Cover Image: Light Shines on Promise Lodge

Light Shines on Promise Lodge

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Charlotte Hubbard is writing a series of books about Promise Lodge--a place of safety for displaced Amish folk trying to get back on their feet after something tilted their world upside down.  According to the jacket blurb, the book is supposed to be about Annabelle and her husband Phineas, who left her with nothing and "jumped the fence."  But, for the most part, the book is about Gloria and Cyrus and their romance, and Clayton King--a man who is impersonating a bishop come to take over the gmay there.

Clayton's charges were that the church there was too progressive, allowed to much freedom to the women, and had fallen too far from the Ordnung.  What Clayton was truly after was the money the church there had put away for the community's needs.

From the time Clayton shows up, the Bishop, preachers, and deacons start investigating him, and Annabelle does too, because she knows people who live close to where he said he came from.

This isn't a five star book, but it is quite readable.  Four Stars.

Kensington Books and NetGalley.com provided the copy I read for this review.
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“Light Shines on Promise Lodge” continues the saga begun in the previous books set at Promise Lodge. Readers of the other books in the series will recognize familiar characters and families who live at the Promise Lodge progressive Amish settlement. In this book, two couples begin courting, with some humorous as well as disastrous encounters. Promise Lodge also must contend with a rogue bishop who tries to reform the residents, and the return of a lost sheep to the fold. 

I enjoyed the lively characters and the feisty women the most in this book. While some readers might find this a predictable tale, I was intrigued by the plot twists and turns until the final pages pulled together the story to an end. I would love to read another Promise Lodge novel, in order to find out what happens to the two courting couples! I hope this is not the end of the series. This is a clean read, no violence, strong language, or sexual scenes. The Christian message is overt yet forms an integral part of the story. Readers of Charlotte Hubbard novels will not be disappointed with this latest installment. I would like to live at Promise Lodge!

I received this book from the publisher and from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own.
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Another book in this series. Enjoyed reuniting with all the people in Promise lodge and meeting others. When a mysterious Bishop comes to promise Lodge things start to change. Also Phineas comes to find his wife Annabelle Beachey who he abandoned in Lancaster Pa to leave the Amish faith. This was a great book with a mystery behind it. I loved the characters and enjoyed the mystery behind Bishop Clayton. It was a book that was hard for m to put down. The author Charlotte Hubbard knows how to draw you to her books.
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I have read many of Charlotte Hubbard's books and have not been disappointed with any one of them. This book Light Shines on Promise Lodge is no different. I loved it and it is one of my favorites so far. This is the fifth book in the Promise Lodge Series. I have read all 5 books in this series and can't wait for more of this series. I love how Charlotte Hubbard makes the characters in her books feel so real and reading one of her books make you feel like you are right there visiting old friends. She also ties in characters from her other series as well. You can read her books as stand alones but they are so much better as a series, as Promise Lodge is a place with the same characters and new additions. Each book tells the story of usually a new resident and one of the established residents. These books do have many religious snipits, I mean after all they are about an Amish Community but they do not preach to you.

This book has a lot going on it. I love how she has added a huge mystery to this one. I was a little shocked when the bad guy was revealed. Boy crazy Gloria gets her chance as one of the main characters. The other main characters of this book are Annabelle, a new comer to the Promise Lodge and a special guest Bishop Clayton King, who wreaks havoc with his visit to the community.

I received this book from the Author or Publisher to read and review. The gifting of this book did not affect my opinion of it
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Light Shines on Promise Lodge by Charlotte Hubbard is the fifth novel in the Promise Lodge Series.  I do recommend reading the series in order.  It is the best way to understand the people and the community.  I enjoyed reading Light Shines on Promise Lodge, and I did not want this delightful story to end.  I thought it was well-written with steady pacing and a good flow.  The characters are developed as well as endearing and continue to grow as individuals.  All our favorites are back (Bishop Monroe, Christine, Preacher Amos Troyer, Gloria, Allen, Laura, etc.) plus we have the addition of Annabelle and Phineas Beachey.  Annabelle’s husband left her to become English.  She only knew he left because she caught him searching for her egg money.  After her brother-in-law took over the farm and made Annabelle feel like a charity case, she relocated to Promise Lodge.  Annabelle develops a backbone along with loving friends who care and support her.  Phineas is determined to stay, but he will need to change his ways if wants to win back his wife.  Cyrus Helmuth and his older brother, Jonathan make a wager that will end up causing hurt feelings.  Hopefully, the pair will do some maturing along the way and learn a life lesson or two.  Bishop Clayton King shows up at Promise Lodge claiming their community is too progressive.  He is intent on making changes.  Trouble has come to their peaceful community.  Light Shines on Promise Lodge was an interesting story with its various storylines.  I like how everything played out including the appearance of some special guests (I cannot say too much, or it will spoil it for you).  I especially liked the mystery surrounding Bishop King.  I have enjoyed watching Gloria go from a girl chasing boys to a woman who manages the cabins and apartments at the lodge. There are recipes from the Promise Lodge kitchen at the end of the book.   Light Shines on Promise Lodge is a story about forgiveness, love, friendship, family, community and second chances.  Charlotte Hubbard is a storyteller of the highest caliber.  She weaves a tale that will capture and hold your attention from beginning to end.  I hope there will be many more stories in this charming series.
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Promise Lodge is a place I want to move.  The townspeople look after and take care of one another.  They pull together in times of crisis.  I so look forward to returning every time. 

