Blog Tour: A Search for Redemption by Jo Ann Brown

Welcome to the Blog Tour for A Search for Redemption by Jo Ann Brown, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: A Search for Redemption
Series: Secrets of Bliss Valley #3
Author: Jo Ann Brown
Publisher: Love Inspired Trade
Release Date: August 23, 2022
Genre: Amish-inspirational romance

Bestselling author Jo Ann Brown returns to the Amish community of Bliss Valley, where finding a new beginning means facing the past…

After losing both her fiancé and the happy life she anticipated, Amish maedel Grace Coffman is still stitching the pieces of her life back together. But between working in a quilting shop with an unscrupulous Englisch boss and caring for her ill parents, her threads keep unraveling. At first, the arrival of a kind, attractive stranger feels like a coincidence. But the more Grace learns about Joel Beachy and his story, the more their meeting seems like providence…

Joel's return to Bliss Valley—and the Plain people—is his last chance to redeem a life filled with missteps. Yet in Grace, Joel finds something he never imagined: trust, courage and even the possibility of hope. When Grace suddenly finds herself the guardian of her nephews, Joel sees an opportunity to keep two wayward boys from repeating his mistakes. But Joel's dark past isn't quite finished with him. And now he must pray that his new life is strong enough to withstand the pending storm of trouble…and secrets.

“Brown is a gifted writer who makes unforgettable characters that invite the reader to join them on their journey.” —Publishers Weekly bestselling author Marie E. Bast

PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookBub

MY REVIEW

I seriously love this series so, so much and A Search for Redemption helped that love grow deeper and wider!

This novel focuses on Joel and Grace, two people that start out this story about as opposite as you can imagine. Joel has just gotten out of a six year prison sentence, and Grace is a mild-mannered Plain woman that is trying to do all she can to help her ailing parents, while also trying to hold down a job at a local quilt shop that is run by a woman that, crazy enough, reminds me of a nightmare boss that I had once upon a time. The parallels were so uncanny that I think I had a little PTSD while reading some of those scenes and that’s not the only place I felt a personal connection to this story.

Joel grappled with his past sins throughout the novel, and this is something I have first hand knowledge of, and can relate on so many levels, as I’m sure many of us can. Because I could sympathize, it made it hard for me to read his plight. I wanted to scream “forgive yourself!” and “accept God’s grace!” just like I do when I think about my own past. Getting trapped in your head like this, and not letting go, is utterly crippling, and the author does a wonderful job of showing this portrait of grace and forgiveness, not only accepting forgiveness from others but being able to forgive yourself as well.

I absolutely adored Joel and Grace together! Not only do they have a simmering chemistry that builds throughout the story, but each of them being able to be themselves with each other brings about personal growth and change in both of them for the better. Their relationship is able to elevate both of their lives in ways they’d only dreamt of and it was truly a beauty to behold this transformation.

Reading all the Amish fiction I’ve read in my lifetime I haven’t read much about the Asians that settled with the Mennonites, and really appreciated getting to learn more about the Hmong. It was just one more gem to make this read absolutely stellar. The majority of the novel was pretty predictable, but there were a few moments at the end that threw in quite the curveball. I had guessed part of it early on, but man when truths are revealed it changes everything!

Jo Ann Brown is such an immensely talented author that truly paints masterpieces with her words. Though there’s not a lot of drama, and heavily character driven, this was a novel that I could not put down, and hope that this will not be the end of this wonderful series.

My Rating: ★★★★★

MORE BOOKS IN THIS SERIES

Be sure to check out my reviews of other books by author Jo Ann Brown

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jo Ann Brown has published over 100 titles under a variety of pen names. A former military officer, she enjoys taking pictures and traveling. She has taught creative writing for more than 20 years and is always excited when one of her students sells a project. She has been married for more than 40 years and has three children and two rambunctious cats. She lives in Amish Country in southeastern Pennsylvania. She enjoys hearing from her readers.

Connect with Jo Ann by visiting joannbrownbooks.com to subscribe to email newsletter updates.

TOUR GIVEAWAY

(1) winner will receive a $25 Amazon gift card!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight August 1, 2022 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on August 8, 2022. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US/CAN only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

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**I have voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book which I received from the author/publisher through JustRead Tours. All views and opinions expressed are completely honest, and my own.