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Maggie’s Journey by Lena Nelson Dooley Review and Giveaway

January 23, 2025 Babbling Becky L

About the Book

Book: Maggie’s Journey

Author: Lena Nelson Dooley

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release date: January 7, 2025

A secret adoption, a quest for identity, and a love that could change her life forever.

Margaret Lenora Caine has never fit the mold her mother set for her. When Maggie discovers proof she was adopted, the rift between them only tears deeper. Feeling the sting of betrayal, Maggie requests permission to visit her grandmother in Little Rock, Arkansas. There she’ll set her sights on her dream of becoming a successful dress designer and maybe find her true identity in the process. Her father’s one condition is that she must be travel with her young aunt and her father’s handsome business partner, Charles Stanton—the man who once held her affections.

Charles Stanton, a thriving businessman, has taken a calculated risk by joining forces with Maggie’s father in a joint venture. When asked to chaperone his new partner’s sister-in-law and daughter on a cross-country trip, Charles sees it as an opportunity to strengthen their business ties. Though he initially sets his sights on Maggie’s charming and composed aunt as a potential wife, Charles soon finds himself increasingly captivated by Maggie’s resilience and charm.

With each passing mile, the bond between Maggie and Charles deepens, challenging both Maggie’s plans and her heart. Will the love growing between them help her embrace her identity—or complicate her search for what truly matters in life?

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Multi-published, award-winning author Lena Nelson Dooley has had more than 1,000,000 copies of her 50+ books sold. Her books have appeared on the CBA, Publisher’s Weekly, and ECPA bestseller lists, as well as Amazon bestseller lists. She is a member of American Christian Fiction and the local chapter, ACFW – DFW. She’s a member of Christian Authors’ Network. She likes to create characters and stories that grip her readers hearts.

Book Excerpt

“Mrs. Caine.” Angus McKenna came to an abrupt stop and cleared his throat before starting again. “I’ve come to ask you something that . . . I never dreamed I’d . . . ever ask anyone.” His voice rasped, and he stopped to take a gulp of air, staring off into the distance.

She couldn’t take her eyes from him, even when the baby in her arms squirmed. “How can we help you?”

New tears followed the trails down his cheeks and disappeared into his beard. He grabbed a bandanna from his back pocket and blew his nose with one hand. “I’ve just lost the most important thing in my life.” He paused and stared at the ground. “I don’t know how I can go on without her.” His voice cracked on the last word. Once again he paused, but much longer this time. His prominent Adam’s apple bobbed several times. “I’ve been crying out to God, but I don’t think He’s listening to me right now. If He were . . . ”

What a thing for a man to admit to them. Florence knew he must be near a breakdown. He did need help, but what could they do?

“I’ve decided . . . it would be best to find another family to raise one of my girls.” He stood straighter. “I’ve watched you with Margaret Lenora . . . ”

“Is that what you’ve named her?” Florence gazed at the sleeping baby, and her heart ached for the child. To grow up without a mother.

“Yes.” Angus looked straight at Joshua, and her husband gave a slow nod.

“Your husband has told me . . . how much you’ve wanted a child.”

For a moment, anger flared in her chest. Joshua shouldn’t share her secret with anyone. She took a deep breath to keep from saying something she’d regret. Even though she didn’t even look at her husband, she could feel his gaze deep inside. She was grateful he couldn’t see the ugly jealousy and covetousness that resided there.

My Impressions

“Part of her was missing, but she didn’t know what part it was.”

Do you skip prologues? In some cases, they are very much an essential part of the book, not just an excerpt taken from deeper on in the book. If you skip the prologue to Maggie’s Journey by Lena Nelson Dooley, you’ve just missed some vital information, plus a glimpse of life on the Oregon Trail.

When we meet Maggie Caine, she is turning eighteen, and very much frustrated with her life. Maggie has great clothing designing abilities and hopes to follow in the steps of her maternal grandmother, who is a famous designer in Arkansas. However, Maggie’s social- climbing and uptight mother wants Maggie to have nothing to do with working a common job when she could be a socialite. When the friction between the two reaches a climax, it is decided Maggie will visit her grandmother accompanied by her youngish aunt and her childhood friend, Charles Stanton.

