Blog Tour: Murder, Served Simply by Isabella Alan + Giveaway

Today's blog tour is featuring Murder, Served Simply by Isabella Alan. This tour is hosted by Penguin Group Publishing. 

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Murder, Served Simply
An Amish Quilt Shop Mystery
Author: Isabella Alan
Reading Level: Adult
Genre: Amish Fiction | Mystery
Released: December 2, 2014
Review Source: Penguin | NAL

Amish quilt shop owner Angie Braddock has a lot on her plate this Christmas. But things only get worse after someone develops a taste for murder… Angie’s parents are visiting Rolling Brook for Christmas—but unfortunately, her ex is joining them. Luckily, Angie has no time to dwell on her romantic troubles as she prepares her store, Running Stitch, for the town’s traditional progressive dinner, featuring a sleigh ride stopping at each shop for a different course of the meal. The meal ends with an Amish-themed Christmas play at the Swiss Valley Hotel and Barn. But the performance is cut short when an actress falls from the scaffolding to her death. After the sheriff suspects foul play, tensions between the Amish and Englisch heat up, as do rivalries among the acting troupe. Now Angie and her quilting circle must stitch together clues before they’re the ones running for cover… INCLUDES QUILTING TIPS!

Isabella Alan does it again. Another book in the Amish Quilt Shop Mystery series. One of these days, I’ll be able to write a review from one of my favorite Amish authors and reflect on my experiences of the Amish’s plain life. We all have those list and visiting is on the top of mine. In the meantime I'll experience it through the pages of a book.

This time I traveled to Angela Braddock’s small down. Where a weird event occurs. A play centered around an unlikely focus and the murder of Eve, a former Amish citizen, who had a role in this production. Angela, continues to own her quilting shop, but this time around there is a lot more going on personally with Angela besides trying to do the law enforcement’s job of figuring out how Eve died.

Angela has to deal with not one love interest, but two, Ryan and Mitchell. Ryan is the former boyfriend of 7 years from Texas and Mitchell is the town’s sheriff. Sparks are in the air from both suitors. It’s Christmas time and her parents are down for the holiday. Let’s just say that mom has her eye on one particular one. But will her influence be enough? As Angela won’t be able to run away from this dilemma without hurting someone. Another quick read, that is fast paced and truly you never know who the culprit is until the very end. Makes this new novel of Ms. Alan one to pick up and enjoy during this winter season!    

{Deitre's Review of Murder, Simply Stitched #3}

{A Casual Conversation with Isabella Alan}

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Isabella Alan is the pseudonym for Amanda Flower. Amanda Flower, an Agatha-nominated mystery author, started her writing career in elementary school when she read a story she wrote to her sixth grade class and had the class in stitches with her description of being stuck on the top of a Ferris wheel. She knew at that moment she’d found her calling of making people laugh with her words. Her debut mystery, Maid of Murder, was an Agatha Award Nominee for Best First Novel, and her children’s mystery, Andi Unexpected, was an Agatha Award Nominee for Best Children’s/YA. Amanda is an academic librarian for a small college near Cleveland.

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Blog Tour: Murder, Simply Stitched | Isabella Alan | Guest Post

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Murder, Simply Stitched
Author: Isabella Alan
Reading Level: Adult Fiction
Genre: Amish Mystery
Released: June 3, 2014
Review Source: Blog Tour/PenguinGroup

When Angela Braddock enters her quilts in an Amish auction, she never expects one of her neighbors to end up going, going, gone.... Angie is finding her niche as the new owner of her late aunt’s Amish quilt shop, Running Stitch. But as the summer is winding down, so is business. To bolster support for the shop, Angie decides to sell her quilts in the Rolling Brook Amish Auction, including some of her aunt’s most prized works. The quilts promise to be a hit—but the gavel comes down on the lively event when Angie stumbles upon the body of township trustee Wanda Hunt behind a canning shed. The cause of death: a poisoned blueberry fry pie from Rachel Miller’s bakery table. Now Angie’s closest friend is a murder suspect. With Angie taking the lead, she and the other women of her aunt’s quilting circle set out to patch together the clues and stop a killer set on shredding the simple peace of Rolling Brook.

