The story hooked me from the beginning with the love between Annie and Levi. Their love was so pure and true. It is the kind of love everyone wants in their life. As a reader, you can't help but tell them out loud to fight for their love. At the same time you are telling them to trust God as he already knows the plans he has for them.

The author does a tremendous job in talking about faith, scripture and God without pushing it down the readers throat. That is a big plus for me in Christian fiction.

Lisa Jones Baker is a new to me Amish author and she will now be in my rotation. I've already marked the first book of the Hope Chest of Dreams series as a book I want to read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for an advanced copy to read for my honest review.

Annie's Recipe book two from the Hope Chest of Dreams series. I enjoyed the first story in the series but enjoyed this one so much more. Looking forward to reading the third book, Rachel's Dream when it releases. Five stars

First things First:

Sponge Cake

1 cup cake flour
6 medium eggs, separated
1 cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp lemon extract
1/4 cup cold water
1 tsp cream of tartar

(frosting optional)

Set oven to 325 degrees ten minutes before baking. Use an UNGREASED 10" tube pan. Sift flour, measure, resift 3 times. Put egg whites into a mixing bowl. Put yolks into a separate bowl. Gradually beat in half of the sugar (1/2 cup) with a rotary beater until so thick beater is difficult to turn, at least 5 minutes. With a wooden spoon, beat in flavorings. Now add flour and water alternately in 3 or 4 portions, beating vigorously after each. Now sift cream of tartar over whites and beat with clean rotary beater until stiff enough to form soft, shiny peaks, then add rest of sugar gradually and beat until shiny meringue forms pointed peaks that curve at the tips. Use a rubber scraper to quickly fold yolks mixture into the whites lightly but thoroughly. Now flow batter into pan. Bake cake on bottom rack 1 hour or until it springs back when touched lightly with finger. Remove from oven; invert at once over large funnel or bottle if pan does not stand on tube or side supports. When cool, remove from pan like Angel Food. Frosting is optional

Lisa Jones Baker has written an intriguing tale of an Amish girl and an Amish guy who have loved each other since they were children. The girl, Annie, has become very accomplished at making sponge cakes, but the guy, Levi, has moved away from the Amish settlement in Illinois because his father was shunned for driving a truck for his business. A wedding brought the two back together, and their love is no less than it was years ago. The differences in their beliefs appear insurmountable, yet, they continue to pursue the relationship--seemingly with no effort of their own. Annie knows that she wants to be Amish, but she wants Levi, and she wants to do the right thing. However, the right thing can be obscured in man-made rules and regulations.

Annie's Recipe is a book that is not to be missed by Amish fiction lovers. Five Stars, Two Thumbs Up, and a well-prepared sponge cake for your cup of tea.

My thanks to Zebra Books for allowing me to read and review this book.

Lisa Jones Baker is a new to me author. I love trying new to me authors because you never know when you'll find a real winner. I sure found one here! I absolutely loved this book. Annie and Levi were inseparable as children but when his father got shunned in the Amish church they left the community.
10 years later Levi, returns for a wedding and Annie. is surprised the connection they still have as their relationship eases back into their old friendship. Soon each is dreaming of a life with the other in it and these dreams include marriage and children. In Levi's 10 year absence he became an Englisher and she is still an Amish girl. God's will and second chances make for a compassionate story you will treasure and want to read more than once.
I highly recommend this book to lovers of Amish fiction.
Publication date February 28,2017.
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for a complimentary copy in exchange
for my honest review.

I really liked this Amish book. It is the story of Annie and Levi. They were school age friends who enjoyed each others company. They loved going to Pebble Creek. Levi's father got shunned and they left in a hurry and they never got to say goodbye. Ten years later Levi attends a wedding and they meet. It is a story of two different worlds. One Amish and and one English. They fall in love but there cultures hold them back because they do not want to leave there world and what they were raised in.

Lisa Jones Baker is a newcomer to the Amish genre, and an excellent storyteller! In "Annies' Recipe, I enjoyed the chance to see how Rebecca and William and "Old Sam" are doing, and to get an up close look at Annie, a young Amish lady reunited at 18 with her best childhood friend Levi after a ten year separation. Annie and Levi were inseparable as children, until his family suddenly left the community after a shunning. Shunning, one of the hardest aspects to really understand about the Amish, is an occurrence I have learned the Amish strive hard to avoid. Levi returns to the community his father left, for a family wedding and encounters Annie. For the two friends, time falls away while they catch up on each others' lives and thoughts. This happens amidst the great concern of Annie's family, especially her mother. Her mother is concerned Annie will decide to leave the Amish as she is still in Rumspringa. Annie and Levi are both greatly torn over their feelings for each other and whether they can find a way to spend the rest of their lives together. They share a beautiful and deep friendship and respect for each other, out of which has grown a deep love. I could NOT put this down! I highly recommend!