Book Review with featured author, Jo Ann Brown: An Amish Mother's Secret Past

An Amish Mother’s Secret Past by Jo Ann Brown

Publisher & Release: Love Inspired, July 1, 2020

Time and setting:  Present day, Vermont

Genre: Amish Fiction

Length: 224 Pages

Heat Level: 1 Sweetheart

Rating: 4 Gold Crowns

Book Description: 

Every woman deserves a fresh start…

Can an Amish widow’s past

cost her a future filled with love?
Widow Rachel Yoder has a secret: she’s a military veteran trying to give her children a new life among the Amish. Though she’s drawn to bachelor Isaac Kauffman, she knows she can’t tell him the truth—or give him her heart. With her forbidden past, Rachel can never be the perfect Plain wife he’s looking for…

Buy Links:

Amazon: https://smile.amazon.com/Amish-Mothers-Secret-Mountain-Blessings-ebook/dp/B082P4WN53

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/an-amish-mothers-secret-past-jo-ann-brown

KOBO: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/an-amish-mother-s-secret-past

Add to Goodreads & BookBub:

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/53949312-an-amish-mother-s-secret-past

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/books/an-amish-mother-s-secret-past-by-jo-ann-brown

Vikki’s Musings

Thanks goes to the publisher and Net-Galley for the complimentary copy of An Amish Mother’s Secret Pastby Jo Ann Brown for the purpose of reading and reviewing prior to publication. My opinions are my own and no one influenced me in any way.

An Amish Mother’s Secret Past is a well written Amish romance with endearing characters and a sweet romance. The pacing kept me enmeshed from the beginning to the end. It has enough descriptive writing to give me the strong sense of the Amish community.

Rachel Yoder’s character is a widow with two adorable daughters. Her late husband was in the military, and she is also a veteran. When he dies, she returns to her Amish upbringing, slipping into the familiar of the new Amish community in Vermont although she’s never been baptized. I liked her a great deal and wanted her to open her heart to the hero.

Isaac Kauffman is the typical Amish hero and a delightful one. He yearns for a family but doesn’t believe he deserves one. He too has secrets, so he is more accepting of Rachel’s. Although his need for perfection gives the heroine a different impression.

I enjoyed the lovely romance between Rachel and Isaac. They don’t have the usual courting relationship that most Amish have. They are a bit older than many Amish couples. Rachel’s exposure to the Englischer lifestyle influences her decisions and choices. Her fear to tell Isaac about her past causes a lot of internal conflict, making this an enjoyable reading experience.

If you enjoy Amish romances with characters that will pull at your heartstrings and one that has a unique plot, then you will love An Amish Mother’s Secret Past as much as I did. I’m so glad I found this excellent novel. Happy reading!

Author Bio:

Jo Ann Brown has been creating characters and stories for as long as she can remember. Her first stories were populated with her friends and sisters. She wrote her first novel in high school, and it happily resides in the forgotten depths of her file cabinet. Fast forward through college, serving in the US Army as a quartermaster officer, getting married, and increasing her blessings with three children...and Jo Ann sold her first book in 1987. Since it was published in 1988, she has sold over 100 titles and has become a best-selling and award-winning author. Romantic Times called her “a truly talented author.” She writes romance, mystery, and YA under a variety of pen names. Now she is writing Amish romances for Love Inspired and Annie’s Fiction as Jo Ann Brown.

Her books have been translated into nearly a dozen languages and are sold on every continent except Antarctica. A sought-after speaker, she has been teaching creative writing for over 20 years, and she established several popular fiction courses at Brown University. She resides in Florida with her husband and about a zillion little lizards in her yard.

Social Media:

Website: http://joannbrownbooks.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100023928423266

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/jo-ann-brown

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1056491.Jo_Ann_Brown

Book Review: The Englisch Daughter by Cindy Woodsmall

The Englisch Daughter by Cindy Woodsmall

Publisher & Release: Waterbrook, April 21, 2020

Time and setting:  Present Day, Pennsylvania

Genre: Amish Fiction

Length: 352 Pages

Heat Level: 1 Sweetheart

Rating:  5 Gold Crowns

Book Description: 

A marriage is tested in this Old Order Amish novel of longing for renewed love and a path for forgiveness from the best-selling author of Gathering the Threads. 

