Book Review with featured author: His Accidental Amish family by Rachel J. Good

His Accidental Amish Family by Rachel J. Good

 

 

Publisher & Release: Zebra Books, December 1, 2020

Time and setting:  Present Day, Amish Country

Genre: Amish Fiction

Length: 294 Pages

Heat Level: Sweet

Rating: 5 Gold Crowns

Book Description: 

In the picturesque Amish community of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, life’s detours may prove the path to true happiness . . . 
 
After a buggy accident when she was a teenager, Anna Flaud was told she would never walk again. Unwilling to be an object of pity, she put aside her dreams of marriage and found purpose as an assistant at a Community Care Center. Now she has a chance to fulfill her dearest wish—motherhood—and adopt three siblings with special needs. Yet the opportunity comes with a condition Anna isn’t sure she can meet: finding a husband.
 
Levi King began working at the center as penance after a careless mistake led to tragedy. Though he’s dealing with his own heartbreak, he’s drawn to Anna, cheering her on as she strives to regain her mobility. Her quiet determination, her generous heart—these are qualities to cherish in a wife. Still, Anna’s plans give him pause. Given his past, Levi hardly trusts himself to care for one child, let alone three. Yet together, perhaps they could forge a family made sturdier by all they’ve overcome . . .

 

Buy Links:

 

Amazon: https://smile.amazon.com/Accidental-Amish-Family-Unexpected-Blessings-ebook

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/his-accidental-amish-family-rachel-j-good

KOBO: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/his-accidental-amish-family

Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Rachel_J_Good_His_Accidental_Amish_Family

Apple Books: https://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/search?term=His%20Accidental%20Amish%20Family%20(Unexpected%20Amish%20Blessings)%20Good%2c%20Rachel%20J.&mt=11&at=11lvdC

 

Add to Goodreads & BookBub:

 

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/53664201-his-accidental-amish-family

BoobBub: https://www.bookbub.com/books/his-accidental-amish-family-unexpected-amish-blessings-book-3-by-rachel-j-good

 

Vikki’s Musings

 

Thanks go to the publisher and Net-Galley for the complimentary copy of His Accidental Amish Family by Rachel J. Good. I agreed to read and review this emotionally charged novel prior to publication. My opinions are my own, and no one has influenced them.

 

His Accidental Amish Family is a lovely Amish fiction novel with endearing characters and a heartfelt plot. Ms. Good brings her amazing understanding of Amish life to this highly enjoyable tale. She has clearly done her research regarding foster care too. The pacing of this book pulled me in from the start and kept my attention until the end.

 

Anna Flaud is our heroine, and I fell in love with her from the start. I could feel her pain and guilt over the accident that left her unable to walk. Her willingness to open her home to foster children is amazing since she spends her time in a wheelchair. Her determination to walk is admirable, and her struggle touched me. When she starts to have feelings for the hero, she is cautious after what happened with her ex-fiancée.

 

Levi King is the Amish hero, and he’s the individual who helps Anna learn to walk again. How he deals with Anna’s impatience during the process is amazing, but he senses guilt behind what drives her, and he understands that since he has guilt over his brother’s disabilities. He shows more emotion than is typical in an Amish man, and it made it much easier to become vested in his character.

 

The romance doesn’t start at the beginning of the novel since Anna is pushing herself to walk for Gabe, the man who was driving the buggy when the accident happened, but she is fascinated by Levi even before she finds Gabe has fallen in love with another. Through a misunderstanding, Levi believes she’s married and has a baby. Once that is cleared up, the romance grows in a lovely way, and I wanted them to find their happy ending.

 

If you enjoy Amish romances with character you will love and a plot so poignant it will touch your heart, then you will love His Accidental Amish Family as much as I did. The storyline involving foster children is heart wrenching and made me cry on more than one occasion. I highly recommend this novel if you are looking for a book with more substance. Happy reading! 

 

Author Bio:

 

USA Today bestselling author Rachel J. Good grew up near Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, the setting for many of her Amish novels. Striving to be as authentic as possible, she spends time with her Amish friends, doing chores on their farm and attending family events.

Rachel loves to travel and visit many different Amish communities. In searching for the best Amish soft pretzels, she's visited many Amish markets, auctions, and mud sales. Because of her love of Amish food, she tries to include recipes in her books as often as possible. When she's not traveling, she spends time with family and writing. 

