Amanda Weds a Good Man

I have fallen in love with the people of Cedar Creek through author Naomi King who introduced us to a handful of the residents there in her novels Rosemary Opens Her Heart and Abby Finds Her Calling. Now launching a new series, One Big Happy Family, Naomi introduces us to Amanda Lambright, a widow with three children who has managed to raise her family in the last four years even if it has been a struggle as a single mom. She finds solace in her best friend Abby who runs A Stitch in Time in Cedar Creek. She understands what it's like to want to work to provide for her family but also knows the struggles facing women in the Amish community trying to do it alone. She only hopes to find a man who might be as understanding as her husband, Atlee was.

When she finds hope in marrying Wyman Brubaker, also a widower with five children, she wonders if they will find ways to mend the differences between the two families. They each come with a set of unique challenges, one of them being that the community of Clearwater is a much stronger Old Amish Order and they believe in sticking to the guidelines set within the community. One of them being that the pottery that Amanda makes and sells at the Cedar Creek Mercantile isn't allowed. In fact, she will have to give up that interest of hers altogether if she hopes to fit in with the new Bishop. Her daughters are also being challenged in their new school with the new rules set forth by the school teacher, the bishop's daughter who believes that their dresses are too short and that too much hair is showing from their kapps.

In the midst of all of this new change, Amanda wonders if she didn't rush into this marriage with Wyman as a way to help one another out. Perhaps this wasn't God's plan after all. She struggles with trying to find a way to communicate with him despite wanting to be a good and devout Amish wife who follows what her husband asks of her. She already knows that Wyman had to tell his previous wife to stop painting because of the Bishop's orders but will he be able to ask Amanda to do the same even if it means causing a rift between them while trying to make things work?

I received Amanda Weds a Good Man by author Naomi King compliments of Pump Up Your Book Tours and Penguin Publishers for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review and the opinions expressed here are strictly my own. This is true a novel that you can compare quite simply as an Amish Brady Bunch with a twist. Understanding the guidelines of the Amish faith plays a big part into the roles that Wyman and Amanda fall into, and thus blending two very different Amish orders together along with additional children to the mix is bound to cause more than just a few ruffled feathers. I love how it simply doesn't all fit together and I love the struggle that Wyman is challenged with in finding resolution with his new wife and the community he grew up in. I love this series and can't wait to read the next book which we get a sneak peek at in Emma Blooms at Last at the end of this one. Hands down a 5 out of 5 stars.

For more information about Amanda Weds A Good Man, Naomi King or where you can pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

Amanda Weds a Good Man by Naomi King

You can also find Naomi King on Facebook to stay up to date with all her latest novels.

To read more reviews on Amanda Weds A Good Man from the Pump Up Your Book Tour, please click here.

• Series: One Big Happy Family (Book 1)
• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: NAL Trade (November 5, 2013)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0451417879
• ISBN-13: 978-0451417879
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5 x 0.8 inches

An Amish Country Christmas

"An Amish Country Christmas by best selling author Charlotte Hubbard who also goes by the pen name, Naomi King was asked to write a novel based on the characters from both of her Amish series where they get to mix and mingle, this is the result of that collaboration. The reader is bound to get a true gift when they can enjoy their favorite characters from both Willow Ridge and Cedar Creek together for the Christmas Season. With the fact that Charlotte (Naomi) have a book in each of her series all releasing just in time for Christmas, here is the chronological order for these stories: Amanda Weds a Good Man: One Big Happy Family by Naomi King; Winter of Wishes by Charlotte Hubbard; and then An Amish Country Christmas. This order will make sense, especially for Preacher Tom and Vernon Gingerich as they court the Hooley sisters and prepare to get married.

This novel, An Amish Country Christmas is divided into three sections, two of them, fantastic and charming additions to the bigger novels in the series based on Christmas and then the third section entitled, Sugar and Spice gives readers some amazing recipes that they have only read about not only in this book but in other books in the series, just in time for some Christmas baking.

