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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.
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Releasing Tomorrow, September 1!”A Lancaster Amish Christmas”
My very first novella is part of this fun collection!
About the Book:
Christmas Is Simply a Time for Love
Enjoy a simple Amish Christmas in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, that is sweetened by second chances, trimmed in love, and wrapped in faith.
Four Novellas set in Pennsylvania Amish Country from four of your Favorite Authors of Amish Romance!Lucy’s Christmas Sunbeam by Anne Blackburne
When her parents suddenly died, Lucy stepped into the mother role for her infant sister with Down’s Syndrome. But Lucy’s boyfriend wasn’t interested in a readymade family. Living in the dawdi house on her brother’s farm, Lucy is happy with life–until she literally runs into the hardware store owner and desire for romance returns.
A Bird-in-Hand Christmas by Amy Clipston
After learning her boyfriend Wyatt was seeing someone else, Makayla moved across state and married. Recently widowed, she visits her parents for Christmas, only to find that Wyatt is still single and working for her father. When her five-year-old son instantly bonds with Wyatt, Makayla starts to hope for a second chance at love.
Christmas Lily by Amy Lillard
Seven-year-old Jacob Bontrager is working hard to help his lonely widower father find love again. He believes his pretty new teacher who has just moved to the community is perfect, but none of his matchmaking works until a snowstorm strands Lily Kate Troyer at the Bontrager farm. Could God and nature be on Jacob’s side?
Leaving Lancaster by Mindy Steele
The Wicky sisters didn’t expect their father to sell their thriving deer farm with plans to move them to the deep woods of Kentucky. Always obedient Louise fears for her growing jam business. Beth cannot wait to start a new adventure in a new place, while her twin, Leah, is running out of time for her own happy-ever-after.
They have only one Christmas left in Lancaster. Can three sisters forge the perfect plan to ensure Leah gets the Christmas wish she has longed for or will God deliver a Christmas miracle for all three?
Available tomorrow in digital and print wherever you buy fine books! Available now for Kindle on Amazon.com. I can’t wait for you to read these wonderful, feel-good stories! Enjoy!
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Book Review: Serenity’s Secret
“Serenity’s Secret” is the next book coming from Barbour Publishing in “The Heart of the Amish” series!
Exactly what I’d expect from Lisa Jones Baker, one of my ‘sister authors’ in this wonderful new series from Barbour.
Serenity Miller is back, and this time she’s here to tell us her story!
Popular Amish romance author Lisa Jones Baker has penned another gripping tale from Barbour’s “Heart of the Amish” series, “Serenity’s Secret”.
We first met Serenity Miller in Lisa’s previous “Heart of the Amish” book, “The Quilt Room Secret”, as a secondary character. But now it’s time for this lovely young woman to shine in her own story!
The owner of The Pink Petal flower shop in Arthur, Illinois, Serenity’s life is just the way she likes it – almost.
She does have one big secret – a heartbreaking secret that will prevent her from ever marrying and having a family of her own; or so she believes. She’s convinced herself she doesn’t mind so much – that is until her feelings for her helpful neighbor, Stephen Lantz, start to grow and change.
Then he saves her from serious harm after she is attacked by trespassers on her property, and she finds herself moving him from the ‘interesting neighbor’ category into the ‘handsome hero’ category.
That’s when her secret becomes a whole lot harder to stomach, and to hide from Stephen. But what can she do?
On one hand, how can Serenity lead her handsome and likable neighbor on, knowing they can have no future together, especially when she learns of Stephan’s long-held dreams for the his future life?
On the other hand, how can she let him walk away when her heart is telling her to hold on tight!
Sis yuscht! What a dilemma!
When her attackers return for another attempt at what they’re seeking, Serenity’s very life will be at stake. Will Stephen show up again to save the day?
Read “Serenity’s Secret”, releasing October 1 from Barbour Publishing, to find out!
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My Favorite Review Ever
Did you know that authors depend upon good reviews to help sell their books? It may seem obvious; good reviews may convince individuals to purchase books, but they also move books up in rankings in various sales venues, and can even help get an author onto a best seller list.
This is why you may have seen authors ask their readers to take a few minutes to post a review if they enjoyed a book. It doesn’t need to be long. Simply saying, “I loved this book!” and giving it 4 or 5 stars will help out your favorite authors.
Of course, all authors dread getting the other kind of reviews; negative ones posted by people who did NOT like their book.
Generally speaking, negative reviews should not be posted simply because you didn’t enjoy a story that was well written and correctly presented.
