Three Amish Novellas by Popular Authors! Make sure that you enter the fabulous giveaway!!

                 "Plain Everyday Heroes"

          By Laura V. Hilton, Rachel J. Good,
               Thomas Nye

About the Book:

Genre: Christian Amish

Release Date: July 4, 2018

Playing with Fire

Arie Zimmerman has been in love with Noah Behr from almost the moment they met, but after a devastating wildfire destroys the community, everything changes. Noah questions how a loving Gott could allow such things to happen. As Arie and her family struggle to rebuild their home and lives, Noah escapes to California to fight another off-season wildfire—and maybe find Gott in the process.

When Noah returns, he promises Arie the prize money if she will help him with a chili cook-off to fund the fire department. Of course, in order to spend more time with the girl he loves, he’s also willing to pitch in unloading the new furniture and animals her daed bought at an auction. He’ll even help Arie slice and dice vegetables if he can taste test the recipes.

More than just the kitchen heats up as they spend time together. But will Noah find a still missing Gott in the process and discover there’s more to life than what he initially believed?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

An Unlikely Hero

Mysteries intrigue secondhand shop owner Benuel Miller. Although strangers may think a blind man would be easy to cheat, those who know Benuel realize he’s honed his other senses to pick up clues his eyes don’t see, making him a savvy business owner. When a stranger enters Benuel’s secondhand shop, the man is shocked by Benuel’s accurate assessment and unsolicited advice. Wary, he hopes Benuel won’t find out his true intentions, but the shopkeeper is already on the case.

Later, Mari and her twin sister, Frannie, stop in Benuel’s shop with Frannie’s three-year-old son, and Benuel senses trouble. His hunches have never led him astray, but is he misreading something here? He can’t help being drawn to Mari, yet is she as sweet and loving as she seems? Or is she hiding a deep, dark secret?

One explosive night when tragedy strikes, Benuel risks his life to find out the truth. Can he unmask the stranger from his shop to foil a sinister plot? And will what he discovers destroy his only chance for love?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Racing the Slow Girls

A recipe for fast-paced, comical, Amish adventure— Ingredients: Three fun-loving teenage boys on bicycles. Mix in an adorable little girl on a pony, a few spunky teenage girls, and a hint of romance. Directions: Place the characters in a beautiful setting, such as Holmes Co. Ohio. Roll in the boys on bikes. Stir up a few harsh words spoken carelessly. Add plenty of retaliation by the girls. Place in the heat of a family emergency until everyone is completely undone. Sit back and enjoy an Amish adventure with a cup 0f coffee.

My Thoughts:

This delightful collection of novellas deals with the "unsung" heroes in the Amish community. They are all ordinary people, varying ages and positions, who each accomplishes something that is extraordinarily out of their regular expectations. They each become a hero in their unique way. We don't often hear stories of this kind! Regular people like you and I , who go out of their way to succeed at a special deed. 

The characters are all well described and had very realistic personalities. They had strengths and weaknesses! All in all, they each charm the reader in their own way. Readers can learn from the way in which each deals with very different life lessons. 

I particularly enjoyed the light romance and charming people that became my close friends as I read their tales. Humor surprisingly appears just when needed. Light moments are always an important part of dealing with hard times. 

This is a book that I would highly recommend to those who want an easy to read short story. Each novella stands alone thus makes excellent bedtime reading. 

Well done , authors! Waiting eagerly for your next creation!

This book was a gift . The thoughts and opinions expressed are honest and my own. 

Click here to purchase your copy!

About the Authors

Laura V. Hilton is an award-winning, sought-after author with almost twenty 



Amish, contemporary, and historical romances. When she’s not writing, she reviews books for her blogs, and writes devotionals for blog posts for Seriously Write and Putting on the New.

Laura and her pastor-husband have five children and a hyper dog named Skye. They currently live in Arkansas. One son is in the U.S. Coast Guard. She is a pastor’s wife, and homeschools her two youngest children.

When she’s not writing, Laura enjoys reading, and visiting lighthouses and waterfalls. Her favorite season is winter, her favorite holiday is Christmas.

Rachel J. Good is the author of several Amish series in print or forthcoming—, Love & Promises, and two books in theHearts of Amish Country series—as well as the Amish Quilts Coloring Books and the contemporary novella, Angels Unaware, part of the Hope Chapel series. Visit Rachel at her website: www.racheljgood.com.

Sisters & Friends





Thomas Nye writes novels about horses and Amish life, with a touch of romance,from an Amish friend.



and a foundation of faith in Christ. He and his wife, Shari, live on her family farm where they raised five children. Their six grandchildren love to visit Karma and Karla, a team of draft horses which Thomas purchased
















Arie’s habanero chili

1 lb stew meat: venison, or beef

1/4 cup bacon bits

1/2 Onion, diced

Green pepper, diced

2 cans of habanero Rotel

1 can tomato sauce

1 can kidney beans

1 can pinto beans

1/2 cup sliced jalapenos

1 TSP cayenne pepper

3 TB chili powder

2 TB beef bouillon

1 TSP paprika

1 TSP pepper

2 TB garlic

salt to taste

Saute onion and pepper, set aside. Sear stew meat in hot pan until brown. Do not over cook. Add meat and other ingredients to pot and simmer until done. Add water if necessary. Serve with cornbread. Approximately 7 servings

Recipe compliments of Michael Hilton (Laura’s son)

Blog Stops

The Avid Reader, July 7

Among the Reads, July 7

Bibliophile Reviews, July 8

Random Thoughts From a Bookworm, July 8

Texas Book-aholic, July 9

Cherylbbookblog, July 9

proud to be an autism mom, July 10

D’S QUILTS & BOOKS, July 10

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, July 11

Mary Hake, July 11

Janices book reviews, July 12

Blogging With Carol, July 12

Because I said so – Adventures in Parenting , July 13

Quiet Quilter, July 13

Reading Is My SuperPower, July 14

Jeanette’s Thoughts, July 15

Carpe Diem, July 16

A Baker’s Perspective, July 17

Maureen’s Musings, July 18

Splashes of Joy, July 18

Bigreadersite , July 19

Luv’N Lambert Life, July 19

Pink Granny’s Journey, July 20

Blossoms and Blessings, July 20

Giveaway



To celebrate the tour, Celebrate Lit is giving away

Grand prize: a $25 Amazon gift card


1st – 4th place: eBook copy of Plain Everyday Heroes!!


Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries! https://promosimple.com/ps/d19d/plain-everyday-heroes-celebration-tour-giveaway

Suspense! Mystery! All within an Amish novel! What more could you want??

           "Her Fear"

By Shelley Shepard Gray

Synopsis:

In New York Times bestselling author Shelley Shepard Gray’s latest novel of suspense in her Amish of Hart County series, an EMT falls for a woman with ties to an Amish community where people are dying similar, suspicious deaths.

Sadie Detweiler never imagined she’d move to Kentucky, yet here she is: a pregnant, unmarried Amish girl banished by unforgiving parents to live with kin she barely knows. The men are gruff and her cousins are secretive. Worst of all, elderly matriarch Verba becomes mysteriously ill shortly after Sadie moves in. When EMT Noah Freeman arrives, Sadie immediately notices he’s unlike any other Amish man she’s met. Noah is warm, confident, and has an easy way with practically everyone in the community, both Amish and English. Though Sadie is drawn to him, she has little hope he will reciprocate her feelings once he learns she’s with child.

Noah can’t understand how a girl as sweet and lovely as Sadie ended up sleeping on a cot in Verba Stauffer’s kitchen. He also senses Sadie is terrified of something. Concerned, he checks up on her. Eventually they strike up a friendship and soon their attraction is undeniable. When Verba later dies at the hospital and her death is followed by two others, Noah’s boss wants him to dig around the Amish community for clues. He agrees—for Sadie’s sake—because only the truth will keep her safe and by his side.

