The Promise of Easter by Marta Perry

 As Promise Glen prepares for the Easter season, one woman discovers that forgiveness is freedom—and maybe forever after.

Anna Stoltzfus lives a quiet but fulfilling life in Promise Glen. Though she lost her beloved brother in a tragic accident, her family is supportive and close-knit, and her job as a cherished teacher at the Orchard Hill Amish School fills her heart with joy each day. Anna knows one day she’ll find someone she can love and marry, but she’s perfectly happy with the life she created. Anna’s comfort is quickly dashed, however, when the man Anna deemed responsible for James’s death returns to the Amish community—Matthew King.
 
Forgiveness is at the heart of being Amish, and no one else blames Matthew; his grief and pain over losing his dear friend are obvious. Still, no matter how she tries, Anna can’t let go of the reckless night that ended her brother’s life so soon. The ache had been more tolerable after Matthew left Promise Glen, but now, not only has he returned, Anna’s father accepts his offer to work on their farm.
 

As the preparation for Easter begins, Anna’s regular contact with Matthew introduces her to a man far different than the boy she knew before. Perhaps the season of solemn reflection and joyous remembrance might be exactly what they both need to find forgiveness for the past for a hopeful future…

Pick up your copy here...

The Promise of Easter (An Amish Holiday Novel): Perry, Marta: 9780593337943: Amazon.com: Books

I realized I wanted to be a writer at age eight, when I read my first Nancy Drew novel, The Secret of the Old Clock. Most little girl reach the end of that book wanting to be Nancy. I wanted to be the person who created the story!

The dream lay hidden for years while I became a teacher, married, had children...all the usual things. But eventually it re-surfaced, and I began to write, beginning with short children's stories for Sunday school take-home papers. It seemed a long time until that first acceptance, but eventually I began to sell. After some three hundred published short stories, I finally found the courage to work on the novel I'd always wanted to write.

Sixty-some published novels later, I still feel the same excitement every time I begin a new book--a mix of not believing I can do it combined with an overwhelming urge to see the story on the page.

A lifetime spent in rural Pennsylvania and my own Pennsylvania Dutch roots eventually led me to the books I'm writing now about the Amish. The Pleasant Valley Amish series from Berkley Books are longer, more complex emotional stories with Amish main characters, while my forthcoming HQN suspense novels are more adventure-filled books set in Pennsylvania Dutch country. I'm also writing a Love Inspired series about the Amish, The Brides of Lost Creek.

When I'm not writing, I'm busy with church activities, traveling, and spending time with my three children and six beautiful grandchildren.

My Thoughts...

I have been reading Perry's books for years and she never disappoints. I love the Easter season, so this made this read even more special.
You are going to enjoy this spring read and want to share it with all your friends.
The Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable review was not required, and all views expressed are our own.

A Christmas Home By Marta Perry

National bestselling author Marta Perry captures the spirit of Christmas in this first novel of her all new series set in the quaint Amish community of Promise Glen.

After ten years spent keeping house and raising her younger siblings, Sarah Yoder returns home to Promise Glen determined to make a fresh start. Her new job with neighbor Noah Raber's furniture business seems promising—until she and the woodworker clash over everything from the best way to reach new costumers to how to raise his mischievous six-year-old twin boys.

Though Sarah longs for a home of her own, she fights the appeal of this ready-made family, resolved to maintain a professional distance. But when she and Noah both agree to help with the school's annual Christmas program, Sarah finds her heart touched by the motherless boys and Noah's quiet strength. Thrown together at work and at the school, their feelings continue to grow, and Sarah struggles to keep Noah at arms' length.

Loving Noah may seem impossible, but with faith, love, and a little help from their close-knit community, there may yet be a Christmas home for them both.

