208 pages Love Inspired paperback Publication date September 30, 2025
ABOUT THE BOOK
Will a temporary arrangement turn into the love she needs?
Naomi Ebersol has always felt like the black sheep of her Amish community, and even more so now that she’s been accepted into art school. It’ll be difficult leaving Millers Creek behind, but she longs to follow her heart. To pay for her tuition, she agrees to be a nanny for widower Josias Schrock, who needs help caring for his five energetic little boys. Only now, everyone in their community thinks they’re engaged! Being around his family starts to feel all too real. But how can Naomi choose between the dream she’s always wanted…and the promise of love?
From Love Inspired: Uplifting stories of faith, forgiveness and hope.
MY THOUGHTS
The Amish Nanny’s Secret is delightful, the author has woven secrets, love and healing through every page. Naomi Ebersol has kept a secret from not only her Amish community, but her family and she’s been working on making it come true for several years. Now she just needs a way to make the money to have it come true as the last step. Widower Josias Schrock may be just the help she’s been praying for as she decides to become a nanny to his five sons and that should help finance her dream. I had a large family myself and could so relate to the absolute chaos at times you have with children specially a lot of small ones close in age. He’s lost his wife and baby and just wants a nanny for his boys; she’s looking to earn money for the summer. There’s no telling where the heart will lead though. A beautiful story brought to life by the author’s charming words, I absolutely loved it. Through prayer and reflection healing happens with decisions made. Looking forward to more by the author.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
MEET THE AUTHOR
Amy loves nothing more than a good book. Except for her family…and maybe homemade tacos…and nail polish. But reading and writing are definitely high on the list.
Born and bred in Mississippi, Amy is a transplanted Southern Belle who now lives in Oklahoma with her deputy husband, their genius son, two spoiled cats, and one very lazy beagle. Oh, and don’t forget the stray kitty that has taken up residence on her front porch. ^..^
When she’s not creating quirky characters and happy endings, she’s chauffeuring her prodigy to guitar lessons, orchestra concerts and baseball practice. She has a variety of hobbies, but her favorite is whatever gets her out of housework.
Amy also writes contemporary romances under the pen name Amie Louellen.
An award winning author, Amy is a member of RWA and ACFW. She loves to hear from readers. You can find her on Facebook, Instagram, Google+, Twitter, Goodreads, and Pinterest. For links to the various sites, check her website: http://www.amylillardbooks.com.
320 pages Publisher Barbour Fiction Publication date October 1, 2025
ABOUT THE BOOK
An Amish Woman Hides a Secret Passion
Eighteen-year-old Arie Kauffman loves to twirl and leap around the barn in her Amish bonnet and dress, practicing ballet moves her English friend taught her. Her parents would be upset to learn that this longtime interest has progressed to her secretly attending ballet classes. Arie even hides her dance skills from her boyfriend, Edwin Chupp, who often invites her to try new things, knowing she has an artistic heart. Her secrecy, however, is causing damage she may not be able to repair. When offered new opportunities to dance, will Arie break from Amish tradition or hold true to the bonds of her faith and family?
MY THOUGHTS
The Amish Ballerina sounded like a very unique and interesting story. I know Englisher interests such as ballet dancing is forbidden to the Amish so I was interested in seeing how this would be pulled off. Arie has been interested in ballet for years as her Englisher friend Lorina has been a ballet dancer for years and is teaching her. This is a huge secret she is not only keeping from her family but her boyfriend as well. The writing style is different that Wanda’s. I’ve read all of Wanda’s over the years and have loved them all. This is not her writing. It’s slow, stilted and very formal sounding. There is not a warmth in these Amish families, they almost act as casual acquaintances towards each other, but a closeness and homey feeling is not to be found. There are unreasonable expectations put on Arie by her mother, she is at times talked to as a young child, but the mother’s responsibilities are unreasonably put on her. There were a lot of secrets and dishonestly in the book. Some understanding did come through. She has a big decision to make; will her heart lead her to give up her worldly ways or will Arie be drawn to the Englisher world and all it has to offer? This book was not a favorite of mine, but I have enjoyed all of her other books.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
Richelle Brunstetter lives in the Pacific Northwest and developed a desire to write when she took creative writing in high school. After enrolling in college classes, her overall experience enticed her to become a writer, and she wants to implement what she’s learned into her stories. Just starting her writing career, her first published story appears in The Beloved Christmas Quilt beside her grandmother, Wanda E. Brunstetter, and her mother, Jean.
New York Times bestselling and award-winning author Wanda E. Brunstetter is one of the founders of the Amish fiction genre. She has written more than 100 books translated in four languages. With over 12 million copies sold, Wanda’s stories consistently earn spots on the nation’s most prestigious bestseller lists and have received numerous awards.
