Snow Globe by Laura V. Hilton A Review

Esther Beachy enjoys working for an elderly woman who is wheelchair bound. Her client, Anna Petersheim, is pleasant and tells captivating stories. Plus, her home is quiet and far more peaceful than Esther's, with so many siblings. She only dreads the day when Anna's grandson, Viktor, will return from the river to take over the farm. She and Viktor were classmates years ago, and he'd been an obnoxious flirt who paid attention to every girl but her.  Toughened Riverboat Captain A seasoned riverboat captain, Viktor Petersheim has seen his share of trials. He left the Amish after the death of his parents and siblings in a house fire for which he still feels responsible. Now, after years of working on the Mississippi River, he returns home to claim the farm he inherited from his grandparents—and, hopefully, to repair some of the damaged relationships and broken hearts he left in his wake Love off the River. When Viktor arrives home, it doesn't take long for him and Esther to realize their mutual attraction. Even so, their relationship remains as tumultuous as a shaken snow globe, like the one Esther finds at a garage sale and gives to Viktor's grandmother as a token of affection. Viktor isn't the only man with an eye on Esther, and soon it looks as if she's ready to make a future with someone else. Will the two go their separate ways again? Or will the hand of God work something beautiful out of their angst and agitation?


Series: Amish of Jamesport (Book 1)
Paperback: 256 pages
Publisher: Whitaker Distribution (November 15, 2014)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1629111740
ISBN-13: 978-1629111742
Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.7 inches
Shipping Weight: 7.8 ounces

Award winning author, Laura Hilton, her husband, Steve, and their five children make their home in Horseshoe Bend, Arkansas. She is a pastor's wife, a stay-at-home mom and home-schools three of her children. Her two oldest children are homeschool graduates and are in college. Laura is also a breast cancer survivor.

Her publishing credits include three books in the Amish of Seymour series from Whitaker House: Patchwork Dreams, A Harvest of Hearts, and Promised to Another. The Amish of Webster County series, Healing Love. Surrendered Love and Awakened Love. A nonAmish book Swept Away will release November 2014 from Abingdon Press. She is contracted for another three book Amish series with Whitaker House, The Amish of Jamesport, releasing in November 2014 (The Snow Globe), June 2015 (The Postcard), and November 2015 (The Birdhouse). A Christmas Amish book, A White Christmas in Webster County, will release in September 2014. Laura is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers. Laura is a professional book reviewer for the Christian market, with over a thousand book reviews published at various online review sites.

MY REVIEW
  Snow Globe by Laura V. Hilton is a very good book and Laura is very talented, but one thing I don’t care for in this book is the kissing, touching and thinking of the two who are in love. It would have been a 5-star plus book if not for that. Call me old fashioned, but I believe you can write an excellent book without thoughts, etc..
  Esther knew Viktor when they went to school, but he never paid attention to her. He was always off with other girls and he had many.
  After a horrible tragedy Viktor left the Amish and took to the river and a boat. He comes back sometimes to check on his grandparents. Esther is working for his grandparents.
  I did enjoy Snow Globe and know you will also. I recommend this book by Laura V. Hilton.

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Thank you to Whitaker House for providing this book for review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255

Healing Love by Laura V. Hilton* A Review

ABOUT HEALING LOVE
Life gets a lot harder for Amish midwife Kristi Lapp when a buggy wreck lands her in the hospital and leaves her with a pronounced limp. Among her biggest concerns is the well–being of her dog, Chinook, as she is no longer able to keep up with the high–energy Siberian husky. Adding insult to injury, she fears she’ll never marry for love, for what man would willingly wed a woman who needs help with even the most basic of household tasks?
Shane Zimmerman moved to Seymour for a fresh start. The veterinarian is still reeling from the loss of his young wife, who died in childbirth—an aneurysm, the autopsy determined, but he still blames the midwife and the herbal remedies she administered. He meets his next–door neighbor, Kristi, when he discovers her wrecked buggy and takes her to the hospital. Eager to deepen the friendship that forms between them, he offers to take care of exercising her dog. But the harsh words of Kristi’s father discourage him from pursuing a relationship further—for the time being. Shane isn’t Amish, although his grandparents were, and Ira Lapp would rather his daughter marry an aging Amish widower than a young Englischer.
Despite all the forces that would keep them apart, Kristi and Shane can’t deny the strong attraction between them. So, their on–again, off–again relationship persists, as Kristi submits to physical therapy for her leg and Shane reevaluates his reasons for being Englisch. But will they find a way to stay together? Or are their differences too divisive to resolve?

