Susan Lantz Simpson

Christina’s Courage by Susan Lantz Simpson is the first book in the Plain Path Series. Christina Brubacher finds a man dead in her shed at her business, The Green Thumb. The death is ruled an overdose. Christina finds a couple of clues in her greenhouse that raise questions. Christina gets help from her crush, Noah Zimmerman. Christina’s search for answers stalls out until the victim’s sister, Jill, shows up asking for help. Christina’s Courage is an Amish romance with a touch of mystery. Christina lives in an Old Order Mennonite community. I wish the difference between Old Order Amish and Old Order Mennonite had been explained. They seemed identical based on the information in the story. Christina’s Courage reads like a young adult novel. The characters seemed young (younger than their actual age). Christina is twenty, but she comes across as sixteen. Annie, Christina’s best friend, is very immature (acted like she was twelve). The story alternates between Christina and Noah’s point-of-view. This leads to a great deal of repetition. We get to hear how Christina likes Noah and has had a crush on him for years. Noah likes Christina and feels protective of her. The mystery moves at a snail’s pace (actually, snail’s move faster). I did not like how Christina and Noah sneak around to help Jill. I understand their bishop would not like them to get involved nor their parents. I wish the author had found another way to have the Amish characters involved in the mystery. Christina’s Courage is an Amish romance with a tiny bit of mystery. The story is long (could easily lose a hundred pages) and the pacing is leisurely. I appreciated the epilogue at the end that nicely wrapped up the story. Christina’s Courage is a light Amish mystery with a dead man in a shed, curious clues, a distressed sister, pretty pink begonias, a flirty friend, and a blossoming romance.… (más)

I love Amish stories and this story by Jennifer Beckstrand did not disappoint. I love the mischievous Amish twins, Alfie and Benji, who are always good at those necessary matchmaker needs. If love doesn't go as it should, you can be sure twins are on it! True to form, a fun and sweet Amish romance as told by Jennifer Beckstrand.
This story was one of ten delightful Christmas Miracle stories and so fun. A second chance for Jerry and Mary. Will the twins succeed in their sneaky plans or get themselves in trouble, as usual!

Truly a sweet and tender story mixed with some humor. Although I am reading it after the holidays, it is every bit as good as before. I recommend these sweet stories and hope you take the time to read them!

I received an ebook copy from one of the authors with no expectation of a positive review. All thoughts are my own.… (más)

Samuel’s Return by Susan Lantz Simpson is the 6th novel in The Amish of Southern Maryland series. It can be read as a standalone. The book has good writing with relatable characters. The book moved along at a steady pace for the most part. There were a couple of slow sections in the middle. I thought Lena’s girls were delightful. They were such sweethearts. I cannot imagine, though, asking a four-year-old to watch after two younger siblings. I see a lot of responsibility in Mary’s future. I loved that we get to see Becky Zook (from The Reconciliation) get married and have her baby. Becky certainly deserves a happy ending as well as Atlee. Bishop Menno was a great character. He is the kind of bishop a community needs (kind, sympathetic, watchful, clever, good sense of humor). I loved his reaction to Sarah and her pies. There is humor scattered throughout that I enjoyed. I laughed often while reading Samuel’s Return. I did find Lena frustrating at times. The way she refused to listen to Samuel and kept running from him. I thought Lena acted immature considering she is a widow with three children (what type of example is she setting for her eldest who is very observant). I also found the story to be predictable. Samuel trying to woo Lena and Lena avoiding Samuel makes for a long book. Plus, we know everything our characters are thinking and feeling. I felt the book needed something else to give it more depth and substance. Samuel’s Return is a sweet Amish tale. I did feel it could have been shortened. Some of the themes in Samuel’s Return are trust, forgiveness, shame, hope, and faith. Another one is trusting God. My favorite phrase from Samuel’s Return is, “People kumm in all shapes and sizes. The Lord Gott made and loves us all.” Samuel’s Return is a charming Amish tale with children’s clatter and chatter, a frolic with friends, a benevolent bishop, pitiful pies, strong storms, and a lasting love.… (más)

SAMUEL'S RETURN by Susan Lantz Simpson

Lena Troyer lives in Maryland and is an Amish widow with three young children under the age of four. She has in the past, welcomed Becky, a young Amish woman with a complicated past, into their lives. Becky is getting married to Atlee Stouffer soon and her helpful, caring ways will be sorely missed by Lena.

Samuel Mast has a definitive history with Lena Troyer, when they were children, they had pledged themselves to each other and had plans to marry as soon as they would be allowed. Unfortunately, Samuel's father was against this, for his own personal reasons and soon moved their family to parts of the nation, far from Samuel's sweetheart.

Lena is shocked when Samuel returned. She had already made peace (she thought) with herself with the love that she lost when Samuel was forced to move away. He had said he'd return for her, but it took him ten years to fulfill that vow. She is forced to be honest with herself and acknowledge that she still loves Samuel and has to decide what to do about that while protecting her three adorable cherubs.

Samuel loves Lena more than ever, he also loves her captivating children, because they are a part of her. He simply needs to be able to survive the heartache of her constantly pushing him away, because of her being hurt by his long absence.

Highly recommend. Genre: Christian, Amish, romance, standalone, and part of a series.

Sincere thanks to #netgalley for the complimentary copy of #samuelsreturn I was under no obligation to post a review.… (más)