I didn't know what to expect when I started this book. It was a page turner. Every chapter is gut wrenching. I was too young to remember the Vietnam War.
I read this very quickly. Great characters. Fantastic plot. This is my first Kristen Hannah book. I will be reading more.
You are never too old to find love. It's never to late. Simon was widowed. He didn't believe he had the time or desire to marry again. He was busy serving as the Bishop of his community.
Dok Stella was resigned to be on her own. She tried to convince herself that she was ok with that. But then she met Simon.
I absolutely loved the book. It had wonderful characters. How could you not love Lena?
It made me think back to when I met my husband. He was widowed. I was divorced. I never expected to meet the love of my life in my late 40s. I was skeptical that I would remarry. But two days before my 50th birthday, we did. You never know what is around the corner. I have been happily married for 17 years now. I allowed myself to take a chance on love. Look what I would have missed if I closed that door.
Are Stella and Simon willing to take the chance?
I received this book to review from Celebrate Lit.
Book: Courting an Amish Bishop
Author: Mindy Steele
Genre: Amish/Christian Fiction
Release Date: April, 2024
No One Is Ever Too Old to Love Again
Full of faith, hope, and romance, this new series takes you into the Heart of Amish country.
Simon Graber became a widower and a bishop early in life. His focus is solely on his very close-knit Old Order Amish community—not entertaining the idea of marriage, despite what many of the elders think. When sickness comes to Cherry Grove, Kentucky, Simon reaches out into the next community for help. But help is beginning to look a lot like a second chance when Stella Schmucker agrees to offer her vast herbal knowledge to the sick. Can it be that these two, who have been too busy serving others to entertain the idea of love, have met at just the perfect time for an unlikely courtship?
Click here to get your copy!
Mindy Steele is the award-winning author and bestselling author of over a dozen novels and novellas in Christian fiction. Raised in Kentucky timber country, Steele has been writing since she could hold a crayon on the wall and lives in northeastern Kentucky—where many of her stories are set.
The Story Behind the Story with Mindy Steele
Courting an Amish Bishop
Sometimes the smallest detail can spark the greatest story. It can be a laugh, a flower petal, or even a cup of tea. I have always been drawn to little details and there are times when I felt God tapping on my shoulder, saying pay attention to this. So from a brief chat or set of bones found on a wooded path, stories have taken root.
For this story, it was a cup of elderberry tea late one evening that sent my thoughts to wander. I grew up on the edge of Appalachia and had learned a few herbal remedies to quickly ward off the flu or stop poison ivy before the first itch. As an Amish fiction writer, I wondered if the Amish resorted to the same such natural ways. I knew my neighbors used charcoal internally at times, as well as stockpiling burdock leaves to dry in their attic for burns and wounds, but I wanted to know more.
There is a strong belief among many that the Amish refuse modern medicine. This is simply not true. Most prefer modern medicine as a last resort. Though I once had an Amish neighbor who’d run to the doctor quite often for the least little thing.
Coincidentally, I had gone on to a summer book tour in southern Kentucky, and crossed paths with an Amish healer. She was a remarkable woman, full of wisdom and information. I have also been blessed to have Doc Sam, an Amish man, living just down the road, as well as a few Amish women willing to share their thoughts with me.
Healers have a vast knowledge that is not limited to just one thing. An Amish midwife is often sought after for more than when a child is ready to be welcomed into the world. A chiropractor, or muscle stretcher as they are called since no degree has been obtained, can tell you the best remedy for burns, womanly issues, or how to detox your liver.
Stella Schmucker was my most interesting character to write. As a woman who needed healing in her own life, it was by God’s grace she became one. As I got to know her, I knew a Bishop had to play a major part in her journey. We often think of men in such positions as stern, authoritarian, and well…old. But a man may draw the lot at as young as 30 if he has already held a position of a deacon or minister. I have seldom read a story where the bishop isn’t stern and always reminding us to follow the rules, but what we don’t see is the man under the hat! Simon reveals an outer and inner man, one struggling with loss, yet faithful in helping others. I have been waiting to write a Bishop’s story for some time, and once Stella’s life was laid out in front in me, the match was made.
I hope you enjoy this story and getting to know Ellie, my silver lab Stella borrows to entertain you. Who knows, you might even learn a few herbal remedies too.
Many blessings and good health,
Mindy
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, April 27
lakesidelivingsite, April 28
Locks, Hooks and Books, April 29
She Lives To Read, April 30
Texas Book-aholic, May 1
Lighthouse Academy Blog, May 2 (Guest Review from Marilyn Ridgway)
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, May 3
For Him and My Family, May 4
Cover Lover Book Review, May 5
Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, May 6 (Author Interview)
Mornings at Character Cafe, May 6
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, May 7
Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, May 8
Holly’s Book Corner, May 9
Mary Hake, May 9
Jeanette’s Thoughts, May 10
To celebrate her tour, Mindy is giving away the grand prize package a $25 Amazon gift card and a print copy of the book!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.
https://promosimple.com/ps/2b147/courting-an-amish-bishop-celebration-tour-giveaway
I couldn't be happier to read another book of this wonderful series. Kit is quite a character. Jackson, her husband, knows he can't stop her when she is determined to solve yet another mystery. But this time the whole family is in danger!
