Christmas Comes To Morning Star Guest Post by Charlotte Hubbard and a Giveaway!

Hello friends!

I am so excited to welcome Charlotte Hubbard to my blog today!  She is definitely one of my go - to authors for a wonderful Amish book!  You will love her realist views on living the Amish lifestyle!  Thanks so much for being here, Charlotte, and sharing your thoughts with my readers.
 

You’d Like to Be Amish? Hmm…

             Over the years, I’ve heard so many readers say, “Oh, but I’d love to be Amish!”

I smile. While I believe these folks are sincere, I think they’ve read so much Amish fiction and perhaps visited Lancaster or Holmes Counties or other Amish communities and gotten the idea that the Amish lead idyllic, trouble-free lives that are far removed from the hectic world most of us deal with.

            Myself, although I greatly admire and respect the Amish for their work ethic, their unquestioning faith in God, and the way they’ve kept their families and social network intact in the modern world, I could not join the Old Order church or live as a real-life Amish woman does. I mean no disrespect towards these fine people! But here are reasons I couldn’t convert to their faith…even if they would vote me into their fellowship after I made the enormous life changes such a conversion would require.

            First, I don’t speak PA Dutch or German. When you’re reading stories or visiting Amish shops, everyone’s speaking English—but at home, at church, and amongst themselves, the Amish speak a language that’s tricky to learn, partly because PA Dutch isn’t a written language.

            Second, I can’t imagine cooking for families with six or eight kids without basic small appliances like a mixer or a toaster! Most of us would probably benefit from living a more “unplugged” life, but the absence of electricity means you don’t have air conditioning, an automatic washer/dryer—and you probably brush your teeth before bed with the help of a flashlight! It’s true that many Amish embrace solar power these days, but it’s mostly for businesses. Women at home aren’t allowed to plug into a rooftop solar panel to run any appliances. I could probably adjust to living without Internet or a computer—but that means I’d no longer be a novelist!

            I would also have trouble tolerating a male-dominated society where husbands and church leaders always have the final say. While it’s true I’d be better off if I kept my opinions to myself more often, I would really bristle if my husband didn’t give me permission to do things the way I thought was best. I also like to think that women have something to contribute to church life besides food for the meal following the service!

            Another major stumbling block for me: a religious faith that insists “it’s God’s will” when horrible things happen. For instance, I don’t like to blame God when drunk drivers crash into buggies, or when other human error/meddling causes great misfortune. I also have trouble with a faith that won’t allow expression of artistic or musical talent, as is true in many conservative Amish communities. This has become a theme in many of my stories! I also dislike shunning, and the way conservative Amish churches consider it “an unforgiveable sin” if baptized members leave the Amish faith. The Amish aren’t encouraged to read the Bible for themselves, either. They rely on their bishop’s/preachers’ interpretations of Scripture—and those men tend to preach on the verses that support such viewpoints as wives submitting to their husbands.

            Most of my issues stem from living in more permissive English/non-Amish society, of course. Folks who are raised Amish seem quite content to obey their district’s “rules” because it’s what they know—the 85% retention of their young people certainly supports that. And they don’t seem bothered by rules that have no apparent connection to faith in God. For instance, why must married men grow beards, but they’re not allowed mustaches (which are considered “military” in appearance)? Why are they not allowed to use zippers in their clothing?

            Given the turmoil and upheaval in our lives these days, I totally agree with readers who believe the Amish have found a better way to live, apart from hatred and violence. And I would probably be a far better person if I did more blending in and less expressing of my opinions!

            I also deeply appreciate the readers who follow my Amish series and characters! I love researching and writing stories about the Amish, and I thank you for reading this post, and for your interest in my books!

 Christmas Comes to Morning Star

by Charlotte Hubbard

 

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GENRE:   Amish/Inspirational romance

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 BLURB:

 

Founded by five unmarried and enterprising Amish maidels, the new Morning Star Marketplace in small-town Missouri is preparing for a joyous Christmas season. But will the holiday also bring
unexpected tidings of love?

Twin sisters Molly and Marietta Helfing are eagerly anticipating Christmas, with Marietta fully recovered from cancer and their noodle making business thriving. But Molly clearly misses having former tenant Pete Shetler and his rambunctious dog, Riley, around. Marietta can’t ignore Molly’s feelings for Pete—or the anxiety it stirs within her. Convinced her illness has made her unmarriageable, Marietta wonders what kind of life she’ll have if her sister marries—despite Molly’s promise never to leave her behind. . .

