Light Shines on Promise Lodge by Charlotte Hubbard

Happy Friday!  I hope all of you are staying safe and well.  I was very fortunate this week that my very kind and generous brother-in-law came over and changed our kitchen faucet.  Our old one has been leaking terribly for a year.  I was unable to do the job and I am so thankful that he did this for us.  No more leaks!  How are things going at your house?  

Light Shines on Promise Lodge by Charlotte Hubbard opens with the wedding of Frances Lehman and Preacher Marlen Kurtz.  It is obvious to all present that the two are very much in love.  Annabelle Beachey has settled into Promise Lodge where she has started a sewing business.  She has become more confident and independent since her arrival thanks to the other ladies in the community.  Annabelle is shocked when Phineas, the husband who abandoned her, arrives during the wedding dinner.  He wants Annabelle to leave the Amish and relocate to Ohio where he has established his business.  Phineas is surprised at how Annabelle has changed especially at how she speaks up to him.  Cyrus Helmuth begins showing interest in Gloria Lehman.  She is unaware of the wager Cyrus has made with his brother, Jonathan.  The morning after the wedding, the town is surprised by the appearance of Bishop Clayton King who states he is there on behalf of the Council of Bishops.  He states that the council is concerned at how progressive Promise Lodge has become and Bishop Clayton sets out to make changes.  Bishop Clayton’s changes could ruin the community the group has built unless action is taken.  

Light Shines on Promise Lodge by Charlotte Hubbard is the fifth novel in the Promise Lodge Series.  I do recommend reading the series in order.  It is the best way to understand the people and the community.  I enjoyed reading Light Shines on Promise Lodge, and I did not want this delightful story to end.  I thought it was well-written with steady pacing and a good flow.  The characters are developed as well as endearing and continue to grow as individuals.  All our favorites are back (Bishop Monroe, Christine, Preacher Amos Troyer, Gloria, Allen, Laura, etc.) plus we have the addition of Annabelle and Phineas Beachey.  Annabelle’s husband left her to become English.  She only knew he left because she caught him searching for her egg money.  After her brother-in-law took over the farm and made Annabelle feel like a charity case, she relocated to Promise Lodge.  Annabelle develops a backbone along with loving friends who care and support her.  Phineas is determined to stay, but he will need to change his ways if wants to win back his wife.  Cyrus Helmuth and his older brother, Jonathan make a wager that will end up causing hurt feelings.  Hopefully, the pair will do some maturing along the way and learn a life lesson or two.  Bishop Clayton King shows up at Promise Lodge claiming their community is too progressive.  He is intent on making changes.  Trouble has come to their peaceful community.  Light Shines on Promise Lodge was an interesting story with its various storylines.  I like how everything played out including the appearance of some special guests (I cannot say too much or it will spoil it for you).  I especially liked the mystery surrounding Bishop King.  I have enjoyed watching Gloria go from a girl chasing boys to a woman who manages the cabins and apartments at the lodge. There are recipes from the Promise Lodge kitchen at the end of the book.   Light Shines on Promise Lodge is a story about forgiveness, love, friendship, family, community and second chances.  Charlotte Hubbard is a storyteller of the highest caliber.  She weaves a tale that will capture and hold your attention from beginning to end.  I hope there will be many more stories in this charming series.  

Light Shines on Promise Lodge releases on Tuesday, March 31.  It can be pre-ordered through Amazon.  You can find the other novels in the Promise Lodge Series here.  If you enjoy reading the Promise Lodge Series, I highly suggest reading Charlotte Hubbard's Simple Gifts series. Thank you for reading my review today.  I will be sharing my thoughts on Dead in the Doorway by Diane Kelly which is the second A House-Flipper Mystery.  I hope that you have an inspired day.  By the way. . .Why did words and punctuation end up in court?  To be sentenced!  Take care, stay safe and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

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A Simple Christmas: Simple Gifts Series

Thank you for joining me today.  A Thief Consumed by Heather Sunseri is out today.  It is the second novel in the International Thief series (romantic suspense).  Six Cats a Slayin' by Miranda James will be available on October 23.  It is the tenth book in A Cat in the Stacks series.

A Simple Christmas by Charlotte Hubbard is the third book in the Simple Gifts series.  Nora Hooley’s shop, Simple Gifts is full of beautiful handcrafted Amish items including wreaths made by Rosalyn Riehl.  Rosalyn works in the shop part-time as well happy to escape from her crotchety father.  Rosalyn is the last unmarried daughter of clockmaker, Cornelius Riehl.  They have been receiving bills with Past Due on them and Cornelius is providing less money for household expenses including food.  Cornelius spends a great deal of time locked away in his workshop and his attitude, which has never been cordial, has gotten worse of late.  Rosalyn is thankful her sister and her husband are still living with them. 

