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About the Book

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Lydia Esh’s younger sister Emma is running wild during Rumschpringe, causing the family major heartaches. Although it means risking her reputation, her job as a schoolteacher, and her courtship with Jakob Zook, Lydia attends parties to watch over Emma and protect her sister’s virtue.

When Emma begins a relationship with Kyle, an Englischer, Lydia teams up with Kyle’s older brother, Caleb, to keep the couple apart. As Lydia and Caleb spend time together keeping an eye on their siblings, Lydia falls for this forbidden love. Will she stay true to her faith even if it means giving up the man she loves?

About the Author

Rachel J. Good, inspirational author, writes life-changing, heartfelt novels of faith, hope, and forgiveness. She is the author of Amish romances in the Sisters & Friends series. She grew up near Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, the setting for her novels. A former teacher and librarian, she completed her MA from Vermont College while raising five children. She is presently an MFA student in Writing and Illustration at Hollins University. In addition to having more than 2200 articles and 30 books in print or forthcoming under several pseudonyms, she also juggles freelance editing and illustration careers. To buy the Amish Quilts Coloring Book: http://amzn.to/1T35q5p  Visit Rachel at:

Website: www.racheljgood.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/racheljgoodnovels/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/RachelJGood1

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14661177.Rachel_J_Good

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/racheljgood1/

Guest Post from Rachel J. Good

Hi, I’m Rachel J. Good, inspirational author of heartfelt tales of faith, hope, and forgiveness.

I’m excited to launch the first book in my Sisters & Friends Amish series, Change of Heart. Although I’ve been writing for many years and have about 30 books out now, this is my first inspirational novel. I’m busy editing book 2, Buried Secrets, and writing book 3, Gift from Above. And I’m planning the next three books in the series.

I’ve been asked how I came to write Amish novels. For that, I have to credit my agent Mary Sue Seymour, who suggested it to me. I loved the idea because I’d lived near Lancaster, PA, and had always been interested in the Amish. Although Mary Sue went to heaven a few months ago, just before the book launched, I feel her presence in my life as I write. She believed in me as a writer and encouraged me to work on this novel, which she quickly sold.

Lydia’s story in Change of Heart has several connections with my real life. The first is that I’m the oldest in my family and have two sisters, and so does Lydia. We both feel responsible our younger sisters. Lydia’s younger sister, Emma, gets in trouble during Rumschpringe. (And no, her wild sister doesn’t resemble either of my two younger sisters.)

The second connection with my life is the spiritual lesson Lydia learns in the book. I wanted Lydia’s journey to be not only a struggle between faith and love, but also a personal inner journey from self-righteousness to seeing with God’s loving eyes.

Oftentimes, goodness and spirituality can be a source of pride, and it can also be used to justify being judgmental. Lydia’s sister Emma points this out to her, but in my case, it was my young daughter who piped up, when I was complaining about someone at church, and said, “She sounds just like you, Mommy.” Ouch!

That day I came face to face with the truth that often what I criticize most in another person is often a flaw or a sin I’m overlooking in myself. As Matthew 7:3 (NIV) says: “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?” I wanted Lydia’s story to reflect that truth.

The Amish try to avoid the sin of hochmut (pride), but Lydia, without realizing it, is secretly proud of her own spirituality. It often saddens me that, as Christians, we spend more time criticizing others outside the faith or with different lifestyles or beliefs, but very little time examining our own unloving and judgmental behavior. I’d like to see us become more like Jesus, who ate with the “publicans and sinners,” and showed love to everyone, instead of condemning them.

Lydia is also forced to choose between staying in her faith or leaving it for love. I, too, faced a similar challenge many years ago, so I wrote those scenes from my heart. I hope Lydia’s story touches hearts, and that readers come away reassured that although we can’t always see the larger picture, God can, and He’s working out a wonderful plan for us. Our present circumstances might seem dark, but He knows the final results. We need to trust Him even during the challenging times, because “all things work together for good” (Romans 8:28).

I can't say enough nice things about this lovely book. It has great character development and each one will touch your heart. Lydia is keeping her eye on her younger sister Emma. Emma is kinda stubborn and has a yearning to experience things that could perhaps get her into trouble. I can relate to Emma quite well. I was a rebel growing up around a very strict upbringing. Guess like Emma, I wanted to see what the world had to offer. Will Emma find what she is looking for away from the safety of her family?

Lydia is busy being the good child and doesn't want to go against anything that would cause her shame. She seems to want to be the one who always does the right thing. What will happen when she needs to defend herself against people in authority? Will she find it prideful to speak her mind, or will she submit to her elders?

There are wonderful lessons to be learned in this well written and emotional read. We find the dad  who has been holding unforgiveness and bitterness in his heart. Will he finally allow God to soften his heart, or will he push his family away.? I loved how the mom had much wisdom to share and did with a soft heart and humor. I think using humor when giving advice makes it easier to receive.

There are other characters in the book that will cross paths with Lydia and Emma. What impact will they have on their lives? I loved the writing style and how  each character learned different things as they listened to God. The story will make you really think about your own attitude. Do you have someone you need to forgive? Is pride standing in the way of a blessing from God? Do you know what unconditional love feels like? Don't miss this beautifully written story that will give you a "Change of Heart" if you are open to receive it.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit for an honest review.

Blog Stops

July 14: Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations

July 15: Bigreadersite

July 16: Blossoms and Blessings

July 17: D’S QUILTS & BOOKS

July 18: Bukwurmzzz 

July 19: Christian Bookaholic

July 20: Chas Ray’s Book Nerd Corner 

July 21: Singing Librarian Books

July 22: Quiet Quilter

July 23: Texas Book-aholic

July 24: A Greater Yes

July 24: Carpe Diem

July 25: Red Headed Book Lady

July 25: Cassandra M’s Place

July 26: His Grace is Sufficient

July 27: cherylbbookblog

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Rachel is giving away lots of fun prizes, including copies of her books and even a box of Whoopie Pies from Bird-in-Hand Bakery. Click here to enter: https://promosimple.com/ps/9ed1