Book Review: Autumn Winds by Charlotte Hubbard

A moving story of love and faith awaits you in Autumn Winds by Charlotte Hubbard.

An autumn storm does more than break the front window at the Sweet Seasons Bakery Cafe. It also blows Ben Hooley into Miriam Lantz's life. Widowed since the death of her husband Jesse, and being pursued endlessly by Bishop Knepp to accept his offer of marriage, she is quickly taken with the handsome traveling blacksmith.

Ben's appearance in Willow Ridge could be wonderful in many ways, but the bishop isn't thrilled about a rival for Miriam's hand. With the fate of her beloved cafe at stake, Miriam must listen to God and her heart to find the happiness and love she deserves.

In the second book of the Seasons of the Heart series, Hubbard picks up where she left off with the lives of the Plain folk from Willow Ridge, Missouri. Miriam is preparing for her daughter, Rachel's wedding to Micah, the son of her business partner, Naomi Brenneman. She's not looking for love, but when Ben Hooley blows in with the storm, she feels an instant connection to him. Their friendship and developing romance is hampered by her connection to the past and her fear over the fate of her beloved cafe. Bishop Knepp, who began pursuing her in the first book, refuses to take no for an answer. He has his cap set for Miriam and he'll do anything to have her for his wife.

With Autumn Winds, Hubbard has created an inspirational story filled with characters you're bound to love and relate to. More than just a romance between a widow and a newcomer, the residents of Willow Ridge will truly capture your heart. Hubbard's masterful storytelling blends with a well-developed plot and superbly drawn characters to create a story that will become a quick favorite for lovers of the genre. While definitely a stand alone novel, much can be gained by reading, Summer of Secrets, the first book in the series, along with this one. Just like the first book, the reader will be treated to many scrumptious recipes at the end of the story.

I eagerly await the next installment of this series, Winter of Wishes, due out next fall.


Mass Market Paperback: 368 pages
Publisher: Zebra; Original edition (September 4, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1420121707
ISBN-13: 978-1420121704
SRP:  $6.99

I received a free paperback from the author through Pump Up Your Book. This review contains my honest opinions, for which I have not been compensated in any way.

This is the 51st book I've read for the following challenge:

It is the 29th book I've read for the following challenge:

First Chapter Review: Autumn Winds by Charlotte Hubbard

This is a First Chapter Review of an Amish fiction book that I'll be reviewing at the end of the month for Pump Up Your Book.

 BLURB:  Winds of change are blowing through Willow Ridge, and they’re bringing a stranger to the Sweet Seasons Bakery. At first, widowed Miriam Lantz has misgivings about Ben Hooley, a handsome but rootless traveling blacksmith. But as she gets to know the kind-hearted newcomer, she wonders if his arrival was providential. Perhaps she could find love again—if only there weren’t so many obstacles in the way. With Bishop Knepp relentlessly pursuing her hand in marriage and the fate of her beloved café at stake, Miriam must listen to God and her heart to find the happiness she longs for and the love she deserves.

COVER: This genre is known for its beautiful covers. This one is no exception. I like the details and color scheme. Makes me think of fall right away. The woman on the front cover seems too young to be Miriam, but it's a stunning cover.

FIRST CHAPTER:  Rain is pelting the roof of the Sweet Seasons Bakery Café, where widow Miriam Lantz is working through her anxiety by starting the day's baking at an unusually early hour.

A loud crash and the sound of tinkling glass in the dining room draw her attention before the power goes out.  Then she hears a man's voice outside. As a flash of lightning brightens the sky, she sees a powerful horse bucking, then hears a sickening thud. She rushes out to assist whoever might have been injured. Little does she know what this will mean to her life.

KEEP READING: Definitely. I'm already through three chapters. This is the second book of Hubbard's Seasons of the Hearts series. I read the first one, Summer of Secrets, so Miriam Lantz is a familiar character. While her story is secondary in the first book, she takes front and center in this autumn story. Hubbard has a wonderful way with creating characters you can't help but care about. The woes Miriam dealt with in Book 1, continue to be an issue for her in Autumn Winds. While this is a stand alone novel, I like how it builds upon the first book. The reader can relate to the troubles Miriam faces, and that makes her a sympathetic character from the start. But she's a bold character, too, which can be a bit of a problem for her in the community where she lives, especially considering how the bishop views her being co-owner of the café.

Hubbard has a beautiful style that is comfortable and warm, just like you expect the café to be in Willow Ridge. I'm eager to keep reading.

Mass Market Paperback: 368 pages
Publisher: Zebra; Original edition (September 4, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1420121707
ISBN-13: 978-1420121704
SRP: $6.99

I received a free paperback copy of this book from the author. A full review will follow on October 26th. This first chapter review contains my honest opinions, for which I have not been compensated in any way.