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

Courting an Amish Bishop by Mindy Steele is a heartwarming tale that blossoms like a wildflower in the beautiful countryside. While the story unfolds within the close-knit Amish community, its themes of self-discovery, forgiveness, and embracing God's plan resonate universally.

The narrative centers around the captivating journey of Stella, a young woman grappling with societal expectations and her own blossoming faith. By her side, ever faithful, is Ellie, a lovable canine companion who offers Stella unwavering support and furry cuddles. As she navigates the complexities of courting the Bishop Simon Graber, a respected leader wrestling with his own internal struggles, the story gently reminds us of the transformative power of following God's path.

Drawing readers into the quiet beauty of Amish life Steele avoids stereotypes, instead portraying the characters with depth and compassion. Their struggles with faith, doubt, and the desire to belong feel genuine, allowing readers to connect with their journeys.

Courting an Amish Bishop isn't a fast-paced whirlwind romance. It's a slower, contemplative exploration of faith, forgiveness, and the courage to be true to oneself. It's a story that lingers long after the final page, a gentle reminder that true happiness lies in embracing God's will, not chasing external validation.

The story is a satisfying read, perfect for those seeking a heartwarming tale laced with faith and the quiet strength found in following God and His plan.

I received a digital copy of Courting an Amish Bishop via Barbour Publishing and NetGalley. I am not required to write a positive review in any way or for any reason. My honest and unbiased opinions expressed in this book review are my own. My review focuses on the writing style, the pacing, and the story’s content, ensuring transparency and reliability.

Amish fiction readers will not want to miss this book. I loved learning about all the herbs Stella used for medicinal purposes. Stella's background and the origins of her fear of storms took awhile to be revealed but hints were given along the way. Loved Simon's grace and character. Sweet story of second chances. Recommended.

"Drinking Tea, Eating Weeds & Thinking About a Future" - A bout of flu like illness is spreading through widower Bishop Simon Grabers Cherry Grove district. He enlists the help of neighboring district "Doc" Stella Schmucker while her house is being repaired due to a storm. Both Stella & Simon are on a personal journey of healing that will require more than herbal tea. "How do you let go of a past that won't stay gone?" is the theme of this uniquely written Amish fiction by Mindy Steele. I found the characters very likeable & was thrilled to see Stella have the same medicinal herb book that I have. I truly enjoyed how endearing the characters were. I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing & was under no obligation to post a review. I will definitely read more of Mindy Steele's books.

Definitely Should Not Be Missed

When you have so much you want to say about a book, you come face-to-face with some important questions. 1. Where do I begin? 2. How do I limit all I want to say so that I don't include any spoilers? Yup, author Mindy Steele does it again. She's once again crafted a beautiful story that has drawn me completely into the characters, their story, their struggles, their feelings, and so much more. So, I'll cut to the chase and narrow it down to this. 

Courting an Amish Bishop is a beautiful, touching story of awakenings, second chances, overcoming past hurts, learning to trust, deepening one's faith, hope, and discoveries. Stella and Simon's story has many layers to it, and pulling away each one to see where it would all end up just deeply touched my heart. Every character in the story was wonderful and added much to the main story, especially Ellie, my favorite. All of that, along with the blending in of learning all about herbs and such from Dok Stella, made this a very special story that is most definitely not to be missed.

Thank you to NetGalley and Barbour for providing me with a copy of this book. All comments and opinions are voluntary and completely my own.