Boy, could I ever identify with Maggie’s wish to be her own person! Discovering a well-kept family secret, Maggie begins doubting her parents’ love and care. And she is afraid her inner lack will make her appear lacking to the world. “Something deep inside her was missing, a piece of her heart, maybe a piece of her soul…could she ever find it again? Maybe if she could, she’d feel whole, a complete human being. Accepted for who she really was, with no one trying to change her into something else.”

Maggie’s mother struggles with feelings and thoughts from her past that influence who she has become. When she takes an honest look at herself, even she is repulsed. I love Joshua’s response:

“My love for you isn’t conditional, Flory. You don’t have to earn my love. It’s a gift. Just as God’s love doesn’t come with strings attached.”

A few parts of the story were not as obvious to me as I believe they are meant to be. This could be just my interpretation.

I certainly did like how loyal and or loving Maggie’s father is to all the people in his life. He reminded me of my own father! The character of Charles took a little longer to grow on me.

Family secrets, tensions, the Old West (steam engine time), and romance, plus themes of adoption, old friends-to-more, and reconciliation, all combine to make this a good read.

I received a copy of the book from Celebrate Lit. I also bought my own copy. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.

Notable Quotables:

“You are who God created you to be. The Bible says He knew each of us when we were in our mother’s wombs. He knit us together there. You were special to Him when He created you, and you’re special to Him right now.”

“I want to be me, not someone you’re creating.”

My Rating

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Great! I am anxious to read the sequels!

Blog Stops

lakesidelivingsite, January 23

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, January 24

Artistic Nobody, January 25 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, January 25

Texas Book-aholic, January 26

Locks, Hooks and Books, January 27

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, January 28

Devoted To Hope, January 29

Guild Master, January 30 (Author Interview)

Sylvan Musings, January 30

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, January 31

Books You Can Feel Good About, February 1

Simple Harvest Reads, February 2 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

For Him and My Family, February 3

Holly’s Book Corner, February 4

Pause for Tales, February 5

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Lena is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon Gift Card!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf54139

BLOG, Celebrate Lit Tour, Love Inspired Suspense

Shielding the Amish Witness by Mary Alford

May 27, 2021 Babbling Becky L

About the Book

Book: Shielding the Amish Witness

Author: Mary Alford

Genre: Amish Romantic Suspense

Release date: April 1, 2021

Seeking refuge in Amish country puts everyone she loves in danger.

On the run after discovering her brother-in-law was behind her husband’s murder, Faith Cooper can think of only one safe place—her Amish grandmother’s home. But when danger follows Faith to the quiet Amish community, her childhood friend Eli Shetler is her only protection. And their survival depends on outlasting a relentless killer…one who has nothing left to lose.

Click here to get your copy!

My Impressions

“Faith appeared to be one more bad thing away from falling apart.” Oh, the tension here!!
Why you might enjoy Shielding the Amish Witness by Mary Alford.
First, the action is immediate. Faith Cooper St. Claire has just discovered her deceased husband’s note implicating both himself and his brother as crooked cops working for a ruthless drug dealer. When Faith shows her sister-in-law, Cheryl, this evidence, Cheryl is ruthlessly killed by said brother-in-law, Vince, and Faith must flee for her life.
Secondly, Faith, Eli, and Sarah, the main protagonists, are not unbelievably intelligent people with whiz computer hacking skills. They are normal people, with extraordinary circumstances to be overcome,
set against what should be a very peaceful Amish background. That juxtaposition helps lessen a little of the intensity of the high-octane suspense. If you are looking for true romantic suspense one or two notches below bordering on terror, this fits the bill nicely.

I love secondary characters who are the kind I would love to have in my life. Grossmammi Sarah is one of these, with “Never a negative word. Not even for the man who had torn apart their family.” She also fully embraces Faith’s return, loving her and waiting patiently for Faith to be ready to talk without pushing for answers. And so much peace, wisdom, and faith in Gott that can only come with years of practice, exercising our trust muscle.
Eli, I love because he is also broken and flawed, but he is faithful to his dear friend Sarah. Will that extend to Sarah’s beloved granddaughter, Faith?
Highly recommended!
I received a copy of this book from the author and publisher via Celebrate Lit. No positive review was required and all opinions are my own.

My Rating

Magnificent!! Highly Recommended!!

About the Author

USA Today Bestselling Author, Mary Alford, loves giving her readers the un-expected, whether it be in a rugged mountain setting or a peaceful Amish community.

Her titles have appeared on the USA Today Bestselling List, Publisher’s Weekly Bestselling List, and have been finalists in the Daphne Du Maurier award of excellence, The Beverly, The Maggie, and The Selah Awards.

