A Heart on Consignment by Mindy Steele

 

A Heart on Consignment

About the Book

Book: A Heart on Consignment

Author: Mindy Steele

Genre: Amish/Christian Fiction

Release Date: April, 2025

Full of faith, hope, and romance, this series takes you into the Heart of Amish country.

Despite knowing her parents are getting desperate for their only child to marry and give them grandchildren, Salina Stoltzfus is weary of seeking the perfect match. Every time she thinks she has found “the one,” he marries another.

The best way to forget you are the last woman any man in Havenlee, Indiana, wants to hitch his buggy too is to find something passionate to focus on. When the area is overrun with donations after a tragic storm, Salina suggests opening a consignment shop. The deacon supports the idea and offers his visiting nephew to help set things up.

After the embarrassment of having his fiancée call off their wedding, Seth Weaver takes his mother’s advice to leave Kentucky to stay with his uncle for a while. Unfortunately, Seth knows nothing about building furniture in his uncle’s factory, which is the only reason he agrees to help ready the consignment shop next door—not because of the little chatterbox working inside.

When Salina’s parents are caught meddling in her love life, she comes up with a crazy idea that might gain her some time and space. Could it be the road to happiness is paved with good intentions and epic fails—until we cross paths when the one made especially for us?

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Mindy Steele was raised in Kentucky timber country and has been writing since she could hold a crayon against the wall. Steele writes Amish Romance peppered with just the right amount of humor, as well as engaging Suspense, using rural America and the residents as her muse. Steele strives to create realistic characters for her readers and believes in engaging all the senses to make you laugh, cry, hold your breath, and root for the happy ever after ending. A hopeless romantic, with a lyrical pen, Steele wants her readers to find themselves somewhere within her pages. A mother of four and grandmother to a half dozen blessings, Steele enjoys hiking and gardening, coffee indulgences and weekend road trips, and is personally doing all she can to make peanut butter its very own food group.

More from Mindy

The Story Behind the Story

Writing fiction has always felt like opening my window and inviting readers to look out at the world with me. Over the years, I’ve stumbled into countless moments that later became stories—and A Heart on Consignment is one of those grace-filled accidents.

This book began with a series of God winks. A scheduled photoshoot led me to a tucked-away Amish consignment shop in Kentucky. After making my purchase, an experience that sparked a story of its own, I left carrying more than a dress. I carried the generosity of the owners and the quiet power of their story. I’ve always believed everyone has a story, and I’ve learned to be a good listener.

A year later, during one of my many visits to Baltic, Ohio, I found myself unexpectedly stepping into a massive Amish volleyball tournament. It was a charity event raising funds for a local child with a heart condition and a man awaiting a transplant. That evening, a simple conversation with a passerby, who would later become a dear friend and fellow writer, opened doors to learning even more about Amish and Mennonite ministries, fundraisers, and community outreach.

Since then, I’ve attended countless charitable events, witnessing firsthand the generosity woven into Amish life. From organizations like Samaritan’s Purse, Special Hearts Workshop, Disaster Aid Ohio, and CAM, to tournaments of every kind—volleyball, pickleball, softball, even ping pong—each experience planted another seed that eventually grew into this novel.

What began as a frantic search for a dress became a tapestry of God-ordained moments. Each step guided me toward telling the story of a young woman whose courage, compassion, and steadfast heart shine brightest in the face of disaster.

I invite you to join me on this journey from Kentucky to Havenlee, Indiana, as Seth and Salina search for forgiveness, hope, and love. May their story touch your heart as much as the journey touched mine.

My Thoughts

A Heart on Consignment by Mindy Steele is a lovely addition to The Heart of the Amish series.  Mindy Steele’s writing style is engaging, approachable, and accessible.  The characters are developed and relatable.  I enjoyed getting to know Salina Stoltzfus and Sean Weaver as well as their families and friends.  I felt for Salina, whose mother was determined to find the right fellow for her daughter (and one who lived in another state was not suitable).  Salina felt that she was too short, had mousy hair, and a plain face.  It takes the right person to see an individual’s inner beauty, and a smile can transform a person’s face.  

Seth and Salina get the opportunity to work together and get to know each other.  As we see, love often develops unexpectedly and in unlikely places.   It is wonderful how Amish communities help each other during tough times (tornado, fires, floods) and we get to see it in action in this story.   The ending left me wanting more.  A Heart on Consignment is the twelfth The Heart of the Amish book and it can be read on its own.  A Heart on Consignment is an uplifting tale with a battered heart, a twisty tornado, a matchmaking mama, a shed shop, overflowing riverbanks, and a caring community.  

