Married to a Stranger by Laura V. Hilton: Review and Giveaway!

About the Book

Book: Married to a Stranger

Author: Laura V. Hilton

Genre: Christian Amish Romance Fiction

Release date: July 2, 2019

He marries her out of need. She marries him to escape. What does love have to do with it?

When her father falsely accuses a stranger of dishonoring her, Bethel Eicher finds herself promised in marriage to a man she’s never met. Not exactly a dream come true, but since she has spent several years caring for her handicapped mother, she’s already considered an old maid at twenty-five—and she longs to escape her lonely life as permanent caregiver.

When newly-called Amish preacher Gideon Kaiser learns he’s been accused of a dishonorable act, he’s horrified. But his wife died in childbirth and his baby needs a mother, so he figures marrying a woman he’s never met could be beneficial.

How can Bethel and Gideon possibly make their marriage work—especially when the truth behind the accusations is revealed?

Click here to purchase your copy.

About the Author

A member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, Laura V. Hilton is a professional book reviewer for the Christian market, with more than a thousand reviews published on the Internet.

Laura’s first series with Whitaker House, The Amish of Seymour, includes Patchwork Dreams, A Harvest of Hearts, and Promised to Another. In 2012, A Harvest of Hearts received a Laurel Award, placing first in the Amish Genre Clash. Her second series, The Amish of Webster County, consists of Healing Love, Surrendered Love, and Awakened Love, followed by a stand-alone title, A White Christmas in Webster County. Laura’s last series, The Amish of Jamesport, includes The Snow Globe, The Postcard, and The Birdhouse. Prior to Married to a Stranger, Laura published Firestorm, Love by the Numbers, The Amish Firefighter, and The Amish Wanderer.

Previously, Laura published two novels with Treble Heart Books, Hot Chocolate and Shadows of the Past, as well as several devotionals.  A member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Laura earned a business degree from Ozarka Technical College. She and her husband, Steve, have five children and make their home in Arkansas. To learn more about Laura, read her reviews, and find out about her upcoming releases, readers may visit her blog at http://lighthouse-academy.blogspot.com/.

Excerpt from Married to a Stranger

He marries her out of need. She marries him to escape. What does love have to do with it?

He’s falsely accused of dishonoring her. She longs to escape her father’s household. Can they make their forced, arranged marriage work?

“Gideon, choose love. Not loss.” Lizzie gave a quiet sigh and then her eyes rolled back in her head.

“It’s a lie.” Bethel straightened. “Whoever he described has never touched me. Nobody has.”

Either he marry the woman who’d accused him of sexually assaulting her—a woman he had nein recollection of ever meeting, not to mention the fact that he had never touched any woman besides his beloved frau—or his name would be dragged through the mud for a sin he hadn’t committed, a sin for which he’d be forced to kneel and confess.

It wouldn’t do any gut to ask der Herr for this stranger—what was his name, anyway?—to be nice to her, because it seemed apparent Gott hadn’t heard one word of her endless prayers over the last few days. Either that, or He callously chose to disregard her requests.

It was probably the only wedding nacht in history during which the groom had hidden in the basement and raged, huddled upon and beneath a pile of blankets for warmth—warmth that never seemed to reach his core—before he cried himself into a fitful sleep.

At least, with this situation being handled directly between Gideon and both their fathers, with nein preacher or bishop involvement, none of the potentially damaging dirty laundry was hung out to dry.

The condemning stares from Gideon’s family members seemed to bore into Bethel’s back the entire time she prepared their breakfast and then washed the dishes.

She should’ve packed her bags and run away instead of going through with the wedding. Which was probably what her sister had done, kum to think of it.

He could see the hurt and bewilderment lingering in her eyes, as if she still didn’t fully realize how she’d gotten here, or why her father had chosen to believe an old widower over his own dochter.

Bethel’s first time changing Elam’s diaper didn’t go as badly as she’d feared. Lying on the changing table in his bedroom, the boppli waved his feet in the air and blew bubbles at her, completely winning her heart.

