Showing posts with label First Light in Morning Star. Show all posts
Showing posts with label First Light in Morning Star. Show all posts

Wednesday, January 6, 2021

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.

Friday, December 18, 2020

The Friday 56 - Dec 18

I haven't participated in this meme in a while. I've missed it. The Friday 56 is a weekly meme hosted by Freda's Voice.




Rules:

  • Grab a book, any book.
  • Turn to page 56 or 56% in your eReader
  • (If you have to improvise, that's ok.)
  • Find a snippet, short and sweet.
  • Post it and add the url to your post in the Linky on Freda's post. If you don't link up, we may not know to visit.
  • Also join in the fun on Instagram using the hashtags #Instagram56 #Friday56




Founded by five enterprising Amish maidels, the new Morningstar Marketplace is a joyous success. What’s even more remarkable is the gift the business bestows upon each of these unmarried women—the unexpected blessing of love . . . 

 Leaving Flaud’s Furniture to teach at the community’s new school is a joy for Lydianne Christner. Old Order Amish, but new to Morning Star, she’s grateful that the congregation trusts her with the position—but she panics when handsome Bishop Jeremiah Shetler asks about the life she left behind. If anyone discovers the secret she’s hiding, she would, quite rightly, be shunned.

A widower, Bishop Jeremiah admires young Lydianne’s youthful energy and skill with the children. He’s also curious about her past, and the burden he senses on her heart. When his request to court her is refused, he’s stung, and lonelier than ever. It isn’t until a crisis prompts a tearful Lydianne to confess to him that Jeremiah is faced with a choice that requires all of his faith—and teaches them both that love and forgiveness go hand in hand.

Gabe smiled gratefully. "It's settled then. I think we'll be a big hit!" he remarked as he collected the songbooks.