Book Review: Miracles at Promise Lodge by Charlotte Hubbard

 

Return to Promise Lodge, an Amish community in Missouri, where mothers-to-be are anticipating the arrival of their little miracles, one young man's life takes an unexpected turn, and a former Promise Lodge resident's return creates disruption.

Miracles at Promise Lodge by Charlotte Hubbard is another fascinating Amish novel about family, faith, forgiveness, and the joy of being surrounded by a supportive community.

Isaac Chupp arrives at Promise Lodge to interview with Dale Kraybill as a store clerk. But his bad boy reputation has preceded him. The youngest son of the overbearing bishop from Coldstream caused a great deal of harm to Rosetta Wickey, Christine Burkholder, and Deborah Peterscheim when they all lived in Coldstream, but Dale is willing to give him a chance since it seems like Isaac is trying to turn over a new leaf. 

Upon his arrival, Isaac meets Vera Brubaker, who has come to help her aunt, who has been put on bed rest in the hopes of avoiding another miscarriage. He is quickly taken by the sweet, shy Vera, who sells her pottery in Dale's store. But when she catches the eye of Ezra Overholt, Isaac's overreaction causes issues that could ruin the new image he's working toward. 

When Maria Zehr returns to Promise Lodge in a panic, the Kuhn sisters do their best to help her. However, Maria hasn't changed since she left Promise Lodge to open her bakery in Cloverdale, and it creates friction for the residents of the Lodge. When another kindred spirit decides to step in, he might just get the chance to find his purpose. 

Wow! This is such wonderful addition to the Promise Lodge series. There is a ton going on with young couples in love, weddings, babies, newcomers, family challenges, Isaac trying to rebuild his reputation, and Maria returning to Promise Lodge. But under Hubbard's masterful hand, all these plots and subplots are woven together seamlessly to create an engaging story that has the reader turning page after page. 

Fans of the Promise Lodge series will be thrilled to see the continued growth of this tight-knit Amish community in Miracles at Promise Lodge. Favorite characters' storylines continue, while new characters' stories unfold. The must read Epilogue wraps up some storylines, but leaves room for future ideas. And, readers are treated to more yummy recipes from the Promise Lodge kitchen.

Though Miracles at Promise Lodge can be read by itself, I encourage fans of Amish fiction, family-focused fiction, inspirational fiction, and those who enjoy masterfully-told stories to invest time in reading the entire Promise Lodge series. 

Heartwarming romance at its best is what you can expect from Charlotte Hubbard!

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Zebra (February 20, 2024)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Mass Market Paperback ‏ : ‎ 352 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1420156276
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1420156270
• 
  

This book releases on February 20th. You can pre-order it now from Amazon or your other favorite online retailer. 

I received a NetGalley copy from the author. This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way. 

Book Review: The Quilt Room Secret by Lisa Jones Baker

 

The Heart of the Amish series continues with The Quilt Room Secret by Lisa Jones Baker, a story of romance, secrets, discovery, faith, and hope.  

At five years old, Jacob Lantz asked Trini Sutter to marry him. Nine-year-old Trini said she would ponder his proposal when they were older. Nearly twenty years later, Jacob returns to Arthur, Illinois, hoping to take the owner of The Quilt Room up on her promise. But Jacob's aspirations are put to the test by Trini's long-held secret. And though she admittedly has fallen in love with him, when she moves away from their tight-knit community, neither is sure if their happily ever after is meant to be.

With The Quilt Room Secret, Baker has created an engaging story with a unique premise. The Sutter and Lantz families spent a great deal of time together after Jacob's father went away. His wise and loving Aunt Margaret helped care for Jacob and his two brothers, Gabriel and Stephen. And this beloved member of the community was a surrogate mother to many. 

When Jacob and his brothers return to Arthur, Illinois, to live in Aunt Margaret's house after her death, he reconnects with Trini, and he is still interested in pursuing her. But in the years they have been apart, Trini has been making her own plans. The youngest of eleven children, she doesn't think she can be an Amish wife and mother. All she knows is that she has fallen for Jacob. However, when she leaves, it looks like a future with him will never be possible. 

Baker works in many endearing moments as this story unfolds. Mostly told from Trini's and Jacob's points of view, there are occasional other point of view characters that add to the story. Along the way, Trini discovers a lot about herself and Jacob. It's also good to see she has dependable best friends who help her as she reveals her secret. 

If you're looking for a fabulous Amish romance, you need to pick up a copy of The Quilt Room Secret by Lisa Jones Baker. 