146 pages Publisher Bethany House Publishers Publication date September 2, 2025
ABOUT THE BOOK
Beverly Lewis, the number-one bestselling author of Amish fiction, delivers a delightful Christmas novella of faith, romance, and heartwarming holiday traditions.
With the holidays approaching, Liz Lantz is dedicated to using her Hickory Hollow buggy tour business to share God’s love with the Englisher tourists who visit her Lancaster County community. But when her father and brother are called away for a while, Dat finds a young Amishman to assist her on the tours in her brother’s place, much to Liz’s dismay. Regardless, the popularity of her Christmas House Buggy Tour means she could use the help, so as the countdown to Christmas begins, she works alongside Matthew Yoder, who quickly takes a genuine interest in the tour customers–and Liz.
As an Englisher family in Hickory Hollow expresses their festive spirit with a lavishly decorated house for the second year running, Liz’s Amish community becomes increasingly concerned about attracting unwanted traffic and attention, and Liz wonders if there is any way to bridge the gap to help the new neighbors feel welcome. At the same time, she grapples with her growing feelings for Matt, whose position with her is only temporary. Can she find a way to bring harmony to Hickory Hollow in time for Christmas?
Beverly Lewis’s homespun Amish romance will draw in readers who love family, small towns, and Christmas festivities. This charming holiday novella brings cheer and faith for the winter season.
MY THOUGHTS
I haven’t read a book by the author in several years and I was thrilled to see a new Christmas novella releasing by her this Fall.
The writing was just as I expected, faith filled, fun, and a little romance. This is Liz Lantz’s story. Liz Lantz gives the Englishers buggy tours in her Lancaster Amish community all the while spreading God’s word while doing so. So, when her father and brother are unexpectedly called away right during the peak Christmas busy season Liz is worried her business will have to be put on hold.
What she doesn’t expect is her father to arrange for a handsome Amish man to go with her as she gives the buggy tours as her brother’s replacement.
Such a beautiful story full of kindness, gentle reminders and it will leave you feeling happy and full of good Christmas cheer.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
I’ve had my nose in a book, for as long as I remember. When I was about 9 years old, I started writing my own stories. By sixth grade, I’d hand-written a 66-page semi-autobiographical book titled, “She Shall Have Music.”
After I was married and our three children were in middle school, I began submitting articles and short fiction to various magazines.
My first book (Holly’s First Love) was published in May 1993, the start of a 14-book series for pre-teen girls. Soon after, my first chapter book was published for 7-10-year-old readers (“Big Bad Beans”) which later became part of my 24-book series, The Cul-de-Sac Kids. I wrote another long-running series for girls, titled “SummerHill Secrets,” which was set very close to Neffsville, PA, where I grew up–near the heart of Amish country.
But it was the story of my grandmother Ada Buchwalter’s shunning by her ultra-strict father and subsequently her old order Mennonite community that nudged me toward writing adult fiction. THE SHUNNING was published in 1997 by Bethany House Publishers, and along with its sequels, has touched a nerve in millions of readers intrigued by the Plain tradition of Lancaster County, PA. Many readers have enjoyed the Hallmark Channel’s adaptation of this book and the other books in the Heritage of Lancaster County series.
My passion for Amish-related stories continues to keep me up at night, and I’ve written over three dozen novels for adults set in Lancaster County.
When I’m between writing deadlines, I enjoy hiking in the Rocky Mountains with my husband. Cooking from scratch, playing Mozart at the piano, and making family memory albums, as well as traveling to meet my devoted readers during book tours, are some of my very favorite things. I also adore reading biographies and memoirs, as well as classic literature.
304 pages Publisher Kensington Publication date October 28, 2025
ABOUT THE BOOK
The second eldest, Beth Schrock always believed herself the most level-headed sibling. After all, in the wake of their parents’ divorce, it was she who emerged as the caretaker and steadying presence. Yet after almost two years in Ohio, Beth’s life remains the most unsettled.
Unlike her younger sister and brothers, Beth has yet to become Amish, or fall in love, much less marry. Still, she is about to take on the biggest responsibility of them all. She is going to be a mother. A single mother. While she’s not proud of her actions, she is excited, and hopeful about the sense of purpose this change will bring.
When Beth happens to meet family acquaintance Junior Lambright, they bump heads a bit. But after she takes a part-time job at his successful candle factory, it doesn’t take long for sparks to ignite—or for Junior to decide to be the friend Beth clearly needs.
Still, neither expects a romance. Ten years older than Beth, Junior seems content to devote himself to work and his two senior Labradors. And as Beth’s due date looms, she must choose a path. She considers returning to Cleveland and her high-paying, high-stress, realtor job. She could hire a nanny. But she’d miss so much about Walden—including Junior.