Married to a Stranger by Laura V. Hilton takes readers to Mackinac County, Michigan.  Bethel Eicher is shocked when her father accuses her of being pregnant and that she is to marry the man who dishonored her.  A week later, Bethel is married to Gideon Kaiser a widower with a three month old son.  Gideon’s family looks at her with disdain and, in addition to normal household chores, Bethel must care for an infant and Gideon’s mother who has MS.  Gideon was shocked when Bethel’s father accused him of sullying his daughter and threatened to ruin his good name if Gideon did not marry his daughter right away.  As a new preacher with a family business and an unmarried sister, the family cannot have its reputation in tatters.  As his father points out, Gideon does need a wife to care for his son, Elam.  But Gideon is still grieving for his wife, Lizzie who died giving birth to their child.  Somehow the pair must make this marriage work, but what happens when the truth behind the allegations is revealed?

I thought the premise to Married to a Stranger was intriguing.  Can you imagine marrying a man you have never met? Married to a Stranger is the story of a marriage of convenience and how the couple move forward after their wedding.  I thought the story was well-written with realistic characters.  Married to a Stranger is an emotional story.  The characters emotions leap from the page.  Bethel Eicher does not understand why her father refused to believe her, but she is grateful to have avoided Rodney who was pursuing her.  Besides Rodney’s bad breath, the last few girls he courted have disappeared including Bethel’s sister, Ruth.  But it is awkward being married to a man you have never met and living in a house with his family.  Bethel now has a large home to clean plus the laundry and cooking.  She also must care for Elam, Gideon’s son as well as Gideon’s mother, Reba who has multiple sclerosis. Gideon has been lost since he his wife died in childbirth and now, he is married to Bethel.  The pair must find a way to make their marriage a success.  But God throws a few curveballs their way.    Bishop Miah is an insightful man.  It is sweet how he watches over the community and provides guidance (though, it can be a challenge to interpret sometimes).  We follow Bethel and Gideon as the get to know each other, but there is quite a bit happening in Married to a Stranger.  Naomi’s old beau returns to town and her unhappiness is apparent to all.  I can understand since he broke up with her by sending a postcard.  Naomi’s is a woman who speaks her mind which at times had me laughing and other times had me groaning.  Reba, Gideon’s mother, breaks her hip which means big changes for the whole family.  Then there are those missing girls and Rodney.  I loved all the action towards the end of the book, but there was one big question left unanswered.  The revelations were jaw dropping.  I wish, though, that the mystery had been present throughout the whole story.  I do recommend reading Fire Storm and The Amish Candy Maker prior to reading Married to a Stranger.  It will fill provide the background on the community plus details a reader needs to know regarding Agatha, Isaac, Kish, and Naomi.  Faith is an integral part of Bethel and Gideon’s lives as we see in the story.  It is beautifully woven into the story without coming across as preachy.  I hope there will be another book soon, so we find out what happens with Naomi and Kish.  Married to a Stranger is heartfelt story with touching characters, challenging situations, yummy baked goods, and one adorable baby.

To celebrate her tour, Laura is giving away a grand prize of a $20 Starbucks Card and a surprise book.  Be sure to comment on the blog stops (schedule below) for nine extra entries into the giveaway.  Click here to enter and Good Luck!  Married to a Stranger is available on Amazon.  I appreciate you stopping by today.  I will feature Then She Vanishes by Claire Douglas tomorrow.  I hope you have a blissful day.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

Blog Stops

The Avid Reader, July 2

Through the Lens of Scripture, July 2

Maureen’s Musings, July 3

Among the Reads, July 3

Emily Yager, July 3

Random Thoughts From a Bookworm, July 4

D’S QUILTS & BOOKS, July 4

For The Love of Books, July 4

EmpowerMoms, July 5

Book Bites, Bee Stings, & Butterfly Kisses, July 5

Bigreadersite, July 6

Through the Fire Blogs, July 6

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, July 6

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, July 7

Life of a travelers Wife, July 7

Texas Book-aholic, July 7

Daysong Reflections, July 8

Stephanie’s Life of Determination, July 8

Mary Hake, July 8

Blossoms and Blessings, July 9

Britt Reads Fiction, July 9

janicesbookreviews, July 9

Carla Loves To Read, July 10

Reading Is My SuperPower, July 10

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, July 10

For Him and my Family, July 11

Moments, July 11

A Reader’s Brain, July 11

She Lives to Read, July 12

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, July 12

Older & Smarter?, July 13

Inspiration Clothesline, July 13

Locks, Hooks and Books, July 14

Pause for Tales,  July 14

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, July 15

Little Homeschool on the Prairie, July 15

Inklings and notions , July 15