I enjoyed this book. I liked how the couple was older and how they both got a second chance at love when they weren’t looking for it. I liked how Simon was willing to learn to enjoy the things that Stella liked. I also liked how he was willing to understand where she was coming from with her growing up years and to love her anyway. I liked how Stella was kind and caring to everyone even when they weren’t kind to her. I liked watching Simon and Stella’s courtship grow as they got to know each other and understand each other. I liked how they brought out the best in each other. I also liked how the author showed us what an Amish community would be like and how they help each other.

I received a complimentary book from publishers, publicists, and or authors.  A review was not required and all opinions and ideas expressed are my own.

Courting an Amish Bishop is a sweet Amish fiction novel full of romance but also struggles and loss. You’ll love this one! I’ve always been a fan of Amish novels. There are lots about the Amish people that intrigue me and make me want to learn more about them and their ways. But there is also something about the novels that is calming. Something that brings peace. Normally you don’t find a lot of suspense in Amish romance novels.

This is book four in the Heart of the Amish series. While you don’t have to read the whole series or the books in order, I am going to say that you should. Series should always be read in order in my opinion.

While this book was a wonderful novel I enjoyed the romance, I also enjoyed the herbal knowledge. Kudos to the author for seeking out and including them all! I’m a huge lover of herbs and doing things naturally as much as possible so this was especially fun for me.

Stella comes to another community to share her knowledge of healing and herbs. They’re dealing with sickness and the bishop reaches out to her. The young bishop. The widow bishop. Maybe that means something? Or maybe not. But either way, you’ll love the back and forth of the novel and the herbal knowledge as well. I’d love to know if you read it and what you thought.

I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from Celebrate Lit. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.

There is something so dear about Amish stories and their authentic characters, which is why I knew I’d enjoy “Courting an Amish Bishop” by Mindy Steele. This inspirational second-chance story (one of my favorite tropes) with elements of love, hope, and healing is sure to touch your heart.

Simon and Stella are delightful characters (flaws and all) who I wanted to shake at times and hug at others. Sometimes obstinate and other times pliable, they both show growth which makes this story so rewarding. The secondary characters can’t be overlooked, for some of them truly propel the story forward. (Simon’s mom is a fav!)

If you enjoy clean, inspirational stories that feature faith, love, and hope, this one (as well as the rest of the series) is a wonderful choice.

#CoverLoverBookReview received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions are 100% mine.

Courting An Amish Bishop
You are never too old to find love. It's never to late. Simon was widowed. He didn't believe he had the time or desire to marry again. He was busy serving as the Bishop of his community.

Dok Stella was resigned to be on her own. She tried to convince herself that she was ok with that. But then she met Simon.

I absolutely loved the book. It had wonderful characters. How could you not love Lena?

It made me think back to when I met my husband. He was widowed. I was divorced. I never expected to meet the love of my life in my late 40s. I was skeptical that I would remarry. But two days before my 50th birthday, we did. You never know what is around the corner. I have been happily married for 17 years now. I allowed myself to take a chance on love. Look what I would have missed if I closed that door.

Are Stella and Simon willing to take the chance?

Courting an Amish Bishop, by Mindy Steele, is book 4 in the Heart of the Amish series. This is a series of nicely written, easy to read stories that are written by different authors. In this story we meet Simon and Stella. When illness spreads through the Old Order Amish community, Simon reaches out to herbal healer Stella in the neighboring community for help. A storm hits as Stella is helping Simon’s community and destroys her home. As she spending time staying with Simon’s mother and helping the sick, she and Simon develop a friendship neither thought possible.

This is an enjoyable story to read. I especially enjoyed reading of the different herbs Stella uses to treat the sick people. I like how she has used her knowledge of herbs to provide for herself. I enjoyed the parts in the story that deal with both Simon and Stella’s pasts and how that has affected how they are now. I was totally surprised at the reason she was estranged from her family and how that affected her. Yet, she put that behind her when she was summoned back home to help care for a family member.

I voluntarily received a complimentary copy of this book, this is my honest review.

Simon and Stella's story is a sweet Amish romance that was a joy to read. It has wonderful characters and keeps you turning the pages to see what happens next. This book was a heartwarming read that leaves you with a smile.
I received a complimentary copy from Barbour Publishing via NetGalley and was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

I loved this book, Stella was so down to earth, so giving, I could envision being her friend, she made you feel; from the first meeting that you could talk to her; tell her things you thought you could never tell anyone, and she would understand and try to help. Her and Simon are good together.