Marcus Hooley, a horse trainer, arrives in town for his new job with Wyatt McKenzie.  Marcus’ wild ways have gotten him fired from his last three jobs despite his excellent skills and he is worried that someone is following him to Willow Ridge.  Marcus was raised Amish, but he jumped the fence and has been enjoying the Englisch lifestyle.  Despite his unorthodox arrival at his farm, Wyatt hires Marcus with certain conditions.  This is Marcus’ last chance and he knows it.  When Marcus meets Rosalyn, he is attracted to the lovely Amish maidel.  Spending time with Rosalyn and the residents of Willow Ridge, makes Marcus rethink his life choices.  Marcus beings to notice some oddities and may be able to shed some light on hidden secrets. 

A Simple Christmas is a lovely, heartwarming Amish story.  I thought it was well-written with steady pacing.  It is an engaging novel that captured my attention right away and held it until the end.  There is a complex plot involving Cornelius with unexpected twists along the way. I was eager to find out what secrets Cornelius has been keeping from his family and the town.  Cornelius is the type of character that readers will dislike (just like we are supposed to).  Rosalyn is a caring, thoughtful woman with a good heart.  Marcus was the perfect partner for Rosalyn.  It was nice to see him evolve.  Charlotte Hubbard creates wonderful characters, and I love the town of Willow Ridge (I want to live there).  Such a charming small town with thoughtful residents.  It was nice to spend more time with Wyatt and Rebecca.  Readers will be happy with the developments in their relationship.  A Simple Christmas is not a standalone novel.  You need to read the books in the Simple Gifts series in order as each book builds upon the previous one.  I am giving A Simple Christmas 4 out of 5 stars (I liked it).  While the romance is predictable, is it sweet and romantic. One of the main Christian themes is putting our worries in God’s hands and let Him handle it.   A Simple Christmas is an uplifting novel that will warm your heart and have you humming Christmas carols. 

The first two books in the Simple Gifts series are A Simple Vow and A Simple Wish.  I will return tomorrow with my thoughts on Murder at Archly Manor by Sara Rosett as part of the Great Escapes Book Tour.  It is the first book in a High Society Lady Detective series.  I hope you have a chilling day (get into the Halloween spirit).  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris 

The Avid Reader

A Simple Wish: Simple Gifts (Charlotte Hubbard)

Welcome!  Thread the Halls by Lea Wait will be published on October 31.  It is the sixth book in A Mainely Needlepoint Mystery series.  In This Moment by Karen Kingsbury will be released on November 7.  

A Simple Wish by Charlotte Hubbard is the second book in a Simple Gifts series.  Loretta Riehl is surprised when Will Gingerich expresses his interest in courting her again.  She no longer feels the same way about Will, but she has definite feelings about Drew Detweiler.  Loretta is ready to spread her wings and get out from under her father’s thumb (and away from his moods).  She accepts a position working at Simple Gifts craft shop owned by Nora Hooley.   Nora provides a place for local crafts people to sell their goods and she provides guidance for the women in the community.  Cornelius Riehl is a difficult man to live since the passing of his wife.  Drew cannot help but notice that Cornelius makes numerous buying trips for clock parts.  Drew is curious and sets out to get answers (maybe find out why Cornelius is so stern) with the help of the Hooley’s.  He is hoping to help improve Loretta’s relationship with her father.  But you know what they say about the best of intentions!

A Simple Wish is well-written and pleasurable to read.  It has lovely, well-constructed characters and a beautiful, caring town.  I do not recommend starting with A Simple Wish (you should start with Summer of Secrets).  It would be too confusing for a new reader.  There are numerous characters with convoluted relationships (Simple Gifts series is a spin-off from Seasons of the Heart series).  It is nice to return to Willow Ridge and catch up with these great characters.  There is just the right amount of humor along with compassion, love, caring, hope, suspicion, and worry along with much more.  It showcases real people with complicated relationships and life issues.  My rating for A Simple Wish is 4 out of 5 stars.  There is some predictability to the story (mostly with the romance).  It was nice to see Rebecca find someone to care about in A Simple Wish.   The story talks about forgiveness which is difficult to do as we can see in A Simple Wish.  I look forward to more books in the Simple Gifts series.  The first book in a Simple Gifts series is A Simple Vow.  

I appreciate you visiting today.  If you are a member of Google+, consider adding me to your circle (at right).  I will be sharing my review of Dial Meow for Murder by Bethany Blake next time.  Have a delightful day and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader