Amy Lillard writes Amish Fiction and this latest offering is such a quick read, I finished it in little over an hour. This is different from most Amish romances that are available and that alone makes it worth reading. The story tells of a marriage on the brink of breaking and how it finally is healed. Amy explores the emotions of breaking hearts and how those hearts come back together. It's also the story of a goat who creates trouble within this marriage.

This book also shows how important it is to have a group of trusted people around a marriage who help bolster it up. In almost every book I read, there is a take-home point. This is the point in Amy's book.

This is a five star quick read, two thumbs up, and a goat to add chaos to your life

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

I found reading about Tess and Jacob’s marital problems to be refreshing. I think we hold Amish couples to this high standard and forget that they can have issues just like any married couple. It was nice to see a realistic couple with realistic problems. I have seen Amish people having Facebook accounts, though they are typically the young ones who are not yet married – but I think in this day and age it is probably something that is more common than we realize. I thought this was a great addition to the storyline.

My favorite quote in the book was “Just because we marry forever doesn’t mean we don’t have problems. It’s how we handle our problems that sets us apart.” Such a great statement that I feel applies to many couples, not just Amish ones. I read this statement a few times to let the words sink in and speak to my heart. What a refreshing lesson to learn!

This was a wonderful short story that will give you hope and a reminder to see the good in what we already have. I hope you’ll come away as encouraged as I did! I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

After reading More Than a Marriage I truly believe if I am to continue reading Amy Lillard’s books I need to learn to speed read. She creates stories that I just can’t read fast enough to find out what will happen next. I devoured this book in one sitting.

Tess and Jacob, the Amish couple in this book, have problems that any married couple could have. The difference is in how they handle the problems and I think Amy gives us a realistic, inside view of Amish life and marriage. I was cheering this couple on and hoping they could find their happily ever after.

This novella has all the elements of a novel: developed characters, engaging storyline, and a wonderful message. So set aside a couple of hours to read More Than a Marriage. You’ll be glad you did.

I received a free copy of this book from the author and was not required to write a review. All opinions are mine.

As a reader of many Amish novels, I found this one very different. I'm sure Amish couples have their share of problems but this story was not as believable as others. Jacob and Tess did not seem like a couple married for almost three years. Neither communicated very well and Jacob seemed clueless about his marriage. It was just an okay book.

EXCERPT

"NO"! Not until he realized that their marriage was in trouble, that they needed to work on it. That he needed to get rid of his phone and pay more attention to what really mattered.

Find out why, Jacob and Tess's marriage is heading down a dangerous path, in Amy Lillard's "More Than A Marriage" Wells Landing Series.

MY THOUGHTS

In this incredible read, Lillard brings to real life situations into the lives of a young amish couple Jacob and Tess. As you read through this story you find yourself relating to this couple and wanting them to find their way back to each other and to the marriage they once had.

The ability of this story to be so relatable will capture your heart. Lillard has a way of bringing these real-life situation to the surface is not afraid to show that the Amish, have problems much like those aren't Amish experience. Lillard brings a universal theme to this story, and reminds us how important it is not to compare our life situations to others, how dangerous it is in doing so. I loved the way Lillard shows that God has a plan and purpose for each of our lives, and when we begin to embrace that, everything else starts to make sense.


I was given a copy of this book for my review which I have given.

More Than a Marriage is book three in Quilting Circle novella series by Amy Lillard.
I just could not put this book down when I started it, it was just that good. It's wonderful going back and visiting with Lillard's characters in Wells Landing.
Newly married for just 3 years, Tess feels neglected. She hasn't gotten pregnant yet and her goats are like her babies. Her husband demands she get rid of them because in his words, thy are more trouble that they are worth. He works for an Englisher roofing company and spends so many hours at work so she feels lonely. He also has a cell phone which he spends so much time on in the evening instead of playing games with her like they used to. His facebook account is just another reason she feels like they have grown apart. Feeling sorry for herself she feels the need to take a break and goes to stay with a married friend of hers. Her husband visits her there and her friend tries to get her back with her husband. Does it work? Will their marriage be a success?
I suggest you read this enjoyable and inspiring book to find out.
Pub Date 28 Feb 2017.
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for providing me with a review copy for my honest opinion.