In the first part of the book, The Christmas Visitors by Naomi King, shares the delight of what happens when Nate and Bram Kanagy head to Cedar Creek to pick up a courting buggy and a sleigh from Graber's Custom Carriages. While doing some shopping at the Cedar Creek Mercantile, the brothers have the opportunity to help a girl in need, Martha Coblentz who is struggling with some heavy mineral blocks she needs for her farm. Each seeing an opportunity to take a young girl out for a holiday trip, they both compete for her attentions. What they don't realize however is Martha already has plans for both very handsome young men and that would be to take them back home to meet her sister Mary, an identical twin in every way. What happens along the way is truly unforgettable and a delightful Christmas romance story between families.

In the second half of the book, The Bishop's Kiss by Charlotte Hubbard takes the readers back to Willow Ridge as the community decides what will happen now that the town's previous bishop Hiram was excommunicated for some under handed dealings within the community and now he has moved away to start his own community called Higher Ground, leaving the town searching for who their next bishop will be. Preacher Tom and Vernon Gingerich are about to encounter the Hooley sisters, Nazareth and Jerusalem who each have their sights set on a prospective man. What soon follows is bound to keep even the old at heart in awe as love comes to Willow Ridge in new and unexpected ways.

I received An Amish Country Christmas by Naomi King and Charlotte Hubbard compliments of Kensington Publishing Group and Pump Up Your Book Tours for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review and the opinions expressed in this review are strictly my own. I have LOVED every single novel that Charlotte and Naomi have written in the Cedar Creek and Willow Ridge series and this was such a delightful and charming way to take a trip back to these towns to see just how some of my favorite characters are spending Christmas this year. The best part are the amazing recipes I can't wait to try and add some new flavors to my Christmas baking this year. I would rate this book a 4.5 out of 5 stars and it truly does give you a Christmas treat you can enjoy in front of a warm fire on a cold night.

For more information about An Amish Country Christmas, Naomi King, Charlotte Hubbard or where you can pick up a copy of this book today, please click on the links below:

An Amish Country Christmas by Naomi King and Charlotte Hubbard

You can find Naomi King and Charlotte Hubbard on Facebook to stay up to date with all their latest novels.

To read more reviews on An Amish Country Christmas from the Pump Up Your Book Tour, please click here. 

• Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Zebra (October 1, 2013)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1420131885
• ISBN-13: 978-1420131888
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.1 x 0.9 inches

Simply Irresistible ~ Guest Post from Naomi King

Simply Irresistible:
Cute Kids and Heroic Dogs

As ROSEMARY OPENS HER HEART goes on sale this week, I’m going to reveal a sneaky way I love to manipulate readers. I’ve used it in several books before, but the appeal is universal: no matter what sort of story you’re telling, cute little kids hook readers’ hearts. And when you add in valiant dogs who come to the rescue just when those little kids are in deep, dark danger, it’s an unbeatable combo. Kids and dogs just go together—especially in faith-and family stories like these Amish series I’ve been writing.
   
Travel back with me, to those thrilling days of yesteryear…do you remember watching “Lassie” on TV (black and white, back in the day)? Do you recall how just hearing the theme song of that show made you rush to the living room to catch the latest adventures of Timmy and his faithful collie, Lassie? You knew darn well that sometime during the show, Timmy would get into a dangerous situation and Lassie would drag him out of the pit or defend him from a predator. Or, that noble, intelligent dog would rush back to the house and bark and bark until someone there realized Timmy was in deep doodoo and needed more help than Lassie could give him.

The technique still works! And I use it ruthlessly in ROSEMARY OPENS HER HEART.

While Rosemary, a young Amish widow, already has plenty of conflict on her plate, her toddler Katie is the light of her life—and the life of the party, far as how this story unfolds. Matt Lambright (we met him in book 1, ABBY FINDS HER CALLING) meets Rosemary at a wedding and wham! He has to know more about that attractive stranger in black. But it’s playful Katie who started the ball rolling by toddling over to him and wanting to play with his two Border collies, which meant Rosemary came into the scene looking for her wandering child. See how a three-year-old blonde set up the whole romance with a giggle and a finger in her mouth?

Rosemary, however, wants nothing to do with Matt—or any other man. She lost her husband in a hunting accident and moved in with his father Titus to run the household and help with Titus’s twelve-year-old daughter, as Titus’s wife had died shortly before his son did. It was a noble gesture on Rosemary’s part, but now she’s trapped. Titus, who raises sheep, decides to partner with Matt and combine their flocks, so Rosemary must decide: will she make the move to Cedar Creek, or stay behind on her own? It doesn’t help one bit that everyone is telling her little Katie needs a father, and that Rosemary should come out of mourning and live again.

Long story short: during the move, Katie’s innocent wanderings lead her into the sheep pasture, where testy ewes are watching her…ready to charge if Katie messes with their lambs. Matt and Rosemary realize the little girl has disappeared but she could have toddled anywhere on either of two farms—crossed the road and gotten hit—

But the Border collies save the day. And when Matt scoops that little girl into his arms and gives her a talking-to about how badly she’s scared everyone, Rosemary realizes that maybe this young fellow who’s been pursuing her so relentlessly has a few points in his favor. It’s a gratifying story to tell, all about Amish families coming together to help each other. And just like when each TV episode of “Lassie” came to an end, you can heave a sigh of relief that all will be well. Rosemary might be the title character, but it’s her daughter and Matt’s dogs that pull readers through the story by their heartstrings.

Thanks for your interest in my books! You can find excerpts and more info at www.NaomiKingAuthor.com. Here’s wishing you a wonderful Thanksgiving, and many blessings to count in the coming holiday season.

Rosemary Opens Her Heart

"Some of us have dealt with disappointment this past week, and it seems to me that instead of making lemonade from such lemons, maybe a pan of lemon bars - or a lemon meringue pie! - would be a better way of chasing off our negative moods. We have to take the sour with the sweet, and when you bake up a pie or a batch of lemon bars, you spread happiness along with your treats. I wish you someone wonderful to share them with this week. ~ Abigail Lambright"

Abigail or Abby as her friends call her is the epitome of sunshine and hope when you meet her. She will always find the silver lining in the most desperate of situations and those who can call her a friend, know that they have found a true treasure with her friendship. Abby is finally beginning to look for love among her closest childhood friend, James Graber, who has miraculously survived a bad relationship with her sister Zanna. Zanna has found love among another and left a jilted and lovesick James behind for another. Now it seems that everyone but James and Abby can see that they are truly meant to be with one another and can look past their friends relationship and find something more meaningful inside.

The last thing that Rosemary Yutzy wanted to do was to attend a wedding in Cedar Creek, Missouri. It would just be another constant reminder that she was still a widow living with her daughter Katie and fighting back the memories of the life she had hoped would be her future with her husband Joe. But when a hunting accident robbed her from a life she dreamed of, she resolved to spend all her time and energy raising Katie and taking care of Joe's dad, Titus and his daughter Beth Ann. But then again love has a way of popping up just when you least expect it and in the most unusual of places.

Matt Lambright couldn't help himself from staring at the young Amish girl dressed all in black. He thought she was just about the most beautiful girl he had ever seen and it became a mission of his to find a way into her heart and make her fall in love with him. When opportunity presents itself with her father-in-law, Titus to merge a growing lamb-raising business that would benefit them both immensely, he tries to curb his over enthusiastic approach to getting to know her. All he manages to do is scare her off. After all she is still grieving the loss of one love and can understand why she might be as skittish as one of his lambs about jumping in too soon. Will they find a way to make it all work out?