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Barbour Pub Inc (January 30, 2024)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Paperback ‏ : ‎ 256 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1636097758
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1636097756

I downloaded an ARC from NetGalley. This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.

Book Review: Amish Love Letters by Shelley Shepard Gray, Charlotte Hubbard, & Rosalind Lauer

Celebrate love with this short story collection from some of the most talented authors of Amish romance. Shelley Shepard Gray, Charlotte Hubbard, and Rosalind Lauer have teamed up to bring fans of faith-affirming romances, Amish Love Letters, a sweet collection that shows how the right words can spark a lifetime of joy. 

In "A Love Letter Courtship," by Gray, Jennie Miller refuses Matthew Lapp's proposal. Despite their six-month courtship, Jennie doesn't feel a real connection necessary for a lifetime commitment. She suggests they spend the next month writing letters filled with their hopes and dreams. Soon, Jennie is falling for Matt, but did she miss her chance?

Hubbard's "S.W.A.K." is a story of mix-ups, romance, and faith. Fannie Kurtz knows fun-loving, attractive Eddie Brubaker is the man she wants to marry. But can someone as quiet as her catch the eye of the outgoing Eddie, who seems to attract friends without even trying? When he receives letters in pink envelopes, Fannie fears she might have fiercer competition than she thought. So, she writes letters of her own. But a mix-up could jeopardize their romance before it even starts unless Fannie puts her faith in God's plan.

Then in Lauer's "The Wrong Valentine," young widow Martha Lambright is grateful for how her late husband's family stepped up to help her. Working in her mother-in-law's restaurant helps her support her children, even if the girls from the kitchen giggling over making their valentine's cards reminds her of all she has lost. But when Mose Troyer, the bishop's former bad boy son and Martha's driver to and from work, finds a valentine he mistakenly believes is for him, it begins a tender exchange between them that could lead to a wonderful future.

Amish Love Letters is one of those books you need to hold onto so you can read it time and again. Each story is tender and sweet, celebrating not only romance, but the power of words. Jennie and Matt get to know each other in a way they never had, despite Matt visiting her house regularly. Eddie finds himself in quite a pickle, and even though he thought relocating to Promise Lodge would solve his issue, he discovers there are some problems you must face head on. Martha and Mose's story shows how misconceptions can interfere in finding happiness, but that heartfelt words show a side you might not always see.

If you are a fan of Amish romance, sweet stories, and faith-based story collections, you need to grab a copy of Amish Love Letters today. I highly recommend it.

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Kensington (December 26, 2023)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Paperback ‏ : ‎ 352 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1496743962
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1496743961

I received a copy of this book from one of the authors. This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.

Book Review: Hidden Away at Promise Lodge by Charlotte Hubbard

Welcome back to Promise Lodge, an Amish community where faith, family, and romance create a community filled with blessings and opportunity. 

Enamored with Amish romance novels, Karen Mercer and Andi Swann pose as Plain folk to spend a week at Promise Lodge, which once used to be a church camp they attended. They have no idea how their insider knowledge will help when a destructive storm tears through the community.

Meanwhile, Mose finds a wonderful connection with Sylvia, a widow who is praying for a miracle. And Irene and Dale might be seeing their relationship in a different light. 

Hidden Away at Promise Lodge by Charlotte Hubbard is the latest novel in the Promise Lodge series. What a fun idea to have two women who attended the church camp the Promise Lodge community was built on return to property. Romance is also developing at Promise Lodge between two different couples. 

Keeping it fresh while continuing the stories of beloved characters, Hubbard's latest is another beautifully told Amish novel. Though the residents of Promise Lodge are challenged in this novel, they keep faith and community their focus as they rebuild and look forward to the future. Though Hidden Away at Promise Lodge can easily be read as a stand alone story, I suggest starting from the beginning. 

Hidden Away at Promise Lodge is Amish fiction at its best!

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Zebra (July 25, 2023)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Mass Market Paperback ‏ : ‎ 336 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1420154419
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1420154412

I requested a digital copy of this ARC from NetGalley. This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.

Book Review & Giveaway: Family Gatherings at Promise Lodge by Charlotte Hubbard

 

Lester Lehman's past collides with his present in this fun and heartwarming story that brings two members of the Promise Lodge community together. 

Family Gatherings at Promise Lodge by Charlotte Hubbard finds the Promise Lodge community welcoming family and friends to celebrate weddings. But getting married again is the farthest thing from Lester Lehman's mind. Then enter two women from his past, and his quiet bachelor life is anything but pleasant.

Marlene Fisher came to Promise Lodge with her twin brother Mose for a fresh start after the deaths of their parents. Marlene's past plagues her, and she believes she is not meant to marry. 