Paperback: 336 pages
Publisher: Whitaker House (September 3, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1603745068
ISBN-13: 978-1603745062
Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.1 x 0.7 inches
Shipping Weight: 8 ounces

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
     Laura V. Hilton is a pastor’s wife, mother of five, author and book lover. Although for her formal education she studied marketplace issues -- she holds a degree in business -- reading is Laura’s lifelong passion, and writing a gift she’s developed to the delight of her growing fan base and to the glory of God. Prior to The Amish of Seymour Series for Whitaker House, Laura published two novels for Treble Heart Books: Shadows of the Past and Hot Chocolate. She’s also a contributor to the Zondervan’s It’s The Year Life Verse Devotional.

     While she did not grow up in an Amish community, Laura has become an expert in Amish customs and traditions, learning from her Pennsylvania Amish grandparents. She’s a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) for whom she reviews primarily Amish fiction for the ezine, Afictionado, Laura is also on staff at the Christian Suspense Zone and a professional reviewer for the Christian book market. She’s written for a wide variety of Internet sites including Dancing Word, Faith Webbin, A Romance Review, and Christian Review of Books. At last count she’d published over 1,000 reviews.

     A stay-at-home mom who home schools her children, Laura, her husband Steve, and their children live in Arkansas.  To read her daily book reviews go to: http://lighthouse-academy.blogspot.com. For other Laura V. Hilton news: http://lauravhilton.blogspot.com.


MY REVIEW
  Healing Love by Laura V. Hilton is a very sweet, enjoyable book. It started out slow, but soon was well worth reading.
  I enjoyed how Kristi and Shane got to know each other. They lived next door to each other, but never really met.
Kristi has a buggy accident and Shane is the one who finds her and gets her help. Then he finds out she won’t be able to walk or run her dog, so being the good neighbor he helps.
  Shane and Kristi find out that they share more than their love of animals and find out they are kindred spirits.
  Shane is a vet, but is missing love in his life. His wife died after only being married a few years.
  Kristi is a midwife and finds herself alone in life.
If they fall in love one of them has to leave their way of life to join the other. Will Shane forget his modern conviences of being a vet to live with the Amish? Will Kristi leave the Amish and be shunned to be with Shane? Her family has already lost her older brother to the world. Will she put her family through more heartache and pain?
  There just doesn’t seem to be a way this couple can find true happiness. Will there love for each other heal their hearts or will it be just to much for them to go through?
Very good book. I recommend it for your Amish reading pleasure.

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Thank you to Whitaker House for providing this book for review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255

Promised to Another by Laura V. Hilton * A Review

ABOUT PROMISED TO ANOTHER
Annie Beiler is a spunky, spirited schoolteacher, but she's struggled ever since the man she was promised to "jumped the fence" and left the Amish of Seymour. She needs a man who is committed to his Amish beliefs. And now, she's struggling to regain the trust of the school board members and the parents of her pupils for taking her class on an unauthorized field trip to a nearby Civil War battlefield. She's put on probation, and one wrong step could cost her the position permanently.

Joshua Esh of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, moved to Missouri ostensibly as part of the man swap meant to bring new blood into the community. Annie Beiler caught his attention the moment he arrived in Seymour, but he's disheartened to discover that she is promised to another man–Luke, who left the Amish but vowed to return one day and claim "his" Annie. So, Josh fills his social calendar with singings and frolics, taking a different girl home from every event–with the exception of Annie, since she is already committed to someone.

When Luke comes home, Annie pushes him away, and Josh Esh comes to her rescue. But the situation becomes awkward, since Josh is staying with Luke's family. An awareness of each other's attraction to Annie causes the awkwardness to escalate, and Annie's father soon invites Josh to stay with his family. But not all of the Beilers are happy about this new arrangement.

Soon, a buggy accident ends in a shotgun wedding after the bishop witnesses a kiss between Josh and Annie and insists they get married right away. The two protest, but the bishop is adamant. He later tells them why: he'd overheard some talk about a scheme Luke was launching to force Annie to marry him.

Marriage brings some dark secrets to the surface, and Annie and Josh must confront their issues and deal with the past if they plan on a future together.

Paperback: 304 pages
Publisher: Whitaker House (March 1, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1603742573
ISBN-13: 978-1603742573

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Laura V. Hilton is a pastor’s wife, mother of five, author and book lover. Although for her formal education she studied marketplace issues -- she holds a degree in business -- reading is Laura’s lifelong passion, and writing a gift she’s developed to the delight of her growing fan base and to the glory of God. Prior to The Amish of Seymour Series for Whitaker House, Laura published two novels for Treble Heart Books: Shadows of the Past and Hot Chocolate. She’s also a contributor to the Zondervan’s It’s The Year Life Verse Devotional.