Courting an Amish Bishop is the fourth installment from multi author series, The Heart of the Amish. This contribution to the series from Mindy Steele was such a delight to read. I thought it was a sweet romance between the main characters, Simon and Stella. I wanted to keep reading to see what would happen between these two. I thought it was a joy to read and one that put a smile on my face.

I am giving Courting an Amish Bishop four and a half stars. I believe fans of clean Amish romance will love it. I am looking forward to reading the next installment from The Heart of the Amish series, Anne Blackburne's Mary's Calico Hope.

I received a copy of Mindy Steele's Courting an Amish Bishop from the publisher, but was not required to write a positive review. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.

Courting an Amish Bishop by Mindy Steele 5 stars This was a wonderful story, and also an educational one. Stella lived alone, and was known throughout her community as a healer. She believed in homeopathic medicine and concocted different teas, salves, and herbal medicines. She was called to a nearby community whose members were suffering from the flu. The nearby Bishop came and picked her up. Stella was an unmarried woman with a dog. Many people viewed her as crazy but she was far from crazy. Everyone in the neighboring community fell in love with Stella, including the Bishop himself. I learned a lot from this book and enjoyed it very much. I would highly recommend this book.

Simon Graber is a bishop, the daad of Michael, his young teenage son, and a widower. Simon has known great sorrow. His wife and their two younger children were killed in a vehicle accident years earlier.
Sickness strikes his community of Cherry Grove and he goes to the next community to bring back help. 'Help' is in the form of Stella Schmucker. Stella has left her family-parents and brothers, who never showed her love or kindness. She is now a 'healer,' Stella knows plants and herbs and what can be used to help cure many illnesses.
Bishop Simon brings Stella back to his community to help the sick. While there, a storm came upon her community and a tree fell on her tiny cabin. It had belonged to her grandparents and held great sentimental value to her. It was decided she would remain in Cherry Grove with the Bishop's mother while repairs were being made to her cabin.
She and Verna (the Bishop's mother) and Michael (the bishop's son) become friends. Practically everyone loves Stella and her dog. There is only one bitter, angry resident who does not want or appreciate her knowledge although his daughter is very ill.
The Bishop and Stella become better acquainted. He believes he is too old for love and treasures the memories of his deceased wife and children. There are those in the community who feel he should remarry, as well as a well meaning mother who would love to see him married to her daughter.
Stella feels love is not for her. She was beaten down by her family, and feels she's meant to be alone.
Great story with wonderful characters and a very happy ending. I highly recommend this one!
I was given an advanced ecopy by the publisher, Barbour through Netgalley. I was under no obligation to write a positive review.

I LOVED THIS BOOK!!! The characters grabbed my heart in their brokenness and made me care about their hurting hearts.

Stella Schmucker has been "on her own" since the deaths of her grandparents seven years ago. At 38, she is being pressured by her community to marry, even though she owns her grandparents home and is supporting herself as the community's unofficial "dok" (doctor.) Her bishop hasn't given her an ultimatum - yet - but she knows it's probably coming. She's had many much older widowers offering to take her as their wife, but she really doesn't want to take any of them as her husband. When the neighboring church district's bishop comes to her for help with a flu outbreak in his district, she gladly travels with him to provide whatever help she can.

Bishop Simon Graber lost his wife and two of his children in a terrible accident 12 years ago. He's been alone since, even though some of the mothers in his district have been persistent in putting their daughters under his nose. None have given him any "sparks" until he meets Dok Stella. The longer she stays in his community, the more he wants her to become a permanent part of it. If only he could make her see past his title, to the man. Her helpfulness extends to everyone, no matter how surly they might be. He sees her beauty and her beautiful heart, but he also sees the pain she is hiding behind her "usefulness". When her bishop steps in with a demand from her family that she return to her parents' home - the ones who drove her away with their abuse - to care for her ailing father, Simon believes he must step aside. Can he let her go, when her leaving seems to take the light from his days?

Stella had my heart from the get-go in this story. She endured so much as a child starting with the complete neglect she got from her parents. They would "forget" to feed her for days on end, and offered no protection from the mean streaks that ran through her brothers. Even when one of them shoves her - at 9-years-old - into a swollen, rushing river, her uncaring family doesn't even join the search party for her body. She basically ran away from home - the first time at 13 - only to be dragged back for more abuse. Her only respite, and the only place she ever felt loved, was her once a year trips to stay with her grandparents. When she finally left for good at 17, she went to live with her grandparents. She's had 21 years away from them but still feels the terror of living there. I loved the way Simon handled her with such gentle care - at first because she was a puzzle to him, then because he had fallen for her.

