Tag: Amish

Pinecraft Refuge + Giveaway

Can an escape from her present become the future she always wanted?

When her doctor prescribes fresh air and sunshine, Eva Miller turns her Florida getaway into a chance to gain some independence. Only, working part-time for Amish shop owner Tanner Dawson is hardly a vacation. The over protective single father reminds Eva of her own strict upbringing. But as she begins to see beneath his gruff exterior, can she trust Tanner — and her heart — enough to stay?

Pinecraft Seasons

My Review:

I love books that feature Pinecraft, Florida and there aren’t that many of them out there so I was thrilled to discover this new series. And over the moon elated to discover it on audible of all places. Not many Love Inspired books make their way into an audio format and I grab up all the ones I can find. It’s usually the Suspense line’s continuity series, so I’m excited to see them branching out. Connie Shabshab’s narration increased my reading enjoyment tenfold.

And what a sweet, compelling love story this is! I could feel Eva’s hope and, honestly, raw courage, to go against her mam’s wishes and take an extended vacation in Florida. There’s such a heartbreaking history between mother and daughter, but, while Eva loves her only parent, she’s craving some independence. Worth captures her wonder and fear perfectly. Sometimes Eva’s spunky nature shines through (like when she’s speaking her mind to Tanner!) and sometimes she wavers with insecurity, ready to second guess all she’s been achieving. And then there’s the pesky attraction to her new boss that she doesn’t know what to do with.

Cue the broody, monosyllabic hero who has endured a world of hurt and doesn’t quite know how to leave it behind. No worries, Eva’s about to show him. 🙂 Love, love, lovvveee, this romance. From the stuttering start to the toe-curling conclusion and all the awkward, funny, infuriating and gasp-out-loud moments in between!

A strong cast of secondary characters, which includes Tanner’s precocious 8-year-old daughter, enhance the story that much more…and provide a solid background for future novels in this series. Lenora Worth can’t write them fast enough for me!

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a paperback or ebook copy — winner’s choice.

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Pinecraft Refuge, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it’s easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday April 15, 2023. Offer open to International Readers.

The Promise of Easter + Giveaway

As the quaint Amish community of Promise Glen prepares for the Easter season, one woman discovers that forgiveness is freedom — and may lead to forever after.

Anna Stoltzfus lives a quiet but fulfilling life in Promise Glen. Though she lost her beloved brother James in a tragic accident, her family is supportive and close-knit, and her job as a cherished teacher at Orchard Hill School fills her heart with joy. She’s perfectly happy with the life she created. Anna’s comfort is quickly dashed, however, when the man she deems responsible for James’s death — Matthew King — returns to the Amish community.

Forgiveness is at the heart of being Amish, and Matthew’s pain over losing his dear friend is obvious. Still, no matter how hard she tries, Anna can’t let go of the reckless night that ended her brother’s life. The ache was more tolerable after Matthew left Promise Glen, but noe he’s returned and her father has accepted his offer to work on their farm.

As the preparations for Easter begin, Anna’s regular contact with Matthew introduces her to a man far different from the boy she knew before. Perhaps the season of solemn reflection and joyous remembrance might be exactly what they both need to final forgiveness for the past and hope for the future….

My Review:

I absolutely love the way Marta Perry tells a story and this Promise Glen series is one of her finest. The way she portrays multi-generational family dynamics makes me all kinds of happy and the Stoltzfus clan is certainly memorable. Chock full of humour and wisdom…and the kind of angst you’d expect in a large family. Anna is certainly blessed to have their love and support…even when she is harbouring a very misguided (and un-Amish) dose of blame towards Matthew.

So, kind of a frenemies to more romance. They were friends in their youth, up until the horrible accident that took Anna’s brother’s life. And then Anna projected all her heartache and fury onto Matthew. She was relieved when he left the community for the Englisch world and furious when he returns.

Easter time is the perfect setting for a redemption story — and both Anna and Matthew find forgiveness and grace through the course of this read. Learning to forgive — both ones self and others is a big part of the inspirational message. Love how Anna and Matthew are on a journey, but they are not alone. There are wonderful secondary characters who walk along side them, encouraging (and speaking plainly when needed…I’m looking at you Aunt Ella!) and helping them put the past and the present into perspective so they are finally free to look ahead to a future full of hope.

The Stoltzfus family puts me in mind of an Amish Waltons — same touch of heartwarming mixed with laughter while dealing with true-to-life issues that can happen to anyone. I wish there was an entire series dedicated to them! (Hint to the author…after all, there are a lot of children who will need matchmaking at some point in their futures!)

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a paperback or ebook copy — winner’s choice.

If you would like a chance to win a copy of The Promise of Easter, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it’s easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday March 25, 2023. Offer open to International Readers.

Her Heart’s Desire + Giveaway

What happens when we allow our pasts to define our futures?

Mary Margaret Miller needs an escape from her small Amish community. She boards a bus, all alone, for a vacation in Pinecraft, Florida. Meeting Betsy and Lilly on the way, she’s amazed to find two kindred spirits. They become fast friends and determine to have the best two weeks of their lives. For Mary, it starts when she meets Jayson Raber, a handsome and charming carpenter.

Jayson is taken with Mary from the get go, but he’s responsibilities back home in Kentucky — including a girl he’s supposed to marry. And when someone from Mary’s past shows up in Minecraft, it seems like her perfect vacation is ruined. But that’s nothing compared to what’s coming when she realizes what Jayson has been hiding.

My Review:

I’m bewitched by the Pinecraft setting for starters. Shelley Shepard Gray introduced me to this Amish ‘hot spot’ in a previous series she wrote — Amish Brides of Pinecraft. and I’m thrilled she’s returned for this new series. There’s nothing like sun, sand and romance to warm a northerner on a cold, wintry day!

Told in what I’ve come to think of as ‘Classic Shelley Shepard Gray style’, she delivers a thought-provoking and engaging read. We have multiple points of view, each character struggling with some aspect of their past that has led them to this point and time: the much needed escape a carefree holiday can bring.

Relationships are at the forefront of this story. New friendships, old enemies, budding romances and all the complications that entails. And I love the way the author ties myriad plot threads together by the end. Very excited to continue on with this ‘A Season in Pinecraft’ series. And, woohoo, we won’t have long to wait because the second book, Her Only Wish, releases this coming June!

Book provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications Inc.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a gently read paperback copy.

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Her Heart’s Desire, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you leave your email in a comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter via email, please add the book title to the subject line so it’s easier to spot. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday February 11 2023. Offer open to International Readers.