Rachel's Dream by Lisa Jones Baker (Hope Chest of Dreams 3)

I was excited to see this beauty in my mailbox last week!

Rachel's Dream is book three in the Hope Chest of Dreams series.  I've had the privilege of peeking into the lives of three women and hearing their stories.  From the back: Patience, faith—and the hopes and dreams within their hand-carved hope chests—help to bring three young Amish women, one by one, the blessed futures their hearts desire…

Rachel Kauffman and Jarred Zimmerman seem to have nothing in common. She’s the outgoing youngest of a large, close-knit Amish clan, and longs to raise a brood of her own near those she loves. Estranged from his family by tragedy, Jarred is a young veterinarian who trusts the animals he heals far more than he trusts people. However, when Rachel’s beloved horse falls ill, Jarred’s struggles to save him show Rachel he’s a man who cares deeply. And the respect he feels for her gentle warmhearted ways soon becomes an irresistible bond…

When Rachel tries to help Jarred reunite with his parents, it is an unexpected blessing—with one complication. If he takes this chance to put his past to rest, it could separate him and Rachel for good. Now, with prayer, love—and her hope chest’s small miracles—Jarred and Rachel must find the courage to reconcile their wishes into a joyous life together.

"You can't control your past, but with God's help, you can own your future." Rachel Kauffman

But the past continues to haunt Jarred Zimmerman as he tries to move towards the future.  He's a vet with a special touch and Rachel is a young Amish woman with spunk and optimism.  Can two very different people find the courage to put the past in the past and embrace God's plan for their future? 

This was a sweet book.  It was a nice easy read and really tied up the the last part of the series well.  I enjoyed "visiting" with Old Sam and some of the characters from her previous books.  I wish I could have seen a little more of them as I'd love to know how their lives have changed since their stories ended (hint hint... maybe a fourth book?).  I enjoyed seeing Jarred and Rachel's story unfold.  

These are great books to start off your summer reading!  So pick up your copy of Rachel's Dream (and the first two books if you haven't read them) and enjoy meeting Rachel and Jarred!  Happy Reading!  

The Farmer's Market Mishap by Wanda and Jean Brunstetter

We had a wonderful family vacation this past week.  Time to get away and do some extra reading!  I was able to hike into the mountains of Virginia and do some much needed catch up on my piles. While I sat by a happy brooke I picked up my copy of Wanda and Jean Brunstetter's book.

The Farmer's Market Mishap (coming out June 1st), is the sequel to The Lopsided Christmas Cake. From the back:  New York Times Bestselling Author Wanda E. Brunstetter and Daughter-in-Law, Jean, Weave a Lighthearted Romance from Indiana’s Amish Country

Living alone for the first time in her life is lonely for Elma Hochstetler, whose twin sister Thelma recently married. Though they share the running of a general store, more and more of Thelma’s time is taken up by her growing family. Elma has dated some, but she wonders if she is just too picky to find love.

Through a mishap at the farmers’ market, Elma meets Ben Wagler and instantly likes him. But there is a problem. He lives in Grabill—50 miles away! But Elma has tried long-distance dating before, and it won’t work for her.  Besides the store needs her. Her sister needs her. Elma feels love will forever remain beyond her grasp.

Elma has a habit of putting others before her own needs. Can she learn to take a risk at following the desires of her heart?

How did Thelma meet her husband?  Find out in The Lopsided Christmas Cake.

This book was so much fun to read!  We meet up again with Thelma and Elma.  Thelma is settled down and married.  She's also expecting, but that doesn't seem to stop her from trying to play matchmaker!  She's determined to match her twin, Elma with her old beau.  

Ben and Elma meet at a farmer's market. With a matchmaking mom, a wayward dog, and a slightly forgetful and accident prone store employee you have lots of laughter and a few tears.  Will Ben and Elma be able to see what's in front of them?  Will family make their relationship impossible?  

I won't say, but when this book comes out you need to grab it.  This was another fantastic read!  I'm hopeful there will be another book in the series.  So grab your copy (and try a yummy recipe from the back!) and enjoy your trip to the market!  Happy Reading! 

Witch (The Restoration Trilogy Book 3) by Denise Weimer

Click here to purchase your copy

I'm on board with Celebrate Lit again!  It's always so much fun to "meet" new to me writers and bring them to you.  Today I'm pleased to introduce you to Denise Weimer and the third book in her Restoration Trilogy series, Witch.  