 

Social Media:

Website: http://racheljgood.mystrikingly.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/racheljgoodnovels/?ref=hl

Twitter: https://twitter.com/RachelJGood1

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rachelj.good/

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/racheljgood1/_created/

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/rachel-j-good

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14661177.Rachel_J_Good

 

 

Book Review with featured author: An Amish Holiday Courtship by Emma Miller

An Amish Holiday Courtship by Emma Miller

 

 

Publisher & Release: Love Inspired, December 1, 2020

Time and setting: Present Day, Amish Country

Genre: Amish Fiction

Length: 224 Pages

Heat Level: Sweet

Rating: 5 Gold Crowns

Book Description: 

She thought she knew what she wanted…

Her heart is searching for

the perfect husband this Christmas.

Ginger Stutzman has her sights set on the new Amish bachelor in town, but becoming a nanny for widower Eli Kutz’s children puts her romance plans on hold. Though it’s not the Christmas connection she expected, Ginger can’t deny the pull she feels toward Eli. But is it only the shine of the holiday season—or is a family with Eli a gift built to last?

From Harlequin Love Inspired: Uplifting stories of faith, forgiveness and hope.

 

Buy Links:

Amazon: https://smile.amazon.com/Amish-Holiday-Courtship-Love-Inspired-ebook

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/an-amish-holiday-courtship-emma-miller

KOBO: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/an-amish-holiday-courtship

Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Emma_Miller_An_Amish_Holiday_Courtship

 

Add to Goodreads & BookBub:

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/55066568-an-amish-holiday-courtship

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/books/an-amish-holiday-courtship-by-emma-miller

 

Vikki’s Musings

Thanks go to the publisher and Net-Galley for the complimentary copy of An Amish Holiday Courtship by Emma Miller. I voluntarily agreed to read and review this delightful novel prior to publication. My opinions are mine alone, and no one has influenced them.

 

An Amish Holiday Courtship is a lovely Amish fiction romance with endearing characters and a satisfying plot. Ms. Miller brings her amazing understanding of Amish life to this highly enjoyable Christmas tale. The pacing of this book pulled me in from the start and kept my attention until the end.

 

Ginger Stutzman is a loveable heroine with the traditional values of an Amish young girl, ready to become a wife and mother. She sets her sights on a handsome and charming Amish man, but while he is dating her, it’s less than satisfactory because he still flirts with other girls, but she clings to her dream. She agrees to help out a widower, Eli Kutz, with his little children. As she watches his tender care toward his kinder, she longs to have that with her Amish young man. 

 

While at times I wanted to shake sense into the heroine, I could understand why Ginger fancies herself in love with boyfriend and her confused feelings toward Eli. I love how she opens her heart to Eli’s young children and her determination to do a “gut” job. I truly wanted her to find her heart’s desire, something she doesn’t understand at the start of this tale.

 

Eli is a wonderful hero. As a widower, he’s determined to raise his children and honor his late wife’s memory. When Ginger becomes his nanny, he meets the first woman he wants since he lost his wife. I ached for him when he believes he is too old for Ginger. This kind Amish man is perfect for her.

 

The romance between them grows from their mutual respect and their love for his children. Their strong faith pulls them together and gives the couple a much stronger bond than either of them had ever imagined.

 

If you enjoy Amish novels with plenty of engaging characters and a wonderful Christian message, then you will love An Amish Holiday Courtship as much as I did. Amish fiction has become my recent fascination and has me searching for new novels in this genre, whether in eBook form or audio. Happy reading!

 

Author Bio:

 

Emma Miller is a wife, mother and a grandmother who lives a quiet life in Delaware. She's the author of the Hannah's Daughter's series and is at work on her next Amish romance novel.

 

Social Media:

Website: https://emmamillernovels.com/

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/emma-miller

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7060408.Emma_Miller

 

 

Book Review: Beauty and the Recluse by Ellie Gray

Beauty and the Recluse by Ellie Gray

Publisher & Release Date: Tirgearr Publishing, February 12, 2016

Time and setting: Present Day, York, England

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Length:  152 pages

Heat Level: 1 Sweet Heart

Rating: 4.5 Gold Crowns

Book Description: 

Following the recent death of her father, and in need of both a job and somewhere to live, Kiya takes a housekeeping job on the spur of the moment. She soon finds herself living in a beautiful but neglected mansion, working for a strange and reclusive man.

St. John is a man scarred by the past, both physically and emotionally, and is determined to live out his life alone. They are two very different people, drawn to each other almost against their will, but can Kiya convince St. John that he is not the monster he believes himself to be?

