Good morning, readers.
I have a treat for you today.
I had the pleasure of visiting with the author, Amy Lillard, in June at the Between The Pages conference. Sweet gal and it shows in her writing.
I read one of her most recent Amish romance books, One More Time For Joy.
In this uplifting
inspirational romance series, award-winning author Amy Lillard unites a “Widows
Club” of women who share solace, friendship, faith—and mouthwatering Whoopie
Pies—in the Amish community of Paradise Valley, Missouri. Will appeal to fans of
Charlotte Hubbard, Molly Jebber, Susan Lantz Simpson, and Kelly Long.
At the heart of a Missouri Amish community, a circle of caring friends—the Widows’ Club of Paradise Valley—sees each other through life’s storms, in this uplifting series from award-winning author Amy Lillard . . .
Joy Lehman has pressed on faithfully since losing her husband, raising their children and running a thriving bakery alone. Even caring for her oldest son, Johnny—seriously injured after a fall—has not shaken her fierce independence. Johnny will walk again, she’s sure. Until then, a meeting of the Widows’ Club at her home makes it clear that Joy must consider some costly renovations. Her brother-in-law, Uriah, is happy to provide the lumber and the labor—if Joy will accept his help.
Uriah understands family challenges—he’s a widower himself, and father to four daughters. Yet he can see that Joy’s struggle lies deeper than house repairs, in learning to accept an altered future for her son. As Uriah’s daughters begin helping in the bakery, and Joy and Uriah’s bond grows deeper, a new possibility glows bright—the unexpected happiness that lies in embracing one strong, united family, filled with support and love . . .
There are three things that drew me to this book, specifically:
* I live in the area where there are several Amish families. Their simple life always intrigues me. I'm not sure I could live that simplistically, and if you know me at all then you know their religion and mine differ - a lot.
* I love Amish romance books, in general. You can't get much more clean than an Amish love story.
* Second chances at love have my heart and what I write.
With those things in mind, One More Time For Joy was a must read for me. I loved the concept of the Widows Club; a group of women who'd all known loss of a spouse. One even four times! I can't imagine losing Bob. At my age, I wouldn't start over but in other stories you find that some of these women do just that. Such strength.
Joy thought her strength was in her ability to make a new life for herself and her children, including Johnny B. She's told he'll never walk again. Whether it truly is her faith or something just doesn't want to acknowledge, she is determined to believe he will walk again.
Between running a bakery from her basement, caring for Johnny B and her other three children while trying to be everything to everyone, she is flat wore out! But she keeps putting one foot forward every day, beginning at 4 a.m. She has to. She doesn't have anyone.
Her brother-in-law, Uriah starts out helping her with things his brother might have done, to be a help-mate for her. Widower with four girls of his own, he knows how hard being a single parent is. I loved that these two came together. How Uriah slowly blends them together and becomes the man Johnny B and Christopher need in their life.
There is a lot to this story that just makes me smile. The only issue I had was late in the book when Joy comes home and hears voices from Johnny B's dawdihaus (basically an efficiency apartment) and the door is closed. From what I understand of the Amish, mixed couples wouldn't be 'behind closed doors' alone. I think the opportunity was missed for Joy to tap on the door and make sure the door was kept open in mixed company.
For that little piece, I'm giving One More Time For Joy...
.8
You'll find more of Amy's books and about her by following the links below.
WEBSITE INSTAGRAM YOUTUBE GOOD READS
PINTEREST COZYMYSTERY BOOK BUB
All my best!
~ Angela
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