Litfuse Review-A Wedding at the Orange Blossom Inn by Shelley Shepard Gray

Good morning to you all! Sorry I haven't been present the past few days...it's been really hard here in Appomattox. Three young men from Appomattox High school (One was a graduate) passed away between last Wednesday and Saturday. Two were car accidents but tragically, one was a 16 year old boy who no longer felt his life was valued, cherished. He committed suicide. This morning, the community rallied at the pole, as we did last Wednesday before the tragedies, to pray for their friends and family. It was one of the hardest things we've had to go through but it also is the first step to healing. I'm so thankful we have a Sovereign God to comfort us.

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*Summary*

In the third book in New York Times bestselling author Shelley Shepard Gray's Amish Brides of Pinecraft series, a wedding brings together two young widowed parents . . . and gives them a second chance at love.

Emma Keim was heartbroken when her husband, Sanford, passed away, leaving her to raise three young daughters alone. Though several years have passed, her relatives have made it no secret that they expect Emma to remain a widow, mourning Sanford indefinitely. But when she meets Jay Hilty—a handsome widower with three young sons of his own—Emma is delighted to have a new friend who understands her struggles. Still, she is dismayed that her family is so opposed to their friendship—and the idea of it ever becoming anything more. She honors her husband's memory every day, but is she destined to be alone forever?

Emma's gentleness with Jay's boys stirs something in his heart that's been quiet for far too long. But when his oldest son becomes engaged to a local woman, suddenly Jay, Emma, and their children are swept up in wedding preparations. Witnessing his son's joy, Jay wonders if it's time for him to move forward, too, and find happiness again.

Once again, love has come to Pinecraft. But can these two parties of four become a happy, healthy family of eight?

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 *My Thoughts*

I don't know why I didn't think of it. But I didn't...and now that at least three reviewers have referred to the "Amish Brady bunch" side of this, I couldn't agree more!

I love the idea of having multiple romances in a story but not everyone can pull it off. You need to have the ability to "switch gears" with multiple characters and still make it believable. Shelley has captured that with this series x100! 

I am absolutely in love with every character and the town makes me feel like I could dry to Olaf's for a cone right now. I am literally biting my nails waiting for Bev & Eric's story to continue but I am so not looking forward to saying goodbye. I'm not sure I could! At least not without a slight mental breakdown. Which I am admittedly prone to whenever I finish a great series. This one definitely qualifies!

I think a lot of times the "girl meets guy, they fall in love" thing is considered to cliche to be a good story. In this case, they are totally wrong! Emma and Jay's relationship is one of the sweetest, I think, and Jay's relationship with Emma's youngest daughter is even sweeter!

In the mood for a laugh? Or a hundred laughs? Two words. 

Emma's. Beagle.

I cannot even tell you the number of times my family wanted to know what I was laughing about. Every single time it was that dog! He adds so much depth and life and homey-goodness that I just couldn't imagine their lives without him! 

Equally true, I can't imagine my "library" without this series. Can. Not.

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   *Audience*   

 I always say my "weakness" is historical fiction. TRUE. But I just couldn't imagine not having a simple Amish romance on my bedside table. If you love Rosalind Laeur, Wanda Brunstetter, Beverly Lewis, or Trisha Goyer, you'll love this one!                 

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 *My overall thoughts*

A Wedding at Orange Blossom Inn by Shelley Shepard Gray is perfection. Pure Amish, love infused, God infused, perfection.

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 *My Rating*

I give A Wedding at Orange Blossom Inn by Shelley Shepard Gray...

                                     
5 stars!! 

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 *Where to get it*

Amazon

Christianbook

Deepershopping

Barnes & Noble

Walmart

*I received this book from the publisher and the author in exchange for an honest review, which I have given. All thoughts were my own and I was not compensated in any other way.

Happy Reading,

Nicki