Let prayer be the key to the day and the bolt to the nacht.
Bishop Miah
The Amish Candymaker by Laura V. Hilton
For some, prayer is an act of desperation, the last resort. For others, prayer is an ongoing conversation with a dear friend, their loving Father. While I know that God wants us to have a close relationship with Him, bringing all our thoughts and cares and requests, I believe it also pleases Him when we do finally call out to Him. But how much more peace we can experience when we seek Him always and not only when we are in need!

The Amish Candymaker
by Laura V. Hilton

Publication Date February 5, 2019
Genres: Amish Fiction, Christian Fiction, Clean Romance, Action/Adventure
Setting: Michigan Contemporary
Main Character Ages: 18-24, 25-34
Written for: Adults
Pages: 256
Synopsis:
A letter brings him to Mackinac County. Can one woman make him stay? Agnes Zook has found herself on her own after in small Amish community in Mackinac County after a tragedy took the life of her parents and siblings. Most of the Amish call her “off in den Kopf” (strange) since she’s starting her own business and forging her own way in the community instead of relying on the bishop to take care of her. Since she’s viewed as non-submissive and too-forward for an Amish woman she’s not courted by other young men in the area. Isaac Mast is on the verge of leaving the Amish church. He’s become a sought-after Auctioneer and has a thriving business, but he feels confined by the strict rules. When his brother is severely injured in a wild fire, Isaac receives a letter from his sister-in-law, begging him to come to Mackinac County to help out while his brother is hospitalized for skin grafts and his wife is with him. They have young children that can’t be left alone. Isaac agrees but is unsure how to manage the children when he has weekend auctions he’s expected to attend. Agnes may be an answer to prayer. When Isaac and Agnes meet, sparks fly, but everything changes. While neither of them fit within the structures of the Amish faith, could their differences be the one thing that helps them form a deeper connection to their faith...and each other?
I would like to thank Celebrate Lit for giving me a copy of this book. This gift did not influence my opinion or review.
Purchase Links
Agnes struggled so much with the concept that Gott could love her. She felt that her prayers were not heard, especially after her family died in a fire. Not only that, she felt she was unlovable. Her very own father, a preacher, had told her that no man would want her – she was too independent and outspoken.
I loved Agnes’ endearing habit of talking to inanimate objects, such a plants and dishes. You get the idea. Maybe I thought it was so fun because I’ve been known to do exactly that.
I wasn’t a fan of Issac at first. He was a bit brash and overconfident. His smooth-talking ways that made him a much-demanded auctioneer also had him popular with the Amish women in the communities he visited. Not that anything ever happened beyond perhaps a few kisses, but still. . . He had no intention of making any commitments or settling down.
Yet as time went by, Isaac became more lovable. The way he embraced taking care of his nephew and nieces despite being so incompetent was very sweet. And the way he really did honor and respect Agnes; being able to see past her quirks to appreciate the wonderful woman she is.
Yet a Laura V. Hilton novel wouldn’t be complete with “just” a romance. Her stories are much deeper than that! Issac carried deep guilt over an event that occurred several years earlier, separating him from his only remaining family – his twin brother. The grief and guilt he experienced caused him to live the life of a nomad and made him feel he wasn’t worthy of the love he craved.
There was also a mystery surrounding the drug addict who had attempted to rob Agnes’ candy store. While it was not a prominent theme of the story, it carried an undercurrent that added a little more drama.
Yes, this is part of a series and has characters returning from other stories, and yet it does stand alone quite well. Then again, Laura V. Hilton’s books are all so good you should treat yourself and read them all!
Laura 's The Amish Candymaker Pinterest Board
(click here to go directly to the board on Pinterest)From Laura
RECIPE FOR FUDGE À LA AGNES ZOOK
Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Fudge
Courtesy of Laura V. Hilton
1 bag (12 ounces) milk chocolate chips
1 bag (10 ounces) peanut butter chips
2 cans sweetened condensed milk, divided
6 tablespoons butter, divided
20 to 30 miniature Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups or six regular-size ones broken into four or five pieces each
For the chocolate layer: Line a greased 8-by-11.5-inch baking dish with parchment paper.
In a double boiler or metal bowl over a saucepan of simmering water, combine milk chocolate chips, 1 can sweetened condensed milk, and 4 tablespoons butter. Stir until melted and smooth.
Pour into prepared baking dish and allow to cool to room temperature, then move to the refrigerator while preparing next layer.
For the peanut butter layer: In a double boiler or metal bowl over a saucepan of simmering water, combine peanut butter chips, 1 can sweetened condensed milk, and 2 tablespoons butter. Stir until melted and smooth.
Pour on to the milk chocolate fudge layer and press pieces of Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups into the surface. If desired, group candy pieces in a grid-like fashion for easier cutting later.
Allow to cool to room temperature, then refrigerate overnight or until set.
Remove from refrigerator, lift out of the pan by the edges of the parchment paper, and cut into squares, with roughly one miniature peanut butter cup or piece of a cup per square.
Store in the refrigerator.
Blog Stops
Christian Author, J. E. Grace, February 5
My Devotional Thoughts, February 5
Carla Loves To Read, February 5
Among the Reads, February 6
Girl’s In White Dresses, February 6
Britt Reads Fiction, February 6
Library Lady’s Kid Lit, February 7
The Avid Reader, February 7
Random Thoughts From a Bookworm, February 7
Emily Yager, February 8
Quiet quilter, February 8
D’S QUILTS & BOOKS, February 8
Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, February 9
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, February 9
Maureen’s Musings, February 9
Bibliophile Reviews, February 10
Vicky Sluiter, February 10
Through the Fire Blogs, February 11
Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, February 11
Daysong Reflections, February 11
Texas Book-aholic, February 12
Janices book reviews, February 12
Carpe Diem, February 13
A Baker’s Perspective, February 13
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, February 14
SusanLovesBooks, February 14
Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, February 14
Blossoms and Blessings, February 15
Stephanie’s Life of Perseverance, February 15
Inspiration Clothesline, February 15
Inklings and Notions, February 16
Locks, Hooks and Books, February 16
Pause for Tales, February 16
Have A Wonderful Day, February 17
For the Love of Books, February 17
Book Bites, Bee Stings, & Butterfly Kisses, February 17
Little Homeschool on the Prairie, February 18
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, February 18
Bigreadersite, February 18
Giveaway
To celebrate her tour, Laura is giving away a grand prize of a large and small spatula set and a $10 Starbucks gift card!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter. https://promosimple.com/ps/d9a6/the-amish-candy-maker-celebration-tour-giveaway
I too have been known to talk to inanimate objects. I also have named my plants. 😄 I can’t wait to read this book. Especially because it takes place just a few miles from where I live. Thank you for a great review.
I think talking to inanimate objects and even to yourself is a sign of sanity. 🙂 Thank you for taking the time to stop by and to comment and for your kind words!
Thank you for being part of the book tour for “The Amish Candy Maker” by Laura V. Hilton. Absolutely love this author’s books and can’t wait for the opportunity to read this one. The Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Fudge sounds like one I will have to make – soon.
2clowns at arkansas dot net
thank you so much!!!! I love the memes
Thanks for the prizes I was hoping there was candy in the giveaway!
That would have been clever, wouldn’t it! 🙂
This book would be an interesting view into the Amish world.
Looks like an interesting book.
Thanks for the contest.
I think the book sounds great and I would love to read it.
This book looks very interesting. Thanks for sharing!