A HEART ON CONSIGNMENT By Mindy Steele, Reviewed by Trixi Oberembt

The Heart of the Amish Series Book #12

TRIXI'S REVIEW:

First off, I often tell myself that I need to add more Amish stories to my reading palate because I enjoy them so much. I love seeing the culture brought to life from an author who makes you feel like you fit right in. Mindy Steele has done an excellent job of this in my opinion! She made Salina and Seth characters that I quickly came to care for and long to see fall in love—in spite of all the difficulties they faced.

Salina’s Mamm tries to play matchmaker for her, overlooking the fact that she is happy as she is. Of course she longs for a family of her own someday, but her Mamm’s meddling ways are frustrating at times. Even trying to set her up with her best friend Jacob! Salina knows it’s all in God’s timing. She also feels a bit invisible and ignored by others. Learning that being different isn’t always a bad thing, but that God loves her and made her as she is. That’s sometimes a hard lesson! I love her steadfast faith; she’s a great example to me of what it means to trust in God for everything and in everything.

Jacob tries to run from a recent painful breakup, but running from God is impossible! He begins to feel like part of a community and is immediately drawn to Salina. In spite of his broken heart, she plays a part in his healing by bringing laughter and fun back into his life. Can these two discover what it means to embrace God’s will for them and find new purpose—maybe even love?

This is such a wonderful story! I have only read two other ones in the Heart of the Amish series, but have very much loved each one—they are all stand-alone in case you’re wondering. There are gentle reminders of God’s promises, love and faithful characters to walk alongside as they journey along life’s pathways. I especially like that this one also has a strong theme of forgiveness in it.

“Forgiving others and ourselves releases us from our hurts, which are memories of pain we can’t let go of. It’s the straight way to being forgiven by our Father.”
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.*

BackCover Blurb: 
Love Is Not for Sale

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?

The Heart of the Amish Series Includes:
The Flower Quilter by Mindy Steele
Ruth’s Ginger Snap Surprise by Anne Blackburne
The Quilt Room Secret by Lisa Jones Baker
Courting the Amish Bishop by Mindy Steele
Mary’s Calico Hope by Anne Blackburne
Serenity’s Secret by Lisa Jones Baker
Stolen Kiss by Mindy Steele
Lizzie’s Little Mouse by Anne Blackburne
Hunting for a Husband by Mindy Steele
The Daughter's Choice by Kelly Irvin 

 

Barbour Publishing, April, 2026

Available in digital ebook, paperback, hardcover, and audiobook:

Buy A HEART ON CONSIGNMENT at Amazon, Christianbook, or Baker Book House

 

PLAIN JANE'S SECRET ADMIRER by Anne Blackburne, Reviewed by Trixi

Heart of the Amish Book 11

TRIXI'S REVIEW:
Jane and Samuel both have secrets that could keep them from discovering a love that is right in front of them. They’ve both admired each other from childhood, but a cruel nickname has kept them apart. Until they find the courage within themselves, they could miss out on their dreams coming true for family and love.

Anne Blackburne has woven a gentle love story full of faith and overcoming seemingly insurmountable odds. I love the strong friendships both Jane and Samuel have with all the secondary characters in this story, and enjoyed everything about this tender love story that made me root for love to prevail in the end. There were times of mishaps, laughter, tender feelings, witty banter between the characters and maybe a bit of matchmaking too! And Jane’s cat Secret and her friend Little Mouse are the cutest additions to this already wonderful story.

I enjoyed everything about this gentle love story that touches on the bond of lifelong friendships, discovering our own voice in the world, and a strong reliance on God through faith in Him. Amish fiction is one of my favorite genres because I get a glimpse of a simpler lifestyle and a refreshing faith thread. Anne Blackburne is new-to-me and I’ll be looking forward to more stories by this talented writer! 
* I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review. All opinions expressed here are my own. *

BackCover Blurb:

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?

