Thursday, July 14, 2016

"Change Of Heart" by Rachel J.Good Book Tour and GiveAway





 
To purchase your own copy, click here

About the Book



Lydia Esh’s younger sister Emma is running wild during Rumschpringe, causing the family major heartaches. Although it means risking her reputation, her job as a schoolteacher, and her courtship with Jakob Zook, Lydia attends parties to watch over Emma and protect her sister’s virtue. When Emma begins a relationship with Kyle, an Englischer, Lydia teams up with Kyle’s older brother, Caleb, to keep the couple apart. As Lydia and Caleb spend time together keeping an eye on their siblings, Lydia falls for this forbidden love. Will she stay true to her faith even if it means giving up the man she loves?

My Review:
"Change of Heart" by Rachel J. Good is the first book in the (Sisters & Friends series) and if the other two books in the series is as intense as this one the reader will be remembering these sisters and friends long after they finished reading the series.

This book is a novel full of emotion and twists that I didn't see coming. This book made the tears fall while reading a couple of scenes. Even though this book is about the Amish, I believe that readers of clean love stories will enjoy it. I really enjoyed this book. I  really like the way Rachel Good wrote the scenes, I could see the story in my mind as I was reading it.

This story is a story that is filled with sorrow and joy. I know the story is Lydia's but my favorite character is Lydia's mammi ( grandmother).  Lydia's grandmother seems like the type of lady that knows how to get something done and shows true faith.

 I love the title because it really fits the story because more than one character in the story has a "Change Of Heart".

I received a copy of "Change Of Heart" by Rachel Good  by the author and Celebrate Lit for my honest review as part of the book tour. I am giving "Change Of  Heart" by Rachel J. Good five stars.







About the Author



 Rachel J. Good, inspirational author, writes life-changing, heartfelt novels of faith, hope, and forgiveness. She is the author of Amish romances in the Sisters & Friends series. She grew up near Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, the setting for her novels. A former teacher and librarian, she completed her MA from Vermont College while raising five children. She is presently an MFA student in Writing and Illustration at Hollins University. In addition to having more than 2200 articles and 30 books in print or forthcoming under several pseudonyms, she also juggles freelance editing and illustration careers. To buy the Amish Quilts Coloring Book: http://amzn.to/1T35q5p Visit Rachel at: Website: www.racheljgood.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/racheljgoodnovels/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/RachelJGood1 Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14661177.Rachel_J_Good Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/racheljgood1/
 

Guest Post from Rachel J. Good

Hi, I’m Rachel J. Good, inspirational author of heartfelt tales of faith, hope, and forgiveness.

’m excited to launch the first book in my Sisters & Friends Amish series, Change of Heart. Although I’ve been writing for many years and have about 30 books out now, this is my first inspirational novel. I’m busy editing book 2, Buried Secrets, and writing book 3, Gift from Above. And I’m planning the next three books in the series.

I’ve been asked how I came to write Amish novels. For that, I have to credit my agent Mary Sue Seymour, who suggested it to me. I loved the idea because I’d lived near Lancaster, PA, and had always been interested in the Amish. Although Mary Sue went to heaven a few months ago, just before the book launched, I feel her presence in my life as I write. She believed in me as a writer and encouraged me to work on this novel, which she quickly sold.

 Lydia’s story in Change of Heart has several connections with my real life. The first is that I’m the oldest in my family and have two sisters, and so does Lydia. We both feel responsible our younger sisters. Lydia’s younger sister, Emma, gets in trouble during Rumschpringe. (And no, her wild sister doesn’t resemble either of my two younger sisters.)

The second connection with my life is the spiritual lesson Lydia learns in the book. I wanted Lydia’s journey to be not only a struggle between faith and love, but also a personal inner journey from self-righteousness to seeing with God’s loving eyes.

Oftentimes, goodness and spirituality can be a source of pride, and it can also be used to justify being judgmental. Lydia’s sister Emma points this out to her, but in my case, it was my young daughter who piped up, when I was complaining about someone at church, and said, “She sounds just like you, Mommy.” Ouch!

That day I came face to face with the truth that often what I criticize most in another person is often a flaw or a sin I’m overlooking in myself. As Matthew 7:3 (NIV) says: “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?” I wanted Lydia’s story to reflect that truth.

The Amish try to avoid the sin of hochmut (pride), but Lydia, without realizing it, is secretly proud of her own spirituality. It often saddens me that, as Christians, we spend more time criticizing others outside the faith or with different lifestyles or beliefs, but very little time examining our own unloving and judgmental behavior. I’d like to see us become more like Jesus, who ate with the “publicans and sinners,” and showed love to everyone, instead of condemning them.