"Courting an Amish Bishop"by Mindy Steele
Courting an Amish Bishop (The Heart of the Amish Book 4)
No One Is Ever Too Old to Love Again
Full of faith, hope, and romance, this new series takes you into the Heart of Amish country.
Simon Graber became a widower and a bishop early in life. His focus is solely on his very close-knit Old Order Amish community—not entertaining the idea of marriage, despite what many of the elders think. When sickness comes to Cherry Grove, Kentucky, Simon reaches out into the next community for help. But help is beginning to look a lot like a second chance when Stella Schmucker agrees to offer her vast herbal knowledge to the sick. Can it be that these two, who have been too busy serving others to entertain the idea of love, have met at just the perfect time for an unlikely courtship?
This is Simon Graber,son Michael and his mother Lena's story.
This is Stella Schmucker's story.
Simon Graber lumbered across the kitchen floor with the air of a man in complete control of his world. As bishop of Cherry Grove, Kentucky, it was best to always remain confident.
Kaffi in hand, he sat at the table and stared blankly at the steaming bowl of oatmeal. Perhaps his cooking skills did need tuning as his sohn insisted. In the next room, sixteen-year-old Michael still slept. Simon didn’t mind indulging him on occasion. After all, Michael worked as hard as most men already, helping with the horses and
working on his onkel Ervin’s construction crew.
Stella Schmucker agrees to offer her vast herbal knowledge to the sick. Can it be that these two, who have been too busy serving others to entertain the idea of love, have met at just the perfect time for an unlikely courtship?
Stella Schmucker followed her faithful hund Ellie ,down the narrow path that paralleled Fox Creek.The land ran straight up and down ,with barely a level break in between,but Stella didn't mind rough terrain, considering it was filled with the many wonders that enable her to provide a livelihood for her.
I recommend this book.
"Courting an Amish Bishop"by Mindy Steele is a wonderful well written 5 star book.
I am looking forward to reading more books by Mindy Steele .
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.
The Heart of the Amish Series Also Includes:
The Flower Quilter by Mindy Steele
Ruth’s Ginger Snap Surprise by Anne Blackburne
The Quilt Room Secret by Lisa Jones Baker
Mary’s Calico Hope by Anne Blackburne

Courting an Amish Bishop is more than a story of love and courtship. Stella loves alone in her cottage on the edge of a cliff in Walnut Ridge after the death of her grandparents. Bishop Simon Graber seeks her out for her knowledge of herbs and healing after many in his community of Cherry Grove, including his son, get a strange summer flu. Simon is widowed after a terrible accident took the lives of several in their community. He is mourning the loss of his family and friends quite deeply. Stella is single after courting a
man who chose someone else. She comes with lots of hurts and some ideas others find quite odd. Will
either one find their way to opening up to love once again? Is it possible to learn to love others when one has never truly felt loved?
I enjoyed this book very much. The author explores deep feelings, hopes and dreams of the characters in very realistic ways. They struggle at times to follow God’s will for their lives and sometimes wonder if
they are getting the message correctly from Him.
I received an advance copy of this book through Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

Mindy Steele is one of my favorite Amish writers. She writes about hope faith, and romance. Simon and Stella story is a sweet story of a second change of love. I can't wait to read the other stories in this series.

Thank you to the publisher and Net Galley for allowing me to read this story.

Many couples find each other when neither of them is looking. That was the way it was for my husband and I. The 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 son. You get the feeling he has no desire for a woman to complicate his life — even if she is a good cook.

Stella Schmucker is a healer, a ‘dokter’, whose life now centers around that; her earlier life and growing-up years were not easy. She doesn’t live in Cherry Grove but within a “good long” buggy ride. Simon seeks her out for her skills. His congregation has some seriously ill people in it. Stella agrees to come help and it turns out it is a good thing she did because Simon’s son is among the ill.

And that’s where the fun begins. Oh, not because the people are sick. Just Stella and Bishop Graber. When I read the title, I knew I had to request this NetGalley book. Even the title brought a smile to my face and I knew the writer was capable of producing a good story.

The story swings from the seriousness of the situation of illness in the community to two people who aggravate yet like each other in the end. Each sees why the other is good at their job. And a moment comes for each when they realize the other person is beginning to mean more to them than just “bishop” | “dokter”.

I enjoyed the heck out of this book just as I expected to. Ergo, I highly recommend it. Courting an Amish Bishop is the fourth book in the The Heart of the Amish series and can be read standalone.

I received a complimentary DRC (digital review copy) of Courting an Amish Bishop via NetGalley from the publisher, Barbour Publishing, Barbour Fiction. A positive review was not required; the opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

Rating: 5 stars
Series: The Heart of the Amish #4
Cover: Okay but not perfect. The dog looks overly large.
Pages: 288
Publish Date: 1 Apr 2024
#CourtinganAmishBishop #NetGalley #MindySteele