BooksChatter: ☀ The Christmas Cradle: Seasons of the Heart [6]

Thank you for joining us on the Virtual Book Tour for The Christmas Cradle, an Amish Inspirational Romance by Charlotte Hubbard (29 September 2015, Zebra / Kensington Publishing, 368 pages).

This is the sixth book in the Seasons of the Heart series.

"A heartwarming [...] voice for fans of Beverly Lewis." --Emma Miller

"Fans of Amish fiction will love the Seasons of the Heart series." --Marta Perry, Lydia's Hope

PREVIEW: Check out the book's synopsis and our exclusive excerpt from Chapter Two below. Read the first two chapters with Amazon Look Inside.

Author Charlotte Hubbard will be awarding a $20 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner via Rafflecopter during the tour. Please do take part: comment on our post and follow the tour where you will be able to read other exclusive excerpts (☀) and reviews (✍).

Synopsis | Teaser | The Series | About the Author | Giveaway & Tour Stops

Synopsis

For the peaceful town of Willow Ridge, November presents an early holiday surprise. Stranded in the snow, 18-year-old Lena Esh and her boyfriend Josiah Witmer need more than a place to stay for the night. Lena defied her strict family and their judgmental beliefs to run away with Josiah and have his baby. But she's starting to wonder if he can prove as responsible as he is passionate. And she isn't sure how—or if—they can ever find a place to truly call home.

Expecting their own miracle baby, Miriam and Ben Hooley rally the town to help the young couple, and Lena draws strength from their unexpected support. Though trouble may come calling, in this season of joyous rebirth, a little child will lead them. And two couples will see their dreams of forever family come true . . .

Teaser: Exclusive Excerpt

from Chapter Two

      Lena’s going to drag you down. You’ve got to move on—without her.
     Josiah sat in the back corner of the Sweet Seasons, devouring the plateful of food he’d gotten from the steam table. He’d heard Miriam and Ben stirring at an insanely early hour, so he’d arrived at six when the café had opened. Through the window of Ben’s smithy he’d seen the forge fire glowing. With any luck, Dolly would have her new shoe and he could roll out of town before Lena showed up—which would save a lot of explaining on his part and crying on hers. Lord, but he was tired of her crying!
     But what if the Hooleys have told you the truth? What if you get to Higher Ground and there’s no sign of a supper club? Should you get the whole story from Knepp or keep on driving?
     His older sister Savilla had suggested that he look around Higher Ground before he committed to living in Missouri, but Josiah had seen Knepp’s offer as his ticket out of a dicey situation with Lena. Never had he figured that a quick coupling in the hayloft would have such consequences—but he hadn’t exactly been thinking when Lena’s kisses had taken him over the edge all those months ago. He hadn’t planned to bring Lena to Missouri, either, yet he couldn’t resist seeing her one last time—and once again he’d fallen for Lena’s expressive eyes and her persuasive voice. So here they were.
     Josiah stopped eating in such a hurry to really taste his slice of chocolate bread. It was moist and spicy-sweet and fabulous, loaded with apple and walnut chunks and chocolate chips. The breakfast casserole was a savory blend of sausage, bread, onions, and melting cheese, and the fried apples tickled his tongue with cinnamon rather than being overloaded with butter and sugar. The happy chatter of Miriam and the other two gals in the kitchen suggested a love for their work—and for each other—that he suddenly envied.

The Christmas Cradle
Available NOW!

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The Series: Seasons of the Heart

Welcome to Willow Ridge, Missouri! In this cozy Amish town along the banks of the river, the Old Ways are celebrated at the Sweet Seasons Bakery Café, and love is a gift God gives with grace. . .

**Part of this series are also two novellas from the anthologies AN AMISH COUNTRY CHRISTMAS and AN AMISH CHRISTMAS QUILT.**v Titles 1 to 4 below are available FREE on Kindle Unlimited and Kindle Owner Lending Library.

Click on the book cover to Look Inside the book on Amazon and read an excerpt.

Summer of Secrets | Autumn Winds | Winter of Wishes | An Amish Country Christmas | Breath of Spring | An Amish Christmas Quilt | Harvest of Blessings |

Summer of Secrets [1]

Summer has come to Willow Ridge, but Rachel Lantz is looking forward to a whole new season in her life--marriage to strapping carpenter Micah Brenneman, her childhood sweetheart.

When a strange Englischer arrives in the café claiming to be the long-lost sister of Rachel and her twin Rhoda, Rachel feels the sturdy foundation of her future crumbling--including Micah's steadfast love.

As the days heat up and tempers flare, Rachel and Micah will learn that even when God's plan isn't clear, it will always lead them back to each other. . .

[Published by Zebra on 7 February 2012, 350 pages]

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Autumn Winds [2]

The leaves are falling and there's a chill in the air in Willow Ridge, Missouri, the quaint, quiet Amish town where love, loyalty, and faith in the Old Ways are about to be put to the test . . .

Winds of change are blowing through Willow Ridge, and they're bringing a stranger to the Sweet Seasons Bakery. At first, widowed Miriam Lantz has misgivings about Ben Hooley, a handsome but rootless traveling blacksmith. But as she gets to know the kind-hearted newcomer, she wonders if his arrival was providential. Perhaps she could find love again--if only there weren't so many obstacles in the way.