The story is based in Victorian England, one of my favorite time periods. Kit is not your typical Victorian housewife. She would much rather be out in the streets solving crimes than in her kitchen. She can't cook. She's not good with a needle and thread. But give her a case to solve!
I received this wonderful story from Celebrate Lit to review.
Blog Stops
Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, April 26
Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, April 26
Book Looks by Lisa, April 26
Live. Love. Read., April 27
Vicky Sluiter, April 27
She Lives To Read, April 27
Texas Book-aholic, April 28
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, April 28
All-of-a-kind Mom, April 29
Where Faith and Books Meet, April 29
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, April 30
Sylvan Reads, April 30
Pause for Tales, April 30
Locks, Hooks and Books, May 1
Blogging With Carol, May 1
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, May 2
For Him and My Family, May 2
A Modern Day Fairy Tale, May 2
Betti Mace, May 3
Wishful Endings, May 3
Bizwings Book Blog, May 4
Daysong Reflections, May 4
Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, May 5 (Author Interview)
Kristina Hall, May 5
Tell Tale Book Reviews, May 6
The Lofty Pages, May 6
Cover Lover Book Review, May 7
A Good Book and Cup of Tea, May 7
Blossoms and Blessings, May 7
Holly’s Book Corner, May 8
Back Porch Reads, May 8
Lily’s Corner, May 9
Life of Literature, May 9
Jeanette’s Thoughts, May 9
Michelle Griep’s been writing since she first discovered blank wall space and Crayolas. She is the Christy Award-winning author of historical romances: A Tale of Two Hearts, The Captured Bride, The Innkeeper’s Daughter, 12 Days at Bleakly Manor, The Captive Heart, Brentwood’s Ward, A Heart Deceived, and Gallimore, but also leaped the historical fence into the realm of contemporary with the zany romantic mystery Out of the Frying Pan.
Book: The Sleuth of Blackfriars Lane
Author: Michelle Griep
Genre: Historical Christian Fiction
Release Date: April, 2024
Wife. Mother. Homemaker. Detective. Kit Forge wears many hats, and if that’s not enough, she’s partnered with her father to open a new detective agency. It’s hard to be all things to all people, but Kit never shies away from the impossible. Despite her hard work and good intentions, some things fall through the cracks.
Namely, her husband.
But Jackson barely notices. He’s too busy putting out his own fires. As the new chief inspector of a busy London station, he must salvage the disaster left behind by the former police chief—an obstacle made all the harder when the superintendent breathes an ultimatum down his neck.
Against her father’s advice, Kit takes on a case involving a missing child, one in which she and Jackson become a little too emotionally involved. . .and end up endangering their own little girl in the process.
Can Kit and Jackson learn that just because they can say yes doesn’t mean they should?
Click here to get your copy!
Oh Inspiration…Wherefore Art Thou?
There are several questions I am asked frequently as an author.
“Hey, how much money do you make?”
“Can you help me get my book published?”
“How come it takes you so long to finish a story?”
But probably the most common query is this: what sorts of things inspire you? Now that is a question I can go on and on about! Don’t panic, though. I’ll be brief.
Story ideas come from every place imaginable. I’ve had plot thoughts from watching kids’ movies or even from eavesdropping at a coffee shop (note: beware what you say in public). TV series are also a favorite of mine, so much so that my latest release, The Sleuth of Blackfriars Lane, is loosely based on one of my all-time favorite PBS series.
Have you seen this show? If not, do yourself a favor and ride that pony. If you have, then you know what I’m talking about. Either way, you should know that, the main character, is a detective in Victorian London—a very sassy yet classy lady. And that’s what struck me light a lightning bolt.
This woman is Kit, the heroine in my Blackfriars series, like right there on the big screen.
So, for book III, I decided I’d let ol’ Kit open her own private investigation agency with the help of her father, a recently retired police sergeant. Of course much intrigue and chaos ensues, just like in my all-time favorite PBS series, bringing the Blackfriars series to a satisfying end.
Inspiration honestly comes from anywhere, so next time you’re rubbing elbows with an author, beware. You just might end up as a character in their next book.
To celebrate her tour, Michelle is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 Amazon e-gift card and a print copy of the book!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.
https://promosimple.com/ps/2b146/the-sleuth-of-blackfriars-lane-celebration-tour-giveaway
I enjoy reading book series. You know the characters from the previous books. It's like coming home. This is how I felt while reading this latest story from Misty M. Beller. I really enjoyed learning more about this wonderful family.