Amish build tiny homes for hurricane victims

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Mindy is giving away the grand prize of a $25 Amazon e-Gift card and a print copy of the book!! Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.  Good Luck!

https://gleam.io/5crnf/a-heart-on-consignment-celebration-tour-giveaway

A Heart on Consignment can be obtained from Amazon.  You can find the other novels in The Heart of the Amish series here.  Mindy Steele has Murder Plainly Written coming out September 1.  It is the first book in The Plain Order Ink Society.  Thank you for joining me today.  I will return on Thursday, May 7 with I, Spy by L.M. Kemp. I am off to organize (my pantry is a mess).  I hope that you have a delightful day.  Don't forget to enter the giveaway before you depart and leave a comment for an extra entry. Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader 

Blog Stops

Texas Book-aholic, April 30

Stories By Gina, May 1 (Author Interview)

Fruitfully Planted, May 1

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 2

Holly’s Book Corner, May 3

Artistic Nobody, May 4 (Guest Review from Marilyn)

Guild Master, May 5 (Author Interview)

The Avid Reader, May 6

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, May 7

Fiction Book Lover, May 8 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, May 8

For Him and My Family, May 9

Life on Chickadee Lane, May 10

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, May 11

The Bookish Ledger, May 12 (Author Interview)

Simple Harvest Reads, May 13 (Guest Review from Donna)

*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.

Amelia's March Arrangement by Mindy Steele

Amelia's March Arrangement

Book Summary

One funeral. Three orphaned boys. And two hearts torn between duty and desire.

Owen Miller had no plans in returning to Cherry Grove, Kentucky until now. At the wake of his brother’s funeral, Owen discovers three young nephews need him to stay as well as the young aunt now responsible for them. He will do his part, for a time, but his life isn’t here anymore.

Amelia Delagrange lost more than a sister. She lost her best friend. No one knew her heart like Mary did. Now with three boys needing her, Amelia must muster up the strength to become a mother to them. She cannot let their uncle take them, even if her only option is to marry a man she doesn’t love. What choice does she have?

One quick decision is about to change the lives of many.

My Thoughts

Amelia’s March Arrangement by Mindy Steele is a touching Amish tale.  The narrative was both inspiring and poignant, featuring characters and scenarios that many readers can identify with.  I felt for Amelia, who at eighteen becomes responsible for her sister’s three boys.  The author illustrates how a tragic loss impacts a family, but shows that eventually life improves.  I especially liked the green tin of recipes that Amelia found in a kitchen cupboard and how the recipes played into the romance. 

Amelia's March Arrangement is the third installment of An Amish Romance Birthday Series, and it can be read as a standalone.  A quote from the book that stuck with me is, “Life doesn’t always go as planned, dochter, but Gott always gives you the means to make it better than it was before.”  Amelia's March Arrangement is stirring story with a tragic death, busy boys, parent getting treatments, an unexpected uncle, the bishop’s pronouncement, an unexpected proposal, special recipes, and hoping for a happily ever after. 

Amelia's March Arrangement can be obtained from Amazon*. The fourth book in An Amish Romance Birthday Series is Arie's April Adoption by Rachel J. Good which comes out April 1.  You can find the other books in An Amish Romance Birthday Series here.  If you follow Mindy Steele on Amazon, they will email you when the author has a new book release. Mindy Steele's next release is A Heart on Consignment (digital version out on March 15 and paperback on April 1) which is the twelfth book in The Heart of the Amish series. 

I wanted to share with you a current picture of Quackers, the duck.  Quackers (the duck nearest the doormat) is one of the baby ducks that appeared with Mama Duck about two months ago.  Quackers is now larger than her mother (the duck eating at the food dish).  Quackers is adorable. Please pardon the look of my porch.  I am getting ready to put together some furniture out there.  I willl return on Thursday, March 5 with Booking for Trouble by Jenn McKinlay.  It is the 16th A Library Lover's Mystery.  I hope that you have a lovely day.  I am enjoying the beautiful spring weather.  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.

 

Kentucky Book Festival

*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.

Saving Daniel's Daughter by Mindy Steele

 Saving Daniel's Daughter

Book Summary

When a storm threatens Miller’s Creek, an unexpected hero will emerge.

