Saving Gideon

"The rain turned slowly into snow. The change happened so gradually that Avery Ann Hampton hardly noticed the slushy drops had built up on the blades of her windshield wipers.

Great. Just great.

As if being in this backwoods part of Oklahoma weren't enough. First the rain...and now she had to deal with snow.

And slick roads.

And...heartbreak.

She should have stayed in Dallas, but no. Instead, she had wanted to surprise her fiance' by showing up in the Sooner State where he was scoping out land for on-location shoots. She would surprise him and tell him that he had won. She'd caved. He begged her to elope to Vegas with him, but she had been holding out for the big wedding: long, white dress; horse-drawn carriage; and doves released at sunset.

She parked next to her Mercedes - loaned to Jack for this trip - sitting off to one side. She stepped up to the unlocked motel room door, pulled it open, and saw...

Enough.

Enough to know that Jack had used her. Enough to know that he had never really loved her, and enough to know that he - like everyone else - had used her for her father's money.

As she continued to drive listening to the turn by turn directions from her GPS, she noticed the weather was getting worse and it was becoming more difficult to see. As she jumped at the sound of the GPS voice, and pulled the wheel to the left, she found herself hydroplaning in the mud and slush and flipping over and over again until she passed out while her car horn blared through the snowy night.

Gideon Fisher bolted upright. He body trembled. Sweat poured off him. He'd had the dream again. How many times in the last eleven months had he had that dream? More than he could count. More than he wanted to count. Even with his eyes open, he saw them still, his family, Jaime and Miriam. Every night he dreamed he could save them. Every night he failed.

As he shuffled into the kitchen and stoked the fire, a far-off wail captured his attention. It sounded like...well, it sounded like a car horn. He shook his head. His nearest Englisch neighbor was a two-mile walk through the pasture. They were good neighbors. They never gave him strange looks or tried to take his picture. And they never blew their car horn at this time of night.

Someone was in trouble. No one made a racket like that in the middle of the night without there being something wrong. He headed off down the road. Probably some irresponsible Englisch teenager with more money than sense. Most likely took the corner too fast for the weather and veered off the road. Gideon shook those thoughts aside as he drew nearer to the car. The clear light from the lantern flashed off the shiny silver paint - and even shinier chrome of a crumpled-up fender. He was no expert on Englisch automobiles, but he could tell this one was very costly and very damaged.

He wasn't sure what he would find, but it surely wasn't this wisp of a woman slumped over the steering wheel, her forehead pressed against the horn. As Gideon gently removed her from the car, and totted her small dog in his bag, he carried them both back to his house before they both froze to death in this weather. He could only hope she wasn't hurt internally, and that by moving her he hadn't sealed her death. He couldn't stand another life on his conscience." (pg 2-7).

In the debut novel from Amy Lillard, Saving Gideon, takes the reader into the lives of Avery Hampton, a wealthy Dallas socialite whose been struggling with finding a man who can truly love her despite her father's wealth, and that of Gideon Fisher, an Oklahoma Amish farmer whose been looking to find a way to restore his faith in people once again and begin to live a life without the loneliness that has been plaguing him. As feelings between the two grow, can they overcome their sheer differences, or will those differences pull them apart.

I received Saving Gideon by Amy Lillard compliments of B & H Publishing Group and Christian Fiction Blog Alliance book tours for my honest review. I simply love it when an author combines some of my favorite genres together to make a perfect blend of something new, in this case, Amish romance and contemporary romance. In fact, I often wondered what might happen if an English woman were to fall in love with an Amish man. How would they work through their differences? Would they be able to find common ground and still keep part of their former lives, or would it require a complete sacrifice on the behalf of one or the other? To find out what happens, you'll have to pick up a copy of Saving Gideon for yourself. I rate this one a 4.5 out of 5 stars.

For more information about Saving Gideon, Amy Lillard or where to pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

Saving Gideon by Amy Lillard

You can also find Amy Lillard on Facebook and stay up on the very latest from her.

To read more reviews on Saving Gideon from the Christian Fiction Alliance Blog Tour, click here. 

The Survivor

Mattie's body has healed from the cancer that nearly took her life...but can she find the man who can mend her lonely heart?

Mattie has faced more in her twenty-three years than she ever imagined possible. Having successfully battled cancer, she's ready to reenter the world with hope for her future. But while she was in and out of hospitals, other Amish girls her age were courting and finding the men they would marry. The only man who's ever made her heart beat faster is Graham Weaver, her best friend, who has always been there to comfort her, in good times and bad. Is it finally time for their friendship to become something more?

But cruel gossip is spreading, claiming that Graham's the father of the baby Jenna Yoder's carrying. Will Mattie's dreams of a happily-ever-after be crushed before they've left the ground? (back cover excerpt).

My Review:

Once more we find ourselves back together again with Mattie and Graham, the childhood best friends that have weathered more storms together than most will ever experience in our lifetime. Now once more, they put their friendship on hold even while Mattie's cancer is in remission, the rumor of Graham being the father of the baby, Jenna Yoder is carrying. Even though he denies it, Mattie can't help but wonder what motives Jenna would have for lying about Graham if it isn't true.

Meanwhile John Weaver has made a decision to pursue Mary who he has met through his encounters with her and her son, Abel at the Kaffi Haus. The only thing standing in the way is where Mary and Abel's feelings for him are, and whether he is prepared to return back to his Amish ways or remain an English man.

I received the final book in the Families of Honor Series by Shelley Shepard Gray, The Survivor, whose name is well-known for her stories of Amish families, compliments of Christian Fiction Blog Alliance for my honest review. Shelley has written about the families in the series so well, its like a welcome breath of fresh air when you open the first page and begin reading. All of a sudden the reader is magically transported back to Jacob's Crossing and the lives of the characters we have come to know and love are back again, just waiting for us to follow them again.

This series is such an amazing one and I have connected with Mattie so much, not just dealing with cancer, but the strength she shows in helping her friends and family deal with their own personal crisis. Mattie could have played the victim, but in my eyes, she is the hero. Right there every step of the way has been Graham her best friend, who you have been rooting for from day one to see Mattie as more than a friend, but the man who loves her and sees who she really is on the inside.

I award this book, The Survivor a perfect 5 out of 5 stars and having read every single book in this series, I am sad to see it end but know that somewhere out there, the families I come to love as part of my own will always be a part of my life. For those of you looking to begin the journey in the Families of Honor series, start with The Caregiver, then The Protector and ending with The Survivor. Thank you Shelley for writing this series so well!

For more information about this book, the series, the author and where to begin your journey today, click on the links below:

The Survivor by Shelley Shepard Gray

Abigail's New Hope

One thing that Abigail Graber never expected in all her years as an Amish midwife was to find police cars at her home. Thinking the worst when she arrived home, she was relived that it wasn't about her two children. Yet when the Sheriff explained that he was here to arrest Abigail for the recent death of Ruth Fisher who died in childbirth, while Abigail was delivering her baby.

To say she was more than shocked would be an understatement. Learning that the charges against her involve two felonies, she isn't sure what she will do. She writes a letter to her sister Catherine explaining the situation and asking if she can come to assist her husband, Daniel and care for the children.

Not sure how long that she will have to stay until Abigail goes to court, Catherine takes on the difficult responsibilities of caring for her niece and nephew as well as Daniel who is handling the situation with his wife as well as he can. What Catherine doesn't expect is to discover Daniel's reclusive cousin, Isaiah who is deaf. When she begins to reach out to him through discovering his world, she begins to see things through God's eyes and she changes in the process and finds love.

I received the book Abigail's New Hope by Mary Ellis compliments of Christian Fiction Blog Alliance for my honest review. I love this book in the ways it shares so many storied in one book. There is the persecution of Abigail and the walk of her faith in all areas of her life while being in jail. She ministers to those around her and even though her husband begins to question his own faith, Abigail's love for God comes shining through. This is the story of how much our own faith can be called in question and shows how God's presence will endure no matter what the cost.

This book is part of the Wayne County Series and I look forward to reading them all. This book was a breath of fresh air and taught me that our walk of faith may not be easy but is well worth it. I rate this book a 5 out of 5 stars. This book is available in paperback and eBook formats.

Here is even more incredible information about this book, the author and even a sneak peek.

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Abigail's New Hope Harvest House Publishers (April 1, 2011) by Mary Ellis
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

A word from the author:I grew up close to the eastern Ohio Amish community of Geauga County, where my parents often took me to farmers’ markets and woodworking fairs. My husband and I now live within the largest population of Amish in the country–a four-county area in central Ohio. We love to take weekend getaways to purchase farm produce and other goodies, stay with Amish families in bed and breakfasts, attend country auctions and enjoy the simpler way of life.

This is my first series of novels set in the Amish community.

I would love to hear from readers of Christian novels. Please leave me a post at my blogsite.

ABOUT THE BOOK

As an Amish midwife, Abigail Graber loves bringing babies into the world. But when a difficult delivery takes a devastating turn, Abigail is faced with some hard choices. Despite her best efforts, the young mother dies—but the baby is saved.

When a heartless judge confines Abigail to the county jail for her mistakes, her sister Catherine comes to care for her children while Daniel works his fields. Catherine meets Daniel’s reclusive cousin, Isaiah, who’s deaf and thought to be simple minded by his community. She endeavors to teach him to communicate and discovers he possesses unexpected gifts and talents.

While Abigail searches for forgiveness, Catherine changes lives and, in return, finds love, something long elusive in her life. And Isaiah discovers God, who cares nothing about our handicaps or limitations in His sustaining love.

An inspirational tale of overcoming grief, maintaining faith, and finding hope in an ever-changing world.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Abigail's New Hope, go HERE.

Lydia's Charm

Watch the book trailer:





I just came back from the most amazing visit I ever had. I've been to the small town of Charm, Ohio, an Amish town with the most amazing and resilient people you have ever met.

Take Lydia King, she just moved here from Chicago after her husband passed away leaving her alone to raise her 4 year old son Josh. With work being tough to find anywhere especially as a widow, her mom, Mae Weaver, invited her to move back home to Charm to help out with her ailing father, Lydia's grandfather and at least provide a roof over the heads while she looks for work. Lydia's mom is overwhelmed by caring for her ailing father and watching out for young Josh who seems to be more than she can handle. Should she have asked Lydia to move back home?

It isn't long before Lydia finds a job at Grandma's Restaurant, a local place to eat nestled in town where almost everyone stops in for coffee, pie and just a friendly hello.

Menno Troyer is also a widower with four growing boys. Ever since she passed away, the boys have been a bit more rowdy, and less likely to do the chores he asks them to do while he is at work. What they really need is a new mom, but where to find a young woman who is great with kids in Charm?

Levi Stutzman spends much of his time working at his family mercantile in town and he isn't looking for a wife any time soon. He fears that should he marry and have kids, they might be like his mother, father and his siblings, all "little people" or dwarfs. It's hard enough protecting and looking out for them that he doesn't see what life is about to hand him.

These are just three of the amazing people you will meet if you visit the town of Charm. I would invite you to stay awhile and visit. In the time I spent reading Lydia's Charm by Wanda E Brunstetter, I felt like a part of each of these people's lives and the wonderful stories they share with their small town charm and Amish ways. Each of their lives is interwoven in a most unusual and loving way and once you meet them, you'll never be the same.

I received this book compliments of Christian Fiction Blog Alliance for my honest review and must say this one earns all 5 out of 5 stars. This one has also found a permanent place in my library collection. For more information on this book, the author and where to get a first chapter glance, then read more below:

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Lydia's Charm Barbour Books (September 1, 2010) by Wanda E. Brunstetter

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

A Note From Wanda:

Ever since I was a child, I wanted to be a writer. When I was in the second grade, I wrote my first poem about a moth. Luckily, I received encouragement from my teacher. During my teen years, I wrote skits that my church teen group performed during special holidays.

It wasn’t until 1980, that I took a course on writing for children and teenagers. I became serious about a career as an author. Soon after that, I began to write stories, articles, poems, and devotionals, which appeared in a variety of Christian publications. Later, I had 5 books of puppet/ventriloquist scripts published. *These books are currently available by contacting me. (wanda@wandabrunstetter.com)

My first novel was released by Barbour Publishing’s book club, Heartsong Presents, in Dec. 1997. I have now written nearly fifty books, with over 4 million books in print. Many of the novels I've written are Amish-themed.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Widowed and jobless, Lydia King moves her son and herself to Charm, Ohio, to be close to her mother and help with her grandfather. Menno Troyer, a furniture store owner, is also recently widowed and the father of four energetic boys.

Levi Stutzman, another newcomer to the area, is the only one in his family not handicapped by dwarfism and has dedicated his life to caring for them. As fall colors the countryside, will anonymous gifts left for Lydia bring her hope for a new life and romance, or will another tragedy flood her with infinite despair?

If you would like to read the first chapter of Lydia's Charm, go HERE.