Courting His Amish Wife

GIVEAWAY

MILLER, EMMA

COURTING HIS AMISH WIFE

He offers her his hand, but will she ever take his heart?

When Levi Miller learns Eve Summy will be forced to marry her would-be attacker or get shunned, he marries her instead. Now husband and wife, but complete strangers, they must figure out how to live together in

harmony. But with Levi's family questioning the motives for their surprise wedding, getting to know each other -- and possibly finding love along the way -- is harder than they expected.

My Review:

Eeeep!!! Marriage of Convenience + Amish = reading heaven for me! Especially when the book is set in Hickory Grove, Delaware among the lively Miller clan. I love the way this author builds a community of faith with plenty of secondary characters to surround the striving couple with age old wisdom and humour and some plain talking when necessary.

Love the way Levi impulsively becomes Eve's hero but then doesn't quite know what to do with her! But he sure tries and is willing to own up to his mistakes and make things right. For her part, Eve is just plain overcome -- especially over Levi's gregarious, well meaning family which is so very different from her own. Shell shocked doesn't begin to describe it. 

Lots of opportunity for growth as the romantic tension ratchets up, drawing these two together to deliver that ever long for happily ever after.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a gently read paperback copy

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Courting His Amish Wife, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add your email to a 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 August 21 2021. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

The Christmas Courtship

GIVEAWAY
RANDOM RETRO READ DAY!

MILLER, EMMA

THE CHRISTMAS COURTSHIP

An Amish single mother with a secret past...searching for a fresh start at Christmastime.

Caught up in a scandal in her Amish community, Phoebe Miller moves to her cousin's farm in Delaware hoping for forgiveness and a second chance. The last thing Phoebe expects is to slowly fall for bachelor Joshua Miller. But Joshua doesn't know the secret that made her leave her old life behind. Can their blossoming love survive the truth? 

My Review:

published in 2019

This is one of the Christmas books that got away last year. I couldn't keep up with all the stunning holiday fare Love Inspired and Love Inspired Suspense offered up so I had to tuck this little beauty away for another holiday season. Well, she's seen the light of day at last and blessed me with her sweet message of forgiveness and the hope of second chances...all while tying my tummy up in knots from angst and belly laughs.

Loved Joshua's gregarious nature, quick wit and penchant for keeping up a running commentary on absolutely everything and anything. "I talk when I'm nervous and when I'm not. I talk when I'm happy and when I'm sad. When I was little my mother used to say that she put me to bed talking and I picked up on the sentence come dawn the next day." (p 16) 

Phoebe doesn't know what to make of him at first since since he -- and the entire Miller clan for that matter -- are very different from the repressive environment she is used to. In a chaotic, lively, welcoming way, of course. She has arrived in Hickory Grove looking for a second chance...at life, at love. And, mercy, but Phoebe is deserving for all that and more! To understand why you need to read her story, but be prepared for an emotional onslaught of epic proportions because...gah!!!!! There's a great message within these pages about what forgiveness really means and how judgement doesn't have any part of it.

A heartwarming and hope-fueled Christmas love story.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a gently read paperback copy

If you would like a chance to win a copy of The Christmas Courtship, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. 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 November 21 2020. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck! 

A Summer Amish Courtship

GIVEAWAY

MILLER, EMMA
A SUMMER AMISH COURTSHIP

A lonely schoolmaster.
A widowed mother.
Will working together be a lesson in love?

After a sudden heartbreaking loss, young widow Abigail Stolz must somehow help her troubled son adjust -- even if it means working with Jamie's stern schoolmaster, Ethan Miller. Much to her surprise, Ethan is actually a sensitive man who is also grieving -- and lonely. But will family duty and the past keep them from a chance at happiness together?