But Marlene's witty quips about Lester's predicament disarm him, and he begins to think of a shared future. Scripture holds the key for this couple who may learn that love is kind and patient. 

This is my favorite Promise Lodge novel yet! It makes me want to go back and read the series from the start. 

I've always enjoyed how Hubbard writes Amish fiction from a feminist perspective, and the Promise Lodge series is the finest example of her work. The Bender sisters left their former community because of an oppressive bishop, and the continued success of their Amish community at Promise Lodge is a testament to the love, faith, and friendship that flows through every aspect of their lives. That's why it is such a riot to see Agnes Plank and Elverta Horst create such havoc as they pursue Lester. While the residents of Promise Lodge have faced adversity, they don't often come across such antics. And the way the Promise Lodge community considers everyone's feelings as they deal with the issue is a true display of their beliefs. 

With Family Gatherings at Promise Lodge, Hubbard provides fans, new and returning, with a fabulous story grounded in faith that brings two people together who thought love was in their past. And proving she is not afraid to tackle tough issues, Marlene's story is both heartbreaking and thrilling. 

Hubbard remains one of the most masterful storytellers in the Amish fiction/romance genre. I look forward to spending more time with the Promise Lodge community when the next installment, Hidden Away at Promise Lodge, arrives this summer. 

Read an excerpt:

Fully awake now, Lester swung his feet to the dock. When he could get a word in edgewise, he needed to deflate Agnes’s high-flying hopes in a hurry, because in her vivid imagination, she was already standing before the bishop with him, repeating her wedding vows. As he opened his mouth to speak, however, another urgent female voice hailed him. 

“Lester! Lester Lehman, it’s me—your Elverta!  I read about Gloria’s wedding in the paper, so it seemed like the perfect reason to come and see you!” 

Lester moaned. His sense of freedom, peace, and unencumbered living had just hit another serious snag. 

 As the national newspaper for Plain communities, the Budget was a wonderful way to keep track of far-flung friends and kin, but he suddenly wished that Gloria—and Rosetta Wickey, their community’s original scribe—hadn’t been quite so descriptive in detailing the Lehman family’s relocation. The tiny town of Promise, Missouri was out in the middle of nowhere, yet Agnes and Elverta had apparently followed every line of the newspaper’s weekly reports right to his doorstep. 

As Elverta Horst, dressed in deep green, strode toward his dock, her tall, skinny, ramrod-straight body reminded Lester of a string bean. He knew better than to express that opinion, of course, because the woman he’d broken up with to begin courting his Delores had never been known for her sense of humor. 

“Wh-who’s this?” Agnes asked him under her breath. 

Never one to beat around the bush, Elverta stopped a few yards from the dock. She glanced at Lester before focusing on the flustered woman beside him. “And who might you be?” she demanded with a raised eyebrow. 

Lester answered as indirectly as possible, because he knew these women would soon find out every little thing about one another. “Elverta, this is Delores’s best friend, Agnes Plank. She lives down the road from our former home in Sugarcreek,” he explained hastily. “And Agnes, this is Elverta Horst—” 

“And I was engaged to Lester before he took up with Delores,” Elverta put in purposefully. “First loves are often the strongest, ain’t so? The flame may flicker through the years, but it never really goes out."

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Zebra (February 21, 2023)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Mass Market Paperback ‏ : ‎ 320 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1420154397
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1420154399
• 
  

Order E-book

Kindle https://www.amazon.com/Family-Gatherings-at-Promise-Lodge-ebook/dp/B0B35C3C1B/

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Google Play https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Charlotte_Hubbard_Family_Gatherings_at_Promise_Lod?id=WD5zEAAAQBAJ&pli=1

Kensington Books https://www.kensingtonbooks.com/9781420154405/family-gatherings-at-promise-lodge/ 

Order Print 

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The Book Depository https://www.bookdepository.com/book/9781420154399 

Order Audio 

Narrated by: Susan Boyce 

Apple Books https://books.apple.com/us/audiobook/family-gatherings-at-promise-lodge/id1643393008

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Nook Audiobooks https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/family-gatherings-at-promise-lodge-charlotte-hubbard/1141586687?ean=2940175929479

I received a free Netgalley copy from the author. This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.

Charlotte Hubbard will be awarding a $15 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

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It's Monday! What Are You Reading? and Mailbox Monday - Feb 6

Welcome to It's Monday! What Are You Reading? and Mailbox Monday.   

