I loved reading 'Hunting for a Husband' by Mindy Steele. Characters were very well developed; descriptive words just flowed off the pages into one's subconscious mind to be envisioned as if the reader was there with the characters.

As a reader, I could tell that Mindy Steele had done research to write the storyline and details for her characters. That makes for a nice personal teach for not only her characters but for Mindy's readers as well.

I have enjoyed Mindy Steele coming over to the Amish genre with her stories and I make sure to read her books.

Don't miss out on the other stand-alone from The Heart of the Amish Series:
The Flower Quilter by Mindy Steele
Ruth’s Ginger Snap Surprise by Anne Blackburne
The Quilt Room Secret by Lisa Jones Baker
Courting the Amish Bishop by Mindy Steele
Mary’s Calico Hope by Anne Blackburne
Serenity’s Secret by Lisa Jones Baker
Stolen Kiss by Mindy Steele
Lizzie's Little Mouse by Anne Blackburne


I received a free copy from NetGalley and the author.
This is my review in my own words.

Joe Shetler was all boy. This meant having fun, taking a few risks in the name of fun. But, the fun ended when Joe landed in shallow water and was left paralyzed. Move forward ten years. Joe is happy in his job in his own business that sells outdoor and archery equipment. He thought he'd never marry. Never have children.
Leah Wicky moves to the Amish community with her parents that Joe lives in. Her father sets up a deer farm which isn't a typical business for an Amish man. Leah feels somewhat used as back home she wasted three years on a guy who, in the end, ran off and left the Amish. Her siblings have married and while she is happy for them, she wonders if she will ever find a man who is content with their way of life.
Leah and Joe cross paths and Leah finds herself developing feelings for Joe. Joe has fears of inadequacy due to his handicap. Leah is not bothered by that at all. Joe helps Leah and her family by setting up cameras to catch the poachers on her dad's deer farm.
I, thoroughly, enjoyed their story! Great characters!
I was given an advanced ecopy by the publisher, Barbour Publishing through Netgalley. I was under no obligation to leave a positive review.

Hunting for a Husband is a sweet romance with some twists and turns to make you question whether you’ve got it all figured out. Joe runs a business that specialises in outdoor stuff and archery, etc. Leah and her family move to the arrive and she forms a friendship with Joe.

I loved Leah’s character. Fun fact: her father started a deer farm. We live in the heart of the rural Midwest, and hunting is a huge deal. There are lots of hunting outfits that people pay to come hunt with them on their land. It can get interesting, and there is definitely sometimes tension between the resident hunters and the out-of-towners. Other fun fact, I once bartered part of my midwife fees with a deer that my daughter shot and we processed.

This was such a fun book, and I loved watching Joe and Leah become friends and then maybe more. Plus, the tension and then the twists and turns. You’re going to love this one, so grab your copy today!

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.

Hunting for a Husband is such a sweet Amish romance, full of faith and hope. Both Leah and Joe are relatable characters. I love that bird watching is one of the main things they have in common, since I am an avid birder, myself.

I like that true love sees beyond the outside, such as one's disability, or beyond one's lack of (cooking) abilities, and beyond all the flaws. That demonstrates God's love for each of us.

If you enjoy a sweet Amish romance, be sure to add this one to your TBR list.

Don’t let the title fool you. This finely crafted story explores the lives and desires of two unique Amish individuals. Leah, who has been hurt by a young man she had courted who abandoned her. And Joe, who was injured as a youth and confined to a wheelchair but manages to run his own business. They both long for more, and their lives become interwoven as friendship blossoms between them. In addition to the sweet love story, suspense stalks the novel’s pages, with poachers attacking Leah’s family’s deer farm. The authentic characters and engaging plot drew me into the community and made me feel a part as I witnessed this touching tale unfold. The author did a good job developing a memorable drama that works its way into your heart and mind. I would like to read more books about this extended family. I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are my own. #HuntingforaHusband #NetGalley

A very good example of what the heart feels versus simply physical attraction. Ten years ago Joe did a foolish thing that altered his life. Leah is wondering when will her life mate show up, especially after both her sisters have mates. Their path is brought together during a heavy rain storm.
I followed the progression of their relationship and what had Joe changing his direction about his own life. Heartwarming and feel good story in which I enjoyed getting to know the characters.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through Celebrate Lit but was not required to write a review.

