Goddess Fish Promotions Book Review: Morning Star

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Charlotte Hubbard will be awarding a $25 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

When four maidels join forces to turn an abandoned barn into an Amish marketplace, the unmarried women have community in mind. But their fledgling enterprise promises to reap surprising rewards for each in turn, including the gift of unexpected love . . .

For Regina Miller, the new Morning Star Marketplace is a chance to share her secret work with the world—without revealing herself. Old Order Amish forbid the creation of art without purpose, but without a husband, Regina has been free to explore the joy of painting in her attic. Yet when Gabe Flaud’s curiosity leads him to speculate that Regina herself is the painter, the full weight of their community’s judgement falls on her shoulders. When Gabe stands up to defend Regina, questioning the Order’s restrictions, he reveals his own guilty secret and is shunned along with her. Forced to turn to each other for companionship, the young couple must learn to balance their own needs with their deep faith … and a love that will show them all things are possible.

Read an Excerpt

Regina entered her bedroom, stepped onto her large wooden trunk, and then opened the short, narrow door in the wall so she could climb the wooden stairs to the attic.

What if nobody wants my paintings, or worse yet, ridicules them? And what if folks figure out that I’m the artist—and that I’ve been living a lie for years? Best to nip this in the bud before I have to tell any more whoppers and get caught in them.

And yet, as Regina stood in the center of her secret studio, something deep inside her longed to display the work that so satisfied her soul. Nearly every evening, after a day of staining furniture, she spent a few hours in her hideaway, painting nature scenes.

Regina needed to paint the way most folks needed to eat and breathe. Her schoolteacher had complimented her artwork when she’d been young—and her parents had allowed her to take a short watercolor class at Koenig’s Krafts when she’d entered rumspringa. Dat’s brother Clarence was a preacher, however, so he’d been adamant about Regina joining the church at an early age. She’d secured her salvation at seventeen by being baptized, but she’d forfeited her innermost soul: in the Morning Star district, members were forbidden to create art for art’s sake because it was considered worldly and it called attention to the artist.

Regina had obediently tucked her paints and brushes into her wooden trunk, but she’d felt the loss of her art acutely. After her parents had died when a train collided with the bus they were all riding home from a wedding, Regina had kept herself sane by taking up her paints again, setting up her easel in the attic—out of sight when anyone came to visit. At twenty-two, she’d been rather young to live alone on her family’s small acreage but moving in with Uncle Clarence, Aunt Clara, and their young daughters would’ve killed her spirit forever.

Bishop Jeremiah had taken her side and had dropped in on her often until she’d gotten a little older. Martin Flaud had hired her because her father had been one of his finest craftsmen—and because Regina had proven herself to be more meticulous at staining and finishing than any of his male employees. She’d survived the rough, lonely times by working hard at the factory, and by surrounding herself with the quilts and curtains Mamm had made and the furniture Dat had built for their cozy home.

And so the last ten years had passed . . .

Regina had willingly given up any chance for marriage—because she couldn’t reveal her sinful pastime to a husband.

Gazing at the nature paintings that surrounded her on that Sunday afternoon, Regina felt torn. Why had God given her a keen eye and the talent to render woodland scenes, flowers, and wild creatures on paper if He wouldn’t allow her to paint pictures of His creation openly and without guilt?

Review:  I've been interested in Amish culture for years. I'm amazed that any of them are still around because well, they may be peaceful, but they are hypocrites and Gabe actually points out at one point in the story.

Regina is a "old maid" and Gabe is sort of her boss. Both have secrets that get them in trouble with the church. For Regina its her love of painting which is too worldly, as is Gabe's love of music and playing the guitar.

I shake my head at these things as creating things that bring joy to others just can't be a sin. Gabe feels much the same as I do. I loved him. He was truly the perfect guy, totally questioning his faith and not following along blindly. I got him, because the Amish make very few changes. I could see how easy it would be for him to just walk away and start a new life.

Regina is more grounded. She knows what she stands to lose if she leaves. She's torn, because for her leaving the Amish would mean losing her friends.

The characters in this story were so well crafted. You had some that you absolutely loved and others you wanted to hit over the head with a cast iron skillet.  The maidels were wonderful and independent, though as we can see, this series is going to see all these older Amish gals finding love.

The romance that buds between Regina and Gabe is so sweet and perfect it may make your heart burst, especially the ending. It was absolute perfection.

This was a delightful light read that will leave you with warm fuzzy feelings.

Rating: 5 flowers

About the Author:

In 1983, Charlotte Hubbard sold her first story to True Story. She wrote around 70 of those confession stories, and she’s sold more than 50 books to traditional or online publishers. A longtime resident of Missouri, she’s currently writing Amish romances set in imaginary Missouri towns for Kensington. She now lives in Omaha, NE with her husband of 40+ years and their Border collie, Vera.

