Monday, July 9, 2018

About the Book

Title: Plain Everyday Heroes

Author: Laura V. Hilton, Rachel J. Good, Thomas Nye

Genre: Christian Amish

Release Date: July 4, 2018

laying with Fire

Arie Zimmerman has been in love with Noah Behr from almost the moment they met, but after a devastating wildfire destroys the community, everything changes. Noah questions how a loving Gott could allow such things to happen. As Arie and her family struggle to rebuild their home and lives, Noah escapes to California to fight another off-season wildfire—and maybe find Gott in the process.

When Noah returns, he promises Arie the prize money if she will help him with a chili cook-off to fund the fire department. Of course, in order to spend more time with the girl he loves, he’s also willing to pitch in unloading the new furniture and animals her daed bought at an auction. He’ll even help Arie slice and dice vegetables if he can taste test the recipes.

More than just the kitchen heats up as they spend time together. But will Noah find a still missing Gott in the process and discover there’s more to life than what he initially believed?

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

An Unlikely Hero

Mysteries intrigue secondhand shop owner Benuel Miller. Although strangers may think a blind man would be easy to cheat, those who know Benuel realize he’s honed his other senses to pick up clues his eyes don’t see, making him a savvy business owner. When a stranger enters Benuel’s secondhand shop, the man is shocked by Benuel’s accurate assessment and unsolicited advice. Wary, he hopes Benuel won’t find out his true intentions, but the shopkeeper is already on the case.

Later, Mari and her twin sister, Frannie, stop in Benuel’s shop with Frannie’s three-year-old son, and Benuel senses trouble. His hunches have never led him astray, but is he misreading something here? He can’t help being drawn to Mari, yet is she as sweet and loving as she seems? Or is she hiding a deep, dark secret?

One explosive night when tragedy strikes, Benuel risks his life to find out the truth. Can he unmask the stranger from his shop to foil a sinister plot? And will what he discovers destroy his only chance for love?

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

Racing the Slow Girls

A recipe for fast-paced, comical, Amish adventure— Ingredients: Three fun-loving teenage boys on bicycles. Mix in an adorable little girl on a pony, a few spunky teenage girls, and a hint of romance. Directions: Place the characters in a beautiful setting, such as Holmes Co. Ohio. Roll in the boys on bikes. Stir up a few harsh words spoken carelessly. Add plenty of retaliation by the girls. Place in the heat of a family emergency until everyone is completely undone. Sit back and enjoy an Amish adventure with a cup of coffee.

About the Authors

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.

Rachel J. Good is the author of several Amish series in print or forthcoming—Sisters & Friends, Love & Promises, and two books in theHearts of Amish Country series—as well as the Amish Quilts Coloring Books and the contemporary novella, Angels Unaware, part of the Hope Chapel series. Visit Rachel at her website: www.racheljgood.com.

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.

I love books that have stories from different authors compiled into one book. Readers get to experience the different writing styles and get to know the author's better. This collection is a wonderful book filled with wonderful characters and stories that warm your heart. A hero can be anyone who helps someone without hesitation. They are everyday heroes that put others before themselves.

Playing With Fire by Laura V. Hilton

It's hard to believe in the midst of destruction and loss, that it would be God's will for it to happen. I loved the way the author described the fire as, "Demon-like faces in the flames mocked their efforts, dancing in glee, with a loud crackling that sounded like laughter in the forest." Her attention to detail is superb and her gift of writing shines through in the characters. I sometimes have a hard time when something bad happens.

I really enjoyed following Noah as he tried to reestablish a relationship with Arie and God. Is he wanting a relationship with God for the wrong reasons? I loved the scripture the author used to remind us to seek God with all our heart. How many of us seek Him only when we are in trouble? Do we ask for His help when we are in trouble then forget about Him when everything is good? The story is good and I loved reading about Noah and Arie's relationship. Will Noah find his way back to God?

An Unlikely Hero by Rachel J. Good

Benuel is a very interesting character. His blindness has not stopped him from living a good life. I loved that his other senses were used and was able to read people. What would you think if a blind person could tell you things about yourself even though they have never met you? Each character that comes to Benuel's store has an issue with trust. I loved how Benuel was not afraid of them and didn't mind when they tested his ability to discern things.

I loved the intrigue in the story and it kept me on my toes trying to figure the outcome of the people in the story. Frannie is scared of someone but won't tell her sister anything. Benuel is definitely someone I would want to know. He senses trouble for Frannie and doesn't hesitate to try to help. I loved when Benuel said, " How hard it must be to go through life always anticipating others would hurt you." I know that feeling so well. It is hard to feel safe and trust God when he doesn't seem to be around to protect you. The author really has done a great job of keeping readers guessing as they discover the truth behind Frannie's need to run from her home taking her the little boy with her. The ending is very good and it took me by surprise.

Racing the Slow Girls by Thomas Nye

This was such a fun story to read. Daniel is a great character and I liked how he took the time to help Libby with her horse. The girl is young and sweet but seems to be a bit lonely. Her older sister has troubles of her own. What would it be like to be a group that was made fun of and felt insecure about yourself? Miriam is one of the girls in the group others call the "Slow Girls." I know how she feels wearing glasses that make you feel unattractive. Can you remember when cat glasses were all the rage? That was what my mom made me wear and I hated them so much. Like Miriam, I felt self conscious and wanted to somehow misplace them.

The story is filled with lessons about judging others and taking time to help those in need. It's not important to be popular, but to be kind and compassionate to everyone. When Libby is in danger will all the kids join together to help her? I loved the reference to the story in the bible about the missing sheep and how God goes after that one and leaves the ninety-nine behind. It's a good reminder that God will not leave you nor forsake you.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.

Arie’s habanero chili

1 lb stew meat: venison, or beef

1/4 cup bacon bits

1/2 Onion, diced

Green pepper, diced

2 cans of habanero Rotel

1 can tomato sauce

1 can kidney beans

1 can pinto beans

1/2 cup sliced jalapenos

1 TSP cayenne pepper

3 TB chili powder

2 TB beef bouillon

1 TSP paprika

1 TSP pepper

2 TB garlic

salt to taste

Saute onion and pepper, set aside. Sear stew meat in hot pan until brown. Do not over cook. Add meat and other ingredients to pot and simmer until done. Add water if necessary. Serve with cornbread. Approximately 7 servings

Recipe compliments of Michael Hilton (Laura’s son)