Returning to the fan-favorite world of the closeknit Amish community of Promise Lodge, the small-town Missouri setting of her beloved Amish inspirational romance novels, the author continues to delight readers with uplifting tales of faith, family, and the blessings and happiness of true love and caring partnership. For fans of Shelley Shepard Gray and Beth Wiseman.
When Karen Mercer and Andi Swann come to Promise Lodge for a week’s stay, the Kuhn sisters quickly detect the guests are not Plain folk, despite their kapps and homemade dresses. Entranced by the idyllic Amish lifestyle they’ve read about in romance novels, the visitors have gone undercover to revisit the place that was once the church camp where they spent happy summers. They mean no harm—but when the truth is uncovered, their deception has an intriguing impact on the faithful, hard-working community . . .
Meanwhile, amid bustling preparations for a spring wedding, a shy horse trainer is encouraged to share his colorful world with a newcomer awaiting a miracle . . . while the widowed baker of luscious Promise Lodge Pies sees a long-time friendship in a romantic new light. And in the wake of a destructive storm, Karen and Andi’s insider knowledge of the grounds may offer the safe passage they all need to renew and rebuild—stronger than ever . . .
Praise for the novels of Charlotte Hubbard
“Hubbard firmly grounds the storyline in the principle of Amish grace.” —Publishers Weekly
“Hubbard writes of healing and brave new beginnings from a refreshingly feminist perspective.” —Booklist
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.
Although the recap talks about Mercer and Andi Swann as though they were going to be main characters throughout the novel-they aren't. They do help things along when tragedy strikes, but that is about it.
This book is filled with two desperate tragedies, a miracle, and several weddings.
This is a melding of an Amish community and a Mennonite community, and I wish I had read the earlier books in this series so I could have understood this melding better. There are many characters to keep track of, and that got a little complicated for me. Most likely, this wouldn't have been a problem had I read the other books in this series.
Promise Lodge inspires a new start. Sometimes Promise Lodge also inspires curiosity. Karen Mercer and Andi Swann are the latter. They have been inspired by the Amish but being English, they were also very curious when the visited the Amish owned lodge. Their get up did not fool anybody. They had a history at the Promise Lodge before it became a lodge. Their knowledge of the lodge became useful when a tragedy struck that may have saved the lives of the visitors. It also set the course for Sylvia and Mose. Sylvia was given a life sentence. She had come to Promise Lodge for peace. Mose had come with his twin sister and his background is a tragic story in itself. The average person seeing Mose may miss a few things. He is loyal, good with animals, very smart, and is drawn to Sylvia.
With Sylvia hiding away at Promise Lodge and Mose hiding his true potential, they discover the promise of love of faith.
A special thank you to Kensington Books and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review
(Please note: I received a free copy in exchange for my honest review.)
My Review:
Book 7 in the Promise Lodge series by Charlotte Hubbard offers another wonderfully inviting Amish romance. The themes of community, faith, love, friendship are all woven through the book.
We have a closer look at the possible romances of two widows, Sylvia and Irene and two bachelors, Mose and Dale. Both widows are older than their respective partners and that adds an interesting twist.
It is the tornado though, that brings everyone in the community together, to repair and restore the destroyed buildings. Theirs is a true faith community, one that uplifts and cares about every member. It was wonderful indeed to see them use their time and talents to fix the damaged businesses.
Faith and prayer in this Amish community are highlighted throughout and give strength especially to Mose and Sylvia as she fights for her life.
I highly recommend this novel. I thoroughly enjoyed the interactions of the two couples and how their romances developed. (5/5*)
Hidden Away at Promise Lodge by Charlotte Hubbard is a clean, wholesome, and inspirational Amish romance that takes readers back to the beloved world of Promise Lodge. Set in the close-knit Amish community in small-town Missouri, this book continues to enchant readers with its uplifting themes of faith, family, and the beauty of true love and partnership. If you’re a fan of Shelley Shepard Gray and Beth Wiseman, you won’t want to miss this heartwarming tale.
The story revolves around Karen Mercer and Andi Swann, two non-Amish guests who visit Promise Lodge disguised as Plain folk. Enchanted by the idyllic Amish lifestyle portrayed in romance novels, they seek to relive their cherished memories of the place that was once their church camp during summers. However, their undercover mission becomes a source of intrigue and fascination within the faithful and hardworking community when their true identities are discovered.
Amid the bustling preparations for a spring wedding, the narrative follows the blossoming romance between a shy horse trainer and a newcomer who is in search of a miracle. Additionally, the widowed baker of the renowned Promise Lodge Pies discovers that a long-time friendship might hold the potential for a romantic connection. All the while, the community faces the aftermath of a devastating storm, where Karen and Andi’s insider knowledge of the grounds could be the key to renewal and rebuilding, making the community stronger than ever.
