Goddess Fish Promotions: A Simple Vow

A Simple Vow

by Charlotte Hubbard

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

GENRE: Inspirational Romance ( Amish)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

BLURB:

Housed in a rustic red barn, the Simple Gifts crafts shop celebrates the talents of the Amish of Willow Ridge—and the faith that inspires them. For the acceptance of simplicity opens the path to love.

As far as Edith Riehl is concerned, the baby twins thrust suddenly into her arms are a heaven-sent gift. Unable to conceive, she longs to be a mother with a home of her own. She’s going to abide by her promise to handsome Asa Detweiler to take care of them while he looks for their real father. And even if her domineering dat Cornelius refuses to countenance Asa’s suit, she can only pray the bachelor’s honesty and persistence will uncover the truth—even as he’s kindled an impossible hope for a love of her own…

Asa can’t understand why anyone would think he would be so dishonorable as to father babies and then abandon them. He’s determined to clear his name—but Edith’s caring ways also inspire him to help heal her wounded spirit and earn her trust. In the face of heartbreaking deception, he and Edith must find the strength to understand, forgive…and claim their own hearts’ joy.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

EXCERPT:

As the middle-aged deacon put on his hat and strode toward the county highway, his two daughters shook their heads. “Dat doesn’t spend much time at weddings since our mamm passed on,” Rosalyn explained. “And Edith did get herself into quite a pickle this morning.”

“Jah, we were ready to walk over here for church,” Loretta continued, “when we found her with a baby in each arm, telling us a mighty peculiar story about how their dat had dropped them off because their mamm had died—”

“And meanwhile he was accusing another fellow of being the babies’ father,” Rosalyn added in an embarrassed whisper. “So it seems we’re to look after these two helpless wee ones until their dat returns.”

“If he does—whichever man it is,” Loretta added with an exasperated shrug. “It’s another one of those long stories best left for another time.”

“Oh, my,” Nora murmured as the folks around her began to whisper among themselves. “I was wondering why I didn’t see Edith sitting with you. She was so excited about helping at the wedding dinner.”

“The little twins’ dinner—and dirty diapers—were a more immediate concern,” Loretta replied wryly. “We can’t fault Edith for her soft heart, but we’re wondering if she’s gotten herself into the middle of a messy situation. I’m sure Dat’s going to ask her some hard questions, and maybe insist that she return the babies to Will—the fellow who brought them here.”

“It doesn’t help that Will was once engaged to Loretta, or that Dat made them break it off,” Rosalyn explained, smiling ruefully at her sister.

“Sounds like a matter we need to hold up in prayer, for all of you Riehls and those babies, too,” Bishop Tom remarked. “The ladies here in town will help with clothes and supplies, so don’t hesitate to let us know what ya need.”

Tom and the Riehl sisters made their way outside. The other guests, eager to get to the Grill N Skillet, congratulated Nora and Luke in a steady stream that soon cleared the house. As her husband closed the door and clasped her hand, Nora chuckled. “Seems there’s more to our new neighbors than meets the eye,” she said. “The Riehl sisters are such nice girls—and they’ve mentioned that they make several different craft items, which I’d like to sell in my store. Apparently that Will fellow trusts them to look after his little twins.”

“He’s probably so overwhelmed by the prospect of caring for them that he doesn’t know what else to do,” Luke replied. “If you had twins and then passed on, I’d be—well, I’m not sure I’d survive, Nora. You’re everything to me.”

“Oh, Luke.” Nora stopped in the middle of the road to caress the brown beard he’d been growing since they’d married five months ago. The hitch in his voice had tugged hard at her heartstrings. “I’m healthy as a horse, and I plan to be pestering you for a long, long time. All right?”

“I sure hope so.” A grin lit up his handsome face and he kissed her quickly. “Although I’m enjoying this extended visit with our family, I’m looking forward to when the relatives head back to Pennsylvania so we have the house to ourselves again. Hear what I’m saying?”

Nora felt heat prickle her cheeks as she smiled up at him. “Loud and clear, Mr. Hooley.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Review: I love Charlotte Hubbard. I think I've read almost all of her books. A Simple Vow is the first book in the Simple Gifts series. Its a bit of a continuation of her last series Seasons of the Heart, but this type of series is one where all the books are stand alone novels, you just get to revisit characters you've met before.

In this book Edith finds herself taking care of twins. The reason they are in her care is really bizarre and it starts the mystery that carries through the whole novel. That's part of why I love Charlotte's books, there's always a little more going on that meets the eye.

There are so many wonderful characters here, some new, and some that you've met before if you've read her previous book. This story felt like coming home to me because her stories make you feel like you are visiting with relatives and friends.

If you are fan of Amish fiction you really need to give Charlotte's books a try. You won't regret it.

RATING: 5 stars

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Many moons ago—like, in 1983 while she was still a school librarian—Charlotte Hubbard sold her first story to True Story. This launched her into writing around seventy of those “true confessions” stories over the years, and she’s been a slave to her overactive imagination ever since. Over the course of her writing career, she has sold nearly 50 books—most recently, Amish romance series she’s written as Charlotte Hubbard or Naomi King.

Charlotte lived in Missouri for most of her life, so her Amish stories are set in imaginary Missouri towns. These days she lives in St. Paul, MN with her husband of 40+ years and their Border collie, Ramona.

WEBSITE www.CharlotteHubbard.com

Facebook www.Facebook.com/Charlotte.Hubbard1

Click on these links to buy this book now!

• Amazon.com •• Barnes & Noble •• The Book Depository •• B-A-M •• Chapters •• IndieBound •• Powell’s •• Kensington Books •

Ebook: • Kindle •• Nook •• Kobo •• iBooks •• Google Play •• Kensington •

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

a Rafflecopter giveaway