Mariam Lantz was restless. Despite the storm and the very early hour of 1:00 in the morning, she left her family home in the Amish community of Willow Ridge, Missouri to scurry to her bakery to get a head start on the day's baking and for the special cakes for Bishop Knepp's surprise birthday party. Mariam loved baking and cooking and normally working in the tantalizing aroma of her Sweet Seasons Bakery Cafe would relax her. This was particularly true now that her ownership (along with her partner and good friend Naomi Brenneman) of it was assured, but today she fretted and hoped that the Bishop would not think she made a special effort for him and have him come courting again. Oh, she definitely did not want to be tied down to that stern and stubborn man. She could well imagine what life would be like to have to cook and clean only for him and his children, especially his unruly younger ones, from his two previous wives, now both decreased.

Suddenly, hearing crashing glass, Mariam moves quickly into the darkened café and then is further surprised to hear the calming voice of an unseen man struggling to get his spooked horse under control. As the thunder pounds overhead, the stallion rears and kicks his owner right in the chest and knocks him down. That was the very way she lost her husband, Jesse, over two years ago! Her heart pounding, Miriam recovers herself and goes to his aid. Just as quickly, the stranger, Amish from his plain attire, has already gotten up and is even offering to help her clean up the large tree branch that now covers the tables in her closed dining café.

As the storm outside diminishes, sparks ignite inside. Ben Hooley, a handsome traveling farrier, just can not take his eyes off this beautiful woman with the teasing laugh and dark brown eyes as sweet as her pies. Likewise, Mariam finds herself responding to this young handsome and muscular man with his charming smile -- so unlike how she feels about the Bishop.

Soon, however, one of her three triplet daughters, Rhoda is setting her cap on the handsome blacksmith. Mariam is concerned and wonders how Ben will react. Will he want the younger beautiful daughter instead of the older widowed mother?

As romance buds in the autumn sunshine, Mariam stays busy with the café and preparing for the upcoming marriage of Naomi's son, Micah, to Rachel, her daughter and Rhoda's sister while fending off the Bishop's less than subtle claims on her.

Meanwhile, her third triplet, Rebecca, who had been lost in a flash flood when she was three and raised by an English family who named her Tiffany, dropped by and was excited to show her Amish mom her latest college assignment on the web. But as they all looked on, they came across a shocking discovery that does not put the Bishop in a good light. What will he do now?

After reading Charlotte Hubbard (Naomi King)'s first book, Summer of Secrets, in her Seasons of the Heart series, I couldn't wait to get my hands on AUTUMN WINDS and it is even more wonderful than I could have imagined it. I have read many Amish books and this is certainly one of the best I have ever read! What I particularly enjoyed this time was the unfolding of a mature romance and finding myself waiting with as much anticipation as Ben for the first sweet kiss with this incredible and strong woman. I also enjoyed that most of the family and community dynamics involved how the community and the Bishop reacted to the Amish newcomers in their midst.

I don't want to give away more of the story, however, I can definitely affirm that readers who love Amish stories, such as those by Beverley Lewis, and other Amish romance writers will love this captivating story. As accidental incidents blow off the covers from hidden secrets, people have to make a decision about how they stand about following their faith and who they care about. As in her previous book, Hubbard interweaves in her storyline, a way for her characters to discern God's will from what people feel they want to do or want to make others do. AUTUMN WINDS is also a very compelling read as a standalone story. Given that, I have to admit I am eagerly looking forward to Winter of Wishes due out in the fall of 2013. For readers who enjoy the tantalizing descriptions of Amish food and baked goods, definitely check out http://www.charlottehubbard.com for the delicious recipes from the Sweet Seasons bakery, that you are also sure to enjoy! I know I did!

Book Summary

The leaves are falling and there's a chill in the air in Willow Ridge, Missouri, the quaint, quiet Amish town where love, loyalty, and faith in the Old Ways are about to be put to the test ...

Autumn Winds

Winds of change are blowing through Willow Ridge, and they're bringing a stranger to the Sweet Seasons Bakery. At first, widowed Miriam Lantz has misgivings about Ben Hooley, a handsome but rootless traveling blacksmith. But as she gets to know the kind–hearted newcomer, she wonders if his arrival was providential. Perhaps she could find love again––if only there weren't so many obstacles in the way. With Bishop Knepp relentlessly pursuing her hand in marriage and the fate of her beloved cafe at stake, Miriam must listen to God and her heart to find the happiness she longs for and the love she deserves.

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