An Amish Husband for Tillie

Book Summary

An Amish Husband for Tillie by Amy Lillard has Tillie Gingerich returning home to her conservative Amish community in Pontotoc pregnant and unmarried at Christmas.  Tillie had left with Melvin Yoder for the English world where he could work on engines.  Tillie did not feel she fit in the English world, and she missed her family, faith, and community.  She wants her child to grow up among her people.  Tillie was unable to convince Melvin to return with her.  Her family welcomes her with open arms and no judgement.  However, if Tillie is to remain, they must get the approval of the bishop.  Tillie is hoping to enjoy the holidays with her family before having to face the consequences.  Her parents throw a Christmas party where Tillie is aware of the stares and the whispers.  Needing some breathing room, Tillie takes off walking where she soon becomes lost in a storm.  Tillie comes across Levi Yoder’s isolated farmhouse.  Levi, a cousin of Melvin’s, lost his wife and their unborn child two months prior.  He wishes to remain holed up in cabin until Christmas is over.  The last thing he wants his company.  Then Levi finds a cold Tillie in his barn.  With a violent storm raging outside, Levi has no choice but to welcome Tillie into his home.  That night, Tillie goes into labor forcing Levi to deliver the baby.  As the storm rages outside, Tillie and Levi get a chance to know each other.  Did God put them together for a reason?  Can Tillie help Levi heal and begin living again?

My Thoughts

An Amish Husband for Tillie by Amy Lillard is the 4^th novel in Amish of Pontotoc series.  I recommend reading the series in order.  This will allow you understand the sisters’ stories.   I was eager to read Tillie’s tale.  I found this emotional story to be well-written with steady pacing.  The characters are realistic and developed.  I was happy to that Tillie’s large family was included and that we get to catch up with her sisters from the previous three books (Leah, Hannah, and Gracie).  Tillie Gingerich is scared to return home after taking off for the English world with Melvin Yoder.  We get to experience her fears and uncertainties.  Tillie knows the rules of the community, but she wants to spend Christmas with her family.  Her baby is due in less than a month which has her longing for the comfort of home and family.  I thought the author did a wonderful job at expressing Tillie’s emotions and thoughts.  Amy Lillard does the same for Levi Yoder who is devastated when his pregnant wife dies unexpectedly.  Levi goes from happy husband and expectant father to a widower.  The approaching holidays are not helping his mood nor the caring ladies of the community who drop by with food.  I could feel Levi’s grief and how overwhelming it is to him.  I could relate to his feelings regarding the holiday season.  I did not understand the bishop’s decision regarding Tillie considering that she was not a baptized member.  I know it is fiction, but I found the situation harsh.  I wanted to give that bishop a piece of my mind.  I just loved Levi’s sister, Mims.  She is a force to be reckoned with when she is on a mission.  You can tell how much she loves her brother.  An Amish Husband for Tillie is a moving and inspiring story.  We see that God’s plan for our life may not be our plan.  We never know what he has in mind for our lives.  The story deals with love, faith, forgiveness, acceptance, trust, compassion, and second chances.  Everyone deserves a second chance.   An Amish Husband for Tillie is a touching and encouraging holiday story that will tug on your heartstrings.  

An Amish Husband for Tillie can be obtained from Amazon*.  The other novels in Amish of Pontotoc series are A Home for Hannah, A Love for Leah, and A Family for Gracie (my favorite one in the series).  I am hoping that the author will give us Mims' story (Levi's sister).  You will find Amy Lillard's other novels here.  Amy Lillard has A Murder Between the Pages coming out November 24.  It is the 2nd book in A Main Street Book Club Mystery series.  A New Love for Charlotte by Amy Lillard releases March 30, 2021.  It is the 11th A Wells Landing Romance.  Thank you for stopping by today.  I will be reviewing Have Yourself a Fudgy Little Christmas by Nancy Coco tomorrow. It is the 8th book in A Candy-Coated Mystery series. I do hope you have an encouraging day.  Take care, be kind, and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

*This post contains affiliate links.  As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

A Family for Gracie by Amy Lillard

Good Day!  The Dark Side by Danielle Steel will be out on August 27 along with Wonton Terror by Vivien Chen.  Christmas Cow Bells by Mollie Cox Bryan releases on September 2. It is the first book A Buttermilk Creek Mystery series.  Power of the Witch by Deanna Chase is the seventh installment in the Witches of Keating Hollow series.  It releases on September 4.  There are many new delightful novels coming out in September.  