Charlotte Hubbard skillfully weaves a large cast of characters into the narrative, many of whom readers will recognize from previous books set in Promise Lodge. While this novel can be enjoyed as a standalone, delving into earlier books will undoubtedly provide a richer and more immersive experience.
One notable aspect of the story is how Hubbard balances themes of terminal illness and tragedies with moments of humor and sweet romance, offering a multifaceted and emotionally resonant reading experience.
In Conclusion: Hidden Away at Promise Lodge is a charming and heartwarming Amish romance that will warm the hearts of readers. With its captivating storytelling and endearing characters, this book reaffirms the power of faith, love, and community bonds. Whether you’re a long-time fan of Amish romances or new to the genre, this book is sure to leave you with a sense of hope and contentment.
I received a copy of the book for the tour. This review is my honest, unbiased opinion.
Please visit more posts I have done of Charlotte Hubbard’s clean, wholesome Amish tales at https://ginaraemitchell.com.
I rated the book 4.5 stars but rounded to 5 stars here and on other sites.
Hidden Away at Promise Lodge is the seventh book in the Promise Lodge series by Charlotte Hubbard. I’ve only read “Star of Wonder,” which is included in the anthology, An Amish Christmas Star and is a connected story and book six, Family Gatherings at Promise Lodge. I look forward to starting from the beginning and filling in some of the blanks since several characters are woven throughout.
This story is set in Missouri, and we meet up with the characters who live in Promise Lodge as well as some new ones. We learn more about their lives, hopes, and dreams and how their community is there for each other —whether Amish or Mennonite.
This is Sylvia and Mose’s story, filled with kindness, caring, unexpected romance, and love. She is a widow without family and has come to Promise Lodge to live out her days since she has a brain tumor and hasn’t been given long to live. Mose is Marlene’s twin brother and is good with animals. He is a caring soul, but trauma at a young age has affected his life in many ways.
Silvia is older, but they are attracted to each other, and Mose shows he is there for her, especially when she suffers a medical emergency. There’s a secondary romance between other older characters, Dale and Irene.
The story flows well, with several stories being told and woven together. Karen and Andi are two young women who have come to Promise Lodge, portraying themselves as Amish. The others have doubts and finally, the two come clean after a tragedy strikes the town. They are immersed in the Amish life, and we get to know them a little at a time, but the blurb is misleading since it seems they are to be the focus of the story.
The story has some closure, but there are a few loose ends. There are several recipes included that tie into the story. There is also an excerpt of the following story in the series, and I look forward to reading it.
I have always enjoyed Amish stories. I enjoy reading about their life choices, helpfulness, kindness, and how their faith guides them. Hidden Away at Promise Lodge included all of that and more.
I rated the book 4.5 stars but rounded to 5 stars here and on other sites.
Hidden Away at Promise Lodge by Charlotte Hubbard is a sweet Amish tale. I always enjoy returning to Promise Lodge. Hidden Away at Promise Lodge is the seventh novel in the Promise Lodge series. I recommend reading the series in order. It allows you to get to know the characters and how each of them came to Promise Lodge. You will also learn who created the town and why they did it. I like that it is a community of Amish and Mennonites. The Mennonites attend Amish weddings and vice versa. I like the camaraderie between the residents of the town. It is like they are one big family. They are, though, always happy to welcome new residents. The author has created a delightful cast of characters for this series. Two visitors to Promise Lodge do not fool a soul. Reading about Amish does not give you the knowledge to act Amish. Karen and Andi, the visitors to Promise Lodge, provided some laugh out loud moments. The lady’s knowledge of the lodge, though, may come in handy after a violent storm. Sylvia, a widow, came to Promise Lodge to die peacefully after a terrible diagnosis. Mose, a horse trainer, is glad that his twin sister has found happiness. Sylvia has caught Moses’ eye. While Mose is good with animals, he has trouble with people. Mose is an inspirational character. I enjoyed Mose and Sylvia’s story. It is sweet and inspiring. I like Charlotte Hubbard’s writing style. It is friendly and engaging. I like how faith was incorporated into the story. Prayer is a powerful tool as we see in this story. I like that we get to see how all things come together for those who serve the Lord. I like how the residents of the town worked together to help each other. The descriptions of the food will have your mouth watering. I was sorry when I turned the last page of the story. I am eager for Miracles at Promise Lodge to come out (preview at the end of Hidden Away at Promise Lodge). Hidden Away at Promise Lodge is a touching tale with wedding arrangements, two curious visitors, a devastating storm, driving Clydesdales, the power of prayer, and a favorable future.