Website http://www.charlottehubbard.com
Facebook http://www.Facebook.com/Charlotte.Hubbard1

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Order Print
Zebra Books
July 28, 2020
ISBN-13: 9781420145120
ISBN-10: 1420145126

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Goddess Fish Promotions Book Review: A Mother's Gift

A Mother’s Gift

by Charlotte Hubbard

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GENRE: Inspirational Romance (Amish)

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BLURB:

For Leah Otto, marrying Jude Shetler is a long-held dream come true. As a young girl, she was captivated by his good looks and talent as an auctioneer. When Jude, now a widower with three children, begins to court her, Leah doesn’t hesitate. Other men may not appreciate her tomboy ways, but Jude values Leah’s practical nature and her skill with the animals she tends, and both enter the marriage with joy and optimism.

Three months later, Leah feels as if her world is coming down around her. Her twin teenage step-daughters, Alice and Adeline, are pushing boundaries and taking far too many risks, while five-year-old Stevie deeply misses his mother. Leah, more at ease in a barn tending her goats and chickens than in a kitchen, struggles with her housekeeping duties.

Then a baby is abandoned on their doorstep, and Leah must search her soul. Caring for little Betsy fills her with renewed purpose and the strength to begin pulling her family together. With Jude’s steadfast support, Leah finds that what she once thought of as a happy ending may be something even better—the beginning of a life rich in love, faith, and unexpected blessings.

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Excerpt :

“Leah, your life will change in ways you can’t anticipate when you marry,” Lenore began softly. She rested her head against the headboard, grasping her daughter’s hand. “When you move into a man’s home—”

“Oh, Mama, you’ve already told me what to expect in the bedroom,” Leah interrupted with a nervous giggle. “It’s not as though I haven’t seen the deer and the horses mating.”

Lenore closed her eyes, praying for words that would gently pierce the balloon of maidenly naiveté in which Leah seemed to live. “There’s more to marriage than mating,” she whispered earnestly. “You’ll be moving into a home where Jude and his kids have established their routine. We’ve both heard the rumors about how Alice and Adeline might be behaving inappropriately during their rumspringa—”

“They’re sixteen, and they’re very pretty,” Leah quickly pointed out. “Twins are inclined to get into double trouble as part of their nature at that age. I certainly found mischief during my running-around years.”

Lenore sighed again. She wished Raymond were here to help her with this difficult discussion.

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Review:  Charlotte Hubbard is one of my favorite writer's of Amish romance, any time I see a book by her, I do my best to get a copy.

With this book we see Leah wed a local auctioneer that is a widower. No one feels that this match is a good one, even though Leah and Jude are really in love. Jude has three children and they are quite a handful. The girls are more than a handful. In fact, Alice and Adeline are more than a handful, at times they are downright hateful creatures. It is really hard to figure out why they are the way they are. Jude's son, Stevie is absolutely precious and a tiny champion for Leah, once he realizes she's not a wicked stepmother.

Leah and Jude have a huge handful with the twins. I never wanted to reach into a book to shake characters before, but these two girls needed shaking. They definitely acted like willful teenagers and then some.

This is a beautiful story of a family with issues coming together. Leah is not your typical Amish wife, but she has a lot of love to give and she is learning to be a good mother.

Then there is the abandoned baby, who becomes the glue that cements the new family together. Little Betsy precious and through her Leah finds herself becoming more and more of a mother. She cares so deeply for the children.

Ms. Hubbard has written a book about life and about love. Its more than a romance. Its a story of family and there are many times that will have you wiping tears.

If you love sweet Amish stories, you have to read this lovely book by Charlotte Hubbard.

Rating: 5 flowers

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Charlotte Hubbard is the acclaimed author of Amish romance and fiction that evokes simpler times and draws upon her experiences in Jamesport, the largest Old Order Amish community west of the Mississippi. Faith and family, farming, and food preservation are hallmarks of her lifestyle—and the foundation of all her novels. A deacon, dedicated church musician and choir member, she loves to travel, read, try new recipes, and crochet. A longtime Missourian, Charlotte now lives in St. Paul, Minnesota, with her husband and their border collie, Vera. Please visit Charlotte online at www.CharlotteHubbard.com.

CharlotteHubbard.com

Facebook: Facebook www.Facebook.com/Charlotte.Hubbard1

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Order Print

Kensington Bouquet

March 27, 2018

ISBN-13: 9781496712189

ISBN-10: 1496712188

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The Book Depository

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GIVEAWAY INFORMATION and RAFFLECOPTER CODE

One randomly chosen winner via rafflecopter will win a $50 Amazon/BN.com gift card.