Pick up your copy here...
https://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Home-Promise-Glen/dp/1984803190/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1S0RG355SOF3X&keywords=a+christmas+home+marta+perry&qid=1570928880&s=books&sprefix=A+Christmas+home%2Cstripbooks%2C145&sr=1-1

I realized I wanted to be a writer at age eight, when I read my first Nancy Drew novel, The Secret of the Old Clock. Most little girl reach the end of that book wanting to be Nancy. I wanted to be the person who created the story!
The dream lay hidden for years while I became a teacher, married, had children...all the usual things. But eventually it re-surfaced, and I began to write, beginning with short children's stories for Sunday school take-home papers. It seemed a long time until that first acceptance, but eventually I began to sell. After some three hundred published short stories, I finally found the courage to work on the novel I'd always wanted to write.
Sixty-some published novels later, I still feel the same excitement every time I begin a new book--a mix of not believing I can do it combined with an overwhelming urge to see the story on the page.
A lifetime spent in rural Pennsylvania and my own Pennsylvania Dutch roots eventually led me to the books I'm writing now about the Amish. The Pleasant Valley Amish series from Berkley Books are longer, more complex emotional stories with Amish main characters, while my forthcoming HQN suspense novels are more adventure-filled books set in Pennsylvania Dutch country. I'm also writing a Love Inspired series about the Amish, The Brides of Lost Creek.
When I'm not writing, I'm busy with church activities, traveling, and spending time with my three children and six beautiful grandchildren. 

My Thoughts...
 Going to Promise Glen felt like going home. 
Perry made this a place where we all want to go. You are going to love Sarah and Noah's story.
Christmas stories are always happy and just what we want to read this time of year. If you are ready to capture the spirit of Christmas then this book is just what you need,
This is a good 4 star read for Christmas. I recommend sharing it with your book loving friends.
The Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are our own.

The Rescued By Marta Perry

As an Amish wife and mother struggles to hold her family together, a story from the past teaches her how to face her daily challenges with strength and love . . .
In modern day central Pennsylvania, Judith Wegler tries to heal the growing rift between her husband, Isaac, and his teenage brother Joseph—whom Judith and Isaac have raised as their own ever since both brothers lost their parents and siblings in a horrific fire. Meanwhile, Isaac’s hurtful silence about this tragic past has robbed Judith of any certainty of her husband’s love.
But when Judith’s grandmother gifts her with an antique study table, she discovers a hidden packet of letters that changes her life . . .
In 1953, widow Mattie Lapp fights against the county’s attempts to force Amish children to attend a consolidated public school, even if it means arrest and imprisonment. Mattie knows she can’t face this challenge alone, and turns to her late husband’s cousin Adam for help, but she’s terrified at the prospect of relying on someone else.
Now, as the two women’s stories converge, both must learn to stand up for their beliefs and to love again, even when it means risking their hearts . . .

Pick up your copy here...

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0425271420/ref=s9_psimh_gw_p14_d2_i1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=desktop-1&pf_rd_r=17EBNZCVTNTC68G2TWH2&pf_rd_t=36701&pf_rd_p=2079475242&pf_rd_i=desktop

 

 

 

A lifetime spent in rural Pennsylvania and her own Pennsylvania Dutch roots led Marta Perry to write about the Plain People who add to the rich heritage of her home state. She is the author of more than fifty inspirational romance novels, including the Keepers of the Promise series and the Pleasant Valley series. She lives with her husband in a century-old farmhouse in central Pennsylvania.

Two brothers driving each other away and the wife of one of those brothers being pushed away. Now tell me that does not sound like a book you can't put down. I had to know what was happening next. I never put this book down from page one until the very last page.

This book could have been much longer in my opinion. I can't seem to get enough of Perry's books. She knows her Amish like the back of her hand . Perry Writes Contemporary Romance so well and you will find yourself in the pages and never want to leave.

I gave this book 5 stars and I highly recommend it. I must also say Book one of the Keepers of the Promise Series was fantastic as well.

I was given a copy of this book by the publisher for my honest review.

An Amish Family Christmas By Marta Perry And Patricia Davids

Celebrate the holidays in Amish Country
Heart of Christmas by Marta Perry

Amish teacher Susannah Miller suddenly has two new students: the children of her former love. Widowed father Toby Unger broke Susannah's heart ten years ago, but now the handsome Amish man desperately needs help with his troubled little ones. Can the joy of the season reunite two lonely hearts in time for Christmas?