Hidden Away at Promise Lodge is book seven in the Promise Lodge series, but it is the first book I’ve read in the series. Two young girls pretend to be Amish on a vacation at Promise Lodge, and they get to know all the Amish and Mennonite women who live at Promise Lodge throughout the year. When a tornado causes damage to the lodge and surrounding businesses, everyone works together to survive and rebuild.
This was a clean, sweet story of a community supporting and helping one another. There are lots of characters who were apparently the main characters in previous stories in the series, and I can’t help but wonder if I might have enjoyed this story more if I had read the previous books in the series. I was a bit confused about the camaraderie between the Amish and Mennonites in the story. In most other Amish books I’ve read, the Amish and Mennonites do not get along since the Mennonites split off from the Amish. In this story, however, they not only get along, but they even live together at the lodge and attend church services with one another.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a clean, sweet, Christian fiction story, but I believe I would recommend other readers to begin with book one to hopefully get a better understanding of all the other characters in the story.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Welcome back to Promise Lodge, an Amish community where faith, family, and romance create a community filled with blessings and opportunity. Enamored with Amish romance novels, Karen Mercer and Andi Swann pose as Plain folk to spend a week at Promise Lodge, which once used to be a church camp they attended. They have no idea how their insider knowledge will help when a destructive storm tears through the community.
Meanwhile, Mose finds a wonderful connection with Sylvia, a widow who is praying for a miracle. And Irene and Dale might be seeing their relationship in a different light.
Hidden Away at Promise Lodge by Charlotte Hubbard is the latest novel in the Promise Lodge series. What a fun idea to have two women who attended the church camp the Promise Lodge community was built on return to property. Romance is also developing at Promise Lodge between two different couples.
Keeping it fresh while continuing the stories of beloved characters, Hubbard's latest is another beautifully told Amish novel. Though the residents of Promise Lodge are challenged in this novel, they keep faith and community their focus as they rebuild and look forward to the future. Though Hidden Away at Promise Lodge can easily be read as a stand alone story, I suggest starting from the beginning.
Hidden Away at Promise Lodge is Amish fiction at its best!
Hidden Away at Promise Lodge is #7 in Charlotte Hubbard's series, and it is another great story set in her fictional Missouri community of Amish, Mennonite and English residents. As with all the books in this series, you will revisit a growing number of "old" friends and be introduced to new ones as well. Each story has its own little (or big) twists and turns, and this one includes a couple of unexpected visitors who play important roles in the early part of the story. A pretty serious storm and devastating health problems of a fairly new resident of Promise Lodge add some page-turning interest to this installment. As anyone who knows anything about this series would expect, friends and family come together to help each other with the challenges they face and celebrate together the victories they experience.
I highly recommend Hidden Away at Promise Lodge to fans of Amish fiction that takes you a little outside the typical box. This is the seventh book in the series and could easily be read as a stand alone like each of the previous books. But is much more enjoyable if you know the backstories of the community and its residents.
Thanks to Goddess Fish Promotions for providing an electronic copy of the book. I am glad to be a part of this book tour and am happy to share my own thoughts in this review.
Charlotte Hubbard’s Hidden Away at Promise Lodge is the latest amazing book in the Promise Lodge series. This series has never disappointed readers, and this addition to the collection is no exception.
This book is well written, and we are given the opportunity to visit with friends from previous books, as well as getting to know new characters. Each character is developed well and offers an interesting element to the story.
While being Visited by two English girls disguised as Amish, Promise Lodge finds itself in the path of a horrible tornado that brings destruction in its path. Even with their deception, the girls were able to bring a much needed revelation after the tornado.
During the rebuilding process, some longtime friends Find that maybe there can be more than just friendship and their lives although they are no longer the younger generation.
Ms. Hubbard shows how all thing come together for those that serve the Lord.
Thank you Kensington Books, Zebra, for allowing me to read and ARC of this 5-star addition to the Promise Lodge series.
All opinions are my own and I was not required to give a positive review.
I loved this sweet novel in every way possible! Yes, prayer is a powerful tool, but only if God wills it in His timing. And yes, miracles can happen. It happened with my father in law. God blessed him, and sometimes, I feel that he really appreciated it. But I'm glad I got to see it happen. Andi and Karen were my favorite characters. They made me giggle at times. I'm glad they were on the scene to help, though! Hubbard does such a nice job with these characters! I've felt like I've come to really know and love them! I feel like they're the big family that I've never had! Mose was my second favorite! I loved his steady presence throughout the novel and the reminder to keep the faith no matter what happens! I do hope that Ms. Hubbard will keep this series going because I love everyone at Promise Lodge! 5 stars for a wonderful read! One I enjoyed very much! I highly recommend it! My thanks for a copy of this book. I was NOT required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.
