The Proposal at Siesta Key

(Sigh!!) That is what I do whenever I read any of Shelley Shepard Gray's Amish novels. First, because they are so exceptionally well written that I simply forget where I am for the duration of the time it takes me to read it (in one sitting), and the other because I am so sad that it's over too soon! Once again, Shelley takes us back to Pinecraft, Florida in her second installment of the Amish Brides of Pinecraft series, with The Proposal at Siesta Key!

This was inspired by a true life event Shelley witnessed when visiting the Amish town of Pinecraft and saw a small group of missionaries sharing their story with those gathered and this inspired her to write about the Knoxx family, Mennonites who were taking their story on the road of what their son Michael endured with the loss of his leg during a bike accident. Now feeling it has been a calling from God on their life, they find themselves as guests at the Orange Blossom Inn while spending a couple days on their tour sharing the story. It will be one that will be both life-changing and unforgettable.

Penny Troyer at 24, is trying to find a way to tell her parents, that all their protectiveness they have had in her life, is gotten to the point where she feels she isn't living a life but merely existing in theirs since the tragedy that took the life of her sister Lissy and left them wanting to protect the only daughter they have left. But what it has done in the process is eliminated the chance for Penny to establish friends and do all the kinds of things a young teenage girl would have, to find someone to love and perhaps even get a job. Now she simply needs to find a way to tell them she wants to go with a friend to see the traveling Knoxx family at the park, but the conversation happening in her mind is much easier than the one she will be having with both of her parents.

I received The Proposal at Siesta Key by Shelley Shepard Gray compliments of Litfuse Publicity and Avon Inspired Books, a division of Harper Collins Publishers for my honest review. Aside from my complimentary copy of the novel, I did not receive any monetary compensation for my review and the opinions contained here are strictly my own. One day I can only hope to make a visit to the Amish town of Pinecraft and view the places Shelley describes in her book at the conclusion. What a charming place it must be where the pace of life is much slower and a bit more simple than the rat race most of us face. Truly it is no wonder so many come to visit and end up making Pinecraft their own home! I know I would hate to leave and thus the reason for always finishing these novels much too soon! There is a sneak peek at her next novel coming up included which means I won't have to wait too long. Well worth a stellar 5 out of 5 stars and be warned there is a great recipe for Chocolate Pecan Pie included as well!

For more information about The Proposal at Siesta Key, Shelley Shepard Gray or where you can pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

The Proposal at Siesta Key by Shelley Shepard Gray

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To read more reviews on The Proposal at Siesta Key, please visit Litfuse Publicity's book tour page.

Penny's time with Michael has brought happiness, but will she be able to follow her heart? #giveaway @ShelleySGray http://bit.ly/1Hue7QK 

Gabriel's Bride

Choices, choices? But which is the right path to take? If only she had a definitive answer. Will God answer her prayers? Rachel Yoder is still dealing with the death of her only family member, her Aunt Katherine, she is now faced with finding a new place to live. Unlike most Amish families, her Aunt Katherine took out a reverse mortgage on her home and land. Now that she has passed away, the bank now owns the property and despite all of Rachel's pleas to make the payments, she has no other choice but to find somewhere else to move.

It seems her only option is moving to Ohio where her Katherine had some cousins that could definitely use her help raising eleven children. His wife has been ill lately and could use the help around the house if she is willing to come. But what other choice does she have? She can only pray that they might be willing to take her goats as well since she has been making a living with their milk and cheese. But Ohio? So far away.

"There is no one here that would take her in. No one who would help without needing something in return. For her to care for their children or cook their meals. No one who would understand how important it was for her to keep her goats and make her cheese. To understand how important it was for her to make her own way. Once again she was adrift. Alone in the world. Except this time she was twenty-six, not ten. This time she was an adult, though she still felt like a frightened child who had come here all the way from Florida to live with a maiden aunt after her parents had died in that awful accident.

"The district will have to choose a new deacon, and I'm putting your name in."

A dozen conflicting emotions swamped Gabriel. He wasn't worthy. He was a widower. He didn't need the responsibility while he was alone now and struggling to raise his children.

"I'll say that I'd rather you didn't." Being a deacon, or any of the chosen leaders, was no easy job. Aside from feeling like he wasn't worthy, he simply wasn't up for it.

""It'll do you good son."

Gabriel took a deep breath, slowing the mad thump of his heart. Just because his name went into the lot wouldn't mean he would be chosen. Only God knew the outcome.

"Course'n it'd be better if you were married."

He had no intention of getting married again. He'd been so blessed before, marrying a woman he loved with all his heart. Then the Lord had seen fit to take her home at the same time He gave them Samuel. Gabriel would never love like that again. Having experienced it once before, it wasn't fair to ask another to enter into a relationship that was not was wondrous. Oh, he knew that he'd had something so special with Rebecca, he couldn't settle for less. He's make do in his life, knowing that once he had held the world in his arms.

But the little voice whispered in his head. He no longer had a woman partner, someone - anyone - to help with chores and teaching the boys the ways of women. Katie Rose was getting ready to get married and Mary Elizabeth was gone, her love of animals and desire for an education pushing her into the Englisch world. His mother was doing well after her cancer treatments a couple of years back, but she was not as strong as she used to be. Gideon's Annie was going to deliver their first child soon. No, all the women in his life were busy living their own lives. Oh, they would help if he asked, but he didnt' feel that was fair, nor was getting married again. He'd just have to manage.