Mary lives in Texas with her husband, two very spoiled cats, and a sweet rescue dog name Cody. Mary is very active online and would love to connect with readers on Face-book and Twitter or any social platforms listed at www.maryalford.net.

More from Mary

As a reader, I love books that are part of a series. There’s something comforting about being able to revisit characters that are special to me and meet new ones along the way. You get to go back to your favorite place and hang out with the people who make you smile.

It’s like coming home.

When I set out to write a series about five Amish brothers, I knew exactly where I wanted to set the series. The West Kootenai Amish community in Montana. West Kootenai is a remote community with sweeping mountain views surrounded by vast wilderness spaces. The perfect setting for suspense, along with a chance at redemption and a second chance for the hero and heroine. I love that.

In November, I introduced Covert Amish Christmas, the first book in the series that featured Aaron Shetler, the oldest of the five brothers.

In Shielding the Amish Witness, we meet Eli Shetler, a widower who has returned to West Kootenai to try to start over after his wife’s death two years earlier.

Eli is reunited with his childhood friend, Faith Cooper, who is running from a relentless killer who was once part of her family.

The book takes the reader through the breathtaking countryside of West Kootenai and into the homes of the Shelter family. We get to catch up on what Aaron and Victoria have been up since last we met and are introduced to some new family members. That’s the wonderful thing about series.

So, come with me on a trip to the beautiful community of West Kootenai, Montana where I hope my characters will make you feel right at home.

In writing about the Amish, I’ve come to love preparing their dishes. I’ve tried many recipes, from Amish Pizza to Friendship soup. But one of my all-time favorites is Amish Fry Pies. They are SO good!

Today, I thought I’d share the recipe for Amish Apple Fry Pies. I love this delicious desert and I hope you will as well.

Blessings always,

Mary Alford

AMISH APPLE FRY PIES

(recipe curtosy neighborfoodblog.com and a favorite of mine)

yields: 6

INGREDIENTS

For the filling:

2 large apples, peeled, cored, and diced
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 teaspoons cider
1 teaspoon cornstarch

For the dough:

2 cups flour, sifted
4 Tablespoons butter
2 egg yolks
1/3 cup HOT milk
1/4 teaspoon salt

For the glaze:

1 teaspoon vanilla
2 Tablespoons milk
1 cup powdered sugar
Vegetable or canola oil, for frying

INSTRUCTIONS

To make the filling, combine the apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla in a small saucepan. Cook on medium heat until juices start to form, about 3 minutes. Make a slurry by whisking together the cider and cornstarch. Stir this into the pan, turn the heat up to high, and cook, stirring constantly, until mixture is thickened, about 3 minutes longer. Remove from heat and set aside.
For the dough, cut the butter into cubes then use a pastry cutter to work it into the flour. Continue to cut in the butter until it’s in small pea-sized lumps. In a small mixing bowl, beat the egg yolks and salt together. Slowly pour in hot milk, stirring constantly. Pour the milk mixture into the flour mixture. Stir together until a dough begins to form. Turn the dough out onto parchment or wax paper, and knead it until it smooths out, about 1 minute.
Divide the dough into 6 equal sized pieces and roll them each into a ball. Use a rolling pin to roll them out to about 6-inch circles. Fill each circle with 2 Tablespoons of apple mixture. Fold the dough in half over the filling and pinch the edges together to seal. You can flute the edges or use a fork to crimp them. If the edges aren’t sealing properly, wet them with a little water.
Heat the oil in a deep saucepan to 350 degrees. You can test to see if the oil is ready by sticking a wooden spoon into the center of the pot. If small bubbles form around the handle, you’re ready to go.
Place the pies in the hot oil one at a time and fry until golden brown on both sides, about 2-3 minutes per side. Remove from the oil with a slotted spoon and place on paper towels to dry.
Repeat with remaining pies.
While the pies fry, make the glaze. In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk until smooth. It’s best to glaze the pies while they’re still warm. I use a pastry brush to brush the glaze on one side then let it dry, flip them over, and glaze the other side. You can put two coats of glaze on for extra sweetness if you like but wait for the glaze to harden in between coats.
Pies can be stored uncovered for 2-3 days. If you want the glaze to remain hard, do not place the pies in a plastic bag or sealed container. Just leave them on a wire rack or pan.