This has got to be one of the most satisfying-whoosh-of-a-contented-sigh romances that I've ever read. I just love the way the plot unfolds. This is a story that deals with loss, but it doesn't dwell on it. There's growth and hope and promise of new love on the horizon and that combination drew me in and kept me committed.

A heart-warming cast of secondary characters fills out the tale and makes me want to move close by so I can take one of Anna's knitting classes and catch up on the gossip. Heart in Hand snatched me out of a stress filled life and brought me respite and hope. You can't ask more of an author than that, can you?

Barbara Cameron in her new book, "Heart In Hand" Book Three in the Stitches in Time Series published by Abingdon Press takes us into the life of Anna in the Amish community in Lancaster County.

From the back cover: The possibility of new beginnings arrives with the spring, but Anna may not be ready.

After the wedding of her cousin Naomi, knitter Anna, a widow, finds herself missing love and the closeness of a husband. She feels a special connection with her grandmother as they both struggle to go on with life.

Is Anna on the verge of finding happiness when she realizes John Esh is interested in her? Love begins to warm Anna's heart, but will she be so afraid of losing someone that she gives up the second chance that God has provided?

I am sorry to see this series come to an end. This time up the focus is on Anna, A widow, whose heart wants to move on from the death of her husband but doesn't really know how. Then there is Gideon, a widower, with a daughter, Sarah Rose, who meets Anna to help his daughter learn to knit. This is a story about individuals who grieve, from losing spouses to the loss of a mother, grief is something that others don't seem to grasp unless they have gone through it. It is into this environment that Ms. Cameron manages to weave a romance that just captivates you. She makes you care for all the characters and their journey. This is also just plain fun and exciting as well. Don't start this book late at night because it will cost you sleep. I look forward to the next series from Ms. Cameron.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Abingdon Press. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Heart in Hand is the third book in Barbara's Stitches in Time series. Anna and Gideon seem to have much in common, both grieving their spouses' early deaths, but their grief takes very different forms. Anna's joy in her knitting and work at Stitches in Time has been sucked away. Anna is lonely, depressed, and living in memories of the past, while Gideon struggles to help his manipulative daughter Sarah Rose handle her grief and keep his farm running. Gideon is more than ready to marry again, and fights impatience when Anna balks at rushing into marriage with him.

Coping with life while grieving is a central theme of the book, but so is finding joy and love again. This book is timely, given my own recent loss of a close family member. Anna's grandmother and cousins have a big part in helping Anna prepare to move on and live a happy life again. Gideon and Anna both have to grow and learn to make different choices in order to make their new relationship work. Things aren't all rainbows and happy glow for this couple, which mirrors real life. I walked away from this story with a hopeful heart.

I was thrilled to find a sneak peek of a Christmas novella, Annie's Christmas Wish, included at the end of this book. There will be a return to the people of the Quilts of Lancaster County and Stitches in Time series! Annie's Christmas Wish releases in the Fall.

With thanks to the author for my review copy.

Since the loss of her husband Anna hasn't been able to pull herself together, her grief is overwhelming and she barely manages to get through each day. One afternoon, Gideon, a widower with a young daughter enters the shop where she works and eventually she finds herself being drawn to him. Gideon is ready to marry again and he sometimes gets impatient waiting for Anna to be ready.

This is a sweet romance, a good story, and can be read as a stand alone though this is the third in the series. Cameron's novels are refreshing, she has great characters and shows how Anna and Gideon deal with their grief and find happiness again.

I received a copy of this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

This is the third book in this series, and an enjoyable read. We visit again with some old friends, sharing their joys and heartache.

There are three cousins Naomi, Mary Katherine, and Anna that work with their Grandmother Leah. There is also their honorary cousin, Jenny, who feels like she has always belonged.

Anna has lost her Sam, and deals with her sorrow every day. When Gideon Beiler visits the shop with his precocious daughter Sarah Rose, things are about to change. Sarah Rose has lost her Mom to Cancer, and takes a liking to Anna.

Can Gideon get over comparing Anna to Mary, and vice versa, Anna comparing Gideon to Sam. We travel along in this Amish Community, and you begin to feel apart of the society.

We hope all will work out for these folks, but putting two families together can be difficult. We also join Naomi and Nick for their wedding, and Mary Katherine and Jacob and their happiness.

A great read to get lost in, don't miss it.

I received this book through Abingdon Press and was not required to give a positive review.