As the harvest wedding season approaches in the small Amish community of Miller’s Creek, Kentucky, love is everywhere and if Rosemary Raber isn’t careful, she might just catch the bug. After a childhood trauma, Rosemary vowed to never let anyone close outside of her own family. Keeping her head down, focusing on her honey and cheese business always worked before. At least it had before one meandering mutt sneakily plotted against her.

My Thoughts

Saving Daniel’s Daughter by Mindy Steele is an inspiring story.  It is a story that gives you hope.  I like the author’s casual writing story which makes the story easy to read.  The characters are realistic and relatable.  Rosemary Raber is stubborn and a worrywart.  It keeps her from having a fulfilling life.  Paul Eicher is patient and kind.  He knew Rosemary was the right person for him from the moment he saw her as a child.  The hard part is convincing Rosemary.  I loved Mischief, the dog Paul adopted.  I agree with Rosemary that Mischief is a better name than Chance for that impish pup.  

Rosemary’s younger brothers, Henry and Bryan are rascals.  The things those two would do to get their own bedrooms (they are tired of sharing and Catherine marriage gives them a perfect opportunity except their mother wants a quilting room). I do not know how the family put up with the engaged couple (lovey dovey). I enjoyed the humor in this story (I smiled, giggled, chuckled, and laughed). While Saving Daniel’s Daughter is the second book in Daniel’s Daughters series, it can be read as a standalone.  I believe it is best to read Courting Daniel’s Daughter first because it will give you background on the family and characters. This is a story about hope, family, friends, healing, love, and faith.   Saving Daniel’s Daughter is a heartwarming tale with a patient Paul, troublemaker brothers, a lovesick couple, Rosemary the worrier, a playful pup, chewed shoes, facing fears, and special nuptials.

Saving Daniel’s Daughter is available from Amazon*. If you are a member of Kindle Unlimited, you can read Saving Daniel's Daughter for free. The first book in Daniel's Daughters series is Courting Daniel's Daughters.  You can find Mindy Steele's other novels here.  Thank you for popping by today.  I will return on Wednesday, November 5 with Death Comes to Jane Austen Town by Rosemary Stevens.  

I am off to call about my washer.  It started leaking water in September.  Thankfully, I had purchased a three year warranty.  The repairman came out, diagnosed the problem, and ordered the parts.  He returned and the parts were incorrect.  Since they cannot get the correct parts, I get a new washer.  You know it is not that easy.  There are restrictions (price being number one).  We shall see if I get the washer that I want (it has the bells and whistles that I want plus it is 4.5 cubic feet  (I need to be able to wash a king size quilt in it).  Wish me luck! I hope that you have a cozy 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.

A Harvest of Amish Blessings: A Collection

 A Harvest of Amish Blessings

 

Book Summary

Gathering Hearts & Giving Thanks - Four Amish Thanksgiving Romances Where Faith Heals, Love Grows, and Gratitude Changes Everything

In A Harvest of Amish Blessings, beloved authors Mindy Steele, Rachel J. Good, Jennifer Beckstrand, and Tracy Fredrychowski invite you into a world where hearts are healed, faith is renewed, and love grows when we take time to give thanks. From handwritten notes and surprise visits to rekindled friendships and life-changing choices, each story is a reminder that the richest harvest comes from the heart.

Helping Hands by Mindy Steele

One moment Andrew Graber was helping his brother, Robert, on a roofing job. The next he was gone, leaving behind his young wife and children. With a store to run and a family to provide for, Beth Graber struggles to transition between being a wife to becoming a widow. But Beth is not alone. Married into a family larger than any other, she can barely find time to herself to grieve the devastating loss of her husband. But when a string of notes begins to appear, Beth might discover how much she is thankful for.

Letters of Gratitude by Rachel J. Good

An Amish schoolteacher assigns her students to write anonymous letters of gratitude to community members for Thanksgiving. When she receives a deeply moving letter herself, she sets out to discover who wrote it, eventually finding it came from a reclusive woodworker who lost his faith after his wife's death. Their friendship begins as she helps him reconnect with the community and find reasons for giving thanks again.

Thanksgiving on Huckleberry Hill by Jennifer Beckstrand

It’s going to be the worst Thanksgiving ever. Anna and Felty Helmuth’s family can’t be bothered to come to dinner, so Anna plans to clean out her closets and eat Cream of Wheat, just to spite her ungrateful relatives. But when surprise visitors arrive, Anna learns that Thanksgiving isn’t so much about the turkey as it is about having a grateful heart for unexpected blessings.

