Charlotte Hubbard

Miracles at Promise Lodge by Charlotte Hubbard takes us back to the quaint community of Promise Lodge. It was great to catch up with the characters that started the community and who have moved into it since its creation. I like that it is a community started by women (I wonder if the Amish will ever allow women to be deacons or bishops). Isaac has come to Promise Lodge for a fresh start. Unfortunately, members of his old community live in the area and are fully aware of his misdeeds. Isaac has a temper as well as impulse control issues. There is one scene that I found particularly troubling with Isaac. It can be a trigger for individuals who have been abused or assaulted. Maria Zehr’s arrival is quite vociferous, and the timing is inopportune. Maria is a piece of work. I would not have had the patience to deal with her. I like Vera. She is a kind, forgiving young woman. Vera is also artistic and allowed to express her creativity through her pottery. It was good to see Dale and Irene so happy. Jealousy and envy were two of the themes in the story. Faith was nicely woven into the story. It is great how the people who live in Promise Lodge help each other and are welcoming to new people (I wish all communities were like that). I like the author’s writing style (makes the story easy to read). There is good plot and character development. I have read all the books in the series, so I am familiar with the characters and the setting. New readers would not have that knowledge (it is best to read the series in order). One of my favorite phrases from the book is, “One of the best things about the Bible is the way we can read a passage again and again throughout our lives, yet those verses can take on a different meaning—often depending upon our circumstances.” I will miss my visits to Promise Lodge.… (mais)

This is a sweet story of Isaac, whose past seems to be his identity and how he is seen by others. As he takes a job which requires the trust of others, some things are very hard for Isaac and he doesn't always make the best decisions. He makes a mistake and has to work things out, which can be difficult. I loved Maria, despite her many annoying flaws. She added lots of color and "action" to the story. I enjoyed reading about the characters from earlier Promise Lodge books. All the characters were fun to read about and the story line was well developed I enjoyed this book very much. I received a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.… (mais)

Hidden Away at Promise Lodge by Charlotte Hubbard is a sweet Amish tale. I always enjoy returning to Promise Lodge. Hidden Away at Promise Lodge is the seventh novel in the Promise Lodge series. I recommend reading the series in order. It allows you to get to know the characters and how each of them came to Promise Lodge. You will also learn who created the town and why they did it. I like that it is a community of Amish and Mennonites. The Mennonites attend Amish weddings and vice versa. I like the camaraderie between the residents of the town. It is like they are one big family. They are, though, always happy to welcome new residents. The author has created a delightful cast of characters for this series. Two visitors to Promise Lodge do not fool a soul. Reading about Amish does not give you the knowledge to act Amish. Karen and Andi, the visitors to Promise Lodge, provided some laugh out loud moments. The lady’s knowledge of the lodge, though, may come in handy after a violent storm. Sylvia, a widow, came to Promise Lodge to die peacefully after a terrible diagnosis. Mose, a horse trainer, is glad that his twin sister has found happiness. Sylvia has caught Moses’ eye. While Mose is good with animals, he has trouble with people. Mose is an inspirational character. I enjoyed Mose and Sylvia’s story. It is sweet and inspiring. I like Charlotte Hubbard’s writing style. It is friendly and engaging. I like how faith was incorporated into the story. Prayer is a powerful tool as we see in this story. I like that we get to see how all things come together for those who serve the Lord. I like how the residents of the town worked together to help each other. The descriptions of the food will have your mouth watering. I was sorry when I turned the last page of the story. I am eager for Miracles at Promise Lodge to come out (preview at the end of Hidden Away at Promise Lodge). Hidden Away at Promise Lodge is a touching tale with wedding arrangements, two curious visitors, a devastating storm, driving Clydesdales, the power of prayer, and a favorable future.… (mais)

I enjoyed this book for a few reasons. Number 1- this author is familiar to me, so the characters are familiar to me. I would recommend reading her previous books!
Number 2- it deals with some pretty common issues like envy and physical intimacy.
Number 3- it does focus a lot on faith in God!

Isaac was hard to like. He's brash, impulsive, and running from God. However, he soon starts to work on his faults and become a better man. Vera is wonderful! I love her forgiving spirit, her artistic style, and her willingness to lend a hand.

Promise Lodge is a place I'd love to visit! The sense of community is refreshing, and everyone who lives there is committed to helping others.

I was provided a copy of the book from Zebra Books via Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.… (mais)