Christmas Admirer by Laura V. Hilton

There is something about Amish fiction that gets me every time.  I love to read about their family relationships and their struggles in the world we live in. 

 Susanna has loved Benaiah all her life.  She longed for the day she would be his wife.  Benaiah wanted to make this happen but he had responsibilities to his family and he wasn't sure how it would work out.

  Prayer and patience were needed.  Will things work out for them?  Susanna was told to trust in The LORD.  Only then would she learn HIS plans for her. 

 I thoroughly enjoyed this story. I was so upset at Susanna's father but saw that he also had plans for her.  Great book.  Christmas is in the title but this book is for all seasons.   

I received this free to review.

About the Author

Amish fiction lovers responded positively and immediately to Laura V. Hilton’s debut novel, Patchwork Dreams, when she burst on the scene in 2009 with her unique series, The Amish of Seymour, set in the tiny town of Seymour, in Webster County, Missouri. Fans of the genre immediately recognized Hilton’s insider knowledge, not only of the Webster County community, but Amish culture in general. Her natural speech and writing patterns, she says, are uniquely “Amish,” acquired from her Amish maternal grandparents. The Amish of Seymour, includes Patchwork Dreams, A Harvest of Hearts, and Promised to Another. Her second series, The Amish of Webster County, is comprised of Healing Love, Surrendered Love, and Awakened Love. A stand-alone title, A White Christmas in Webster County, was released in September 2014. The Amish of Jamesport includes The Snow Globe,The Postcard and The Birdhouse. In spring 2016 she released The Amish Firefighter with the setting in Jamesport, MO, the same as for The Amish Wanderer.

Laura is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and a professional book reviewer. Laura and her husband, Steve, have five children, whom Laura homeschools. The family makes their home in Horseshoe Bend, Arkansas.

Giveaway

In honor of her tour, Laura is giving away

Grand Prize Package: The Christmas Admirer, “Unto Us a Child is Born” painting on decorative serving plate by Donna White, The Hearthside Collection, Inc., and commemorative Whitaker House/Anchor Distributors coloring book (not in photo).

1st Place Package: The Christmas Admirer and The Very First Christmas by Juliet David with interactive illustrations by Pauline Siewert (children’s book).

2nd Place Package: The Christmas Admirer and “The Woman Who Honors The Lord Shall Be Praised” myrrh-scented candle from abba Jerusalem!

Click the link to enter! https://promosimple.com/ps/c16f

11/13/2017: Love's Thankful Heart

1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is GOD's will for you in Christ Jesus.

This Bible verse comes to mind after reading this collection of stories based around Thanksgiving.  The three stories are wonderful examples of giving thanks and the miracle of prayers.

Gingerbread Wishes

Thanksgiving Strangers

The Thanksgiving Frolic 

I enjoyed reading all three.

In Gingerbread Wishes we revisit Becca Troyer.  She was in a previous book by Laura V. Hilton. This story was wonderful.

Thanksgiving Strangers -

What more can be relevant at Thanksgiving than providing a free meal to all that needs one?  Faiths Beiler, with her giving heart, pours God's love and grace into Crist.  Touching story.

The Thanksgiving Frolic-

Monroe as well as his family needed to learn some valuable lessons.  Rosemary, Monroe's girlfriend, opened their eyes to see the true meaning of Thanksgiving.

I loved Rosemary's grandfather.  We could all learn so much from someone like that.  

I am so grateful these three authors got together and wrote this book.  Happy Thanksgiving to them for sharing these "feel good" stories.

I received this for free to review.

Giveaway

To celebrate the tour, Celebrate Lit Publishing is giving away a Kindle Unlimited 6 month Subscription!!

Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries!https://promosimple.com/ps/c403

About the Authors

Laura V. Hilton is an award-winning, sought-after author with almost twenty Amish, contemporary, and historical romances. When she’s not writing, she reviews books for her blogs, and writes devotionals for blog posts for Seriously Write and Putting on the New.

Laura and her pastor-husband have five children and a hyper dog named Skye. They currently live in Arkansas. One son is in the U.S. Coast Guard. She is a pastor’s wife, and homeschools her two youngest children.

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

Rachel J. Good grew up near Lancaster, PA, the setting for many of her Amish novels. Striving to be as authentic as possible, she spends special time with her Amish friends, doing chores on their farm and attending family events. Rachel is the author of several Amish series, including Sisters & Friends (Charisma), Love & Promises (Grand Central), and two books in the Hearts of Amish Country series (Annie’s Book Club). In addition, she has twoAmish Quilts Coloring Books as well as stories in several anthologies, including Springs of Love(CelebrateLit).