I just love a faith-filled Amish romance! Hunting for a Husband is such a sweet, heartwarming read, with a fresh plot and easy-to-love characters.

I connected with Leah, and my empathy went into overdrive. No wonder she yearned for love! And Joe a genuine guy with unique struggles. Their friendship-into-more journey is paced nicely and gave me the feels.

Witnessing Joe and Leah’s growth is evident and the touches of mystery and family dynamics added to the depth of the book. Such a sweet read. No worries if you haven’t read the other books in the series. This quick read works great on its own.

#CoverLoverBookReview received a review copy of this book. Opinions are 100% my own.

Joe gave up hoping for a future. His future had four wheels.

Leah always dreamed of meeting her future husband. Her family was "Hunting for a Husband" for her. She soon could be called an old maid.

You never know when you can find love. It happens when you least expect it. Leah found Joe attractive. Now all she needed to do was convince him that they could have a future together.

I enjoyed the story. It is not often a main character has physical disabilities. Joe was more than an Amish man in a wheelchair. He was the husband Leah was hunting for. How can she convince him, too?

This was such a sweet story! I couldn't have guessed all the twists and turns awaiting me when I started reading.

Leah is hunting for a husband. Joe wants a wife but doesn't believe that's in his future after an injury leaves him in a wheelchair. As Leah and Joe strike up a friendship, they begin to see each other in a different light. They quickly become each other's daily support, even vowing to marry one another if neither finds a spouse by 30. But as their bond deepens, a threat arises to Leah's family business and another man comes courting. Will Joe and Leah remain just friends?

This was such a heartwarming read. I always enjoy stories set in Amish communities. There’s something peaceful and refreshing about stepping into their world and lifestyle through the pages of a book.

I received a complimentary copy. This review reflects my honest opinion.

Hunting for a Husband, by Mindy Steele, is the ninth book in The Heart of the Amish series. This is a series of stand-alone Amish stories that are written by different authors. Some of the stories do contain the same characters so I found it easier to read the stories in order. However, the authors do a great job of introducing characters and filling in past events. In this story we are introduced to Joe and Leah. Joe owns a local outdoors business and Leah has recently moved to the area with her parents to have a deer farm. While both dream of having a family someday, they feel it won’t happen due to their age and disability.

This is a well written inspirational story that is easy to read. I enjoy how strong Joe is and how hard he has worked to overcome his injury from a swimming accident. I appreciate how Leah feels about her future with how her recent relationship ended and her age. While this story focuses on Joe and Leah, their friendship and growing relationship, it also contains suspense and mystery with events that happen on her family deer farm. I like how the story gives a look into the struggles Joe has with being in a wheelchair, yet it shows how his disability does not stop him from having a full life.

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

When you think you have failed to find what is truly important in life, it finds you.

In the Amish community marriage is a given. It gives purpose for all involved. Leah Wicky wanted and desired that purpose. She saw that in Joe Shelter. Joe had a terrible accident which lead him to be in a wheel chair. His mindset was that he would never be the husband that any Amish would want or deserve. Their story works thru all that and gives more. I enjoyed their story and how it reminded me of what truly is important in life.

A special thank you to Barbour Publishing and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review

I thought this was a good story. I liked how the main characters had had similar experiences and understood each other in ways that others were not able to understand them. I also liked how they encouraged each other to try new things and to be better. I liked that they were a good compliment to each other and were great companions. I liked how they fell in love and how they learned more about their worthy.

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.

This has been such a nice story to read. I appreciate how the author slowly builds a friendship between Joe and Leah. They both have longed to fit in but something holds them back. I like how Joe is able to share things with Leah that isn’t always easy to hear. Forgiveness plays a big part in the story.

I don’t think Leah has ever thought about how she has not forgiven someone that hurt her deeply. It has made her a little unsure of herself. She gets a wake up call when Joe mentions forgiveness, but Leah turns the conversation around on Joe instead of taking responsibility for her feelings. To be fair , Joe still has bitterness about his accident. Two lonely people who share a common thread make this a great teaching moment for readers.