A Family for Gracie by Amy Lillard takes readers to Pontotoc, Mississippi.  Gracie Glick is twenty six years old and single.  She has spent the last few years traveling from relative to relative helping those who have needed her assistance.  Gracie now lives with her Uncle Abner and Aunt Eunice, but she longs to have a family of her own.  There are a limited number of eligible bachelors available in their town, so Gracie has come up with a bold plan.  Matthew Byler is a recent widower with five children with one of them being newborn, Grace.  Gracie blurts out a proposal to Matthew and then instantly regrets it.  Matthew is stunned by Gracie’s abrupt proposal, but he soon comes to realize that it would solve his dilemma.  He cannot watch his four rambunctious boys plus one infant and plant his crops especially with baby Grace crying constantly.  After some consideration, Matthew accepts Gracie proposal.  After they are wed, Gracie finds out that Matthew does not want a traditional marriage.  Matthew has a good reason for his decision, but that does not change Gracie’s desire for a baby of her own.  What does the future hold for Gracie and Matthew?  You will have to read A Family for Gracie to find out.

A Family for Gracie is the third novel in the Amish of Pontotoc series.  It can easily be read as a standalone if you have not read the other books in this series.  I thought A Family for Gracie was a sweet, expressive story.  It is well-written with engaging characters and a lovely setting.  Gracie has numerous relatives, but she wants her own family.  She longs for a husband and children.  Matthew is a widower with five children.  Gracie knows little about Matthew except he is eligible and needs a wife.  This makes for an intriguing story as we watch Matthew and Gracie adjust to their new life.  Matthew’s children provide humor especially Henry, the mischievous one. Henry and his brothers’ antics had me chuckling.  Marriage is hard work, but it is even more challenging when two people do not know each other and there is a lack of communication.  Then add in five children who are grieving and confused (their mother is gone and now they have a new woman taking charge).  Baby Grace cried constantly because she missed her mother.  There are endless chores especially with so many people in one house.  I felt for the wee little tike who experienced such loss so early in her little life.  Amy Lillard deftly deals with difficult topics (depression for example).  She handled them with grace and compassion.  Forgiveness, guilt, and depression are a couple of topics addressed.  We see the importance of prayer and having a strong faith in God.  I liked that I could feel the character’s emotions and I appreciated the epilogue at the end.  I was happy that Leah and Hannah were back in this story so we can see how they are doing.  That pair also provided some lighthearted moments.  Aunt Eunice   While the ending is expected, A Family for Gracie is a lovely, heartfelt novel.  A Family for Gracie has mischievous munchkins, kind cousins, a chaotic home, a boisterous pup, a benevolent bishop, and a marriage full of possibilities.

Kensington Books offers an extract of A Family for Gracie on their website.  The first two books in the Amish of Pontotoc are A Home for Hannah (on Kindle Unlimited) and A Love for Leah.  A Family for Gracie is available through Amazon (and other major retailers).  Thank you for reading my review.  I am sharing my thoughts on Needled to Death by Annelise Ryan next time.  It is the first novel in A Helping Hands Mystery series.  I hope you have a lighthearted day.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

A Love for Leah: The Amish of Pontotoc

Felicitations!  The Christmas Remedy by Cindy Woodsmall comes out on October 23.  Another lovely Christmas story coming out in October is The Christmas Star by Donna VanLiere (October 16).  

A Love for Leah by Amy Lillard is the second book in The Amish of Pontotoc series.  Leah Gingerich is opening Twice Blessed, a secondhand store on Main Street in Pontotoc, Mississippi.  Leah is an independent Mennonite woman with forward thinking ideas.  Jamie Stoltzfus and his nephew, Peter have moved into a cabin on the Gingerich property.  Peter lost his parents and baby sister in a house fire six months prior and has not spoken since that day.  Jamie is a traditional and stubborn Amish man who has certain ideas on how to live life and raise his nephew.  Leah and Jamie clash from the moment they meet and somehow, they keep finding themselves together (I believe there is some matchmaking taking place).  Despite wanting to avoid Jamie, Leah feels that God is calling her to help Peter and Jamie.  Unfortunately, while Peter enjoys spending time with Leah, Jamie does not want her assistance.  Leah is not going to let that stop her.  But will a blast from Jamie’s past ruin their chances?  Can this unlikely duo find common ground?