And then, Junior proposes.
Beth is sure Junior’s sweet offer is only to save her reputation. . . . Unless, like her, Junior is also yearning for something more. With faith, and the courage to open their hearts, they might soon find out . . .
MY THOUGHTS
I love that the author is doing an alphabet series. It’s so much fun as we once again meet up with the four Englisher siblings who after moving to Ohio and their Amish grandparents farm must decide if the Amish way of life is actually for them or the English world has too much of a hold on them. This is sibling, Beth Schrock’s story. Second oldest in the group she’s the rock, the one the others come to for comfort and who always seems to have the right advice. So why is she feeling so unsettled after finding herself in an unexpected situation? Beautifully told story with both Amish and English characters We see the vulnerability in a character everyone thinks of as strong but sometimes we all need a little help. I enjoyed seeing relationships blossom and grow including a special and unexpected one. Faith filled Amish romance. Loved the characters and look forward to the next in the series.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
About the author
Shelley Shepard Gray is a NYT and USA Today bestselling author. She’s published over a hundred novels and has over a million books in print. She currently lives in northern Ohio and writes full time.
Shelley lives just an hour from Holmes County, where many of her Amish-themed novels are set. She currently writes contemporary romance and Amish fiction for a variety of publishers. When not spending time with her family or writing, she can usually be found walking her two dachshunds on one of the many trails in the Cleveland area.
She also bakes a lot, loves coconut cream pie, and will hardly ever pull weeds, mow the yard, or drive in the snow.
Shelley also spends a lot of time on line! Please visit her website, http://www.shelleyshepardgray.com to find out her latest news or to sign up for her newsletter. Shelley can also be found on FaceBook, Instagram @shelley.s.gray, or on Twitter @ShelleySGray.
289 pages Publisher Kensington Publication date January 21, 2025
ABOUT THE BOOK
Raised by their divorced, lapsed-Amish father and English mother, siblings Jonny, Martin, Kelsey, and Beth can’t wait to reinvent their lives. The four don’t have much in common, but they long for the stable sense of family they felt when visiting their New Order grandparents, Josiah and Sylvia Schrock, in peaceful Holmes County, Ohio. And the Schrocks couldn’t be more surprised when the grandkids want to try living with them—and joining their faith . . .
When Jonny hears startling news about his health, he knows it’s past time to change his life. Quitting college, he unexpectedly finds the fulfilling job of his dreams. And he’s instantly smitten with cafe owner Treva Kramer, whose baked goods are as warm and delicious as her lively personality. But no matter how hard Jonny tries, he can’t seem to get past her secret sadness and distrust. Can he prove that his feelings for her are for real—and forever—in time?
A bad breakup left Treva heartbroken—and resolved to be independent without relying on anyone ever again. Exhausted from pouring everything she’s got into her cafe, she’s stunned by Jonny’s easygoing ways—and drawn to his optimistic nature. But when she thinks his real interest is in becoming Amish, she’s even more determined to stay focused—and keep her heart safe . . .
Soon, deep secrets and hidden family truths will test Jonny and Treva in unexpected ways. And with help from his warm-hearted grandparents, he and Treva might gain the happiness they secretly long for—with each other.
MY THOUGHTS
This is the second book in the Amish ABC’s series. It’s a heartwarming series and the author’s books always leave me with a smile. Four English raised siblings are looking for a sense of purpose in life and are considering becoming Amish and coming home to their roots. Their mother was English, and their father is a lapsed Amish man. As they live with their grandparents, they discover life amongst the Amish is harder than they thought and they will need to experience some unexpected changes. This isn’t deterring them and love just may be in the cards as awareness and self-discovery of what’s really important takes place. Heartwarming and realistic, the characters and plot kept me reading. Looking forward to the next in the series.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
MEET THE AUTHOR
Shelley Shepard Gray is a NYT and USA Today bestselling author. She’s published over a hundred novels and has over a million books in print. She currently lives in northern Ohio and writes full time.
Shelley lives just an hour from Holmes County, where many of her Amish-themed novels are set. She currently writes contemporary romance and Amish fiction for a variety of publishers. When not spending time with her family or writing, she can usually be found walking her two dachshunds on one of the many trails in the Cleveland area.
She also bakes a lot, loves coconut cream pie, and will hardly ever pull weeds, mow the yard, or drive in the snow.
Shelley also spends a lot of time on line! Please visit her website, http://www.shelleyshepardgray.com to find out her latest news or to sign up for her newsletter. Shelley can also be found on FaceBook, Instagram @shelley.s.gray, or on Twitter @ShelleySGray.