From the back:  The Restoration Trilogy: When Jennifer Rushmore accepts a brooding bachelor’s job offer to act as coordinator for the restoration of his family’s historic doctor’s house (WHITE), apothecary (WIDOW) and log cabin (WITCH) in a rural Georgia community, little does she know it’s her own heart that will undergo the greatest renovation. Three stories. Three centuries. Three lessons on the healing of the heart. And one buried mystery that threatens their redemption.

WITCH, Book Three: Having restored Michael Johnson’s ancestors’ house and apothecary shop and begun applying the lessons of family and forgiveness unearthed from the past, Jennifer Rushmore expects to complete her first preservation job with the simple relocation of a log home. But as her crew reconstructs the 1787 cabin, home to the first Dunham doctor, attacks on those involved throw suspicion on neighbors and friends alike. And while Jennifer has trusted God and Michael with the pain of her past, it appears Michael’s been keeping his own secrets. Will she use a dream job offer from Savannah as an escape, or will a haunting tale from a Colonial diary convince her to rely on the faithfulness of his love?

With two time periods skillfully woven together you will follow the lives of Jennifer and Verity. Both have stories to tell.  

This isn't a scary book. It combines small town life, dashes of humor, suspense, and learning to let go and let God take charge.  This was a really good story with characters that were strong.(Verity was my personal favorite).  You will find yourself trying to guess who is trying to make sure restoration doesn't happen?  Will Jennifer choose to leave her small town life and further her career?  What happens to Verity and her family?  Will there be a restoration?  

I would recommend reading books one and two to get the most out of this book.  This was a really great read and I enjoyed Denise's books!  So pick up your copy today and enter the giveaway down below!  Happy Reading! 

About the Author

DENISE WEIMER holds a journalism degree with a minor in history from Asbury University. A former magazine writer, she is the author of romantic novella REDEEMING GRACE, The Georgia Gold Series (SAUTEE SHADOWS, THE GRAY DIVIDE, THE CRIMSON BLOOM, and BRIGHT AS GOLD – winner of the 2015 John Esten Cooke Award for outstanding Southern literature) and The Restoration Trilogy (WHITE, WIDOW and WITCH). Denise is a wife and swim mom of two daughters who always pauses for old houses, coffee and chocolate!

Guest post from Denise Weimer

The first thing I want to tell you about Witch is … it’s not scary! Hang with me, and I’ll share more about the title.

The Restoration Trilogy mixes a unique tonic … the budding of a romance and friendships in a humorous, small-town community, a splash of suspense, and spiritual and emotional healing. When Jennifer Rushmore accepts a brooding bachelor’s job offer to act as coordinator for the restoration of his family’s historic doctor’s house (White), apothecary (Widow) and log cabin (Witch) in a rural Georgia community, little does she know it’s her own heart that will undergo the greatest renovation. Three stories. Three centuries. Three lessons on the healing of the heart. And one buried mystery that threatens their redemption.

Having restored Michael Johnson’s ancestors’ house and apothecary shop and begun applying the lessons of family and forgiveness unearthed from the past, Jennifer expects to complete her first preservation job with the simple relocation of a log home. But as her crew reconstructs the 1787 cabin, home to the first Dunham doctor, attacks on those involved throw suspicion on neighbors and friends alike. And while Jennifer has trusted God and Michael with the pain of her past, it appears Michael’s been keeping his own secrets. Will she use a dream job offer from Savannah as an escape, or will a haunting tale from a Colonial diary convince her to rely on the faithfulness of his love?

The restoration my parents did on a real life doctor’s house and apothecary shop inspired this series. As I watched them work and learn about the historical line of doctors associated with their property, I realized how much a physical restoration project can mirror the spiritual work God wants to do in each of us. And that’s exactly what happens with Michael and Jennifer, who both conceal areas of brokenness from their pasts. As they come together to restore his family buildings, the stories they uncover about his ancestors reveal truths they need to apply in their own lives:

Family connection from the 1920s story of Georgia Pearl as they restore the house (White)

Forgiveness from the 1860s story of Charlotte as they restore the apothecary (Widow)

Faithfulness from the 1780s story of Verity as they restore the log cabin (Witch)

The title of each novel – and the cover – reflects that struggle of the historical heroine. Eventually each, as well as Michael and Jennifer, learn that only God, the Master Renovator and the Great Physician, can heal their broken places.