     While she did not grow up in an Amish community, Laura has become an expert in Amish customs and traditions, learning from her Pennsylvania Amish grandparents. She’s a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) for whom she reviews primarily Amish fiction for the ezine, Afictionado, Laura is also on staff at the Christian Suspense Zone and a professional reviewer for the Christian book market. She’s written for a wide variety of Internet sites including Dancing Word, Faith Webbin, A Romance Review, and Christian Review of Books. At last count she’d published over 1,000 reviews.

     A stay-at-home mom who home schools her children, Laura, her husband Steve, and their children live in Arkansas.  To read her daily book reviews go to: http://lighthouse-academy.blogspot.com. For other Laura V. Hilton news: http://lauravhilton.blogspot.com.


MY REVIEW
  Promised to Another by Laura V. Hilton is the three and last book in the series The Amish of Seymour. Another excellent book and I especially liked the ending fourth of Promised to Another.
  I like the description of characters and of the countryside. Annie is a favorite of mine. She is very special because of her looks and also the way she loves children and is an excellent teacher, but she doesn’t believe she is worthy to have a special man in her life. She is also full of spunk and adventure.
  The buggy accident and shotgun wedding are especially interesting as are the secrets that come up. I couldn’t wait to finish this book and find out how it would all end. I’m quite happy with this wonderful book and the series. It’s a book that will be a great addition to your Amish collection. I really like Laura V. Hilton’s style of writing. She knows how to tell a story and keep you interested. Look forward to more of Laura’s work. I recommend this book and it will keep you reading until the last page.


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Thank you to Whitaker House for providing this book for review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255

A Harvest of Hearts by Laura V. Hilton

A Harvest of Hearts
by Laura V. Hilton
Book Two in The Amish of Seymour Series

Ready to make a fresh start and leave Lancaster County and its dearth of farmland behind, Matthew Yoder moves to Seymour, Missouri, as part of a swap of Amish men. He is placed with the Stoltzfus family until he finds a place of his own.

Shanna Stoltzfus always dreamed of becoming a nurse, despite her father’s threats to shun her. Determined to
follow her heart, Shanna ran away and enrolled in college. But when her classmates embark on a medical mission trip that Shanna can’t afford, she must turn to the last place she wants to go: home.

Matthew is fascinated by the Stoltzfuses’ prodigal daughter, and a fast friendship blossoms between them, even though Shanna still flirts with the people and practices of her Englisch life. When the tension escalates between her and her father to the point where his health is in jeopardy, Shanna is forced to face some tough issues, including the question of where her true home is.

FICTION
Whitaker House Frontlist – September 2011 Release
ISBN: 978-1-60374-256-6;
Trade $9.99; 240 pages

About the Author
Laura V. Hilton is a pastor’s wife, mother of five, author and book lover. Although for her formal education she studied marketplace issues -- she holds a degree in business -- reading is Laura’s lifelong passion, and writing a gift she’s developed to the delight of her growing fan base and to the glory of God. Prior to The Amish of Seymour Series for Whitaker House, Laura published two novels for Treble Heart Books: Shadows of the Past and Hot Chocolate. She’s also a contributor to the Zondervan’s It’s The Year Life Verse Devotional.

While she did not grow up in an Amish community, Laura has become an expert in Amish customs and traditions, learning from her Pennsylvania Amish grandparents. She’s a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) for whom she reviews primarily Amish fiction for the ezine, Afictionado, Laura is also on staff at the Christian Suspense Zone and a professional reviewer for the Christian book market. She’s written for a wide variety of Internet sites including Dancing Word, Faith Webbin, A Romance Review, and Christian Review of Books. At last count she’d published over 1,000 reviews.

A stay-at-home mom who home schools her children, Laura, her husband Steve, and their children live in Arkansas. To read her daily book reviews go to: http://lighthouse-academy.blogspot.com. For other Laura V. Hilton news: http://lauravhilton.blogspot.com.