(Please note: I received a free copy in exchange for my honest review.)
My Review:
Book 7 in the Promise Lodge series by Charlotte Hubbard offers another wonderfully inviting Amish romance. The themes of community, faith, love, friendship are all woven through the book.
We have a closer look at the possible romances of two widows, Sylvia and Irene and two bachelors, Mose and Dale. Both widows are older than their respective partners and that adds an interesting twist.
It is the tornado though, that brings everyone in the community together, to repair and restore the destroyed buildings. Theirs is a true faith community, one that uplifts and cares about every member. It was wonderful indeed to see them use their time and talents to fix the damaged businesses.
Faith and prayer in this Amish community are highlighted throughout and give strength especially to Mose and Sylvia as she fights for her life.
I highly recommend this novel. I thoroughly enjoyed the interactions of the two couples and how their romances developed. (5/5*)
I think I have read each of the Promise Lodge books so far. This one just might be my favorite one. I enjoyed the fact that the lodge was visited by 2 young women trying to bring back good memories of their young years at church camp and who loved Amish romance books. It was a "perfect fit" for their one week stay. I loved their appearance and am sort of hoping it won't be their last??? Anyway, the story kept me reading throughout. I really enjoyed the different storylines that went through the book. Each capturing my attention and then the fear that the lodge would be destroyed due to a horrific storm kept my attention. The characters were all charming and you get to be a member of the lodge residents with all its warm feelings as the story continues. I recommend this book to Amish readers and those that are still wondering if they would like or love Amish books. It is really worth reading!
I received a complimentary copy of this book but was not under obligation to give a positive review. All opinions are my own.
Yes, I loved this read, could almost picture myself doing what the young women who opened the book did, and yes, I was chuckling!
This read was like a warm hug, and I didn't want to leave! There is some sweet romance, along with some danger, but the love these folks show to each other is awesome!
The author gives us a woman who has not had an easy life, and now has been give a death sentence, and just as she feels her life is over is given a fleeting chance at love! We also have a never married seasoned citizen, Mennonite, and someone has caught his eye.
We witness the power of prayer in this read, and I adored Mose, he was such an inspiration!
When the last page was turned I had a sense of loss, but there is a preview of the next book in this series, now I can't wait!
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Kensington, and was not required to give a positive review.
Hidden Away at Promise Lodge brings us back to the beloved Amish small town of Promise, where Hubbard brings back favorite characters and introduces us to new ones. When Karen and Andi come to stay at Promise Lodge for a week disguised as Amish women, their ruse is soon discovered. When they confess who they really are, all is forgiven. But could their past stays there when it was a church camp lead to some much needed information for the residents there when a terrible storm hits?
Sylvia is the lodge's newest resident, and she's come there to spend her last days, as she has an inoperable brain tumor. Will she and Mose, the talented horse trainer, forge a relationship? And what about Irene and Dale, who've been longtime friends?
This is a favorite series of mine, and this latest addition didn't disappoint!
I received an e-pub of this book via #NetGalley. All opinions expressed herein are strictly my own.
Promise Lodge sounds like such an inviting place to visit. An interesting side note is that Amish and Mennonites live together in the same community and enjoy various activities, such as weddings, picnics, work projects, etc., like one huge family. The story has multiple twists and turns, as well as an actual twister, or tornado, that destroyed several stores, part of the lodge, and the back side of several cottages. As Amish are well-known for, they all pitch in to help restore the damaged buildings. I am not going to list all the twists in the story since that would ruin it for other readers. Suffice it to say that they will keep you turning pages to see what happens next. One thing that stood out for me in the story were the prayers of Bishop Monroe on various occasions. They were not lengthy but got directly to the point as he sought the help of God on behalf of his people. I found several lessons in the book that deserved special attention, whether or not you are Amish.
This is another installment of the Promise Lodge series. Two young English girls who went to camp at Promise Lodge back in the day, decide to pretend to be Amish and book a week at Promise Lodge just for fun. The residents at the Lodge are not fooled but graciously host the girls. The girls knowledge of the hidden secrets of the old building come in handy when there is a tornado that causes extensive damage to the Lodge. Meanwhile, two widows living at the Lodge find romance with local men (one Amish couple and one Mennonite couple). And the story of Promise Lodge is now awaiting its next installment once more. This series and Charlotte Hubbard never disappoint.