Here's another story from Wells Landing by Amy Lillard. More Than a Marriage has the main characters questioning their life, their marriage, and their faith. Yes, even the Amish go through these same life questions like we do.

Tess and Jacob Smiley have been married for three years as their story comes to life for us in "More Than a Marriage". They both feel that their marriage is not where it should be. Read how Tess and Jacob reconnect with each other in this short story.

Amy Lillard keeps us, readers, on the edge of our seats as we are reading; love when authors do that! Amy's characters come to life right off the pages. Her characters go through real life struggles as us humans do. I look forward to reading more books by Amy Lillard in the future.

I received a free copy from NetGalley with the only request to write an honest review about the book. No money was exchanged. This is my review written in my own words.

More Than a Marriage is a great read. I enjoyed Tess and Jacob's story.
Highly recommended.
5+ stars

This story is about Tess and Jacob. They married and have started a new life away from her family but near Jacob’s. They are renting a farm until they have enough money for a farm of their own.

Tess sees her marriage starting to fail. Jacob works long hour for an English company and when he gets home at night, he plays on his cell phone, games or Facebook. Tess feels neglected but never says anything, just goes about her daily chores and taking care of her little goats. Jacob doesn’t even know Tess feels this way.

Tess see her friends with their loving home and family and she wants that. That adds to her feelings of neglect, and that perhaps Jacob doesn’t love her anymore. When her little goats get out yet again, Jacob tells Tess he is selling or giving her little goats away, that is it, she has had enough. Tess packs up and heads to a friend’s house until she can arrange a ride back home. Her friends try to get her to stay and work things out. Jacob still doesn’t understand what has happened. Tess’s heart is broken. She wonders what will happen now and she prays for guidance. So many questions going through her mind. Will they be able to work things out ? Does she want to work things out ? Does Jacob still love her ??

Amy is a great writer, you will feel every emotion that Tess and Jacob feel. You will not want to stop reading. I highly recommend this book..

The story of Tess and Jacob of Well's Landing drew me in immediately. I understood and remembered the feelings of a young couple new in their marriage. Insecurities, jealous feelings you may have of other marriage couples, and lack of communication, are issues that are addressed.

Clara Rose was my favorite character. She wasn't afraid to help Tess and Jacob in their marriage. She asks the right questions and tried not to interfere too much. She spoke to Tess gently about second chances.


Along the way Amy Lillard had me laughing and then the next minute stomping my foot along with Tess. More Than a Marriage is a great reminder that we are all human and everything may not be as it seems.


Wonderful read!

I was pleased to continue to read about the wonderful members in Wells Landing Quilting Circle, that are the primary characters in the novella series, The Quilting Circle Novella series by Amy Lillard. Tess and Jacob Smiley are the primary characters in More Than a Marriage.

Jacob’s family resides in Wells Land while Tess’s family remained in Clairta. Tess wanted to live a simple life while Jacob was becoming more absorbed into the Englisher life with him working for a roofing company. He was more focus on his cell phone than listening to Tess when they did have time alone. There were great struggles and Tess felt like she was all alone when she would see her quilting circle friends and their happiness being married. Marriage takes work and Tess felt as if she had done all she could to have Jacob’s attention. When Jacob mentioned selling her goats---well that was the end for Tess. She was going to leave and return to her family in Clairta. She spent time with Clare Rose and Ollie. Will this happily married couple be able to assist Tess and Jacob in seeing one another in a new light? What will happen to Tess’s goats while she is staying with Clare Rose? Will love cover a multitude of misunderstanding? Will forgiveness and their first love be reunited?

Readers will enjoy reading More Than a Promise. It’s a quick read that kept me reeled in until I knew what was going to become of this young couple. The action is steady and descriptive with emotions going different direction. This story is filled with faith, misunderstanding, healing, romance and trust.

I received a complimentary e-copy from Net Galley and was not required to write a positive review. I have shared my honest opinion of this novella.

