About the Book
Book: Married to a Stranger
Author: Laura V. Hilton
Genre: Christian Amish Romance Fiction
Release date: July 2, 2019
He marries her out of need. She marries him to escape. What does love have to do with it?
When her father falsely accuses a stranger of dishonoring her, Bethel Eicher finds herself promised in marriage to a man she’s never met. Not exactly a dream come true, but since she has spent several years caring for her handicapped mother, she’s already considered an old maid at twenty-five—and she longs to escape her lonely life as permanent caregiver.
When newly-called Amish preacher Gideon Kaiser learns he’s been accused of a dishonorable act, he’s horrified. But his wife died in childbirth and his baby needs a mother, so he figures marrying a woman he’s never met could be beneficial.
How can Bethel and Gideon possibly make their marriage work—especially when the truth behind the accusations is revealed?
About the Author
A member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, Laura V. Hilton is a professional book reviewer for the Christian market, with more than a thousand reviews published on the Internet.Laura’s first series with Whitaker House, The Amish of Seymour, includes Patchwork Dreams, A Harvest of Hearts, and Promised to Another. In 2012, A Harvest of Hearts received a Laurel Award, placing first in the Amish Genre Clash. Her second series, The Amish of Webster County, consists of Healing Love, Surrendered Love, and Awakened Love, followed by a stand-alone title, A White Christmas in Webster County. Laura’s last series, The Amish of Jamesport, includes The Snow Globe, The Postcard, and The Birdhouse. Prior to Married to a Stranger, Laura published Firestorm, Love by the Numbers, The Amish Firefighter, and The Amish Wanderer.
Previously, Laura published two novels with Treble Heart Books, Hot Chocolateand Shadows of the Past, as well as several devotionals.
A member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Laura earned a business degree from Ozarka Technical College. She and her husband, Steve, have five children and make their home in Arkansas. To learn more about Laura, read her reviews, and find out about her upcoming releases, readers may visit her blog at http://lighthouse-academy.blogspot.com/.
A member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Laura earned a business degree from Ozarka Technical College. She and her husband, Steve, have five children and make their home in Arkansas. To learn more about Laura, read her reviews, and find out about her upcoming releases, readers may visit her blog at http://lighthouse-academy.blogspot.com/.
Read an Excerpt
He marries her out of need. She marries him to escape. What does love have to do with it?
He’s falsely accused of dishonoring her. She longs to escape her father’s household. Can they make their forced, arranged marriage work?
“Gideon, choose love. Not loss.” Lizzie gave a quiet sigh and then her eyes rolled back in her head.
“It’s a lie.” Bethel straightened. “Whoever he described has never touched me. Nobody has.”
Either he marry the woman who’d accused him of sexually assaulting her—a woman he had nein recollection of ever meeting, not to mention the fact that he had never touched any woman besides his beloved frau—or his name would be dragged through the mud for a sin he hadn’t committed, a sin for which he’d be forced to kneel and confess.
It wouldn’t do any gut to ask der Herr for this stranger—what was his name, anyway?—to be nice to her, because it seemed apparent Gott hadn’t heard one word of her endless prayers over the last few days. Either that, or He callously chose to disregard her requests.
It was probably the only wedding nacht in history during which the groom had hidden in the basement and raged, huddled upon and beneath a pile of blankets for warmth—warmth that never seemed to reach his core—before he cried himself into a fitful sleep.
At least, with this situation being handled directly between Gideon and both their fathers, with nein preacher or bishop involvement, none of the potentially damaging dirty laundry was hung out to dry.
The condemning stares from Gideon’s family members seemed to bore into Bethel’s back the entire time she prepared their breakfast and then washed the dishes.
She should’ve packed her bags and run away instead of going through with the wedding. Which was probably what her sister had done, kum to think of it.
He could see the hurt and bewilderment lingering in her eyes, as if she still didn’t fully realize how she’d gotten here, or why her father had chosen to believe an old widower over his own dochter.
Bethel’s first time changing Elam’s diaper didn’t go as badly as she’d feared. Lying on the changing table in his bedroom, the boppli waved his feet in the air and blew bubbles at her, completely winning her heart.
