Still Waters (The Amish of Shepherd’s Hill #2) by Patricia Johns

My Review:

Still Waters is a beautiful story about love, family, redemption, and forgiveness.

Book 2 of “The Amish of Shepherd’s Hill” mostly follows the day-to-day of main characters Danny, Beth, her Mammi, veterinarian Tabitha and Jonas.

Veterinarian Tabitha is trying to find her way within the Amish community after divorcing her English husband and coming back to her community. She is unable to be married again according to her Amish faith but finds herself getting closer to her friend Jonas as their friendship deepens. I like how they interact and help each another especially with the animals. Tabitha has great insights with being a part of the English world and then coming back to rejoin the Amish way of life.

Beth is staying with her Mammi over the summer because of her Mammi’s health issues. Beth loves being Amish but struggles with the strictness and rules of limiting education and life experiences. Beth struggles with the hard questions of what she wants for her future and asking questions about her dad and heritage.

I loved the relatable characters with their experiences, questions, and doubts that we probably have all had in our lives. The Author did a beautiful job with creating the story, setting, and characters. I can’t wait to read book 3 in this series!

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions and views expressed are my own.

About the Book:

Their hidden past brings questions about their future . . . together.

Unsure of her future within the Amish community, Beth Peachy arrives in Lancaster County for the summer to care for her ailing grandmother. Yet with dementia threatening to steal away Mammi’s memories, Beth’s visit quickly evolves into an urgent search for answers to questions that her relatives seem determined to avoid. How can Beth possibly make a lifelong vow to the Amish church when her own family is concealing so much of the past from her?

Beth’s childhood friend Danny Lapp faces his own dilemma as his ex-Amish older brother turns his back on their family upbringing, dishonoring his Plain heritage. Struggling to find some sort of connection with his brother despite their deep difference of opinion, Danny is determined to find a solution before church leadership becomes involved. As Beth and Danny reconnect and seek to help each other in their search for answers, they find themselves stirring up not only surprising revelations about the past, but questions about a possible future–together.

 

Purchase your copy here: 

https://amzn.to/4otq8Cz

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The 12Ks of Christmas VIRTUAL event 2025 fitness walking

 

Join the 12Ks of Christmas!

This year I am participating in my local Blue Ridge Racing and Fleet Feet Roanoke 12 days-I mean 12ks- of Christmas event! How fun does that sound?

I thought it would be fun to invite my online Walk Strong Roanoke group and YOU to participate with me! Its FREE and although you can’t win prizes (if you’re not local) we can still have fun as a group logging our miles and walking together! Plus, if you register for this FREE event using my unique link, I will get extra entries to win. 🙂

REGISTER HERE: 

https://runsignup.com/Race/VA/Roanoke/The12KsOfChristmasRoanoke?raceRefCode=JdDuhCH8

1km = 0.62 miles so that should be super easy to get, since most of you walk more than 1 mile every day. Don’t forget to check out my YOUTUBE channel for SEVERAL festive holiday walk aerobic workouts to help you get your 1KM every day.

Rachel DeVaughn – YouTube

Let me know if you have any questions and comment below if you’re ready to walk virtually with me from Dec 1-Dec 12th!

I’ve created a calendar in PDF or PNG if you want to print it for this challenge.

Red and White Christmas Themed December 2025 Calendar

About the event:

Get ready to be a part of Roanoke’s newest FREE Holiday tradition! In this festive, family-friendly virtual event, participants commit to walking/running at least 1 km per day for 12 days, from December 1st through December 12th. You’ll log your distance on our race website each day you complete a kilometer, and for every day you log, you earn an entry into that day’s daily prize drawing. The more days you walk, the more chances you have to win!

Everyone who logs at least 1K each day is entered into the GRAND PRIZE drawing from Fleet Feet Roanoke!

This event is a fun and easy way to stay active during the holiday season. It’s also free to enter and open to all ages and abilities. Since it’s a virtual event, you can walk or run anywhere!

REGISTER HERE: 

https://runsignup.com/Race/VA/Roanoke/The12KsOfChristmasRoanoke?raceRefCode=JdDuhCH8

Win Prizes!

This event is all about having fun, developing a consistent exercise routine, and winning prizes! There are lots of ways you can win prizes:

  • Each day (Dec 1-12), log at least 1km of walking or running, and you’ll be entered into the DAILY PRIZE DRAWING.
  • Refer friends to register for the event, and for each friend you refer, you’ll get an extra entry into ALL prize drawings!
  • Register early for more chances to win in BONUS DRAWINGS!

Upon registering, you will receive a referral link that is unique to you. Share this link with your friends and social media followers to earn extra raffle entries!

All prizes must be picked up in person locally in Roanoke, Virginia. Mailing of prizes will not be allowed.

