About the Book
Book: Covert Amish Christmas
Author: Mary Alford
Genre: Inspirational Amish Suspense, Christmas
Fleeing to Amish country might be the only way to survive Christmas…
Hiding in Amish country, former CIA agent Victoria Kauffman’s determined to find evidence to catch the corrupt agents who killed her partner. But when her Christmas refuge is discovered, the sole person she can trust is Amish widower Aaron Shetler. With ruthless—and dangerously powerful—enemies after them, Victoria must use all her training to make sure they live through the holidays.
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About the Author
Her titles have appeared on the USA Today Bestselling List, Publisher’s Weekly Bestselling List, and have been finalists in the Daphne Du Maurier award of excellence, The Beverly, The Maggie, and The Selah Awards.
Mary lives in Texas with her husband, two very spoiled cats, and a sweet rescue dog name Cody. Mary is very active online and would love to connect with readers on Face-book and Twitter or any social platforms listed at www.maryalford.net.
More from Mary
When you think about the Amish, you don’t usually associate their simple ways with spies and covert happenings, but that’s the beauty of the imagination. Anything is possible.
As I sat down to pen Covert Amish Christmas, I wanted to create a story that would bring to life the differences between the two worlds and I wanted it to have a Christmas setting to back-drop the story.
Covert Amish Christmas takes place in the breathtaking world of the Amish of Montana where mountains rise to the sky, and snowy woods create the perfect winter wonderland. Christmas is in the air. And so is danger…
I don’t know about you, but I love Christmas books so much because they allow me to return to my favorite time of the year no matter what day is written on the calendar.
And as Christmas quickly approaches, it means it’s time to bake all those delicious holiday treats we all love so much.
One of my favorites is Peppermint Sugar Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting. They are both delicious to eat and fun to give away.
So, I hope you enjoy them, and Covert Amish Christmas, and I pray this year, the Spirit of the season will remain with you all year long.
Ingredients:
◾2 1/2 cups cake flour, plus more for dusting work surface
◾2 tsp cornstarch
◾1 1/2 tsp baking powder
◾1/2 tsp salt
◾1/2 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
◾1/4 cup all vegetable shortening (unflavored), at room temperature
◾1 cup granulated sugar
◾1 large egg
◾1 large egg white
◾2 tsp vanilla extract
◾1/2 tsp peppermint extract
◾Crushed candy canes, for topping
Peppermint Cream Cheese Frosting
◾4 oz cream cheese, softened
◾4 Tbsp unsalted butter
◾1/2 tsp peppermint extract
◾2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
Directions:
Sift flour, cornstarch, baking powder and salt into a large bowl, then whisk it just a few times, set aside. In the bowl of an electric stand mixer, on medium speed, whip together butter, shortening and sugar until very pale and fluffy, about 4 minutes, scrapping down the sides of the bowl as needed. Add in egg and mix until combine, then add egg white, vanilla and peppermint extract and mix until combine. With mixer running, slowly add in dry ingredients and mix just until combine. Transfer dough to an airtight container and refrigerate 2 hours. Preheat oven to 375 during the last 10 minutes of refrigeration.
Scoop dough out about 3 Tbsp at a time and roll into a ball. Place dough ball on a lightly floured surface, sprinkle top lightly with flour, then using something flat and smooth (such as the storage container lid), press and evenly flatten dough to 1/2″ thick. Transfer flattened dough to a Silpat or parchment paper lined baking sheet and repeat process with remaining dough (you’ll have to use 2 cookie sheets). Bake in preheated oven 9 – 11 minutes. Allow to cool 5 minutes on baking sheet before transferring to a wire rack to cool. Cool completely then frost with Cream Cheese Frosting and sprinkle with crushed candy canes.
For the frosting:
In the bowl of an electric stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, whip together cream cheese and butter until pale and fluffy. Add peppermint extract and powdered sugar and mix until pale and fluffy.
Blessings always,
Mary Alford
Blog Stops
KarenSueHadley, December 5
lakesidelivingsite, December 5
For Him and My Family, December 6
CarpeDiem, December 6
She Lives To Read, December 7
deb’s Book Review, December 7
Inklings and notions, December 8
Genesis 5020, December 8
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, December 9
Lighthouse Academy Blog, December 9 (Guest Review from Marilyn Ridway)
Betti Mace, December 10
The Avid Reader, December 10
Texas Book-aholic, December 11
Blogging With Carol, December 11
Locks, Hooks and Books, December 12
Mary Hake, December 12
Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, December 13
Hallie Reads, December 13
Older & Smarter?, December 14
Artistic Nobody, December 14 (Guest Review from Joni Truex)
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, December 15
Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, December 15
Sara Jane Jacobs, December 16
Blossoms and Blessings, December 16
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, December 17
Pause for Tales, December 17
Splashes of Joy, December 18
Simple Harvest Reads, December 18 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)
Giveaway
To celebrate her tour, Mary is giving away the grand prize package of an autographed copy of Covert Amish Christmas along with a gift basket containing Spa Gift Basket – Bath and Body Set with Vanilla Fragrance by Lovestee (Bath Gift Basket Includes Shower Gel, Body Lotion, Hand Lotion, Bath Salt, Eva Sponge and a Bath Puff)!!
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/10459/covert-amish-christmas-celebration-tour-giveaway
My Review
Amazingly, Covert Amish Christmas, is the first book I have read by Mary Alford. I am now questioning why that it is. I thought this book was fabulous. It is not a long read but is full of adventure, action, suspense, mystery, danger and romance. I thought Aaron and Victoria made a perfect team. I thought it was great from page one until the very last. I did not find it to be that predictable and I had to keep reading to find out what would happen next. It was so good.
I am giving Covert Amish Christmas a very well deserved five plus stars. I highly recommend it for readers who enjoy reading inspirational suspense, as well as, Amish Fiction. I look forward to reading more by Mary Alford in the future.
I received Covert Amish Christmas from the publisher. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.
Thank you for the review, the book sounds great.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for letting me stop by your blog today to talk about Covert Amish Christmas. And thank you, Amy for your amazing review of the book. I'm am truly grateful. Merry Christmas.
ReplyDeleteNice cover. I liked the blurb. It sounds like a really interesting book. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDelete