Wednesday, December 4, 2024

The Amish Quiltmaker’s Unattached Neighbor by Jennifer Beckstrand

 The Amish Quiltmaker's Unattached Neighbor
Book Summary

Irrepressible Colorado Amish quiltmaker Esther Kiem is delighted to help the four Yoder sisters stitch together their beloved great-grandmother’s birthday quilt…especially when it means putting her matchmaking talents to use!

Infused with her signature humor and heart, award-winning, USA Today bestselling author Jennifer Beckstrand blends quilting, mischief, and matchmaking for the sixth Amish Quiltmaker romance – perfect for fans of Amy Clipston, Wanda Brunstetter, and Linda Byler.

At thirty-two, Ada Yoder is resigned to caring for her three sisters, her ever-impractical father, and their prosperous, but demanding, farm. The last kind of trouble she needs is Enos Hoover claiming that six acres of their land actually belongs to him—and taking steps to prove it. But Ada soon finds that battling Enos' clever strategies is delightfully intriguing—and lighting an impossible spark . . .

Enos is determined to make his mater proud by turning difficult acreage into a successful farm. Legally, he is in the right to reclaim the land from the Yoders. But Ada's hard-working stubbornness and refreshing honesty are proving to be more of an irresistible challenge than an obstacle. Now, can Enos and Ada find enough faith and understanding to reconcile family, duty, and love—and stake their claim on a forever happiness together?

Sometimes the greatest blessings come in disguise . . .
My Thoughts

The Amish Quiltmaker’s Unattached Neighbor by Jennifer Beckstrand is an entertaining story.  I like the characters in this series and the new ones introduced in this story.  I enjoyed getting to know Ada Yoder better.  Ada and Enos got off to an inauspicious start. Ada is a determined woman, and the Yoder’s new neighbor, Enos Hoover, is just as stubborn (patient and kind, but stubborn as a mule).  A dispute over six acres of land is going to test their mettle. I like that the story is told from Ada and Enos’s point of view.  We get to see each of their perspectives on the various situations.    I enjoyed the interactions between the pair.  Their conflicts and awkward moments were the beginnings of their relationship.  

Cathy is a hoot.  She has some great dialogue that provides many laugh out loud moments.  Her purse reminds me of Mary Poppins’ bag (you never know what will come out of Cathy’s bag next). I liked seeing the characters develop, especially Ada and Beth.  It was great to catch up with the other Yoder sisters and their families.  While The Amish Quiltmaker’s Unattached Neighbor is the sixth book in The Amish Quiltmaker series, it can be read as a standalone.  I like Jennifer Beckstrand’s writing style.  I find it to be engaging. Her characters are relatable, and I love the humor sprinkled throughout her stories (I laughed often while reading this story as well as the others in the series).  The Amish Quiltmaker’s Unattached Neighbor is a diverting tale with a land dispute, a firm fence, tent troubles, water rights, a messy house, foreshadowing quilt blocks, and a happy harvest.

The Amish Quiltmaker’s Unattached Neighbor is available from Amazon*.  You can find the other novels in The Amish Quiltmaker series here (the first four can be borrowed through Kindle Unlimited). If you follow Jennifer Beckstrand on Amazon, they will notify you when she has a new book release.  Thank you so much for joining me today.  I know it is a busy time of year.  Tomorrow I am featuring Taken at Christmas by Jodie Bailey. It is the first book in the Trinity Investigative Team series.  I am off to finish setting up my yard display.  I am working on the final section today. Then I can start on my neighbor's yard where Santa and his friends are going to be rockin' out.  I hope that you have a beautiful day.  Take care and Happy Reading! 

Kris

The Avid Reader

*I voluntarily read an advanced copy of this book.  I am not required to leave a review.  The comments and opinions expressed are strictly my own.

*This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase using my links, I will receive a small commission from the sale at no cost to you.  Thank you for supporting The Avid Reader.

Tuesday, December 3, 2024

Tis the Time, Tis the Season by Chris Posti

 

About the Book

Book: ’Tis the Time, ‘Tis the Season (Next Act Series: Book Three)

Author: Chris Posti

GenreWomen’s Fiction with Elements of Faith & Later-in-Life Romance

Welcome to tiny Port Mariette, Pennsylvania, where three women in their late fifties reunite at Christmastime, facing tangled relationships with one another and the men in their lives.

Marla rushes from Manhattan to her daughter’s side in a quiet Port Mariette hospital,  determined to strengthen their relationship by backing her daughter’s dream project, no matter the cost. She wins support from the town’s general contractor, but fierce local opposition arises, spearheaded by her longtime friend Rachel.