  

Buy Link:

http://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B019IUUK4I

Add to Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28666927-beauty-and-the-recluse?ac=1&from_search=1&from_nav=true

Vikki’s Musings

This is the first book I have read by Ms. Gray. When I was offered a chance to read it in exchange for an honest review, the book description intrigued me and the tile was enticing, so I agree. I’m certainly glad I did. Beauty and the Recluse is a sweet romance, and even though it is contemporary, it has the feel of a time long gone.

Still dealing with the grief from losing her father, Kiya finds out she is faced with his debt, and not only needs a job but a home. When she sees an ad for a live-in housekeeper, it sounds like the perfect solution to her dilemma.

St. John O’Neill has closed himself off from the world. His house is devoid of mirrors and he lives in his study and his bedroom. His house is in disorder and needs attention. When a young woman contacts him about the position of housekeeper, he hires her without even meeting him.

When Kiya arrives at the O’Neill estate, she finds a note and a set of keys pinned to the door. She starts work and has yet to meet her new employer. When at last she meets this reclusive man, her heart is touched by the pain she sees in his eyes. Can she find a way to bring him into the light and teach him to trust again?

The romance develops slowly between Kiya and St. John. I always enjoy this type of story. So many times with contemporary romance, the couple meets and immediately fall in love. Kiya and St. John get to know each other over a matter of months. This made their love story much more realistic for me.

However, even though the romance develops slowly, the pacing is great. The story pulled me in from the first page and kept me engaged until the end. St. John’s friend is a very nice addition to the book. I truly liked this light-hearted character.

This is a sweet romance, so there is not very much sexual tension and only a couple of kisses between the hero and the heroine, but in no way takes away from the romance. Beauty and the Recluse is all about the emotions each character feels toward the other. For St. John, it’s about learning to overcome his disfigurement and trust another human being.

If you enjoy a moving romance with great characters, then you will enjoy this sweet, traditional romance as much as I did. It’s refreshing to read a book with such a delightfully lovely story. Happy reading!

Book Review: Rescue Me by Lara Van Hulzen.

Rescue Me by Lara Van Hulzen

Publisher & Release Date: Self-published, November 3, 2015

Time and setting: Present Day, Lake Tahoe

Genre: Contemporary Romance/Inspirational

Length:  181 pages

Heat Level: 1 Sweet Heart

Rating: 4 Gold Crowns

Book Description:

Keith is a soldier with a wounded heart.

Torie’s secrets haunt her.

Can they trust love enough to mend what’s broken?

Torie Walker is a police officer with a past she’d like to stay hidden from. Staying at her best friend’s cabin in the mountains over Christmas is just what she needs. However, when a handsome cowboy saunters into her life, she takes the risk and trusts him with her secrets.

Keith Scott is a United States Marine. Home for the holidays, he intends to spend a quiet Christmas with his family. What he doesn’t plan on is Torie Walker, a woman who mends his heart and makes him want to love again.

Buy Link:

http://smile.amazon.com/Rescue-Me-Men-Honor-Book-ebook/dp/B013S2B4MO/

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/rescue-me-lara-van-hulzen/1122902005?ean=2940151221290

 Add to Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/27418297-rescue-me

EXCERPT:

He bent down and picked up the book she’d dropped and handed it to her. “Here you go.” He looked at the cover.  “Historical fiction? Hmmm, I’d see you more as a True Crime kind of girl.”

She smiled, her heart rate slowed, returning to normal. “One would think so, right? But no, I get enough of that at work.”

He nodded at shoved his hands in his jean pockets. “Makes sense now that you say it. People always think I’d want a military book to escape. Not sure how they figure that, but they mean well.” Sadness flashed in his eyes for a moment then was gone. Torie could only imagine what he’d seen and done as a soldier. The idea of Keith in harm’s way made her stomach turn. She shivered at the thought of the danger he faced in his job.

“Are you cold? They have fresh coffee here. It’s good too.” He winked at her.

She shook her head. “Um, no thanks. I’m good. I’m jumpy as it is, apparently. No more caffeine for me.”

He smiled. “What kind of book are you looking for if you don’t read military?”

“Well, I know it’s sort of stereotypical, but I like old westerns. Louis L’Amour, that kind of thing.” He leaned towards her and whispered, “And sometimes I like Science Fiction. But let’s keep that between us.”