Old Order Amish wife and mother Jemima has put her marriage and family ahead of herself for years. She's set herself aside. Raising four children, she's followed all the rules and has been patient in looking forward to her time to chase a dream of her own. 

But when she finds out that her life savings for pursuing that dream is gone--and her husband, Roy, has been hiding a child with another woman--her entire world is shattered. Will she be able to listen to God and love Roy's child? With so much at stake, how can she and Roy fix their relationship before their lives come crashing down?

Buy Links:

Amazon: https://smile.amazon.com/Englisch-Daughter-Cindy-Woodsmall-ebook/dp/B07VG4JVJ3

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-englisch-daughter-cindy-woodsmall

Add to Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/49866504-the-englisch-daughter

Vikki’s Musings

Thanks goes to the publisher, via Net-Galley, for the chance to read and review The Englisch Daughter by Cindy Woodsmall in advance of publication. This is an Amish Fiction novel. My opinions are my own and are not influenced in any way.

The Englisch Daughter is a riveting novel that held me in its thrall from the first page to the last. At times, it had my heart stopping as I waited for what would happen next. The writing is emotional, and the plot is spellbinding. This story will stay with me a long time and will go in my keeper file.

There are several central characters in this book. Jemima has gone through almost losing her husband and daughter in a horrific buggy accident, both of them have challenges. Her husband has been through hell from dealing with Opiate addiction, to being manipulated by a very troubled young woman, to anxiety that if his wife learns what he’s done, the emotional pain will be more than she can handle.

Abigail is Roy’s sister, and she’s been impacted by the manipulation from the woman as well. She planned to partner with Jemima in running the food cart, she’d planed on purchasing, but Roy has spent all the money. She also has relationship issues and has never dated anyone more than a few weeks. Chris is another main character, and he also has his own set of issues as well. When an attraction develops between him and Abigail, their issues threaten to keep them apart.

I could feel the heartache and pain from all these wonderful characters. This made The Englisch Daughter a fascinating reading experience. The love stories involved are emotionally charged, the character development is amazing.

If you enjoy Amish fiction with compelling characters and a soul wrenching plot, then you will love The Englisch Daughter as much as I did. I highly recommend this book. I always know I’m in for a fantastic reading experience when reading one of Ms. Woodsmall’s outstanding novels. Happy reading!

Author Bio:

Cindy Woodsmall is a New York Times, CBA, ECPA, and USA Today best-selling author who has written twenty-two (and counting!) works of fiction and one of nonfiction. Cindy has been featured on ABC Nightline and on the front page of the Wall Street Journal and has worked with National Geographic on a documentary concerning Amish life. Wall Street Journal listed Cindy as the one of the top three most popular authors of Amish fiction.

She's won Fiction Book of the Year, Reviewer's Choice Awards, Inspirational Reader's Choice Contest, as well as one of Crossings' Best Books of the Year. She's been a finalist for the prestigious Christy, Rita, and Carol Awards, Christian Book of the Year, and Christian Retailers Choice Awards.

Her real-life connections with Amish Mennonite and Old Order Amish families enrich her novels with authenticity. Though she didn't realize it at the time, seeds were sown years ago that began preparing Cindy to write these books. At the age of ten, while living in the dairy country of Maryland, she became best friends with Luann, a Plain Mennonite girl. Luann, like all the females in her family, wore the prayer Kapp and cape dresses. Her parents didn't allow television or radios, and many other modern conveniences were frowned upon. During the numerous times Luann came to Cindy's house to spend the night, her rules came with her and the two were careful to obey them--afraid that if they didn't, the adults would end their friendship. Although the rules were much easier to keep when they spent the night at Luann's because her family didn't own any of the forbidden items, both sets of parents were uncomfortable with the relationship and a small infraction of any kind would have been enough reason for the parents to end the relationship. While navigating around the adults' disapproval and the obstacles in each other's lifestyle, the two girls bonded in true friendship that lasted into their teen years, until Cindy's family moved to another region of the US.

