Summer Of Secrets

Seasons of the Heart #1

by Charlotte Hubbard

When a strange Englischer arrives in the cozy Amish town of Willow Ridge, Missouri, claiming to be Rachel and her twin Rhoda's long-lost sister, Rachel finds the promise of a new future with carpenter Micah Brenneman threatened by this woman. (romance).

Genres: Amish, Christian Fiction, Romance, Fiction, Amish Fiction, Christian, Audiobook

392 pages, Paperback

Published June 15, 2012

About the author

Drawing upon her experiences in Jamesport, the largest Old Order Amish community west of the Mississippi, longtime Missourian Charlotte Hubbard (a.k.a. Naomi King) writes of simpler times and a faith-based lifestyle in her new Seasons of the Heart series. Like her heroine, Miriam Lantz, Charlotte considers it her personal mission to feed people—to share hearth and home. Faith and family, farming and food preservation are hallmarks of her lifestyle, and the foundation of her earlier Angels of Mercy series. She’s a deacon, a dedicated church musician and choir member, and when she’s not writing, she loves to try new recipes, crochet, and sew. Charlotte now lives in Minnesota with her husband and their border collie.

Reviews

[Danielle The Book Huntress · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wasn't very enthusiastic about this book initially, because it's more women's fictiony than I like. Nothing wrong with the genre, I just don't personally care for it. I actually enjoyed the Christian elements and the scriptures. It felt natural to me, because Christians do approach life in the way represented in the book, relying on God's promises and their relationship with Him. This book grew on me, and I found I liked it quite a bit. The food descriptions were mouthwatering, and I was jazzed to see the author included recipes.

Recommended with above reservations.

Overall rating: 3.5/5.0 stars.

Reviewed for Affaire de Coeur in the February 2012 Issue. http://affairedecoeur.com.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was amazing! I'm not a huge fan of Amish fiction generally, as it is too easy to be preachy and/or over-the-top-sappy, but this book is neither. This is a warm, down-to-earth story with real characters, and while it never preaches at me, faith is still very important within the story. In this story, an Amish family encounters their long-lost, English-raised sister, and the story that unfolds is so intriguing, so real, that one cannot help but be mesmerized. This is a tale of honesty, deceit, and manipulation, of joy, pain, and love.

I received this book for free from Goodreads Firstreads Giveaways.

[Connie Lynch · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I read Charlotte Hubbard's works I always finish the book with a feeling of Joy and Redemption and Happiness and I know I am smiling. I happened upon this book on a Share Me book rack and was waiting for my husband and could not leave it behind. Summer of Secrets is a joyful story and truly teaches us that God has a plan for each of us in the life, no matter what your struggles may be. Miriam, loving caring mother of triplets who believes one of her girls drown as a toddler. Rachel and Rhoda her daughters are wonderful loving supportive daughters helping their mother get through since the loss of her husband. The trials of an Amish business woman and an Old World Bishop are a wonderful twist in this book. Charlotte keeps you wondering which direction the Lantz family will go next. This book is a keeper and I look for Autumn in Willow Ridge and the Lantz and Brenneman family!

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set in Willow Ridge, Missouri, Summer of Secrets puts Charlotte Hubbard up with the best of Amish Fiction writers. The characters are easy to relate to. The mother, Miriam is a widow who isn’t ready to shed her mourning clothes. Her daughter Rachel is getting ready to marry a handsome carpenter, Micah Brenneman. Her daughter, Rachel is not quite ready to choose yet. All of them including Miriam’s Naomi, Micah’s mother work at Sweet Seasons. This book will bring the smells and sights of Lemon Ice Box Pie, Strawberry Cream Cake, Stuffed Peppers, Chocolate Zucchini Cake and others to you and make you want to rush to the kitchen to try them out. You can do it too as all the recipes are in the book.

Everyone seems happy until a young Englischer dress in Goth comes into Sweet Seasons and everyone is “ferhoodled”. Even the Englischer does doesn’t know what to make of the people in restaurant. Why did she come? Why was Rachel so shaken when she saw Micah look at the strange girl dressed in black, with spiky hair and a tattoo of a skull easily visible?

Why was her mother, Miriam so shocked when the girl pulled out a child’s pink dress? Miriam laughed and went into hysterics!

I loved this book so full of family secrets that seemed to explode with them. I love Amish fiction and this is the first one that I have read where the villain if there is any was the bishop. Other than that it had loads of information about Amish life, the importance of family and friends and of course good eating.

I recommend this to anyone who loves Amish fiction and anyone would like to try it.

I received this book from LibraryThing and that in no way influenced my review.