“Your secret is safe with me,” Torie whispered back. She couldn’t help but soak in the irony of this enormous mountain of a man whispering like a little boy about his secret love of Science Fiction. Keith was living proof that you can’t always judge a book by its cover. His cover was enticing and the inside story was something she definitely wanted to read more about.

He stood straight again. “I’m here today though looking for a book for my mom for Christmas.”

“Oh, that’s nice. What does she like to read?”

He frowned. “Romance novels.”

Torie laughed out loud. The woman working behind the desk gave them a look but then continued with her task.

“Hey now. I didn’t say I was reading them.”

“I know.” Torie couldn’t stop laughing. “I’m just picturing you standing in front of the romance novel section of a store and getting some . . . stares.” But mainly because he belonged on a cover. She didn’t add that last part, of course, but her brain sure went there. Keith without a shirt on had to be romance novel worthy. Her cheeks warmed at the thought. “I don’t know much about that genre but Aimee reads them all the time. I could try and help you pick some for your mom.” The relief that washed over his features was priceless. This fierce warrior in front of her wound up tighter than a drum over picking a book had her laughing again.

“What? Why are you laughing again?”

“Nothing. I think it’s nice, actually, that you would go to such lengths of discomfort to get your mom a Christmas gift.”

 He smiled and looked at his boots. “Yeah, well . . .”

Ah, a rough exterior with a soft, gooey center. Keith was becoming more and more appealing by the minute.

Vikki’s Musings

When I was offered the chance to read Rescue Me in exchange for an honest review, the book description intrigued me. I enjoy inspirational novels and this sounded like it would be different than what is the norm for that sub-genre. I thoroughly enjoyed Rescue Me.

Torie Walker is on Christmas vacation from her job as a police officer in San Diego. She’s come to Lake Tahoe to stay at her best friend’s cabin while Aimee is on her honeymoon. She met Aimee’s brother-in-law, Keith Scott, several months earlier. When he shows up at her cabin to check on her, she feels drawn to him in a way that has never happened before.

Home on leave from the United States Marines, Keith finds the tall, slender Torie entrancing, but he’s had his heart broken in the past. With his dangerous job, he believes he needs to stay out of a relationship. As they spend time together, he begins to question that decision, especially after she opens up and tells him her secrets.

Can two emotionally wounded people learn to open their hearts to each other, and find the wonderful plan God has for them, or will they allow fear to stand in the way? 

This is a sweet, emotionally-charged romance that gently unfolds as Torie and Keith learn to trust each other. The pacing is nice and steady, and it kept my interest from start to finish.  While this is a faith based love story, both characters believe from the start, so their faith is sprinkled in a bit at a time with a reference to reading their bible and turning to prayer. I enjoyed that part of the story a great deal.

Torie’s character is troubled from events she had no control over as a child. Those events make it very difficult to allow someone into her life. Other than her best friend, she’s a loner because she has never had anyone she could depend on before she meets Keith. 

Keith is a wonderful hero. He is dedicated to his faith, a considerate son, and a loyal friend. His heart was broken by his ex-wife, so at first, he has a hard time trusting that Torie is the right woman for him. As they spend time together each day during the Christmas season, he is able to see the caring person Torie is, and that it’s worth taking a risk. His attraction to her is more tender than sensual as I would expect in an inspirational novel. 

I did have one minor problem with the book. Personally, I would have liked more information concerning Keith’s role with the Marines. It seemed like he spent all his time in between missions helping out on his parent’s ranch. I’m thinking he would have regular duties when not involved in a covert operation. He has his own home there. It could be that his base was nearby, which would allow him to be home a lot. That just wasn’t mentioned in the book. 

Nonetheless, this is an enjoyable read for the holidays, and I am glad I read it. I liked all the characters in Rescue Me, and plan to read the other books in this series. Happy reading!

Author Bio:

Lara Van Hulzen received her BA in Journalism from Point Loma Nazarene University in 1994. Her first published article was when she was a senior in high school. She has worked as a book reviewer for the past 18 years with various organizations such as Crossings Doubleday, YouthWorker Journal, and Radian Lit. She is a member of the Romance Writers of America, Inspired Christian Writers, and American Christian Fiction Writers. She lives with her husband three children in Northern California.

Social Media:

http://www.laramvanhulzen.com/

http://assistant.vanhulzen@gmail.com

twitter.com/laravanhulzen

facebook.com/laravanhulzen

instagram.com/she_writes_romance

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