Life can be pretty hard when you are young, pregnant, and
alone. It can be difficult when you own family turns
their back on you. Hard as that is, it is an even harder
world when your family is Amish.
Faced with that situation, Nora Glick Landwehr made her
decisions and lived with the consequences. Financially,
it was a tough struggle and over time, she had done very
well. Unfortunately, less so at love and marriage. Yet,
despite it all, Nora misses her family and especially her
mother and her young daughter. So, without advance
warning, she sold everything off and bought a house
smack dab in the middle of her home community of Willow
Ridge.
Despite her doubts about her decision, Nora knew in her
heart it was what she needed to do. But as she starts to
move in, she meets her handsome neighbor, Luke Hooley.
He finds Nora foxy and wants to flirt. For her part, she
had enough of that kind of guy in the past and wants
nothing doing. If he becomes a pest, would he derail her
plans to seek her father's forgiveness?
There are many excellent writers who base their stories
around the Amish, their customs, beliefs and their
interactions with their non-Amish neighbours, and
Charlotte Hubbard shines as a very bright and large star
among them. HARVEST OF BLESSINGS is the sixth book in
Hubbard's More Seasons of the Heart series (originally
planned as four books but expanded by popular demand).
All the books in the series can easily be enjoyed as a
standalone reads. However, as Hubbard's many fans will
attest, they are truly delightful reads as part of an
ongoing series with previously mentioned major characters
appearing in minor roles in subsequent stories. I
especially got enjoyment from the reconnection and
updates on events with Mariam (and her three grown
daughters) and Ben Hooley who are wonderfully featured in
AUTUMN WINDS, the second book in the series.
HARVEST OF BLESSINGS is a multi-layered story. It
covers the reunion of Nora and her daughter Millie as
well as her own attempts to reconnect with her parents,
and all their emotional reactions around that. Nicely
seasoning out these stories, there is lots of romance in
the air for both Nora, Millie, and others as well.
Not wanting to give away more of the plot, I can
only add that HARVEST OF BLESSINGS is a captivating story
and very hard to put down. As in her previous books in
the series, Hubbard nicely integrates into her storyline
various ways for her characters to discern God's will in
their lives. Key themes in this story are family love,
forgiveness, and being true to who you are. If you also
happen to be a foodie, do drool over the food lovingly
described in HARVEST OF BLESSINGS and try some of the
wonderful recipes in the book. So treat yourself or a
friend to a HARVEST OF BLESSINGS! A treat to enjoy!
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.