{"id":22613,"date":"2017-11-21T23:13:02","date_gmt":"2017-11-22T04:13:02","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.daysongreflections.com\/?p=22613"},"modified":"2017-11-21T23:13:02","modified_gmt":"2017-11-22T04:13:02","slug":"the-christmas-admirer-by-laura-v-hilton","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.daysongreflections.com\/?p=22613","title":{"rendered":"The Christmas Admirer by Laura V. Hilton"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/p>\n

\n
\n

MY REVIEW:<\/strong><\/p>\n

It seems like every time I decide I’m done with Amish fiction, I have the opportunity to read a book by one of the better Amish authors such as Laura V. Hilton and I have to rethink my decision. Yes there are plenty of Amish books out there that strike me as carbon copies with reworked characters and\/or plots but I have also found a few authors whose novels are well worth my time. At this point, I won’t turn down a book by Laura V. Hilton.<\/p>\n

Although her books are about the Amish, her characters are so full of life and they struggle with the same personal problems that the people I know experience. They may live a different lifestyle than I but I can easily identify with their doubts, their joy, and their pain. Not to mention that we all serve the same God. Another thing that keeps me reading Hilton’s books is that her romances have a certain “sizzle” yet retain their purity.<\/p>\n

“The Christmas Admirer” features Benaiah Troyer and Susanna King who had planned to marry until tragedy struck his family. Because of added responsibilities, Benaiah decided that for her own good, it was best to break up with Susannah. Yes, he was one of those men who made decisions for another without getting their input. Then there was Susanna’s father who seemed to be good at doing the same thing to her. Everyone making decisions about her life without asking was enough to upset any woman.<\/p>\n

I enjoyed this book quite a bit although there were a few times I did want to give Benaiah and Susannah’s dad a good shake or two to make them realize what they were doing to her. It was fun to read about Amish glassblowers but I would have loved to know a few more particulars about their craft. Nevertheless it was a great story and everything worked out to my satisfaction before it ended.<\/p>\n

I would recommend “The Christmas Admirer” as well as other books by this author even if you don’t think you would enjoy Amish fiction.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by Litfuse Publicity. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\n
\n

ABOUT THE BOOK:<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Click to purchase<\/strong><\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

Amish romance fans will love this heartwarming holiday story, perfect for gift-giving.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Benaiah Troyer has loved Susanna King for as long as he can remember, but when his parents died in an accident a year ago, he broke up with her\u2014for her own good. After all, he was now the sole caregiver for his three younger sisters. What woman would want to put up with that? Still, against his better judgment, he can\u2019t help leaving her a gift now and then, anonymously addressing her name in big block print, just to catch a smile. Roses one month, maple syrup candy another; and maybe this time, something special for Christmas.<\/p>\n

Susanna has never gotten over losing Benaiah, but now the clock is ticking. Her father is selling his glass-blowing business, remarrying in January, and moving to Iowa with his bossy wife-to-be. Angry and frustrated, Susanna realizes she\u2019s left with three options: one, go with Daed to his new home with a new mom; two, stay in Jamesport, Missouri, as an old maid; or, three, the best yet, flush out her mysterious secret admirer. But how could she be with anyone else when her heart is still with Benaiah?<\/p>\n

Click here<\/a> to purchase your copy.<\/p>\n

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"Amish fiction lovers responded positively and immediately to Laura V. Hilton<\/strong>\u2019s debut novel, Patchwork Dreams<\/em>, when she burst on the scene in 2009 with her unique series, The Amish of Seymour, set in the tiny town of Seymour, in Webster County, Missouri. Fans of the genre immediately recognized Hilton\u2019s insider knowledge, not only of the Webster County community, but Amish culture in general. Her natural speech and writing patterns, she says, are uniquely \u201cAmish,\u201d acquired from her Amish maternal grandparents. The Amish of Seymour, includes Patchwork Dreams, A Harvest of Hearts<\/em>, and Promised to Another. <\/em>Her second series, The Amish of Webster County, is comprised of Healing Love, Surrendered Love, <\/em>and Awakened Love<\/em>. A stand-alone title, A White Christmas in Webster County<\/em>, was released in September 2014. The Amish of Jamesport includes The Snow Globe,<\/em> The Postcard and The Birdhouse. In spring 2016 she released The Amish Firefighter with the setting in Jamesport, MO, the same as for The Amish Wanderer.<\/em><\/p>\n

Laura is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and a professional book reviewer. Laura and her husband, Steve, have five children, whom Laura homeschools. The family makes their home in Horseshoe Bend, Arkansas.<\/p>\n

GUEST POST FROM LAURA V. HILTON:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Glass Blowing and The Christmas Admirer<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"Right before my youngest son joined the Coast Guard we went on a short mini-vacation to Springfield, Missouri, actually going farther north almost to Kansas City to see another Amish community near there in Osceola. There is a cheese factory there and my son wanted to try some of their cheeses \u2013 such as a ghost pepper cheese. Too spicy for me.<\/p>\n

But upon the return to Springfield, Steve read about a glass blowers shop in the downtown area. We found the address and went to visit it. It is owned by an older gentleman and his son. They had a display area set up where people could see their wares and buy them and then a work area where the son mostly worked, and talked about how the fire needed to be so hot, and showed us how he worked and made things. As we watched, he made a lovely flower, a lily, in different colors of glass, green, white, pinks.<\/p>\n

It was fascinating.<\/p>\n

And I got to thinking what if\u2026<\/p>\n

\"\"So I did some more research. Asked questions. Probably drove them nuts. But when Whitaker House indicated they\u2019d be interested in a Christmas novel, I proposed one about a glass blower.<\/p>\n

The story is set in Jamesport, Missouri, and while completely stand alone, it does have some continuing characters from other books I\u2019ve written set in Jamesport. If you are interested, the books set there are:<\/p>\n

Amish Books set in Jamesport, Missouri:<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Snow Globe<\/p>\n

The Postcard<\/p>\n

The Birdhouse<\/p>\n

The Amish Firefighter<\/p>\n

The Amish Wanderer<\/p>\n

The Kissing Bridge (part of Springs of Love collection)<\/p>\n

The Christmas Admirer<\/p>\n

Gingerbread Wishes (part of A Plain Thanksgiving collection\u2013November 2018)<\/p>\n

Love by the Numbers (February 2018)<\/p>\n

\"\"I haven\u2019t read any books about an Amish glass blower, but that\u2019s not to say they aren\u2019t out there. I haven\u2019t read all the Amish books available. Jamesport is an area that is more tourist-oriented than the books set in Seymour \/ Webster County Missouri. They give buggy tours, have bed and breakfasts, open their homes for visitors to eat supper with them, and have businesses.<\/p>\n

All Amish districts are different and the rules vary depending on the bishop and preachers. Some are more liberal and some more conservative. Some keep themselves distant and don\u2019t welcome attention from non-Amish and some embrace it. While Jamesport is not as touristy as some districts in Lancaster Pennsylvania or in Ohio, it is much more so than others.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Susanna\u2019s Cranberry Salad<\/strong><\/p>\n

Ingredients<\/strong><\/p>\n