Wednesday is always a big afternoon for me. It’s my regular standing day to visit one of my most favorite specialty stores, Yoder’s Dutch Market. Some days I go right in and pick out what I need, other days I like to stroll down the aisles and see what is new. This market place has a calming atmosphere for me. Amish Fiction has calming effects on me as well. There are very few Amish Fiction authors that I follow. However, one more has been added to the list, Isabella Alan. I adore a story with well developed characters. Murder, Simply Stitched has it. I adore settings that pop straight out from the pages, straight into you mind and into your world of pure visualization. Ms. Alan, opens her story up with such a scene. Her attention to details, the story line, and the notion to ensure that readers are guessing and thinking until the very end was clearly deliberate in her writing process.

The main character Angela, is on a mission. Quilting is her hobby and current income source. Deciding to visit an auction, proves to be more than she has bargained for when she stumbles across, what she feels is a murder scene. This novel is all about "who did it."  With the setting being an Amish community, you just can't possibly imagine that something like this could happen in a peaceful area. Or can it? Although, this is a true mystery, there is a focus on a love interest sprinkled through the pages. Which is always a great touch! And just in case you are worried that you have to read previous novels of the series to understand what is going on. You do not. This is one of those series where, you become engaged with the characters and story line and rush to pick up any novels that you haven’t read. This is one you will truly enjoy.

Additional Note:

Isabella and I had a great “Casual Conversation” over at A Leisure Moment about all kinds of great stuff. This podcast is later in the blog tour, so we’ll be sure to keep you posted!

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Isabella Alan is the pseudonym for Amanda Flower. Amanda Flower, an Agatha-nominated mystery author, started her writing career in elementary school when she read a story she wrote to her sixth grade class and had the class in stitches with her description of being stuck on the top of a Ferris wheel. She knew at that moment she’d found her calling of making people laugh with her words. Her debut mystery, Maid of Murder, was an Agatha Award Nominee for Best First Novel, and her children’s mystery, Andi Unexpected, was an Agatha Award Nominee for Best Children’s/YA. Amanda is an academic librarian for a small college near Cleveland.

Guest Post

Publisher's Punch List

By Isabella Alan

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Way back in 2011, I received a call from my literary agent. “Penguin is looking for an established cozy mystery author to write a series about an Amish Quilt Shop. There are some requirements. They want the author to know Amish people and be from Ohio. You are the only option.” It turns out, she was right. If the publisher wanted to fill its punch list for the perfect author of the series, it was me. I had already published cozies under my real name “Amanda Flower,” I’m an Ohioana, and I know Amish people. In 2011, I was the only author who hit all the criteria. I drafted a writing sample, it passed the muster, and I got the series. I appreciated the publisher was specific as to what it wanted. Not just because it gave me another opportunity to write but because it showed me they cared about their books being authentic. They wanted the author to know Ohio. I know Ohio. I’ve lived in the state my entire life and have no intention of moving. One constant that can be found in all my series—beside someone dying, they are mysteries after all—is they are set in the Buckeye State. I probably know Ohio better than many of my fellow Ohioans. I find its history fascinating and even worked at a living history museum one summer. Part of the job was being well versed in Ohio history. I had to study it, so I could “convincingly” spout off facts to visitors. No, I did not wear period dress… all the time. The publisher wanted the Amish elements in the story to be true, not just to the general Amish culture, but to Ohio’s Amish culture, which is different than the Amish found in different parts of the country. I could do that. In addition to being an author, I am a college librarian. Right after graduate school, I searched and searched for a librarian job. It wasn’t easy. Finally, I got one offer. It was to be a cataloger for a small university library in the middle of Ohio’s Amish country about two hours from where I grew up. I took it. While I lived in the small town, I saw and interacted with Amish on a regular basis, but it never occurred to me that I would write a mystery someday based around Amish characters. Thankfully, Penguin didn’t include the ability to hand quilt as one of the criteria for the perfect author because I would have failed that test. I have made a few quilts on a sewing machine but never by hand. However, since I’m a librarian and want to research everything to death, I took hand quilting lessons before I wrote the first book in the series, Murder, Plain and Simple. My teacher said I wasn’t “naturally gifted” in quilting, and a few of my sad attempts at hand quilting are best tucked away in my closet. Shhh, don’t tell my publisher.