[Deanne Patterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Miriam discovers the daughter that got washed away in a flood 18 years earlier as a toddler is very much alive. Rebecca was one of her toddlers but her other daughters were raised as twins and don't remember their other sister. When she shows up at their mother's bakery/ cafe she is shocked to learn she is not who she thought she was . There is quite the uproar in the community when word gets out her daughter has been found alive. The Bishop is afraid Rebecca will influence others in the community since she hasn't been raised plain. Another example of a feel good spiritual Amish book without being preachy. A good solid story !

[LINDA BOURG · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first book by this author Charlotte Hubbard, It will not be my last, I truly enjoyed this book. Love how the characters just came to life, I really disliked the Bishop Hiram Knepp, he made me mad sometimes lol. But as they say every dog has their day. And God's faithfulness always prevails. So if you are looking for a good Amish book read give this one a try you won't be disappointed.

[Arlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book!

[Toni · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very good read. You really get attached to the characters in the book. I definitely recommend this book.

[Tara Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finally got to the FIRST book in the Seasons of the Heart series, Summer of Secrets by Charlotte Hubbard! And like the rest, it didn't disappoint.

It was interesting to read the beginnings of the Willow Ridge crew. To see that at one point Hiram Knepp was at least SOMEWHAT respected in the community. Even if not for long. And to see the first meetings between Tiffany (Rebecca) and the family she never knew she had. She definitely was a surprise (and a shock) when she walked in to the cafe with her spikey "witchy" hair and tattoos with her goth style clothing. But Miriam knew her and loved her anyway.

Tiffany was the little girl that Miriam lost when she was only 3 years old. Washed away during a flood and thought dead for 18 years. After her "adoptive" mother dies, Tiffany finds out she's not really Tiffany and storms out in search of answers she doesn't feel her grieving father will truthfully provide. The truth, however, is not what she expected and seems to be more in conflict with what's going on once she's met her Mamm and her sisters than she ever was.

To Rachel's dismay and complete irritation, her honey Micah seems smitten with "Tiffany" and can't stop gawking at her. But, things aren't always what they seem. Yes, Micah was intrigued by the "witchy" girl, but realized that underneath all the hair dye, dark shocking make up, tattoos, and strange clothing, there was someone who was hurting and trying to figure things out. Someone who needed to know her Mamm and sisters, even if she didn't think she wanted to.

And it's a good thing he persisted. If he hadn't, Rebecca never would have come back to the bakery the day she did. Miriam could have lost her shop. And Micah and Rachel may have been forced to transform their home in to a B&B not too long after marriage in order to bring income in to the family. Not that a B&B is a bad thing... but when you're newly married who wants to share a home with strange people you have to wait on and take care of? Not that they would have minded probably... but you know they wanted to be able to enjoy that time together alone...

Loved the book. And meeting Rebecca/Tiffany for the "first" time. Even after reading all the other books and liking her a lot for her character and her part in the stories that she was in, this first meeting rubbed me the wrong way. I think I judged her much like most of the residents of Willow Ridge.

Rachel was prone to tantrums in this one. Something else I wasn't used to seeing in subsequent books. But... I suppose if I was not quite engaged - at least not publicly - to MY childhood sweetheart, I'd probably have been a bit worried TOO if he kept blowing me off to go follow around someone else. Yes, he had his reasons, and they turned out to be honorable... but what young girl is able to see the forest for the trees in a situation like this? She came around, and that was the important part.

I LOVED this first look at Miriam (not MY first look, but this first look in the series). She's strong and steadfast and SASSY. And she's so incredibly smart. Not one to just roll over and let things happen to her that aren't fair simply because someone says she should. She fought for the right to be independent and to run her business, a business that employed and supplied food and work for MANY Willow Ridge residents. She fought to be able to take care of herself and her children without having to ask anyone for handouts, which I'm sure would have been given if they had been needed because the people in the town loved her.

Micah was a little sneaky for my taste in this book. At the beginning at least. I was kind of worried that he'd end up breaking Rachel's heart (even though I knew that wasn't going to be the case). Or put himself in a bad situation as far as Rebecca was concerned. The thing I dislike the most in life is a liar. And unfortunately, he lied a bit. Made promises that he knew he couldn't keep. BUT... in the end, like I said, intentions were honorable and ultimately resulted in the happy ending the story had. Were it not for his mild deception things would not have been so great for the Lantzes. So... I'll forgive him for telling a few fibs.

If you haven't read any of the other books in the series, start with this one. Or don't. It doesn't really matter what order you read them in. They're just as exciting and fun to read OUT of order as they are IN order. I just highly suggest you read them! They're not without their drama and frustration (Hello, Hiram!) but they're lighthearted and friendly and after a while, familiar. Like friends. You won't be sorry!

