Showing posts with label The Heart of the Amish. Show all posts

Tuesday, June 30, 2026

Miriam's LIttle Gentleman by Anne Blackburne

About the Book

Book: Miriam’s Little Gentleman (The Heart of the Amish Book 13)

Author: Anne Blackburne

Genre: Amish/Christian Fiction

Her Heart Is Set on One Man

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

Miriam Zook has loved David Miller her whole life, and she confessed her feelings the night before he moved to Indiana and joined the Mennonite church. Miriam, having been baptized into the Amish faith, makes an income by painting beautiful vignettes of Amish life. She has never married, since no one ever compared to David, and, as she is an only child, this concerns the women in her family greatly. Now, seven years after leaving, David is back in Willow Creek to embrace his Amish roots and join the church. Miriam’s heart awakens, but can she dare to hope that he will also embrace her?

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Anne Blackburne lives and works in Southeast Ohio as a newspaper editor and writer. She is the mother of five grown children, has one wonderful grandchild, and a spoiled poodle named Millie. For fun, when she isn’t working on Amish romance or sweet mysteries, Anne directs and acts in community theater productions and writes and directs original plays. She also enjoys reading, kayaking, swimming, searching for beach glass, and just sitting with a cup of coffee looking at large bodies of water. Her idea of the perfect vacation is cruising and seeing amazing new places with people she loves.

More from Anne

Hello Dear Readers!

It seems like only yesterday that the wonderful Christian bloggers who work with Celebrate Literature did a blog tour for my January 1 release in Barbour’s “Heart of the Amish” series, “Plain Jane’s Secret Admirer”! Yet here we are again, with another CelebrateLit blog tour, this time for my May release, “Miriam’s Little Gentleman”.

Miriam’s story is available now to readers in print and online wherever fine books are sold, and I feel blessed to have the help of the CelebrateLit folks in launching this next tale from my made-up Amish community of Willow Creek, Ohio.

In addition to Jane’s and Miriam’s stories, my previous Heart of the Amish books in the series include, “Ruth’s Gingersnap Surprise”, “Mary’s Calico Hope”, and “Lizzie’s Little Mouse”. If you’re read any of them, you’ll remember Miriam Zook, who does beautiful folk art paintings of Amish life scenes. Miriam was also mentioned in Ruth’s story as one of the lucky recipients of a kitten from their elderly friend, Lydia’s, cat’s final litter.

Miriam’s cat is a black and white tuxedo cat named Beau. He enjoys sitting outside in the fresh air while Miriam paints, safely wearing his natty red harness to keep him from wandering into trouble. If you read Jane’s story, you know kitties sometimes do wander off!

Miriam has been hung up on David Miller for years. She even told him so . . . but unfortunately, it was too late. David had already made plans to leave Willow Creek the following morning, running from troubles he didn’t make and couldn’t fix. Years later, Miriam and David still have feelings for one another. But are they strong enough to survive the hurt and years of separation, and to forge a real and lasting love? With God’s help, of course, anything is possible. That doesn’t mean it’ll be easy!

Thank you for taking the time to learn about Miriam’s story! This book is my fifth in Barbour Publishing’s series, “The Heart of the Amish”. Look for other great reads in the series from authors Mindy Steele, Kelly Irvin and Lisa Jones Baker.

I’m currently writing my sixth book in the series, which will feature a young woman you’ve met in some of my other stories, Rebecca Beachy. Her cat is Patches, a little orange and white boy. Together, with the help of Amish farmer Rudy Miller, they’ll figure out a way to keep a dear old woman from losing her home and business. A buried treasure and a small mystery are involved!

I hope you’re having as much fun reading about these remarkable young women – and their kitties! – as I’m having writing about them. Thanks for being part of our journey!

God bless you and yours!

Joyfully,

Anne Blackburne

My Thoughts

Miriam’s Little Gentleman by Anne Blackburne is a warm, uplifting story with plenty of heart. Blackburne’s friendly, engaging writing style makes the pages fly by, and the steady pacing gives the story an easy, enjoyable flow. I especially appreciated seeing Amish characters using their artistic gifts to create beauty and earn a living—Miriam Zook through her lovely paintings and David Miller through his skillfully crafted wood sculptures.