308 pages Publisher Forever Publication date April 29, 2025
ABOUT THE BOOK
One Amish man helps to revive a young widow’s struggling orchard—and heal her heart—in this light, warmhearted Amish romance perfect for fans of Jo Ann Brown and Jocelyn McClay.
Widow Miriam Esh has to find a fiancé, or her overbearing bruder-in-law will sell her familye apple orchard. He’s already taken it upon himself to hire someone—likely another man presuming he knows what’s best for her land. But if she’s going to save it, Miriam must focus on finding a suitable husband, not on the new orchardist or on how good he is with her son, and definitely not on how his smile scatters her thoughts . . .
By the looks of things at the Esh estate, Daniel Beiler knows Miriam could use a hand. Only the stubborn widow doesn’t want to take any of his advice. Yet as they spend their days working side-by-side and sharing warm meals, Daniel and Miriam can’t deny the growing comfort in each other’s company. So when Miriam begins receiving attention from eligible men seeking a wife, Daniel must admit his feelings for her before it’s too late. With the promise that he’ll be the partner she can trust, can Daniel convince Miriam that he should also be the mann in her life?
BOOK 1 IN THE SERIES
MY THOUGHTS
Young Amish widow, Miriam Esh is being forced to find a suitable husband in a certain time period or her family’s beloved orchard will be sold with her having no say by her brother-in-law. Miriam has already been betrayed by the men in her family and doesn’t trust any of them now and certainly doesn’t want a husband. All she wants is to raise her son and have the orchard stay in her family until he’s old enough to run it.
Miriam wants to run things on the orchard her way on her own time frame but when Daniel Beiler is hired, she doesn’t want to take any of his advice. Daniel knows a thing or two about orchards, even Miriam who doesn’t want to admit it agrees.
As her son becomes comfortable around Daniel so does Miriam but then she once again feels betrayed by something. Daniel only wants the best for the orchard, but will Miriam see this in time or will secrecy by omission keep this couple apart. It was interesting reading about the daily running of the orchard.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
MEET THE AUTHOR
Winnie Griggs grew up in south Louisiana in an undeveloped area her schoolmates considered the very back of beyond. With her two younger siblings and another family of three siblings for playmates, she spent many an hour exploring the overgrown land around her home, cutting jungle trails, building forts and frontier camps, and looking for pirate ships on the nearby bayou.
Once she ‘grew up’ she found other outlets for dealing with all those wonderful, adventurous, imaginary friends by filling notebooks with their stories. And somewhere along the way, those scribblings gave way to full length books.
Eventually she found her own Prince Charming, a rancher whose white steed takes the form of a tractor and whose kingdom is situated in a small rural community that she loves to call home, and together they’ve built their own storybook happily-ever-after. Their lives together expanded to include four now grown children who share Winnie’s vivid imagination and her husband’s steadier influences and are now out in the world pursuing their own adventures.
319 pages Barbour fiction Jan 01,2025 publication date
ABOUT THE BOOK
Why Are Baking Contestants Disappearing?
Mysteries have a way of following Fannie Miller, so when she makes it into the finals of the Tuscarawas County Baking Contest and contestants start disappearing, she calls on her old friend Foster Bates, a retired cop and part-time private investigator. Could it be that other finalists are somehow responsible for these disappearances, thinning out the competition? Like the couple on verge of divorce who need the prize money, or the three Beiler sisters, always in a huddle whispering. One thing is for certain—Foster and Fannie will stay on the case until the end, and everyone involved will have learned something important about baking contests, solving mysteries, and life.
New York Times Bestselling Author Wanda E. Brunstetter and Emmy-Nominated Author Martha Bolton have teamed up to deliver a delightful whodunit from Ohio’s Amish country.
MY THOUGHTS
A lighthearted Amish cozy mystery. It involves missing baking contestants that signed up to enter a baking contest with an amazing prize. When they seem to disappear without a trace the gossipers start not realizing just how their words could affect others.
A faith based and fun story. I love Wanda’s books and I’ll be interested in reading more books by the other author as well. An important lesson is learned in this gentle and entertaining story.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
MEET THE AUTHORS
Wanda Brunstetter is an award-winning romance novelist who has led millions of readers to lose their heart in the Amish life. She is the author of over 100 books with more than 12 million copies sold. Many of her books have landed on the top bestseller lists, including the New York Times, USA Today, Publisher’s Weekly, CBA, ECPA, and CBD. Wanda is considered one of the founders of the Amish fiction genre, and her work has been covered by national publications, including Time Magazine and USA Today.
Wanda’s fascination with the Amish culture developed when she met her husband, Richard, who grew up in a Mennonite church, and whose family has a Pennsylvania Dutch heritage. Meeting her new Mennonite sister-in-laws caused Wanda to yearn for the simpler life. In their travels, she and her husband have become close friends with many Amish people across America. Wanda’s desire to explore their culture increased when she discovered that her great-great grandparents were part of the Anabaptist faith.
All of Wanda’s novels are based on personal research intended to accurately portray the Amish way of life. Many of her books are well-read and trusted by the Amish, who credit her for giving readers a deeper understanding of the people and their customs.
Wanda’s primary attraction to the Amish is their desire to live a devout Christian life that strives to honor God, work hard, and maintain close family ties. Whenever she visits her Amish friends, Wanda finds herself drawn to their peaceful lifestyle, sincerity, and close family ties, which is in stark contrast to the chaos and busyness that plagues so many modern “Englishers.” Time and time again, Wanda loses her heart in the Amish life, and she hopes her readers will, too. For more information, visit: http://www.WandaBrunstetter.com
Martha Bolton was Bob Hope’s first female staff writer, writing for his television specials, personal appearances, and military shows for approximately fifteen years (in the 1980s and 90s). She is an Emmy nominee, Dove Award nominee, and WGA Award nominee. DEAR BOB… Bob Hope’s Wartime Correspondence with the G.I.s of WWII (University Press of Mississippi, March 2021) was written with Linda Hope, Bob’s daughter and producer, and was named Christian Market Book of the Year and Golden Scrolls Memoir of the Year at the 2021 Christian Product Expo. It also won First Place in the 2022 Selah Awards for Memoir, and First Place in the Chanticleer International Book Awards (CIBAs) for Military & Front-Line Division. An ABC story about Dear Bob… produced by George Pennacchio of ABC won third place in the National Journalism Competition and first place in the Los Angeles Journalist competition. The book was also featured on Sunday Morning with Jane Pauley.
Martha’s latest book just released and is #1 in Amish Romance on Amazon. Written with New York Times Best-Selling author, Wanda Brunstetter, the book has also been turned into a musical which will open in 2025 in Pennsylvania and Indiana.
Beginning with her first “book” at age 9, titled NO FUN BEING YOUNG, about being the youngest in her family, Martha has now written 89 books, including JOSIAH FOR PRESIDENT and THE HOME GAME. Both novels have also become musicals, with scripts penned by Martha.
Martha has also written for such comedians and entertainers as Phyllis Diller, Wayne Newton, Mark Lowry, and Chonda Pierce.
The winner of four Angel Awards, Martha playwrighting credits continues to build, with over a dozen musicals having been produced since 2010. THE HOME GAME, JOSIAH FOR PRESIDENT, DEAR SOLDIER BOY, STOLEN, A SIMPLE SANCTUARY, and THE CONFESSION are a few of the titles. The musicals are produced by Dan Posthuma and Mel Riegsecker of Blue Gate Musicals.
Martha’s novel, THE HOME GAME, received a 2017 Golden Scroll Merit Award for Fiction by the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association. Her Christmas offerings are a new favorite, THE CHRISTMAS CANDY CAPER, as well as numerous children’s musicals: A LAMB’S TALE, co-written with Dennis Allen, BETHLEHEM OR BUST, co-written with Andy Cundiff, Darrell Bledsoe, and Ted Wilson, and BETHLEHEM’S BIG NIGHT, co-written with Bill Wolaver.
A trademark of Martha is that she loves to find the humor in life, as evident in her popular book series for middle-agers: DIDN’T MY SKIN USED TO FIT? and COOKING WITH HOT FLASHES, THE WHOLE WORLD IS CHANGING AND I’M TOO HOT TO CARE), just to name a few.
Martha was named the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association Member of the Year for 2021 and lives by her life statement of: “Life’s tough, God’s good, and laughter is calorie-free.”
We hope you enjoy reading about her extensive body of work.
360 pages Zondervan publisher July 16, 2024 publication date
ABOUT THE BOOK
He’s the community’s jokester auctioneer. She’s the serious caregiver for her siblings who also works at the local plant nursery. What future could they have together?
Declan Miller has always had feelings for Bethel King. Back when they were in school, she was the smartest girl in the class and, in his opinion, by far the prettiest. Now the two of them are in their twenties and while the attraction is still there, Declan is as hesitant as ever to let Bethel know how he feels. His corny jokes and wisecracks cover a heart that’s afraid of rejection.
Bethel can’t deny Declan is nice, funny, hardworking, and pleasing to the eye–a perfect match if you asked any Plain girl in the area. But marrying Bethel would also mean marrying into her family. Two of her younger brothers have a rare form of muscular dystrophy, and her sister Claire is now showing signs of having it as well. Fiercely loyal and nurturing, Bethel has promised herself her siblings will always come first. With a good chance that she carries the gene and could pass it on to her children, Bethel has tried to convince herself marriage and family just aren’t in the cards for her.