MY REVIEW
Another winning book by Laura V. Hilton. I really like her fresh new look at the Amish. In her Amish stories it tells about some Amish that have went over to being English/thinking about it or have had babies out of wedlock {that was in book one of the Amish of Seymour series}.
In book two A Harvest of Hearts you read the story of Shannah {fantastic name by the way} how she ran away from the Amish to become a nurse and also about Matthew a very strict Amish man. How they meet and what becomes of their being together. I like how Laura doesn’t hold to such strict standards that some writers do when they are writing Amish stories. I believe she really tells it like it is. Even through the Amish live with very strict rules they are still human.
I enjoyed this book because Shannah and Matthew had some very tough decisions to make and how they had many obstacles in the way. In A Harvest of Hearts you will see that the decisions you make affect everyone around you, not just yourself.
A Harvest of Hearts has much adventure, romance and best of all people who love the Lord and follow Him. I recommend this book for all of you Amish lovers out there, but also for everyone who truly loves a fantastic story. Laura V. Hilton has out done herself again. This book doesn’t come out until September so put it on your to read list and you’ll be extremely happy you did.



Thank you to Whitaker House for providing this book for review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255

RELEASE DATE September 2011

Patchwork Dreams winner

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Winner of Patchwork Dreams by Laura V. Hilton
Thanks everyone for leaving comments and come back again,
more giveaways soon.
I enjoy each of your comments!

Laura V. Hilton-author interview and book giveaway

Laura thanks for taking the time to visit us today! I appreciate you answering these few questions. It will be fun to get to know you better. Tell us a little about yourself.

Thank you, it’s nice to be here. I am a wife of almost 25 years to Steve, a homeschool Mom to five blessings, a book reviewer, a pastor’s wife, a breast cancer survivor, and an author.

How long did you write before you were published?

I was born writing, I think. I remember stories in kindergarten, and writing and writing and writing a long misplaced story when I was in elementary school. I had two books published about six years ago with a small press, but then I landed an agent and she felt I should focus on the bigger houses, rather than small press, and I wrote another 4 years before they started taking notice.

Tell us about “Patchwork Dreams,” the featured book.

- Becky Troyer has committed the ultimate sin, and finds herself on the edge of her Amish community. Jacob Miller believes he was sent to the Old Order Community in Missouri to help out a distant cousin. Instead, he discovers he was part of an arranged swap--sending men from his Pennsylvania district to the Missouri district to bring new blood into the Amish community. Becky dreams of marriage, but doesn't dare hope that anyone would choose her--not with her history. Can God use the lies that have affected Becky and Jacob to bring them together? Or will Jacob rebel and head home to his first love?

Is there any person who has been a strong influence in your writing journey?

Well, my agent has been very encouraging to me. She has talked me out of giving up I don’t know how many times. I really don’t have a mentor, I’ve wanted one, but didn’t know how to get one, but I do have my critique groups with helped me greatly, especially with expanding the story (where we need more information) and with verb/tense agreement issues—my weakness. My husband is probably my biggest cheerleader, he reads my books as I write it—chapter by chapter. And ACFW has really taught me a lot about the craft of writing. It’s really not as simple as just writing something. You have to know something about story, where it begins, point of view, motives, and other stuff.

What message do you want to be clear to your readers?

That God loves you where you are at, that He is the God of second chances.

What are some of your likes and dislikes? Your hobbies, interests? Where do you like to vacation?

I enjoy minivacations in the area in which I live. Right now I’m near an Amish community, I’m near caves, springs, state parks, and civil war monuments. If I have an opportunity for a longer vacation, I like to go to Michigan. It is my “home” and I love the beach on Lake Michigan, all the water falls, the lighthouses, etc. My hobbies are at this point mostly reading. As a book reviewer I have little time for handcrafts, if I have a spare moment I have to read something. If I have time away from reading, then I enjoy researching, learning something new. I also love to bake, and spend time with my family. I dislike spiders … LOL, my son wrote a poem (and it was published on-line) about my fear of spiders.

Tell us a little-known fact about yourself that readers may not know.

Well, they might now know I’m afraid of spiders! Seriously, I love winter squash, my favorite fruit would be blueberries or raspberries, fresh, of course, and I drink a lot of unsweetened tea, all kinds, white, black, red, or green.

How do you spend your writing days? Do you set goals to reach a certain number of words per day? Can you give us a general idea of how long it takes you to write a novel?

I set a goal for a month. Like this month I am starting the third book in my Amish series, so I wrote in my journal start – 0, goal 15,000. I don’t have an office, so I have to write with the family, and it is interrupted a lot with homeschooling, phone calls, errands, family stuff. I like to write at least a 1,000 words a day, but that isn’t always possible, life does happen, so I try to set a reasonable monthly goal for me, so I don’t feel so bad if I only get 500 words, or if I can’t write at all. I wrote Patchwork Dreams from start 0 words – to the final edited version that I submitted in four months. And that includes the rough draft and the final copy. The second book – A Harvest of Hearts, coming in September, I wrote in four and a half months.