Seasons of the Heart by Tracy Fredrychowski

During the annual Harvest Dinner, Patricia Wengerd finds herself at a crossroads. A chance encounter sparks dreams of adventure, while a lifelong friend's steady presence offers comfort. As she navigates matters of the heart, Patricia embarks on a journey of faith and the call of something more. This heartwarming love story follows Patricia as she learns that sometimes, the path laid out, though unexpected, could lead to the most fulfilling destination. Will she follow her heart or the dreams she thought she left behind?

Whether you’re cozying up for the holidays or savoring stories of faith and family, A Harvest of Amish Blessings is a collection to cherish all season long.

My Thoughts

A Harvest of Amish Blessing:  A Collection of Amish Romances contains four heartwarming novellas by Tracy Fredrychowski, Mindy Steele, Rachel Good, and Jennifer Beckstrand.  Seasons of the Heart by Tracy Fredrychowski is well-written with realistic characters.  I like the life lesson in the story.  We get to see that sometimes our dreams do not align with  God’s plan for us.  The story had a sweet ending.  I liked that faith was at the forefront of this story.  This is definitely a tale that will touch your heart.  Helping Hands by Mindy Steele is a moving novella.  I felt for Beth Graber who is recently widowed.  She is left to raise her children on her own plus she is expecting another child.  Beth must take care of their store as well and she has no clue how to operate it (how to do the books, order supplies, collect overdue accounts).  Beth also must deal with a pushy mother-in-law who oversteps but means well.  I like that we get a look at the day-to-day life of an Amish family.  Beth learns that life does continue after the loss of a loved one and to be thankful for all of life’s blessings (including mother-in-law’s).  

Letters of Gratitude by Rachel Good is a story that will tug on your heartstrings.  Mrs. Vandenburg is such a charming  lady, and she uses her influence to help others.  I enjoyed this sweet story.  Thanksgiving on Huckleberry Hill by Jennifer Beckstrand was delightful.  Anna and Felty Helmuth are two of my favorite characters.  I laughed often while reading this entertaining story.  Friends, family, and being thankful are the themes in this story.  Of course, potholders came into play and there was one unwelcome visitor (readers of the series will know who I am talking about).  I was sorry when this diverting tale came to a close.  A Harvest of Amish Blessing was a delight from beginning to end.  

A Harvest of Amish Blessing is available from Amazon* and Barnes & Noble. If you like Amish stories, you should check out the authors other creations:  Tracy Fredrychowski, Mindy Steele, Rachel J. Good, and Jennifer Beckstrand.  If you have not read Jennifer Beckstrand's The Matchmakers of Huckleberry Hill, I highly recommend it.  Anna Helmuth's antics will have you laughing from beginning to end (I would never be able to eat one of her meals).  Thank you for stopping by today.  I will return tomorrow with A Perilous Plot by Lorna Barrett.  It is the ninteeth A Booktown Mystery.  I hope that you have a delightful 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.

Hunting for a Husband by Mindy Steele

Hunting for a Husband

About the Book

 Hunting for a Husband (The Heart of the Amish Book Nine)

Love Is the Bull’s-Eye Leah Aims For

Full of faith, hope, and romance, this series takes you into the Heart of Amish country.

Ten years ago, Joe Shetler took a leap, and it cost him his ability to walk. Accepting that this is God’s will for him, Joe finds his independence running Shetler Outdoors, an archery and outdoors shop.

Leah Wicky moves to Kentucky where her father has set up a deer farm. With a strong desire to marry, she soon sets her sights on Joe who, despite his disabilities, has determination and an easy way about him. A sticky situation finally affords the opportunity for a friendship to form between them.

When the Wickey’s prize buck attracts attention in the community—and attempted poachers—Leah is caught in the crosshairs, and Joe’s fears of inadequacy haunt him when he fails to protect her. A future once bright has dimmed.

Click here to get your copy! Happy Reading!

About the Author

Mindy Steele was raised in Kentucky timber country and has been writing since she could hold a crayon against the wall. Steele writes Amish Romance peppered with just the right amount of humor, as well as engaging Suspense, using rural America and the residents as her muse. Steele strives to create realistic characters for her readers and believes in engaging all the senses to make you laugh, cry, hold your breath, and root for the happy ever after ending. A hopeless romantic, with a lyrical pen, Steele wants her readers to find themselves somewhere within her pages. A mother of four and grandmother to a half dozen blessings, Steele enjoys hiking and gardening, coffee indulgences and weekend road trips, and is personally doing all she can to make peanut butter its very own food group.