I am thrilled to be back in Well Landing, and visiting the Amish Community there, and in particular we visit with Tess and Jacob Smiley, and their marriage problems.
Wait you begin to think, there can’t be marriage problems in an Amish marriage, but oh yes, they are human, and like us all we all perceive things differently. Both feel the other spouse is ignoring them, and they are not appreciated, and the other doesn’t do enough, or do they.
Tess is ready to throw in towel and go home to mother, ah so typical or old fashioned, but in reality can these two work out their problems? Yes, they do have some, but so does everyone; it is just how you respond to them that makes the difference.
While we are enjoying or working on Jacob and Tess’s problems we met up with old friends and become updated on the goings on of the folks we have come to love, and although you don’t have to have read the other books in this series to enjoy this one, you may want to for enjoyment. Oh yes, the twins have been born.
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Kensington, I was not required to give a positive review.

Jacob and Tess are a married Amish couple. Jacob works for a roofing company. Who owns the company? What does Jacob spend most of his time doing when he is at home? How does Tess feel about that? What does she ask of Jacob? Why does Jacob think she has changed when they're on their way one Sunday to visit his parents? What rash decision does Tess make when all she and Jacob seem to do is argue recently? The last argument with him telling her he will either sell or give away her goats? How does she feel about that? This was a heart breaking story at times, and then made me smile at others. You're going to have to read this book to see if it ends with an HEA or not.

RECEIVED THIS BOOK AS A GIFT FOR A FAIR/HONEST REVIEW and REVIEWER FOR Bloggin' With M. Brennan.

What a touching and enjoyable story! "More than a Marriage" brings the reader in to Jacob and Tess Smiley's home, and shows us a look at the unique issues that modern day young Amish couples face, when they are allowed to have cell phones in the house, and how use of smart phones interferes with their time as a couple. Tess is resentful of Jacob's time on the cell phone at night, and Jacob resents Tess focusing on care of her goats and the products she makes with the milk. Tess also greatly misses her family, and feels Jacob has kept her from visiting, while he insists on always seeing his family. Tension rises and erupts, leading Tess to decide to leave and stay at a friends home before returning to her parents in a nearby town. The friends, Clara Rose and Obie, are concerned for Tess and Jacob's marriage and try to find ways to keep Tess in town so she and Jacob can work out their differences. This is especially important in an Amish community as marriage is forever. This is a beautiful story of relationships and community that I wholeheartedly recommend.

This is novella 3 of a 3 part series by Amy Lillard. All of Amy's Amish books are great and this novella is no exception. The story is about Tess and Jacob Smiley, newlyweds in Wells Landing, Oklahoma.

Tess is finding that Jacob is no longer the husband he once was and is not giving her the attention and time that she needs. And to make matters worse, the English company he works for provides him with a cell phone that seems more interesting to him than does Tess. As she watches her married couple friends, she longs for the attention those husbands share with their wives. She decides to take a stand and hopes that this will make him think about what he is really missing.

I really enjoyed this novella and the fact that Tess didn't just let her marriage slide. Rather she made several suggestions to her husband, which went unheeded. So she must take stronger measures, which she does. Will these measures bring them together or pull them apart?

I highly recommend this book. It is hard to put it down once you have started reading it.

I was given an ebook version for my honest review from NetGalley which I have done.

I love going back to Wells Landing and finding out what is going on with this tight knit group. I love how the author writes about people and situations that some of us have had to deal with. We all want our spouses to give us attention and listen to us. Sometimes we can feel left out and our mind starts to convince us that we aren't happy in our marriage.

Tess is such a sweet woman who wants to be the perfect wife for her husband Jacob. I found myself really seeing myself in her. At the beginning of my marriage I thought I was doing everything right. I slowly let little things start to bother me and found myself thinking my husband didn't want to be with me anymore. I loved when Tess was talking to Jacob and says, " Were you even listening to me?" "Of course I was ." Jacob frowned. " I just didn't hear what you said." I thought that was a brilliant come back and made me realize how many times I've asked my husband the same question. Jacob was listening to her voice but he sure wasn't concentrating on what Tess was saying.