As an adult, Cindy became friends with a wonderful Old Order Amish family who opened their home to her. Although the two women, Miriam and Cindy, live seven hundred miles apart geographically, and a century apart by customs, when they come together they never lack for commonality, laughter, and dreams of what only God can accomplish through His children. Over the years Cindy has continued to make wonderful friendships with those inside the Amish and Mennonite communities--from the most conservative ones to the most liberal.

Cindy and her husband reside near the foothills of the North Georgia Mountains in their now empty nest.   

Social Media:

Website: http://www.cindywoodsmall.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorcindywoodsmall

Twitter: https://twitter.com/cindywoodsmall

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cindywoodsmall/

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/search/pins/?rs=ac&len=2&q=cindy%20woodsmall%20books&eq=cindy%20woodsmall&etslf=14108&term_meta[]=cindy%7Cautocomplete%7C0&term_meta[]=woodsmall%7Cautocomplete%7C0&term_meta[]=books%7Cautocomplete%7C0

Book Review: When Love Finds You by Virginia Wise

When Love Finds You by Virginia Wise

Publisher & Release: Zebra Books, December 31, 2019

Time and setting:  18^th Century, Pennsylvania

Genre: Historical Romance/Amish Fiction

Length: 352 Pages

Rating:  5 Gold Crowns

Book Description: 

In the latest novel in Virginia Wise’s stirring historical saga about America's first Amish settlement, a once-privileged woman in a very different new world soon finds that hope—and love—are worth the challenge . . .
 
Scandal drove Catrina Witmer from her life as a wealthy Englischer's pampered daughter—to reluctant membership in Pennsylvania’s thriving new Amish settlement. Surprisingly, Catrina finds contentment and peace in this promising new land, though she won't risk telling anyone about her past. But the unexpected sparks between her and bashful warm-hearted farmer Eli Webber suddenly have her dreaming of an impossible chance at happiness—as his wife.
 
Eli never imagined such a spirited woman would look his way. Or that he could ever deserve her, given his own guilty mistakes. But Catrina's vivacity and kindness have him impulsively proposing. Unfortunately, his over-righteous sister, and the consequences of secrets on both sides, threaten to tear their marriage apart for good. Now Catrina and Eli must try forgiving themselves and finding strength in their bond if they are to have a joyous future together . . . 

Buy Links:

Amazon: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B07Q3NMTX1

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/when-love-finds-you-virginia-wise

Add to Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/44768247-when-love-finds-you

Vikki’s Musings

Thanks Goes to the publisher, via Net-Galley, to read and review When Love Finds You by Virginia Wise in advance of publication. My opinions are my own and are not influenced in any way.

When Love Finds You is a beautiful romance with heartfelt characters and a plot that touched me greatly. The writing flows beautifully and Ms. Wise gives the reader the right amount of information concerning the environment and characterization of the Amish to add authenticity to this book.

Catrina Witmer’s character grew up Englisch, and the pampered daughter of a Philadelphia merchant. She leaves under a cloud of scandal and goes with her grandparents to a thriving Amish settlement. She wants a chance to start over where no one knows what happened. I could feel her fear that her new life would disappear if anyone finds out what happened. I liked her character a great deal. I’m a firm believer in second chances.

Eli Webber is a wonderful hero. He’s a humble man, and not gorgeous, which is a breath of fresh air since in most romance novels, the hero is. He’s not the typical Amish man. He’s a weaver, not a farmer and is fairly clueless about establishing a homestead on the edge of the wilderness. He’s devoted to his sister, who definitely see the glass half empty. His patience with her is amazing!

The romance between Catrina and Eli is sweet and develops slowly yet is very satisfying. I love the innocence in Amish romances. A relationship between them is not based on physical attraction, but on the substance of the characters. As I enter my golden years, I understand that is so much more important than physical appearance. I really wanted to see Catrina and Eli find their happy ending!

If you enjoy novels with engaging characters and a heartwarming romance, then you will love When Love Finds You. I loved the spiritual message in this book, and I have to read the first novel in this series. Happy reading!

Author’s Notes:

Thanks goes to Virginia Wise for approving the inclusion of some of her research.

When did the Amish come to America?  Why did they risk everything to start a new life in a strange land?

The Amish trace their history back to the 16^thcentury Protestant Reformation, when the European Anabaptist movement began.  Two foundational beliefs set Anabaptists apart from other reformers: adult baptism and a “Free Church,” with no government interference. 

Considered radicals and heretics, the Amish were persecuted for their beliefs by both Catholics and Protestants.  They were hunted down and imprisoned, tortured, burned  at the stake, and exiled. 

In the aftermath of persecution, the Amish looked to the New World for refuge.  The first major wave of Amish immigration took place in 1737, when the Charming Nancy sailed into Philadelphia with 21 hopeful families. 

These Amish pioneers settled on the Pennsylvania frontier to scratch out a living from an untamed wilderness.  More families followed and formed farming communities in  what would eventually become known as Pennsylvania’s Amish Country. Another, larger wave of Amish immigrants arrived in the early to mid-19^thcentury. Many of these  families settled in the Midwest, New York State, and Ontario.

Today, the Old Order Amish have disappeared from Europe completely.  But, their North American communities continue to thrive and grow!

Germanic Roots

The first Amish settlers in America hailed from Germany and Switzerland.  They brought their language and customs with them in addition to their religious beliefs.  Their dialect of German evolved over the years, developing into the Pennsylvania Dutch spoken today.  In this case, the word “Dutch” does not refer to people from the Netherlands.  Instead, it is a corruption of the German word “Deutsche,” which means German.         

Author Bio:

After Virginia’s oldest son left for college and her youngest son began high school, she finally had time to pursue her dream of writing novels. Virginia dusted off the keyboard she once used as a magazine editor and journalist to create a world that combines her love of romance, history, and Plain living.

Her Amish New World series takes readers on a journey into the 18th century Pennsylvania wilderness and the pioneering days of the first American Amish. Each carefully researched novel brings a bygone era to life and connects readers to this forgotten time by weaving familiar Amish romances into an historic frontier setting.

Virginia Wise's favorite pastimes include wandering Lancaster County’s Amish country and exploring history museums that inspire her stories and help her connect readers with the past. When she’s not writing, Virginia enjoys painting and taking long walks in the woods.

Social Media:

Website: https://www.virginiawisebooks.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VirginiaWiseBooks/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AmishNewWorld

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/virginiawisebooks/

After Virginia’s oldest son left for college and her youngest son began high school, she finally had time to pursue her dream of writing novels. Virginia dusted off the keyboard she once used as a magazine editor and journalist to create a world that combines her love of romance, history, living.

Her Amish New World series takes readers on a journey into the 18th century Pennsylvania wilderness and the pioneering days of the first American Amish. Each wandering Lancaster County’s Amish country and exploring history museums that inspire her stories and help her connect readers with the past. When she’s not wr

Book Review: An Amish Christmas Kitchen by Leslie Gould, Jan Drexler, Kate Lloyd

An Amish Christmas Kitchen, Three Novellas by Leslie Gould, Jan Drexler, Kate Lloyd

Publisher & Release: Bethany House, September 3, 2019

Time and setting:  Present Day, Pennsylvania

Genre: Amish Romance

Length: 298 Pages

Rating: 3.5 Gold Crowns

Book Description: 

As the weather grows cold and the nights grow long, the cheer and warmth of the Christmas season is one thing all readers can find comfort in. This collection from bestselling Amish fiction novelists Leslie Gould, Jan Drexler, and Kate Lloyd finds the beating heart at the center of the holiday and offers three novellas that celebrate family, faith, and especially the sights and smells of a bustling holiday kitchen. 