 

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is a place to meet up and share what you have been, are and about to be reading over the week. It's a great post to organize yourself. It's an opportunity to visit and comment, and er... add to that ever growing TBR pile! So welcome in everyone. This meme started with J Kaye's Blog and then was taken up by Sheila from Book Journey. Sheila then passed it on to Kathryn at the Book Date.     

Welcome to the first Monday of February. Hope you had a great week. Lots going on here with work and family life. Spent a day and a half in various forms of training. Worked on getting organized and planning for my mother-in-law to relocate here. Tried not to freeze body parts off. Lost trees in the woods, but mostly only branches to pick up other than that. It was way worse in other places and some lost power for longer than we did.

Sunday, our trail was sunny and much warmer on our morning walk.

Over the weekend, one of our local groups held a danceathon to support three western Mass charities. Rick's Place  in Wilbraham was one of the recipients. This organization, whose board I am blessed to sit on, offers free grief support to children and their families. 

In my reading world, I finished this audio book. You can find my review here.

I am also 26% through this wonderful latest installment of Charlotte Hubbard's latest Promise Lodge novel. Since adding the Netgalley app to my phone, I tend to use it more and aren't as shy about requesting new titles. 

These two are next. 

Upcoming virtual book tours:

• Dead Heat to Destiny by J. B. Rivard - Feb 7
• Family Gatherings at Promise Lodge by Charlotte Hubbard - Feb 20
• Kiss My Boots by Jennifer Learmont - Feb 23
• The Code by Sean Keefer - Mar 6
• Path of Peril by Marlie Parker Wasserman - Mar 13

Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came in their mailbox during the last week. Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.

These two arrived on Friday. They are the last of the books I ordered with my B&N gift card. I so rarely read anything lighthearted that I felt it is time to make it happen.

I also grabbed a few books from an estate sale. I enjoy David McCullough. It is also good to have books I can use for research purposes here since I tend to write historical fiction. 

I also grabbed a Kindle freebie on Sunday that I simply couldn't resist.

Abigail Sutton’s beloved husband walks out one night, doesn’t return, and two years later is found dead, a victim of a long ago crime. It’s made her sympathetic to the missing and their families. Starting her new life, Abigail moves to small town and buys a fixer-upper house left empty when old Edna Summers died. Once it was also home to Edna’s younger sister, Emily, and her two children, Jenny and Christopher, who, people believe, drove away one night, thirty years ago, and just never came back.

But in renovating the house Abigail finds scraps of paper hidden behind baseboards and tucked beneath the porch that hint the three could have been victims of foul play. Then she finds their graves hidden in the woods behind the house and with the help of eccentric townspeople and ex-homicide detective, Frank Lester, she discovers the three were murdered. Then she and Frank try to uncover who killed them and why…but in the process awaken the ire of the murderer.

Doesn't Scraps of Paper sound fabulous? 

I am off to stage a property this morning, but I will check in with everyone later today. Hope it is a good one!

Book Review: An Amish Christmas Star by Shelley Shepard Gray, Charlotte Hubbard, & Rosalind Lauer

A beautiful Christmas story collection centered around community, faith, and love is what you will find in An Amish Christmas Star by Shelley Shepard Gray, Charlotte Hubbard, & Rosalind Lauer.

"Buggies, Trains, and Automobiles" by Shelley Shepard Gray finds two strangers, John Miller and Ellie Coblentz, sharing a ride and discovering the Lord's plan for them. 

"Star of Wonder" by Charlotte Hubbard sees Raymond Overholt coming to Promise Lodge to sell his painted signs with stars and Christmas messages. Mennonite Lizzie Zehr is intrigued by them and Raymond, but any courtship between them would face opposition from the bishop of Raymond's Old Order community, unless he has a change of heart.

"Starlight Everlasting" by Rosalind Lauer finds newlyweds Rachel and Luke Coblentz eagerly awaiting their first Christmas together. When Luke's factory job threatens to keep them apart, they must have faith in the gift of a joyful ending.

What a fabulous seasonal story collection for fans of Amish romance, inspirational romance, Amish fiction, and Mennonite fiction. Tied together by being set during the Christmas season, these delightful stories will touch your heart and make you yearn for more from these talented authors. Each author created a unique story that displayed their knowledge of the genre and the importance of a faithful community.

Moving stories during the Christmas season abound in An Amish Christmas Star. Highly recommended!

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Kensington (September 27, 2022)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Paperback ‏ : ‎ 352 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1496734254
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1496734259

I received a copy of this book from one of the authors. This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.

