The Beloved Hope Chest by Amy Clipston (Book four An Amish Heirloom Novel)

I'm on board with Celebrate Lit and Amy Clipston!

To purchase the book click here.

I truly have enjoyed this series.  I've had the privilege of watching Amy Clipston's career unfold and her writing style develop over the years.  She's hitting her stride in her newest book.

From the back:  In the final installment of the Amish Heirloom series, the Fisher sisters learn the mystery behind their parents’ marriage—and about the sibling who has never been spoken of.

Mattie Fisher’s three daughters know that she’s been keeping a secret from them. With each item pulled from the beloved family hope chest, they’ve discovered a new clue about their mother’s past.

But there’s a reason Mattie has been keeping her history hidden, and she’s not sure she’s ready to reopen old wounds. Will dredging up the past change the way her children view her? Or her marriage to their father? And can she handle the pain of revisiting the memories that preceded the last few happy decades?

Mattie’s story is one of grief and learning to love again. But like the best things preserved in a hope chest, it's a story of love and redemption born out of heartache—and it's past time to share it.

After being led around the mulberry (or would it be raspberry?) bush we are finally given answers to the mysteries and objects in the first three books.  This is not a stand alone book.  You need to read the other three in the series first to fully follow along with the story line.

Mattie has secrets about her past and in this four hankie book ( I was sobbing on page 8 and was warned by other readers to keep tissues handy) we learn of heartache, brokeness, and pain.  Will Mattie ever be able to fully let the past go and rely on God to allow happiness and healing to take place?

Leroy loves Mattie and steps in quickly to care for her as tragedy after tragedy unfolds.  He pushes past her walls and hangs on tight.  Will he be able to convince Mattie that she is everything he needs?

This was a great ending to a really good series.  It left me guessing up until the end.  The ending was a bit rushed after a great climax but overall it was a fantastic read.  So pick up your copy of The Beloved Hope Chest, enter the giveaway below, and follow the tour!  Happy Reading!

About the Author

AMY CLIPSTON is the award-winning and bestselling author of the Kauffman Amish Bakery series. She has sold more than 1 million books, and her novels have hit multiple bestseller lists including CBD, CBA, and ECPA. Amy holds a degree in communication from Virginia Wesleyan College and works full-time for the City of Charlotte, NC. Amy lives in North Carolina with her husband, two sons, and three spoiled rotten cats. Visit her online at amyclipston.comFacebook: AmyClipstonBooks and Twitter: @AmyClipston

Guest post from Amy Clipston

I am thrilled to share the The Beloved Hope Chest, which is the final installment of my Amish Home series.

In The Beloved Hope Chest, the Fisher sisters learn the mystery behind their parents’ marriage—and about the sibling who has never been spoken of. Mattie Fisher’s three daughters know that she’s been keeping a secret from them. With each item pulled from the beloved family hope chest, they’ve discovered a new clue about their mother’s past. But there’s a reason Mattie has been keeping her history hidden, and she’s not sure she’s ready to reopen old wounds. Will dredging up the past change the way her children view her? Or her marriage to their father? And can she handle the pain of revisiting the memories that preceded the last few happy decades? Mattie’s story is one of grief and learning to love again. But like the best things preserved in a hope chest, it’s a story of love and redemption born out of heartache—and it’s past time to share it.

This book is very close to my heart since it is the last in my Amish Heirloom series. I’ve grown to love the Fisher family, and writing Mattie and Leroy’s story was bittersweet. This is a very emotional story, and I poured my heart and soul into it. I hope you enjoy this book since it reveals all of the mysteries that have been placed throughout the series.

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Amy is giving away a copy of An Amish Home and an handpicked Amish goodie chosen by Amy to two winners! Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries! Enter here.

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Behind the Scenes by Jen Turano

I'm on tour again!  So hop aboard and join me on the ride!

To purchase the book click here

I enjoy getting to know new to me writers through their books.  When I saw this book the beautiful cover grabbed me and the blurb from it piqued my interest so I knew I had to sign up for the tour!

From the back:  Miss Permilia Griswold may have been given the opportunity of a debut into New York high society, but no one warned her she wasn't guaranteed to "take." After spending the last six years banished to the wallflower section of the ballroom, she's finally putting her status on the fringes of society to good use by penning anonymous society gossip columns under the pseudonym "Miss Quill."

Mr. Asher Rutherford has managed to maintain his status as a reputable gentleman of society despite opening his own department store. While pretending it's simply a lark to fill his time, he has quite legitimate reasons for needing to make his store the most successful in the country.

When Permilia overhears a threat against the estimable Mr. Rutherford, she's determined to find and warn the man. Disgruntled at a first meeting that goes quite poorly and results in Asher not believing her, she decides to take matters into her own hands, never realizing she'll end up at risk as well.

As Asher and Permilia are forced to work together and spend time away from the spotlight of society, perhaps there's more going on behind the scenes than they ever could have anticipated. . . .

As I said, Jen Turano is a new to me author.  This was just a fun read.  Permilia was a quirky character that I truly enjoyed getting to know.  She was definitely not your typical female of that time period!  She was fun and I saw lots of personal growth in her character as the story progressed. 