It was also a treat to catch up with familiar characters from the series, along with their charming cats. I loved how faith is naturally woven into the story, with characters pausing to pray when challenges arise, seeking guidance before making decisions, and thanking the Lord when adversity is overcome. Blending forgiveness, second chances, hope, love, family, and faith, Miriam’s Little Gentleman is an appealing and heartfelt tale. Although it is the thirteenth book in The Heart of the Amish series, it can easily be enjoyed as a standalone. Sweet, sincere, and satisfying, Miriam’s Little Gentleman is a delightful read that leaves the heart smiling.

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Anne 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!

Miriam's Little Gentleman is available from Amazon as well as other major retailers. You can find the other The Heart of the Amish novels here. If you follow Anne Blackburne on Amazon, they will email you when she has a new book release.

I will be featuring A Mother's Prayer by Chris Maday Schmidt on Wednesday, July 1. It is the third Sweetwater, Arizona novel. It is hard to believe that it is the last day of June. Fourth of July is the just around the corner. Don't forget to enter the giveaway! May your day be sprinkled with happiness. Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

Blog Stops

Texas Book-aholic, June 27

Artistic Nobody, June 28 (Author Interview)

Life on Chickadee Lane, June 29

She Lives To Read, June 30

The Avid Reader, June 30

For Him and My Family, July 1

Guild Master, July 2 (Author Interview)

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, July 2

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, July 3

Simple Harvest Reads, July 4 (Guest Review from Marilyn)

EmpowerMoms, July 5

Holly’s Book Corner, July 6

Vickey Sluiter, July 7

Fiction Book Lover, July 8 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, July 9

Little Homeschool on the Prairie, July 10

*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.

Wednesday, May 6, 2026

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.

Thursday, February 5, 2026

Plain Jane's Secret Admirer by Anne Blackburne

Plain Jane's Secret Admirer

About the Book

Book: Plain Jane’s Secret Admirer (The Heart of the Amish Book 11)

Author: Anne Blackburne

Genre: Amish/Christian Fiction

Release Date: January, 2026

Secrets Surround Shy Jane Bontrager

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

Sweet, shy, and devoted Amish woman, Jane Bontrager secretly hates her childhood nickname of Plain Jane. She doesn’t know who started the ugly name back in her school days, but she can never forget how it has long made her feel.

Jane has a huge crush on Amish buggy maker Samuel Mast, but they are both so shy they are more likely to turn old and gray alone than to ever get together—especially since Samuel holds a secret or two of his own.

What can bridge the gap between two young people who both deserve love and happiness?

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

More from Anne

The amazing bloggers who work with Celebrate Lit are going to do a blog tour for my brand new book in Barbour’s “Heart of the Amish” series, “Plain Jane’s Secret Admirer”!

Jane’s story is available now to readers in print and online wherever fine books are sold, and I feel so blessed to have the help of the Celebrate Lit folks in launching this next tale from my made-up Amish community of Willow Creek, Ohio.

If you read any of my previous three Heart of the Amish books in the series, “Ruth’s Gingersnap Surprise”, “Mary’s Calico Hope”, and “Lizzie’s Little Mouse” (currently on sale), you’ll remember Jane Bontrager, their good friend who lives and works with Lizzie in her New Orleans Style French/Amish bakery in Willow Creek. Jane was also mentioned in Ruth’s story as one of the lucky recipients of a kitten from their elderly friend, Lydia’s, cat’s final litter.

Jane’s cat is a tabby named Secret, because she can tell her fluffy pal all of the wishes, hopes and dreams closest to her heart.

As the story opens, Jane is waving her brother John and Lizzie off on their wedding trip, promising to take good care of the bakery – and Lizzie’s precious cat, Little Mouse – while they are away.

But then Jane finds a mysterious note from someone claiming to be her secret admirer taped to the back door of the bakery, and her heart flutters, wondering if it could possibly be her long time crush, Samuel Mast, the buggy maker, who put it there, along with a whimsical little gift.