Thomas Nyewrites novels about horses and Amish life, with a touch of romance, and a foundation of faith in Christ. He and his wife, Shari, live on her family farm where they raised five children. Their six grandchildren love to visit Karma and Karla, a team of draft horses which Thomas purchased from an Amish friend. Walking a mail route for the U.S. Postal Service keeps Thomas close to nature and affords him many quiet hours which he uses to dream up novels. Over three decades of friendships with Amish neighbors has revealed a simple wisdom that he weaves into his writing. To find out more, visit:amishhorses.blogspot.com

12 Days at Bleakly Manor by Michelle Griep

The cover made me think of Charles Dickens type of stories.  So I was excited to read this Christmas tale of intrigue, love and murder.  It was a delight to read and I was not disappointed.  It left me guessing and surprised by the ending.

Things aren't always what they seem.
 Clara and the guests of Bleakly Manor
all wanted something and they believed that staying at the Manor would grant them their wishes.

 Christmas at Bleakly Manor gave them much more than what they wished for.

I loved taking a step back in time reading this book.  Michelle Griep gave me an early Christmas gift.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.

Colors of Christmas by Olivia Newport

Loss is difficult at anytime of the year but at Christmas it is extremely so.  These stories are examples of how our faith guides us through these moments and makes us stronger.

The book includes two stories. Both are about loss but also about helping others.  While helping others, you are healing yourself.

The first story is how Astrid  could have drowned in her loss but saw someone in need and reached out.

The second is about loss but also how you can heal through honoring the one you lost.

GOD is a healer.  He never leaves our side.  He is with us every step of the way.  He hears our cries.  He hears our prayers.

I enjoyed these two Christmas stories even though they are not typical Christmas stories.

I received this book for free to review.

Giveaway:

https://promosimple.com/ps/c319

About the Author

Olivia Newport’s novels twist through time to find where faith and passions meet. Her husband and twentysomething children provide welcome distraction from the people stomping through her head on their way into her books. She chases joy in stunning Colorado at the foot of the Rockies, where daylilies grow as tall as she is.

Straight Flies The Arrow by Sydney Tooman Betts

I have never read anything of this type.  I really didn't know what to expect.  I was blown away by the historical richness in the book and how the author added so much detail in each and every page.  I fell in love with this story and the characters who came to life to me through her words. How heart wrenching  was when the men went to battle and the women were preparing  what to do if they don't return.  Can you even imagine? -the grief they must have felt.

 Thank you, Sydney Tooman Betts, for adding Biblical readings at the end of each chapter.  It was a treasure to read this.

The Blessing I take with me after finishing the last page:
Trust In GOD with All Your Heart.  He Is there with you at all times.  He knows The plans He has for you.  

A rich and beautiful story.


I received this free to review.

About the Author

Sydney Tooman Betts and her protagonist-husband currently reside near the extensive cavern system that inspired the setting for several early chapters of this book.

While single, Ms. Betts (B.S. Bible/Missiology, M.Ed) was involved in a variety of cross-cultural adventures in North and Central America. After marrying, she and her husband lived in Europe and the Middle East where he served in various mission-support capacities. Her teaching experiences span preschool to guest lecturing at the graduate level and serving as the Sunday School Superintendent, Children’s Church Director, or Women’s Ministries facilitator in several evangelical denominations.

Before penning her first novel, A River too Deep, she ghost-wrote several stories for an adult literacy program.

GIVEAWAY

To celebrate her tour, Sydney is giving away a $25 Amazon gift card and a signed, soft-back set of The People of the Book trilogy!!

Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries!https://promosimple.com/ps/c202

Merry & Bright by Debbie Macomber

New book by Debbie Macomber...I'm in!! I look forward to every one of her books and I have never been disappointed. Her Christmas theme books are delightful and this one delivered.

How could you not love a character whose name is Merry and be based at Christmas time? Then you add a character whose last name is Bright... match made in heaven, right? Well, maybe, not.

I recommend this book for an enjoyable adventure of love and discovery. Merry and Jay learn the true meaning of the holiday season and the gift of giving to not only each other but to others.

My Heart Belongs in Shenandoah Valley- Lily's Dilemma by Andrea Boeshaar

I love everything historical and this looked just what I would love to read.  I was right.  This brought me back to the vacations I had to Williamsburg, Yorktown, Boston and Greenfield Museum in Dearborn, Michigan.

This story had romance, intrigue, a villian, a hero and a lady in distress.  Lily was strong and determined.  She was responsible to save her family.  They relied on her to make the right decisions.  She had to fight for those she loved.  She knew what her heart was telling her but was it safe to listen?