More from Mindy

The Story Behind the Story

I love thinking outside the box and crafting a story filled with originality as well as taking the common trope and hijacking it to suit my own reading interest. Thankfully readers do too as they continue buying my books. However, none of what I create is mine to claim, as God continues to spark my imagination in the ordinary every day. Hunting for a Husband started with a chance encounter, a few God winks, and ended with lots of research on my part.

Long story short, my husband was commissioned to work on an all-terrain vehicle for a Mennonite gentleman who was disabled. His condition didn’t allow him to drive a vehicle, and his livelihood was quite unique. This gentleman owned and operated an outdoor shop with archery being the center of the focus. Before this book was released he sold the business, but the echoes of his many years remain.

I had the opportunity to meet him. He was funny, informative, and had a beautiful wife and family. I never crossed over to asking his story. It’s his story after all, but everything about the encounters struck a chord in my writer’s brain.

Fast forward a year when I came across an article about deer breeding farms. Don’t ask. You have to be married to an avid hunter to understand why some things pique my interest. And we do have a few deer farms locally. Discovering one of the most well-known deer farms belongs to an Amish gentleman surprised even me.Again, all these little bits collected in my head. It wasn’t until I learned of an Amish man who aligned bows and was an avid hunter that I realized I needed to stop sitting on these thoughts and start writing them.

Thus, the Wickey deer farm was born. This story took me across four state lines, a short novella, and a very detailed and informative conversation with a surgeon!

The Wickey deer farm was first introduced to readers in Leaving Lancaster, a short novella in A Lancaster Amish Christmas. Readers fell in love with the three Wickey sisters, and though the plot twist appealed to readers, Leah deserved to find the same love as her sisters. She wasted so many years on the wrong man. Joe Shetler, after years of accepting his future was set by one boyhood mistake, needed to learn that God is the Author of our lives.

I hope you smile, laugh, and find yourself immersed within these pages of second chances, leaps of faith, and the power of friendship and family.

Mindy

My Thoughts

Hunting for a Husband by Mindy Steele is a sweet story.  I enjoyed Leah Wickey’s story.  I knew there would be someone special for her.  I thought the story was well-written with developed characters.  I enjoyed getting to know Leah and Joe.  We also learn more about the Wickey’s deer farm.  Their farm has caught the attention of the wrong type of people.  I liked that there was a mystery which added depth to the story. I enjoyed this touching story that had an ending that left me smiling. Hunting for a Husband is the ninth book in The Heart of the Amish series, and it can be read as a standalone.  Hunting for a Husband is a heartwarming tale with stuck in the rain without a ride, curious Englishers, breeding deer, a friend in need, and faith in the future. 

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Mindy is giving away the grand prize of a $25 Amazon e-Gift card and a print copy of the book!! Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click here to enter. Good Luck!

Hunting for a Husband is available from Amazon*.  You can find the other books in The Heart of the Amish series here.  If you follow Mindy Steele on Amazon, they will send you an email when she has a new book release.  Thank you for dropping by today.  Continuing with the Amish theme this week, I will be featuring The Pretender by Wanda E. Brunstetter tomorrow.  It is the third and final A Mifflin County Mystery.  Before you depart, don't forget to enter the giveaway.  If you leave a comment for me, you will get an extra entry. You will find the other blog stops listed below. I am off to set up my next display in our front yard.  On Monday, I took down my "Fun in the Summer Sun" display (Santa and his friends on vacation).  Back to school is what I am setting up next.  I have some cute inflatables for it including a big arch to go in front of my three season room and a an inflatable school bus.  I hope that you have a cheery day.  Take care, stay cool (I cannot wait for fall to arrive), and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

Blog Stops

Texas Book-aholic, July 31

Guild Master, August 1 (Au
thor Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, August 1

Simple Harvest Reads, August 2 (Guest Review from Marilyn)

Holly’s Book Corner, August 3

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, August 4

lakesidelivingsite, August 5

The Avid Reader, August 6

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, August 7

Happily Managing a Household of Boys , August 8

For Him and My Family, August 9

Jeanette’s Thoughts, August 10

Cover Lover Book Review, August 11

Fiction Book Lover, August 12 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, August 12

Life on Chickadee Lane, August 13

*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.