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Come See Me in Holmes County this October!
You’re Invited to the Amish Readers Retreat!
I’ll be there along with at least nine other authors of Amish romance/Amish suspense/ and Amish cozy mysteries!
I’m thrilled to share something truly special with you—the Amish Readers Retreat: Books, Bakes, and Buggies, taking place this October 3rd & 4th in the stunning Amish countryside of Millersburg, Ohio. We’ve designed this day to celebrate YOU, our beloved readers, for your passionate support and love for the stories we create.
PLEASE NOTE: You will be responsible for securing your own accommodation. A list will be provided at registration as well as information on payment.
Deadline to Register is September 1
This retreat is all about celebrating you… our cherished reader community. It’s our way of saying thank you and providing an unforgettable experience tailored to your interests and love of reading.
We’re looking forward to spoiling you with a day filled with books, fellowship, and fun!
See the fliers for more information on this fresh event, and for a list of participating authors.
I hope to see you in October! My fellow authors and I can’t wait to spoil our readers! I even bought a brand new apron so I can be ready to serve you lunch! Guess what’s on it? Cats, of course!
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Engaging Tale of Love and Hope overcoming Fear and Dread!
I recently had the pleasure of meeting an author I’ve been chatting with via email for a while, Joanne Lehman, when I went to her book launch party in Kidron, Ohio, near Sugarcreek a few weeks ago. Joanne has previously published a novel and several award-winning books of her poetry, but “Leah’s Faith” is her first Amish romance.
Joanne’s publisher sent me a copy to review, and I was captivated from the beginning.
Leah, inflicted with serious and progressing scoliosis since childhood, has accepted the fact that as a young Amish woman facing a physical disability that makes it hard for her to carry a ‘normal’ workload, it is unlikely that she will marry and have a family. Her family loves her, but treats her differently from their other children, out of fear for her health. Her Amish faith lets her see the situation as being God’s will; but while she accepts her fate, she secretly wishes she could live a ‘normal’ life, with normal goals and dreams. Then hope arises unexpectedly in the form of spine surgeon who offers to help her at a huge discount. Has God sent her a way to achieve her dreams? Will she seize this opportunity? Will her family be able to afford the cost? When she is offered a summer position as a nanny to the doctor’s two adorable children, she finds the courage to take the first step, moving to Cleveland where she can more conveniently undergo the medical tests necessary to determine whether she is a good candidate for corrective surgery. And then she begins a correspondence with a boy she has been friends with since her school days, giving rise to a different kind of hope. With God’s help, and the love and support of family and friends, old and new, Leah faces her fears and embraces hope. Joanne Lehman’s new book, the first in a trilogy, was very engaging and well-researched. I look forward to the next installment in the series! (I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. My opinions are my own, and uncoerced.)
If you’d like to meet Joanne in person and purchase a signed copy of her book, she’ll be at Kern’s Garden Center and Christian Bookstore’s spring open house and book signing from 10-4 on Saturday, April 12. Kerns is located near Akron. The address is 2438 Canton Rd, Akron, OH 44312. I’ll be there, too, with my new book, “Lizzie’s Little Mouse“, which releases officially Tuesday, April 1 – but I hear pre-orders are already arriving at peoples’ homes.
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Lizzie’s Little Mouse Releases April 1!
No Foolin’!
In just about a month, my third book in Barbour Publishing’s “Heart of the Amish” series, “Lizzie’s Little Mouse”, releases in print, audio book and ebook.
That means it will be available from Amazon on Kindle in just about two weeks, on March 15.
I just love this story, because Barbour let me put a little cozy mystery in it!
You may remember Elizabeth Miller, a good friend of Ruth and Mary from my first two books. She was one of the eight young, single Amish woman gifted with a kitten from their elderly friend Lydia’s cat’s last litter.
Elizabeth, or Lizzie, got a tiny gray kitten that reminded her of a little mouse. So she named the baby Petit Souris, which is French for Little Mouse.
Lizzie loves everything to do with New Orleans, and it’s been her goal since she was 15 and attended a wedding there to open her very own New Orleans style French bakery in Ohio’s Amish country.
Read her story to see how she pulls this off; and to find out who is trying to shut her down – from day one!
You’ll get to catch up with Ruth and Jonah from “Ruth’s Ginger Snap Surprise”; Mary and Reuben and Abby from “Mary’s Calico Hope”; and you’ll see how the bishop and Lydia are doing. Is there something brewing between them?