[Janice · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this on the Kindle

This is in a series, it took longer for me to get in to this book but you need to read this first as it lays the foundation for the series

Having lost her young daughter in a flood who was 1 of triplets, a young girl who dresses as Goth turns up in the cafe so that where the story starts.

You have what i will call a nasty piece of work in the Bishop who is using his position to get what he wants you really feel you don't like the man

You have the other 2 girls who didn't know that they were triplets & one thinks her beau is sweet on the sister she never knew

This is not your typical Amish story you have strong Characters

I have started the second book in this series & i am really in to it so i am really glad that i have read the 1st one

[Sarah A · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun Amish romance novel exploring the lives of Miriam and her daughters. Having lost her husband to an accident, Miriam has made over her life and that of several other Amish women by opening a very successful bakery and cafe. Although initially allowed by the Bishop, now Miriam finds herself in difficulties as the Bishops objections mount, her long lost daughter returns - dressed as a goth, and her oldest daughter struggles to move her relationship forward with her beau.
Page turning, light, clean and gentle but with challenges to their faith and livelihoods.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fairly new to the Amish Romance genre, Charlotte Hubbard is a great author! Interesting twist on the prodigal daughter - Tiffany (Rebecca). Awesome book ... can't wait for the sequel, "Sweet Seasons", to come out in September! Love that the author included some of the recipes from the Sweet Seasons Cafe run by Rachel's mom @ the back of the book! Also love that she included an excerpt from the sequel @ the back of the book.

[Elizabeth]

I have just started the whole series called 'Seasons of the Heart'. Still reading Summer of Secrets by Charlotte Hubbard, so far I am enjoying it. I love anything Amish whether fiction or non-fiction. The fiction books are clean cut and can leave you hanging as to what is going to happen. This series is written like they were back in the day. They are what I call relaxing books.

Thanks Charlotte for some enjoyment books...

A+++++++++++

[Ellen White · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting of how the twins now grown, and working with their mother. When a young English girl with tatoo's, spike hair comes in, yet something drew her to one of the twins. They actually were three and one got swept down the river in a storm. Could this be an answer to a mother's prayer to see her daughter, and to have the triplets together. An unusual story, ienjoyable and looking forward to the next book in series.

[Karri · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this book in a first reads contest on Goodreads.com

It was a nice clean story focused on love, faith and family. I always love a clean story. So refreshing to read something that doesn't rely on graphic sex and gratuitous swearing.

I loved discovering at the end of the book that the author had included many of the recipes mentioned in the story.

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun romance to read. I enjoyed the characters and felt I knew the family and their culture very well by the end of the book. There were scenes where the author had me close to tears and other times she had me cheering for the characters. And Charlotte sure knows how to create a bad guy! The antagonist in this story made me snarl! All great aspects for a fun book to read!

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

There were some good things about this book. The characters were WAY more patient and forgiving than I ever could be. They relied on the Lord and everything does work out in the end in a way they would not have anticipated. It is great to see how they can have such a positive influence on others who need them.
Overall worth the reading.

[Gail Mchugh · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a quick and easy, great read!! A little predictable but who cares. I loved all the characters with the exception of the Bishop Mr. Knepp, of course. I certainly hope he gets his large share of humble pie.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charlotte Hubbard's writing was fun and frivolous when I needed a light read between some heavy events in my life at the time. I especially enjoyed the recipes she included at the end of the book, which I look forward to sharing with my own daughters in the near future.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a wonderful example of faith, humility, recognizing and respecting while creating boundaries. I think every woman can learn from it especially. I loved how sometimes life isn't black and white but filled with shades of gray.

[Pam Brubaker · Rating 4 out of 5]

If someone asked me what new author I discovered this year it would be Charlotte Hubbard

Now I have all her past books to read. I've not been disappointed yet so I look forward to the past and future books.

[Sherri Meinke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Must read this book is by Naomi King writing as Charlotte Hubbard. Read her other book Abby finds her calling.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very nice book. This is the first book by Charlotte Hubbard that I have read and I was very impressed with her writing. I will consciously look for other books written by her.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Refreshingly different for a romance novel... More of an easy beach read, but it's pleasing and I enjoyed it!

[Emily (Heinlen) Davis · Rating 1 out of 5]

I felt like the book was trying to hard to be realistic, which made it seem less realistic in my mind. I guess this just wasn't my type of book.

[Katie · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was a little boring, but then again it's about Amish people who call themselves plain. So I guess it's only fitting that the book is also plain.

[Sheri · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good! I just loved this book! Laughed and cried!

[Jeanine]

The word to describe this book so far is "cheesy". I hope it gets better.

[Glen · Rating 1 out of 5]

Thin storyline and poor character development hurts this book.

[Fay Risner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book for Amish readers. Puts you in Amish country among Plain people