The author delivers a wonderful story that shares how two people learn to trust God more and find happiness. I like how the characters are relatable and shares issues that we face as well. For Joe it’s a lesson in trusting God and not giving up. Leah struggles with finding someone who will love her and believe in herself.

“If we have joy in the morning, we will have peace in the night.”

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.

Hunting for a Husband by Mindy Steele was an absolute delight from beginning to end. I loved watching Leah and Joe together—going from strangers to friends to more—all while navigating some atypical and quirky situations that made the story even more fun!

Leah was a relatable and well-written heroine, and the chemistry between her and Joe was sweet and slow-building, making their romance feel authentic and deeply satisfying. A little suspense and medical drama in the second half added a surprising layer of depth and kept things really moving, making it impossible to put down.

Mindy Steele has a way of weaving humor and heart with a strong thread of faith, reminding readers that God’s timing and plans are always better than our own. If you enjoy clean romance with a splash of sass, a dash of mischief, and a whole lot of heart, Hunting for a Husband is one you won’t want to miss!

I am starting to collect Mindy Steele books, and I couldn’t be happier. I can’t even begin to tell you all of the emotions that I felt reading this book—or maybe it was all of them.

This is the story of Leah Wickey, who’s been unlucky in love. She wants a husband but also wants to make sure that she’s picking the right guy for her after having been left by a man she spent three years with. When she moved to Kentucky, she met Joe Shetler, and they quickly became friends. Joe wasn’t necessarily unlucky in love. He was afraid to try love after an accident left him unable to walk at the age of 15. He felt that being married and having a family wasn’t really in his future, but the more he and Leah got to know each other, the more he started changing his mind about the way he thought about things.

Oh, there were so many things that I loved about this book. One thing was that I learned more about the Amish faith—things that I didn’t know before. They could be unique to the Kentucky Amish, but I enjoyed learning them. Joe’s acceptance and non-acceptance of his disability is so clear. On one hand, he was upbeat and quick-witted, but he also had thoughts about himself that really weren’t true. He let his disability define him.

Leah often made me laugh. She said she didn’t have a list of what the perfect man would look like, but she kept ticking off imaginary checkboxes in her head when she would meet men or would make references to the fact that they wouldn’t mark off the box. It’s a good thing that she had this nonexistent list, because she kept checking off more and more boxes whenever she thought of Joe.

I saw themes of discerning God‘s will for yourself, learning to trust—not only others but yourself—and acceptance of who people are deep down, not on a superficial level. It was a fictional story that didn’t take me long to read because it was so good and really came at a time when I needed it most. Not necessarily for the strong Christian themes, which I, of course, always love to have in my books, but because it really made me feel. It really brought out true emotion, and for those of us who really love happily ever afters, you won’t be able to stop smiling with this one.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Joe Shetler made a decison ten years ago that would change his life forever, Leah Wicky has not only moved with her family to a whole other state but she has found that her three year courtship was leading no where. Neither is sure what the future might hold. A chance encounter brings the two together. Will this start a beautiful friendship or will this lead to a nowhere path? I was very glad that Leah received her own story after watching her two sisters find happily ever after. I hope that the author expands the series to include the rest of the siblings. I received a copy through Netgalley. A review was not required.

A New Home

Leah's boyfriend of three years has dumped her, then her dad decided to move them hundreds of miles away. Leah misses her best friend, and her two recently married sisters who did not make the move with them.

Only in her early twenties, her Amish community is beginning to look at Leah as a spinster. She has had trouble fitting in. Leah has made one good friend, Joe, a man who is wheelchair bound. They understand each other in ways no one else does, and they both love watching birds together.

Then tragedy strikes when Leah is attacked, and the prized deer they raise are hurt. Maybe the family made a mistake moving. Joe believes his growing love for Leah is useless if he can't protect her.

This tale has lots going on, including the problems of someone who is disabled, and the rejections they face. This is not just a serious story, there are fun and humorous things going on throughout it, along with the mystery of who is behind the attack.

This book will grab your interest from the first page, and I highly recommend this five-star book.

Thanks to Barbour Books for providing Tickmenot with a book to review. Opinions are my own.

