The Amish Widower by Virginia Smith

Seth Hostetler is an Amish man who has lost two wives, one in childbirth and the other in a buggy accident. Did I mention the second wife was pregnant when she died? Feeling that the accident was at least partly his fault, Seth vows never to marry again. He feels like an outsider in his own family because he is not married and never intends to be. Amish men are supposed to marry and get a place of their own. He befriends an Englisch (not Amish) man who offers his services to drive Seth or his family members to places that are too far to go in a buggy. He becomes interested in making pottery under the tutelage of an Amish man whose granddaughter works in the pottery shop. She has rejected Amish ways, but her grandparents hope that she will return to the fold someday.

This is different from any books I've read by Virginia Smith. The main theme is forgiveness. Seth needed to forgive himself for whatever role he had in his wife's death. He did not know who the rowdy teenagers were who whooshed by his buggy, causing the horse to panic and overturn the buggy. He need to forgive them, too. He is at odds with his family and his faith as he struggles with his emotions. Leah, the potter's granddaughter, plays a role in his healing, but I won't give away her method. She has an incident in her past that requires forgiveness, too.

If you like Amish fiction, you'll enjoy this. It is set in modern times, whereas most of the Amish fiction I've read was historical. Never read Amish fiction? Give this one a try. The story moves slowly at first, but I became more interested as I read.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Harvest House Publishers. I did not request a review copy and was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255  : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

The Room with the Second-Best View by Virginia Smith

This is the third book in the Tales of the Goose Creek B & B series. Millie and Al Richardson are still working on renovations for the stately old home, the one they bought with the intention of opening a bed and breakfast inn.

Things are moving along well until progress is interrupted by plans for a wedding, the Goose Creek 150^th anniversary celebration---and Millie's accident.

Like the earlier books, the reader is reminded of small-town life as in Mayberry (the Andy Griffth TV show) or Mitford (Jan Karon's fictional town). Little towns are special because very few people mind their own business. In this installment, everyone except the bride and groom wants an elaborate wedding. And there's dissension among residents about the anniversary celebration as well as who will be the best person to head up the Main Street program. Things do work out in the end, but there's plenty of strife and humor along the way.

I love this series. Being from a small town myself, I recognize the characters, because they remind me of someone I know. You can enjoy this one without reading the earlier installments, but I encourage you to check out the entire series. I can't wait for the next installment.

I have reviewed the other books on this blog here.

Image source: Harvest House Publishers.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Harvest House Publishers. I did not request a review copy and was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255  : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Renovating the Richardsons by Virginia Smith

This is the second book in the Tales of the Goose Creek B & B. I read the first book, The Most Famous Illegal Goose Creek Parade, and resolved to read the sequel as soon as it came out. I loved the setting, the characters, and the town politics surrounding the painting of the water tank.

In my review of the first book, I said, if you liked Mayberry, you'd like Goose Creek. For this one, I'll say, do you like Fixer Upper or Flip or Flop on HG-TV or the movie Bad News Bears? Then, you'll like this installment. The water tank is being painted, but the contractor has to cover the whole project with canvas to keep out snoopy residents wanting to critique the work before it's finished. The town organizes a softball team to play against a neighboring town in a grudge match hatched up by the mayors. They can barely get enough people to play, never mind whether they have the ball-playing skills.

Renovating brings back familiar characters from the first book and introduces new ones. Millie and Al Richardson dive into the renovation of the old home they bought for the B & B. Susan, the veterinarian, is back, along with her love interest, Justin, the handyman. The renovation of the B & B house involves finding one expensive surprise after another. There's strife between the Richardsons and between Susan and her father. New characters include Tuesday Love, who opens a massage parlor in town. Not exactly welcomed by the citizens, she makes a most interesting alliance to help develop her business plan. And Al Richardson's annoying co-worker, Franklin Thacker, buys the Richardsons' old home so that they can move into the B & B. Al is not thrilled because, now he will be annoyed by Thacker on weekends, not just during work hours. All the action culminates on the Fourth of July, the date set for the water tank reveal and the softball game. Sorry, I'm not going to spoil it for you.

Author Virginia Smith has published at least 26 books, including nonfiction and fiction (mystery, contemporary romance, and historical). Her sense of humor permeates all her writing, but it really shines in the Goose Creek series. You'll find yourself smiling while reading (not something that happens to me very often). If you haven't read the first book, don't worry. The story can stand alone.

