Book Review: Love’s Christmas Blessings

The Basics

Book: Love’s Christmas Blessings (Two Inspirational Novellas)
Authors: Laura V Hilton, Rachel J Good
Genre: Christian Fiction, Amish, Christmas
Release Date: November, 2018
Publisher: Celebrate Lit Publishing

Book Synopsis

Winter’s Treasure
by Laura V. Hilton

Paris Kauffman believes she is about to embark on her family-tradition birthday treasure hunt, but for the first time ever, her daed is sending her to various businesses and homes in the community. Little does Paris expect that when she enters the bakery to collect her gift, the bus will drop off none other than her old crush, Aquila Stutzman, the man she’d done everything except cartwheels and handstands to get his attention. And failed. Of course, Quil doesn’t remember her.

Quil was offered employment working on his grandparents’ new tree farm in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Since he’s recovering from a broken heart when his longtime girlfriend Priscilla up and married his cousin, a move Quil never saw coming, he decides to take the job. This will give him time to separate himself from the hurt and maybe, eventually, move on.

Paris and Quil have sparks from the beginning, especially since his appearance causes a vicious rivalry between friends. But who can resist when a chance meeting beginning with donuts and coffee ends with a missing person, puppies, a skunk, and a sleigh ride—not to mention a trip the Amish young people plan to Niagara Falls. Could it also involve falling in love?

Mistletoe and Miracles
by Rachel J. Good

Daniel Graber has spent years caring for his aging parents. Now Daed’s in rehab with a broken hip and a bad case of irritability. He snaps at the workers and complains about doing physical therapy, so Daniel is grateful for the new aide, Fern Chupp, who uses her sweetness and charm to convince Daed to cooperate. Turns out, Daed isn’t the only one she charms.

As a widow, Fern is grateful for her new job at Fairview Rehab Center, even though it meant relocating to Ephrata, Pennsylvania, with her nine-year-old daughter, Lyddie. But Lyddie is grieving the recent death of her grandfather and dislikes leaving her Ohio home. Lyddie’s shyness also makes it difficult to make friends or recite school lessons.

When her class goes to the rehab center to interview patients, Lyddie’s too scared to do her assignment, so she runs away. During the hunt for her missing daughter, independent Fern learns to accept and appreciate Daniel’s help and support. By the time they discover Lyddie, she’s made a very unusual friend, and Fern and Daniel have developed a . Can four lonely heart create special bonds to make it a Christmas to remember?

My Two Cents

These two novellas were very well written. From the first sentence, the writers pulled you into the lives of their characters using vivid language to describe each person and scene.

Both novellas were enjoyable and easy to read. The story lines are both compelling and you want to keep reading to see what things the characters get into next or how they get out of the situation they are in.

Both authors did a good job of weaving into the characters, story lines, and dialogue biblical truths that guided the characters. In cases where the characters were not being guided by biblical truths, the writers have other characters address the sin issues in loving, gentle, and non-judgmental ways like Acts 4:15 admonishes that we “speak the truth in love.”

In Winter’s Treasure, I loved the treasure hunt as the guiding story line that took Paris to different locations to interact with several characters.

In Mistletoe and Miracles, difficult issues were primary in the story, yet presented in ways that showed God’s mercy and grace in the lives of those going through those difficult circumstances.

Love’s Christmas Blessings will make a good read during the holidays and would be a great Christmas gift for you to give.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher, Celebrate Lit for the purpose of reviewing. Thoughts in “My Two Cents” are my own opinion.

About the Authors

Laura V. Hilton

Laura V. Hilton is an award-winning, sought-after author with over twenty Amish, contemporary, and historical romances. When she’s not writing, she reviews books for her blogs, and writes devotionals for blog posts for Seriously Write.

Laura and her pastor-husband have five children and a hyper dog named Skye. They currently live in Arkansas. One son is in the U.S. Coast Guard. She is a pastor’s wife, and homeschools her two youngest children.

When she’s not writing, Laura enjoys reading, and visiting lighthouses and waterfalls. Her favorite season is winter, her favorite holiday is Christmas.

Inspirational author Rachel J. Good writes life-changing, heart-tugging novels of faith, hope, and forgiveness. The author of several Amish romance series, she grew up near Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, the setting for many of her stories. Striving to be as authentic as possible, she spends time with her Amish friends, doing chores on their farm and attending family events.

Rachel’s Amish series include Sisters & Friends (Charisma House & Harlequin), Love & Promises (Hachette/Grand Central), Hearts of Amish Country (Annie’s Book Club), and the forthcoming Surprised by Love (Kensington). She also has several anthologies in print as well as the Amish Quilts Coloring Book.

To learn more about Rachel, visit her at www.racheljgood.com.

Coconut Potato Fudge Recipe (sounds yummy!)

Ingredients:

1/2 cup plain, mashed potatoes, either instant or one medium potato, cooked

1/8 cup finely chopped (or crushed) almonds (optional)
3 cups powdered sugar
1 cup shredded coconut
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
3 ounces semi-sweet baking chocolate
give3 tablespoons butter

Instructions:

1. Beat powdered sugar and coconut into warm potatoes; then add the vanilla extract and almonds.
2. Press into a lightly-greased 8-inch square pan; set aside.
3. In a saucepan over low heat, melt chocolate and butter, stirring occasionally. When melted, pour over top of the potato mixture.
4. Refrigerate until set and then cut into squares.
5. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Blog Stops

• Vicky Sluiter, November 11
• The Avid Reader, November 11
• Bigreadersite, November 11
• Among the Reads, November 12
• Wishful Endings, November 12
• Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, November 13
• Britt Reads Fiction, November 13
• Reading Is My SuperPower, November 14
• Maureen’s Musings, November 14
• Quiet Quilter, November 15
• Blossoms and Blessings, November 15
• Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, November 16
• Jeanette’s Thoughts, November 16
• Random Thoughts From a Bookworm, November 17
• Through the Lens of Scripture, November 17
• Bibliophile Reviews, November 18
• Splashes of Joy, November 18
• D’S QUILTS & BOOKS, November 19
• Mary Hake, November 19
• Miss Tina’s Amish Book Reviews, November 20
• Just the Write Escape, November 20
• Moments, November 21
• Bukwurmzzz, November 21
• Blogging With Carol, November 22
• Texas Book-aholic, November 22
• Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, November 23
• Janices book reviews, November 23
• Carpe Diem, November 24
• A Baker’s Perspective, November 24

Giveaway

To celebrate the tour, Celebrate Lit Publishing is giving away:

• Grand prize of $25 Amazon gift card
• 1st place: Paperback copy of Love’s Christmas Blessings
• 2-4th place: eBook copy of Love’s Christmas Blessings!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click this link below to enter: Love’s Christmas Blessings Giveaway.