Encouraging Words from the Tea Queen : January 2021

Book: Maryann’s Hope

Author: Molly Jebber

Genre: Amish Historical Romance

Release Date: January 26, 2021

The pleasing warmth of fresh-baked maple cookies…the sweet, buttery flakiness of a raspberry jam pastry. In 1913 Ohio, the Amish Charm Bakery is beloved by locals and visiting Englischer alike. And its understanding community always provides help, healing–and new chances for love…even for a widow faced with an impossible choice between her head and her heart.

Secrets devastated Maryanne Harding’s marriage to an Englischer–and took away her untrustworthy husband. Now the young Amish widow has found contentment cooking up treats at the bakery, raising her little girl, and comforting her ailing mother. And when Andrew Wittmer asks her to marry him, Maryanne is over the moon with happiness that she and the kind furniture maker will put down roots in her hometown…

Until Andrew’s uncle becomes ill, and Andrew must permanently take over his store in a town hours away. Though she would go anywhere to be Andrew’s fraa, Maryanne can’t abandon her mother–or the family that depends on her so much. And when she discovers Andrew harbors secrets of his own, Maryanne’s hard-won trust is shaken. Now, can she risk difficult choices and take a leap of faith into the loving, joyful future she longs for most?

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Molly Jebber is a best-selling & award-winning Amish Historical Romance author whose books have made the Publisher’s Weekly Best Ten List, media worldwide, and in USA Today. She’s a national speaker for Women’s Christian Connection, and keynote and guest lecturer for many groups on writing, publishing, & marketing. She loves God, family, friends she is grateful for her readers.

Through the years, I have read several books based on the Amish community, and each story was equally good and interesting. Some of them were even made into films, and I loved watching those too. This particular book, Maryann's Hope, is based on one such Amish town and focuses its attention on the life of Maryann Harding. The reader gets to follow her life as she tries to make sense of her feelings regarding a certain Amish gentleman in the hopes of not repeating her mistakes from the past. The opening paragraphs alone will surprise you!

Maryann Harding has had so many ups and downs in her shorts life. In fact, so many of her days have been more than she thought she would ever endure--how could life change so much in a matter of a few short years? Maryann knows he family loves her, but can she ever forgive and love herself? The weight of the past is heavy on her heart, but she wants a new chapter going forward, and more importantly, she has her daughter to consider. But can she possibly love another and trust someone again?

Andrew Wittmer is infatuated with Maryann, and he hopes to marry her one day. Throughout their courtship, he loves getting to know this mysterious lady better, but he is also grateful to be introduced to her daughter, Betsy. He knows Maryann has many secrets, but he hopes that she will be honest about certain things regarding her previous marriage. He trusts and respects her, but he knows that not everyone in the Amish community might. Yet he is still determined to stay by her side. But will that be enough to calm Maryann's heart?

Molly Jebber is a new author to me, and it's always so nice to not only discover a new book but a new author. And I am happy to say that this book is part of series--in fact, this is book four in the series. Make sure to check out the first three books, Liza's Second Chance, Ellie's Redemption, and Hannah's Courage. Happy reading friends!

This review is my honest opinion. Thanks to Celebrate Lit for my copy.

Hi Readers!

You are the reason I write. Your inspiration and encouragement on social media posts brighten my mood and on those hard days of writing, keeps me going. Thank you!

I’ve been fortunate to have a close family. I hear so often, you can choose your friends but not your family. Maryann in MARYANN’S HOPE loves her mother, but finds her a challenge with her unpredictable moods. When she meets Andrew, they both must make difficult decisions throughout their courtship relating to family and seeking God’s will for their lives. Maryann’s toddler, Betsy, will make you laugh, as well as other children of her friends in the story. The bakery desserts will make your mouth water, and you’ll imagine the aroma of cinnamon, sugar, and warm bread.

The Amish Charm Bakery is where friends come to enjoy a break, share secrets, solve problems, and laugh and cry.

On a personal note, this year has been an exciting one for our family in spite of COVID-19. My daughter, Misty, is getting married, and we love our future son-in-law, Kevin. They are having a small wedding due to the virus, but it hasn’t dampened any of our enthusiasm for this special day. God has blessed all of us with making all the plans go smoothly, and they’ve enjoyed their marriage counseling with Pastor Roger.

Pastor Roger asked them to put their first name in the verses in Corinthians Chapter 13 of the Bible, as an example of how they should feel about each other. Such as Misty is patient, and Misty is kind. I thought about that in my marriage to Ed. He is all those wonderful things to me. But I need to be more patient! So I’m learning along with Misty and Kevin! LOL

I pray that MARYANN’S HOPE will bring you a fun escape into the small Amish town of Charm, Ohio during the period of 1913-1914!