When a devastating diagnosis of his own turns Declan’s world upside down, he looks to Bethel for understanding, compassion, and a realistic outlook. As they share their dreams and fears and grow together in faith, a bond begins to develop between them. Perhaps their combination of optimistic extrovert and thoughtful introvert really isn’t such a bad thing–perhaps it’s actually a part of God’s beautiful design.
MY THOUGHTS
Matters of the Heart is such an emotional read and her best to date in my opinion. Continuing on in the series we have Declan Miller who comes from an auctioneer family. To hide his insecurity, he is quite the jokester. Now that he’s in his twenties he still finds Bethel King the prettiest girl around but feels out of her league. She’s a carer for her younger siblings, has a serious personality and works at a local plant nursery. Bethal King comes from a family that carries the gene for LMGD, she is afraid of passing this on to her own children and doesn’t think she should marry to avoid this possibility. Each family has their own challenges, but I loved seeing the support of family and friends keeping them on an even keel when things got rough. The author truly writes from the heart here not avoiding series topics and how the Amish deal with them through their faith in God. A compelling read that had me staying up late to finish it.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
MEET THE AUTHOR
Best-selling novelist Kelly Irvin’s latest Amish romance, Every Good Gift, debuted in February 2023. The third novel in the Amish Blessings series takes place in Yoder and Haven, Kansas. The series takes a look at adoption in Amish communities. The first book, Love’s Dwelling, won second place in the Selah Awards contest in the long contemporary romance category. The series follows the Amish of Sky Country series, which featured Amish communities in Northwest Montana affected by wildfires that destroyed thousands of acres in the state in recent years. The first book, Mountains of Grace, debuted in August 2019, and delves into the impact on not only an Amish man and woman, but also a smoke jumper, a sheriff’s deputy, and a young English woman forced to confront her past because of the fires.
Kelly also writes romantic suspense novels. Her most recent forays into this genre include Trust Me, Her Every Move and Closer Than She Knows, all set in San Antonio and South Texas. Publishers Weekly says of Closer Than She Knows, “this brisk, smoothly written thriller from Irvin pits court reporter Teagan O’Rourke, a murder mystery lover, against a cunning and vicious serial killer. Fans of serial killer fiction with a Christian slant will be satisfied.”
Of Tell Her No Lies, The Library Journal says, “Irvin creates a complex web with enough twists and turns to keep even the most savvy romantic suspense readers guessing until the end. Known for her Amish novels, this two-time Carol Award finalist shows that her talents span subgenres from tranquil Amish stories to rapidly paced breathless suspense.”
Kelly is also the author of the Every Amish Season series, which included four books that chronicle the lives of Amish widows who are in different seasons in their lives. These women are linked by life altering experiences that bring them together as wives, mothers, and grandmothers in the small town of Jamesport, Mo. The first book, Upon a Spring Breeze, received critical acclaim from the Library Journal: “A moving and compelling tale about the power of grace and forgiveness that reminds us how we become strongest in our most broken moments.”
Kelly Irvin is also the author of The Amish of Bee County series, which includes the critically acclaimed The Beekeeper’s Son. Publishers Weekly called the first book in the series a beautifully woven masterpiece and Romantic Times Magazine called Kelly a storyteller extraordinaire. It was followed by The Bishop’s Son and The Saddle Maker’s Son, which is an ECPA bestseller.
A two-time ACFW Carol finalist, Kelly’s novellas have been included in numerous anthologies, including An Amish Summer, The Amish Christmas Gift, An Amish Market, an Amish Christmas Love, and Amish Quilt, An Amish Reunion, An Amish Picnic, and An Amish Christmas Bakery.
She also penned the Bliss Creek Amish series and the New Hope Amish series, both published by Harvest House Publishers. Love Still Stands, the first book in the New Hope series, debuted in September 2012, and the follow-up, Love Redeemed, released March 1, 2014. The final book in the series, set in Branson, MO., was A Plain Love Song, released in July 2014.
The Bliss Creek Amish series, set in Kansas, includes To Love and to Cherish, A Heart Made New, and Love’s Journey Home.
In the New Hope series, familiar characters from Bliss Creek move to Missouri to start a new district and a new life.
The Kansas native is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and the ACFW San Antonio local chapter Alamo City Christian Fiction Writers, as well as Sisters in Crime and Women’s Fiction Writers Association.
A graduate of the University of Kansas William Allen White School of Journalism, Kelly wrote nonfiction professionally for thirty years. She studied for three semesters at the University of Costa Rica, learning the Spanish language. As a journalist, she worked six years in the border towns of Laredo and El Paso, where she was exposed to culture and language that serves as fodder for her fiction writing. She has written hard news, features, entertainment pieces, restaurant critiques, editorials, and weekly columns. Writing awards include the Silver Star Award from the Texas Mental Health Association for articles pertaining to mental health and numerous awards in news, feature, and editorial writing from the Texas Press Association and Texas Press Women.
