Book Review (and a Giveaway!): Love’s Truest Hope by Hilton, Good, & Alford

Posted June 10, 2019 by meezcarrie in Amish, Christian, contemporary, giveaway, Laura V. Hilton, Mary Alford, Rachel J. Good, romance / 23 Comments

GENRE: Amish Fiction/Novella Collection
PUBLISHER: Celebrate Lit
RELEASE DATE: May 28, 2019
PAGES: 360

Mission of Love
A nontraditional Amish man called to minister to the inner-city youth. An overwhelmed Amish woman terrified of the idea. When lies and manipulators threaten to destroy her life, she’s forced outside her comfort zone. Will she learn that God’s love spreads to more than just her people?
Bid for Love
The top bidder in the Amish silent auction wins a day of yardwork from Marty and two of his friends. But why did this wealthy Englischer pay so much money when she has a professional lawn service? Marty is shocked to when she offers him money to turn her granddaughter Amish. He refuses, but when Olivia and her grandmother both end up missing, Marty is fingered for the crime. How can he ever prove his innocence when all the clues the police find point to his guilt?
Plain Redemption
Spring is a long way in coming to the Big Sky country of Montana, and Lyddie Hershberger is still living in the winter of her life. First her husband died a little more than a year earlier, then Lyddie lost their unborn child. Now, an accident sends her father-in-law to the hospital clinging to his life. Will the gloom of winter ever leave their West Kootenai community?
When word of his daed’s accident reaches Thomas Hershberger in Colorado, he rushes home to find all his old sins waiting for him there, along with the woman who destroyed his heart. His brother’s widow, Lyddie Hershberger.
After someone breaks into the family home while Thomas and Lyddie are at the hospital, it soon becomes apparent that his father’s accident is anything but.
As Lyddie and Thomas struggle to understand why someone wishes their family harm, old feelings of love resurface. Is it possible for Thomas to overcome the guilt he feels for his part in his brother’s death and convince Lyddie that their love can melt any heartache standing in their way?

Love’s Truest Hope is a delightful collection of three novellas by three stellar authors.

In “Mission of Love”, we meet Lucinda and Jason (who I wanted to hug) and Lucinda’s twin sister (who I wanted to jerk a knot in). Right from the start, poor Cindy has a lot to deal with. If something could go wrong, it had or it would. As Jace steps up to help, old feelings begin to rekindle. I loved the sweet gospel message that Hilton worked into the story, especially toward the end. This is a story fraught with tension but balanced with grace. A plethora of vivid characters gather on the pages, and the relationship simmering between Cindy and Jace will leave you smiling. My only complaint is that I wanted the story to keep going!!

Good’s “Bid for Love” has a bit of intrigue and mystery in it as well as a sweet romance that, thanks to the epilogue, moves at a healthy pace. Olivia’s Gram is a character for sure, and the intrigue surrounding her increasingly odd behavior will keep you turning the pages. You’ll feel for Olivia in all the turmoil upending her life, and you’ll love Martin for the integrity and honor his character possesses. Even with the epilogue, I’d love more time with these characters.

In “Plain Redemption”, Alford’s suspense author skills are in high form. Who is the man that keeps showing up, demanding something known only to him (or is it)? Was Abram’s accident really an accident? In the midst of all the well-written suspense and great tension build-up, there is some palpable chemistry between Thomas and Lyddie. First loves, separated by life and their own choices, rekindling feelings they never expected. This one might be my favorite story of the bunch but I honestly loved them all!

Bottom Line: Three stories by three highly talented authors, Love’s Truest Hope is a great way to get a taste for each author’s style. Each story brims with layered characters and creative plots, and you’ll be firmly invested in seeing how it all plays out. A wonderful weekend read!

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.)

My Rating: 4 stars / loved it!

KissingBook Level: 3 / may forget to breathe on occasion

Laura V. Hilton is an award-winning, sought-after author with thirty Amish, contemporary, and historical romances. When she’s not writing, she reviews books for her blogs. Her most recent series is set in Mackinac County, Michigan, and includes Firestorm, The Amish Candymaker, and Married to a Stranger (July 2019).

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.

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Inspirational author Rachel J. Good writes life-changing, heart-tugging novels of faith, hope, and forgiveness. The bestselling author of several Amish romance series, she grew up near Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, the setting for many of her stories. Striving to be as authentic as possible, she spends time with her Amish friends, doing chores on their farms and attending family events. Rachel has more than 40 books in print or forthcoming for both children and adults under several pen names.

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Mary Alford is a bestselling author of over fifteen novels who loves giving her readers the unexpected. Combining unforgettable characters with unpredictable plots that test their faith and result in novels the reader doesn’t want to put down.

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