My Review:

Hand me an Emma Miller novel, plunk me down in my reading corner and all is right in my world. :-) This author knows how to spin the kind of tale that'll hold a reader's attention right to the very last word. There's so much heart to her characters that it's easy to love them even when they are frustatingly stubborn. (I'm talking to you, Abigail.) And the way Miller weaves secondary characters (some from her earlier novels) into the story just adds more depth  (and a whole lot of fun.) I'm ready to move to Delaware and join the community!

Love a good second chance romance and this one is excellent. Two grieving souls warily moving out of their grief and towards each other. It's not easy. Not with Abigail's recalcitrant son and her guileless mother. It's funny and sad and so very, very hopeful.

I listened to the audible version of this book even though I also have a paperback copy.  I couldn't resist sampling Stina Nielsen's narration and once I had, I was hooked.  She brings such vibrancy to the characters and really enhanced my 'reading'/listening enjoyment.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of  A Summer Amish Courtship, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. 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 May 9 2020 . Offer open to International Readers. Good luck

The Amish Sweet Shop

GIVEAWAY
RANDOM RETRO READ DAY

MILLER, EMMA
BRADFORD, LAURA
ELLIS, MARY
THE AMISH SWEET SHOP

It's almost Valentine's Day, the busiest time of the year at Beechy's Sweets, where the Amish gifts of love and faith are even sweeter than the home-made candy.

The Sweetest Courtship by Emma Miller -- At age thirty-six, Jacob Beechy is a rarity -- a master candy maker, and a bachelor. His mother, however still hopes for grandchildren. With Valentine's Day around the corner, she convinces Jacob he will need extra help in the shop and interviews a string of applicants -- for his future wife...

The Sweetest Truth by Laura Bradford -- Sadie Fisher has accepted that she will never marry. Her scars from a barn fire are a daily reminder of why. So when she receives mysterious gifts leading up to Valentine's Day, including chocolate from Beechy's, she's bewildered -- yet curious. Sadie may not think she's pretty, but there's a young man who sees only sweetness when he looks at her...

Nothing Tastes So Sweet by Mary Ellis -- Pregnant and suddenly widowed, Hannah must give up the dreams she once had. But when she learns that her longtime English employer plans to sell his hardware store, she's determined to buy it. She doesn't realize that will mean following a clue from Beechy's to clear a man's name -- and finding a partnership in work, faith, and love...

My Review:

published in 2018

This title showed up a lot on the last Reader's Choice Amish day and it has been on my audible wishlist for months now so I took the hint from y'all and finally read (listened) to it! Perfect timing too with the Valentine's Day theme. I don't think I've ever read an Amish Valentine story before.

Warning: might induce strong cravings for chocolate. Read at your own risk.

This is a great collection that offers three distinctively different stories. Emma Miller's The Sweetest Courtship is exactly that -- sweet and funny and tender. A perfect lighthearted rom/com Valentine read. The Sweetest Truth by Laura Bradford has a more serious tone as Sadie struggles with self-esteem issues. This novella is full of touching, heartwarming scenes and Amos's determination to help Sadie see herself as he sees her is the ultimate example of romantic love. Nothing Tastes So Sweet by Mary Ellis doesn't focus on romance -- it reads more like a prelude of the romance to come which I was happy with since Hannah is a very recent widow. This novella is more about her struggle to find her way after the sudden death of her husband. Definitely a heavier read then the first two stories in this collection but I loved Hannah's spunk and determination to make her own way.

Honestly, what can be better than books and chocolate -- a chocoholic/bibliophile's dream collection. :-)

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of  The Amish Sweet Shop, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. 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 February 8 2020 . Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

Plain Confession

GIVEAWAY

MILLER, EMMA
PLAIN CONFESSION

When Rachel Mast returned to Stone Mill, Pennsylvania, she unwittingly became a bridge between the closed Amish community and the Englisch police. Now, as she prepares for her wedding, she's drawn into an investigation that could end in a different ceremony -- her funeral...

