The Amish Candy Maker by Laura V. Hilton Book Review

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ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: The Amish Candy Maker by Laura V. Hilton

Author: Laura V. Hilton

Genre: Amish Christian Fiction

Release date: February 5, 2019

Publisher: WhitakerHouse

Agnes Zook finds herself on her own in a small Amish community in Mackinac County after a tragedy kills her family. Most of the Amish call her “off in den Kopf” (strange) since she’s starting her own business and forging her own way in the community instead of relying on the bishop to take care of her. Since she’s viewed as non-submissive and too-forward for an Amish woman, she’s not courted by young men in the area.
Isaac Mast is on the verge of leaving the Amish church. He’s become a sought-after auctioneer and has a thriving business, but he feels confined by the strict rules. When his brother is severely injured in a wild fire, Isaac receives a letter from his sister-in-law, begging him to come to Mackinac County to help out while his brother is hospitalized. Isaac agrees but is unsure how to manage their young children when he has weekend auctions he’s expected to attend.
Agnes may be the answer to a prayer. Sparks fly when she and Isaac meet. But could their differences help them form a deeper connection to their faith…and each other?

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BOOK REVIEW

The Amish Candy Maker is the second book in Hilton's The Amish of Mackinac County series. The story all about true love, faith, and determination. We are taken on Agnes Zook and Isaac Mast life journey of their struggles with the past and finding their way back to their faith.
We see Agnes Zook an unmarried woman who has no self-worth and has survival guilt that took the lives of the rest of her family. She decides to open up her own candy shop. Her community looked down on her for that. She dreams of having a husband and a family.

Isaac Mast a well sought after auctioneer. He travels all over the United States holding auctions. Due to all of his traveling he doesn't really have time to settle down and get married. He is full of guilt for being responsible for killing three people. After receiving a letter from his sister-in-law begging him for help when a fire caused major burns on his twin brother. He returns.
Isaac first meets Agnes when he goes into her candy shop. During the first time they met, Agnes was robbed at gunpoint causing Isaac to be the hero. They start flirting. They created a business agreement to help one another - one supplying labor and the other providing childcare.
Will things work out? Will another tragic accident have them going their separate ways? Can they both find peace in their faith? Will they get married? If so, will Bishop Miah allow it?
The Amish Candy Maker contains likable and relatable characters. As well as faith, love, determination, perseverance, and even moments of sadness. It is full of twists and turns. It is a heartwarming love story. We see growth in both the main characters, Agnes Zook and Isaac Mast. She even gave the character a humorous side.

Hilton is great at taking you into their world. Her descriptions of the locations and characters made it very easy for me to see the story in my brain. One of the locations in the book is Mackinac County.
Throughout the book, there are Amish proverbs and Biblical references.

I would suggest reading the first book, Firestorm, to get an idea of their Amish community and all they experienced. just because Hilton's books are really good, but this book can be read as a stand-alone too. I love how Hilton threw in a special surprise recipe at the end of the story. If you love Amish Fiction stories and Christian Fiction then these books are for you. I would highly recommend reading this series.

I received a complimentary e-book of The Amish Candy Maker from Celebrate Lit. This is an honest opinion.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Laura Hilton is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers and is a professional book reviewer for the Christian market, with more than a thousand reviews published on the web. Her first series with Whitaker was The Amish of Seymour, comprising Patchwork Dreams, A Harvest of Hearts (2012 Laurel Award winner, first place in the Amish Genre Clash), and Promised to Another; and her second was The Amish of Webster County, comprising Healing Love, Awakened Love, and Surrendered Love. Her next series was The Amish of Jamesport, featuring The Post Card, Snow Globe, and The Birdhouse. Her latest books include The Amish Firefighter, The Amish Wanderer, and Love By the Numbers. Laura and her husband, Steve, live in Arkansas with their five children, whom Laura homeschools.

A GUEST POST FROM LAURA

RECIPE FOR FUDGE À LA AGNES ZOOK

Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Fudge

Courtesy of Laura V. Hilton

1 bag (12 ounces) milk chocolate chips

1 bag (10 ounces) peanut butter chips

2 cans sweetened condensed milk, divided

6 tablespoons butter, divided

20 to 30 miniature Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups or six regular-size ones broken into four or five pieces each

For the chocolate layer: Line a greased 8-by-11.5-inch baking dish with parchment paper.

In a double boiler or metal bowl over a saucepan of simmering water, combine milk chocolate chips, 1 can sweetened condensed milk, and 4 tablespoons butter. Stir until melted and smooth.

Pour into prepared baking dish and allow to cool to room temperature, then move to the refrigerator while preparing next layer.

For the peanut butter layer: In a double boiler or metal bowl over a saucepan of simmering water, combine peanut butter chips, 1 can sweetened condensed milk, and 2 tablespoons butter. Stir until melted and smooth.

Pour on to the milk chocolate fudge layer and press pieces of Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups into the surface. If desired, group candy pieces in a grid-like fashion for easier cutting later.

Allow to cool to room temperature, then refrigerate overnight or until set.

Remove from refrigerator, lift out of the pan by the edges of the parchment paper, and cut into squares, with roughly one miniature peanut butter cup or piece of a cup per square.

Store in the refrigerator.