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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My Review

"The Amish Candy Maker " by Laura V. Hilton is a wonderful story about believing wrong things about oneself. Agnes believes her father that she will never marry because her one suitor choose someone else. There is also the fact that she has started her own business, a candy shop after her family is all killed in a fire. Isaac believes he is not a good person because of an accident that happened in the past. These two meet because Isaac comes to town to take care of his brother and sister's law children.

This story shows that you can't believe what others say but you have to follow your dreams and the most important thing is to forgive yourself.

This is an Amish clean love story but the passion gets intense at time.

This story shows that there are Amish women that aren't always soft spoken and doesn't always do what the Bishop says to do.

My favorite quote from the book is "Let prayer be the key to the day and the bolt to the nacht." I also like the fact that the author points this out " I think maybe Gott doesn't mind you getting mad and yelling. He knows you're hurting and He wants us to feel free enough with Him to let our emotions loose. Perhaps that's the only way healing takes place. Gott takes that anger and works with it to turn it into peace with the situation and you ultimately kum to the realization that He works all things together for gut."

Isaac knows he wants to marry Agnes almost as soon as he meets her, but she is not so sure.

This book shows that sometimes you have to just have to forgive and be true to yourself and that sometimes things don't work out just the way you planned, sometimes it turns out better than you planned.

I received a complimentary copy from the author and Celebrate Lit. These opinions are my own.

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.