Review + Blog Tour GIVEAWAY: The Amish Firefighter

The Amish Firefighter
By Laura V. Hilton
Whitaker House, 2016


Summary

A Beautiful Young Woman Banished from Home

Abigail Stutzman thought it was bad enough being dropped at the nearest bus station and sent to live several states away with some relatives she’d never even heard of, much less met. But now, just a week after her arrival in Jamesport, Missouri, she finds herself at the scene of a barn fire. An intentional barn fire. And all fingers are pointed at her. She’s desperate to prove her innocence and protect her reputation, but nobody’s making that easy to do. And God certainly doesn’t seem willing to help.

A Brave Firefighter with an Agenda of His Own

Sam Miller is in the process of turning over a new leaf. Determined to atone for the follies of his past, he is a volunteer firefighter, an EMT, and a doctor-in-training. With suspicious barn fires escalating, and the Miller family being among the victims, no one is more determined to see the perpetrators brought to justice than Sam.

A Kindled Flame Neither One Could Have Anticipated

When their paths first cross at the site of a barn burning, the emotional intensity rivals the warmth of the flames. Soon, they must decide whether this fire is one they should feed or fight. And they’ll discover that the truth can prove more dangerous than a blazing inferno.


My thoughts

I was eager to read this story because I enjoy Amish fiction and love discovering authors who are new to me – and from its intriguing cover to its emotion-filled narrative, The Amish Firefighter is a compelling read. Laura V. Hilton’s unique writing style reflects a realism and honesty that drew me to the characters and I look forward to more of her novels.

Readers who feel that Amish fiction paints too “perfect” a picture will have no complaint here, for Laura’s characters wrestle with temptations of the flesh just as we do, and they have a humanness and honesty that is most appealing. The Amish Firefighter tackles some serious life issues and does it well – issues like temptation, sex outside of marriage, pregnancy, close bloodlines within the Amish community, rejection, and criminal activity.

I loved Sam’s protective nature and the way he is growing as a new Christian, and I was pulling for him all the way. Abigail experienced the unthinkable as she was thrust away from her family with no explanation or contact, and I could understand how trusting God with her life was difficult. The chemistry between Sam and Abigail is delightful, and she loved everything about him– “his payers, his calm, his friendship, his willingness to fight for her, for those he loved.” There’s plenty of romantic tension, as well as several scenes that will make you melt.

One of this story’s strengths is the spiritual application that Laura beautifully weaves throughout, and there is much that spoke to me personally – themes of sin, confession, God’s forgiveness and grace, and how important it is to forgive oneself also. And one thought that I carry away from this book is that the battle is the Lord’s, not ours – something I need to constantly be reminded of.

I believe Sam is a character from a previous book, but The Amish Firefighter stands alone. Recommended to all who enjoy Amish fiction.

Purchase your copy of The Amish Firefighter here

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        Amish fiction lovers responded positively and immediately to Laura V. Hilton’s debut novel, Patchwork Dreams, 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’s insider knowledge, not only of the Webster County community, but Amish culture in general. Her natural speech and writing patterns, she says, are uniquely “Amish,” acquired from her Amish maternal grandparents. The Amish of Seymour, includes Patchwork Dreams, A Harvest of Hearts, and Promised to Another.
        Her second series, The Amish of Webster County, is comprised of Healing Love, Surrendered Love, and Awakened Love. A stand-alone title, A White Christmas in Webster County, was released in September 2014. The Birdhouse concluded Laura’s 2015 series, The Amish of Jamesport, and includes The Snow Globe, The Postcard and The Birdhouse.
        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 Arkansas.

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Thank you to Whitaker House and Celebrate Lit for providing a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

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