In my review of Mindy Steele’s novella in the A Lancaster Amish Christmas anthology, I wondered if we would see Leah Wickey again. After all, her two sisters Beth and Louise got their respective love stories in that novella but poor Leah needed a happily-ever-after too. And I’m delighted to report that we get to watch her fall in love with a worthy hero at last in Hunting for a Husband – complete with a fun meet-cute that’s definitely original!

Speaking of original… so is Leah’s family’s form of livelihood – a deer farm. Not the usual type of farm in Amish fiction, or any other genre for that matter, and I enjoyed the unique elements it added to the plot. Something else that sets this story apart is Joe Shetler, the man who captures Leah’s heart. We don’t see many heroes (Amish or otherwise) in a wheelchair, and we don’t see many Amish men running outdoors shops or making archery bows, but Joe is all of the above and just an all-around good guy too. He and Leah form a sweet friendship that gradually turns into more, but there are of course some bumps in the road to an HEA, obstacles that add dimension and reflection to the journey. Though this Kentucky community IS full of mostly good and genuine (though not perfect) people, this isn’t a novel set in a ‘rosy Amish utopia’. Steele instead treats us to a layered story that explores the flaws and insecurities of its characters as much as it does the strengths and the successes, and this is exactly how I prefer my Amish fiction.

Bottom Line: Hunting for a Husband is another delightful novel by Mindy Steele, and I continue to enjoy her warm writing voice and likable characters. Leah and Joe have aspects to their lives that make them different from the typical Amish couple and all the more fun to watch as they go from strangers to friends to people in love. A dash of suspense and some medical drama kept the anticipation high in the last half of the novel and kept me invested in the outcome of more than just the romance. I really loved getting to know Leah and Joe and their families better, and now I’m hoping we see more of Leah’s brothers in future books too! Whether you’re already a fan of this author or just discovering her books, make sure that Hunting for a Husband is on your TBR list!

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)

Joe Shetler has been paralyzed after an unfortunate accident and spends his life in a wheelchair, often wondering if he could ever have a normal life of love and marriage.

Leah Wickey moves to the area with her family so her dad can have a deer farm.

Leah and Joe meet by accident and become close friends. Poachers come to the deer farm and after Lean is attacked, Joe realizes he cannot protect her. He is so upset and figures Leah will not have anything to do with him.

This is a book about hope, understanding and love. I highly recommend it to those who like to read Amish books.

Thanks to Barbour Publishing and NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book.

Hunting for a Husband by Mindy Steele

Rating: Four Stars

Language/Profanity: None

Faith: Praying; faith; going to church;

Romance/Sex: Falling in love; wanting to marry; wanting to kiss; kissing (Very light).

Violence ect.: Knocked out.

Other: None

Part of a Series: A part of the Heart of the Amish multi author series..

Synopsis:

Thoughts:
I really liked this story, the characters and the mystery, and also the glimpse into how the Amish live, and their different rules for each community. I like how Leah wasn't like a lot of other women in books. In the other book it seems like if something happens because people weren't careful then the woman holds anger and a grudge until the guy can convince her through lots of trying that they are sorry. Leah on the other hand had this very wise thought.

Accidents happen

That is what made me really like her.
I also liked Joe, and how he still looked on the bright side of things and didn't just sit around after the accident, but proved that he could do things on his own. Though he was giving off serious vibes of the guy on a roof while the flood waters are rising. The guy is asking God for help but won't take the help of the boat that comes by. Eventually though, Joe learned that God can show His will though people.

*Slight Spoiler ahead, if you want to read it it is Written backwards*

I od hsiw taht eh dah denreal taht eh t'ndid deen ot klaw ot eb a dnabsuh, dna daetsin deyats woh eh saw. Esuaceb ton enoyreve lliw eb elba ot klaw niaga, dna ti smees, ni a yaw, ot ecrofne eht thguoht taht uoy deen ot klaw ot eb a danbsuh.

*End spoiler*

By the way, it feels like the spoiler took longer to write than any of my other thoughts....

Over all. I really like this book, and think sometime I'll read the author's other works.

Bible Verse
Isaiah 64:8 KJV
[8] But now, O LORD, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand.