Wednesday, September 11, 2013

The Amish Seamstress

GIVEAWAY
 
CLARK, MINDY STARNS
GOULD, LESLIE
THE AMISH SEAMSTRESS

Bestselling authors Mindy Starns Clark and Leslie Gould provide an unexpected surprise in The Amish Seamstress, Book 4 in the Women of Lancaster County series, which tells the stories of young Amish women as they explore their roots, connect with family, and discover true love.

Izzy Mueller is an exceptional listener and gifted caregiver. She's also a talented seamstress. As the young woman sits with her elderly patients, she quietly sews as they share their stories. She's content with her life until circumstances reconnect her with someone she once loved. Zed Bayer, a Mennonite, is not what her family is hoping for in a spouse, and his creative interest in filmmaking is definitely at odds with her Amish upbringing.

As Izzy is swept up again in Zed and renews her friendship with his sister, Ella, she begins to ask questions about her own life--her creative longings and historical interests, her relationships and desire for romance, and most importantly, her faith. What is the path God has for her? Can she learn from the past of both her family's and Zed's--or must she forge a completely different future of her own?

My Review:

Though this is the last in The Women of Lancaster County series the authors have done a wonderful job of making The Amish Seamstress read well as a standalone. However, readers familiar with any of the other books (The Amish Midwife, The Amish Nanny or The Amish Bride) will be thrilled at the grand reunion of characters that takes place in this one.

Writing from a first person point of view is perfect for Izzy's story. I loved being inside her mind as she puzzled out runaway emotions and analyzed herself to death. So very 'young woman entering adulthood'! But her growth is phenomenal and well worth the read.

I was also totally captivated by the genealogical aspects in this story. It's a unique way to add mystery to a plot and it kept me on my toes until the very last family history piece fell into place.

A stellar conclusion to the Women of Lancaster County series.

Giveaway Opportunity:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of The Amish Seamstress, please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you post a comment and add your email address, please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in the address to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so that it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday September 15 2013. Offer open to international readers. Good luck! 

34 comments:

  1. Oh sigh... Here I go with 1st comment again---the one that seldom gets picked. But with my memory, I'll forget to come back, so here goes. lol I really enjoyed the other books in this series, and by your review I know I'll enjoy this one too! Thanks for the opportunity, Kav!

    dianalflowers[at]aol[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. LOL -- Will it make you feel better if I tell you that I scramble up the names and numbers when I have email entries as well so that everyone is slotted in the draw fairly? You may not end up being number one. :-) If you've read the other books you'll love this one, Diana. Good luck!

      Delete
    2. Maybe it is because there are so many entries?

      Delete
    3. Definitely makes me feel better, Kav! LOL You're so funny. I needed to be feel better and also needed a smile. I passed out in my kitchen yesterday and spent the day in the ER. Virus accompanied by dehydration, which in turn made my blood pressure go sky high. I look llike a pincushion this morning! So dr gave me his advice and my hubby prescribed me some R&R so I'll be fine in no time. Prayers desired please!

      Delete
  2. thanks for the chance to read this novel :)

    karenk
    kmkuka at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  3. Now Diana, I'm supposed to win this book. LOL I need it bad to finish the series. Kidding Diana. Just so you know, I have won before when was the first commenter. Loved the review Kav. Thanks for the give-away.
    MAXIE mac262(at)me(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ah, if only everyone could be the winner, life would be grand! :-) Good luck, Maxie!

      Delete
  4. This book sounds really good. Two great authors in one book. Great review. Thanks for the chance to win.
    Blessings

    Diana

    joeym11(at)frontier(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  5. I love all Amish fiction and since I am a genealogy bluff, I can hardly wait to read the genealogical part in this book. This book sounds like a double winner.

    Thank you for the chance to win.

    CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Me too, Carol on both accounts! I even watch that show where they trace stars' ancestry -- Who do you think you are? Is that the title? Anyway, I get such a thrill at their discoveries. This book unfolds kind of like that. Good luck!

      Delete
  6. I would love to win this book for my church library.
    Thanks for the opportunity to do so.
    Janet E.
    von1janet(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  7. I remember listening to my Grandmother Bowman tell stories about her younger years. Izzy must have given so much comfort by listening to others. Hope to read how her & her former beau lives work out.

    missionwife AT hotmail DOT com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's something I really loved about Izzy -- her affinity with the elderly women she cared for. Good luck, Melody.

      Delete
  8. I love these Amish books! Thanks for the chance to win this.
    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Amish books are the bestest -- I need to see what other new releases are out there. I never tire of reading them. Good luck rubynreba!

      Delete
  9. I have read the first in the series and plan to read the rest. Thanks for the chance to win this book.
    Brittany McEuen
    kbmceuen at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's a great series, Brittany. Glad you've made a start on it. Good luck!

      Delete
  10. Kav, thanks for a wonderful review of The Amish Seamstress! I love these two authors, and everything the write. Thanks so much for offering the giveaway!
    Nsncee
    quiltcat26[at]sbcglobal[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They make a good team, don't they? Good luck, Nancee!

      Delete
  11. Hi Kav,
    I have the first three books and would love this copy of The Amish Seamstress (ha, ha, I first wrote The Irish ~ and then looked at it for awhile Ir- instead of Am-). Thank you for your review. I have been watching for this book! Thanks, Kathleen ~ Lane Hill House

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I guess there aren't many Irish Amish, eh Kathleen? Good luck!

      Delete
    2. grinning ~
      forgot my e-mail
      lanehillhouse[at]centurylink[dot]net
      would l-u-v to have The Amish Seamstress ~
      half-Irish Kathleen

      Delete
    3. Kav ~ thank you so much, arrived today!! Kathleen

      Delete
  12. Great review! I love this series and the authors are fabulous. These two authors are fantastic. Thank you for sharing and please enter my name in the giveaway. Thank you!
    Barbara Thompson
    barbmaci61(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Barbara. They make a great team, don't they? Good luck!

      Delete
  13. Can't wait to get this book now that the series is completed. I have not read this series because of it being a series. Didn't know it could be read as a stand alone. Would love a chance to win. Thank you for the giveaway.
    Karen G.
    kmgervais(at)nycap(dot)rr(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Karen, each book read well as a standalone. These authors do a great job of that. No cliff hanger endings but it's fun to catch a glimpse at former characters' lives during each current read. Good luck!

      Delete
  14. OH thank you for reviewing this book and the chance to win a copy of it!

    wfnren(at)aol(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  15. I love Amish fiction. I havent read any books by these authors.
    marypopmom (at)yahoo (dot) com

    ReplyDelete