Rachel didn't know David Fisher well, but it still comes as a shock when her fiance, a state trooper, tells her that the young Amish man's death may not have been a hunting accident. The police believe he was murdered and they need Rachel's help telling the family. But when she does, they don't seem upset or even surprised. Even more unsettling, Daniel's brother-in-law confesses -- while his mother begs Rachel to prove his innocence. But why would he give a false confession? Who is he trying to protect?

As Rachel's search for answers overshadows her wedding plans, rumors swirl that she might not show up at the altar -- and that Daniel wasn't as upstanding as he seemed. While the list of people who wanted him dead grows, Rachel is caught in the killer's crosshairs, and if she's not careful, it may be more than her feet that turn cold...

My Review:

This is the fifth book in Miller's Amish Mystery series but it can be read as a standalone. The only spoiler isn't really one -- the romantic development that cozy mysteries build up through a number of books. In Plain Confession, Rachel is just weeks away from marrying Evan so there's the bonus of a sweet romantic thread in the middle of  the mystery.

If you're not familiar with the series, Rachel was raised Amish but 'jumped the fence' and has spent her adult years in the Englisch world. She returned to her hometown to open a bed-and-breakfast and try to mend her relationship with her Amish family which leaves Rachel caught between two worlds. This series explores the complexities of family and how to honor father and mother while still remaining true to yourself. That's what drew me to these Amish mysteries in the first place and it keeps me coming back for more. Such a fascinating twist for a cozy!

In the midst of struggling to complete wedding preparations, Rachel finds herself once again enmeshed in another tragic murder. Acting as a buffer between the Amish and the police, she's compelled to do her own sleuthing -- despite the disapproval of her fiance and the new (and abrasive) police detective. But the victim is Amish and Rachel seems to be the only one coming up with answers. Maybe that's because she knows what questions to ask -- or, more importantly -- how to ask them.

The clever mystery taxed my armchair sleuthing skills, but I might have been a bit distracted by the wedding angst so I'm not being too hard on myself. :-) Another winning addition to the Amish Mystery series.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Plain Confession, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If add your email to a comment, remember to use a 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 February 23 2019. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

A Groom for Ruby / The Amish Witness

GIVEAWAY

MILLER, EMMA
BURKE, DIANE
A GROOM FOR RUBY/
THE AMISH WITNESS

Two Amish stories of faith and love

A Groom for Ruby by Emma Miller -- Arriving in Seven Poplars to find a husband, Ruby Plank stumbles into the arms of an eligible bachelor! To her amazement, Joseph Brenneman doesn't care if Ruby is clumsy or outspoken. The shy mason thinks she's wonderful. If only others felt the same! Joseph's mother insists Ruby isn't good enough. Where Ruby's family secret is revealed, it could divide the couple forever...unless pride gives way to love and trust.

The Amish Witness by Diane Burke -- After witnessing her best friend's murder, Elizabeth Lapp flees to the Amish community she left years ago. But the killer follows Elizabeth, trapping her in a barn, until Thomas King saves her. The handsome Amish farmer she left behind vows to keep her safe. Suddenly, the man who's not yet ready to forgive her is all that's standing between her and a cold-blooded killer.

My Review:

Both books were published in 2017 and then released together in this 2018 edition.
My thanks to my public library for providing me with this retro reader.

I have no idea how I missed these two Love Inspired novels the first time round but I think it's a nifty idea to pair a contemporary romance and a romantic suspense in this two books-in-one edition. A nice sampling of both authors.

A Groom for Ruby by Emma Miller is part of the her Amish Matchmaker series though it reads wunderbar as a standalone. I've read a number of books in this series and I adore Sarah, the wise and infinitely patient matchmaker. Such a neat perspective for a contemporary romance. Ruby and Joseph's courtship is funny and frustrating and completely endearing. She's a klutz (and I do so relate!!!) and he's a shy bachelor who gets tongue-tied around the fairer sex. And though I swooned over these two, I also wanted to rattle some sense into one secondary character. Gah!!!!  A lovely emotional mix that kept me happily riveted to the very end.