Meanwhile, newlywed Suzanne, scarred by fears and heartbreaks, returns to Port Mariette from California, where the earth subsiding beneath her home threatens both her retirement savings and her marriage. Seeking refuge in the familiar embrace of friends, Suzanne finds herself boxed into a financial corner while navigating the delicate dynamics of friendship and rivalry.

Amidst the holiday cheer and twinkling lights, Rachel stands as a pillar of the community, deeply rooted in the small town she’s never left. Yet her steadfastness falters as she grapples with her own insecurities and desires. Unwittingly, she stirs a pot of conflict that strains her relationships with everyone who matters to her.

In this small town tale of love, friendship, faith, and forgiveness, these women will discover growth can emerge from the ashes of the past and that change is possible at any age.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Chris Posti writes award-winning fiction about real-life women experiencing the joys and challenges of friendships, families, careers, and later-in-life romances. Before pivoting to novels, she was a self-employed career & executive coach, newspaper columnist, and nonfiction author.

More from Chris

I wrote “’Tis the Time, ‘Tis the Season” (third book in the “Next Act” series) for women in the second half of their lives – age 50 to 100 – who want characters they can relate to, women who are facing challenges and overcoming them – along with a mix of faith, fun, and later-in-life romance.

When the Lord gave me the idea for the first book in this series, I had no idea it would morph into a trilogy. That’s the way it is with our Lord. He lights our path, we keep walking. Now, He has directed me to write a pilot for a TV series, and that’s what I’m working on right now. I pray one day you will see these characters come to life on your television screen. If you have a moment, would you offer up a prayer right now for that to happen? Thank you so much.

My Thoughts

‘Tis the Time, ‘Tis the Season by Chris Posti continues the story of Rachel, Suzanne, and Marla as well as their family and friends.  I like that the main characters are mature women (50s).  The women are close friends despite not living in the same town any longer.  Each woman has something going on in their life, but these struggles will help them grow.  I liked how the women would work out their differences when they have a conflict. It was nice to see the characters develop and become better individuals.  The story is told from each woman’s point of view, which can be confusing, especially in the beginning.  It gets easier towards the middle of the book.  The story does touch on topics that may be a trigger for some individuals (drunk driving and abortion). There are some word choices that I did not appreciate.   

‘Tis the Time, ‘Tis the Season is the third book in the Next Act Series.  I have not read the first two books in the series, and I believe it would have been helpful if I had.  While there were a couple of things that I did not enjoy, there were many that I did in ‘Tis the Time, ‘Tis the Season.  I like the varied characters, the town, and its residents, and how the friends were there for each despite what was going on in their own lives.  The story touches on reconciliation, forgiveness, trust, and new beginnings. ‘Tis the Time, ‘Tis the Season is a touching tale with reconnecting with old friends, an antique adventure, a chance at romance, a daughter in distress, teen troubles, and friends to the end.  

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Chris is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card, a copy of the book, and bookmarks.  Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click here to enter.

'Tis the Time, 'Tis the Season is available from Amazon*.  The first two books in the Next Act Series are Falling Apart, Falling for You and Maybe Now, Maybe Never (all three can be borrowed through Kindle Unlimited).  You can find Chris Posti's other novels here plus you can follow her on Amazon (they will send you an email when she has a new book release).  Thank you for joining me today.  I will return tomorrow with The Amish Quiltmaker’s Unattached Neighbor by Jennifer Beckstrand.  I hope everyone had a delightful Thanksgiving weekend.  I made my first pumpkin pie and, much to my surprise, it turned out great (according to my mother).  The pie was gone by Saturday.  I have been working on decorating our front yard for the holidays in my spare time.  I have a cute gingerbread house as the centerpiece.  I have my first printed inflatable.  The graphics are printed onto the waterproof polyester.  It gives the tree a unique (in a good way) look (I will share pictures when I am done). Don't forget to enter the giveaway before you depart!    Leave a comment for an extra entry in the giveaway.  I hope that you have a delightful day.  Take care and Happy Reading!


Kris

The Avid Reader

Blog Stops


Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, November 23

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, November 24

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, November 25

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, November 26

Stories By Gina, November 27 (Author Interview)

Lots of Helpers, November 27

Artistic Nobody, November 28 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, November 29

Karen Baney Reviews, November 30

Locks, Hooks and Books, December 1

For Him and My Family, December 2

The Avid Reader, December 3

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, December 4

Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, December 5 (Author Interview)

For the Love of Literature, December 6 (Author Interview)

Leslie’s Library Escape, December 6

*I voluntarily read an advanced copy of this book.  I am not required to leave a review.  The comments and opinions expressed are strictly my own.

*This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase using my links, I will receive a small commission from the sale at no cost to you.  Thank you for supporting The Avid Reader.