Readers who enjoy Amish romance will LOVE this book! I could hardly stop once I started reading, even to sleep. This gets all the stars from me!

A widower Amish Bishop needs a doctor for his community and a woman herbalist in the next community answers his need in a sweet opposites attract Amish Romance. Mindy Steele is a new to me author, but I was captivated by the blurb so gladly picked up Courting the Amish Bishop for a try.



Courting An Amish Bishop is fourth in the Heart of the Amish series, but it is standalone and easily read out of order.



Courting An Amish Bishop is told in alternating narration between Simon Graber and Stella Schmucker. They’re a pair of opposites or they think they are when they warily circle each other while working together to help the Cherry Grove community.



Simon is a young bishop widower raising his one remaining child (after his wife and two younger children died in an accident) though he’s not really young and feels past the need for a wife. Too bad his Cherry Grove people and his family have other plans for him when they catch sight of bright and helpful spinster, Stella. Simon isn’t much impressed with Stella (and her dog) at first, but learns to respect her work and her character. They grow a friendship after a time.



Simon’s not the only one with an uphill battle toward happiness. Stella has a past history in her old Amish community back in Ohio where her dysfunctional family was well known for being troublesome and users. She’s left that behind to start fresh in her grandparent’s community and has worked hard to not be a user or seem like she is in need of a man to do for her. She’s got her simple cabin on the hill, her dog, and her work gathering herbs and medicinal plants to help people. Not until she goes with Simon to help heal his sick people does her isolated, contented life start to chafe and she slowly starts to feel for the lonely bishop.



I enjoy romances set in Amish communities and this one was even more fascinating because it featured one of the community leaders and a woman healer. The author doesn’t stint on the Amish life and world for the story backdrop and paints in some unique and fun assortment of characters from the community. I just loved Simon’s old mother with all her generous love and practical wisdom.



The romance is definitely slow burn with the pair of them needing to deal with their pasts before they could move forward in the present. Their courtship sneaks up on them, but also takes place under the eyes of the interested Cherry Grove community. That was the fun part. Loved the scenes of healing, Amish life, and oh yes, the food. Mindy Steele writes a good heart-felt story that was a wonderful feel-gooder.

This book by Mindy Steele is one of my favorite. Mindy writes from the heart. The characters are wonderful friends once you begin reading. If you have not read a Mindy Steele book this will be the one to love.

A feel good romance between a spinster and a widower who is also a bishop. Simon and Stella have many past hurts to overcome before they can even begin a relationship. Conniving mothers , and advice from others seem to only bring more confusion.

I enjoyed this book. Not only did it accurately portray Amish life but it delved into Stella's knowledge or herbs and nature's remedies. Stella uses her gatherings from nature to help heal the sick in her Amish community. Many have been helped by her remedies and caring nature. Coming from a childhood where she was unloved, it is hard for Stella to open herself to love from others, feeling she is unworthy.
When Bishop Simon Graber fetches Stella to help with the flu epidemic in his community, he is amazed at her vast knowledge as well as her heart for caring for those around her. As he gets to know her better and understand some of her background, he is further astounded that a child growing up in the situation Stella did, can have such a caring nature for those around her. Simon is a widower whose teenage son has long been without a mother. Stella has longed all her life for love and family but feels it is out of her reach. Can Simon and Stella see past their own perceived inadequacies long enough to reach out to what they give to one another?
received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review

Simon and Stella’s story in Courting an Amish Bishop by Mindy Steele, book four in The Heart of the Amish series, is a reminder that love will find you, even if you weren’t looking or expecting to ever find it. Amish Bishop Simon Graber, became a bishop much younger than most men. A widower, he is focused on two things: taking care of his Cherry Grove community and his sixteen year old son, Michael. During a bad outbreak of the flu Simon travels to Walnut Ridge to get help from the local doctor. Stella Schmucker is a healer, a ‘dokter’, whose life centers around her ability to heal naturally. Her earlier life and growing-up years were not easy. The only love and acceptance she received was from her grandparents, whose home she now resides in. Stella, unaware that Simon is the bishop of Cherry Grove and always one to put others before her own needs, is happy to help and goes with Simon to treat his son, Michael first before seeing to the rest of the sick in the community. After a freak storm destroys Stella’s grandparent’s home, she is unable to return until it is rebuilt. This offers Simon the opportunity to give Stella a temporary home, staying with his mother until her home is rebuilt, giving both the opportunity to get to know one another.