I love the mix of Amish and suspense that Diane Burke brings to The Amish Witness. I really liked the fact that both hero and heroine are Amish and most of the action occurs within the Amish community -- with a little help from law enforcement towards the end. Seven years ago, Elizabeth and Thomas were seriously courting until Elizabeth suddenly disappeared into the Englisch world, breaking Thomas's heart in the process. Burke gives lots of introspective page time to their past romance as they move towards reconciliation. I found Elizabeth's personal mystery as captivating as the actual suspense. An exciting page-turner with a distinct Amish flare.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of A Groom for Ruby/The Amish Witness, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. 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 Sunday December 16  2018. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

A Man for Honor

GIVEAWAY

MILLER, EMMA
A MAN FOR HONOR

Second Chance Match

With four children and a dilapidated farmhouse, Amish widow Honor King asks Seven Poplars's matchmaker to find her a secure and reliable new husband. Someone the opposite of her first love -- who left her at the altar nine years ago, yet whom she's never been able  to forget. Luke's back in town, and also looking for a new partner. For him, there's only one candidate to be his wife -- the woman he let get away. But when Honor won't let him into her life, he works his way into her house. Hammer in hand, he'll fix her home...but it'll take more than brawn and nails to mend her heart.

My Review:

Isn't that a great cover? It perfectly captures Honor -- you can see the steely glint of determination in her expressions, can't you? And that determination is to keep Luke from needling his way back into her life. She is so prickly every time he shows up it's awkward and funny and a little bit heartbreaking because he is so besotted. And Honor's kinner are a hoot. Rough and tumble and out of control. This doting mama needs a crash course on child discipline which makes a relationship with Luke all the more challenging because he has definite ideas on that subject. A heartwarming delight of a read.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of A Man for Honor, leave a copy below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you add your email to a 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 for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday February 18 2018. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck.

Plain Missing

GIVEAWAY

MILLER, EMMA
PLAIN MISSING

Inn owner Rachel Mast is no longer a devout member of the Amish community of Stone Mill, Pennsylvania, but she still cares deeply for them. So she's staying at her family's farm to help her mother through an illness -- and at the same time, trying to track down two missing people...

When the young gather to sing, it's usually an evening of wholesome fun -- but this time, the event has stirred whispers of scandal. Elsie Hostetler and her sweetheart, Datha Bender, never came home afterward. There's not even a trace of their horse and wagon, leading some to suspect that they've run off to marry and join the Englisch world.

But Rachel fears there's more to the story than a rebellious elopement. Her fiance, a state trooper, is out of town, so she starts investigating herself., using her Amish background to pry information from the tight-lipped community. It turns out things were not so peaceful between Elsie and Dathan -- and there was also a confrontation at the singing with a short-tempered ex-Marine. Among the simple houses and quiet country roads of Stone Mill, Rachel must find out just what kind of sins have been committed -- and who is in need of forgiveness...

My Review:

I love this series! I love Rachel and her crazy cat and unique friends and the interesting characters that make up Stone Mill -- both Amish and Englisch. This is the fourth book in  An Amish Mystery series but reads very well as a standalone. The only thing that carries over from one book to the next is the romance so Rachel is now engaged to the possible love interest in the first book. :-)

The mystery is heart wrenching and all too close to home. Rachel can't rest until she finds the answers her grieving community needs. Over time, she has gained the trust of her Amish neighbours who are more willing to talk to her than the police -- though not by much! But Rachel is nothing if not dogged and she's not about to give up. And neither is her Amish cousin, Mary Aaron, who makes a great sidekick.

This book has a bit more of a serious feel to it, though there are still plenty of quips and laughs too. There's a wonderful inspirational thread about finding spiritual peace in the hard times as Rachel begins to find a balance between her Amish and Englisch worlds.

But it is the relationship between Rachel and her mother that touched me the most. Though Rachel left the Amish over fifteen years ago, her mother has had a difficult time adjusting to the loss. If you've been following the series you'll have more of a feel for their relationship as their attempts to reconnect have slowly developed throughout the books and I was actually moved to tears at the end of this one!