What are you currently reading?

I just finished reading An Amish Midwife by Mindy Starns Clark, and I’ll be starting Bake Until Golden by Linda Evans Shepherd and Eva Marie Everson tonight.

Do you grow flowers or vegetables?

Yes, both. The price of fresh produce is horrific, so I try to grow our own vegetables. I had tulips in my garden that I transplanted from Michigan but the deer eat them, so right now I have irises, wild violets, and jonquils in the garden.

What are your favorite flowers?

I love tulips, roses, jonquils, and violets. Well, any flower really. I enjoy a fresh bouquet in the middle of the dining room table.

What are you writing now?

I’m starting the third book in the Amish of Seymour series. It’s the story of Annie, an Amish school teacher, and Joshua, an Amish man transferred in a man swap from Pennsylvania to Missouri.

How can readers find you on the Internet?

I’m on facebook – Laura Vernet Price Hilton (I need to start a fan page, I’m almost at my limit for friends) and my blogs, http://lauravhilton.blogspot.com or my book review blog – http://lighthouse-academy.blogspot.com. I’m also on shoutlife.

And thanks for spending this time with us, Laura.

Thank you for having me. It was a pleasure to be here.
We wish you much success.

Book Giveaway-Patchwork Dreams

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ENTRY DEADLINE March 19, 2011

Patchwork Dreams by Laura V. Hilton*A Review

ABOUT PATCHWORK DREAMS

Ever since returning from her rumspringa pregnant and unwed, Becky Troyer has been a pariah in her Amish community in Missouri. Even after the young mother confesses her sin and rejoins the church, her peers continue to shun her, and she despairs the unlikelihood of marrying for love. It seems that her only hope is to eventually marry a widower with a family of his own.

Becky’s world changes when Jacob Miller arrives at her family’s farm with the understanding that he will help with chores during the summer and then return to Pennsylvania. What Jacob does not know is that his father, who disapproves of Jacob’s sweetheart, Susie, sent him away as part of a plan to introduce new blood into the Amish community of Seymour. In addition to his work around the farm, Jacob undertakes the task of cheering up the lovely yet listless Becky, inviting her to various youth gatherings and offering her the only unconditional friendship she’s known.

As their friendship grows, the two find themselves inexplicably drawn to each other. Will Becky and Jacob overcome their insecurities and self-doubts so that their love can grow, or will Jacob keep his pledge to Susie and turn his back on Becky, as so many others have done?


Paperback: 144 pages
Publisher: Whitaker House (April 5, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1603742557
ISBN-13: 978-1603742559


ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Laura Hilton graduated with a business degree from Ozarka Technical College in Melbourne, Arkansas. A member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, she is a professional book reviewer for the Christian market, with more than a thousand reviews published on the Web. Prior to Patchwork Dreams, she published two novels with Treble Heart Books: Hot Chocolate and Shadows of the Past, as well as several devotionals. Laura and her husband, Steve, have five children, whom Laura homeschools. The family makes 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/
http://lauravhilton.blogspot.com/

Coming soon, Patchwork Dreams ~ April 2011
A Harvest of Hearts ~September 2011



MY REVIEW
Patchwork Dreams is such an excellent book. I enjoyed it from the first page to the last.
Becky is paying for her past mistakes in a big way. During her running around time (rumspringa) in the Amish culture Becky has a baby and her peers keep shunning her, even after she has asked for forgiveness.
Then Jacob comes along. Jacob is sent to their farm(he thinks to only help out for the summer) but the others think he is sent here to bring new blood into the community. Only problem Jacob is already going to get married to a girl from his home.
So we follow these two. Jacob wants to get Becky to smile and that is the mission he sets out on. In Patchwork Dreams you will see many changes in both people and see how they grow up in different situations.
I don’t care for a lot of Amish stories, because the authors are usually judgmental of the English world and always put the Amish above them, but with Patchwork Dreams it isn’t like that at all. We see a story about everyone making mistakes, wrong choices and peace finally if we go in the right way.
The characters have a lot of love and commitment to the Lord, with a lot of touching scenes. This is the first of a new series about The Amish of Seymour by Laura Hilton
This is a book that I can feel good about recommending for all to read. It has everything a good novel should have from tenderness, sadness, forgiveness, peace and joy. So you need to buy this book if you love to read and Amish stories are some of your favorites. Even if you don’t like Amish stories this one is different and full of exciting happenings.

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Thank you to Whitaker House for providing this book for review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255