Member Reviews
A heartwarming and beautifully written novel and a great addition to the series. The story captures the essence of Amish life and love. The writing is rich in detail and very well researched, immersing the reader in the close knit Amish community. Stella and Simon cross paths and find each other as well as themselves.
Many thanks to Barbour Publishing and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.
a sweet love story. Becoming a widow early in life was never what Simon thought for himself. As he navigates life as a young widow and bishop he finds contentment. Marriage was always on the back burner, However love comes his way when he looks at another who has spent her life giving and serving others.
A great Amish love story! Perfect for anyone who loves this type of book. Unique and delightful to read!
This fun Amish story is a bit different than your typical Amish tale from their everyday lives. In this novel we have a single woman who helps others with her natural healing methods, whom the nearby widowed bishop escorts around to the homes of ill members in his community. Of course, this presents opportunities for them to get to know each other but also to gain criticism from those observing them. Their situation offers plenty of occasions for drama and tension, making the tale an intriguing reading experience. The unique characters come across as realistic, and the book’s plot seems believable and engages the reader. For those who enjoy a sweet romance or a second chance love story, this book fills the bill. I also appreciate faith-based fiction for an uplifting read. This would make an interesting book club selection. I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are my own. #CourtinganAmishBishop #NetGalley
Simon Graber is an Amish bishop in Cherry Grove who has lost his wife and two of his kids. Stella Schmucker is a young woman Doc from walnut ridge who helps and heals people by using natural herbs and plants. Her parents never showed her love that she needed from them growing up and her brothers were mean to her. She moved in and took care of her grandparents when they got sick. Simon’s Son Micheal starts to feel sick so Simon goes to get Stella to see if she can help him and some more of the people in his community who are feeling/getting sick too. Simon and Stella’s friendship grows more every day and eventually they fall in love and decide to get married. This is a great story about friendship, family, healing, and finding love again no matter your age and what you have been through in your life. This is the 4th book of The Heart Of The Amish book series. Thank you to Netgalley and Barbour Publishing for giving me the opportunity to read and review a ARC of this book.
4.5 stars
I thoroughly enjoyed Courting an Amish Bishop by Mindy Steele. The writing voice, the characters, the subplots, the setting, the wit, and the romance all just really ‘clicked’ with me and kept me turning the pages with a smile on my face.
Stella’s knowledge of herbal remedies – balanced with her support of traditional medicine when needed – and her compassionate heart endeared her to me right away, but there are some deep-seeded layers of hurt in her backstory that make her even more compelling. The author crafts Stella’s story with lots of grace and lots of heart, and seeing her inadvertently become part of the Cherry Grove community was so fun. And Simon… I absolutely adored watching Simon come to life again as he fell in love with Stella. He has unimaginable pain in his story too, and he has his hands full as a bishop in a community with a couple of particularly difficult people. But seeing a twinkle in his eyes, watching him joke with his brother and his teenage son (whom I also adored), and observing his gradual (and often begrudging) affection for Ellie, too, just made my heart grin so big. Oh, Ellie! I enjoyed the love story between Simon and Ellie (Stella’s completely awesome dog) almost as much as I did the one between Simon and Stella haha!
Bottom Line: What a delightful story this was! With a fan-inducing first kiss that had my heart all twitterpated! Simon and Stella were such layered characters, and I loved watching their instant attraction slowly turn into a deep love. Author Mindy Steele also filled Courting an Amish Bishop with engaging supporting characters (like even Ellie the dog) and compelling side stories (like Carl) that had me fully invested in this community along with the romance I was originally here for. Humor and heart both characterize this charming story, and I hope we get to see Simon and Stella again.
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
My Thoughts
Courting an Amish Bishop is written by Mindy Steele. This is book four in the Heart of the Amish Series. I’ve not read the whole series and I had no issues following along. I really loved these characters. Simon is a widower. He lost his wife and two of his children to a motor vehicle accident. He’s struggling to understand Gods plans for him. Stella is a herbal healer. I really appreciated all the details on how different herbs can do different things. I started my natural journey this year and I’m so fascinated with what plants and herbs can do.
Stella’s services are called upon when the flu hits Amish country in Cherry Grove Kentucky. She goes without hesitation. She’s not had an easy life. She grew up in a household where love wasn’t shown to her. She found her refuge at her grandparents and when they passed she was able to stay in their home. She enjoys being self sufficient. She’s worried that her bishop will give her an ultimatum and force her to marry.
I really liked that the characters were older. They were not perfect and they had some hurt and pain they had to work through. The book is well written. I will be going back and reading the previous stories.
Thank you to the author, publisher and Celebrate Lit for allowing me to read a copy of this book. All thoughts are my own.
Another wonderful story written by Mindy Steele. Mindy Steele is one of my favorite authors and this story shows how herbs can help cure and about a second chance at love.
This is one of my favorite books by this author. The characters are fantastic, there’s a touch of sadness, loneliness but ultimately love.
The story moved at a great pace, it was never boring and I really cared about the characters.
My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the copy. Opinions are my own.
You are never too young or old for second chances. A big lesson the two main characters had to learn through misunderstandings and words not spoken. I took to Stella right off. She had a rough growing up with no love but only hardships from her family. She learned all she could about natural healing and foraging for medicines found in nature. Most she learned from her grandparents after moving to live with them. An understanding came to me that man has much to learn about what God has made available to heal ills that brings humans down.
Stella also learned much from Bishop Simon Graber. He too suffered tremendous loss in his life after losing his wife and two of his children. Though hard, life continues and God has plans for those who pray and then listen to him.
Ellie made a fun addition to the story as Stella’s companion and best friend. A friend that would never let her down. I enjoyed this book so much and was a bit disappointed that it seemed to end so abruptly. A fast read for me and so enjoyable!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through Celebrate Lit but was not required to write a review.
Our world today has forgotten the gift give to them. The blessing of children - men to guide and protect and women to nurture and teach.
Simon Graber a bishop in his community has known loss. The loss of a wife and child. He is thankful the son he has and looks forward for his own son to start a family. He has no interest in remarrying since the loss was painful and his duties now keep him occupied. However, that all changed when he offers Stella Schmucker a place to stay when her own house is destroyed during a storm. She is known as Doc in her own community. The pain from her past has kept her from being available for marriage. Simon finds out quick that Stella is different from other Amish women. Stella is a what I would label as a holistic care giver. Looking at the gifts that God has given in plants and food to heal. Stella comes with her dog Ellie that has been faithful to her. Simon's family - his mother and son accept Stella with open arms and Stella finds a warmth and acceptance that she had never experienced in her own family.
One of the main threads to this romance was the gift of blessings and missing those blessings. God gives us second chances for his purpose and our good. I found Stella and Simon's journey of blessing endearing and hopeful.
A special thank you to Barbour Publishing and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.
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.