My Review
Annie and Joshua’s story is my favorite in this delightful series. That girl has some spunk! She’s almost a rebel but not quite. The escapades in teaching that get her in trouble she does because she loves her students and wants them to have the best possible education. What harm can there be in going to a war cemetery? It’s part of history, right?!
Joshua is in Seymour under false pretenses and never expected to find someone he would want to marry while he’s there. He’s got some competition, though. Annie’s old beau, Luke, who doesn’t want to come to terms with Annie not being interested in him anymore, has surfaced after skipping out on her and is giving Joshua a run for his money.
Conflicts and misunderstandings arise between multiple characters creating a story that captivated me from page one. It was a quick but highly satisfying read. I don’t believe it would be at all confusing if you haven’t read the others in the series but you should, because they’re good.
Laura Hilton writes with clarity and genuine emotion. Her characters embed themselves in your mind and don’t want to let go. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to read an engaging and well written story, but especially to those who love Amish Fiction! You’ll get plenty of tension and humor, interlaced throughout with spiritual truth.
I want to thank Whitaker House for sending me this book for review purposes. I was not required to write a positive review, just my honest opinion.
Purchase:
CBD
Amazon
To learn more about Laura visit her on the web @
Lighthouse Academy or on Facebook.
I don't have the first book in the series, Patchwork Dreams. I do have the second and third books, so I am giving away both of my books, A Harvest of Hearts and Promised to Another, to one reader!
Leave a comment telling me what draws you to Amish fiction or what you like most about the Amish lifestyle. Just saying "Enter me" won't get you entered! I'm looking for some dialogue here :)
Continental US ONLY!!! Ends April 10th.
I don't think you can purchase direct from Whitaker House but please stop over and take a look at the books that they publish. You'll find titles by Laura Hilton, Sharlene MacLaren, Penny Zeller and more! And no, I am in no way affiliated with them, and make no money off of promoting them. I just love good Christian fiction and they publish some of the best!
I enjoy the Amish fiction from time to time, but some of my students absolutely love them! I appreciate the purity and sweetness of the stories. But I find that my students who are most drawn to them are the girls who come from very chaotic or even tragic backgrounds. I think they long for a simple, loving family life. I hope they'll pass that on to their own kids one day. I'd like to share these so please include me in the drawing. Thanks for your generosity! Blessings!
ReplyDeletereneeasmith61 [at] yahoo [dot] com
Renee,
ReplyDeleteI never thought about that as a reason to be drawn to the books but I think that is true. For myself, I always like them for the simple lifestyle but I also grew up in a chaotic home and the overall settled tone in the books is appealing to me.
Thanks for coming by and entering! Hope you have a lovely Resurrection weekend :)
I love them of course, b/c of the simplistic lifestyle, but also just that homey feeling you sense when you read one. That out in the country freshness, and the small town atmosphere, if that makes any sense. These books take the reader from all the busyness and traffic of city life, into the simplicity of rural life...however, the Amish are some the busiest people I know! It's hard for me to describe why I like them, I just DO!
ReplyDeleteI love the Amish books because I love to read about their lifestyle and so enjoy visiting their communities in Ohio and PA! And it makes me feel good when I read the books! We need that in this day and age!!!!
ReplyDeleteI hope to win these books too!!!!! And I will share on FB!!!!!!!!!
I think what I love most about the Amish is their dedication to their faith. They try, as best they can, to live out their faith everyday. Their way of life seems so simple to us who live in a technology laden world but in fact their way of life is very hard. But they are the most peaceful people I have ever come across and are always willing to give, whether it is a helping hand, a meal, shelter or just advice. They are a very giving people and that is why we are so drawn to them. In this fast paced world of ours they are a refreshing reminder of days gone by and a faithfulness we seldom see.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I enjoy autobiographies, I also enjoy my amish fiction. In fact, it's the only fiction that I read. It's clean, and you can go to a make believe world, no matter your age.
