Thursday, April 23, 2020

Pockets of Promise (Book#1 in The Pocket of Quilts Series) by Laurie Stroup Smith review + GIVEAWAY

Welcome to the Blog Tour and Giveaway for Pockets of Quilts by Laurie Stroup Smith coordinated by the author

  Title:   Pockets of Promise, Book #1 in The Pocket Quilt Series
Author:   Laurie Stroup Smith
Pub Date:   April 30, 2020

Available at:    Amazon (paperback) 
Barnes and Noble (paperback)

Ebook will be available soon.


ISBN:    978-1734150742
Price:   $14.99
Pages:   200
Genre:   Amish

About the book:

Mariah Mast’s best friend Josiah Weaver has concentrated his efforts on providing for their future together, but on her eighteenth birthday, Mariah finds herself edging away from Josiah and her faith. An encounter with police, a misunderstanding of intentions, and hurt feelings compound her confusion. Her grandmother sends her to stay with an aunt in Pinecraft and gives her a pocket quilt with handwritten messages tucked inside.

Thrilled to have her help at the bed and breakfast, Aunt Birdie introduces Mariah to a group of new friends, including Luke Yoder, a young Amish man who works for his father’s construction company. Spending time with him opens up a new world for Mariah. Her grandmother’s words of wisdom offer guidance as she makes a decision that will have lasting consequences for those she loves. Will she find fulfillment in Florida? Or does her heart belong in Holmes County?

Purchase Links
Amazon    Barnes and Noble   Walmart     Book Despository     Smashwords      Kobo   

My thoughts:

Pockets of Promise is the impressive debut novel penned by Laurie Stroup Smith.  If you have ever wanted to visit Florida’s gulf coast  and the Amish/Mennonite community of Pinecraft, there’s no need to pack or bother with travel arrangements because the author takes her readers there on the pages of this book.  A perfect get away for these times when most of us are at home anyway.

Mariah Mast is facing a dilemma as she decides if she wants to be baptized into the Amish faith or choose a different path.  That’s a huge decision for any young person to make but it’s a little easier when her grandmother sends her to Pinecraft to stay with an aunt.   I loved Aunt Birdie and the B&B, she is such a fun and sweet character. I liked that she encouraged Maria to enjoy her time there by introducing her friends closer in age to spend time with.   I loved the time Mariah spent reading the handwritten notes that are tucked inside the pocket quilt given to her by her grandmother. I am blessed to own a couple of quilts but nothing as charming as a pocket quilt.

I lived in Florida for almost ten years, have visited Pinecraft and Sarasota and I felt like I was there again while reading the descriptive writing.  The story flows at a nice pace, the characters are well developed and likable.  I am looking forward to the next book in the series. Pockets of Promise is a sweet novel that can be enjoyed by readers of all ages which is one of the reasons I highly recommend it. 

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book.  All opinions are completely my own.


About the Author





While writing Amish fiction and contemporary romance, Laurie Stroup Smith strives to connect readers with friends and family through her stories while inspiring her audience to serve others. She was named a Finalist in the 2017 ACFW First Impressions Contest and a Semi-Finalist in the 2018 and 2019 ACFW Genesis Contests. She has been interviewed by Loveland Magazine.

Before writing, Laurie earned a bachelor’s degree in both athletic training and exercise science and later obtained her master’s degree in health promotion and education. She now writes full time and lives with her husband and their two daughters in Cincinnati. For a week or two each summer, they enjoy discovering new adventures along the western coast of Michigan.



GIVEAWAY












   Visit each stop on the tour to increase your chances to win.. Full tour schedule shown below. Giveaway will begin at midnight April 24, 2020 and last through 11:59 PM EST on April 30, 2020. US mailing addresses only. 
Giveaway terms and conditions can be found here

 
April 24


April 25 and 26   No posts

April 27

April 28

April 29


April 30








          



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