Book Blast & Giveaway: An Amish Christmas Star by Shelley Shepard Gray, Charlotte Hubbard, and Rosalind Lauer

 

The crisp fragrance of pine trees and the warm spice of fresh cookies aren’t the only blessings that Christmas brings, and no one knows more about happy homecomings than three couples who are celebrating the greatest gift of all . . . 

STAR OF WONDER by Charlotte Hubbard 

When Raymond Overholt comes to Promise Lodge, hoping to sell the barnboard signs he’s painted with stars and Christmas messages, spirited young Mennonite Lizzie Zehr is intrigued. But any courtship between them will face fierce opposition from the bishop of Raymond’s Old Order community—unless someone can convince him that at the heart of faith lies love . . .

Read an excerpt from "Star of Wonder"

After a deadly dull Monday morning of filling small plastic containers with colored sugars and Christmas jimmies, Lizzie Zehr loaded them onto her wheeled cart and headed into the main room of Promise Lodge’s new bulk store. It was boring work, all that scooping and labeling—repetitive and downright lonely, being stuck back in the warehouse by herself.

But compared to slaving in her older sister Maria’s bakery or, for years before that, running the household for their eldest, crippled sister, Malinda, it was a piece of cake.

And because Dale Kraybill was paying her, it was freedom. This job was her ticket to independence, an escape from the two bossy sisters who’d been running her ragged for most of her eighteen years. Their parents had passed when she was very young, so Lizzie’s sisters had raised her as best they could—and they expected her to be grateful. She was, of course. But she was also really tired of being at their beck and call.

Lizzie’s thoughts shifted into a higher gear the moment she spotted the guy who was talking to Dale. The two fellows were hanging wooden signboards, which caught her eye because of their sparkly gold stars—but the shimmer of their glittery paint paled the moment the younger fellow turned around. In his green paisley shirt, red jeans, and backswept black hair, he looked anything but Plain, and when he met her gaze through his red-framed glasses, Lizzie immediately knew they were soul mates. Like her, this free spirit was gnashing at the bit and refusing to conform to the religious limitations he’d been raised with.

Like her, he wanted out.

“Hey there,” he said. His voice, barely audible from across the cavernous room, spoke volumes to Lizzie’s restless heart. 

Afraid to say something stupid, she merely nodded and held his gaze. She heard the secretive whisper of soft, small objects hitting a hard surface—or maybe it was the feathery swishing of angels’ wings—

“Lizzie, watch what—you’re spilling jimmies all over the floor!” Dale cried out.

She blinked. She had no memory of picking up a container, just as she didn’t realize she’d been squeezing it so tightly that the lid had popped off. The sight of red and green jimmies bouncing off her bare feet—she wore flip-flops year-round to show off her painted toenails—was suddenly the funniest thing she’d ever seen. As Lizzie sprinted into the warehouse for a broom, her laughter filled the store.

Her life was finally taking a turn for the better. She just knew it.

Purchase from

Amazon 

Barnes & Noble  

Kensington Publishing   

Walmart  

Apple Books 

 As you know, I've been reading this book. While all three stories have different characters placed into different circumstances, these seasonal stories all capture faith, love, and the spirit of the season. Look for my full review coming soon.  

In 1983, Charlotte Hubbard sold her first story to True Story. She wrote around 70 of those confession stories, and she’s sold more than 60 books to traditional or online publishers. A longtime resident of Missouri, she’s currently writing Amish romances set in imaginary Missouri towns for Kensington. She now lives in Omaha, NE with her husband of 40+ years and their Border collie, Vera.

www.charlottehubbard.com

Facebook -- www.Facebook.com/Charlotte.Hubbard1

Charlotte Hubbard will be awarding a $15 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. 

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Book Review: Love Blooms in Morning Star by Charlotte Hubbard

 

Welcome back to Morning Star where community, romance, and faith abound.  

In Love Blooms in Morning Star by Charlotte Hubbard, Jo Fussner has fallen in love with Michael Wengerd. Plans seem to be humming along until the elders forbid any maidel from working after she marries. Will Jo need to choose between her store and the man she loves?

The story of Jo Fussner is the focus of the fourth installment of The Maidels of Morning Star series. Having found love with Michael Wengerd, Jo is looking forward to the future, but she knows it won't be easy to get her mother Drusilla's blessing. Her mamm has been warning her of how trapped she will feel once her husband is the head of the house. Jo can't understand why her mother is so against marriage or why Drusilla is brushing off the advances of Nelson Wengerd. 

Just when she thinks all will work out, the elders decide maidels can't work after they marry. Jo has poured her heart into the Marketplace. She can't imagine not having a hand in its future. Words spoken in haste put everything she holds dear into jeopardy. 