Blog Tour: Lamb to the Slaughter By Karen Hopkins | Review | Giveaway | Interview

Lamb To The Slaughter
Book One of Serenity’s Plain Secrets.
Author: Karen Ann Hopkins
Reading Level: Adult
Genre: Suspense | Mystery | Adult Fiction
Released:  March 18, 2014
Review Source:  Blog Tour
Goodreads | Facebook| Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Some Amish communities aren't so cozy.
Lamb to the Slaughter is a story about the intertwining lives of three unlikely people in an Indiana Amish Community and the devastating results when a rebellious teenage girl is found shot to death in a corn field during the harvest.

Serenity Adams is the newly elected young sheriff in the country town of Blood Rock and besides dealing with the threatening behavior of her predecessor, she now has a dead Amish girl on her plate. At first glance, the case seems obvious. The poor girl was probably accidentally shot during hunting season, but when the elders of the Amish community and even the girl’s parents react with uncaring subdued behavior, Serenity becomes suspicious. As she delves deeper into the secretive community that she grew up beside, she discovers a gruesome crime from the past that may very well be related to the Amish girl’s shooting.

Serenity enlists the help of the handsome bad-boy building contractor, Daniel Bachman, who left the Amish when he was nineteen and has his own dark reasons to help the spunky sheriff solve the crime that the family and friends who shunned him are trying desperately to cover up. Serenity’s persistence leads her to a stunning discovery that not only threatens to destroy her blossoming romance with Daniel, but may even take her life in the end.

Then came Karen Ann Hopkins, with her beautiful and engaging Temptation series, that kept me reading all night.  Her sincere personality and love for her fans and book followers is shown through her Facebook and Twitter posts.  She allows her readers to enter her life; horseback riding, raising animals, and the world of Amish living.   Readers wait patiently for the next book to be published, we are showered with pictures that remind us of why she loves the Amish so much.  It’s the simple life that keeps me fascinated even more in this ever growing genre of Amish fiction.  I think I have made it perfectly clear over the years that mysteries are not my favorite genre to read, however on occasion I will throw one into the TBR pile and see where it takes me.  So when Karen told me that an adult mystery was coming out, I cringed and then thought everything that Karen has written has been amazing this will be no different, and was I right!

Simply put Karen Ann Hopkins, takes her readers to a new level of Amish fiction and suspense.   The main character Serenity is the nucleus of the story.  Through my lens everything is centered around her.  A new sheriff , determined to follow processes and procedures.  However, faced with the death of a young Amish girl, wrapping up a case of accidental death, proves to be not so easy.  Sure there is help along the way.  Even a little bit of romance sprinkled throughout.  But what really makes this mystery stand out, is even when you think you know the answer, Karen has crafted a twist thrown at you that makes that theory disappear and a new one come to light.  Her shift from Young Adult Literature to Adult is amazing.  My 5 tree reviews are never given without a lot of thought.  No questions asked, 5 it is.   The writing style is on point with what the components of a good mystery should be.   Readers are engaged from the very first chapter until the very end.  That by far is an example of awesome writing.  I’ll pick up her next mystery any day!  

   

{PODCAST) EPISODE 02: A CASUAL CONVERSATION WITH AUTHOR KAREN ANN HOPKINS

Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

A native of New York State, Karen Ann Hopkins now lives with her family on a farm in northern Kentucky, where her neighbors in all directions are members of a strict Amish community. Her unique perspective became the inspiration for the story of star-crossed lovers Rose and Noah. When she’s not homeschooling her kids, giving riding lessons or tending to a menagerie of horses, goats, peacocks, chickens, ducks, rabbits, dogs and cats, she is dreaming up her next romantic novel.