Then a fire destroys the home of Amish neighbors and Molly and Marietta graciously make room for widower Glenn Detweiler, his dat, and his two young boys. When Pete returns to help the family rebuild, Molly relishes her reunion with the handsome carpenter, while Marietta delights in mothering Glenn’s boys—and is surprised by her poignant bond with their quiet, brooding father. Soon everyone is wondering if this season will bring the blessing of a merry double wedding to Morning Star . . .

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 EXCERPT

“I like that smile on your face, Jo. You’re happiest when you’re baking, ain’t so?”    

Jo’s stomach fluttered when Michael stepped into her shop. His evergreen wreath suggested that he had something other than flirtation in mind, and that was just as well, wasn’t it? “That fresh wreath smells just like Christmas,” she said. “I suppose you and your dat make those at your Queen City greenhouse, jah?”

 “We do,” Michael replied. “And we’ve brought enough of them to hang on everyone’s shop entry for the holiday season.”

 Jo stopped stirring her frosting to gaze at him. “That’s very generous. “You fellows have gone all out to decorate The Marketplace for us, and I really appreciate it.”

 The blush that tinted Michael’s cheeks told Jo that he felt every bit as shy around her as she was near him.

“It’s been a boon to our nursery business, selling our plants here,” he said with a dimpled smile. “But more than that, Dat and I, well—we’ve really enjoyed coming to Morning Star to spend time with you and your mamm. And—and my invitation to come to Queen City and see our greenhouses full of poinsettias still stands.”

 Jo swallowed hard. How many times had she dreamed of taking Michael up on his offer? “I—we’ll see,” she hedged. “Baking for the Christmas season is keeping me busier this year—”

“But if you can spare a couple of weekdays in early December, the sight of all those bright red poinsettias will take your breath away,” Michael insisted.

Jo’s heart was pounding so hard that Michael could probably hear it. What a joy it would be see those greenhouses filled with such vibrant Christmas flowers.

As she once again noticed how slim and attractive he was, however, Jo was even more aware that she probably outweighed him by thirty pounds. A guy like Michael would never see beyond her thick glasses—and even though he’d never met her deceased dat, there was no getting around the fact that Jo had been created in Joseph Fussner’s image.

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

 In 1983, Charlotte Hubbard sold her first story to True Story. She wrote around 70 of those confession stories, and she’s sold more than 50 books to traditional or online publishers. A longtime resident of Missouri, she’s currently writing Amish romances set in imaginary Missouri towns for Kensington. She now lives in Omaha, NE with her husband of 40+ years and their Border collie, Vera.

www.charlottehubbard.com

Facebook -- www.Facebook.com/Charlotte.Hubbard1

 Zebra Books •• ISBN-13: 9781420151831 •• ISBN-10: 1420151835

Print: •• Amazon •• Amazon UK •• Amazon Canada •• Barnes & Noble •• Books-A-Million •• Chapters Indigo •• IndieBound ••Kensington •• Target •• The Book Depository ••Walmart •• 


Ebook: • Kindle •• Kobo •• Google Play •

 

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GIVEAWAY INFORMATION:

Charlotte Hubbard be awarding a $15 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. In addition to the GC, the author would like to select one female reader's name to use in her upcoming book, HIDDEN AWAY AT PROMISE LODGE.

Here's the link to the Rafflecopter

Blog Tour:

Founded by five unmarried and enterprising Amish maidels, the new Morning Star Marketplace in small-town Missouri is preparing for a joyous Christmas season. But will the holiday also bring unexpected tidings of love?

Twin sisters Molly and Marietta Helfing are eagerly anticipating Christmas, with Marietta fully recovered from cancer and their noodle making business thriving. But Molly clearly misses having former tenant Pete Shetler and his rambunctious dog, Riley, around. Marietta can’t ignore Molly’s feelings for Pete—or the anxiety it stirs within her. Convinced her illness has made her unmarriageable, Marietta wonders what kind of life she’ll have if her sister marries—despite Molly’s promise never to leave her behind. . .

Then a fire destroys the home of Amish neighbors and Molly and Marietta graciously make room for widower Glenn Detweiler, his dat, and his two young boys. When Pete returns to help the family rebuild, Molly relishes her reunion with the handsome carpenter, while Marietta delights in mothering Glenn’s boys—and is surprised by her poignant bond with their quiet, brooding father. Soon everyone is wondering if this season will bring the blessing of a merry double wedding to Morning Star . . .

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August 23: Lisa Haselton's Reviews and Interviews
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August 24: The Adventure of a Travelers Wife - review
August 25: Literary Gold
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