I was lost in 1816 and I was in no hurry to escape this sweet tale.  I have never read any of the My Heart Belong series.  I need to look for more.  I received this free to review.

Waiting For Butterflies - Karen Sargent

What a beautiful story!  I can't begin to tell you how this book touched me.  I just put it down but it's message will stay with me forever.  

It appears that Sam and Maggie have it all.  But one accident changed everything.  Can life ever be the same again?  What needs to happen so the family can heal?  With forgiveness comes healing.....

What an appropriate title- WAITING FOR BUTTERFLIES 

Butterflies represent new life-rebirth.  This is the journey that Sam, Rachel and Olivia must take to navigate their "new" normal without Maggie.  Maggie can not be set free as a butterfly until she knows her family will be ok.

The characters in this book became so real to me.  This shows how well Karen Sargent wrote this book.  

So thankful that I was given this to read for free for a review.  Very emotional and touching story.  

About the Author

Karen Sargent creates characters whose imperfect faith collides with real-life conflicts, taking readers on a journey through grace and redemption to discover enduring hope. A romantic element is woven within each story. In addition to writing inspirational novels, she blogs at The MOM Journey…where moms aren’t perfect and that’s perfectly okay. Her writing has been featured in Guidepost’s Angels on Earth magazine and on ForEveryMom.com. When she is not writing, she teaches high school and college English in the beautiful Arcadia Valley where she resides with her husband and two daughters. Visit her at KarenSargentBooks.com.

Promotion Giveaway - https://promosimple.com/ps/bef1

The Beloved Christmas Quilt

I received this free to review.  I was thrilled to get this and held on to it for a few weeks as I knew that it would be a fast read and an enjoyable one.  It was and I can't wait to share this with my Mom.  This was written by Wanda Brunstetter, her daughter-in-law, Jean Brunstetter and her granddaughter, Rochelle Brunstetter.  A family collaboration.  Wonderful job to connect the three stories.

I loved that the stories were three generations of the same family.  It shows that life goes on.  Everyone has trials and tribulations but God will get us through those tough times.  GOD does hear our prayers.

Every family has traditions or heirlooms of some kind or another.  I wear the wedding ring of my maternal grandmother.  She gave it to my Mom and my Mom gave it to me to wear.  I treasure it.  One day I'll pass this on to my daughter.  I wear it in her memory. She had her own trials and tribulations.  She survived World War II.  She immigrated to America from England on The Queen Mary in the 1950s.  Her strength was passed on to my Mom.

I look forward to seeing if these very talented ladies write together again.  Thank you for the early Christmas gift.

ALL SHE LEFT BEHIND by Jane Kirkpatrick

What a wonderful read!  I took the step back in time and was part of Jennie's world.  I cried when she cried.  I cheered when she conquered her fears.

She had dreams and desires.  She felt insecure and had guilt.  She sounds like so many wives and mothers I have met.  She felt responsible for her husband and son's misdeeds when she had nothing to do with them.

Jennie suffered a tragedy.  But with this tragedy, she was given the gift of renewal.  She was given the chance for making her dreams come true.

I was finishing this book late at night.  I didn't want to put it down.  And as I was turning the page....I turned to my husband and said " I'm not liking this".  I was quite surprised at the ending.

Wonderful story.  I had no idea that this was based on a real woman.  So interesting.

 I received this free to review.

Chief of Sinners by Caryl McAdoo

What a total mess Buddy made of his life and the impact of his sins on others!  I turned page after page hoping he would learn from his mistakes.  How Could He?  What?  Oh, No!!!

GOD is always present.  We only have to ask for His deliverance.  Just because you love someone doesn't mean it is good.  Buddy and Sandy's love or lust for each other was destructive, dangerous and deadly.  So sad to see what happened to the people they touched.

Was Buddy "THE CHIEF OF SINNERS"?  GOD'S grace is greater than sin.  There is always hope and salvation.

At times, I just cringed throughout the book.  I wanted to shake Buddy and Sandy back to reality.  What are you doing?

I received this for free to review.

This is part of a series.  I didn't read any of the others.  This book stood on it's own.

Promotion Giveaway:
https://promosimple.com/ps/bfd5

About the Author

Caryl McAdooprays her story brings God glory, and a quick scroll through her novels’ rankings by Christian readers attests to the Father’s faithfulness. She loves writing almost as much as singing the new songs He gives her—look her up on YouTube to hear a few. Her high school sweetheart husband won her heart fifty-one years ago, now they share four children and seventeen grandsugars. Ron and Caryl live in the woods south of Clarksville, seat of Red River County in far Northeast Texas, waiting expectantly for God to open the next door.