These two are perfect for each other in their willingness to always put the needs of their community before their own and serve with such joy. There were several moments when I was hoping Simon would get a move on and propose to Stella as almost everyone could see they were perfect for each other. It isn’t until the chance of losing each other to finally come clean and admit their feelings.

Ms. Steele wrote a wonderfully sweet and moving story of love and second chances. This delightful story exemplified and reminded that one should be who they were created to be, and not be concerned with what others think. It was nice to read a middle-aged couple, each enjoying serving their community but thinking there is no chance left for the lives they wished they had. Only this time, G-d offers them a life they never expected, only if they are willing to step out of their comfort zones and take it. Stella was a unique individual, which is especially difficult for an Amish person who does not fit expectations.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
I didn’t want the story to end! Mindy Steele is a MUST READ author for me. This book shows you that you are never too old to find happiness.
Simon Graber is a widower with a teenage son. Stella Schmucker is an Amish “doctor” using holistic and natural remedies. When their paths cross, get ready for a bumpy ride!
Mindy Steele added in many herbal remedies. I learned so much from reading this book. Many thanks to the author for a complimentary copy of the book. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

READ THIS IF YOU
Like Amish fiction
Enjoy complicated relationships
Want a “feel good” read

#CourtingAnAmishBishop #MindySteele #NetGalley #AmishFiction #BookLove #BooksSetInKentucky #Bookstagram #NewBook #ILoveBooks

Courting an Amish Bishop by Mindy Steele is a sweet heart-felt story of love and second chances.

Simon is the widower Bishop and Stella is the Doc from the neighboring community enlisted to heal his son and the community from the flu. Simon and Stella are overcoming past hurts, learning to trust God’s direction, hope and to love again.

This is book four of the Heart of the Amish series but can be read as a standalone and I highly recommend if you like Amish Romance.

I received a complimentary copy of this e-book from NetGalley and Barbour Publishing. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

5 stars, Bishops are people too

Thinking of a Bishop of an Amish church and community, and I start getting nervous. Bishops are highly respected and full of knowledge, yet they are ordinary men.

As much as Simon Gruber tries to fight it, he finds himself pushed back into situations with Stella Schmucker. Stella is a herbalist from a nearby community and Simon's community is in need of a healer. Simon is a widower, Stella has never been married.

Stella tries to fight her feelings as well, but when the Lord has something in mind for you, you'd be better off accepting it, rather than fighting against it.

Highly Recommend. One of my most favorite bible verses is included in this book. "There is a time for everything under the sun," Ecclesiastes 3:1.

Quotable Quotes: "Eight hundred dollars a pound was the going price." Nothing that I could ever afford. "Jewelweed, a preventative and a cure for poison ivy." We use it too. "Pretty as a rose petal." Lovely.

My favorite characters are Stella, Ellie, Simon, and Michael.

I am thankful to have received a complimentary copy of #CourtingAnAmishBishop from #BarbourPublishing #BarbourFiction #Mindy Steele #NetGalley I was not obligated to post a review.

#TheHeartoftheAmishSeries
1. The Flower Quilter by Mindy Steele
2. Ruth’s Ginger Snap Surprise by Anne Blackburne
3. The Quilt Room Secret by Lisa Jones Baker
4. Courting an Amish Bishop by Mindy Steele

#ChristianRomance #InspyFiction #womensfiction #AmishFiction #ContemporaryRomance #QuotableQuotes #Herbalists #NaturalHealing

Courting an Amish Bishop by Mindy Steele is the fourth book in the Heart of the Amish series. To me, this was a really fun story. I wish there would be another book to continue the story!

Stella Schmucker is a single woman who uses herbs to heal peop;e. Some people call her Doc. Simon Graber is a widower with one son,, and he's also the bishop of Cherry Grove, KY. When sickness comes to his community, he seks out Stella's help, even though she lives in a different community. As Simon gets to know her better, he becomes more and more fascinated with Stella, and she, with him. Will these two servants of God be able to leave behind their pasts and embark on a bright new future together?

If you're an Amish fiction fan, you definitely won't want to miss this book!

Thank you to Barbour Pusblishing and #NetGalley for an arc e-copy of this book.

All opinions expressed herein are strictly my own.

#CourtingAnAmishBishop #NetGalley