ReplyDeleteI grew up with just my mom and grandfather, and back in the fifties, that was NOT the usual situation. I always longed to have a close family with siblings. Now that I am older, and completely alone, I yearn for the closeness and the sharing of good and bad even more.
ReplyDeleteWOULD LOVE TO WIN. I LOVE THE WAY THE AMISH HELP EACH OTHER WHEN ONE OF THEM IS SICK.
ReplyDeleteLove reading Amish books!!!!
ReplyDeleteI don't need to enter. I came over to see. Thanks for the lovely review.
ReplyDeleteWhat I love best about the Amish? I like the sense of community. When one is hurting, he isn't left to hurt alone. The community is there every step of the way.
I totally agree with all of the above, Diana! I might not make it being Amish just for the work factor alone ;)
ReplyDeleteHi Dianna,
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing! I'm slightly envious, but not in a sinful way, that you get to visit their communities. I just recently found out there is a small one about an hour from me and I hope to visit it someday!
Hey Lynne,
ReplyDeleteI really appreciate that about their culture, helping each other and not depending on the government to provide their needs! Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts here today.
Hi Loretta,
ReplyDeleteYes, the clean factor goes a long way in choosing to read Amish fiction. Not that the stories aren't realistic but they don't have to be on the edge of propriety to be engaging! Thanks for coming by. Hope you have a wonderful weekend!
Hi Karen,
ReplyDeleteI think the Lord put in us a desire for fellowship and family! The blessing is we are not alone if we have HIM!!! Thank you for sharing your heart with us. Have a happy Resurrection weekend!
Hi Angela,
ReplyDeleteYes, that is a biblical concept that they practice well!
Hey Laura,
ReplyDeleteI guess you don't need to enter ;) Thank you for taking time out of your busy day to come by and leave a comment!
Scripture calls us to community but it is true that the Amish put it into practice daily. So much can be learned from them!
I know we are all looking forward to your next book :)
Praying you have a blessed Resurrection weekend!
i love the romance. the things these young people have to deal just to court. i love the bad snow storms and how they deal with it. the thing that really got me to pick up an amish fiction is the covers.
ReplyDeleteHi Diane,
ReplyDeleteI'm a very visual person and it's often the covers that first tempt me to choose a certain book too. The wide open spaces and farmland appeal to me the most. Thanks for coming by and commenting!
I do have a question for Laura, if she drops back by.
ReplyDeleteSince the Amish don't allow photos, what is the reasoning behind face shots on some of the covers? Do the publishers/design team ever ask your opinion on them?
I would love a chance to win this book I like reading Amish storys, and am presently waiting on one to come out.
ReplyDeleteAnita, What do you like best about reading Amish fiction?
ReplyDeleteYay! Pick me, please!
ReplyDeleteI just checked and our local library has a copy of Patchwork Dreams! I love your pretty lavender. My husband and I live 53 miles East of the real Seymour MO. I enjoy the windmills. Here is my very first post that began my blog, "Do Less and Seymour": http://lanehillhouse.blogspot.com/2011_01_01_archive.html
lanehillhouse[at]centurylink[dot]net
Hi Anne, I think I have read patchwork dreams, these look so good, I love to read the amish stories when characters have problems in their lives and watch how they work them out which is usually with strong faith.
ReplyDeletestories that tell us about the family and how they share both good and bad things that happen, even when grown children gone and on their own they still help if help is needed within family or community.
thanks for sharing
Paula O(kyflo130@yahoo.com)
what you like most about the Amish lifestyle?
ReplyDeletethe recognition and valuing of nature's worth ~
I think that the pull to Amish fiction for me is how it's almost like a historical tale in a modern world. With their lack of modern "conveniences" it's like they are living in a different era...yet they aren't. It's like a book set in 2 different time periods.
