family, and as the holiday draws closer, Julia and Levi will have to face their pasts together . . . in order to find the healing, support and love they so desperately desire.

Enter to win a book pack (a copy of A Sister’s Wish and a copy of An Amish Family Christmas) from Shelley. Five winners will be chosen! Click the image below to enter to win. The winners will be announced November 7th on Shelley’s blog!

I received a review copy of these two books in exchange for my honest opinion. 

A Son's Vow by Shelley Shepard Gray

From Goodreads:   Three months ago, everything changed for Darla Kurtz and her family. Darla’s father was responsible for a terrible fire at Charm’s lumber mill which killed five Amish men. And though he, too, lost his life, the town of Charm hasn’t looked at her family the same since. Even Lukas Kinsinger—with whom Darla used to have a close friendship.

Now her brother’s anger at the town is spilling over onto Darla, and she has the bruises to prove it. The accident already cost five lives, but if something doesn’t change soon, Darla fears it will cost her—and her family—even more.

Lukas Kinsinger wants to mourn the loss of his father, but he can hardly find the time to breathe. Suddenly the head of his father’s lumber mill and responsible for taking care of his three siblings, he’s feeling the pressure. He has also never felt more alone—especially with the new tension between he and Darla. But when he learns of her troubles at home, Lukas knows he can’t simply stand by and watch. Someone has to help her before another tragedy occurs.

As Lukas and Darla attempt to repair their families, they discover something deeper than friendship growing between them. But will Lukas and Darla’s love be accepted after so much loss? Or will the pain of the past overcome any chance of future happiness

(Western Romance).
About Shelley Shepard Gray

I live in southern Ohio with my husband, two teenagers, and two dogs. My days are filled with busy activities like most any other mom and housewife. But I also love to write books.

Each morning, after my kids go off to school, I sit at my desk, look out my window, and dream of other places. The hours fly by as I make up people and places and drink way too much coffee.

Writing for Avon Inspire has truly been a dream come true. Being able to spend my days in my make-believe world of the Brenneman Bed and Breakfast is a true blessing. I have enjoyed getting to know more about the Amish culture and tapping into my faith as I show each character’s progression toward a personal relationship with our Lord.

Before becoming a full time writer, I taught elementary school in Texas, Arizona, and Colorado. A job transfer to Ohio led my husband to encourage me to finally give writing a try. After all, I had notebooks full of made up stories.

I’ll never forget that first book I typed in our unfinished basement. It was exciting to make up a story, but also very scary. I was also so embarrassed, sure someone would come out of the woodwork and point out that I wasn’t a ‘real’ writer. But I persevered, and sold my third manuscript.

Things have changed a bit. Now I have a real office of my own. (think old guest bedroom!) My walls are painted pink, and more than a couple of book covers decorate my walls. But my days are still the same. I wake up, dream about other people, and do my best to type out stories.

My Take:  I have enjoyed all the books that I have read written by Shelley Shepard Gray.  I was thrilled to get this book that starts a new series by her.  I am currently reading the second book in this series and will posting a review on it next week.  What I like about Mrs. Gray is that she writes characters who are flawed and human, not the Amish characters you read sometimes that are perfect and would never do anyhting wrong.  This book takes place in Charm, Ohio an Amish town that has suffered the tragedy of a fire in the lumber mill which is the biggest business in town.  Darla's father was blamed for the fire.  He lossed his life so many in town are taking it out on Darla.  Then there is Lukas who's father was the owner of the mill and lost his life too.  Lukas must take over for his father.  This book is about forgiving, grief, and healing.  I think you would like this if you like your Amish on the human side and not so much the angelic side. 

I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review from Litfuse. 

Summer of Secrets by Charlotte Hubbard

Summer of Secrets by Charlotte Hubbard

From Goodreads.com:

In the bestselling tradition of Beverly Lewis and Jan Karon, Hubbard presents a beautifully drawn new series, which follows the charming residents of Willow Ridge and the conflicts involving the old Amish ways in a modern world, and the temptations of leaving this plain heritage behind. Original.

 

My Take:  I really enjoyed this book.  It is a fresh perspective on the Amish story. 

Miriam, Rachel and Rhoda Lantz's lives are turned upside down when a girl who looks just like the twin girls comes into the cafe that they have started to help make a living since their father died.  She looks just like them except she has died black hair, black fingernail polish and has a skull tattoo on her shoulder.  The appearance of this girl starts a series of reveal long lost secrets long ago hidden and can have some very serious consequences in the hear and now. 

I would recommend this book if you like Amish stories but would like something just a little bit different. 

 

I received a review copy of this book.

Book Spotlight of Plain Proposal by Beth Wiseman

Plain Proposal by Beth Wiseman

From Goodreads.com:

Miriam Raber enjoys life in her Old Order Amish community, and she is hopeful that Saul Fisher will propose to her soon. But when Saul starts talking about leaving the only world either of them has ever known, Miriam imagines what her life might look like as an Englischer. One thing she knows for certain, she loves Saul and feels he's the one God has chosen for her. But Saul's indecision has come at an inconvenient time as Miriam is noticing advances from Jesse Dienner, a man she went to school with, who is committed to marry and live his life in the Old Order community.
Complicating matters is the arrival of Miriam's cousin, Shelby, a worldly Englisch girl sent to live with Miriam's family following trouble back home.
Who will Miriam choose a life with, and who will choose to stay in the Old Order Amish community?

Book Review - Along Wooded Paths by Tricia Goyer

Along Wooded Paths by Tricia Goyer

from Goodreads.com:

Although proud of living apart from the world, Marianna Sommer's newly relocated Amish family is discovering that life in the remote mountains of Montana requires working together with the Englisch. As Marianna pours her life into helping those around her-and receiving their help-her heart further considers two directions. She's torn between the Amish man from Indiana whom she has long planned on marrying and the friendly Englischer who models a close walk with God like she’s never seen before.

Who should have young Marianna's heart? What is God asking of her through ongoing family struggles and this romantic and spiritual tension? The answer is found along the wooded paths


My Take:  This book is a second in a series and I have read the first one(Beside Still Waters) but I am sad to report that I didn't remember that much about the first book (sometimes Amish fiction blends together for me).  That being said I did enjoy this book.  It would have helped a bit if I remembered some of the plot points of the first book but I was able to enjoy this book despite that. 

Marianna is having a crisis of faith.  She is trying to decide if she should return home to Indiana and marry Aaron or stay in Montana and maybe go with the Englisch man that she has grown fond of and who she sees has a wonderful relationship with God.  Her decision is further complicated when Aaron shows up from Indiana something happens that affect all their lives.  This was a good book.  You can enjoy it without reading the first one but I would highly recommend that you read the first one. 

I received a complementary copy of the book from the publisher through Netgalley for review purposes.