THE AMISH NEWCOMER by Patrice Lewis (Love Inspired)

This was my first book by this author but I love “Love Inspired” books and the book description sounded great, so I decided to give it a try. I really enjoyed it!!

Leah goes into witness protection in an Amish community in Ohio and learns alot about faith, family, community and love. While she is there it gives her a chance to reflect on her own life and what she wants. I really enjoyed reading more into the Amish community and faith-how they do things on a daily basis, how they help each other, their chores, the Amish way of living versus English.

Easy to read, clean romance, Amish fiction book. Highly recommend!

I received a copy of this book complimentary for blog and social media review. All opinions are my own.

About THE AMISH NEWCOMER:
Can a modern city girl ever become one of the Plain People?

She needed a safe place to hide. Instead, she found a place to call home.

Television journalist Leah Porte never imagined her career would end with her witnessing a murder. Now she’s temporarily living among the Amish in witness protection. Instead of feeling alone and adrift, Leah is warmly welcomed by the close-knit community—and Amish bachelor Isaac Sommer. But caught between two very different worlds, choosing love would mean leaving her big city life behind forever.

PURCHASE YOUR COPY HERE:
https://amzn.to/32fFsej

About PATRICE LEWIS:
Living on a remote self-sufficient homestead in North Idaho, Patrice Lewis is a Christian wife, mother, author, blogger, columnist and speaker. She has practiced and written about rural subjects for almost thirty years. When she isn’t writing, Patrice enjoys self-sufficiency projects, such as animal husbandry, small-scale dairy production, gardening, food preservation and canning, and homeschooling. She and her husband have been married since 1990 and have two daughters.

Excerpt, THE AMISH NEWCOMER by Patrice Lewis
***
So,” he added as he released her hand and fell into step beside her, “you said you were from Los Angeles?”
“Yes.”
“Big city. Why are you here in Pikeville?”
Leah froze inside. It was the one question she didn’t want to be asked, but at least she had a predetermined story she could tell, one that mingled with just enough truth to be plausible. “I was in a car accident.” She touched her cheek. “It messed me up pretty badly. I used to work as a television journalist, but you can’t be in television with a face like this. I—I needed to get away. I have friends who know the Bylers, and they invited me to stay with them until I heal up.”
Unlike some other men she’d encountered, Isaac didn’t seem to be put off by the scar in the slightest. “And then what? What happens after your face heals?”
“I don’t know.” Her shoulders slumped, and for a moment she allowed despair, which was never very far away, to claim her. “I don’t know. I suppose I’ll have to change my career, and it’s something I’m reluctant to do. I loved being a TV journalist.”
“Why are you dressed in Amish clothes? It seems unusual for a visitor.”
That was a question she hadn’t anticipated. “Uh… uh…since I’m here for so long, I wanted to fit in. I speak a little German, and Edith thought it best if I didn’t stand out. But I’m hoping everyone can forgive me for any blunders I make.”
“Oh, they will.” He fell silent as she padded along, her bare feet still tender. “Will you be attending the hot dog roast at the Millers’ tonight?”
“I don’t know. I’m not sure it’s polite to show up without an invitation.”
“The Millers won’t mind. They’ll have a large crowd of youngies anyway, so one extra person won’t matter.”
“What’s a hot dog roast?”
“Just as it sounds. They have a long pit where they build a fire, so everyone has a chance to stand by the flames and cook their hot dogs.”
“But what do they do, besides eat hot dogs?”
“Talk. Sing. Play games. And sometimes flirt.” He grinned at her.
Leah caught her breath. If she didn’t know any better, she might have thought Isaac was flirting with her. If so, it was subtle almost to the point of imperceptible. And there was no possible way she could flirt back, not with a man bound within the rules of a faith she didn’t share.
She looked away. “I’m much older than Sarah or Rachel. Is this a gathering just for young people?”
“How old are you?” he blurted, then made a gesture as if to snatch the words back. “Sorry, I hope that wasn’t rude.”
His expression was so comical she laughed. “It’s no secret. I’m twenty-eight.”
“Ain’t so? Me too.”
“And you’re not married? That seems unusual, from what I know of the Amish.”
“I had—” He hesitated. “I spent some time away. Many years, in fact. Now I’m back and I intend to stay, but many of the women in the community aren’t encour-aging when it comes to risking their future with me. I have too much Englisch in me, they say.”
She couldn’t help but chuckle. “I assume Englisch is the catchall phrase for anyone who isn’t Amish.”
“Ja. It’s not meant as a pejorative, just a distinguisher for anyone who isn’t Amish.”