The Heart of the Amish Series Includes:
The Flower Quilter by Mindy Steele
Ruth’s Ginger Snap Surprise by Anne Blackburne
The Quilt Room Secret by Lisa Jones Baker
Courting an Amish Bishop by Mindy Steele
Mary’s Calico Hope by Anne Blackburne
Serenity’s Secret by Lisa Jones Baker
Stolen Kiss by Mindy Steele
Lizzie’s Little Mouse by Anne Blackburne
Hunting for a Husband by Mindy Steele
A Daughter's Choice by Kelly Irvin 

Barbour Fiction, January, 2026

Available in digital ebook, paperback, hardcover, or audiobook:

Buy PLAIN JANE'S SECRET ADMIRER at Amazon, Christianbook, or Baker Book House 

STILL WATERS by Patricia Johns, Reviewed by Trixi Oberembt #ReleaseDay

The Amish of Shepherd's Hill Series #2

An Amish Christian Fiction Romance About Family Secrets, Faith, and Community

TRIXI'S REVIEW:
I really enjoyed this story by a new-to-me author! First of all, Amish is a favorite genre I like to read in and secondly, I love the message of trying to find our place in the world but discovering the truth that wherever God has placed us is where we’ll find home.

Beth Peachy has a lot of unanswered questions that make her feel restless for something she thinks she longs for: freedom and opportunities in the English world she doesn’t have being Amish. Her family has never shared stories of her family, especially her Daet (dad), and she longs to know his history. She’s determined to find those answers when she stays with her Mammi (grandma) for the summer to help care for her. But will those answers satisfy her, especially when she begins to harbor feelings for a certain Amish man she’s known since childhood. Will love be enough to make her stay?

Danny Lapp is wholeheartedly Amish and content with Gott’s (God) lot in his life. He loves his family, his place within his community, and is firm in his faith. There’s only one thing he longs for; the love of a good woman and eventual kinner (children). That woman happens to be Beth—his childhood friend who visited with her family during the summer months. Can he convince her to commit to the Amish faith and his heart before it’s too late?

There’s also Danny’s brother Zach who has left the Amish faith and Tabitha the Amish veterinarian who came back to her Amish faith and life after her English husband died. These made for great secondary characters who added so much to the story! I didn’t read the first book, but I had no trouble keeping up because the author gave enough backstory to Green Pastures. The ending was so surprising and satisfying that I can’t wait for the next installment! This certainly won’t be my last book by Patricia Johns; I already love her writing voice. She kept me engaged the entire book and longing for more.
*I received a complimentary copy from Bethany House Publishers & Interviews and Reviews through Netgalley. No favorable review was required and all opinions here are mine alone. *

BackCover Blurb
Their hidden past brings questions about their future . . . together.

Unsure of her future within the Amish community, Beth Peachy arrives in Lancaster County for the summer to care for her ailing grandmother. Yet with dementia threatening to steal away Mammi's memories, Beth's visit quickly evolves into an urgent search for answers to questions that her relatives seem determined to avoid. How can Beth possibly make a lifelong vow to the Amish church when her own family is concealing so much of the past from her?

Beth's childhood friend Danny Lapp faces his own dilemma as his ex-Amish older brother turns his back on their family upbringing, dishonoring his Plain heritage. Struggling to find some sort of connection with his brother despite their deep difference of opinion, Danny is determined to find a solution before church leadership becomes involved. As Beth and Danny reconnect and seek to help each other in their search for answers, they find themselves stirring up not only surprising revelations about the past, but questions about a possible future--together.

Bethany House Publishing, November, 2025

Available in digital ebook, paperback, hardcover, and audiobook:

Buy STILL WATERS at Amazon, Christianbook .com, or Baker Book House

THE CHRISTMAS HOUSE by Beverly Lewis, Reviewed by Trixi Oberembt

A Christian Fiction Amish Christmas Novella 

in Lancaster County with Holiday Romance, in the Small Town of Hickory Hollow

TRIXI'S REVIEW:
Good things take time to grow. – Ella Mae Zook

With her wonderful storytelling abilities, Beverly Lewis entertains you with this heartwarming tale of family, faith, and loving your neighbors no matter who they are. It’s been many years since I’ve read a book by Lewis and I’m asking myself why. I always find myself feeling like I’ve come home with one of her novels. She first introduced me to this thing called Christian fiction with her Daughters of Abram series and I have since then discovered so many other CF authors!