A Plain Holiday by Patricia Davids

Outspoken nanny Sally Yoder left her Amish community for her rumspringa. Though her heart is back home, the Amish man she loves, Ben Lapp, will never love a bold woman like her. But when a snowstorm strands her, her young charges and Ben on a remote farm at Christmastime, they both might discover that love is the true holiday spirit.

Amish teacher Susannah Miller suddenly has two new students: the children of her former love. Widowed father Toby Unger broke Susannah's heart ten years ago, but now the handsome Amish man desperately needs help with his troubled little ones. Can the joy of the season reunite two lonely hearts in time for Christmas?

Outspoken nanny Sally Yoder left her Amish community for her rumspringa. Though her heart is back home, the Amish man she loves, Ben Lapp, will never love a bold woman like her. But when a snowstorm strands her, her young charges and Ben on a remote farm at Christmastime, they both might discover  that love is the true holiday spirit.

Pick up your copy here

http://www.amazon.com/Amish-Family-Christmas-Christmas%5C-Inspired/dp/0373879202/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1414261465&sr=1-1&keywords=An+Amish+Family+Christmas

Marta Perry realized she wanted to be a writer at age eight, when she read her first Nancy Drew novel. A lifetime spent in rural Pennsylvania and her own Pennsylvania Dutch roots led Marta to the books she writes now about the Amish. When she’s not writing, Marta is active in the life of her church and enjoys traveling and spending time with her three children and six beautiful grandchildren. Visit her online at www.martaperry.com.

 USA Today best-selling author Patricia Davids was born and raised in Kansas. After forty years as an NICU nurse, Pat switched careers to become an inspirational writer. She enjoys spending time with her daughter and grandchildren, traveling and playing with her dogs, who think fetch should be a twenty-four hour a day game. When not on the road or throwing a ball, Pat is happily dreaming up new stories.

I must start out by saying Marta Perry never disappoints me, she can't write a bad book. Her talents go above and beyond. This was the first I have read by author Patricia Davis and it was not to bad.

Want to celebrate the holidays in Amish Country then this is your book it will sweep you off your feet to  Amish heaven for the holidays.

I loved this book and it took my away that tells you it was a good read.

I gave this book 5 stars. I recommend it.

I was given a copy of this book by one of the authors for my honest review.

The Forgiven By Marta Perry

When three women, all cousins, are given the task of sorting through the treasures of several generations of their Amish family, they each discover a story from the past that provides insights and inspiration for their own lives.
Central Pennsylvania, current day. Rebecca Fisher gladly accepted her husband Paul’s dreams as her own, but now that he has passed away, she’s struggling to raise two children and keep her home. Renting her stable to carpenter Matthew Byler offers a partial solution—even though Matthew has a troubled history, having sometimes failed to embrace Amish beliefs. As Matthew seeks to prove himself, Rebecca realizes how dependent she has become on others. Where can she find the courage to grow and change?

Lancaster County, 1941. As war threatens, Anna Esch pours her experiences into her diary. Her world seems to crumble as neighbors turn against the Amish and her love, Jacob, is sent to a camp far away for refusing to fight. She can’t know, as she grows from a girl into a woman during a time of trouble and grief, that one day another Amish woman will gain strength from the words she writes and will learn that she, too, can become a keeper of the promise.

 

Pick up your copy here

http://www.amazon.com/Forgiven-Keepers-Promise-Book-One/dp/0425271412/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1413170905&sr=1-1&keywords=The+Forgiven

A lifetime spent in rural Pennsylvania and her own Pennsylvania Dutch roots led Marta Perry to write about the Plain People who add to the rich heritage of her home state. She is the author of more than fifty inspirational romance novels including the Pleasant Valley series and the Lost Sisters of Pleasant Valley series. She lives with her husband in a century-old farmhouse.

This is a fantastic start to the new series Keepers of the Promise.