Available now for pre-order wherever you purchase your fine Amish and Christian romances!
If you like my stories, please leave me a little review wherever you please; you don’t have to say a lot! It really helps authors to get lots of good reviews. (If you don’t like it, just walk away! Lol)
Thanks so much for being part of my writing journey!
Love,
Anne -
Introducing Little Mouse!
My newest plush indulgence!
If you’ve been following me during the year since I published my first story, “Ruth’s Ginger Snap Surprise”, then you know that all my heroines have adorable kittens they got from their mutual friend Lydia.
I was joking with my daughter earlier that I’m really just using these stories for excuses to purchase plush kitties!
It’s possible. I do like plushies, and there’s a part of me that secretly thinks adults shouldn’t have many. Sure, I’ve got Jingles, the little teddy bear my grandmother Nina gave me when I was a baby, and Mr. Turtle, a very threadbare fellow dating back to my toddler years. Possibly one or two — or three — others.
The thing is, I really love them. I bought tons of stuffed animals for my kids when they were young. Museum gift shops were danger zones filled with expensive temptation. And have you ever seen a Folkmanis puppet? So realistic and adorable! Now they have Squishables, and Squishmallows…I want them all. But I generally resist, and buy them for others.
But when I published my first book, “Ruth’s Ginger Snap Surprise” last year, I decided a stuffed orange kitten was just what I needed. After all, readers at author events and book signings love seeing him. I justified it as a smart business move. Heh heh.
Of course, when “Mary’s Calico Hope” released in June I had to have a calico kitty, too!
And then came the day I opened my dog’s Bark Box and found Miss Muffet waiting inside; a stuffed cinnamon roll who now has her own stuffed kayak!
I guess I may have a plushie problem. If I publish enough books, I’m going to need a bigger house.
But that’s a problem for future Anne. Today my newest plushie arrived. Meet Little Mouse! And look at her little donut! It’s perfect, since Little Mouse’s owner, Lizzie Miller, has a bakery. I can’t believe I found the perfect kitten.
You can meet Lizzie and Little Mouse for yourself when the book releases from Barbour on April 1.
And if you haven’t read “Ruth’s Gingersnap Surprise” or “Mary’s Calico Hope”, you have time to check those off of your ‘to read’ list before Lizzie’s story comes out. You’ll meet each of my book heroines in the previous books in my Willow Creek series, part of Barbour’s Heart of the Amish series!
I’m writing my fourth, “Plain Jane’s Secret Admirer”, now. It will release next winter.
My books are available on Amazon.com, from the publisher (often the cheapest price!) at Barbourbooks.com, Walmart.com, Target.com, and from Books-a-Million in person and online, some Barnes & Nobles in person, and online, and wherever you purchase quality Christian fiction!
Let’s not forget your public library, where you can borrow them for free!
I’m hoping to find one in a tiny library one day. I think when that happens, I’ll really have ‘arrived’!
Please leave a review for me wherever you like; a few words will suffice. And if you were to like me on Facebook, that would be a help, too. Have a wonderful, blessed day!
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Time to Read Christmas Stories!
Your Perfect Christmas Read is Just a Click Away!
Get ready to cozy up this holiday season with Christmas Roundup—a heartwarming collection of wintry sweet romances from some of your favorite Amish and Sweet Romance authors. Whether you’re looking for tales of second chances, unexpected love, or the magic of Christmas miracles, these enchanting stories will whisk you away to charming towns and snow-dusted Amish communities, where love, faith, and the spirit of the season fill the air. Grab a cup of hot cocoa, settle in by the fire, and let these festive tales warm your heart!
NEW THIS YEAR!
An Amish Christmas Table: Four Amish Christmas Sweet Romance Stories
Mindy Steele, Rachel J. Good, Jennifer Beckstrand, Tracy FredrychowskiEscape to the peaceful charm of Amish country this Christmas with An Amish Christmas Table, a heartwarming collection of four sweet romance stories filled with love, faith, and family. From unexpected holiday surprises to the beauty of forgiveness and second chances, these enchanting tales by Mindy Steele, Rachel J. Good, Jennifer Beckstrand, and Tracy Fredrychowski are sure to fill your heart with warmth this holiday season.