I have voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book that I received from NetGalley. All views expressed are only my own honest opinion.
Hidden Away at Promise Lodge is the 7th book in the Promise Lodge series by Charlotte Hubbard. Having not read the previous stories, I was able to read this story without any problems and quickly felly in love with the characters. This is a well written contemporary Amish story that is very descriptive and easy to read. It was easy to imagine the fear the characters had during the storm and what followed. It was interesting to read of Karen's and Andi's return to the lodge, the memories they had, and how it helped during the storm. I also enjoyed the growing relationship between Sylvia and Mose despite their differences. This story shows how the Amish and the Mennonite differ yet how they are there to help each other in need.
This is a nice heartwarming story to read. I voluntarily received a copy of this story, this is my honest review.
Hidden Away at Promise Lodge is filled with action, romance, and love for the community. I never wanted to put it down as the action never stopped.
I have to admit that my first thought as I was reading was, oh no, this is not going to end well. It was like the an I Love Lucy moment when Andi and her friend, Karen, walked in with their "Amish" dresses. I was hooked right then, but it was so hard to watch read when what I really wanted to do was cover up my eyes!
The friends story alone could have been the book, but Charlotte Hubbard continued with more wonderful stories too to tell about the community. Each story was my favorite and each charactor I loved and understood. It all flowed so well, never once missing a beat.
I highly recommend this book for a great, great read!
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
I recommend this book to anyone who likes a good inspirational story with high moral values and constant activity in the lives of the participants in the story. As with all of the Promise Lodge books, this is excellent. I have read every one of them and they have all been exceptional, as have all of the Charlotte Hubbard books I have read. I always am drawn into the lives of those featured in these stories and am looking forward to the next Promise Lodge book. Just sorry it is not going to be released until February 2024!! (I believe I have read every Charlotte Hubbard book, but am going to find a list of all of her books and double check that.) Thank you Charlotte for another excellent book.
I love to visit Promise Lodge. This is a wonderful Amish community made up of a mod podge of different Amish and Mennonite people. What is so wonderful, All are welcome. In fact they even embrace Karen Mercer and Andi Swann, two Englishers posing as Amish. But why? When their insider knowledge saves not only the day but some people, their deception is dismissed. I do hope they make another visit to our community. Meanwhile, a newcomer waiting for a miracle and a shy horse trainer find spending time together really is healing. Each visit to Promise Lodge brings smiles, tears, laughter, and healing. It is hard to believe this is book 7. I really hope we can get many more visits. I received a copy through Netgalley. A review was not required.
Not all books can be 5 stars. This one was good. I was so sick while I was reading I would like to reread sometime. Lots of characters is this book set at Promise Lodge. Sometimes we are given second chances in life, this book offers several. Sylvia comes to Promise Lodge because she is terminally affected by a brain tumor. Choosing to live the rest of her life instead of just waiting to die. I received an ARC in ebook format from the publisher and NetGalley. This in no way affected my honest, personal experience.
Another amazing book in the Promise Lodge series by Charlotte Hubbard! Meet two *Englischers* who try to pass themselves off as Amish, but the eagle eyed residents are quick to catch the holes in their story! Buckle tight in anticipation and dismay as a tornado sweeps through the town and devastates the Lodge as some outbuildings. But love blossoms in the midst of these trials as two couples find love despite the odds against them.
I do enjoy returning to Promise Lodge and catching up on what's going on now. So when the Kuhn sisters detect the two young lady guests are not Plain folk, despite their kapps and homemade dresses it's fun to see how these two actually try to fool their way into the community.. When a disaster strikes the lodge they step up and it's quickly discovered they have been to this lodge before becoming guests. It's always a good read when the author is Charlotte Hubbard.
In this book, I got tired, very quickly, of the constant mentions of how tiny Sylvia was. Is she a dwarf, or just a short woman? Either way, stop it already! It was repetitive and annoying.
Also, I felt the non-Amish women who lied their way into the Lodge were very disrespectful.
Another great visit to Promise Lodge! I loved revisiting the setting and characters. The sense and reality of community is refreshing. The romance of the middle aged characters was fun and exciting to read. Great writing by Charlotte Hubbard, she did not disappoint.
Charlotte Hubbard does not disappoint with this next book in the Promise Lodge series. I really never want this series to end!!!! Excellent reading and I couldn’t put it down! I feel like I know everyone at Promise Lodge and I feel like I’ve been here by Reading her words! Love it!
This is the first book of this series that I've read. And although it was a little confusing at times with all the characters I really enjoyed it. Specially Mase and Sylvia's story.