I read all night until I finished the very last page. I hated to see this book end.

Perry has such a way with words and she know her stuff when it comes to Amish fiction, you would think that she was Amish herself.

You are sure to love this very inspirational read. You are going to love the characters as well.

You have to check out the three recipes at the end of this book.

I can't wait until book 2 in this series The Rescued is released.

I gave this book 5 stars and I highly recommend this book.

I was given a copy of this book by the publisher for my honest review.

Susanna's Dream By Marta Perry

As young girls, three Amish sisters were separated and told nothing about each other.  When the long-held secret of their parentage came to light many years later, two of the grown women reconnected.  Now they reach out to the third…
Susanna Bitler’s life is in complete turmoil. Still reeling from the death of her mother, she is further disheartened when her business partner hints that she is going to quit the gift shop they run together in a town near Pleasant Valley. But the biggest revelation is yet to come.
Grateful for their own hard-won relationship, Lydia Beachy and Chloe Wentworth are eager to reveal themselves to Susanna as her long-lost sisters.  But their news utterly distresses Susanna, who is heartbroken to learn that the woman she’s been mourning was not actually her mother.  Despite Lydia and Chloe’s best efforts to make amends, Susanna resolves to keep them at arm’s length. It may take a force of nature to sweep away her fears.  Will that storm demolish all that the three women most value…or unite them in bonds of deep and abiding affection?

Pick up your copy here

http://www.amazon.com/Susannas-Dream-Sisters-Pleasant-Valley/dp/0425253759/ref=sr_1_1_title_1_pap?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1397768282&sr=1-1&keywords=susanna%27s+dream+by+marta+perry

I realized I wanted to be a writer at age eight, when I read my first Nancy Drew novel, The Secret of the Old Clock. Most little girl reach the end of that book wanting to be Nancy. I wanted to be the person who created the story!
The dream lay hidden for years while I became a teacher, married, had children...all the usual things. But eventually it re-surfaced, and I began to write, beginning with short children's stories for Sunday school take-home papers. It seemed a long time until that first acceptance, but eventually I began to sell. After some three hundred published short stories, I finally found the courage to work on the novel I'd always wanted to write.
Thirty-some published novels later, I still feel the same excitement every time I begin a new book--a mix of not believing I can do it combined with an overwhelming urge to see the story on the page.
A lifetime spent in rural Pennsylvania and my own Pennsylvania Dutch roots eventually led me to the books I'm writing now about the Amish. The Pleasant Valley Amish series from Berkley Books are longer, more complex emotional stories with Amish main characters, while my forthcoming HQN suspense novels are more adventure-filled books set in Pennsylvania Dutch country. I'm also writing a Love Inspired series, The Bodine Family, set on the South Carolina coast where we have a second home.
When I'm not writing, I'm busy with church activities, traveling, and spending time with my three children and six beautiful grandchildren.

A tender love story that you will not soon forget. This is a book of forgiveness and tender love.

I savored this book like a fine box of chocolates. I hated to see it come to an end.

I loved Susanna, Chole, and Lydia, I also ended up liking Nate.

Very few Amish fiction authors can write a great book to hold your attention any more because everyone seems to be writing Amish fiction now days and all the stories are the same. That is not the case with Perry she grabs a hold of you on page one and never lets go until long after the last page.

I gave this book 5 stars two times and I HIGHLY recommend it. I will keep a copy of this book on my personal book shelf to reread.

I was given a copy of this book by the publisher and author for my honest review.

Lydia's Hope By Marta Perry

Three Amish sisters, separated when very young, know nothing about one another—until a long-held secret is revealed.
With no memory of her birth parents, or the tragic accident that took their lives, Lydia Beachy has always been grateful for the aunt and uncle who took her in and raised her as their own. Now a married woman with two sons, Lydia finds her life turned upside down when she discovers that she has two younger sisters: Susanna, who was adopted by an Amish family in another community, and Chloe, who was raised by their grandmother among the Englisch.