A Stolen Kiss: Volume 7 (The Heart of the Amish)
Mindy SteeleIn A Stolen Kiss, LeEtta Miller’s impulsive kiss with a stranger leads to an unexpected marriage, turning both their lives upside down. Benuel Ropp, determined to restore his reputation, finds himself tied to a bold woman he barely knows—sparking a journey of faith, forgiveness, and unexpected love in the heart of Amish country.
Unlikely Suitor: An Amish Christmas Story
Jennifer SpredemannIn Unlikely Suitor, Jaycee Parker, now determined to be seen as “Jace,” is ready to step into manhood when he meets Lauren, a woman with a past she’s trying to heal. As they grow closer, Christmas brings them unexpected love, and they soon discover that the greatest miracle of all might just be finding each other.
Meddling with Mistletoe
Liz JohnsonIn Meddling with Mistletoe, aspiring chef Whitney Garrett juggles baking pies and running the kitchen at the Red Door Inn in exchange for using their oven—but things heat up when she’s roped into a holiday matchmaking scheme for Daniel, the innkeeper’s charming nephew. As Whitney navigates her culinary dreams and unexpected romance, she might just discover that she’s the perfect recipe for Daniel’s heart.
The Christmas Gathering
Shelley Shepard Gray, Rachel J. Good, Lenora WorthThe Christmas Gathering brings together three heartwarming Amish tales of love, forgiveness, and second chances. In Shelley Shepard Gray’s A Christmas Reunion, sparks fly when Tricia Troyer reconnects with an English friend at her family’s holiday gathering. In Lenora Worth’s We Gather Together, a long-standing family feud threatens to keep two hearts apart, but forgiveness may lead to a Christmas miracle. And in Rachel J. Good’s Hitting All the Right Notes, a musician finds unexpected love and healing just in time for the holidays.
A Lancaster Amish Christmas: 4 Romance Novellas
Anne Blackburne, Amy Clipston, Amy Lillard, Mindy SteeleIn A Lancaster Amish Christmas, enjoy the simple beauty of an Amish Christmas in Lancaster County, where second chances and faith-filled romances take center stage. From rekindled love to unexpected holiday miracles, these heartwarming stories will remind you that Christmas is a time for hope, love, and new beginnings.
Mistletoe Season: Three Christmas Stories
Kathleen Fuller, Sheila Roberts, Pepper BashamIn Say No to Mistletoe, Return to Mistletoe, and The Mistletoe Prince, three charming holiday stories unfold as Hailey, Emmy, and Prince Arran navigate romance, second chances, and self-discovery under the magic of mistletoe. From love gone wrong to love rekindled, this heartwarming collection reminds us that Christmas miracles can happen when we least expect them.
A Christmas Gift of Grace: An Amish Holiday Romance
Sylvia PriceIn A Christmas Gift of Grace, Isaac and Mary Fisher, grieving the loss of their daughter, find their once-happy home clouded by sorrow as Christmas approaches. But with the arrival of Levi Miller, a young man seeking refuge, and Hannah Weaver, a spirited baker, hope begins to flicker in their lives. Against the backdrop of twinkling lights and holiday traditions, this heartwarming tale of love, healing, and second chances reminds us that even in the darkest moments, the spirit of Christmas can restore joy and bring new beginnings.
Heart of Faith – Hearts of the West
Tracey J. LyonsIn Heart of Faith, bake shop owner Amy Montgomery is determined to give two orphaned boys left behind by the Orphan Train a family for Christmas. To do so, she must convince former Pinkerton agent John Oliver to marry her—but with danger looming, John realizes that helping Amy may be the only way to save the boys and grant her Christmas wish for a true family.
The Christmas Tree Farm: A Sweet Second-Chance Holiday Romance
Melody CarlsonIn The Christmas Tree Farm, Madison McDowell is determined to save her family’s Christmas tree farm from being sold, but standing in her way is her old boyfriend, who owns the neighboring farms and has plans of his own. As the holidays approach, Madison must fight for the farm—and perhaps for a second chance at love.
Snowbound on Skye
Kate LloydIn Snowbound on Skye, Denny Campbell’s world is unraveling, but a reluctant trip to the breathtaking Isle of Skye with her celebrity chef sister offers her an unexpected chance at love and renewal. Trapped by a snowstorm in a remote hotel, Denny must confront her past and embrace the possibility of a new beginning amidst Scotland’s enchanting landscape.