What I mean is, if a story is advertised as being “spicy”, and you prefer to read books that are “clean” or “cozy”, meaning no sexual content, overt violence, cussing, etc., then it’s not the author’s fault that you picked up their clearly labeled book, were shocked by the content, and hated the book. It wouldn’t be fair in that case to give the author a bad review. Instead, just walk away. Leave no review. Move on to another book more to your taste.
On the other hand, if a book is full of sexy scenes after being promoted by the author as being Christian romance or a cozy mystery – both of which are understood NOT to contain spice – one might suspect intentional misrepresentation, and that’s reason for a poor review. Or if a book is just a hot mess – as if the author didn’t even bother to try and eliminate typos, grammatical errors, spelling errors or worse, major plot issues, that could be a reason for a poor review.
But even then, a 3-star rating (out of five) is punishment enough for most author errors. One-or-two-star ratings are just unnecessary; and sometimes downright mean!
A one-star rating can crush an author’s spirit, making him second guess his ability to write and whether he should just give up and pack it in. You can see why leaving such a review requires some very careful thought. Author egos are fragile enough as it is!
But I recently received a one-star rating that I simply had to laugh at. I won’t reveal the poster’s name or even where the review was posted, but I’ll share what they wrote in a review of my recent release, “Mary’s Calico Hope”, from Barbour Publishing’s Heart of the Amish series:
Subject Line: Too expensive!
Review: Have not read it. Not going to read it though I really want to. I can’t believe it costs $11.50 for 258 pages.
That’s it! This person left a one-star review for my book, and hadn’t even read it!
A major rule for authors is to never, never engage with readers about their reviews. All an author can accomplish by taking this road is to create bad feelings and lose readers. Worst case, it could end their writing career.
In fact, conventional wisdom holds that the smartest thing an author can do is to avoid looking at their reviews. Obviously, I didn’t follow that to the letter of the law. But I don’t make a habit of reading reviews. Sometimes someone has something less than lovely to say, and if you see it, that’s your own fault.
I was looking at performance ratings on a website, and it was just THERE. So I read it. And I’m glad I did, because it’s just ridiculous, and gave me the idea for this article.
I just shook my head and laughed at this review. But if I were to talk with this person, I’d inform them that I don’t set the prices for my books. Also, the going price is closer to $15 . . . $11.50 was a sale price. Lol. And finally, why don’t they just get a library card and read it for free?
A word about pricing: If I pay $15 or even more for a book I want, I look at it like this – I’ll be getting up to 10 hours of entertainment for that money. Viewed that way, it’s a bargain! Also, consider the hundreds of hours the author spent writing, rewriting, proofing, editing and marketing the book. Then consider that most authors receive rather modest advances – or none at all if they are self-published. And that most authors never earn out their advance, meaning they never get more money for their books.
At that point, maybe you’ll agree that that $15, or in this case, $11.50, was pretty fair.
In any case, please do leave reviews for books you enjoy. If you didn’t like a book, think carefully about why before slamming an author with a one or two star review.
The ego you save may be mine!
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I’m Taking over the KUWTA Page Saturday!
Saturday, July 6, I’ll be running the Keeping up with the Amish Facebook page, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
It’s going to be a day full of fun!~ Here’s what you can expect:
- Mini-Muffin Book Promos of other Amish authors, by Miss Muffet, my rescued former-dog-toy cinnamon roll, throughout the day! She’ll be sharing current or soon-to-release books by some of your (and mine!) favorite authors of Amish romance!
- A give-away of a brand new tiny painting of the kitty from my next book in The Heart of the Amish, “Lizzie’s Little Mouse”, which will release from Barbour on April 1, 2025! To win, you just need to give me your email so I can include you in my monthly newsletters. If you’re already done that, just do it again and tell me so.
- Information on where I’ll be doing book signings and author events in the coming months.
- I’ll share one of my favorite recipes – my summer go-to! And it will be featured in my next book! Hint: It involves cherry pie filling!
- I’ll tell you a little about my novella, “Lucy’s Christmas Sunbeam”, which will be releasing in September as part of a collection with some of your – and my! – favorite Amish authors!
- I’ll share a scene from my new release, “Mary’s Calico Hope”, book five from Barbour’s Heart of the Amish series.
- I’ll answer reader questions throughout the day. Ask me anything within reason.
- At the end of the day, I’ll reveal the gorgeous new cover for “Lizzie’s Little Mouse” and choose the winner of the tiny painting of Little Mouse, Lizzie’s cat!
- Other fun things as they occur to me. See you tomorrow!
Anne Blackburne
Amish Stories