Angry and confused, Lydia first seeks out Susanna but stops short of telling her the truth. To track down Chloe, she enlists the help of a neighbor who has spent some years in the Englisch world. Meanwhile, Lydia’s husband, Adam, is keeping a secret of his own. Lydia yearns to be united with the sisters she has never known, but will revealing herself to them tear their lives apart…or enrich them beyond all imagining?

 

Get your copy here

http://www.amazon.com/Lydias-Hope-Sisters-Pleasant-Valley/dp/0425253562/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1376322961&sr=1-1&keywords=lydia%27s+hope

 

     I realized I wanted to be a writer at age eight, when I read my first Nancy Drew novel, The Secret of the Old Clock. Most little girl reach the end of that book wanting to be Nancy. I wanted to be the person who created the story!
The dream lay hidden for years while I became a teacher, married, had children...all the usual things. But eventually it re-surfaced, and I began to write, beginning with short children's stories for Sunday school take-home papers. It seemed a long time until that first acceptance, but eventually I began to sell. After some three hundred published short stories, I finally found the courage to work on the novel I'd always wanted to write.
Thirty-some published novels later, I still feel the same excitement every time I begin a new book--a mix of not believing I can do it combined with an overwhelming urge to see the story on the page.
A lifetime spent in rural Pennsylvania and my own Pennsylvania Dutch roots eventually led me to the books I'm writing now about the Amish. The Pleasant Valley Amish series from Berkley Books are longer, more complex emotional stories with Amish main characters, while my forthcoming HQN suspense novels are more adventure-filled books set in Pennsylvania Dutch country. I'm also writing a Love Inspired series, The Bodine Family, set on the South Carolina coast where we have a second home.
When I'm not writing, I'm busy with church activities, traveling, and spending time with my three children and six beautiful grandchildren.

Naomi's Christmas By Marta Perry

When a new life beckons, a dutiful Amish woman must decide what she owes her family...and what she owes herself... Since her mother's death, Naomi Esch has been devoted to caring for her father and siblings, sacrificing any hope of finding love or having a home of her own. Still, working at the local bakery and expanding her beekeeping business gives Naomi a satisfying sense of purpose. Then, in the weeks before Christmas, her father announces his plans to immediately remarry. He and his new wife need the house for themselves, and suddenly Naomi’s life is turned upside down. But new opportunities soon come her way. A friend provides Naomi with a place to stay, and widower Nathan King offers his sprawling farmland to Naomi to continue her business—on the condition that she helps take care of his children. The setup is so perfect that the community assumes a wedding will inevitably follow. But Naomi has vowed never to marry without love. And to Nathan she’s merely convenient help. Now, for those in Pleasant Valley, uniting these two stubborn souls may take a Christmas miracle.   Buy your copy here http://www.amazon.com/Naomis-Christmas-Pleasant-Valley-Marta/dp/0425253295/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1354661093&sr=1-1&keywords=naomi%27s+christmas+by+marta+perry

I realized I wanted to be a writer at age eight, when I read my first Nancy Drew novel, The Secret of the Old Clock. Most little girl reach the end of that book wanting to be Nancy. I wanted to be the person who created the story!
The dream lay hidden for years while I became a teacher, married, had children...all the usual things. But eventually it re-surfaced, and I began to write, beginning with short children's stories for Sunday school take-home papers. It seemed a long time until that first acceptance, but eventually I began to sell. After some three hundred published short stories, I finally found the courage to work on the novel I'd always wanted to write.
Thirty-some published novels later, I still feel the same excitement every time I begin a new book--a mix of not believing I can do it combined with an overwhelming urge to see the story on the page.
A lifetime spent in rural Pennsylvania and my own Pennsylvania Dutch roots eventually led me to the books I'm writing now about the Amish. The Pleasant Valley Amish series from Berkley Books are longer, more complex emotional stories with Amish main characters, while my forthcoming HQN suspense novels are more adventure-filled books set in Pennsylvania Dutch country. I'm also writing a Love Inspired series, The Bodine Family, set on the South Carolina coast where we have a second home.
When I'm not writing, I'm busy with church activities, traveling, and spending time with my three children and six beautiful grandchildren.

Book number seven of the Pleasant Valley Series, I LOVED it, it was my favorite of all of Marta's books.

I think it took me all of five hours to read it between phone calls, I did not want to put it down, such a fun book.

This book ends just the way that you want it to. I was so happy. Marta never disappoints, she is a super Amish author.

I love the warm Amish books that Marta writes.

I highly recommend this book and I gave it FIVE stars.

Hannah's Joy by Marta Perry

Unexpected tragedy has left Hannah without her soldier husband and a home for her baby son, Jamie. Seeking refuge, she comes to live with her aunt in Pleasant Valley, a place she hasn’t seen since childhood, when her parents left the Mennonite faith. Working in her aunt’s bakery is a way for Hannah to get back on her feet, but she isn’t sure if she can live by tradition—or if she and Jamie should stay for good. She finds an unexpected, sympathetic listener in furniture maker William Brand. His stutter makes him feel like a permanent outsider in his Amish community, and he understands her loneliness.

Hannah is irresistibly drawn to the shy, caring William, and her education in speech therapy makes it natural for her to want to help him speak more easily. But how can she encourage his attention when she might someday leave Pleasant Valley, and when her father-in-law, a military officer, is scheming to take Jamie away from her? As William seeks the courage to stand up for the woman who believes in him, Hannah must decide where her true home lies—in the free, ever-changing world she knows, or in the simpler, loving community she’s found…

I am so honored to announce that I got Marta Perry's  Book Number Six in the Pleasant Valley Series to review from the publisher.

Amish book lovers...you are ferhoodled if you don't go out and pick-up a copy of Hannah's Joy RIGHT NOW!

My Review:

This book starts with a tragedy which right away sets you up to wonder how Hannah is going to make it as a new widow with her small son, Jamie. Hannah was never baptized into the Amish community and now finds herself as a transplant from the English community. I really loved the fact that she was a fledgling speech therapist who had to move back to her family home in an Amish community. She meets William, a shy Amish man, who has a speech impediment and they grow close as she helps him overcome his stuttering.  The two of them connect quickly as a result of feeling lonely in the community. To complicate matters, her former father-in-law is making threats to take away her son; thinking the Amish are a bunch of crazy people. Throughout most of the book, Hannah struggles to figure out what she wants to do with her life.

I love Amish fiction and I have to tell you that I couldn't put this book down by Marta Perry until I finished the last word.

In fact, I loved this book so much that I'm sorry to tell all of you Amish reading fans out there that there will NOT be a giveaway because it is staying on my book shelf for me to keep and reread; that's how good it is!

5 out of 5 Stars!

Be sure to look for book number Seven Naomi's Christmas, later this year!!

Berkley kindly provided a review copy of her book for this review

Biography of Marta Perry

I realized I wanted to be a writer at age eight, when I read my first Nancy Drew novel, The Secret of the Old Clock.  Most little girls reach the end of that book wanting to be Nancy. I wanted to be the person who created the story!

The dream lay hidden for years while I became a teacher, married, had children...all the usual things. But eventually it re-surfaced, and I began to write, beginning with short children's stories for Sunday school take-home papers. It seemed a long time until that first acceptance, but eventually I began to sell. After some three hundred published short stories, I finally found the courage to work on the novel I'd always wanted to write.

Thirty-some published novels later I still feel the same excitement every time I begin a new book--a mix of not believing I can do it combined with an overwhelming urge to see the story on the page.

A lifetime spent in rural Pennsylvania and my own Pennsylvania Dutch roots eventually led me to the books I'm writing now about the Amish. The Pleasant Valley Amish series from Berkley Books are longer, more complex emotional stories with Amish main characters, while my forthcoming HQN suspense novels are more adventure-filled books set in Pennsylvania Dutch country.  I'm also writing a Love Inspired series, The Bodine Family, set in the South Carolina coast where we have a second home.

When I'm not writing, I'm busy with church activities, traveling, and spending time with my three children and six beautiful grandchildren.