Sweet perfection in a cozy mystery with an Amish twist!

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Plain Missing, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. 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 the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it's easier for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday October 1 2017. Offers open to International Readers. Good luck!

A Love for Leah

GIVEAWAY

MILLER, EMMA
A LOVE FOR LEAH

The widow's second chance...

Widow Leah Yoder married for love once. Now that she's come home to Seven Poplars, she wants a marriage of convenience that will provide a long-for-family without dishonoring the memory of her late husband. A steady, serious older man would be ideal -- someone completely unlike handsome, fun-loving Thomas Stutzman. She and the aspiring organic farmer agree to court to prove that this time, the matchmaker has made a mistake! But as their friendship deepens, will Leah settle for what she thought she needed, or put fear aside for a second chance at happiness?

The Amish Matchmaker: bringing love to Seven Poplars -- one couple at a time!

My Review:

I love this Amish Matchmaker series. Sara Yoder is back working her magic among the lovelorn of Seven Poplars and Thomas and Leah might be her biggest challenge yet! A serious grieving widow who can't seem to leave the past behind and a fun-loving bachelor who has been playing the field way too long. Time for them both to settle down...but with each other?! Sweet, funny and faith-filled -- the kind of romance you want to devour in one sitting.

Giveaway Opportunity:

 If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of A Love for Leah please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you post a comment and add your email address please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so it's easier for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday January 29 2017.  Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

The Amish Bride

GIVEAWAY

MILLER, EMMA
THE AMISH BRIDE

An Unexpected Courtship

Ellen Beachey's dreams of being a devoted Amish wife and mother are finally within her reach. But she didn't expect she'd have to choose between two brothers. Golden-haired Micah has a heart filled with adventure and a ready smile. Serious but gentle elder brother Neziah is a devoted and caring father of two. But Ellen and Neziah share a heartbreaking past that might prevent any hope of a future. Ellen never imagined an arranged union as a way to find true love. She wants to be loyal to her family, but she needs to follow her heart…if only she can figure out what it wants.

My Review:

Imagine waking up one morning, a busy, single woman with aging parents to care for and a business to run and nary a prospect of a suitor on the horizon. In fact, at thirty-three, Ellen's thinking her hope for a family of her own is likely just a dream. But then an odd encounter with her kindly, though somewhat eccentric, neighbour turns her world upside down. He has two unmarried sons. He thinks it's a simple matter for Ellen to pick one!

An outrageous and funny twist to the popular arranged marriage theme -- though it's an arranged courtship instead of an actual marriage. Miller does an excellent job of presenting both Micah and Neziah as personable would-be suitors. In fact, she's downright clever about keeping her readers guessing as to who Ellen might pick though I had a clear favourite from the beginning.

I think the author has also sown the seeds for future books in the series. I love the community Miller has created and there are a few unmarried individuals I'm hoping find their own way towards a happily ever after.

 A sweet and lighthearted Amish love story.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of The Amish Bride 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 October 4 2015. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

Plain Murder

GIVEAWAY

MILLER, EMMA
PLAIN MURDER

Fifteen years after leaving her Old Order Amish life, Rachel Mast has returned to Stone Mountain, Pennsylvania. Corporate success didn't bring true happiness, but Rachel also knows she can never be Amish again. Instead, she runs a B&B and tries to help her community in ways they can't help themselves.

But now a gruesome discovery has been made in her Uncle Aaron's cow pasture—the body of prominent Englisher businessman Willy O'Day. Aaron refuses to hire a lawyer, trusting his own innocence, and his faith, to see him through. Rachel isn't so sure, especially give the public feud between the two men. Her relatives won't speak to the police, but they will talk to Rachel—if she puts on a skirt and a bonnet. Rachel knows emotions and entanglements run as complicated in the Amish world as outside it. But as she delves deeper to clear Aaron's name, she discovers secrets that could put her own life in danger.