ReplyDeleteVery awesome review :)
crazi.swans at gmail dot com
I love to read Amish novels to learn more of the Amish lifestyles and beliefs. Then tend to handle things a bit different due to their faith, and I find it intriguing to learn more. Thank you for a chance to win these two books. Will have to hunt down the first one.
ReplyDeletedesertrose5173 at gmail dot com
My family and I visited Pennsylvania in 2000 and were able to enjoy the lifestyle of the Amish people. Their simplicity of life was refreshing. Their faith and convictions in life inspired us to try living a less materialistic life.
ReplyDeleteThe stories that are written about them inspire me to be a better person.
I like the simplicity and the strong sense of family.
ReplyDeleteI find Amish fiction interesting and it is a help to see that there are folks whose faith beliefs are so strong that they feel compelled to ban the use of conveniences that would make life easier and more productive for them. I find, too, it difficult to understand why they can have gas appliances but not electricity. Why not simply stay simple and just use woodburning ranges and fireplaces? I'm not finding fought, just simply trying to understand the simple, plain life they live. I do enjoy their stories, though.
ReplyDeletemy yahoo email is godleyv and is a [dot]com
I love the simplicity of the Amish life style as well as their love of G-d and the closeness to one another that they have. They are such close knit families.
ReplyDeleteMy father-in-law grew up in the Amish community and I enjoy learning more about their culture as part of my children's heritage.
ReplyDeleteLove the cover on the new book.
ReplyDeleteI love reading Amish fiction and nonfiction books because I like their way of life. The books seem to pull me in away from the stress that is going on in the world. I read just about anything: mystery, general fiction, true stories, horror. But I love the Amish books, they will always be on my bookshelves. Used to go to Lancaster, PA to visit my Aunt and Uncle when I was a kid and that's when I became interested in the Amish. Would sit out on the front porch to wait for the buggies to go by. Sure missed going to my Aunt and Uncle's home which now belongs to a Mennonite family.
I like the peacefulness they seem to have and the faith they show.
ReplyDeletewfnren(at)aol(dot)com
I grew up next door to an Amish family; very warm, loving people. After graduation I moved from Wisconsin to Minnesota, but whenever I visit the family farm and we are out at an Amish breakfast, they always greet me as though it hasn't been years since we've last seen each other. The books I've read remind me of the family I knew and invite me further into what their lives are like day by day. It almost feels like my circle of friends expands when I get to know the people in the stories. Their faith encourages me in my journey.
ReplyDeletemy email riverweaver8 at gmail dot com
I went to middle school with several Amish girls. They were friends with everyone!
ReplyDelete~There is a Amish community not far from where I live, with a very popular Restaurant!
I like to read Amish books because of their simplier lifestyle and their devotion.
The books are very relaxing to me.
I like Amish Fiction as I am very intrigued by their lifestyle. I think they are very strong individuals and very strong in their faith. I think we can learn something from them. Therefore it is nice to read books about them
ReplyDeleteWell I just enjoy Amish Fiction, maybe because I know some Amish Personally.
ReplyDeleteI definitely want to read this book whether I win it or not.
Lane - Love your enthusiasm :) Catchy title and nice post. Stopped over and read it!
ReplyDeleteHi Paula,
ReplyDeleteTheir sense of community and duty to family is certainly an admirable trait. I know I always learn something from the Amish :)
Hey Faye,
ReplyDeleteI agree! It's like getting two-for-one :)
Hope you have a blessed Resurrection Sunday!
It is true that they value creation and honor God's handiwork because the Creator has entrusted it to mankind.
ReplyDelete"At the core of traditional Amish society is an agrarian lifestyle. Tilling the soil has religious significance for the Amish based on Biblical interpretations and as a result the Amish have a strong sense of land stewardship." (Hostetler 1993)
Hi Linda,
ReplyDeleteThey certainly do live their beliefs in all aspects of their lives, and not just when it is convenient. Thanks for coming by and dialoguing!
