Sixteen years ago, Nora was banished by her strict Amish father, and she abandoned her newborn daughter and joined the English world. Now, divorced and seeking reconciliation with her family, she returns home. Her reappearance sends shock waves through the small Amish community, and though her mother has welcomed her back, her father has not. This novel explores many of the problems Nora experienced as a young Amish teenager sorely used, her homelessness at being expelled from her home, her venture into the English world, her marriage and it subsequent demise, and her return to her Amish roots. The author does a commendable job of portraying the various characters as they come to grips with Nora’s return, and how they all adapt to her again. The story is informative as well as entertaining. ( )

I have read all of Charlotte Hubbard's Seasons of the Heart books. In my opinion they keep getting better and better.

If you enjoy romance, there is plenty of it in this story. (Sigh!) I was rooting for Luke and Nora.

Then there is that pesky Hiram Knepp stirring up trouble again. How I really dislike that man.

Perhaps we all can relate to the unforgiveness of a heart or two. Can and will God change these hearts?

This is a book you don't want to miss. I simply loved it! ( )

Reminding us that “home is where the heart is”, Charlotte Hubbard takes us on a journey back to Willow Ridge in Harvest of Blessings, the fifth installment in her Seasons of the Heart series. Filled with beloved characters, a prodigal daughter returning home after years away, and showcasing God’s command to forgive and love each other, Ms. Hubbard’s story will grab your attention from beginning to end. While this book can stand on its own, I recommend reading the entire series in order; both for reading enjoyment and for getting to know the inhabitants of this little town.

After living among the “English” for sixteen years, Nora Glick Landwehr has decided to return to her childhood home in Willow Ridge. Determined to ask for her parent’s forgiveness, connect with the daughter she’s never known, and establish a gift store selling Amish and Mennonite wares, Nora purchases a prime piece of real-estate and moves in. While not looking for a second chance at love, Nora can’t help being attracted to one of her neighbors, Luke Hooley, and has to decide if she’s willing to risk her heart. Ms. Hubbard does a good job developing Nora’s character and I easily connected with her right away. An outwardly beautiful woman, Nora also has a lovely soul and once you get to know her story, why she had to leave her daughter behind, you can’t help rooting for her to reconnect with her family and take a chance on love.

A member of the Willow Ridge community for over a year, Luke Hooley still can’t make up his mind about officially joining the church. He also refused to get serious about any of the young women in town and prefers “playing the field”. At least until he meets Nora Landwehr and becomes interested in getting to know her. The more Luke finds out about Nora, the more he’s intrigued. He even finds himself willing to visit a local Mennonite Church that Nora wants to join. Ms. Hubbard also does a good job developing Luke’s character and it was nice getting to know him better. He’s always been an interesting character and I knew there had to be more to him than the “player” he’s let others see.

The secondary characters are well developed and Ms. Hubbard did a good job delivering message that love and forgiveness are forever entwined as a part of the “Golden Rule” – after all it’s impossible to truly love someone if you are not willing to forgive them. I especially enjoyed getting to see Mariam and Ben Hooley again, along with Tom and Nazareth Hostetler. And of course it wouldn’t be a book about Willow Ridge without having to deal with Hiriam Knepp, the church’s excommunicated preacher who won’t leave his old community alone.

Will Nora and her parents learn to forgive each other and love each other as God expects? Will Nora and her daughter be able to connect and have a relationship? And will Nora and Luke give their budding love a chance to become the love of a lifetime? You’ll have to read Harvest of Blessings to find out. I can’t wait to see who Ms. Hubbard writes about next! ( )

We are back in Willow Ridge with our Amish/Mennonite families, at least that is how they feel to me, as we have come to know and love them through the pen of the Author Charlotte Hubbard.
We open the book with Nora Glick Landwehr purchasing the home of Hiram Knepp, that beautiful home that he owned when he was the local Bishop. I could feel myself cringing, knowing the reputation of that man, but who is Nora? We are about to find out and I found myself walking in her shoes. She has not had an easy lot, and has made some bad choices, but a lot was put on her shoulders as a young girl.
If you haven’t met Hiram before, please pick up the previous books in this series, you will not be disappointed, at least not in the books, but maybe in the man. We are putting closure on some of the previous stories, as we attend Annie Mae’s wedding, and spend time with Ben and Miriam. We are also around the twins, and catch up in their lives.
This being Nora’s story, we meet her parents, and what a happening that will be. Such a transformation, and yet, there are answers here, and some that might help others.
We are also meeting back with the Hooley brothers, Ira and Luke; they are about to open the mill. Now how would you feel if you finally meet your daughter and she is dating a man almost twice her age? I wouldn’t like it at all, but this is a different culture, or is it? Neither of the brothers has chosen to embrace their Amish faith, and is certainly beyond the age of doing so.
You won’t be disappointed in this read, I sure wasn’t, just didn’t want it to end, come and immerse yourself in the Plain life, you will not want the story to end.

I received this book through the Publisher Kensington, and was not required to give a positive review. ( )

Harvest of Blessing by Charlotte Hubbard is a wonderful Amish romance. It is the fifth book in the Seasons of the Heart series. Nora Glick Landwehr has returned to Willow Ridge, Missouri after being away for over sixteen years. Her father, Preacher (former) Gabriel Glick sent her away to live with an aunt when Nora found out she was pregnant. Nora refused to name the man who got her pregnant. Nora has now returned to set things right with her family. She wants their forgiveness. Nora has purchased Hiram Knepp’s place (since he has been excommunicated and is starting his new community) and is looking forward to starting a business as well as getting to know her daughter, Millie.

Luke Hooley is thirty and has still not committed to the Old Order Amish faith. He is a big flirt but can the right woman help him settle down. Ira Hooley, Luke’s brother, is just like his brother. But he has been dating Millie for a year. Is Ira ready to get serious and settle down?

We also get to catch up on the lives of the rest of the residents of Willow Ridge and see what is going on in their lives. There is also a wedding! Annie Mae Knepp is marrying Adam Wagler. Annie Mae deserves happiness after everything that has happened to her because of her father, Hiram.

Harvest of Blessings is just a delight to read and is such a sweet story. I give Harvest of Blessings 5 out of 5 stars! I am looking forward to The Christmas Cradle (the next book in the series) when it comes out at the end of September. Harvest of Blessings will be out on February 24, 2015. The other books in the series are available on Kindle Unlimited if you have not read them yet! Happy Reading!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. ( )