Annabelle Beachey found her way to Promise Lodge after her husband abandons her.  With his return, he finds a changed woman.  Annabelle is more confident and self sufficient.  Will they find their way back together?  Meanwhile, Bishop Clayton King appears at Promise Lodge stating he is the new Bishop for their settlement.  His control and stories seem over the top.  When the very premise that Promise Lodge was built on is threatened, it takes everyone at the settlement to find out the truth and protect their way of life and community. I loved the twist at the end!  I really look forward to the next visit.    I feel that the characters are family and friends.  I received a copy through Netgalley.  A positive review was not required.
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I really adore this series and this is my favorite book out of them all as I do love each and every book she has written. I received this book from netgalley. I loved the character's and the cover and the title fits the story.
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This is the fifth book in Charlotte Hubbard's Promise Lodge series. Set in a unique Amish community in Missouri, it follows Annabelle Beachey, whose husband abandoned her to live in the English world. Now he wants her back and has traveled to Promise Lodge to reconcile with her. And he won't leave without her. 
There's the mystery of Bishop Clayton King, who arrives in Promise Lodge, claiming that the community is too progressive and is determined to change its ways, much to the dismay of everyone.
And two brothers who make a five hundred dollars bet on which one can be engaged by Thanksgiving.
This is a beautifully written and heartwarming Amish story about love, hope, faith, forgiveness, and second chances. The plot moves at a steady pace, and the unexpected twists and turns kept me engaged until the end. I really liked the peaceful setting of Promise Lodge, and the cast of characters was wonderful and so realistically described that they pulled you into their lives from the very start. The ladies of Promise Lodge were a caring and supportive bunch. I found it very refreshing that they were independent and owned businesses.
This is a lovely and inspirational read, with plenty of romance, wonderful friendships, an intriguing mystery, and mouthwatering recipes. I will definitely be reading more by this author.

I received an ARC from Kensington Books through NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
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Charlotte Hubbard can always pull my heart stings. Light Shines on Promise Lane was a beautiful read with heart warming strength and faith. A great sunday read!
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I loved everything about this book the cover is beautiful.  I was hooked on the first page to the last.  It makes a great rainy day book.  
I highly recommend this book and I will be adding it to my Amish collection.

I received this copy from Netgalley and Kinsington Publishers for my honest review.
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This is the 5th book in the series. An advanced reader copy was given to me by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. They asked me to be honest, so I will be.

Positives: Pretty cover art with an interesting premise. 

Unfortunately, that's where the positives end. Now onto why I didn't like this book.

Negatives:

Gripe # 1: There's way too many characters to keep track of. I counted 13 in the first section. 

Gripe #2 :Too many storylines. The current count is 3 separate storylines: the two boys that bet on getting married, the newlyweds and the main girl with the runaway husband. 

Gripe #3: Two guys bet on who will get married first. Marriage is a serious thing, not something that should be betted upon. I'm pretty shocked to read this in an Amish setting. 

Honestly, I didn't like this book at all. Just way too much going on and it's not reflective of Christian/Amish values. It's a shame since the main storyline sounded intriguing. DNF halfway through.


#Amish #Amishfiction #promiselodge #Christian #Christianfiction #fiction #CharlotteHubbard #Amishromance #lightshinesonpromiselodge #dnf #advancedreadercopy #arc
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4 stars
I love nothing more than a Charlotte Hubbard book! A sweet easy read to finish up the series. I really enjoyed the book. A great read for a lazy Sunday afternoon  I  recommend this book. 
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley. The views given are my own.
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I don’t usually care much for Historical Romances but this book changed my mind. I love this story! I’ve always been fascinated with the Amish faith and the simple way of life. I enjoyed this read very much! The characters in the book will strike a chord in your heart. The story is well written and isn’t unlike much of what happens in the real world. Charlotte Hubbard is a wonderful storyteller and the book is full of love. If you want a story of love and second chances then Light Shines on Promise Lodge is the book to read. I liked it from the first page and will definitely read other books by this author.
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Like Shines on Promise Lodge by Charlotte Hubbard  is a page turning Amish fiction that immediately caught my attention.  It had romance, inspiration, and mystery.  The story was different than any I had ever read before and had me riveted.