**1km = 0.62 miles

REGISTER HERE: 

https://runsignup.com/Race/VA/Roanoke/The12KsOfChristmasRoanoke?raceRefCode=JdDuhCH8

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C Is for Courting (Amish ABCs) by Shelley Shepard Gray

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 Review:

This sweet Amish story mostly follows Beth and Martin’s stories. Beth and Martin are from the Schrock siblings of 4 who travel to Walden to live with their grandparents and become Amish. The other sibling stories are from the 2 previous books in this series.

Beth has a hard journey ahead of her with being a single mom and I liked reading her determination to work and to help people around her. Despite being treated poorly by others, she continues to work hard in Junior’s office and stay optimistic. Martin and Pattie are trying to figure out how they can have a relationship and stay true to their beliefs. All of the siblings struggle with how they want to live their life (Amish or Plain?) and their relationships with each other.

It’s hard to believe 5 years have passed since the beginning of A is for Amish when this series started! I have loved getting to know Beth, Kelsey, Jonny and Martin as they individually and together as a family embark on their journeys about life, love, faith and contentment-whether they choose to be plain or Amish.

I highly recommend reading this feel good, Amish family series! I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions and views expressed are my own.

Purchase your copy here:

https://amzn.to/4qqEx3N

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An Amish Baby in Her Arms (Amish Chocolate Shop Brides, 1) by Patricia Johns

My Review:

Miriam has had alot of recent heartbreak and broken dreams. During a large storm her brother-in-law Zaac stops by to help, and they end up taking in several strays during the storm-including a baby!

I liked that this was not a conventional Amish relationship story. They discussed things that were important to them, their feelings and fears. They discussed whether living Amish is what they really wanted to do and how to be happy with their life journey and choices.

This story had an interesting storyline and great characters that kept my interest from beginning to end. I really enjoyed this Christian Amish story! The cover of the book is also beautiful with the rainbow signifying hope and peace after a storm and God’s love.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions and views expressed are my own.

About the Book:

A widow reeling from loss… Can the storm deliver her a family?

Miriam Yoder thought she’d never feel happy again after the loss of her husband and unborn child—until a baby is abandoned outside her workplace. Seeing this as an opportunity for her heart to heal, she cares for the helpless infant during a fierce storm with her late husband’s brother. But Amish farmer Isaac Yoder has been keeping secrets. Hiding them from Miriam as he temporarily works alongside her at his aunt’s chocolate shop is one thing…but caring for a baby together presents a new challenge. Can their growing connection withstand the weight of the truth and open Miriam’s heart again?

Purchase your copy here:

https://amzn.to/3WGaGXl

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Kidnapped for Ransom by Jacqueline Adam

Kidnapped for Ransom JustRead Blog Tour

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Kidnapped for Ransom by Jacqueline Adam, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Kidnapped for Ransom

Title: Kidnapped for Ransom 
Author:
Jacqueline Adam 
Publisher:
Love Inspired Suspense 
Release Date:
October 28, 2025 
Genre:
Romantic Suspense

Abduction is only the beginning… 
Will murder be next?

Doctor Chelsea Eidman thought she’d finally escaped the perils of her late husband’s secret life as a diamond thief—until his former accomplice attacks her. The danger escalates when a vengeful mobster kidnaps Chelsea’s daughter and friend, demanding the stolen diamonds in exchange for their lives. To recover the gems, Chelsea joins forces with officer Matt Reynolds, whose sister has also been abducted. As they race against time, they find themselves in deadly pursuits across harsh terrain. With everything on the line, Chelsea and Matt must outsmart their enemies and unravel a web of lies…before their families pay the ultimate price.

 

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Harlequin | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | ChristianBook | Bookshop | BookBub


My Review:

This Love Inspired Suspense story had lots of suspense and danger at every turn and kept me on the edge of my seat chapter after chapter.

Dr Chelsea has been grieving the loss of her husband and then finds out he had been living a secret life as a diamond thief. His secret past has now come back to haunt her when their daughter is kidnapped, and now everyone wants to know where the stolen diamonds are. She turns to her childhood friend Police Officer Matt in hopes they can uncover the truth and save the girls before time runs out. I liked the fast pace of the story, the relatable characters, and Dr Chelsea’s journey of love and faith.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions and views expressed are my own.

About the Author

Jacqueline Adam

Jacqueline Adam lives in British Columbia with her husband and two incredible children. She and her family love to find adventure, whether it be zip-lining, riding roller coasters, or camping throughout the Rocky Mountains and beyond. Jacqueline writes love-inspired suspense stories with strong, dynamic characters that overcome impossible odds. Connect with Jacqueline online at jacquelineadam.com


Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a CUTEBEE Owl bookstore Book Nook Kit, a print copy of Kidnapped for Ransom, and a Mora Ceramics Large Tea Mug with Loose Leaf Infuser and Ceramic Lid!

Kidnapped for Ransom JustRead Tours blog giveaway

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight November 4, 2025 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on November 11, 2025. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US/CAN only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway


Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

JustRead Publicity Tours
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