I was provided a complimentary copy of this book by CelebrateLit. I was not compensated for this review and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. I was not required to write a positive review.
Love's Thankful Heart by Laura V. Hilton, Rachel J. Good, Thomas Nye Published by Celebrate Lit Publishing on January 1st 1970
Genres: Amish & Mennonite, Holidays
Source: CelebrateLit
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Gingerbread Wishes
As Thanksgiving approaches, Becca Troyer finds herself overwhelmed with an abundance of winter squash and pumpkins that she isn’t a bit thankful for. Desperately trying to sell them at a farmer’s market so she won’t have mountains to can, she’s surprised when a mime drops to his knee in front of her and proposes marriage.
Yost Miller is helping the volunteer firefighter raise funds at the city park when he notices his long-time crush Becca selling vegetables. Drawn across the grass, he spontaneously proposes marriage. But afterward, Yost isn’t sure how to proceed to show her that his feelings are real.
Just as he begins to find solid footing, confidence is yanked away, leaving him floundering. Will he lose Becca to another man? Or will this Thanksgiving be a season of blessings and wishes come true?
Thanksgiving Strangers
Faithe Beiler believes God wants her to feed the poor at her family’s restaurant, but when she mistakes Crist Petersheim for a homeless man and gives him a free breakfast, he’s offended. Yet he can’t help being intrigued by this pretty waitress with a giving heart.
Crist blames God for the tragedies in his life, so the last thing he wants is to get involved with an Amish girl, who trusts God in all circumstances. He fears for Faithe’s safety, though, when she invites every homeless person in the neighborhood, including drug dealers and criminals, to a free Thanksgiving dinner. Street savvy, Crist risks his life to protect her from danger.
As Crist’s heart softens toward God, Faithe finds herself falling him. Then she discovers his deception, and her world is shattered. Can she ever trust him again?
The Thanksgiving Frolic
Monroe has the prettiest girl and the fastest horse— but pride goes before a fall.
Monroe’s girlfriend, Rosemary, and her family organize the Thanksgiving Frolic, a service project to help Amish folks who have fallen on hard times. Monroe wants to go along but his dad won’t let him. Furthermore, Monroe’s dad thinks Rosemary’s family should clean up their own messy farm before they try to help others. Will the contrast between Monroe’s and Rosemary’s families end their relationship for good? Rosemary’s grandpa tries to offer words of wisdom, but people don’t take him seriously. The Thanksgiving Frolic heats up to a fever pitch, before a moment of silence changes everything.
Gingerbread Wishes by Laura V. Hilton 3*
Yost and Becca make a very sweet story of finding love when you think you’ve missed the boat. They first made their appearance in ‘The Christmas Admirer’ which also came out recently and I’ll be reviewing for you in a couple of weeks. Perhaps had I read that book first I would have had a better relationship with these characters. I also feel like their story has the bones for much more than a novella. I’d like to know so much more about his time away just before Thanksgiving and the greater impact it had on their community and him. It was too easy, ya know? I really liked this story but it was missing depth for me. Everything was very easy, clear, and surface. The problem with most novellas, in my opinion. There’s just not enough time to tell a story and develop those deeper interactions.
Thanksgiving Strangers by Rachel J. Good *5
Having never read Rachel J. Good before I went in completely open-minded with zero expectations. And I was promptly reading to start finding all the books! This story is exactly what every novella should strive to be. There was no need to look back, there was no need for a zoom forward to wrap it up, it was built around the characters in their moment and still managed to tell a complete story full of depth. I questioned more about Crist and his background the most. I’d like to see a deeper understanding there but I did get it. He definitely has enough depth to him to earn his own full-length novel (hint…hint). Faithe’s faith (does that read weird to anyone else?) is so deep that it almost feels trite. I mean that in the most honestly loving way possible, oh to have her sense of completeness in the face of terrifying and difficult situations. I loved this story…the end.
The Thanksgiving Frolic by Thomas Nye
Another author I hadn’t read before and I had to force myself to have zero expectations. You don’t find many male Amish authors and I can honestly say I’ve never read one. Once again, however, I was pleasantly surprised with this novella as I was the last for the same reasons. Well developed characters with a solid story that was filled with details without trying to be more than it was. This novella took it another step even further though. A snapshot in time of two families and a community. But it also a step in faith, in lesson in humility, and an example of how the two can meet to change anyone’s life. Monroe and Rosemary have their own struggles with faith and humility. Monroe’s dad is quintessential example of a need for humility. Moses was by far my favorite character. This novella has the feel of a novel, has the life lessons of a novel, but it doesn’t try to over-reach it’s status as a novella. Another major winner for me!
About Laura V. Hilton
Laura V. Hilton is an award-winning, sought-after author with almost 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 and Putting on the New.
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.
About Rachel J. Good
Rachel J. Good grew up near Lancaster, PA, the setting for many of her Amish novels. Striving to be as authentic as possible, she spends special time with her Amish friends, doing chores on their farm and attending family events. Rachel is the author of several Amish series, including Sisters & Friends (Charisma), Love & Promises (Grand Central), and two books in the Hearts of Amish Country series (Annie’s Book Club). In addition, she has two Amish Quilts Coloring Books as well as stories in several anthologies, including Springs of Love.
About Thomas Nye
Thomas Nye writes novels about horses and Amish life, with a touch of romance, and a foundation of faith in Christ. He and his wife, Shari, live on her family farm where they raised five children. Their six grandchildren love to visit Karma and Karla, a team of draft horses which Thomas purchased from an Amish friend. Walking a mail route for the U.S. Postal Service keeps Thomas close to nature and affords him many quiet hours which he uses to dream up novels. Over three decades of friendships with Amish neighbors has revealed a simple wisdom that he weaves into his writing.
Thank you for reading
Thank you so much for sharing our book on your blog. I appreciated your insightful comments and kind words about my story. Many blessings!