My Review:

I reviewed the second book in this series earlier this week and I loved it so much I couldn't resist ferreting this one out at my public library and devouring it as well. Loved it just as much even though I knew the whodunit part because of the spoiler in the second book. I didn't know all the wherefores and whys of the murder so I was still gripped right to the very end. I thoroughly enjoyed my second visit to Stone Mill. The author deftly weaves mystery into the day to day life of an Amish/English community. Provoking insights into plain living add an extra zest the story. A captivating cozy mystery well worth the read.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Plain Murder 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 May 31 2015. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

Plain Killing

GIVEAWAY

 MILLER, EMMA
PLAIN KILLING

When the Amish community of Stone Mill, Pennsylvania, refuses to discuss a murder with the police, it's up to Rachel Mast to bridge the cultural gap and stop a killer from striking again. . .

While swimming in a local quarry, Rachel and her cousin Mary Aaron discover the body of an Amish girl, fully clothed in her white bonnet, floating face down in the water. The drowned young woman, Beth Glick, had left Stone Mill and her Old Order Amish life a year ago, causing her to be shunned by her family and her people.

But if Beth had joined the English world, why was she found dressed in Amish clothing and strangled? Rachel's boyfriend, police detective Evan Park, is getting nowhere with questioning Beth's family. He's also troubled over the fate of three other Amish girls who left Stone Mill in the last two years. As someone who gave up the Plain lifestyle herself then returned to operate a B&B, Rachel is able to use her ties to the community to learn more about the missing girls. But when her search eventually leads to the dark underbelly of the secular world, Rachel finds her own life in dire jeopardy. . .

My Review:

This is second in the Amish Mystery series, but it's the first one I read. Can definitely be considered a standalone except there's a bit of a spoiler from the first book, Plain Murder so you might want to read them in order. Also, there's a continuation of the romance, which obviously began in the first book. The author plays 'catch-up' beautifully though and I never felt like I was missing out on anything. Mind you I just picked up Plain Murder at the library today because I couldn't wait to read it too.

Miller has crafted a compelling page-turning mystery. And I absolutely love the intrepid Rachael Mast. With her familial ties to the Amish, she's a great help to Evan, even though he wants her to stay well away from the murder investigation. But, seriously, that's like asking Nancy Drew to stop solving mysteries! Rachael feels compelled to help both because of her desire for justice and because she desperately wants to help the Amish community she still feels ties with. The light romance has a few rocky points which I suspect will be tied up in book three. All in all a stupendous armchair sleuth kind of read. Can't wait for Plain Dead's release in December.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Plain Killing 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 May 31 2015. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

A Match for Addy

GIVEAWAY

MILLER, EMMA
A MATCH FOR ADDY

Spinster Addy Coblentz fears she'll never marry. So her parents hire the new matchmaker who's moved to their Amish community of Seven Poplars. But Addy doesn't just want a match. She wants love. While some of her potential suitors are perfectly fine, only one man catches her eye. Gideon Esch is everything Addy's looking for: strong, kind—and handsome. But he's only a poor hired hand who can never give her family the stability they want. With her future happiness at stake, will Addy follow the rules…or follow her heart?

THE AMISH MATCHMAKER:  Bringing love to Seven Poplars— one couple at a time!

My Review:

A compelling character-driven story. Addy and Gideon are polar opposites. They come from completely different backgrounds. Their family situations have contributed greatly to the adults they have become. Addy is all prickly and defensive and cautious. She battles with feelings of self-worth. Gideon is gregarious, easy-going and open. He's never known a stranger and is used to being the center of attention. The striking thing about these two is that they both struggle with pride, though they come by it from opposite ends of the spectrum. A fascinating love story that gives you something to ponder over as well.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of A Match for Addy 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 February 8 2015. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

Hannah's Courtship

GIVEAWAY

MILLER, EMMMA
HANNAH'S COURTSHIP

Second Chance At Love

Amish widow Hannah Yoder never intended to marry again. Yet when her friendship with veterinarian Albert Hartman begins to bloom into something more, Hannah wonders if perhaps she's finally ready for a new love. Albert waited his whole life to find the right woman, only to realize Hannah was there all along. But there's more than their friendship to consider. Albert is a Mennonite, born-and-bred, and Hannah cannot—will not—leave her Amish faith, not even for him. Does Albert have the courage to give up his modern life for Hannah…and will Hannah have the courage to let him?

