About the Book

Title: Softly Blows the Bugle
Series: The Amish of Weaver’s Creek #3
Author: Jan Drexler
Publisher: Revell
Release Date: October 20, 2020
Genre: Christian Historical Amish Romance

Welcome back to the Amish community at Weaver’s Creek, where the bonds of family and faith bind up the brokenhearted.

When Elizabeth Kaufman received the news of her husband’s death at the Battle of Vicksburg in 1863, she felt only relief. She determined that she would never be at the mercy of any man again, even if it meant not having a family of her own. Then along came Aaron Zook . . .

Despite the severity of his injuries, Aaron has resolved to move west and leave the pain of the past behind him. He never imagined that the Amish way of life his grandfather had rejected long ago would be so enticing. That, and a certain widow he can’t get out of his mind.

Yet, even in a simple community, life has a way of getting complicated. Aaron soon finds that while he may have left the battlefield behind, there is another fight he must win–the one for the heart of the woman he loves.

PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Christianbook

My Review

I was happy to hear the clarion call of the bugle inviting me back to what should have been the uncomplicated Amish lives in Weaver’s Creek. However, Jonas has returned home after 3 yrs serving as medic in the Civil War. He can only marry Katie if the church approves him for membership, and everyone knows the Amish don’t believe in war. Jan Drexler ups the drama in her third book of the Amish of Weaver’s Creek, Softly Blows the Bugle. While this could be read separately, it is so much richer when read following the first two books. Aaron Zook, a close non-Amish friend of Jonas’s, has followed him home. Aaron has issues to sort through, some caused by the war, some inherited. His very presence causes conflict for widowed Elizabeth, who must decide if she wants to court respectable Amishman Solomon Mast, or wait on Aaron, who is neither Amish nor settled. So many different threads going in this story, and I loved them each and every one. I finished the book in one day, as I couldn’t pull myself away from the events at Weaver’s Creek as they became more and more intense. While Jonas’s patience and trust in Gott amazed me, I felt like Aaron and Elizabeth grew the most throughout the novel. I loved how Ms. Drexler feeds the reader just enough doubt and clues at the right times to make one feel as if they have suddenly figured out something essential. I also liked the inclusion of the Amish gossip. Doesn’t every group have at least one person who needs to learn to control their tongue? Anxiously awaiting Ms. Drexler’s next series. I received a complimentary copy of the book from the author and publisher through JustRead Publicity Tours and NetGalley. I also received an ARC from LibraryThing. All opinions are my own and unsolicited. Notable quotables: “That’s a mother’s kiss, young man. And a mother’s kiss lasts forever.” “No man is whole when he is by himself. All of us are broken on the inside until we find our place with God…”

My Rating

Magnificent!

About the Author

Jan Drexler brings a unique understanding of Amish traditions and beliefs to her writing. Her ancestors were among the first Amish, Mennonite, and Brethren immigrants to Pennsylvania in the 1700s, and their experiences are the inspiration for her stories. Jan lives in the Black Hills of South Dakota with her husband, where she enjoys hiking and spending time with her expanding family. She is the author of The Sound of Distant Thunder, The Roll of the Drums, Hannah’s Choice, Mattie’s Pledge (a 2017 Holt Medallion finalist), and Naomi’s Hope, as well as several Love Inspired historical novels.

CONNECT WITH JAN: Website | Facebook | Instagram

TOUR GIVEAWAY

(1) winner will receive a Softly Blows the Bugle prize package including: “The Amish of Weaver’s Creek” three-book series (The Sound of Distant Thunder, The Roll of the Drums, and Softly Blows the Bugle), Winter Mug & hot cocoa packets, Lavender Hand Lotion Bar from Fairchild Lamb & Wool (Canby, Minnesota), “One Minute with God” perpetual calendar, Thanksgiving Turkey shelf sitter, Laura Ingalls Wilder notepad, Jan Drexler sticky notes, bookmarks, and pen!

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour as well as our Softly Blows the Bugle Takeover Tour (October 28-30) for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway will begin at midnight October 19, 2020 and last through 11:59 PM EST on November 4, 2020. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

ENTER GIVEAWAY HERE

Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

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