Christmas at Sugar Plum Manor: An Inspirational Historical Holiday Romance
Roseanna M. WhiteIn Christmas at Sugar Plum Manor, Lady Mariah’s estranged childhood friend returns as the heir to her family estate, rekindling their old bond just in time for the holidays. As the Christmas season unfolds, Mariah finds herself caught between her growing feelings for him and the attentions of a charming Danish lord, sparking hope for a festive romance.
The Christmas Catch: A Sweet Holiday Novella
Toni ShilohIn The Christmas Catch, former NFL star Jahleel Walker returns home for the holidays and reconnects with his high school sweetheart, Bebe Gordon. With their chemistry still undeniable, they must decide whether to risk their hearts once more or let love slip away this Christmas.
CHRISTMAS CLASSICS
An Amish Christmas at the Apple Blossom Inn: An Amish Christmas Novel
Debra Torres, Tracy FredrychowskiIn An Amish Christmas at Apple Blossom Inn, orphaned sisters Sadie and Katie Beiler face the heartbreaking possibility of losing their home—and each other—just before Christmas. As they work at the Apple Blossom Inn to make ends meet, Sadie teams up with a kind maintenance worker to save the family, while Katie embarks on a journey to uncover secrets from the past. Can they bring the joy of Christmas back to their family and to Willow Springs?
Home for an Amish Christmas: Amish Dreams on Prince Edward Island, Book 4
Amy GrochowskiIn Home for an Amish Christmas, Mark Beller returns to his Amish roots on Prince Edward Island after seven years in the Royal Canadian Air Force, seeking peace and redemption. But when he encounters the love he left behind, he must confront his past and embrace a second chance at a “beauty from ashes” love story filled with faith, hope, and family.
Shelter in the Storm: (A Johns Mill Amish Romance)
Laurel BlountIn Shelter in the Storm, tragedy strikes the Amish community of Johns Mill, leaving Joseph Hochstedler struggling to keep his family together. Amidst the heartache, childhood friend Naomi Schrock offers her unwavering support, but as they lean on each other for comfort, Naomi dares to hope that their friendship might blossom into love—if they can find the courage to trust again.
First Christmas on Huckleberry Hill
Jennifer BeckstrandIn First Christmas on Huckleberry Hill, USA Today bestselling author Jennifer Beckstrand takes readers back to 1952 for Anna and Felty Helmuth’s heartwarming love story. Before they became the beloved matchmakers of Huckleberry Hill, young Anna and Felty faced seemingly impossible odds—but with faith, humor, and a little Christmas magic, they discovered they were the perfect match all along.
The Men of Amish Fiction Present A Christmas Collection
Willard Carpenter, Patrick E, Craig, Jerry Eicher, Thomas Nye, Murray Pura, Amos WyseA Christmas Collection is a heartwarming collection of stories about Amish men and women navigating both the challenges and joys of the holiday season. Each tale, as unique as the authors who wrote them, offers hope, renewed faith, and the light of Christmas to inspire and uplift every reader.
Christmas at the Amish Bakeshop
Loree Lough, Rachel J. Good, Shelley Shepard GrayIn Christmas at the Amish Bakeshop, USA Today bestselling authors Shelley Shepard Gray, Rachel J. Good, and Loree Lough whisk readers into the heart of a charming Amish bakeshop, where faith, hope, and the magic of the season bring unexpected love. As Christmas approaches, three couples discover that the sweetest blessings often come from the most heartfelt traditions.
Snowbound Amish Christmas
Jo Ann BrownIn Snowbound Amish Christmas, Kirsten Petersheim, determined to focus on her new cleaning business after being left at the altar, is caught off guard when her handsome client, Mark Yutzy, asks for her help with his troubled brother. As the holidays bring them closer, Kirsten must decide if she’s ready to risk her heart and embrace love again.
The Amish Cowboy’s Christmas: An Amish Girl Next Door Romance
Adina SenftIn The Amish Cowboy’s Christmas, Reuben Miller hopes to court his childhood friend Naomi Glick, but with another suitor in the picture and a trip to Lancaster County looming, time is running out. As a harsh Montana winter sets in, Reuben must find the courage to win Naomi’s heart—hoping for a Christmas miracle to make her see he’s the right man for her.