Hannah's Daughters: Seeking love, family  and faith in Amish country

My Review:

A celebration of family and faith.

This is such a satisfying read on so many levels. The gentle romance is captivating -- a friendship that unexpectedly grows into something more. But it is Hannah's full, rich family life that really charmed me. A wonderful mix of happy and sad, joy and yearning. And there are many touching moments as Hannah grapples with the realization that her Downs Syndrome daughter is growing up. At twenty-one Susanna is an exasperating mix of child/woman. I ached and worried right along with Hannah over Susanna's antics.

I've only read two other books in the Hannah's Daughters series but plan to catch up on the others this summer. There are eight in total! You don't need to have read any of the others to enjoy Hannah's Courtship though Miller does a wonderful job of giving loyal readers a glimpse into the married lives of all the Yoder Girls. A lovely tribute to a great series.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Hannah's Courtship 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 . to protect yourself from spammers. If you email me, please be sure to put the title in the subject line so it is easier for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday May 25  2014. Offer open to international readers. Good luck.

Rebecca's Christmas Gift

GIVEAWAY

MILLER EMMA
REBECCA'S CHRISTMAS GIFT

Housekeeper For The Holidays

During the Christmas season, Rebecca Yoder agrees to help new preacher Caleb Wittner with his mischievous daughter. Amelia's turned the community of Seven Poplars upside down. Only Rebecca can see the pain hidden beneath the little girl's antics—and her father's brusque manner. After losing his wife in a fire, Caleb's physical scars may be healing, but his emotions have not. Yet Rebecca's sweet manner soon has him smiling and laughing with his daughter—and his pretty housekeeper. Soon Caleb must decide whether to invite Rebecca into his life—or lose her forever.  Hannah's Daughters: Seeking love, family and faith in Amish country

My Review:

Funny and touching and well worth the read! I'm still smiling at the way Rebecca stands up to gruff ol' Caleb. And little Amelia is such a sweet feisty little thing. :-) Of course it stands to reason that Rebecca would be the only woman in Seven Poplars who is a match for Caleb's daughter. Poor Caleb sandwiched between such two strong-willed females. There's humour and angst and new love struggling to emerge in the midst of it all. Miller has created an uplifting Christmas story that is definitely an Amish lovers dream.

Giveaway Opportunity:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Rebecca's Christmas Gift  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 November 17 2013. Offer open to international readers. Good luck! 

Redeeming Grace

GIVEAWAY

MILLER EMMA
REDEEMING GRACE

With nowhere to turn, penniless widow Grace Yoder travels with her young son to the Amish community of Seven Poplars. She hopes to reunite with the Plain father she never knew—and become part of the community. Though her father is deceased, his new family still welcomes her. Grace is overcome with gratitude. But when handsome family friend and Mennonite John Hartman offers her a job in his veterinarian office, Grace discovers a beautiful bridge between the two worlds. And prays John will ask her to stay by his side.

My Review:

Touching and poignant. You'd have to be made of stone not to be moved by Grace's story.She's such an intriguing mixture of contradictions. Drawn to 'wordly' things unacceptable to the Amish way of life, she still stubbornly clings to her desire to become part of the community. She's a conundrum that John is all too eager to puzzle out and Grace is sometimes tempted to let him. This alluring dance draws the romance to a heartwarming conclusion. Lovely holiday read.

Giveaway Opportunity:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Redeeming Grace, 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 November 4 2012. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!