"I don't think - "

Esh shushed him with a wave of one hand. "You just be open to whatever God has in store for you."

There was no way to argue with that. "Jah, Deacon. I will at that." (Excerpt pg 13-14).

Welcome to Gabriel's Bride, the third book by Amy Lillard in her Clover Ridge series that has completed captivated my heart and soul! Both Rachel and Gabriel have pressing matters in which a marriage of convenience would work well for, but even though it seems like the perfect arrangement, neither of them are prepared for what lies in store for them. For Rachel she has to contend with trying to find a way to cook and clean when she appears to not be able to manage anything without burning or scorching something in the process. Gabriel has to battle the feelings that he finds stirring in his heart now that Rachel is living under his roof even though they have agreed to keep things platonic between them. It's the perfect recipe for romance and a whole lot of laughs along the way.

I received Gabriel's Bride by Amy Lillard compliments of B and H Publishing Group and Christian Fiction Blog Alliance Book Tours for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review and the opinions are strictly my own unless otherwise noted. I have been completely charmed by this series because Amy creates a delightful cast of characters that keeps you coming back for more just to know what is happening in their lives. It's hard to believe that your simply reading a great novel and these characters only exist on the pages of this book and not in real life. They aren't perfect but have their own set of flaws much like we all do. I believe that is what makes readers sit up and take notice.  Congratulations Amy Lillard, you've hooked me and created such a craving for this series, I am officially addicted. I easily give this one a 5 out of 5 stars in my opinion and it even includes a discussion guide that is great for book clubs!

For more information about Gabriel's Bride, Amy Lillard or where you can pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

Gabriel's Bride by Amy Lillard

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

To read more reviews on Gabriel's Bride, please visit Christian Fiction Blog Alliance Book Tours. 

The Path to Piney Meadows

What does a city boy from Minneapolis and an Mennonite girl have in common with two chickens?

The premise behind the incredible novel, The Path to Piney Meadows by author Gail Sattler. Chad Allen is tired of being used at his job while his friend Gary took all the credit. He had the big office and Chad's was a mere closet. Still being at work on Christmas Eve while everyone else had left for the day makes him realize this is not how he wants to spend his life. After working hard to gain his degree it's time he tries something new and tonight is that breaking point. He has been the one making this company a success and one that Gary isn't willing to appreciate by making him partner. So with a post it note that say's simply, "I quit!" and thumb tacked to the monitor of his computer, Chad gets in his car headed north. Not sure where he will wind up all he knows is he has to find a new life. The only problem with that theory is he forgot to check his gas and soon finds himself in the middle of nowhere and in desperate need of gas.

Chad stumbles upon a small town called Piney Meadows and locates the only gas station in town. One that is closed on Christmas Eve. Not exactly being prepared for this last minute trip is truly an understatement as Chad ventures out into the cold night walking to a busy lighted church. He is hoping to locate someone who can give him some gas or at least tell him when the gas station opens. He does run into Ted Wiebe who is the owner of the local furniture store in town. He tells Chad that the gas station won't open for the next two days and he is welcome to stay at his home, providing he is willing to leave the keys to his car and driver's license with Ted, since he is taking his fiancè to the airport and Ted doesn't know Chad. Ted learns that Chad has a college degree and offers him a chance to help manage the furniture company as he was just looking to find someone. Seems like God has plans for this city boy to wind up just where he did tonight.

Chad's surprised to learn that he has wound up in the Mennonite community and there are no such luxuries like television to keep him occupied while he stays at Ted's house. He is pleased when he receives a phone call from Anna Janzen, Ted's secretary, offering him a dinner invitation at her house next door. Seems Ted wants to make sure that Chad is well taken care of til he returns. However when Ted asks Chad to stay a couple of days to give him an opportunity to fly to Seattle with his fiancè, Chad realizes that he finds peace and a sense of calm being in Piney Meadows away from the stress of being in the big city of Minneapolis. Anna on the other hand can't wait to leave the town of Piney Meadows and hopes to gain some knowledge of what lies just outside the city she has been born and raised in. She hopes that she and Chad might work together so that he can find a home in Piney Meadows and she can find a life for herself in Minneapolis. But will a city boy be able to fit in this small town country life or will the call of the city be simply to great for him to leave behind for good?

You'll have to pick up a copy of The Path to Piney Meadows to find out! I received a copy of The Path to Piney Meadows by Gail Sattler compliments of Abingdon Press for my honest review. I received no monetary compensation for a favorable review. This is my first novel by author Gail Sattler and I can't wait to read The Narrow Path which tells the story of Ted and Miranda who we meet at the onset of this one. I love how Gail blends the differences between Old Order Mennonites meet the world of the English in her novels and love how they try and work things out. For example, a man who cooks is met with confusion since men aren't supposed to set foot in the kitchens of the Mennonites except to eat and chickens were never intended to be more than a food source but to Chad they are never gone end up as anything but old and gray, if chickens can get gray. This was such a delightful and charming summer read for me and I have to give this one a 5 out of 5 stars for all the fun and laughs I gained by reading this one.

For more information about The Path to Piney Meadows, Gail Sattler or where you can preorder a copy of this one due out in August, please click on the links below:

The Path to Piney Meadows by Gail Sattler

You can also follow Gail Sattler on Facebook to stay up to date on all her latest novels.

You can also find more information out on Gail Sattler's website.

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Abingdon Press (August 20, 2013)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1426733550
• ISBN-13: 978-1426733550