Full Tour Schedule

Monday May 26 - I Read Indie - Review

Tuesday May 27 - Glorious Books - Guest Post

Wednesday May 28 - Little Miss Drama Queen - Review

Thursday May 29 - Once Upon Twilight - Review

Friday May 30 - It's a Book Thing - Review

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Book Review + Surprise Box of ARCs and Ecopy Giveaway Renewing Hope By Jennyfer Browne

Renewing Hope
In Your World #2
Author: Jennyfer Browne
Reading Level: Adult
Genre: Romance/Amish
Released: December 15, 2013
Review Source: Provided by the Author

The journey for Kate Hill and Nathan Fisher continues… Kate Hill hopes to leave her English past behind her in order to be accepted by the Amish of West Grove, and marry her love, Nathan Fisher. But as she struggles to win over her Amish neighbors, she discovers that the sordid past of the Bishop’s son has caused a rift in the small community. Shunned for living the English lifestyle, Benjamin Yoder finds a friend in Kate, and wonders if there is hope in returning to the Amish life he misses. Nathan Fisher wants his old friend, Benjamin, back with the Amish for many reasons- by forgiving Benjamin his English transgressions; surely the community will accept his Kate. With the Bishop’s steadfast obstinacy towards the English blight on his flock, it will be up to Kate and Nathan to heal their community by bringing home the son of the Bishop and renewing hope in the Amish through forgiveness.

Their story began with healing, and continues with renewing. Renewing, faith, renewing love, renewing hope. Nathan and Katherine set out to show the world that they can survive, they can persevere, that they can love even in the midst of trouble. In the center of their Amish world is the determination to prove to others, that the Amish way is Kate's way. In Renewing hope, Katherine continues to face many roadblocks of doubt, uncertainties and even resistance from members of the community. She works hard to stay true to herself and her love for Nathan, while at the same time exhibiting the characteristics of a true Amish woman. That step into true and total humility is a tough one, but she truly allows her heart to take lead in every big decision that has to be made. These are decisions that truly set the direction of Nathan and Katherine's lives together. In this novel we begin to fall in love with new characters, as this may mean that more books are on the way. Jennyfer Browne creates another stunning love story of two very different people, finding love even in the huge obstacles that stand in their way. Close your eyes just for a moment when reading and her writing will immediately give the reader a vivid visualization of huge farm homes, corn fields, bountiful gardens, baking with scents of yummy goodness, children playing, and horses grazing. All are themes of symbolism and represent something important in the Amish way of life. I can't say enough about Jennyfer Browne's words and their transformation on paper. She takes you to a world that you want to see with your own eyes, that you want to experience. She takes you to Nathan and Kate's world. Where new beginnings are on the horizon, in their world.

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A Saturday Moment with Deitre + Giveaway

So it's Saturday, and this weekend I'm reflecting on my Thanksgiving Holiday with family and friends.  I love this time of year.  Pumpkin Spice Lattes, all my favorite foods and lots of time to enjoy my free time with the hubby and kids.  Our holiday break movie was Catching Fire.  I'll need  to add it to my TBR pile.  There are some books that are truly worth a second read and "Catching Fire" is one.  This week we highlighted Renewing Hope by Jennyfer Browne.  As most of you know, I love Amish Fiction and Jennyfer is one of my top authors in this genre.  Renewing Hope comes out this month, and my weekend read is a wonderful ARC ecopy of Renewing Hope.  I could barely stop reading to type this post.  I'm sure many of you are out shopping or searching for that perfect Christmas tree.  Have fun and end your day with a quiet evening snuggled up with a good read!

What are you reading this weekend?  Any books in your TBR pile that will be second reads because they are just that good?  Let us know in the comment portion and on Monday I'll choose one person to send my ARC copy of Control by Lydia Kang (The review will be posted closer to publication date).  Be sure to leave your email address at the end of your comment.  I'll announce Monday evening who the winner is.  It's an "Avatar" movie watching, coffee drinking, Amish reading type of afternoon with the family, until the next time...


Happy Reading...Deitre

Congratulations Jennie!  Be on the look out for an email from OUaT.  We will be sending your way Control by Lydia Kang and maybe even something a little extra!!!