Note: I purchased this book before I knew that I would receive a review copy from the publisher, so I have two copies. If anyone local would like to have my duplicate, please e-mail me at emilyakin(at)live.com. First person to contact me will receive the book.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Harvest House Publishers. I did not request a review copy and was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255  : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Image source: http://virginiasmith.org/goosecreek.html

The Most Famous Illegal Goose Creek Parade by Virginia Smith

Are you a fan of Mayberry, the small town in The Andy Griffith Show? Then, you should like this book, the first in the Tales of the Goose Creek B & B series. Small town folks don't like changes, and here the Creekers must to say goodbye to their long-time veterinarian. And who should replace him but some girl they don't know---and she's not "from here." Plus, she's fresh out of vet school.

The bed and breakfast is just a gleam in the future proprietor's eye at this point. She's sees the vision to turn a monstrous old house into a showplace, but her husband is not on board at all. He's retiring soon and has no interest in waiting on B & B customers when he does.

As if the town doesn't have enough to talk about, there's an item of business that divides the town in right down the middle. That's where the illegal parade comes in. Author Virginia Smith draws the reader in with humor, intrigue, and believable characters.

If you've ever lived in a small town, you'll be right at home. If not, it's time you tried small-town life. Why not start with the folks at Goose Creek? I'm looking forward to the next installment.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Harvest House Publishers. I did not request a review copy and was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255  : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Mountain Homecoming by Sandra Robbins

Publisher's summary:

"In the second book in the Smoky Mountain Dreams series, acclaimed author Sandra Robbins spins a tender tale of God’s faithfulness throughout the generations.

Rani Martin, Simon and Anna’s only daughter, is a beautiful and spirited young woman living deep in the heart of the Smoky Mountains. She has plenty of ideas about the man she’ll marry someday, but none of them could have prepared her for the return of Matthew Jackson.

Matthew left Cades Cove as a child after his father’s death. Now he’s come back to build a new life for himself, and it’s his dearest wish that Rani be a part of that life. But the people of the Cove won’t let him forget the sins of his father, and Matthew can’t forget the darkness of his own past.

Is there a place for Matthew in the Cove? And can the light of Rani’s love overcome his pain?"

Rani Martin has grown up in Cades Cove, a small valley in what is now the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Matthew left after his father died and has experienced a rougher life outside the Cove. When he returns to his childhood home, Rani is the first person he meets. His father was an alcoholic who died under suspicious circumstances. The people of the Cove remember his father's failings, making them suspicious of Matthew. His father's killer is still around and makes trouble for Matthew and Rani. She falls in love with him regardless. He feels that she deserves someone more like herself, someone who grew up in Cove with a loving family and no skeletons in the closet.

As with most romances, they get together in the end. It's an enjoyable story, and the characters are quite believable. The author does a masterful job of setting the scene and pacing the plot. Although I'm sure it helped that I've visited Cades Cove, she made it come alive for me.


The first installment was Angel of the Cove, which I reviewed earlier. You don't have to read them in order, but it helps to know that Rani's parents are the hero and heroine in the first book.

Disclaimer: This book was not provided to me by the publisher or the author.

Image source: http://harvesthousepublishers.com/book/mountain-homecoming-2013/

Angel of the Cove by Sandra Robbins

The Smoky Mountain Dreams series is set in Cades Cove, now a part of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. When I toured the park a few years ago, I wondered what life was like for the people who built the churches, the mill, and the houses. Angel of the Cove answers that question and more. For example, I discovered that faith played a significant role in the lives of the Cove residents. The heroine, Anna Prentiss, comes to the Cove to intern with the local midwife.

Here's the publisher's teaser: "Anna Prentiss has never wanted to be anything but a nurse. Before she can start school in New York, however, her brother sends her to Cades Cove, deep in the Smoky Mountains, to spend a summer apprenticing to the local midwife. Anna is determined to prove herself and then head to the big city.

But nothing could have prepared Anna for the beauty of the Cove, or the community and friendships she finds there. And she certainly wasn’t prepared for Simon Martin, the handsome young minister, or the feelings he arouses in her. Has God’s plan for Anna changed? Or is she just starting to hear Him clearly?"

The main characters, Anna and Simon, struggle throughout the story with the question of God's will for their lives. I enjoyed the story mainly because of the culture of the Cove. These independent people came together to help one another in times of crisis. Granny Lawson, the wise old midwife, kept tabs on everyone and provided some medical services besides midwifery. Other reviewers have said the story is "predictable." I just enjoyed the ride and the author's skill at crafting characters and making me feel like I was there.

Read about the history of Cades Cove here.

Disclaimer: This book was not provided to me by the publisher or the author.
Image source: http://harvesthousepublishers.com/book/angel-of-the-cove-2012/

A Cowboy at Heart by Lori Copeland and Virginia Smith

A Cowboy at Heart is the third in the Amish of Apple Grove series, also known as Amish-meets-Wild West adventures. The first book, The Heart's Frontier, is about how a group of cowboys meet the Switzer family (Amish). One of the Switzer girls marries a cowboy. In the second installment, A Plain and Simple Heart, another Switzer daughter seeks out a cowboy she had a crush on as a girl. A trip to jail and other humorous happenings land her in love with the sheriff.

From the back cover: 1886—Jesse Montgomery is beginning to feel restless. Though he’s grateful to his friends Colin and Emma for helping him get on his feet again after a few bad choices and some hard living, surely the Lord doesn’t want him to stay in Apple Grove forever. Doesn’t the Almighty have plans for this reformed rowdy cowboy to build a life of his own?

When an unscrupulous cattle baron tries to steal Amish land, Jesse intervenes and is wounded. Lovely Katie Miller, the young healer in the district, attends to him while trying to guard her heart. This sweet Amish widow cannot risk falling in love with an Englisch cowboy, charming though he may be. And yet—she believes God has a life for her too that is more than what she can presently see. Could there be a future with Jesse only He could bring about?

My review: This third installment is the best, I think. Without giving away the story, I will just say that none of the Amish characters chooses to leave the sect. In most Amish fiction, at least one of the characters doubts his or her faith, and often they ultimately leave the Amish life. This story is as much about the cowboy's search for faith as it is about the Amish. There's drama, humor, and danger---all the elements of an entertaining story. In addition, you get an education about Amish attitudes about achieving peace without violence.

I highly recommend A Cowboy at Heart. You can start with this story and work backwards to the others without losing any of the value of the story. Summaries for all three books in this series are on Virginia Smith's site here. I reviewed A Plain and Simple Heart here.


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Harvest House with the expectation that I write a review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255  : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

A Plain & Simple Heart by Lori Copeland & Virginia Smith

Summary from back cover: 1884--Several years earlier, young Rebecca Switzer lost her heart to Jesse Montgomery, a rugged but dissolute cowboy on a dusty cattle trail near the Amish settlement of Apple Grove. Now she is grown up, and when she hears one day that he has been spotted nearby, her desire is plain and simple: She must see him.

Sheriff Colin Maddox is counting the days until he can leave law enforcement and follow his dream of starting a church. When a lovely woman, new to town and looking travel weary and a bit lost, gets caught up in the middle of a temperance riot, she is arrested along with the leaders. He can hardly believe she is what she claims--a Plain and simple woman. Nor can he believe how quickly he loses his heart to her. Can Colin convince her to forget Jesse and give him a chance?

Review: This is the second book in the Amish of Apple Grove series. I have not read the first, but I found this one delightful. Who would have thought that the Western-Amish combination would work at all? I guess that's the genius of the two authors, both of whom have numerous books published.

It's a romance, but it is seasoned with just the right amount of humor. I didn't feel that the authors were making fun of the Amish, although some of the situations they found themselves in were downright hilarious. Rebecca Switzer just can't seem to stay out of trouble, although she's remorseful that she has embarrassed her Amish father and grandmother. It's clear she just cannot help herself. The sheriff has his hands full as he counts the days until his replacement arrives. And, the town just will not be quiet and peaceful until that day comes---especially with Rebecca in town. The characters are many and well-developed, as is the story. Just when you think you know what will happen next, the story takes an unexpected turn.

Both of the Apple Grove books offer several discussion questions at the end, ideal for use with a review club or study group. See the books  on Virginia Smith's site here. You can link to your favorite online bookstore from there. Lori Copeland's site is here.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Harvest House with the expectation that I write a review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255  : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”