I received, Rosemary Opens Her Heart by Naomi King, which is the second book in the Home at Cedar Creek Series, compliments of Pump Up Your Book Tours for my honest review. I read the first book in the series, Abby Finds Her Calling, and couldn't wait to see what would happen to poor James at the conclusion of that novel. It was completely worth the wait!!! Naomi King also writes under the name, Charlotte Hubbard so for those of you that love Charlotte's books, you'll want to grab this series as well and fall in love with the wholesome and heartwarming characters of this wonderful close-knit community of Amish people. You can't help but find a character you can completely relate to in this series, whether its an issue of learning to trust again after facing great pain like Rosemary or James, or even the ever optimistic Abby who finds at times, that a smile isn't always easy to find when you need it the most, but she gives it her best effort. I would easily rate this book a perfect 5 out of 5 stars. You can read this as a stand alone but you will want to go back and read Abby Finds Her Calling to see how it all began!!!

If you would love more information about Rosemary Opens Her Heart, Naomi King or where to pick up a copy of this book today, please click on the links below:

Rosemary Opens Her Heart by Naomi King

You can also find Naomi King on Facebook to stay up to date with all her latest books.

To read more reviews on Rosemary Opens Her Heart on the Pump Up Your Book Tour, please click here. 

Join me tomorrow back her for a great guest post from Naomi King, you won't want to miss!!!

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: NAL Trade (November 6, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0451237978
• ISBN-13: 978-0451237972
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.1 x 0.7 inches

Abby Finds Her Calling

Abby Lambright is the envy of so many within her Amish community. She has the wisdom of someone beyond her years and is responsible and very organized. Perhaps that is why her family felt she could run her own sewing shop alongside the families mercantile. Abby has a knack for putting back together what seems to fall apart in the lives the people in Cedar Creek, Missouri. She just wishes she had a knack for helping herself find a way to heal her broken heart, when the man she grew up loving, James Graber, decides to marry her sister Suzanna instead.

On the day of the wedding with preparations in full swing, family members arriving from all over including out of state in Ohio and Pennsylvania, the bride vanishes. Leaving in the middle of the night on the eve of her wedding, to avoid having to deal with explaining things to her family, Zanna cuts her wedding dress to pieces and vanishes without anyone hearing anything. Now it's up to Abby to tell James that he doesn't have a bride to marry and for once she doesn't know what to say to the man that still owns her heart.

In the novel, Abby Finds Her Calling, by Naomi King, the reader is introduced to the first book in a brand new Amish series, Home at Cedar Creek. Here we are introduced to the Lambert and Graber family's and how they are intertwined in a wedding that has failed to take place. Now turmoil ensues when Zanna returns home to face the music of not only her family, friends and James, but also the consequences of defiling the church with her actions. At only 17, Zanna has more on her mind that just her explanation of why she left but now having the deal with the talk of her community.

Abby once again takes up the role as the mender and wise counselor to her torn family. Her mother is distraught at not knowing quite what to do with Zanna, her older brother Sam who now has stepped into the role of the man of the house when there father died is beyond angry at not only the expense he had to pay but now answering to the elders of the church for Zanna's actions. James will not escape unscathed when he learns just why Zanna couldn't marry him. Will he finally see the qualities in Abby that he's been blind to before, or will Abby spend the rest of her life simply being a maidel?

I received Abby Finds Her Calling by Naomi King compliments of Pump Up Your Book Tours for my honest review. I LOVE it when a book will take you on a journey and make the characters in the book truly come alive. A different view is offered from the Amish point of view when Zanna's character goes against her moral and spiritual beliefs and makes the reader ponder just what would they do if faced with similar circumstances. A wonderful new series that I can wait to finish and get to know more of the characters that live in Cedar Creek as Naomi King continues with her upcoming books. I rate this one a 5 out of 5 stars!!!

If you want more information on this book, the author and where to pick up a copy of this book, please click on the links below:

Abby Finds Her Calling by Naomi King

You can also find Naomi King on her Facebook page by clicking here.

To find more reviews on this book tour, click here.