Love Blooms in Morning Star is another fabulous story in The Maidels of Morning Star series. Just like other books in the series, the main story focuses on one or two characters, but that feeling of community is front and center.

Fans of Hubbard's work will enjoy their return to Morning Star. Jo is the primary focus of this novel, but unfolding in the background is Drusilla's story. Many familiar characters appear in this novel. Though this continues the series, you could easily read Love Blooms in Morning Star as a stand alone. I just feel there is so much value in reading from beginning and getting to know all these characters from the start.

Booklist has said that Hubbard writes of "brave new beginnings from a refreshingly feminist perspective." I agree with that assessment, and her thorough research and realistic portrayal of Amish life continues to gain her new fans. If ever there was a faith-based series ready for the small screen, it is this one.

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Zebra (July 26, 2022)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Mass Market Paperback ‏ : ‎ 352 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1420151843
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1420151848

I received a NetGalley ARC from the author. This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way. You can pre-order this novel from Amazon and other online retailers. 

First Chapter Review: Love Blooms in Morning Star by Charlotte Hubbard

 

Charlotte Hubbard's upcoming Morning Star novel is in my TBR Pile. Love Blooms in Morning Star can be pre-ordered here. 

BLURB: As Jo Fussner keeps the Marketplace humming, her heart dances with a joyous secret. Jo and Michael Wengerd, a shy nursery owner from a nearby town, have fallen hopelessly in love. When Michael buys a courting buggy, Jo is sure a proposal will follow. But she’ll have to work hard to gain her mother’s approval—because the widowed Drusilla Fussner is convinced that marriage will bring her daughter nothing but heartache.

To win Jo’s hand, Michael enlists his father’s help in convincing Drusilla to give the marriage her blessing—and perhaps even open her heart to new happiness of her own. . . . But just as Jo and Michael’s hope for their future grows, an even bigger obstacle looms. The Amish elders vote to forbid any maidel from working once she marries. Now Jo must choose between the beloved store she’s put her heart into, and the man she can’t live without. Conflicted, Jo will have to trust that anything is possible when true faith guides the way . . .

COVER: All the books in this series have beautiful covers. Three of the four feature the female lead with flowers. The covers often reflect the seasons in which the stories are set. 

FIRST CHAPTER: Sitting to watch her friends, twins Molly and Marietta Helfing, get married, Jo Fussner has her own future on her mind. It certainly doesn't help that Michael Wengerd has told her about a surprise he intends to share once the ceremony is over.

KEEP READING: Anyone who follows this blog knows the answer is a resounding yes. I have loved the Morning Star series since the beginning and don't miss a book. I appreciate how Hubbard creates a community of friends for her readers while providing a fresh storyline with each new installment. Though every book stands alone, I find great value in following this community from the start. I look forward to seeing how Jo and Michael handle the obstacles that come there way in Love Blooms in Morning Star.

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Zebra (July 26, 2022)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Mass Market Paperback ‏ : ‎ 352 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1420151843
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1420151848

I received a NetGalley ARC from the author. This First Chapter Review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.

Book Review: First Light in Morning Star by Charlotte Hubbard

 

First Light in Morning Star by Charlotte Hubbard is a touching story of love and forgiveness. 

The school board members are surprised when maidel Lydianne Christner applies for the teaching job at the new Morning Star school, but she seems sincere and no one else has even applied. Thrilled at the chance to teach, Lydianne knows the new life she has created can all come crashing down if anyone discovers her secret. 

Bishop Jeremiah, a widower, admires how Lydianne manages her classroom and students. He is also curious about her past and the burdens she seems to carry with her. When his attempt to court her is rebuffed, he feels lonelier than ever. 

An unexpected crisis finds Lydianne confessing to him, leaving Jeremiah with a choice that will require all his faith and understanding. 

You know how much I love Hubbard's books, but this one has to be one of her finest. I love everything about it from beginning to end. I enjoyed this story so much that I stayed up late into the night reading regardless of the fact that I had an early morning meeting. I felt tired all day, but it was well worth the exhaustion.

The secret that brought Lydianne to Morning Star now presents some of the biggest challenges she has faced. By applying for the job as the new teacher, everyone at the school board is suddenly interested in her past and why she has applied despite having no previous teaching experience. 

Then there is Bishop Jeremiah Shetler, who has been content living with his mother since the passing of his first wife. Though she has nudged him to find love again, he didn't feel much reason to and busied himself with looking after the spiritual needs of the residents of Morning Star. His sudden romantic feelings toward Lydianne perplex him, but when she rebuffs him he is determined to figure out what burdens her.