So here’s your prescription, should you choose to accept it by entering into this grand prize giveaway!

Grand Prize Gift Basket From Durham Apothecary & Museum: Take from a homemade tea pocket one of the selection of special teas. While brewing thy favorite tea, dispense liberally from the tea cookie tin onto a china plate. Prop up thy feet and commence thy reading journey through a print copy of White, Widow AND Witch! After a goodly time of rest and reflection, take up thy quill (ahem, I mean set of decorative pens) and record pearls of wisdom in thy new journal. When they husband and children begin to grumble, rise with fresh vigor to prepare a meal from Farmer’s Almanac Colonial Cookbook.

Second place prize: an e-book copy of Witch (or any other one book of The Restoration Trilogy)

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Denise is giving away:

A Grand Prize Gift Basket From Durham Apothecary & Museum: Take from a homemade tea pocket one of the selection of special teas. While brewing thy favorite tea, dispense liberally from the tea cookie tin onto a china plate. Prop up thy feet and commence thy reading journey through a print copy of White, Widow AND Witch! After a goodly time of rest and reflection, take up thy quill (ahem, I mean set of decorative pens) and record pearls of wisdom in thy new journal. When thy husband and children begin to grumble, rise with fresh vigor to prepare a meal from Farmer’s Almanac Colonial Cookbook.

Second place prize: an e-book copy of Witch (or any other one book of The Restoration Trilogy)

Click here to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries! 

Blog Stops

April 18: Inklings and notions

April 19: Eat, Read, Teach, Blog

April 20: Blossoms and Blessings

April 21: Blogging With Carol

April 21: A Greater Yes

April 22: Jeanette’s Thoughts

April 23: A Baker’s Perspective

April 24: Christian Bookaholic

April 25: Ashley’s Bookshelf

April 25: Singing Librarian Books

April 26: Artistic Nobody

April 27: A Room without Books is Empty

April 28: Pause for Tales

April 29: Bigreadersite

April 29: Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations

April 30: Tell Tale Book Reviews

April 30: Book Bites, Bee Stings, & Butterfly Kisses

May 1: For The Love of Books

The Patriot and the Loyalist (Hearts at War #2) by Angela K. Couch

It's spring, sort of.  With the weather bouncing up and down here it's a good time to stay inside, curl up with some hot tea and homemade brownies, and a good book.

From one of my favorite historical writers, Angela K. Couch, the second book in her Hearts at War series was a great read.  From the back:  Completing his three years in the Continental Army, Daniel Reid still has no desire to return home—not after losing the woman he loves to a British Captain—so he volunteers to ride south through enemy lines and deliver a message to Colonel Francis Marion, the Swamp Fox. With his temper needing a release and a dark haired beauty finding her way into his broken heart, Daniel decides to join the Swamp Fox’s efforts against the British. Little does he know the British still have the upper hand.

Lydia Reynolds has learned that love comes at a price, and she refuses to pay. Better to close her heart to everything and everyone. When her brother-in-law won't grant her passage to England, where she hopes to hide from her pain, New Englander, Daniel Reid, becomes her only hope—if she can induce him to give her information about the notorious Swamp Fox and his troops. When the British grow impatient and Daniel evades her questions, Lydia must decide how far to take her charade. The poor man, already gutted by love, hasn’t grown as wise as she. Or so she supposes…

Until the truth is known, the muskets are loaded…and it is time to decide where true loyalties lie.

I'm picky about historical fiction.  My dad taught history and my husband is a history buff.  I'm happy to say that The Patriot and the Loyalist stayed very true to the time period.  The characters were strong and well developed.  Lydia is a strong and determined woman and Daniel is noble.  These two seem an unlikely pair but at the skilled hands of Ms. Couch, the impossible may be possible.

The book was full of twists, turns, and surprises kept me guessing!  The series keeps getting better and better.  I'm already stoked for the third book.

I would recommend that you read The Scarlett Coat before you pick up this one.  Even though this book can stand alone, this is a really great series and it sets a nice tone for the series.  So pick up your copy and find out what will happen when two sides clash!  Happy Reading!