 Lydia is also forced to choose between staying in her faith or leaving it for love. I, too, faced a similar challenge many years ago, so I wrote those scenes from my heart. I hope Lydia’s story touches hearts, and that readers come away reassured that although we can’t always see the larger picture, God can, and He’s working out a wonderful plan for us. Our present circumstances might seem dark, but He knows the final results. We need to trust Him even during the challenging times, because “all things work together for good” (Romans 8:28).

Blog Stops

July 15: Bigreadersite
July 18: Bukwurmzzz 
July 22: Quiet Quilter
July 24: A Greater Yes
July 24: Carpe Diem

July 27: cherylbbookblog

Giveaway



  To celebrate her tour, Rachel is giving away lots of fun prizes, including copies of her books and even a box of Whoopie Pies from Bird-in-Hand Bakery. Click here to enter: https://promosimple.com/ps/9ed1

49 comments:

Unknown said...

An excellent review Debbie.

Lucy Reynolds said...

Enjoyed reading your review. Thank you for the chance.

cjccruise said...

Loved this book!

cropnmoomsie said...

Great review and giveaway!

Shelli said...

Love the blog, the review, you're a great author.

Shelli said...

Love the blog, the review, you're a great author.

Unknown said...

Cannot wait to read this book!

Unknown said...

Love the book

Deanna Stevens said...

I enjoyed your take on this book :)

Unknown said...

First time reading this blog, but won't be the last. Your gifts all look wonderful. Thanks for writing ax I love to read

Unknown said...

First time reading this blog, but won't be the last. Your gifts all look wonderful. Thanks for writing ax I love to read

Anonymous said...

The book sounds fabulous, and I loved reading about the author's background too.

Robin in NC said...

Debbie, thanks for sharing your review & being a part of the Change of Heart blog tour!
rw620 AT aol DOT com

Unknown said...

Love the coloring book. Will be reading Change of Heart soon

strgth4yu said...

Thanks for the review and being part of the Giveaway!!

Unknown said...

Can't wait to read this! Great review!

Unknown said...

Sounds like a good book, I'll have to put on my wish list!

Unknown said...

Will be looking toward to this great read! Good review!! Blessings!

Rachel G said...

Thanks for stopping by, Cheryl! And I appreciate Debbie's wonderful review.

Rachel G said...

Thanks for reading it, Lucy!

Rachel G said...

Thanks ever so much!

Rachel G said...

Thanks, so glad you came by.

Rachel G said...

Thanks ever so much, Shelli! I'm glad you enjoyed the book.

Rachel G said...

:-)

Rachel G said...

Julia, so glad you were here!

Rachel G said...

Thanks! I hope you enjoy it!

Rachel G said...

Thanks ever so much, Paula!

Rachel G said...

Thanks for stopping by, Deanna!

Rachel G said...

So glad you visited, Marilyn! It's always wonderful to connect with readers.

Rachel G said...

Thanks, Linda! So glad you enjoy reading it. I appreciate you coming by!

Rachel G said...

Hi, Robin, so glad you came by. It's so nice to meet someone else from NC.

Rachel G said...

Glad you enjoyed the coloring book. Hope you enjoy Change of Heart!!

Rachel G said...

So glad you came by to read it. Have a blessed evening.

Rachel G said...

Hi, Skye! So nice to see you here. Hope you enjoy the book!

Rachel G said...

Thanks ever so much, Andrea! Hope you'll enjoy it!

Rachel G said...

Blessings to you too! Hope you enjoy the book.

Unknown said...

Would love to read this book!

CathyCav said...

What a wonderful review! Can't wait too read this book! And thanks for the contest too! 😁

CathyCav said...

What a wonderful review! Can't wait too read this book! And thanks for the contest too! 😁

kim hansen said...

New author for me. Nice review.

Rebecca C said...

I enjoyed the review and what a fun giveaway!

ajwbear said...

I loved the review and would love to win this book. I don't believe I have ever read any of this author's books. I would like to though.

Virginia Winfield said...

Reading right now and really enjoying.

Rachel G said...

Thanks, Nicole! I hope you'll like it.

Rachel G said...

Thanks, Cathy! I'm glad you want to read it. I hope you'll enjoy it.

Rachel G said...

Thanks so much for stopping by, Kim!

Rachel G said...

So nice to see you see you here, Rebecca!

Rachel G said...

Hi, Andrea, Good luck with the drawing! Hope you'll have a chance to read my book.

Rachel G said...

So glad you're enjoying it, Virginia! Thanks so much for letting me know.