With Bishop Knepp relentlessly pursuing her hand in marriage and the fate of her beloved café at stake, Miriam must listen to God and her heart to find the happiness she longs for and the love she deserves.

[Published by Zebra on 4 September 2012, 337 pages]

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Winter of Wishes [3]

Snow is falling, cookies are baking, and Christmas is just around the corner in Willow Ridge, Missouri, where a new season marks fresh beginnings for the residents of the tranquil Amish town. . .

As another year draws to a close in Willow Ridge, life seems to be changing for everyone but Rhoda Lantz. Her widowed mother is about to remarry, her sister is a busy newlywed, and soon Rhoda will be alone in her cozy apartment above the blacksmith's shop. An ad posted by an Englischer looking for someone to help with his mother and children may offer just the companionship she's looking for, but if she falls for the caring single father, she may risk being shunned by her community.

Certain she can only wish for things she cannot have, Rhoda must remember that all things are possible with God, and nothing is stronger than the power of love.

[Published by Zebra / Kensington Publishing on 3 September 2013, 349 pages]

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An Amish Country Christmas [3.5]

In Willow Ridge, Missouri, the Christmas season is a time when faith brings peace, family brings warmth and new romance brings sparkling joy. . .

Twins For Christmas

For spirited Martha Coblentz and her twin Mary, the snow has delivered the perfect holiday and birthday present to their door--handsome brothers Nate and Bram Kanagy. But when unforeseen trouble interrupts their season's good cheer, it will take unexpected intervention--and sudden understanding--to give all four the blessing of a lifetime. . .

Kissing The Bishop

As the year's first snow settles, Nazareth Hooley and her sister are given a heaven-sent chance to help newly widowed Tom Hostetler tend his home. But when her hope that she and Tom can build on the caring between them seems a dream forever out of reach, Nazareth discovers that faith and love can make any miracle possible. . .

Delicious holiday treat recipes included!

[Published by Zebra / Kensington Publishing on 1 October 2013, 350 pages]

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Breath of Spring[4]

As a bright season brings a fresh start to Willow Ridge, Annie Mae Knepp feels she can never make peace with the past. Her disgraced ex-bishop father is furious she has taken her five siblings to live with her. She's never been truly at home in her faith. . .or believing in herself. And Annie Mae fears no man will want to take on the responsibilities she's gladly shouldered. True, her quiet neighbor Adam Wagler has been steadfast and unshakeable helping her through her trials, but he surely couldn't think of someone so lost as more than a friend.

Believing she is unworthy because of her doubts, Annie Mae will find in a moment of surprising revelation that God can work impossible miracles--and that love makes all things new.

[Published by Zebra / Kensington Publishing on 6 May 2014, 340 pages]

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An Amish Christmas Quilt [4.5]

With all the warmth of a cozy quilt, snuggle into Amish tales of hearts joined, friendships patched, and the bright joys of Christmas tradition…

A WILLOW RIDGE CHRISTMAS PAGEANT
Charlotte Hubbard Seth Brenneman didn’t expect his holiday would include rescuing pregnant young Mary Kauffman and her two children…or having unexpected feelings for the still-grieving widow. But when they must play the leads in an impromptu Nativity pageant, will their roles reveal their hearts—and work a miracle for a lifetime?

A CHRISTMAS ON ICE MOUNTAIN
Kelly Long Matthew Beider and Laurel Lapp’s secret wish to marry is a gift their feuding fathers definitely won’t accept. Can rediscovering the joys and friendships of Christmas past finally turn their families’ futures bright?

A PERFECT AMISH CHRISTMAS
Jennifer Beckstrand Anna Helmuth’s grandson, Gideon, plans to spend Christmas on a beach in sunny Mexico. But Anna is quite sure he’d rather be with them, snowshoeing, ice fishing—falling in love. And she knows the perfect girl. Now it’s up to the spirit of Christmas to work its magic…

[Published by Kensington / Kensington Publishing on 29 September 2015, 288 pages]

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Harvest of Blessings [5]

The tranquil little town of Willow Ridge is facing a startling challenge. Wealthy Nora Glick Landwehr is determined to make it her home again--and put her past to rest. Cast out by her own family, Nora can't reconcile with Old Amish ways or her strict father. But she'll do anything to help her community embrace the future . . . and make amends to the daughter she had to give up. So, she certainly has no time for her reckless new neighbor Luke Hooley. They disagree about almost everything. And how can she trust him if he always seems to believe the worst about her?

Somehow, though, his unexpected support and passionate heart are helping her find her own way in faith. And Nora will discover that even in the face of insidious lies and unyielding judgment, God creates unexpected chances for forgiveness--and love.

[Published by Zebra / Kensington Publishing on 24 February 2015, 351 pages]

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About the Author

Drawing upon her experiences in Jamesport, the largest Old Order Amish community in Missouri, longtime Missourian Charlotte Hubbard writes of simpler times and a faith-based lifestyle in her Seasons of the Heart series.

Like her heroine, Miriam Lantz Hooley, Charlotte considers it her personal mission to feed people. Faith and family, farming and food preservation are hallmarks of her lifestyle. She’s a deacon, a dedicated church musician and choir member, and when she’s not writing, she loves to try new recipes, crochet, and sew.

Charlotte now lives in Minnesota with her husband and their border collie.

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