"Love's Christmas Blessings"
By Laura Hilton and Rachel Good
About the Book:
Genre: Christian Fiction, Amish, Christmas
Release Date: November, 2018
Publisher: Celebrate Lit Publishing
Winter’s Treasure
Paris Kauffman believes she is about to embark on her family-tradition birthday treasure hunt, but for the first time ever, her daed is sending her to various businesses and homes in the community. Little does Paris expect that when she enters the bakery to collect her gift, the bus will drop off none other than her old crush, Aquila Stutzman, the man she’d done everything except cartwheels and handstands to get his attention. And failed. Of course, Quil doesn’t remember her.
Quil was offered employment working on his grandparents’ new tree farm in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Since he’s recovering from a broken heart when his longtime girlfriend Priscilla up and married his cousin, a move Quil never saw coming, he decides to take the job. This will give him time to separate himself from the hurt and maybe, eventually, move on.
Paris and Quil have sparks from the beginning, especially since his appearance causes a vicious rivalry between friends. But who can resist when a chance meeting beginning with donuts and coffee ends with a missing person, puppies, a skunk, and a sleigh ride—not to mention a trip the Amish young people plan to Niagara Falls. Could it also involve falling in love?
Mistletoe and Miracles
Daniel Graber has spent years caring for his aging parents. Now Daed’s in rehab with a broken hip and a bad case of irritability. He snaps at the workers and complains about doing physical therapy, so Daniel is grateful for the new aide, Fern Chupp, who uses her sweetness and charm to convince Daed to cooperate. Turns out, Daed isn’t the only one she charms.
As a widow, Fern is grateful for her new job at Fairview Rehab Center, even though it meant relocating to Ephrata, Pennsylvania, with her nine-year-old daughter, Lyddie. But Lyddie is grieving the recent death of her grandfather and dislikes leaving her Ohio home. Lyddie’s shyness also makes it difficult to make friends or recite school lessons.
When her class goes to the rehab center to interview patients, Lyddie’s too scared to do her assignment, so she runs away. During the hunt for her missing daughter, independent Fern learns to accept and appreciate Daniel’s help and support. By the time they discover Lyddie, she’s made a very unusual friend, and Fern and Daniel have developed a . Can four lonely heart create special bonds to make it a Christmas to remember?
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My Thoughts:
Two authors combined their talents to create a most enjoyable book! Both talented ladies have centred their stories around the Amish community in Lancaster County , an area well known for the Plain People, a quiet rural setting. This caught my attention immediately, as my husband and I make an annual trip to our favorite Bed and Breakfast in Paradise, in the midst of the Amish farmlands. It is a community where you easily find peace and relaxation. Although, I must say that there are exceptions, as the characters in these two novellas show us!
Both authors describe their characters in a detailed, realistic way, making it very easy to identify with them. I must admit, I loved Paris and Quil, however Sarah put a nasty taste in my mouth!! She was the master manipulator attempting to upset the lives of others! That feeling in itself shows the strength of the character development. Even nasty people do help portray real, everyday life and problems. Paris was a sweet young lady who exhibited great self control . She was an extremely strong person. Rachel's characters were equally well described. Combine an elderly , rather nasty old man and a young, shy , rather unhappy child and you get a fantastic combination. The healing that takes place in both their lives and their families was oh so sweet!! Taking place at a Rehab Centre was unique and touching, as the residents were described in such a real way. A romance developing was just icing on the cake!!
Both stories had plots that had just enough twists and turns to keep the reader totally engrossed in the lives of these characters who quickly became my best friends.
This book is one that shouldn't be missed. Sweet stories of love, healing and redemption truly portray what Christmas is all about.
This book was provided by Celebrate Lit. The opinions and thoughts expressed are honest and my own. I was not required to give a positive review.
Both stories had plots that had just enough twists and turns to keep the reader totally engrossed in the lives of these characters who quickly became my best friends.
This book is one that shouldn't be missed. Sweet stories of love, healing and redemption truly portray what Christmas is all about.
This book was provided by Celebrate Lit. The opinions and thoughts expressed are honest and my own. I was not required to give a positive review.
Laura V. Hilton is an award-winning, sought-after author with over 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.
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.
Inspirational author Rachel J. Good writes life-changing, heart-tugging novels of faith, hope, and forgiveness. The author of several Amish romance series, she grew up near Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, the setting for many of her stories. Striving to be as authentic as possible, she spends time with her Amish friends, doing chores on their farm and attending family events.
Rachel’s Amish series include Sisters & Friends (Charisma House & Harlequin), Love & Promises (Hachette/Grand Central), Hearts of Amish Country (Annie’s Book Club), and the forthcoming Surprised by Love (Kensington). She also has several anthologies in print as well as the Amish Quilts Coloring Book.
To learn more about Rachel, visit her at www.racheljgood.com.
Coconut Potato Fudge Recipe:
Ingredients:
1/2 cup plain, mashed potatoes, either instant or one medium potato, cooked
1/8 cup finely chopped (or crushed) almonds (optional)
3 cups powdered sugar
1 cup shredded coconut
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
3 ounces semi-sweet baking chocolate
give3 tablespoons butter
3 cups powdered sugar
1 cup shredded coconut1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
3 ounces semi-sweet baking chocolate
give3 tablespoons butter
Instructions:
Beat powdered sugar and coconut into warm potatoes; then add the vanilla extract and almonds.
Press into a lightly-greased 8-inch square pan; set aside.
In a saucepan over low heat, melt chocolate and butter, stirring occasionally. When melted, pour over top of the potato mixture.
Refrigerate until set and then cut into squares.
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Blog Stops
Vicky Sluiter, November 11
The Avid Reader, November 11
Bigreadersite, November 11
Among the Reads, November 12
Wishful Endings, November 12
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, November 13
Britt Reads Fiction, November 13
Reading Is My SuperPower, November 14
Maureen’s Musings, November 14
Quiet Quilter, November 15
Blossoms and Blessings, November 15
Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, November 16
Jeanette’s Thoughts, November 16
Random Thoughts From a Bookworm, November 17
Through the Lens of Scripture, November 17
Bibliophile Reviews, November 18
Splashes of Joy, November 18
D’S QUILTS & BOOKS, November 19
Mary Hake, November 19
Miss Tina’s Amish Book Reviews, November 20
Just the Write Escape, November 20
Moments, November 21
Bukwurmzzz, November 21
Blogging With Carol, November 22
Texas Book-aholic, November 22
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, November 23
Janices book reviews, November 23
Carpe Diem, November 24
A Baker’s Perspective, November 24
Giveaway
To celebrate the tour, Celebrate Lit Publishing is giving away
Grand prize of $25 Amazon gift card
1st place: Paperback copy of Love’s Christmas Blessings
2-4th place: eBook copy of Love’s Christmas Blessings!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter. https://promosimple.com/ps/d8a0/love-s-christmas-blessing-celebration-tour-giveaway
This sounds really good--I'd love to read it.
ReplyDeleteLoves Christmas Blessings sound like a god book with two stories and i really like Amish fiction. If i am blessed to win I would like a print copy. Vivian Furbay jtandviv(at)q(dot)com
ReplyDeleteTHANK YOU
ReplyDeleteI’ve never heard of coconut potato fudge but I’ll have to try it. I love fudge. Thank you for sharing about your book. It sounds like a great read that will be going on my TBR.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds really good--I'd love to read it!
ReplyDelete