Book Review, Blog Tour, and Giveaway: "The Amish Teacher's Gift" by Rachel J. Good

About the Book

Title: The Amish Teacher’s Gift, Book 1 of the Love & Promises Series

Author: Rachel J Good

Genre: Amish Romance

Release Date: April 24, 2018

Widower Josiah Yoder wants to be a good father. But it’s not easy with a deaf young son who doesn’t understand why his mamm isn’t coming home. At a loss, Josiah enrolls Nathan in a special-needs school and is relieved to see his son immediately comforted by his new teacher, a woman whose sweet charm and gentle smile just might be the balm they both need.

With seven siblings to care for, Ada Rupp wasn’t sure she wanted to take on teaching too. But the moment she holds Nathan in her arms, she realizes she’ll do all she can to help this lost little boy. Plus, it gives her a chance to spend more time with Josiah. Falling for a man in mourning may be against the rules, but his quiet strength is the support Ada never knew she needed. Yet with no time to court and a family secret holding her back, how can she allow herself to fall in love?

My Thoughts "The Amish Teacher's Gift" is the first book in a new series by Rachel J. Good and I was excited to be able to read this book. I found the book flowed well and was well written. I liked the characters and felt frustrated for them when events seemed to conspire against them. My heart ached for Josiah and his desire to be close to his son and for Ada and how she had to be 'mother' and 'father' instead of 'sister'. The subject of a special needs school in an Amish community was fascinating and I enjoyed learning more about it. I look forward to reading the other books in the series. 

About the Author

Rachel J. Good grew up near Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, the setting for her Amish novels. Striving to be as authentic as possible, she spends time with her Amish friends, doing chores on their farm and attending family events. Rachel loves to travel and visit many different Amish communities.

Rachel is the author of several Amish series in print or forthcoming – Sisters & Friends series, Love & Promises series, and two books in the Hearts of Amish Country series – as well as the Amish Quilts Coloring Booksand the contemporary novella, Angels Unaware, part of the Hope Chapel series. In addition, she has stories in the anthologies Springs of Love and Love’s Thankful Heart.

She’d love to have you visit her website, or connect with her on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter, and Bookbub. Rachel also enjoys meeting readers and will be doing talks and booksignings around the country this year. To find out more about Rachel and her books, you can sign up for her newsletter: http://bit.ly/1qwci4Q

Guest Post from Rachel J. Good

Heart-Tugging Research

Sometimes as an author, stories call to you and beg you to write them. This story first tugged at my heart after I spent time with an Amish friend’s special needs child. I thought about writing a book to show how the Amish treat each child as a gift from God. After meeting a hearing-impaired teen girl with Down’s syndrome and seeing how she was encouraged to live up to her potential, the idea grew stronger. This girl later became Martha in the book.

Then at an auction, I watched a young Down’s syndrome boy help the auctioneer by delivering the goods to the bidders. His straw hat tilted a little crookedly, but with a broad smile on his face, he carefully matched items with the correct bidder. He looked so proud of himself and proud to be able to do such an important job. I sat there at the auction and jotted notes for the novel.

Once I knew the topic of the novel, I began my research by visiting Amish schools for special needs, attending auctions to support them, and touring the Community Care Center, where Amish and Mennonite children and adults with special needs get amazing help. The young man in the wheelchair who showed us around was an awesome guide. We peeked into an exercise room, a therapy room, a craft room, several classrooms, a cafeteria, and my favorite—a multi-sensory environment. This room with dark walls lit only by a small row of twinkling Christmas lights had a ball pit (with the plastic balls like some fast food restaurants have in their play areas), a plush recliner, blankets, headphones, and a hammock. Autistic children at the center found this room a great calming atmosphere. I knew this room had to have a place in the book.

I visited a teacher who taught autistic children and learned a lot about programs, therapies, and teaching techniques. After learning the cutting edge techniques she used, I was surprised to realize that the Amish had adopted quite a few of them for their classrooms. I chose a hearing-impaired boy for the hero’s son because I had a nephew with hearing problems, so I could incorporate some of the struggles he had into the story.

I wanted this series to be about the healing power of love, so each book will deal with a different type of healing. When something touches my heart like this, I always pray it will touch the readers’ hearts too.

Blog Stops

Carpe Diem, May 8

Texas Book-aholic, May 8

The Avid Reader, May 9

Among the Reads, May 9

Reading Is My SuperPower, May 10

The Fizzy Pop Collection, May 10

Lighthouse Academy, May 10

Ansel book blog, May 11

Because I said so – and other adventures in parenting. , May 12

Bibliophile Reviews, May 12

Splashes of Joy, May 12

books n baubles, May 13

A Baker’s Perspective, May 13

cherylbbookblog, May 14

Maureen’s Musings, May 14

Captive Dreams Window, May 14

Blossoms and Blessings, May 15

Mary Hake, May 15

Janices book reviews, May 15

D’S QUILTS & BOOKS, May 16

SusanLovesBooks, May 16

A Simply Enchanted Life, May 17

proud to be an autism mom, May 17

Jeanette’s Thoughts, May 17

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 18

Artistic Nobody, May 18 (Spotlight)

margaret kazmierczak, May 18 (Interview)

Quiet Quilter, May 19

Red Headed Book Lady, May 19

Bigreadersite, May 20

Christian Author, J.E.Grace, May 20

Simple Harvest Reads, May 20 (Spotlight)

Pink Granny’s Journey, May 21

Vicky Sluiter, May 21

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Rachel is giving away a grand prize package of a tote, an autographed copy of The Amish Teacher’s Gift, and an autographed copy of Hearts Reunited!!

Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries! https://promosimple.com/ps/cee3/the-amish-teacher-s-gift-celebration-tour-giveaway

"The Amish Teacher's Gift" is available in paperback:

• Series: Love and Promises (Book 1)
• Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Forever (April 24, 2018)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1538711265
• ISBN-13: 978-1538711262
• Product Dimensions: 4.2 x 1.2 x 6.8 inches

and in Kindle edition:

• File Size: 4973 KB
• Print Length: 384 pages
• Publisher: Forever (April 24, 2018)
• Publication Date: April 24, 2018
• Sold by: Hachette Book Group
• Language: English
• ASIN: B074M66MKP
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I got a free copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own and given voluntarily. No compensation was received for this review.