I love the unfolding of the warm and gentle romance between Liz and Matthew. Could this be the man God has for her? Maybe even her dad has done a little matchmaking knowing Liz’s desire for a husband and eventual children. Liz and Matthew were wonderful characters; I was rooting for them the whole time! I really enjoyed watching the close-knit family ties between Liz’s mom, sister and her church community. Their strong Amish faith is something I always love reading about. 

 

This story takes place just before Christmas, so experiencing all the preparation and traditions from an Amish point of view was a lot of fun. There is also mention of an English family who moved into their neighborhood and I like Liz’s heart to try to reach them in spite of a lot of opposition from her Amish community. What she does at the end was very heartwarming! The Christmas House has it all for me; faith, family, a touch of romance, tight-knit community and being the hands and feet of Christ to those who are outsiders. And through Beverly Lewis’s pen, she brought it to life for me!
*I received a complimentary copy from Bethany House through Netgalley and Interviews & Reviews and was not obligated to leave a favorable review. All opinions expressed here are my own. *

 

BackCover Blurb:
Beverly Lewis, the number-one bestselling author of Amish fiction, delivers a delightful Christmas novella of faith, romance, and heartwarming holiday traditions.

With the holidays approaching, Liz Lantz is dedicated to using her Hickory Hollow buggy tour business to share God's love with the Englisher tourists who visit her Lancaster County community. But when her father and brother are called away for a while, Dat finds a young Amishman to assist her on the tours in her brother's place, much to Liz's dismay. Regardless, the popularity of her Christmas House Buggy Tour means she could use the help, so as the countdown to Christmas begins, she works alongside Matthew Yoder, who quickly takes a genuine interest in the tour customers--and Liz.

As an Englisher family in Hickory Hollow expresses their festive spirit with a lavishly decorated house for the second year running, Liz's Amish community becomes increasingly concerned about attracting unwanted traffic and attention, and Liz wonders if there is any way to bridge the gap to help the new neighbors feel welcome. At the same time, she grapples with her growing feelings for Matt, whose position with her is only temporary. Can she find a way to bring harmony to Hickory Hollow in time for Christmas?

Beverly Lewis's homespun Amish romance will draw in readers who love family, small towns, and Christmas festivities. This charming holiday novella brings cheer and faith for the winter season. 

 

Bethany House Publishers, September, 2025

Available in digital ebook, hardcover, and audiobook:

Buy THE CHRISTMAS HOUSE at Amazon, Christianbook .com, or Baker Book House

THE RISE AND FALL OF MISS FANNIE'S BISCUITS by Wanda Brunstetter and Martha Bolton, Reviewed by Trixi Oberembt

TRIXI'S REVIEW:
Fannie Miller and Foster Bates seem to have a long standing friendship and knack for solving crime . . . if you call disappearing contestants for the annual baking competition a crime! Something nefarious is afoot for sure, and these two will get to the bottom of it one way or another.

It seems we’re missing something in this story, it mentions other crimes they have solved together but gives no clue as to what those are or even previous books they were featured in. In spite of this, it’s still entertaining and funny at times. Fannie can surely get herself into trouble without an effort on her part! I like her—she’s dogged about finding answers to questions she has and her curiosity is contagious. 

Foster is a retired police officer turned private detective—and as they say, you can take the cop out of the city but you can’t take the city out of the cop! He has a nose for things that just aren’t right and he relies on his instincts to sniff out suspects. They are the perfect crime-solving duo! 

Then there’s the “Blustery” Beiler sisters—Faith, Hope & Charity whose gossip lands them into more hot water than not. Lastly, the excitement of the contest and who will end up the winner culminates to create a fun, charming and delightful cozy mystery that will be sure to keep you on your toes and engaged in the story!