My Thoughts:

This is the fifth of the Amish of Hart County Series and in my opinion , the best yet!!  As I have read each book in this series, I have been impressed with this author's ability to draw one into the lives of the characters in the stories to the extent of feeling their every fear, hurt and challenge. Her Fear is no exception!! The characters are described in such a vivid , detailed way that the reader immediately finds herself walking alongside them in their rocky road of life .  The somewhat delicate subjects of unplanned pregnancy, abuse, bootlegging, as well as abandonment, are dealt with in a respectful, caring  manner. Shelley  has done her research well. The reactions of the community are those that are often somewhat surprising to us, as we just don't expect this quiet faith to encounter these problems. Well, guess what? We are all human and God puts us all in challenging positions at one time or another. The real test is how we handle it. 

The plot moves quickly with surprising twists and turns in the most unexpected places. I was totally engaged from the first to the last page of this book. My inability to put it down was evidence of the power it held over my emotions. The love of family and community is what makes us who we are, but it certainly is not an easy road. Love can be found in many different ways, as this story shows. Strong family ties can help hurts heal and make the future brighter. 

Fantastic read!!  A unique  novel in the Amish Fiction genre! Don't miss it!!! Being released on July 27th. 

This book was supplied by the author and publisher. The opinions and thoughts expressed are honest and my own. I was not required to write a positive review.

About the Author:      

                                         

Shelley Shepard Gray lives in southern Ohio and writes full time. A busy wife and mother of two, she spends her days writing and keeping track of her two teenagers. Her two dogs keep her company when she writes in her basement.

Shelley enjoys writing about the Amish and visits Amish communities in Adams and Holmes counties several times a year. When not spending time with her family or writing, she serves on several committees in her church.

She also bakes a lot, loves coconut cream pie, and will hardly ever pull weeds, mow the yard, or drive in the snow.

Shelley also spends a lot of time on line! Please visit her website, www.shelleyshepardgray.com to find out her latest news...or become her friend on FaceBook.

A Marvellous Collection of Amish Novellas by Beth Wiseman Just Released!! Don't Miss it!!

"Amish Celebrations"    

    By Beth Wiseman

Synopsis:

The Gift of Sisters

Hannah and Rachel are fraternal twins approaching their sixteenth birthday—a time when they will be allowed to spread their wings and enjoy their rumschpringe. The sisters couldn’t be more different: Hannah is outgoing and beautiful, while Rachel is shy and withdrawn. And when newcomer Abraham Stoltzfus arrives in Lancaster County, both women fall head over heels for him, each fighting for his affections in their own ways and driving the sisters to turn on each other. Who will Abraham choose? And will Hannah and Rachel reunite after a devastating heartbreak?

A New Beginning

Rebecca and Noah are in love and about to be baptized. But when Noah decides to enjoy one last night of his rumschpringe a few weeks before the ceremony, he does something that causes Rebecca to reconsider his proposal. As Rebecca and Noah navigate the turn in their relationship, Rebecca must learn to forgive Noah or abandon her dreams of marrying him. If Noah won’t forgive himself in time for the baptism, his guilt could cause him to run from his love for Rebecca and leave his community behind.

A Perfect Plan (previously published in An Amish Wedding)

Priscilla King has been planning to marry Chester Lapp since she was sixteen years old, and when Chester pops the question on Priscilla’s nineteenth birthday, wedding plans begin immediately. But everything begins to fall apart as Chester works to build a house for his new bride, only to have one disaster after another occur. Can true love take this couple through the challenges that threaten their union, or will they begin to doubt that they are on the right path, the one God has chosen for them?

A Christmas Miracle

Mary is twenty-seven years old and already has five young children. Married to her husband at age eighteen, she wasn’t quite prepared for motherhood, and exhaustion and frustration are sending her into a downhill spiral as the holidays approach. Too proud and ashamed to ask for help, Mary’s situation begins to take a toll on her marriage. But when an elderly man in a red suit and his sidekick elf befriend Mary, showering her with wisdom and advice, she must choose to accept help, learn to cope with her situation, and ultimately find the true meaning of Christmas.

My Thoughts:

I must say that when I see Beth Wiseman's name on the cover of a new book, I just have to grab it and I KNOW that it will be one that keeps me totally engrossed from beginning to end!  This new collection of Amish novellas is no exception! Admittedly, novellas are not always as enjoyable to me as a full length novel. However, Beth's creative writing talent kept me totally captivated. I absolutely loved this book!! 

Beth's unique and strong storytelling gift is evident in the description of the characters in each novella. The characters are described in such a detailed realistic way that one can easily identify with each of them. Just because they are Plain People does not exempt them from the trials of daily life. I quickly became drawn into each of the main character's lives. When they hurt, I hurt! This is an important part of my personal  opinion of what makes a great book! Escaping reality for a short while , living the life journey of another individual, is my greatest desire when immersed in a new novel.

Each story had a strong plot with plenty of action and just the right amount of unexpected twists and turns to keep the reader engrossed from beginning to end. This collection is perfect for those who wish a short read before retiring for the night. Reading one novella took just about the right amount of time before I was ready for sleep. Mind you, as usual, I had a very difficult time putting the book down!! Beth has such a talent in storytelling that I find her books rather "addictive"!

This is definitely a five star book!!  Don't miss it! A marvellous, magnificent read!!

This book was received from the publisher/author. The opinions and thoughts expressed are honest and my own.

About the Author:

Beth Wiseman is the best-selling author of the Daughters of the Promise series and the Land of Canaan series. Having sold two million books, her novels have held spots on the ECPA (Evangelical Christian Publishers Association) Bestseller List and the CBA (Christian Book Association) Bestseller List. She was the recipient of the prestigious Carol Award in 2011 and 2013. She is a three-time winner of the Inspirational Readers Choice Award, and an INSPY Award winner. In 2013 she took home the coveted Holt Medallion. Her first book in the Land of Canaan series--Seek Me With All Your Heart--was selected as the 2011 Women of Faith Book of the Year. Beth is contracted with HarperCollins Christian Publishing into the year 2018, and she has published thirteen novels and thirteen novellas to date.

As a former newspaper reporter, Beth was honored by her peers with eleven journalism awards, including first place news writing for The Texas Press Association. She has been a humor columnist for The 1960 Sun in Houston and published articles in various publications. However, writing novels is where her heart is. She left her job as a journalist in 2008 to write novels fulltime.

Beth has a deep affection for the Amish and their simpler way of life, and while she plans to continue writing Amish love stories, she is also branching out into other areas. Her first non-Amish, contemporary--Need You Now--released in April 2012 and landed on the CBA Bestseller List. She enjoyed writing the story based in a town near where she lives, and she chose another small Texas town for her next non-Amish contemporary--The House that Love Built--which is based in Smithville, the same quaint town where movies such as Hope Floats and Tree of Life were filmed. Beth continued to spread her wings when she released The Promise in October 2014. Inspired by actual events, The Promise follows Beth's characters all the way to Pakistan. Beth was involved in the real-life rescue when her friend was held captive in Pakistan. Beth is currently working on book #2 in her new Amish Secrets series, tentatively titled Jacob's Ladder. Book #1--Her Brother's Keeper--recently released and was chosen as a Top Pick by RT Reviews Magazine.

Beth and her husband are empty nesters enjoying the country life in Texas. When she's not writing, she loves to travel, paint, and enjoy time with friends and family. You can find Beth at Fans of Beth Wiseman on Facebook where she interacts with readers and on Twitter at https://twitter.com/bethwiseman.