Between a water leak that damages ceilings in the bakery building and the sudden disappearance of both Secret and Little Mouse, Jane has no time to wonder who left the note and gift; she needs help!

And Samuel Mast, who is indeed her secret admirer, is ready to step up to the plate and do whatever it takes to help Jane find the cats, repair the bakery, and maybe even discover love along the way.

But Sam has a secret of his own. He’s the one who accidentally-on-purpose saddled her with the nickname “Plain Jane” when they were kids. He has no idea how to confess his mistake, or his love.

Will Jane and Sam be able to get past Sam’s terrible secret? And will they find the missing cats before Lizzie gets home? Don’t lose hope; with God, everything is possible!

Thank you for taking the time to learn about Jane’s story! This book is my fourth in Barbour Publishing’s series, “The Heart of the Amish”. Look for other great reads in the series from authors Mindy Steele, Kelly Irvin and Lisa Jones Baker.

I’m currently writing my fifth book in the series, which will feature a young woman you’ve met in some of my other stories, Miriam Zook. Miriam is a talented artist who paints stylized folk art paintings depicting scenes from Amish life.

Just like her friends, Miriam received a kitten from Lydia; a black and white fellow named Beauregard, or Beau for short. Her story, “Miriam’s Little Gentleman”, is due out in May, 2026.

I hope you’re having as much fun reading about these remarkable young women – and their kitties! – as I’m having writing about them. Thanks for being part of our journey!

As for me and mine, we are all well and enjoying a crisp winter in southeast Ohio.

God bless you and yours!

Joyfully,

Anne Blackburne

My Thoughts

Plain Jane’s Secret Admirer by Anne Blackburne is a cute tale. I enjoyed getting to know Jane and Eliza better as well as Sam and Ben. I thought Ben was entertaining. I loved his reactions to Sam’s attempts at romance. I thought Sam’s gifts were sweet and thoughtful just like Sam. His shyness prevents him from telling Jane how he feels as well as something he did as a teen. We get to see how fear can twist your thoughts. It is better to let it go and leave it with God. I felt for Jane when Little Mouse disappeared, because I know how it feels when your cat is lost. The lost cat plot, though, lagged. (needed a little more action). I like how the cat story turned out. Owning a pet can significantly impact an individual’s life and contribute to personal development. I was surprised to hear that the cats enjoyed playing in water. I have owned a few cats over the years, but I have yet to find one that liked water (my current cat is the only one who tolerates a bath without scratching or biting me).

I hope that we get Miriam and David’s story soon (I am curious to see how it will play out). One of my favorite quotes from the story comes from Lydia when she needs to talk to Jane about something that is bothering her. Jane offers to make tea, but Lydia says she needs something stronger, “I’m talking about chocolate, child! I need some gut, strong hot cocoa. Possibly with marshmallows if you have any of those tiny ones.” I got a chuckle out of that line (my mother has the same philosophy). Plain Jane’s Secret Admirer is the eleventh installment in The Heart of the Amish series, yet it also works well as an independent read. Plain Jane’s Secret Admirer is a sweet story with tasty pastries, a water disaster, cats gone astray, special gifts, a nervy newcomer, and returning honeymooners.

Giveaway

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

Plain Jane’s Secret Admirer is available from Amazon*. The twelfth book in The Heart of the Amish series is A Heart on Consignment by Mindy Steele and it will be out on March 15 (you can click here to preorder it). Miriam's Little Gentleman by Anne Blackburne comes out May 1 and it is the thirteenth book in The Heart of the Amish series. You can find the other novels in The Heart of the Amish series here. Check out Anne Blackburne's other novels.

Thank you for joining me today. I will return on Tuesday, February 10 with The Single Mom's Second Chance by Tara Randel. I hope that you have marvelous weekend. I am looking forward to next week when the weather will be in the high 60s. There is even a day when we might hit 70 degrees (a girl can hope). We all need a chance for our bones to warm up. Don't forget to enter the giveaway before you depart. Take care, stay warm, and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader