Book Review & Giveaway: A Plain Widow by Diane Craver, Book 2 of The Bishop*s Daughters
Title: A Plain Widow
Series: The Bishop's Daughters, Book 2
Author: Diane Craver
Publisher: CreateSpace
Release Date: March 10, 2017
Genre: Amish Romance
Genre: Amish Romance
Molly Ebersol’s life changes in a few minutes when an arsonist torches their barn. Her husband, Caleb, rushes inside the burning barn to save his horses. Although Amish firefighter, Jonathan Mast, tries to save Caleb, he fails. Suddenly Molly becomes a widow.
A month later, an anonymous person gives money to cover the lumber and food expenses for the barn raising. One late night more money is left for Molly on the porch. The fire investigator wonders if the arsonist feels guilt about Caleb’s death and is responsible for the money gifts.
During the continued investigation, it’s learned that Caleb had secrets he kept from Molly. She is crushed by what Caleb did before meeting her. How could the love of her life kept his English past from her?
Her new neighbor, Jonathan, helps her to make the difficult transition from wife to widow. Although Molly develops feelings for Jonathan, can she ever trust him to be truthful to her? She isn’t sure she can fall in love again. Her trust in relationships is shattered because of Caleb’s past actions.
A month later, an anonymous person gives money to cover the lumber and food expenses for the barn raising. One late night more money is left for Molly on the porch. The fire investigator wonders if the arsonist feels guilt about Caleb’s death and is responsible for the money gifts.
During the continued investigation, it’s learned that Caleb had secrets he kept from Molly. She is crushed by what Caleb did before meeting her. How could the love of her life kept his English past from her?
Her new neighbor, Jonathan, helps her to make the difficult transition from wife to widow. Although Molly develops feelings for Jonathan, can she ever trust him to be truthful to her? She isn’t sure she can fall in love again. Her trust in relationships is shattered because of Caleb’s past actions.
A Plain Widow by Diane Craver is the second book of The Bishop's Daughters series, but it can easily be read as a standalone. I've always been a fan of Amish stories, for their simplicity, their faith and their community. I like the fact that there's an added element of suspense in this story, and the theme of dealing with grief and trust. Our main characters stand out and are memorable. However, I find the language felt more like telling readers a story, versus allowing us to experience it. It reads disjointed because of it. And that is one area that I find disappointed by. A Plain Widow brings to light of grief, the unexpected secrets revealed, and the struggle to find trust again. If you're a fan of Amish fiction and families, try this out.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the author/publisher. I was not required to write a positive review, and have not been compensated for this. This is my honest opinion.
TO PURCHASE A COPY
Diane Craver grew up on a farm outside Findlay, Ohio, and she often acted out characters from her own stories in the backyard. In high school she would read during classes and hide a novel in front of her in a propped up textbook. After Diane graduated from the Ohio State University, she became a schoolteacher and play director.She met her husband while teaching at an orphanage, and they married three years later. Diane says that it took her that long to convince him she was the one for him! While raising their family in southwestern Ohio, she started writing nonfiction and was published. Later, Diane decided it would be a nice escape to write fiction. They were blessed with five daughters and one son. Two daughters were born with Down syndrome and live at home. Their other children live close by. Diane has four adorable grandchildren. Her favorite vacation is going to the beach with the whole family.
Non-fiction articles of Diane’s have been published in Woman’s World Weekly, The Catholic Telegraph, Virtue, Down Syndrome Today, WritersWeekly.com, and other publications. Several of Diane’s books have been a reviewer’s top pick from Night Owl Reviews as well as receiving 5 star reviews and A Joyful Break (Dreams of Plain Daughters) received the CTRR Reviewer’s Recommend Award from Coffee Time Romance and More.
Diane gives thanks daily to God for all her blessings.
To celebrate her tour, Diane is giving away:
GRAND PRIZE: Diane is giving away a set of the Dream of Plain Daughters Series (4 book series) and a $20 Amazon gift card. If the winner is outside of the US, ebooks will be substituted.
RUNNER-UP: A copy of AMISH BABY SNATCHED, the first book in The Bishop’s Daughters Series and a $10 Amazon gift card.
Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries!
For the full tour with more reviews, guest posts and info about A Plain Widow, check out the rest of the tour. You'll find the full tour schedule on the tour's landing page. Just click on CelebrateLit's logo below.
Thanks Kay! I agree. The winner is surely blessed with this prize pack for sure!
ReplyDeleteThanks Danielle. The thing with reviews, it's fairly subjective, so you might find a different experience than me. I love chatting with you on the blog about books. Thanks for stopping by!
ReplyDeleteThanks Dina!! I appreciate it!
ReplyDelete;)
ReplyDeleteHow sweet! Good luck Paula!
ReplyDeleteHi Dianne. I hope you'll have the opportunity to read this story. Thanks for stopping by!
ReplyDeleteHi Kay,
ReplyDeleteThank you for commenting on my giveaway. I appreciate your support and you made my night that you think my books are great reads. That's what every author loves to hear. :) Hope you have a blessed Sunday tomorrow.
Hi Danielle,
ReplyDeleteThank you for stopping by. I'm sorry you aren't interested in reading A Plain Widow, but I can understand why you might not want to read it. A lot of readers and other reviewers have loved it and felt involved in the characters' lives. They felt like they were right there with them, but of course, this reviewer didn't. I respect her opinion and it helps to hear criticism. I always to want to improve.
Thank you, Dina, for commenting and stopping by. Hope you have a blessed Sunday.
ReplyDeleteHi Paula,
ReplyDeleteThank you for commenting and stopping by. That is wonderful you would like to win my set of Dreams of Plain Daughters books for your secret prayer partner. I'm glad she loves Amish books! I also have discounted prices if you shouldn't win. Hope you have a great Sunday.
Hi Dianne,
ReplyDeleteI'm happy you want to read A PLAIN WIDOW and this series. I will do a cover reveal soon for Book 3, PRISCILLA'S ESCAPE. Thanks for stopping by and hope you have a wonderful and blessed Sunday.
Thank you Diane! I appreciate you taking the time to stop by. Maybe you can join us as a participating author at next year's CFRR!
ReplyDeleteI'm going to read other reviews too. I hope I didn't offend you! I really can't make a decision until I take a peek inside anyway. Writing is a process and a journey.
ReplyDeleteSorry I probably said too much in my previous comment. There are critical and positive reviews for A PLAIN WIDOW. I get discouraged when I read the critical ones, but I am also thankful for them. I want to always improve each time I write a book. I can understand being careful when purchasing a new author's book because it's expensive to buy books. I was going to buy an expensive book by one of my favorite Christian authors, and saw she received a few critical reviews. I haven't purchased it yet now. Thank you so much, Danielle, for taking the time to comment. By the way, I'm planning on having Amish Baby Snatched discounted sometime. It's Book 1 in my new series. Take care.
ReplyDeleteThanks Diane. More details to come after this year's. If you would like to get updates, please sign up for the "2018 Interested Authors, Subscribe Here" on the sidebar on the right. Link: http://christianfictionreadersretreat.blogspot.com/
ReplyDeleteHope you'll get to enjoy it!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Annie. I'll do that.
ReplyDeleteHi Kim,
ReplyDeleteThank you for stopping by Annie's blog and commenting. I'm glad you're interested in reading A PLAIN WIDOW. Have a nice evening.
I have been reading other reviews of your book, and they prove that everyone is different as all have been very positive. I'm so glad I'm following this tour. Thank you for your kind responses. I'm enjoying this thread.
ReplyDelete