Jacob is a very hardworking man who adores his wife. He does seem to pay a lot of attention to his cell phone. Every time he looked at the cell phone I could feel Tess tense up. She began to wonder why the phone was more important than her. The author did a great job of showing both sides in the marriage and it sure opened my eyes to some things in my own life. I complain about my hubby not spending time with me because he is always watching the news. What I failed to remember is that I usually have my nose stuck in a book and barely glance at him when he comes home.

One of the most important things the author shows us is through Tess. She is always comparing her marriage to others. Sometimes we forget that we need to be content with what we have. Will Jacob and Tess be able to find happiness in their marriage? Should Tess be comparing her marriage to her friends marriage? The story is so beautifully written and I loved the characters so much. The author does a great job of showing readers that marriage isn't always easy. There has to be compromise and communication . This book was very hard to put down and I loved how the story was engaging . This is one story that I found myself completely mesmerized by and thought the story line was written with such eloquence.

"Don't let your pride get in the way of your marriage. "

I received a copy of this book from the author. The review is my own opinion.

More Than a Marriage made you really think. For Tess love of her life Jacob is changing. first moves her away from all her family has no friends new beginning. Jacob is gone a lot working and when he is home his attentions are not on her but a stupid smart phone and Facebook. Then looking around to other couples and having babies and they been married 3 years and no boppi. She is getting more envious as each day goes. Then its those darn goats. A girl can only take so much! Tess has made up her mind she has had enough! Jacob is at odds he can't figure her out. Whats the big deal. He then takes it serious when she walks out the door. Can they be reunited? Great book. Amy is a great writer. Writes wonderful stories of love and faith. You just got to fall in love with the characters. She keeps you flipping pages.

More Than A Marriage (Quilting Circle Novella )
By Amy Lillard
More Than a Marriage is book three in Quilting Circle novella series by Amy Lillard. Lillard drew me into the story right at the start and had me hooked till the end. There were times when I had tears in my eyes and I could not read fast enough to see what was going to happen next. The author weaves a story about romance , faith , and trust. This is Tess and Jacob’s story.Tess is not happy with her marriage. She sees her friends together and she wants what they have .Tess feels that her husband is not paying her enough attention. He works for the English and has a smart phone that stays glued to his ear all the time. She does not like this and she has had enough and takes matters into her hands. What will become of Tess and Jacob’s marriage? Can they get their problems worked out? Is it to late for them?
I was given a complimentary copy of this book by the author and NetGalley, but was not told that I had to give a positive review. All opinions are my own.

More than a Marriage is part of the Quilting Circle series. I have enjoyed this series. Amy Lillard has a way of drawing readers into her stories. Her characters are well developed and her story lines are well researched. More than a Marriage covers an issue that is not often thought about when one thinks of Amish and marriage vows. I was delightfully surprised at how she approached this topic. Her plot takes us to the story of Tess and her husband Jacob. They are new to the community of Wells Landing. This community has a way of helping their own. They are a growing community that has somewhat embraced new ideas and technology while still trying to stay within the community rules. Will Tess and Jacob be able to reconcile their conflicts both in their marriage and in the community? I received a copy through Netgalley. The review and feedback were of my own doing.

More Than a Marriage
Amy Lillard
Book Review: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ❣
I was looking for something different when I requested this book (via Netgalley), and that's what I got. It is a short story about the difficulties of making a marriage work. More Than a Marriage is the first book I have read by this author, and it was a sweet read. After reading other reviews on Goodreads, I have realised this is book 3 in a series called The Quilting Circle.

Tess and Jacob both have the same end goals and love each other. They are part of the Amish population; however, Jacob finds he needs to obtain work outside their community. His job is stressful, and Jacob finds himself using the modern world to comfort his needs. Tess likes the simple life and wants to enjoy it with her husband, but he's always too busy with his phone. They have to work through the struggle of marriage and find what they truly want.

4.5 stars out of 5. The only criticism I have for this book is that I'd have liked it to be longer.

*I was gifted this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*

Kindle Edition £1.49
Expected publication: February 28th, 2017