A Simple Vow

It is International Jazz Day!  A day to celebrate jazz music, its history, and the musicians that play it.   This day was created in 1991 by D. Michael Denny, a musician and bandleader.  I happen to enjoy jazz.  If you have not listened to it before, give it a try today (you never know, you might enjoy it).  A place to enjoy good jazz is its birthplace in New Orleans, Louisiana.

A Simple Vow by Charlotte Hubbard is the first book in a Simple Gifts series.  In Willow Ridge the town is getting ready for the wedding of Ira Hooley and Millie Glick.  Edith Riehl steps out onto the front porch and hears people arguing.  Then she hears babies crying.  She goes to investigate and finds two babies.  Edith immediately picks them up and soothes them.  Will Gingerich was bringing the babies to the Riehl’s to see if they could take care of them for him.  His wife, Molly recently died from cancer leaving behind the six month old twins.  On her deathbed she said the name Asa.  Will found out that Molly was pregnant when she married him, but not by him.  Will is at his wit’s end and needs assistance while he takes care of funeral arrangements.  Edith happily takes in the twins without consulting her father.  Edith loves children, but Edith is unable to have her own kids (thanks to an infection from a burst appendix when she was a teenager).  Will was arguing with Asa Detweiler.  He is accusing Asa of getting his Molly in the family way.  Asa has never heard of Molly and denies the accusation.  Asa promises Edith to get to the bottom of the situation.  Asa is immediately drawn to Edith and does not want anything to stand in his way of courting her.  Who is the father of the twins?  Edith will have to contend with her penny pinching father who has not been in the best of moods since his wife passed away.  Also, Edith feels that someone is watching her.  Is she imagining it or is someone out there lurking?  Will things work out between Asa and Edith?  You will have to read A Simple Vow to find out.

In A Simple Vow we get to revisit the town of Willow Ridge and the people who live there.  It is a warm and welcoming town that is different from other Amish towns.  Many women own and run businesses and the bishop is more open than most.  There is a great twist that readers may or may not see coming (I figured out but then I read many mystery novels).  A Simple Vow is well-written and pleasurable to read (it’s a nice change of pace).  It contains good messages (moral lessons) on forgiveness, Christian love, and lending a helping hand (Christian charity).  A Simple Vow has a sweet ending.  If you have not read the books prior to A Simple Vow, it can get confusing.  This is the first book in a new series, but it is based on characters from a previous series of books (Seasons of the Heart).  I give A Simple Vow 4 out of 5 stars (I liked it).  I will definitely be reading more books in the Simple Gifts series (and any other books by Charlotte Hubbard).   I want to learn more about the rug making technique that is mentioned in the novel.  A Simple Vow will be out on Tuesday, May 31.

The Seasons of the Heart books are Summer of Secrets, Autumn Winds, Winter of Wishes, Breath of Spring, and Harvest of Blessings.  You can follow Charlotte Hubbard on Amazon and they will update you on new releases.  I received a complimentary copy of A Simple Vow from NetGalley in exchange for an honest evaluation of the book.

I hope you liked my review.  If you did, please consider becoming  a member of my blog.  I am off to cook my dinner (chicken on the grill) and read. I am currently enjoying Murder, Handcrafted by Isabella Alan (aka Amanda Flowers).  May all of you have an enjoyable and relaxing evening (or fun and frantic if you prefer).  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris
The Avid Reader