This has been a very eye opening book because it talks about marriage and how God ordained it to be. Bethel is desperate to escape the man who her dad wants her to marry. When a horrible untruth is said about her and another man, she finds herself in a marriage to someone she hardly knows. My heart went out to Bethel because she really has little self confidence and thinks she is unworthy of a man loving her.
Gideon is a preacher who has recently lost his wife during childbirth. He now has a newborn to raise and a new wife due to accusations that could destroy his reputation. It is a wonder that someone didn't speak up sooner to stop this sham of a marriage. I am upset that Bethel's father would believe a lie about his daughter. Does he think so little of her that he would believe someone else over his own flesh and blood?
The words that the Bishop shares with Bethel and Gideon are exactly what they needed to hear. Forgiveness and grief are something they each need to deal with. It can't be easy for Gideon to have lost his wife and remarry so quickly. Bethel is struggling with forgiving her dad for not believing her. The story shares a marriage that begins without love, but will that change as Gideon and Bethel get to know each other better?
The lesson I learned from this story is to never give up. It doesn't matter what your circumstances are, just trust that God has a plan. Bethel and Gideon show us what it means to truly forgive and learn to love with a joyful heart. I loved reading how they each grew in their faith and especially watching Bethel begin to believe in herself.
The story has an element of suspense in it that I didn't see coming. It brings to light just how precious life is and how important it is to trust God. Misunderstandings can damage a relationship if we allow ourselves not to forgive. Enjoy this story about trust, pride. forgiving and marriage God's way.
I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.
Gideon is a preacher who has recently lost his wife during childbirth. He now has a newborn to raise and a new wife due to accusations that could destroy his reputation. It is a wonder that someone didn't speak up sooner to stop this sham of a marriage. I am upset that Bethel's father would believe a lie about his daughter. Does he think so little of her that he would believe someone else over his own flesh and blood?
The words that the Bishop shares with Bethel and Gideon are exactly what they needed to hear. Forgiveness and grief are something they each need to deal with. It can't be easy for Gideon to have lost his wife and remarry so quickly. Bethel is struggling with forgiving her dad for not believing her. The story shares a marriage that begins without love, but will that change as Gideon and Bethel get to know each other better?
The lesson I learned from this story is to never give up. It doesn't matter what your circumstances are, just trust that God has a plan. Bethel and Gideon show us what it means to truly forgive and learn to love with a joyful heart. I loved reading how they each grew in their faith and especially watching Bethel begin to believe in herself.
The story has an element of suspense in it that I didn't see coming. It brings to light just how precious life is and how important it is to trust God. Misunderstandings can damage a relationship if we allow ourselves not to forgive. Enjoy this story about trust, pride. forgiving and marriage God's way.
I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.
Blog Stops
The Avid Reader, July 2
Through the Lens of Scripture, July 2
Maureen’s Musings, July 3
Among the Reads, July 3
Emily Yager, July 3
Random Thoughts From a Bookworm, July 4
D’S QUILTS & BOOKS, July 4
For The Love of Books, July 4
EmpowerMoms, July 5
Bigreadersite, July 6
Through the Fire Blogs, July 6
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, July 6
Life of a travelers Wife, July 7
Texas Book-aholic, July 7
Daysong Reflections, July 8
Mary Hake, July 8
Blossoms and Blessings, July 9
Britt Reads Fiction, July 9
janicesbookreviews, July 9
Carla Loves To Read, July 10
Reading Is My SuperPower, July 10
Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, July 10
For Him and my Family, July 11
Moments, July 11
A Reader’s Brain, July 11
She Lives to Read, July 12
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, July 12
Older & Smarter?, July 13
Inspiration Clothesline, July 13
Locks, Hooks and Books, July 14
Pause for Tales, July 14
Library Lady’s Kid Lit, July 15
Little Homeschool on the Prairie, July 15
Inklings and notions , July 15
Giveaway
To celebrate her tour, Laura is giving away a grand prize of a $20 Starbucks Card and a surprise book!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter. https://promosimple.com/ps/e594/married-to-a-stranger-celebration-tour-giveaway
Thank you for your review on "Married to a Stranger" by Laura V. Hilton and for being part of the Celebrate Lit book tour.
ReplyDeleteJust love Laura's books! Great cover and I can't wait for the opportunity to read Bethel and Gideon's story.
2clowns at arkansas dot net
Loved this book.
ReplyDeletethank you, Deana, Kay and Virginia!
ReplyDelete