The Amish Gift of the Magi: A Christmas Novella
Ashley EmmaIn The Amish Gift of the Magi, newlyweds Clara and Willis face financial struggles as they secretly plan to surprise each other with the perfect Christmas gift. With both dreaming of meaningful presents they can barely afford, they’ll need more than love to make this holiday special—it just might take a Christmas miracle.
The Forgiveness Quilt: An Amish Christmas Carol
J. Willis SandersIn The Forgiveness Quilt, elderly Amish woman Ruth Raber is haunted by memories of lost love and missed chances every Christmas. But when she’s invited to a community gathering on Christmas Eve, a lesson from her late mother and the kindness woven into her quilts might just help her find healing and forgiveness, echoing the timeless themes of A Christmas Carol.
The Orphans’ Amish Christmas: A Willow Springs Amish Mystery Novella
Tracy FredrychowskiIn The Orphans’ Amish Christmas, Lydia Troyer and Aaron Shetler team up with Detective Lewis Powers to solve the mystery of stolen presents and a missing Amish businessman just before the holidays. With the town’s Christmas spirit on the line, they must race against time—along with a special dog named Yankee—to bring hope and joy back to the Willow Springs Children’s Home.
Wishing you a season filled with sweet moments and heartwarming stories from some of your favorite Amish and Sweet Romance authors!
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Post Show Let-down!
It’s a thing!
Something I do to have fun when I’m not writing or working at my day job as a newspaper editor is direct and act in community theater productions.
I’ve loved being on stage, pretending to be someone else, since first grade when I played a Cookie Child in an elementary school production of “Hansel & Gretel”.
My next opportunity came in fifth grade, when I was one of the Ladies of the Beautification Society in a production of “The Saga of Dead Dog Gulch”. I can still sing the song! You can ask next time we meet.
Fast forward to high school and college, and I was either in or working behind the scenes of every show I could, which usually meant twice a year.
Years later, after I was married and had children of my own I got back into community theater, with my kids for many years, and then by myself. I played parts large and small in shows such as “Carousel”, “The Sound of Music”, “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers”, “Annie”, “The Little Mermaid”, “Shrek”, “Beauty & The Beast”, “Nunsense”, “Mama Mia”, “Mary Poppins”, and many more. I also spent years playing all kinds of parts in a local outdoor drama depicting the Passion of the Christ, called “The Living Word”. I loved every minute of all of it!
Eventually I decided to learn to produce shows, and then to direct. Now I direct (and sometimes) produce at least one play per year, often playing a part as well.
It’s my playground! I love it. One of the things I enjoy most is providing a safe place for people young and old to come have fun. It’s a non-judgmental space open to people of all kinds, where it doesn’t matter what religion you are, or what political party you belong to, or what race you are, or what socio-economic group you come from, or anything else.
I just finished a production of “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown”, in which I played the crabby Lucy VanPelt. What a fun part in a show full of challenging, amazing music! The best part of this show, in my opinion, is that it consisted of a mostly senior-citizen cast. The joke where Linus tells Charlie Brown that it is his grandfather’s birthday, and marvels that at 63 years old his grandfather is still alive, was especially amusing since the Linus delivering the line is himself 65.
Yesterday was our final show, and for the first time since mid-August, I don’t have to go to play practice three or more times per week.
The show came at a good time for me. As many of you know, I lost my oldest child to a long-term illness in late July. It was good for me to have something to do. And the small cast show full of people who have grown to be my friends over many years of doing theater together, and my brother, who played Charlie Brown, was just what I needed.
If I was having a tough day, they didn’t judge. And everyone was so experienced they all helped this show along. I wasn’t left to direct it all by myself. As always when I do a musical, I have someone much more qualified run music rehearsals ( in this case, a wonderful woman who also conducts our live orchestra), and teach choreography. I am NOT a good choreographer, and I am NOT a good dance teacher.
So I have to credit the whole cast and my music and dance folks for sort of running this particular show by committee. I’m usually a very decisive director who doesn’t need much input from others. That was NOT the case this time.
I’m blessed to have such amazing people to work with.
At the beginning of this post I mentioned Post Show Let-Down. To explain, whenever a show closes out, the first thing I feel is relief. I have my life back!
This is followed by something commonly known in the community theater world as post show let down, or post show depression. It’s a real thing, where actors feel suddenly bereft because the social whirl of putting on a show is over, and suddenly they aren’t seeing the people they’ve spent so many hours with over the last several months.