Welcome to the Blog Tour & Giveaway for A Love Redeemed by Lisa Jordan, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: A Love Redeemed
Author: Lisa Jordan
Publisher: Love Inspired
Release Date: August 25, 2020
Genre: Inspirational Contemporary Romance

Just-for-now could become forever…

They agreed to help each other out.
No one mentioned falling in love.

Back home after losing her job, Isabella Bradley plans to stay only long enough to save her father’s diner, but she can’t do it alone. Her childhood friend Tucker Holland has the perfect solution—he will renovate the diner if she’ll be a nanny for his twins. But as Isabella and Tucker reconnect, their arrangement begins to feel a lot less temporary…

PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Christianbook

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Heart, home and faith have always been important to Lisa Jordan, so writing stories with those elements come naturally. She is an award-winning author for Love Inspired, writing novels that promise hope & happily ever after. Happily married for nearly thirty years, she and her husband have two grown sons. When she isn’t writing, Lisa enjoys family time, good books, crafting with friends and kayaking. Visit her at www.lisajordanbooks.com.

CONNECT WITH LISA: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

MY REVIEW

I really enjoyed reading this sweet romance by this new to me author! It was easy to read, with fun characters and an interesting story line.

I liked Isabella’s (Bella) character and her love for family, especially her dad and their love for cooking. I liked reading about Tucker’s twins and how they interacted with Bella as their new babysitter. Tucker and Bella’s friendship help them thru their emotional struggles as they try to maneuver life, grief and faith.

This is a clean, romantic story that I really enjoyed and recommend for a light afternoon of reading.

I received a copy of this book complimentary for blog and social media review. All opinions are my own.

TOUR GIVEAWAY

(1) winner will receive a S’more Picnic Fun prize package including a canvas picnic tote with a wicker bottom along with s’more fixings and a copy of A Love Redeemed!

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway will begin at midnight September 1, 2020 and last through 11:59 PM EST on September 8, 2020. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

ENTER GIVEAWAY HERE

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

*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.

💕COVER REVEAL💕
She saw something she shouldn’t have…

Assistant US Attorney Christine Davis is positive she witnessed a murder, but with no body, the police aren’t convinced. Now someone wants her dead, and Texas Ranger Blake Larsen is the only one who believes her. For Blake, protecting Christine must stay more important than their growing feelings for each other. But can he keep her safe from an unknown enemy who wants her silenced?

“Texas Witness Threat” by Cate Nolan, published by Love Inspired Suspense is coming January 2021!

Don’t forget you can pre-order your book copy here: https://amzn.to/2EGTvAM

The Last Man She Expected (Welcome to Starlight) by Michelle Major

MY REVIEW:

This was a sweet story about Mara and her daughter starting over in Starlight after a messy divorce. She makes a couple single friends after a year; but mostly keeps to herself as she works, takes care of her daughter, and tries to heal.

Both Mara and Parker have past demons and insecurities they try to work on throughout this story and both decide it’s better to work together on projects than apart. I really liked Parker’s protectiveness and love towards his extended family (especially kids) and being a hard worker and stepping up to a challenge.

There is one very graphic love making scene towards the the middle of the book with future mentioning of bedroom scenes behind closed doors. There is also some bad language throughout-pretty minimal though.

