Litfuse Blog Tour and Review: A Miracle of Hope

A Miracle of Hope (The Amish Wonders Series)

About the Book:

Lindie Wyse thinks an arranged marriage is the only way to preserve a future for herself and her unborn child. Josiah Plank is certain he’ll never love again, but he needs someone to care for his deaf eight-year-old daughter, Hannah. The two take on their arrangement tentatively at first but soon realize they are each in for more than they imagined. After a short time, Lindie experiences a breakthrough with Hannah when she recognizes the child’s special gifts, but a risky pregnancy and serious health issues threaten to demolish the foundation Josiah and Lindie are building—and the love that is growing between them.

Will their marriage survive their struggles, or will their hearts become as cold as the northern winter?

My Comments:

Sometimes it is tempting to idealize the life of the Amish.  It is easy to see them as a community focused on each other and on God.  What could be more perfect here on earth?  Unfortunately for them, they are as human as we are.  While Jesus welcomed repentant sinners, this book shows that Amish (and face it, many other observant Christians) do not, particularly when there is permanent evidence of that sin (such as an illegitimate child).  

Lindie needed a new start, Josiah needed wife, though he didn't want one.  They agree to marry, and, not surprisingly, fall in love.  

I enjoyed the story and enjoyed seeing Lindie and Josiah develop a relationship despite themselves.  

I don't know where I got the impression that Ruth Reid's "niche" in the Amish fiction world is stories with a supernatural element, but it is something I knew when I selected this book and Hannah in this book has a gift that isn't normal.  It is presented as having come from God and is used for good, but it definitely isn't the usual answer to a prayer.  

In short, this is an enjoyable Amish romance.  Grade:  B. 

I'd like to thank the folks at Litfuse for providing a review copy of this book.  You can see the links of other reviewers here.  You can see Ruth Reid's website here.

A Miracle of Hope is the first book in Ruth Reid's new series, Amish Wonders, and she is celebrating the release with a Kindle HDX Giveaway and an Author Chat Facebook Party!

One winner will receive:

• A Kindle Fire HDX
• A Miracle of Hope by Ruth Reid

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on February 11th. Winner will be announced at the A Miracle of Hope Facebook Party on February 11th. Connect with Ruth for an evening of book chat, trivia, laughter, prizes, and more!

So grab your copy of A Miracle of Hope and join Ruth and friends on the evening of February 11th for a chance to connect and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the book, don't let that stop you from coming!)

Don't miss a moment of the fun; RSVP today. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 11th!

Review: The Promise of An Angel

The Promise of an Angel (A Heaven On Earth Novel)

About the Book:

Interrupting the ordered routine of the Mecosta County Amish settlement, an angelic visitor awakens Judith to a new faith. 
All Judith Fischer ever wanted is to marry within her community and raise a family. She longs for the day when her parents will allow Levi Plank to officially court her. But on the day Judith suspects Levi will ask her parent's permission, her younger brother Samuel has an accident under her charge. Rushing to Samuel's aid, Judith spies a strange man helping him; a man she later believes was an angel.  As her community slowly distances themselves, only one person is willing to stand up for her―the bishop's son, Andrew Lapp. But can he convince the settlement to listen to her? With a show of faith that flies in the face of her conservative upbringing, can Judith hold strong to the promise that there are even greater things in store for those who believe in God's miracles?  When she shares her conviction with her family and close friends, she is shocked to find that no one believes her, including Levi. In the days following the accident, the angel visits Judith with information that may guide her down the path of faith, should she choose to follow.  

My Comments:

I got about halfway through this book and had figured out what was going to happen.  I was going to abandon  the book as it just wasn't holding my interest--somehow I never really connected with Judith, Levi, or Andrew--but I Googled it and found several positive reviews so I stuck it out.  My opinion didn't change, but at least now you know some folks did like it.  Grade:  C

I'd like to thank the publisher for making a review copy available via NetGalley.