Leslie Gould tells the story of how, in the wake of a heartbreaking loss, a young Amish woman finds unexpected comfort and hope in a yearly baking tradition surrounding the local Lancaster Christmas market. Jan Drexler offers a sweet tale of a shy Amish woman who decides to use her gift for sweets to woo a local Amish boy with her beloved Christmas cookies. And Kate Lloyd offers a heartwarming tale of a woman's unexpected discovery about the truth of her past, and the warm and welcoming Amish family table she finds herself invited to on Christmas.

Buy Links:

Amazon: https://smile.amazon.com/Amish-Christmas-Kitchen-Novellas-Celebrating-ebook/dp/B07NNPLFV1

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/an-amish-christmas-kitchen-leslie-gould

Add to Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/46347833-an-amish-christmas-kitchen

Vikki’s Musings

An Amish Family Christmas by Leslie Gould

This is a heartwarming story where an unhappy Amish girl has a second chance at love and how her new friendship with a Mennonite woman opens her heart to her ex-boyfriend. I enjoyed An Amish Family Christmas. It deals with heartache and how words misunderstood had led to the breakup between Noelle and the hero. 

It took me a bit of time to warm up to the heroine. Noelle’s tender concern and care for her ill father helped me see her in a better light. That shows her true nature. Noelle’s friendship with the Mennonite young woman, Holly, was the best thing for Noelle. Holly’s vivacious and optimistic personality helped her a great deal. Ms. Gould does a credible job taking Noelle from a depressed young woman to one who is willing to give Jesse a second chance.

Jesse is the hero. He went to Montana, leaving Noelle to deal with her ill mother and heartbroken. Now, he’s returned a widower with an infant daughter. I liked Jesse from the start. He tries so hard to talk to Noelle, but she kept pushing him away. Fortunately, Holly plays the matchmaker and makes it possible for him to finally speak with Holly. While the ending is positive, it felt rushed to me. Nonetheless, an enjoyable Christmas tale with a positive message. 

An Amish Christmas Recipe Box by Jan Drexler

A heartwarming Christmas romance with engaging characters and lesson to look beyond the surface. Ada has a crush on Amos who works in her father’s woodworking shop. Another young man befriends her, offering friendship and a sympathetic ear. 

When the Amos derides Ada’s efforts to attract his attention, Matthias stands up for her. That sealed the deal for me, and I really hoped Ada’s eyes would be opened to the much better man in her life.

I enjoyed the message and the emotional writing in An Amish Recipe. It shows how looks are not everything. The heart of a person is much more important, and Matthias has a heart of gold. I am glad I had the chance to read this well-written novella, my favorite of the three! 

An Unexpected Christmas Gift By Kate Lloyd

This story is about a young woman searching for her birth mother. Her search takes her to Amish country where she meets relatives that she discovered from a DNA test. It shows the open hearts of the family, and Maria yearns to be a part of this loving family.

The romance is lightly sprinkled in lightly and is more eluded to than shown. I liked the characters, especially the matriarch of the family. It has an enjoyable, if somewhat abrupt ending.

If you enjoy sweet Amish Christmas stories with engaging characters and heartwarming plots, then you will love An Amish Christmas Kitchen. It’s sure to put you in the mood for the upcoming holidays. Happy reading!

Book Review: The Farmer's Bride by Kathleen Fuller

The Farmer’s Bride by Kathleen Fuller

Publisher & Release: Zondervan, June 4, 2019

Time and setting:  Present Day, Birch Creek

Genre: Amish Romance

Book Length:  304 Pages

Heat Level: 1 Sweetheart

Rating: 4 Gold Crowns

Book Description: 

They promised to keep each other’s secrets . . . not realizing they were about to make some of their own. 

Martha Detweiler has a problem many Amish women her age would envy: she’s the only single woman in a community of young men, and they’re all competing for her favor. Overwhelmed by the unwanted attention, Martha finds herself constantly fleeing from her would-be suitors, dismayed at what her life has come to. 

Birch Creek’s resident matchmaker, Cevilla Schlabach, suggests a solution: Martha and the bishop’s son, Seth Yoder, should pretend they are dating. What better way to keep the other young men away? 