Oh, and I love that Fannie reminds Foster that he is loved by God, as imperfect as we are as humans and we matter more than we think we do! My favorite thing about her is that I love her unwavering faith.

We all have our days when we feel unworthy of anyone’s love, or we feel forgotten and lonely, wondering if we matter to anyone. But then the Bible reminds me that God’s love is eternal, unfailing, and unconditional.

I enjoy Wanda’s books and a cozy mystery every once in a while, so blending the two was really fun! I like that this story was light-hearted and kept me guessing the whodunit until the end. A great book to pick up at any time!
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review. 

BackCover Blurb:
Why Are Baking Contestants Disappearing?

Mysteries have a way of following Fannie Miller, so when she makes it into the finals of the Tuscarawas County Baking Contest and contestants start disappearing, she calls on her old friend Foster Bates, a retired cop and part-time private investigator. Could it be that other finalists are somehow responsible for these disappearances, thinning out the competition? Like the couple on verge of divorce who need the prize money, or the three Beiler sisters, always in a huddle whispering. One thing is for certain—Foster and Fannie will stay on the case until the end, and everyone involved will have learned something important about baking contests, solving mysteries, and life.

New York Times Bestselling Author Wanda E. Brunstetter and Emmy-Nominated Author Martha Bolton have teamed up to deliver a delightful whodunit from Ohio’s Amish country.

Barbour Publishing, January, 2025

Available in digital ebook, paperback, library binding, and audiobook:

Buy THE RISE AND FALL OF MISS FANNIE'S BISCUITS at Amazon, Christianbook .com, or Baker Book House

HER HEART'S DESIRE by Shelley Shepard Gray, Reviewed by Trixi Oberembt

 

 
A SEASON IN PINECRAFT #1

When it comes to Amish fiction, Shelley Shepard Gray is one author I turn to for a great story. I think one of my favorite things about her as a writer is she makes you feel like her characters are part of your world! I love characters I can connect with and a story to not only entertain, but learn valuable life lessons from.

Mary Margaret Miller is tired of being stuck in a rut, so she decides to venture out on her own to visit Pinecraft, Florida. What she finds here is fast friendships with two other Amish women she meets aboard the bus. I love how they bonded through similar life circumstances and created an instant connection. What a joy it was to see the friendship grow between Mary, Betsy, and Lilly! I also love the character growth in each one as the story unfolded. Plus, romance that brews for them all. This whole story is charming, heart-warming, and all around fun. I’d love to visit Pinecraft for real someday because of the vivid descriptions of the area!

If you’re looking for a sweet story set in a place that you’d like to visit, watching strong friendships develop and romance to warm your heart, then I think this is the book for you. You can’t go wrong with Shelly Shepard Gray for your Amish fiction fix! A wunderbar coming-of-age story to delight even the older generation.

*My thanks to Netgalley and Revell for a digital copy. I wasn’t obligated to leave a review, all opinions are mine alone. *

 

BackCover Blurb:
Mary Margaret Miller needs an escape from her small Amish community. She boards a bus, all alone, for a vacation in Pinecraft, Florida. Meeting Betsy and Lilly on the way, she's amazed to find two kindred spirits. They become fast friends and determine to have the best two weeks of their lives. For Mary, it starts when she meets Jayson Raber. The handsome and charming carpenter is taken by Mary from the get-go, but he has responsibilities back home in Kentucky--including a girl he's supposed to marry.

When someone from Mary's past shows up in Pinecraft, it seems like her perfect vacation is ruined. But that's nothing compared to what's coming when she realizes what Jayson has been hiding.

Take a vacation with New York Times bestselling author Shelley Shepard Gray as she explores what happens when we allow our pasts to define our futures in this story of friendship, romance, and new beginnings. 