This second book in Hubbard's The Maidels of Morning Star series is even better than the first. Filling each page is the author's trademark compassion and grace as she weaves stories about residents of her imaginary communities and how they find love. It is a rare gift to be able to touch the heart the way Hubbard does with her novels. I can't tell you how much I admire and respect her talent. I highly anticipate the third book in this series, Christmas Comes to Morning Star, due out in August. 

I don't hold on to many books these days after reading them, but I have kept every one of Hubbard's books. They are special treasures I cherish and hope to read again. 

If you enjoy Amish fiction, First Light in Morning Star is a must read. 

Publisher : Zebra (December 29, 2020)

Mass Market Paperback : 320 pages

ISBN-10 : 1420151827

ISBN-13 : 978-1420151824

I received a paperback copy of this book from the author. This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.

Book Review & Giveaway: Light Shines on Promise Lodge by Charlotte Hubbard

I never tire of reading Charlotte Hubbard's books because she consistently delivers a phenomenal reading experience. Light Shines on Promise Lodge continues her ability to weave heartwarming stories filled with community, love, and faith.

Abandoned by her husband, Annabelle Beachey sought refuge at Promise Lodge. She learned confidence and self-sufficiency with her new friends, but that is soon threatened when Bishop Clayton King arrives and sets out to change the ways of this progressive community. When her husband, Phineas, arrives and announces he expects her to give up her faith, Annabelle can't imagine how things can get much worse.

Although uncomfortable at first, Phineas can't deny he sees his determined and newly forthright wife in a new way. He also spies how the new bishop seems to have taken a keen interest in Annabelle. As Bishop Clayton attempts to control the residents of Promise Lodge, Phineas and Annabelle must work together to save their new home--and their opportunity for forever happiness.

I loved Light Shines on Promise Lodge by Charlotte Hubbard from beginning to end. I never wanted to put it down. First, you have the return of Phineas and all the emotions this churns up for Annabelle, who has nicely settled into Promise Lodge and accepted her husband left her and his faith. She is slowly carving out a new life on her own. Then, Phineas waltzes in and claims her to be his and wants her to pick up and leave. What would you do in that situation?

You also have two other storylines running throughout the book: the maturing of Gloria Lehman and the unexpected arrival of Bishop Clayton King. Throughout the series, the reader watches as Gloria evolves from chasing after boys into a mature woman who develops her God-given gifts. The arrival of the new bishop threatens everything the Kuhn sisters and Amos Troyer have built since they bought Promise Lodge. Though they have faced difficulties before, this might be the hardest challenge to overcome. With the help of some new friends, they will work together to make sure they follow God's will.

Though you can read this as a stand alone novel, you'll want to meet the residents of Promise Lodge from the beginning. Hubbard is a masterful storyteller who never disappoints. She creates great characters and writes fabulous stories that will inspire and uplift you. I am always eager for Hubbard's next release.


EXCERPT

With a pitcher in each hand, Annabelle made her way into the crowded dining room. The tables were close together to accommodate the large crowd, so she walked along the tables’ ends and had someone pass her the pitchers that needed refilling. She was stepping toward the table nearest the archway that led to the lodge’s lobby when the sight of a solitary man in black froze her in place.

Phineas was watching her, as though he’d been following her progress along the outer edge of the dining room . . . waiting for her to notice him. He held her gaze with the pale, penetrating green eyes that had often made her heart thud in her chest as she anticipated his judgment—his criticism and correction.

The blood rushed from Annabelle’s head. She wasn’t aware that she’d dropped the two big pitchers until she heard the noisy clatter of plastic hitting the hardwood floor and felt ice water filling her shoes.

What’s Phineas doing here? How did he find me—and what does he want?

Series: Promise Lodge (Book 5)
Mass Market Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: Zebra (March 31, 2020)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1420145118
ISBN-13: 978-1420145113

I received a copy of this book from the author. This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.

Charlotte Hubbard will be awarding a $25 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? - Oct 28

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is a place to meet up and share what you have been, are and about to be reading over the week. It's a great post to organize yourself. It's an opportunity to visit and comment, and er... add to that ever growing TBR pile! So welcome in everyone. This meme started with J Kaye's Blog and then was taken up by Sheila from Book Journey. Sheila then passed it on to Kathryn at the Book Date.

Oh, my!!! Remember when I said the week of October 21 should bring about a better schedule? I lied. I would suggest maybe this week will be easier, but it's not looking that way.


Right now I am reading these books:

Then onto this one:

After that, I need to catch up with these:

This last one I used while editing a recent manuscript. Loved it!