Kelly retired in 2016 from her position of 22 years as public relations manager for the San Antonio Parks and Recreation Department, where her duties included writing and designing an employee newsletter, writing news releases, collaborating on marketing campaigns, coordinating ribbon-cuttings and groundbreakings, coordinating press conferences, updating the web site, and acting as a media spokesperson.
Kelly has been married to photographer Tim Irvin for 35 years. They have two children and four grandchildren. In her spare time, she likes to write short stories and poetry, read books by her favorite authors, and visit the babies.
382 pages Zondervan publisher August 1, 2023 publication date
ABOUT THE BOOK
Together, schoolteacher Rachelle Lapp and auctioneer Toby Miller must face their hardest battle yet: trusting God’s plan for their uncertain future.
At twenty-nine, auctioneer Toby Miller is a notorious bachelor. But his job keeps him on the road for months out of the year, and he knows no Plain woman could want a marriage that would force her to live and raise children alone. Thankfully, Toby’s content to dedicate his life to the family business, especially now that his grandfather is retiring. So why does his heart keep longing for something—or more specifically, someone—he can’t have?
Rachelle Lapp has already turned down two marriage proposals. Neither promised a future that would bring her more joy than her job as a teacher to Amish children with developmental disabilities, including her brother, Jonah, and Toby’s sister, Sadie. But when the parents’ committee votes to send her students to the English schools, where they will have access to many more resources, Rachelle finds herself out of a job. She’s forced to decide between pursuing her calling far from home and staying near to the man she can’t get off her mind.
As their families matchmake, Toby and Rachelle realize their jobs may not be all that’s holding them back from a future together. They both must learn not only to trust each other but also trust God’s plans for them. But do those plans involve a lifetime together or them going their separate ways?
MY THOUGHTS
he Heart’s Bidding is the start of a beautiful and emotional Amish book series by Kelly Irvin. This is a very special book, and I enjoyed it a lot.
Auctioneer Toby Miller thinks he has his priorities straight. This bachelor spends months at a time on the road doing his auctioneering thing but that’s okay. as a single man he has no one to answer to. When his grandfather who has run the office side of the business steps down and his father isn’t suited for this type of work things start to change.
Rethinking all the traveling as a lovely young woman catches his interest and the other side of business needs running may have put him in a new frame of mind. Letting go and letting God be in charge is not an easy thing for Toby to just do though when he’s used to having all this freedom.
Rachelle Lapp is a schoolteacher for the Amish children with developmental disabilities. When it’s decided, the children will go to an Englisher school with more resources available to them her job becomes redundant.
She knows the needs of the children having a special needs brother and Toby has a special needs sister. The Amish believe these children are special and a blessing from God and I agree.
The two are drawn together with many similarities and understandings. I loved seeing the support of family and friends in the tough situations. God’s plan will lead this couple on the right path in love and in life.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
MEET THE AUTHOR
Best-selling novelist Kelly Irvin’s latest Amish romance, Every Good Gift, debuted in February 2023. The third novel in the Amish Blessings series takes place in Yoder and Haven, Kansas. The series takes a look at adoption in Amish communities. The first book, Love’s Dwelling, won second place in the Selah Awards contest in the long contemporary romance category. The series follows the Amish of Sky Country series, which featured Amish communities in Northwest Montana affected by wildfires that destroyed thousands of acres in the state in recent years. The first book, Mountains of Grace, debuted in August 2019, and delves into the impact on not only an Amish man and woman, but also a smoke jumper, a sheriff’s deputy, and a young English woman forced to confront her past because of the fires.
Kelly also writes romantic suspense novels. Her most recent forays into this genre include Trust Me, Her Every Move and Closer Than She Knows, all set in San Antonio and South Texas. Publishers Weekly says of Closer Than She Knows, “this brisk, smoothly written thriller from Irvin pits court reporter Teagan O’Rourke, a murder mystery lover, against a cunning and vicious serial killer. Fans of serial killer fiction with a Christian slant will be satisfied.”
Of Tell Her No Lies, The Library Journal says, “Irvin creates a complex web with enough twists and turns to keep even the most savvy romantic suspense readers guessing until the end. Known for her Amish novels, this two-time Carol Award finalist shows that her talents span subgenres from tranquil Amish stories to rapidly paced breathless suspense.”
