Promise Lodge 

Mass Market Paperback, ebook, paperback, audio

February 23, 2016

by Charlotte Hubbard

• Series: Promise Lodge
• Mass Market Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Zebra
• ISBN-13: 978-1420139419

"Hubbard writes Amish stories with style and grace." --RT Book Reviews

It's a better life, a fresh start--and a heaven-sent second chance. Founded by three Amish sisters determined to put misfortune behind them, Promise Lodge is a colony where faith's abiding promise can be fulfilled--and love can make all things new…

Energetic widow Mattie Bender Schwartz is working day and night to get Promise Lodge going. She's also hoping the change will help her son Noah's heart to heal after his broken engagement. But his former fiancée, Deborah, is looking for a fresh start too. Filled with regret, and cast out by her dat for a reason she can't yet reveal, Deborah can only pray Noah will forgive her foolishness. 

Deborah is the last person Noah expected to show up at Promise Lodge. But with her cruel words still ringing in his head, he's reluctant to accept her apology--even if the Old Order ways demand he try. If only he could obey Christ's most important commandment: love one another. But one thing is certain--his mother and aunts, and their beloved Preacher Amos, will do their best to help him get there. 

My thoughts: PROMISE LODGE is the first book in Ms. Hubbard's new series. Three older ladies have decided to start their own Amish community in Missouri, but they have two single young men and a widower preacher with them. They'd bought an old church camp and have big dreams. 

Deborah broke up with one of the son's Noah, when he wouldn't marry her as fast as she wanted. He was being cautious, wanting to have enough to start a life together while she couldn't care less. She didn't get her way so she broke up, then made some bad choices and got kicked out, and now expects Noah to take up where they left off. He's understandably hesitant. 

I related to Noah more than to Deborah as he is a lot like me. He likes to think things through, and proceed with caution once things are settled. Getting hurt as he did would cause me to have second and third thoughts too.  A realistic story that will appeal to fans of Amish romance and of Ms. Hubbard. Don't miss the first book in this promising new series. 4 stars.