Blog Tour and Giveaway: The Amish Candy Maker by Laura V Hilton

About the Book

Title: The Amish Candy Maker  
Author: Laura V. Hilton  
Genre: Amish Christian Fiction  
Release date: February 5, 2019  
Publisher: WhitakerHouse

Agnes Zook finds herself on her own in a small Amish community in Mackinac County after a tragedy kills her family. 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 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. Isaac agrees but is unsure how to manage their young children when he has weekend auctions he’s expected to attend. Agnes may be the answer to a prayer. Sparks fly when she and Isaac meet. But could their differences help them form a deeper connection to their faith…and each other?

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About the Author

Laura Hilton is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers and is a professional book reviewer for the Christian market, with more than a thousand reviews published on the web. Her first series with Whitaker was The Amish of Seymour, comprising Patchwork Dreams, A Harvest of Hearts (2012 Laurel Award winner, first place in the Amish Genre Clash), and Promised to Another; and her second was The Amish of Webster County, comprising Healing Love, Awakened Love, and Surrendered Love. Her next series was The Amish of Jamesport, featuring The Post Card, Snow Globe, and The Birdhouse. Her latest books include The Amish Firefighter, The Amish Wanderer, and Love By the Numbers. Laura and her husband, Steve, live in Arkansas with their five children, whom Laura homeschools.

Guest Post 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

My Review

The Amish Candy Maker is the second installment from Laura V Hilton’s series, The Amish of Mackinac County. Even though it is book two of the series, I believe it can be read as a stand alone. I did not feel like I was missing anything from not reading the first book. It tells the story of the town outcast Agnes Zook. Her family has been killed in a tragedy and she chooses to take care of herself instead allowing her bishop to do so. Isaac Mast has found success away from his hometown, but is summoned to come back home after his brother needs help. This is when Agnes and Isaac’s paths cross.

I enjoyed The Amish Candy Maker. I, especially, loved Agnes. I found her a brave, courageous, admirable and inspiring woman. I loved it when she begins to interact with Isaac. They were so fun together. I liked how the story tells the power of forgiveness, letting go of the past , and how to have faith.

I am giving The Amish Candy Maker four and a half stars. I would love to read the first installment from The Amish of Mackinac County series, The Firestorm, to see what happened before this one. I recommend this one for readers who love clean romances and Amish Fiction.

I received this book from the publisher. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.