Revell Publishing, January 2023

Available in digital ebook, paperback, hardcover, and audiobook:

Buy HER HEART'S DESIRE at Amazon, Christianbook .com, or Baker Book House

 

A CHRISTMAS COURTSHIP by Shelley Shepard Gray, Reviewed by Trixi Oberembt #ReleaseDay

Shelly Shepard Gray writes some of the most heart-warming Amish stories! Atle Petersheim finally gets the chance to court widowed Sadie Mast and I loved watching their romance blossom. I also liked watching the role Sarah Anne Miller, our bookmobile librarian, played in helping bring these two together. Sadie's three children added their own personality and charm to the story. I especially like watching 16-year-old Cale Mast try to figure out his role within the family, life, and his own courtship to long-time crush Hope Overholt.

Gray intertwined each of these lives in special ways and wrote a very charming Christmas themed novel. A bookmobile matchmaker plays central role in all three of these stories that I think readers will fall in love with! I would not hesitate to recommend A Christmas Courtship to anyone.
*I received a complimentary copy from the publisher and was not obligated to leave a favorable review. All opinions expressed here are my own. *

BackCover Blurb:
A solitary sort, forty-two-year-old Atle Petersheim spends his time hard at work in his wood shop. But as the days get long, he realizes just how lonely he’s become. When his longtime crush, Sadie Mast, a widow and mother of three, asks him to help her build a room in their barn for her son Cale, Atle can’t say no. Eager to pursue Sadie at last, he turns to bookmobile librarian Sarah Anne Miller for courting advice. More than happy to help, Sarah Anne decides the best way to learn about love is through books—romance novels to be precise.

Between completing holiday orders for her flourishing food business, helping Cale navigate a dramatic new relationship with his boss’s daughter, and coming to terms with the trauma her late husband had inflicted upon her and her children—not to mention Atle showing up at her door with flowers—Sadie is in over her head. Though Atle’s efforts are initially clumsy and his declarations a bit awkward, Sadie can’t help but be charmed by him. He’s patient and kind...and at times even seems to know far more about romance than he’s let on.

 

Gallery Books, October, 2021

The Berlin Bookmobile Series

Available in digital ebooks, paperback, hardcover, and audiobook:

Buy A Christmas Courtship at Amazon

MATCHED AND MARRIED by Kathleen Fuller, Reviewed by Kim

Matched and Married by Kathleen Fuller is the second book of this series. It can easily be read as a standalone, though. I have not read the first story and I was not lost at all.

I have to admit that I struggled a bit with this story. Well, mostly, I had trouble connecting with Margaret. Basically, for the first half of the story, she’s all about how a person looks on the outside, not who they are on the inside. And as far as Owen was concerned, she was very negative. While I know that she changes, I felt like it was just a bit much and it made me dislike her. I did enjoy the second part of the story more when Margaret and Owen strike up their friendship and she begins to change.

This is a quick sweet read and I would say if you like Amish stories, give this one a try!
*I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own. 

BackCover Blurb:
Neither Margaret nor Owen has any interest in getting married. But in the small Amish town of Birch Creek, where marriage is on everyone’s mind, their plans don’t stand a chance.

Margaret Yoder can’t seem to catch a break. Even though she’s dedicated to her Amish faith, her wild rumspringa won’t stay in the past, and her mother keeps pressuring her to get married. To placate her mother and get away from former “friends”, she decides to return to Birch Creek to visit family—and pretend to find a husband.

Like Margaret, Owen Bontrager isn’t looking for a spouse, something that’s hard to avoid in Birch Creek, where an ad for brides in the local paper has brought a swarm of single women to the thriving town. When he meets Margaret in an unexpected way, they discover they have more in common than they ever expected. In some ways, they are a perfect match.

Margaret struggles to keep her goal of avoiding romance in order to focus on being a faithful member of the Amish church, and it doesn’t help that she finds Owen intriguing. Knowing they don’t have a future together; she returns home and gives in to her mother’s insistence that she get married.

Can Margaret betray her feelings for Owen and become a dutiful daughter and wife to the man of her mother’s choosing? Or will Owen find a way to free Margaret of her past by giving her the future they both are surprised to find they desire?

Zondervan Publishing, September 2021

Available in digital ebook, paperback, library binding, and audiobook:

Buy Matched and Married at Amazon

Buy Matched and Married at Christianbook.com

Buy Matched and Married at Baker Book House