Typically I read Harlequin Love Inspired books so I wasn’t sure going into this book whether there would be bad language and or graphic love scenes-which I typically do not read.

Overall, I enjoyed the story and loved getting to know Mara and Parker’s families, their friends and the town of Starlight. I read it in one night because it was easy reading with interesting characters and story line.

I received a copy of this book complimentary for blog and social media review. All opinions are my own.

ABOUT THE BOOK:
How could being so wrong suddenly feel so right? Falling for her arch nemesis Isn’t going to happen.

Moving to Starlight was Mara Reed’s first step forward after her devastating divorce. But had she known she’d find Parker Johnson, her ex-husband’s ruthless divorce attorney, there, she might have gone in a different direction. Away from the big city, Mara is seeing Parker in a new light—but is it enough for her to set aside her anger?

AUTHOR BIO:
Michelle Major grew up in Ohio but dreamed of living in the mountains. Soon after graduating with a degree in Journalism, she pointed her car west and settled in Colorado. Her life and house are filled with one great husband, two beautiful kids, a few furry pets and several well-behaved reptiles. She’s grateful to have found her passion writing stories with happy endings. Michelle loves to hear from her readers at www.michellemajor.com.

Author links:
• Website: https://michellemajor.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michellemajorauthor/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/michelle_major1
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MichelleMajorBooks
• Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6468588.Michelle_Major

Excerpt, THE LAST MAN SHE EXPECTED by Michelle Major

“Come to finish me off?” he asked as Mara Reed walked into the room.
She sniffed. “How’s your head?”
He removed the bag of peas, tossing them to the top of the dryer. “I’ve taken harder hits.”
“Not that I meant for you to fall, but I can’t say you didn’t deserve it,” she told him, crossing her arms over her chest.
He raised a brow. “That’s an interesting way to apologize.”
She gave a humorless laugh. “I’m not here to say sorry.”
Parker felt his mouth drop open. “You practically pushed me out of the bounce house.”
“Not quite. You grabbed for me and I evaded you with my catlike reflexes. Is it my problem that you’re clumsy?”
He had to admire her moxie. The moment had happened so fast, but he was pretty sure she’d given him a tiny shove when he stumbled. Not that he’d throw her under the bus by telling anyone. “If you didn’t seek me out to apologize, why are you here?”
“You took everything from me,” she said instead of answering, her husky voice laced with bitterness.
“Your anger is misdirected,” Parker said, shifting under the weight of her stony glare. “I’m not your ex-husband.” He’d represented hundreds of clients over the years, but this was the first time he’d actually been confronted outside the courtroom. He didn’t like the way Mara Reed made him feel, as if he’d been the one to cause the destruction of her marriage.
“No,” she agreed, her hazel eyes giving him a slow once-over. Despite her obvious dislike of him and the obstinate set of her heart-shaped jaw, there was no denying Mara’s beauty. She had dark hair with a few hints of burnished gold highlighting it and pale, luminous skin that would have inspired the finest Renaissance painter.
She was taller than average, something he’d al-ways appreciated in a woman given that he stood well over six feet. She’d fit perfectly with him, a thought that almost made him laugh for its absur-dity. He couldn’t imagine any scenario which would make Mara want to be close to him.
“You made it possible for him to destroy me,” she said, her voice oddly devoid of emotion. He wanted to deny it, but the truth was he couldn’t remember the details of her case, especially since she’d been Paul Reed’s much younger third wife. He’d already been twice down that road with his client. It was a mental trick he employed, not allowing himself to see the opponent as a person. Mara Reed had been a name to him, an entity he’d set out to take down like he was a remote-control drone zeroing in on a target.
“It wasn’t personal.”
She flinched, and he wanted to take back the words. They were simple enough as part of his job, but he imagined they felt like salt dumped into an open wound to Mara. Despite his now pounding headache, he didn’t mean to hurt her. He understood what he did for a living and had come to terms with the man he’d become as a result, even if he didn’t always like himself because of it.
“It was to me,” she whispered and walked away.