I loved the variety of characters, but at times the number of them was confusing.  Finally I had everyone connected.  The description of Promise Lodge was so whimsical I was ready to visit there.  The beautiful writing was easy to follow and engaging.

The author incorporated many life lessons in her story.  She includes messages of faith and God seamlessly, also.  There was just one issue I had with the story, and that was the mention of talking to a deceased family member and feeling nudged to do something or guided by a deceased person.  These things go against what I have been taught.

It is a beautiful story of Annabelle and Phineas with so many subplots.  There are recipes in the back of the book of some items the characters made.  I definitely recommend this book.  A copy was provided by NetGalley but these are my honest words.  I rate it 4 out of 5 stars.
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I've read all of the Promise Lodge series, and this one is the best!  As in the other books in the series, it follows the situations of some of a somewhat progressive Amish community in Missouri.  Reading the other books is not necessary to understanding this one.  It primarily tells the concurrent stories of a pair of brothers betting on their chances with a couple of the group's girls, an abandoned wife whose husband comes back to try to win her forgiveness. and a newcomer to the community, purporting to be a representative of a Bishop's Council from back in Lancaster, sent there to evaluate if the congregation has strayed too far out of the Old Order'd tenets.  I absolutely loved it.  Stayed up far too late telling myself over and over, "I'll turn out the light after just  one more chapter!" LOL Netgalley provided me a free copy of the book in exchange for my HONEST  review.  I was not required to be positive- but this book was positively great!!!
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Once again Hubbard delivers a sweet story about forgiveness, love and happiness and all sorts of good stuff in this novel!
This book y'all!! It is full of surprises!! Wonderful surprises at that too! That will keep you on the ball to see what happens next!
I think my favorite part in this story is the forgiveness part. Forgiveness is awesome y'all and makes you feel so much better for it.
My favorite character is Gloria. I enjoyed reading and watching her grow into the person she is now.
 Sometimes it just takes a little growing up and the love of the Lord for us to see the shinning light at the end of the tunnel. 
Gloria is like me in little ways. Like her, I love observing people without their knowledge.  It's fun watching them to see what they will do. 
I love how she tries to do the next right thing to help others.  She really is an awesome person.
I felt her heartfelt prayers whenever she ask God for help. I found myself praying right along with her. 
At times we all need a little divine help.
All the characters are loved in this story. 
But my second favorite is Preacher Monroe. 
He's friendly,  kind and loves to socialize and he especially loves gatherings so he can eat 
I can see his eyes light up whenever a certain food shows up lol!
But, all of us loves to eat and socialize especially me. There's nothing like being around other believers.  That's the best kind of company!
I did get a  little upset when I found out what was going on though and I wanted to give a few words myself.  It wasn't right and it shows us that Satan is strongly at work even in the Amish world.  
I was also cheering for the people of Promise Lodge and they didn't disappoint!
I just love Hubbard's story! She's an awesome storyteller and I really enjoyed staying at Promise Lodge and I hated to say Goodbye. 
I highly recommend! You'll not want to leave Promise Lodge!
My thanks to the author/Netgalley for a complimentary copy of this book.  
I was NOT required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.
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I enjoyed this well written romance.  A good plot and well developed characters.  A touch of mystery surrounding the leader makes for a good read.  I received an arc from the publisher and this is my unbiased review.
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Turmoil and uncertainty strikes the people of Promise Lodge when Bishop Clayton King arrives to examine the too progressive community. Something is not quite right about the bishop as the mystery begins. Annabelle Beachy's estranged husband shows up but has he changed his ways or will he want to remain English? And two brothers make a $500 bet on which one can be engaged by Thanksgiving. Just a glimpse of this unusual Amish community. Loved it! Highly recommended!
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Light Shines on Promise Lodge is a sweet and clean romance that was an interesting read. Told from varying perspectives, there isn't really any main characters. It is a story about an Amish community that an unexpected visitor that tries to come in and take over their community. There is Annabelle, whose husband left and abandoned her unexpectedly. and then he returns to her hoping to reconcile. There are two brothers, who strike a bargain to get engaged by Thanksgiving, or pay one another five hundred dollars. It is an entertaining book that I greatly enjoyed reading.
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This is a wonderful story. This book is perfect for when you want to escape your busy life and just enjoy a well written story. It hooks you on the first page and doesn't let go. This is a well written Amish story that will keep you turning the pages to see what happens next. Thank you Kensington Books/Zebra via NetGalley for the ARC copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own and I highly recommend this book.
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