But Seth is the only man around not interested in Martha. He has a secret hobby that keeps him away from social gatherings: woodcarving. Having grown up in poverty, he’s determined to keep his father’s farm successful, even if it means he has no time for dating. Then Delilah Stoll, a new resident of Birch Creek, eyes Seth as the perfect man for her granddaughter. Suddenly Cevilla’s proposition doesn’t seem all that ludicrous. Can Seth and Martha convince their family and friends to leave them alone? 

Buy Link:

https://smile.amazon.com/Farmers-Bride-Amish-Brides-Birch-ebook/dp/B07KF1FY84

Add to Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/42771919-the-farmer-s-bride

Vikki’s Musings

Kathleen Fuller is one of my favorite Amish fiction authors, so when I discovered The Farmer’s Bride on Net-Galley, I eagerly requested it. Thanks goes to the publisher for allowing me to read and review, prior to publication. My opinions are my own and are not influenced in any way.

The Farmer’s Bride is a lovely romance with engaging characters and an interesting and unique plot. The pacing is nice and steady, keeping me reading, wanting to find out what would happen next. 

Martha Detweiler’s character is enchanting. Her love of family is apparent from the first page. She has a dilemma since she’s the only single female in Birch Creek. When her friend, Cevilla suggests a plan, she hesitates. Pretending to enter into a courtship with Seth Yoder is deceitful, but desperate to have the other men in the district leave her be, she reluctantly agrees. They quickly learn that they have a mutual desire, when she stumbles on his shed.

Seth loves woodcarving and hopes to turn it into more than a hobby. He’s kept it from his family, so when Martha discovers his hobby, and expresses the desire to learn, he agrees to teach her what he knows, so she’ll keep his secret. Seth is a man of his word, but soon realizes there is an attraction between him and Martha. I enjoyed his conflict between his duty to his father and his passion for woodcarving. I also enjoyed the tug of war he has over his feelings for Martha.

Both Martha and Seth are strong in their faith, which is admirable, and neither have any desire for the world beyond their Amish community, so there is no struggle there. The primary conflict is the emotions they are developing for each other. Seth believes he has no time for courting, even if he does feel Martha would make him a fine frau. 

Martha’s struggle involves a past young man and his treatment of her when she tells him she’s not interested. She tired of evading the young men in the area. Since Seth clearly tells her he’s not interested, he’s perfect for the plan. The only problem––she is falling for him.

I thoroughly enjoyed the back and forth between this couple. It made the book a good read. It’s clear from the start, they like each other, and as the story progresses, they form a firm friendship. I truly wanted them to find their happy ending.

If you are a fan of Amish romance with charming characters and a plot that is different than what is found in this genre, then you will enjoy The Farmer’s Bride. I look forward to reading the next book in this series. Happy reading!

Sale Blitz: Amish Widow's Hope by Samantha Price

Clean Romance

Expectant Amish Widows, Book 1

Published: February 2016

Newly widowed Amish woman, Anita Graber, has returned to live with her brother and his family in Lancaster County.

As an expectant widow, she is quite surprised when everyone from the bishop's wife to her brother decides that her baby needs a father. Anita endures many embarrassing moments as she's forced into one awkward situation after another.

Even though another man is the last thing on her mind, she finds a friend in her sister-in-law's brother, Simon. Anita wonders why everyone has rejected Simon as a suitable match for her.

Will Anita finally convince everyone that she and her baby are happy on their own?

Could the man that no one sees her with, be the very man who eventually captures her heart?

About the Author

Samantha Price is a best selling author who knew she wanted to become a writer at the age of seven, while her grandmother read to her Peter Rabbit in the sun room. Though the adventures of Peter and his sisters Flopsy, Mopsy, and Cotton-tail started Samantha on her creative journey, it is now her love of Amish culture that inspires her to write. Her writing is clean and wholesome, with more than a dash of sweetness. Though she has penned over one hundred and twenty Amish Romance and Amish Mystery books, Samantha is just as in love today with exploring the spiritual and emotional journeys of her characters as she was the day she first put pen to paper. Samantha lives in a quaint Victorian cottage with three rambunctious dogs.

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