What is going on in your reading world? Any seasonal offerings you would like to share?

Book Review & Giveaway: A Simple Christmas by Charlotte Hubbard

Christmas is coming to Willow Ridge. This growing Amish community has been blessed with some wonderful people you'll definitely want to me.

Rosalyn Riehl crafts wreaths from evergreen boughs, pine cones and other natural materials. It gives her some time away from her gruff dat, who has been receiving envelopes marked Past Due, despite the many hours he spends working in his shop.

Marcus Hooley's reputation arrived in Willow Ridge before he did. A gifted horse trainer, he's also known for being full of himself and entertaining too many ladies. He was happy to escape his Amish roots years ago and he has no intention of being drawn back in. When his attraction to Rosalyn interferes with his original plans, he wonders if what he's really looking for is a second chance and a brighter tomorrow.

Oh, my gosh! I loved everything about this book. The only thing that could make one of Charlotte Hubbard's books better is to set it during the Christmas season. This sweet romance is full of surprises and touching moments. You get a chance to catch up with your friends in Willow Ridge and meet some new people along the way. The spirit of love, faith, and community that fills these pages makes it the perfect seasonal read. The moment I finished, I wanted to read it all over again. Books like A Simple Christmas are why I am such a huge fan of Hubbard's work. She always delivers a superb story and leaves me eagerly waiting for her next book.


EXCERPT

As Rosalyn Riehl walked alongside the county highway pulling a cartload of Christmas wreaths, she gazed up at the sky in surprise. When she’d left home a few minutes earlier, the sun was shining but now low, gray clouds were rolling in and the wind picked up—and for a brief moment tiny pellets of hail pelted her.

It’s going to be a tricky winter, she thought. The weather seems as crazy and mixed up as I feel.

Rosalyn adored the holidays—Thanksgiving was only a week away—yet the thought of the approaching winter made her sigh. Her youngest sister Edith lived across the road with her husband, Asa, and their twins, and her younger sister Loretta was sharing the bedroom down the hall with her new husband, Drew, so Rosalyn felt like the odd woman out. All her life she’d longed for a husband and a family, yet at twenty-eight she saw no probability of fulfilling that dream.

Her cheeks tingled when the season’s first snowflakes met her cheeks. It’s a gut thing I have my new job at Simple Gifts to look forward to, Rosalyn thought as she made her way up the hill toward the store housed in a huge red barn. Working for Nora on Wednesdays and Saturdays sure beats dealing with Loretta and Edith’s moony-eyed gazes and happy chatter about being married to the Detweiler twins whenever we’re all together.

It wasn’t that she begrudged her sisters their happiness. She just wanted some of her own.

Series: Simple Gifts (Book 3)
Mass Market Paperback: 368 pages
Publisher: Zebra (September 25, 2018)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1420138731
ISBN-13: 978-1420138733

Order Ebook

Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Simple-Christmas-Gifts-ebook/dp/B078QTS92M

Kindle UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B078QTS92M/

Kindle Canada: http://www.amazon.ca/dp/B078QTS92M/

Kindle Australia: http://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B078QTS92M/

iBooks: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/a-simple-christmas/id1330331465?mt=11

iBooks UK: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/book/a-simple-christmas/id1330331465?mt=11

iBooks Canada: https://itunes.apple.com/ca/book/a-simple-christmas/id1330331465?mt=11

iBooks Australia: https://itunes.apple.com/au/book/a-simple-christmas/id1330331465?mt=11

iBooks New Zealand: https://itunes.apple.com/nz/book/a-simple-christmas/id1330331465?mt=11

Nook: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-simple-christmas-charlotte-hubbard/1127750875

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/a-simple-christmas-4

Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Charlotte_Hubbard_A_Simple_Christmas?id=R19EDwAAQBAJ

Order Print

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ISBN=1420138731/

Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ISBN=1420138731

Amazon Canada: http://www.amazon.ca/exec/obidos/ISBN=1420138731

Barnes & Noble:
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbninquiry.asp?ean=9781420138733

Books-A-Million: http://www.booksamillion.com/product/9781420138733

Chapters Indigo: http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/books/a/9781420138733-item.html

IndieBound: http://www.indiebound.org/book/9781420138733

The Book Depository: http://www.bookdepository.com/book/9781420138733

Charlotte Hubbard will be awarding $15 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Follow the tour and comment; the more you comment, the better your chances of winning. The tour dates can be found here:

http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2018/08/vbt-simple-christmas-by-charlotte.html

I received a copy of this book from the author. This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.