Kelly is also the author of the Every Amish Season series, which included four books that chronicle the lives of Amish widows who are in different seasons in their lives. These women are linked by life altering experiences that bring them together as wives, mothers, and grandmothers in the small town of Jamesport, Mo. The first book, Upon a Spring Breeze, received critical acclaim from the Library Journal: “A moving and compelling tale about the power of grace and forgiveness that reminds us how we become strongest in our most broken moments.”
Kelly Irvin is also the author of The Amish of Bee County series, which includes the critically acclaimed The Beekeeper’s Son. Publishers Weekly called the first book in the series a beautifully woven masterpiece and Romantic Times Magazine called Kelly a storyteller extraordinaire. It was followed by The Bishop’s Son and The Saddle Maker’s Son, which is an ECPA bestseller.
A two-time ACFW Carol finalist, Kelly’s novellas have been included in numerous anthologies, including An Amish Summer, The Amish Christmas Gift, An Amish Market, an Amish Christmas Love, and Amish Quilt, An Amish Reunion, An Amish Picnic, and An Amish Christmas Bakery.
She also penned the Bliss Creek Amish series and the New Hope Amish series, both published by Harvest House Publishers. Love Still Stands, the first book in the New Hope series, debuted in September 2012, and the follow-up, Love Redeemed, released March 1, 2014. The final book in the series, set in Branson, MO., was A Plain Love Song, released in July 2014.
The Bliss Creek Amish series, set in Kansas, includes To Love and to Cherish, A Heart Made New, and Love’s Journey Home.
In the New Hope series, familiar characters from Bliss Creek move to Missouri to start a new district and a new life.
The Kansas native is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and the ACFW San Antonio local chapter Alamo City Christian Fiction Writers, as well as Sisters in Crime and Women’s Fiction Writers Association.
A graduate of the University of Kansas William Allen White School of Journalism, Kelly wrote nonfiction professionally for thirty years. She studied for three semesters at the University of Costa Rica, learning the Spanish language. As a journalist, she worked six years in the border towns of Laredo and El Paso, where she was exposed to culture and language that serves as fodder for her fiction writing. She has written hard news, features, entertainment pieces, restaurant critiques, editorials, and weekly columns. Writing awards include the Silver Star Award from the Texas Mental Health Association for articles pertaining to mental health and numerous awards in news, feature, and editorial writing from the Texas Press Association and Texas Press Women.
Kelly retired in 2016 from her position of 22 years as public relations manager for the San Antonio Parks and Recreation Department, where her duties included writing and designing an employee newsletter, writing news releases, collaborating on marketing campaigns, coordinating ribbon-cuttings and groundbreakings, coordinating press conferences, updating the web site, and acting as a media spokesperson.
Kelly has been married to photographer Tim Irvin for 35 years. They have two children and four grandchildren. In her spare time, she likes to write short stories and poetry, read books by her favorite authors, and visit the babies.
416 pages Bethany House publishers August 20, 2024 publication date
ABOUT THE BOOK
Treva Zimmerman finds herself at a crossroads in life after a heartbreaking failed relationship. Returning to Lancaster County to visit her Amish grandparents and elderly aunt, Treva plans to leave her Plain heritage behind for a fresh start in Alaska. Torn between the expectations of her community and her own desires, she seeks to follow her own path–but all that changes when her aunt Rosene suffers a heart attack.
As her aunt recounts her own past–a poignant journey through Cold War Germany and a fervent desire to escape her Plain life to search for a lost love–Treva is determined to discover the whereabouts of Rosene’s former sweetheart. Amid the turmoil, their former farmhand Gabe Johnson returns unexpectedly, throwing Treva’s plans into further disarray.
While working hard to save the farm and explore her own destiny, Treva confronts her deep-rooted ties to her heritage and must decide if she will embrace her family’s legacy or break free from the pressures of her past to forge a life of her own.
MY THOUGHTS
By Evening’s Light is the third and final book in the Amish Memories series. I enjoyed all three books in the series and fully recommend you read this series in order to get the full backstory with all the characters. This is told as a dual timeline story.
Though taking place in an Amish community and incorporating the Amish culture into the book it is not strictly an Amish story. A character comes back from a missionary trip to Haiti not having expected things to work out the way they had.
We are transported back in time with a storytelling Aunt who tells of her struggles and joys during WWII in Germany. I enjoyed how well the series was researched by the author, making for a fascinating and entertaining series.
The characters are well developed and perfectly imperfect with their own struggles and joys. I enjoyed reading their faith journeys.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
About the Author
Leslie Gould is a Christy Award-winning and #1 bestselling author of more than 48 novels, including four Lancaster County Amish series. She holds a bachelor’s degree in history and an MFA in creative writing. She enjoys church history, research trips, and hiking in the Pacific Northwest. She and her husband live in Portland, Oregon, and have four adult children and two grandchildren. Learn more at LeslieGould.com.
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