Asher is everything Permilla isn't.  Their humorous arguments, their personalities, a touch of mystery, lots of laughs, and a nod to the Cinderella story kept me coming back for more.  I love it when book couples are made for each other, and these two are.  I can't wait for book two!  

So pick up your copy of Behind the Scenes and join us on tour!  Also, enter the giveaway below! Happy Reading!

About the Author

Jen Turano, author of nine books and two novellas, is a graduate of the University of Akron with a degree in clothing and textiles. She is a member of ACFW and lives in a suburb of Denver, Colorado. Visit her website at www.jenturano.com.

 Interview With Jen Turano

What is the funniest thing that has ever happened to you personally?

Amusing things happen to me all the time, but I think my favorite was back in college when I was a lifeguard. You see, there’s a lifeguard code – You will be cool at all times, especially when you’re sitting in a lifeguard chair, twirling your whistle exactly so, and, you know…looking cool. So, there I was, in my black lifeguard bathing suit – swinging my whistle. It was an unusually hot day, so I’d angled my umbrella exactly right as I watched the diving-board section. Now, I know this might come as a surprise, but being a lifeguard at the neighborhood pool isn’t exactly thrilling. It’s rare that anything exciting happens, and that particular day was no exception…until a large gust of wind came out of nowhere and the umbrella took it upon itself to close – right over me. And because it was now really gusty, the umbrella then lifted up, taking me with it right off the chair and into the depths of the deep end of the pool. From all accounts, it was quite the sight. First, there I was, swinging my whistle and looking groovy. Then all you could see were my legs flailing about as the umbrella covered the rest of me, and then…I was plummeting toward the pool, hit the water with the umbrella over me, and promptly sank. Obviously I managed to get out of the umbrella, but in the process, part of my bathing suit came off, and…well, that’s a story for another day.

What is your favorite book from your childhood?

“Andrew Henry’s Meadow.” It was actually my little brother’s book, gotten from one of those book of the month clubs, but I loved it. I recently found a copy on an e-site and ordered it, and it’s just as delightful today as it was back in my childhood.

Who does the cooking and cleaning in your house when you are on a deadline?

I don’t actually cook much even when I’m not on deadline, so that’s not really an issue. Al and I do a lot of salads or throw some chicken on the grill. We also have a lot of grocery stores that have wonderful deli and gourmet foods, so we get a lot of things there. As for cleaning, I’m one of those neurotic people who can’t work without everything being in place, so I do a lot of tidying up before I go to bed. And, because I do some of my best thinking when I clean, I’ve been known to abandon my writing when I get stuck and pick up a mop or cleaning rag, which means my house is rarely a disaster since I need to get unstuck a lot.

Where is your favorite place to write?

I do the majority of my writing in my office, although I will occasionally take a pad of paper and a pen outside to handwrite when I get bored of my office or it’s a really nice day and I don’t feel like being trapped inside. It’s not that my office is my favorite place to write, it’s more that my writing is my job and I’m more focused on that writing when I approach it as such.

What is your favorite part of the writing process?

I really like when characters and new story ideas begin to fester. That normally happens when I’m in the midst of another series. By the time I’m done with whatever series I’m working on, the next series is pretty firmly set in my mind, which means I can jump right in as I wait for edits on recently completed work. My absolute favorite part of writing, though, is when I turn in the very final edit on a book and don’t see it again until it comes out in print. Although, I must admit, I’ve never, not once, read one of my books after it has gone to print. Seems rather pointless since I do always know how the book is going to end.

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Jen is giving away a $25 Barnes and Noble Gift Card and the four books: After a Fashion, In Good Company, Playing the Part, Behind the Scenes!! Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries! Enter here.

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A Love so True by Melissa Jagears (Teaville Moral Society)

With our weather bouncing up and down like a yo yo here I wanted to escape!  So escape I did and I headed to Teaville to meet some new characters and find a more temperate climate!

This book is part of a series but can be read as a standalone.  From the back:  "Jagears' first book in the Teaville Moral Society series has well-written characters, in addition to being an engaging and heartfelt read."--RT Book Reviews on A Heart Most Certain

Evelyn Wisely loves working at the local orphanage, but her heart can't ignore the women of Teaville who are also in need. Her boss is willing to help build a shelter for them, but only if she gains the cooperation and financial support of other local businessmen.

While David Kingsman plans to stay in Teaville just long enough to get his father's business back on solid ground, he's intrigued by Evelyn's cause and finds himself more invested with each passing day.

Will their plans and partnership fall apart when confronted with all that is stacked against them, or can they trust in God's plan despite it all?

Evelyn not only talks the talk but walks the walk.  Working to help women in need she meets roadblock after roadblock but her drive and fire to love and serve all keeps her going.  But what secret is she hiding from those who want to love and help her?

David is trying hard to please his father but whatever he does never seems enough.  He loves the Lord and is trying to help Evelyn and win her heart and hand.  Will he be able to work past her walls that she has built up?

Full of emotions heartache, anger, bitterness, and sorrow.  There is also acceptance, forgiveness, and redemption in this story.  So pick up your copy today and enjoy a trip to Teaville.  Happy Reading!