Hey Denise,
ReplyDeleteI would love to be able to visit an Amish community for a time. They are very inspirational and I think it's entirely possible to live a simpler life :)
I would love reading Amish Fiction and Historical Fiction but when I have to pick the Amish always win (smile)
ReplyDeletePlease include me in your drawing.
Blessings to all
Hi Wendy,
ReplyDeleteMe too! Have a blessed Resurrection weekend :)
Hi Vera,
ReplyDeleteMy understanding is that each Amish community can have different standards. I think allowing the use of gas is mandated by the Bishop in each community. I, for one, would want gas instead of wood, especially in summer!
Thanks for coming by and leaving such a thought provoking comment!
Hi carole,
ReplyDeleteHow cool! He must have some fascinating stories to tell :)
Hi Jo,
ReplyDeleteTheir dedication to a simplistic lifestyle is certainly manifested from their love of God. I know from reading so many books that their families aren't perfect but then neither are ours :) I always try and find something to implement in my own home after reading about the Amish. Best wishes for a blessed Resurrection Day!
Hi Karen,
ReplyDeleteLaura's books cause me to get lost in the Amish world! I just love reading about a culture that seems so different from my own, and yet there are several similarities. I hope I get to visit one of their communities someday :)
Hi Wendy,
ReplyDeleteBeing out in the open farm country must be peaceful, indeed! I guess not all Amish communities are like that but if I had my choice, that's where I would live :) Have a blessed Resurrection Sunday!
Hi Penny,
ReplyDeleteWow! Next door neighbors. It must have been a beautiful place to grow up, on a farm! They are an encouragement to me too. Thanks for sharing with us.
Hi Angela,
ReplyDeleteI totally agree! Have a blessed Resurrection Sunday :)
Hey Melissa,
ReplyDeleteI hear their food is excellent! I'm dying to go to the community that is about an hour from me, as I hear they have a restaurant too :) Or at least a sandwich type deli. From the reviews on the internet, the visitors said they are exceptionally tasty!
Hi Abigail,
ReplyDeleteIt's worth checking out from the library if you don't win! I have enjoyed the whole series and can't wait to read more from Laura :)
Hey Ingrid,
ReplyDeleteWhat makes you choose Amish over Historical? For me, it depends on the era the historical story is set in, but I do love me some good Amish fiction ;)
The reason electricity is not used is because it would make it necessary to connect to the grid and therefore be reliant on the outside (English) world. Whereas gas can be obtained without a direct tie to the outside community.
ReplyDeleteWhat I like about Amish fiction is the very simple lifestyle the Amish live. I can't say that I understand fully their desire to live that way, but I do admire them for following through.
ReplyDeleteThe Amish that I have met have amazed me with their dedication to their faith and lifestyle.
You make me smile, Anne! Happy Easter. He is Risen Indeed!
ReplyDeleteI love Amish books as they show how you can live without all the techno gagets, their simple way of life, their love of family and neighbors and their faith.
ReplyDeleteI have Amish friends and neighbors so I enjoy reading stories that portray them accurately. While my Amish friends love to read and read voraciously, I can't say I've ever seen them read any of what we call Amish fiction. They love mysteries and I've gotten a couple of them hooked on Lynn Austin's books. :) We share books quite often, it's fun!
ReplyDeleteI will honestly saw that im not a major fan of this genre. I will, however, say that it is a big hit in my church library.
ReplyDeleteWould love to read this book.
ReplyDeleteI love the amish lifestyle because they keep it simple and grounded in faith and family
ReplyDeleteHi Sarah,
ReplyDeleteWhat do you like about Amish fiction, or what draws you to the Amish?
Would enjoy winning and reading this book.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for this opportunity.
would love a chance to get this book to read
ReplyDeleteHi Kay, Thanks for coming by. This giveaway has ended but I see that you entered for Trauma Plan. Are you a follower?
ReplyDeleteI think I just joined as a follower. New experience for me. I think I did it correct.
ReplyDelete