Things didn't turn out the way Naomi planned. Her feelings of loss and abandonment led her in a different direction. She had everything figured out, she thought. Until Eric appeared. This is a clear example of God's plan. HIS plan is better than anything we could ever imagine.
Once trust is lost, it is difficult to earn it back. Is it even possible? Yes, but Can Naomi and Eric?
I enjoyed every page.
#blogtour
#Celebratelit
I received this book to review from Celebrate Lit.
Book: Earning the Mountain Man’s Trust
Author: Misty M. Beller
Genre: Christian Historical Romance
Release Date: April 9, 2024
In the wild mountains of the Montana Territory, the Coulter ranch is a place of family, second chances…and a hidden fortune.
Naomi Wyatt has finally given up on the man who once promised to love her for the rest of his life—then disappeared with no way to contact him. She’s now a single mother with a beautiful baby girl to provide for, a daughter whose red hair reminds her daily of the man she gave her heart to. She has to move on though, so when Jonah Coulter asks for her hand in marriage, she knows she would be hard-pressed to find a better husband for herself and father for her sweet daughter. He’s a Coulter, after all, and he’s proven to be a good friend during her darkest hours.
But when her first love rides onto the ranch property saying he’d been searching for her for months, her heart is shredded once again. Before she has time to catch her breath though, a new threat appears on the horizon. This time she has far more at stake than her heart, and only a Divine hand can turn this disaster for their good.
From a USA Today bestselling author comes a mountain family saga filled with a second chance romance, love triangles, hidden treasure, and love that heals wounded hearts.
A HEROINE DISGUISED AS A MAN
I love a heroine in disguise! It’s one of my favorite tropes, but I don’t often get to write stories with that plot. It adds so many fun and funny moments to the storyline. J
In Rocky Mountain Journey our heroine goes undercover as a “man” to travel with a group of trappers so she can reach her destination safely. Numbers meant a better chance of survival back in those days. I love that Grant, our hero, was the only man in the trapper group who looked close enough at the young “man” riding with them to realize things weren’t what they seemed at first glance.
One challenge that definitely arises in a story where the heroine is pretending to be a man is the development of the romance between her and the hero. In this case, Faith was pretending to be her (fictitious) brother Frank. Grant had met Faith in an earlier chapter before she took on the disguise, and he immediately noticed the resemblance between “Frank” and the woman whose memory still lingered with him, even days later. Every time he looks at “Frank” while they’re traveling with the trappers, he recalls the memory of Faith by the waterfall…and the attraction to that woman grows a little more every time. What a shocking surprise when he discovered she’s riding just ahead of him on the trail the entire time!
I pray you love Faith’s stint “in disguise” in Rocky Mountain Journey! J
Blessings!
Misty
Misty M. Beller is a USA Today bestselling author of romantic mountain stories, set on the 1800s frontier and woven with the truth of God’s love.
Raised on a farm and surrounded by family, Misty developed her love for horses, history, and adventure. These days, her husband and children provide fresh adventure every day, keeping her both grounded and crazy.
Misty’s passion is to create inspiring Christian fiction infused with the grandeur of the mountains, writing historical romance that displays God’s abundant love through the twists and turns in the lives of her characters.
Sharing her stories with readers is a dream come true for Misty. She writes from her country home in South Carolina and escapes to the mountains any chance she gets.
Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions , April 23
Library Lady’s Kid Lit, April 23
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, April 24
Pause for Tales, April 24
Madi’s Musings, April 25
Alena Mentink, April 25
Devoted To Hope, April 26
Texas Book-aholic, April 26
Lighthouse Academy Blog, April 27 (Guest Review from Marilyn Ridgway)
Locks, Hooks and Books, April 27
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, April 28
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, April 28
Where Crisis & Christ Collide, April 29
Wishful Endings, April 29
Life on Chickadee Lane, April 30
lakesidelivingsite, April 30
Cover Lover Book Review, April 30
Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, May 1 (Author Interview)
Mary Hake, May 1
Books You Can Feel Good About, May 2
For Him and My Family, May 2
Book Looks by Lisa, May 3
Melissa’s Bookshelf, May 3
Betti Mace, May 4
Jeanette’s Thoughts, May 4
The Lofty Pages, May 5
Holly’s Book Corner, May 5
An Author’s Take, May 6
Blossoms and Blessings, May 6
To celebrate her tour, Misty is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.
https://promosimple.com/ps/2b143/earning-the-mountain-man-s-trust-celebration-tour-giveaway
Trust finds herself once again risking everything. One false step she'll be in jail again. This book was more exciting to me than the ot...