Exclusive: Cover & Excerpt Reveal | Renewing Hope By Jennyfer Browne

OUaT is super excited to be able to share with you an exclusive cover reveal and excerpt from the next installment of the In My World Series:  Renewing Hope by Jennyfer Browne.  Haven't read Healing Faith?  Be sure to check out Deitre's Review, as you still have time to catch up on the series.  Enjoy the exclusive excerpt below and be on the look out for a review and special giveaway before Christmas!

The journey for Kate Hill and Nathan Fisher continues…

Kate Hill hopes to leave her English past behind her in order to be accepted by the Amish of West Grove, and marry her love, Nathan Fisher. But as she struggles to win over her Amish neighbors, she discovers that the sordid past of the Bishop’s son has caused a rift in the small community. Shunned for living the English lifestyle, Benjamin Yoder finds a friend in Kate, and wonders if there is hope in returning to the Amish life he misses.

Nathan Fisher wants his old friend, Benjamin, back with the Amish for many reasons- by forgiving Benjamin his English transgressions; surely the community will accept his Kate. With the Bishop’s steadfast obstinacy towards the English blight on his flock, it will be up to Kate and Nathan to heal their community by bringing home the son of the Bishop and renewing hope in the Amish through forgiveness.

Exclusive Excerpt

Perhaps this was the last test for members wishing to join the Amish- supper with the Bishop’s family to dissect the candidates one last time. So as the men entered the kitchen, with Nathan and Benjamin nervous under the Bishop’s critical eye, I tried my best to show everyone all that I had learned and lived by.
I was quiet.
I prepared a plate for the Bishop before anyone else.
I kept my gaze solidly on my water glass unless spoken to.
I spoke softly.
I didn’t dare look up at Nathan although I could feel his eyes on me.
I could feel every eye on me.
“What do you plan for the spring, Nathan?” I heard the Bishop ask halfway through the meal.
“I hope to increase my crops for the spring,” he said, his voice timid. “Perhaps wheat this year, or soy.”
“How do you plan to do more when it is only you?” he asked.
Nathan cleared his throat and I could hear his fork slide on his plate.
“I have hope that I will not be alone come spring.”
The room was quiet for a moment, the only sound that of chewing and forks along dishes.
“My son has his job at the mill. I do not see him offering much aid come spring.”
“No sir, I do not intend to rely on Benjamin to help in my tasks,” Nathan replied and cleared his throat again. “I hope to have my wife to help.”
Another awkward silence.
“And if you do not marry?” the Bishop asked. “You have hardly any stores for winter now. Jonah has taken your livestock to help you, but even he cannot support you.”
“I intend to marry, Bishop Yoder.”
I made the mistake of chancing a glance around the table, my eyes going wide at the scene.
Nathan stared intently at the Bishop who waged his own war glaring at me, while Benjamin looked to his mother for help. Naomi was the only smart one in the group, keeping her eyes on her peas as she pushed them around on her plate. Finally the Bishop’s wife let out a noise and placed a hand on her husbands arm, pulling his searing gaze from me.
“It is time for Nathan Fisher to marry. That house has seen its mourning. It is time to fill it with children once more,” she said and smiled my way. “Katherine Hill may have a past we do not know, but she has brought our son home and his friend back from a darkness that would have swallowed him. I look forward to spending time in the sewing circle with her.”
The Bishop turned his gaze slowly back toward me, his look an unreadable mask once more as he spoke.
“We shall see.”

About the Author

Jennyfer Browne has always been a sucker for a good love story- a complex recipe with a dash of dashing, a pinch of heroism, and a hefty dose of outside forces that test young lovers. Seasoned with tears and laughter, followed by a sprinkle of happy sighs fill out the perfect recipe.  Jennyfer also enjoys pie.  Ms. Browne lives in California with her wonderful husband and adoring son, where she enjoys the beach and sailing off on further adventures. A member of the Romance Writers of America and blessed with an overactive imagination, she writes sweet and savory romances with a twist of tart that always come to a happy ending.

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Deitre's Review of Healing Faith (Book 1) By Jennyfer Browne 

Have you read Healing Faith?  Is Amish Fiction new to you?  Leave us a comment below and let us know what you think.