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Book Review: The Christmas Cradle

Author: Charlotte Hubbard

Title: The Christmas Cradle

Publisher: Kensington

Publish Date: Sept 29. 2015

Buy: Amazon
Review Copy Provided By: Net Galley
Book Blurb: 

For the peaceful town of Willow Ridge, November presents an early holiday surprise. Stranded in the snow, 18-year-old Lena Esh and her boyfriend Josiah Witmer need more than a place to stay for the night. Lena defied her strict family and their judgmental beliefs to run away with Josiah and have his baby. But she’s starting to wonder if he can prove as responsible as he is passionate. And she isn’t sure how—or if—they can ever find a place to truly call home.

Expecting their own miracle baby, Miriam and Ben Hooley rally the town to help the young couple, and Lena draws strength from thei unexpected support. Though trouble may come calling, in this season of joyous rebirth, a little child will lead them. And two couples will see their dreams of forever family come true…

Review:

I absolutely love the Seasons Of The Heart novels by Charlotte Hubbard. I've read nearly all of them, and this is a wonderful addition to the series and it is a Christmas book on top of it all. That's a plus for me. I adore romances with a Christmas setting.

This is the last book in the series and I'm going to be sad to see this series go, as I loved Willow Ridge and all the inhabitants.

In this book there are two couples Ben and Miriam who you will know from past books and Lena and Josiah, both couples are expecting babies, but they are at different points in their lives and relationships and find help in one another.

Lena is pregnant but not yet wed to Josiah, who is a very volatile young man. They are on their way to Higher Ground when they have trouble with their buggy in a snow storm. Hiriam is involved in their story which always brings drama to the story. He's just not a nice guy, as anyone that's read this series will know.

Josiah has done a lot of catering back in Iowa, and was going to work at Hiriam's supper club, but once in Willow Ridge he finds God has other plans for him.

Ben and Miriam help both Lena, who is struggling with Josiah's behavior and her pregnacy and Josiah grow up, while the younger two help them with some of the issues with Sweet Seasons.

The ending is really bittersweet and brings closure to everyone, knowing that all the drama that has been occurring will be at an end.

This is a beautiful uplifting story and a fabulous way to send off this grand series. If you haven't read any of these books, I urge you to do so. You won't regret it. All of them are stand alone novels, but you will see characters from other books mixing and mingling.

Rating: 5 flowers

Book Review: Breath Of Spring

Author: Charlotte Hubbard
Title: Breath Of Spring
Publisher: Kensington Books
Publish Date: May 6, 2014
Buy: Amazon

Review Copy Provided By: Net Galley
Book Blurb: 

Breath Of Spring

As a bright season brings a fresh start to Willow Ridge, Annie Mae Knepp feels she can never make peace with the past. Her disgraced ex-bishop father is furious she has taken her five siblings to live with her. She's never been truly at home in her faith. . .or believing in herself. And Annie Mae fears no man will want to take on the responsibilities she's gladly shouldered. True, her quiet neighbor Adam Wagler has been steadfast and unshakeable helping her through her trials, but he surely couldn't think of someone so lost as more than a friend. Believing she is unworthy because of her doubts, Annie Mae will find in a moment of surprising revelation that God can work impossible miracles--and that love makes all things new.

Review: I absolutely love Amish fiction. I was excited to see a new series that I thought wasn't one that you had to read from the very start a'la Beverly Lewis, and that's kind of the case here in some aspects and in others, you feel like you should have read the other 3 books before diving in. I know I would have liked to have known more of Annie Mae's situation going into this book and what had really transpired between her and her father, the former bishop.

Annie is taking care of her siblings after her father leaves to start his own Amish community in Higher Ground. It doesn't take long to see that her Dat was not a very nice man, and actually rather abusive. Then there's Adam  Wagler that she affectionately calls "Short Stack" because of his height.

I loved Adam. He wasn't really the typical Amish hero. He has his own demons and a lot of insecurities, but it is easy to see his heart belongs to Annie, even though she's not sure she should marry, what with her taking care of her siblings.

There's a lot of drama to this book. Some felt more realistic then others. I found Annie's relationships with both Luke and Yonnie hard to take. She was showing a bit more sexual awakening but there was other drama that clouded it. When her feelings for Adam started showing it was more of a sweet romance.

I felt Annie's feelings were just too all over the place at times, and though she didn't know what she wanted from any of the men in her life or from her religion, it made her actions with these guys a little difficult to deal with. Annie seems like an overall smart girl, but when she was with Yonnie or Luke, both of which were no good, her common sense seems to fly out the window.

I still enjoyed this book and I look forward to trying some of the recipes at the end (The descriptions of the food at the Sweet Season's Cafe will have your mouth watering).

I have another book from this series on my TBR pile, but will buy the first two before I tackle it, so I can really know the characters better.

Rating: 3 flowers