It generally lasts about two weeks, at least for me. Coming into this holiday season, the first without my oldest daughter, will be difficult. I’m glad I had this show and these friends to help me up to this point.
Now I must forge ahead in healing with my family, and by myself. It’ll be okay. I’m blessed with a wonderful, supportive family; with amazing friends; with a terrific church community; with excellent co-workers. But still, I think Thanksgiving and Christmas will be tough. A lot of “firsts” to get through in the year after losing someone dear.
But I just signed a new book contract, and I have to write a play this winter that I will direct and act in next fall. So, life goes on.
Post show let-down is a thing, but all actors know it’ll pass soon enough. And there’s always another play coming up! If you’re looking for a wonderful hobby that will bring you out of your shell and introduce you to many new people, community theater could be right for you.
Don’t want to get on stage? No problem. All theaters are looking for people who like to work behind the scenes building sets, sewing costumes, painting scenes, running tech, organizing props, etc.
Trying to find a community theater? In Ohio, we have the Ohio Community Theater Association. I’m willing to bet most states have one. Check Facebook. You can just type ‘community theater’ into the search bar, and see what pops up.
As we say in the theater, break a leg!
The largely senior cast from “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown”. I’m in the center in the blue dress, playing Lucy. 
My brother, Alex, as Charlie Brown, and me as Lucy. -
A Stolen Kiss is Coming From Barbour December 1!
Mindy Steele has penned the next release from Barbour’s “Heart of the Amish” series, “A Stolen Kiss“.
My review was too long, and I had to cut it considerably for it to be used as a book endorsement. But it’s the perfect length to be a book review! Here’s what I thought:
Another Wonderful Story of Love and Faith from Mindy Steele!
What happens when you kiss a boy you barely know, just so your friends can’t say you never have? And what happens if another boy, one who has a crush on you that you do not return, happens to witness that kiss?
That’s what LeEtta Miller finds out the hard way in Mindy Steele’s wonderful new Amish romance from Barbour’s Heart of the Amish series, “A Stolen Kiss”.
I was honored to be asked to read it early and give Mindy an endorsement. It was my very first time being asked by a fellow author to endorse her book!
And what if you’re the unwitting – but not unwilling! – recipient of that stolen kiss? You knew better, but her sweet, freely offered lips were right there! And what if you happen to have arrived in this new community, determined to prove yourself to be an honorable, trustworthy fellow, only to be caught in the gossamer web of a stolen kiss? That’s what Ben Ropp finds out the hard way after enjoying a lovely, innocent few moments in the sunshine with LeEtta Miller one fine day.
But what if all of these lessons learned were really opportunities offered up by a loving God, and led to a happy ever after for all concerned?
That’s what you’ll have to find out by reading this five-star romance from one of the most beloved authors in the genre, Mindy Steele.
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A Lancaster Amish Christmas is a Best Seller!
Yesterday I heard the thrilling news that my newest story, “Lucy’s Christmas Sunbeam”, is part of a BEST SELLING collection of cozy Amish Christmas romances!
The story is part of the book, “A Lancaster Amish Christmas”, which released from Barbour Publishing September 1, and yesterday it was named #16 on the ECPA Christian Fiction Best Seller list for October!
I’m going to be straight with you; my story is really fun, and I loved writing about Lucy and her baby sister, Millie, whom she is determined to raise despite the fact that she’s single and only 18 when the baby is born.
BUT . . . I figure that the success of the book is due to the fact that the other three authors, Amy Clipston, Mindy Steel and Amy Lillard, are all very popular and well-known authors. I won the lottery when I was offered the chance to have my story included with theirs!
Woo hoo! I’ll take it! Whatever the reason the book made the best seller list, I’m simply thrilled – like, dancing around the room thrilled!
It’s such a good feeling to have all that hard work affirmed. People like my story! I’m still new enough, not quite a year into this writing journey, to need to know that. Heck, that may always be the case.
Even though I write fiction, there is a part of me in each story, and in each character.
So it’s nice to know my efforts are appreciated! Each of the four novellas in the book are 25,000 words long, so the readers are getting a bang for their buck!
If you haven’t yet read this book, and my story, let me know what you think when you do! And please leave a review anywhere and everywhere you like if you have a few minutes. It doesn’t have to be much . . . a five star rating and the words – I couldn’t put it down! – will do! Lol.