A Love for Leah is the second book in The Amish of Pontotoc, and I recommend reading the series in order.  It will provide you with a better understanding of the characters, their background, the town, etc.  Leah is the twin sister of Hannah whom we met in A Home for Hannah.  She is present throughout A Love for Leah. Leah is an independent and strong minded woman who cares for her nephew, Brandon.  I like the bond between Leah and Brandon as well as their interactions.  It is good that Leah is strong willed because she pushes Jamie to do what is best for Peter.  God finds a way to help those in need. With Deborah King (Jamie’s ex-fiancé), the author created a character that readers will love to dislike.  She is annoying and full of herself.  I thought the story was nicely written and it had gentle pacing.  I had trouble, though, getting into A Love for Leah and it failed to hold my attention.  While it is a cute Amish romance, I found it to be expected.  The story could have used editing to tighten it up and it desperately needed to be shortened (way too long).   Some of the Christian themes present are having faith, staying hopeful, and the power of prayer.  We get to see the importance of being close to family, having good friends, and allowing love into our lives.  I like that we get to see some of the differences between the Amish and Mennonite faith.  My rating for A Love for Leah is 3 out of 5 stars.  A Love for Leah is an uplifting Amish romance that will leave you with a good feeling in your heart and a smile on your face.

I appreciate you visiting today.  I am going to take Sunday off and return on Monday with my review of A Gathering of Secrets by Linda Castillo.  It is the tenth A Kate Burkholder Novel.  On Tuesday, I will be featuring Dim Sum of All Fears by Vivien Chien.  May you have a wonderful weekend.  Take care of yourself and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

A Home for Hannah: Amish of Pontotoc

Happy March!  The Candle Factory Girl by Tania Crosse is out today.  It is a new historical novel that takes readers back to 1932 in Battersea, England where Hillie Hardwick works at Price's Soap and Candle Factory.  I will be sharing my review on March 3.

A Home for Hannah by Amy Lillard is the first story in Amish of Pontotoc series.  Hannah McLean is returning home to Pontotoc, Mississippi with her son, Brandon after the death of her husband.  Hannah needs a place for them to stay until the estate is settled (her husband left her with a mess).  She had left the community fifteen years prior to explore the Englisch world.  Pontotoc is a conservative Amish settlement that does not have indoor plumbing (that is so wrong).  It will be a big adjustment for her son, Brandon.  When Hannah left she broke Aaron Zook’s heart.  Aaron is now a widow with three children to care for as well as his farm.  He prefers training horses, but there is little opportunity for that in his area.  Aaron just received an offer for a job in Ohio working with horses which he is thinking about accepting until Hannah returns.  His feelings for Hannah have not changed, but they can only be together if Hannah joins the Amish faith.  But can they overcome the past to have a future?  Can Hannah return to a simpler way of life? 

A Home for Hannah is a sweet Amish romance.  It does contain some nice writing, but I found the pace slow (which made the book feel long and drawn out).  In some places the story stalled out (failed to move forward).  The POV moves between Hannah, Aaron and Brandon.  I enjoyed Brandon’s story more than Hannah and Aaron’s.  He is taken away from everything that is familiar and thrust into a world with no computer, gaming devices or a phone (or indoor toilet).  Brandon’s cousin, Joshua Gingerich befriends Brandon and shows how to enjoy life without modern technology (fishing for example).  I failed to connect with Hannah.  Her indecision, blaming others and her life choices were frustrating (after 15 years you cannot use lack of education and naivete as an excuse).  There was too much redundancy in A Home for Hannah.  The same questions or thoughts are repeated in each chapter (mostly in the first half of the book).  A Home for Hannah just seemed off.  I found it lacking (like the author was holding back and not letting the story flow naturally).  I wanted more depth added to the story and less predictability.  A Home for Hannah could have used a rewrite and I give it 3 out of 5 stars.  The next book in Amish of Pontotoc is Love for Leah which will be out on July 31. While I was not drawn to A Home for Hannah, Amy Lillard has many wonderful books that I recommend such as O Little Town of Sugarcreek, More Than a Marriage, Pattern of Betrayal, and The Gingerbread Bride.

I appreciate you visiting and reading my latest review.  Tomorrow I will be reviewing It Takes a Coven by Carol J. Perry.  I hope that you have a happy day.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris
The Avid Reader