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Miss Muffet’s New Kayak has Arrived!
Miss Muffet, the rescued cinnamon roll dog toy who has become author Anne Blackburne’s buddy and fellow voyager, was so impressed by Anne’s new foldable kayak that she wanted a kayak all her own.
So Anne ordered her the Bark 5000 kayak, complete with squeaky function and extra crinkliness. Miss Muffet waited impatiently until the tidy little craft arrived.
She wasted no time unboxing it and getting it out on the lake. As you see here in this unretouched photo, she is paddling (we assume, since she has no arms) slightly turbulent waters with a threatening looking sky in the distance.
Be careful, Miss Muffet! Where’s your life jacket??
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An Amish Christmas Table
New, from Four Beloved Authors of Amish Romance:
“An Amish Christmas Table”
Releasing October 14:
An Ideal Christmas by Mindy Steele
Gathered Around Love’s Table by Rachel J. Good
Trouble at the Christmas Table by Jennifer Beckstrand
Love Beneath the Pine by Tracy FredrychowskiStep into the cozy, snow-kissed world of Amish country with a collection of heartwarming Christmas stories by four of your favorite Amish storytellers. This holiday season, let the spirit of love, family, and faith fill your heart with these enchanting tales:
An Ideal Christmas by Mindy Steele
Ina Graber has decided on the perfect Christmas gift for her sister, Lavina, and she knows exactly who needs to build it. Now if she can only convince her childhood crush to help her when he doesn’t even know she exists.
Orders are piling up on local furniture maker and widower, Abner Fisher, but when a young woman from by a nearby community asks him to do the impossible, Abner discovers anything is possible this Christmas.
Gathered Around Love’s Table by Rachel J. Good
Miriam Lapp can’t bear to face a lonely Christmas table, which once held her large family, who’ve all gone to Pinecraft to care for her ill grandparents. Miriam has stayed behind to keep her rebellious seventeen-year-old brother, Abraham, out of trouble during Rumspringa. She decides to fill the seats at her holiday table with lonely and homeless people. Little does she know that this simple act of giving will lead her on a journey to warm her aching heart and provide healing for her brother.
One of her guests, Jerry Gingerich, has been struggling since he left the Amish. Reluctantly, he accepts her invitation, but the welcoming atmosphere and kindness he finds at the Lapp home begins to break through his walls. Miriam’s generosity becomes a beacon of hope to him as well as to the others she asks to share her table. But can Jerry open his heart completely, not just to the spirit of Christmas, but to the greatest gift of all – God’s love and forgiveness – so he can find healing, redemption, and love?
Trouble at the Christmas Table by Jennifer Beckstrand
Eleven-year-old twins Alfie and Benji Petersheim are in big trouble. They’re stuck in the cellar because intruder Zeke Hostetler is sleeping in their bedroom. Worse than that, Zeke is in love with their schoolteacher Sarah Zimmerman. But the worst part is Alfie and Benji accidentally put a long scratch in Mamm’s new kitchen table, and Mamm is going to be very angry when she sees it. Zeke Hostetler comes to the rescue and agrees to secretly fix the table if Alfie and Benji will help him woo Sarah Zimmerman. Unfortunately, if they help Zeke, they’ll lose their favoritest teacher in the world. But if Mamm sees that scratch, she’ll probably put them up for adoption or, worse, give them the spatula.
Alfie and Benji are going to need binoculars, walkie-talkies, three chickens, an unruly dog named Tintin, and a lot of luck to get themselves out of this mess.
Love Beneath the Pine by Tracy Fredrychowski
In the heart of Amish County, among the enchanting snow-covered landscape of Willow Springs, Hannah Schrock’s kitchen buzzes with activity and delightful aromas as Christmas approaches. Overwhelmed by her baking orders and devotion to her ailing grandmother, Hannah finds an unexpected ally in Isaac Kauffman, a gentle soul whose silent love for her has endured for years.
Isaac discovers an antique table in the barn. Even amidst Hannah’s refusal to help him, Isaac embarks on a journey to restore it, uncovering hidden secrets and heartwarming tales of its past owners along the way.
As the holiday season unfolds, Hannah and Isaac navigate a delicate balance between duty and desire, discovering that sometimes the sweetest surprises often emerge from the most unexpected places.
Anne Blackburne
Amish Stories
