WV Stitcher: Forever Hilltop by Judy Baer~ Litfuse Blog tour with giveaway

Paperback: 576 pages
Publisher: Guideposts Books (May 1, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0824945298
ISBN-13: 978-0824945299

To purchase a copy of this book, click here.

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 2012 | Series: Forever Hilltop

The charming and often hilarious Forever Hilltop series follows the experiences of former city dweller Alex Armstrong as he settles into his new role as pastor of a Scandinavian community in rural North Dakota. Alex is sometimes baffled by his parishioners and their colorful ways, but he comes to appreciate their simple wisdom. One thing's for sure -- life in Hilltop Township is never dull! This new two-in-one format features An Unlikely Blessing along with its sequel, Surprising Grace.

In An Unlikely Blessing, Alex Armstrong is a former city dweller who has just accepted his first parish assignment to a small community in the wilds of North Dakota. In Hilltop Township, Pastor Alex becomes familiar with the residents and their odd traditions, from julebukking to King Oscar's fish balls. And then there's the excitement the single pastor creates among the unmarried women in the community! Alex soon discovers that his new church home has as much to teach him as he has to teach them.

In Surprising Grace, Alex Armstrong is settling into his new role as pastor of Hilltop Church, and he's even starting to understand the strange ways of the people who populate this barren stretch of North Dakota prairie. But he also finds that his flock needs help and counsel like he never imagined. In this cozy and entertaining read, Alex must choose between the woman he once loved -- and the home he's come to love.

My take on this book:

"Forever Hilltop" provides the reader with two books in one. The first book, "An Unlikely Blessing" introduces the readers to Alex Armstrong, a former college professor from Chicago, whose life seemed pretty well planned that is until God led him to seminary to become a pastor. Now at the age of 42 he is starting over, his first assignment is to become a pastor for a tiny two point parish, which means he will be responsible for two churches in Grass Valley, North Dakota.

In "Surprising Grace" Alex has been in the community for a few months and is getting to know the residents. There is plenty going on in this story as he continues to deal with the many problems of the residents. When someone from his past shows up will he stay in the tiny town that is starting to feel like home?

I love stories with a small town feel, where the town becomes as much of a character as the people in the story and that's just what I found in "Forever Hilltop." The author's storytelling easily had the characters in this story coming to life. The members of All Saints Fellowship and Hilltop Community Church were totally different from one another. While Hilltop welcomed Alex with open arms and plenty of food the members of All Saints were more reserved.Even with the differences between the two churches Alex decides to try and bring them together.

If your a fan of books with a small town feel, filled with wonderfully quirky characters then your going to enjoy these stories. I for one will certainly be watching for the third book in this series.

To follow along on the Litfuse blog tour and read what other reviewers are saying click here.

About the author:

Judy Baer was born and grew up on a farm on the prairies of North Dakota, experiencing many of the same things as her Hilltop characters. An only child, she spent most of her days with imaginary people-either those she read about or those she made up in her head.

Baer graduated from Concordia College with majors in English and education and a minor in religion. While at the time, she was simply studying what interested her, Baer later realized that she was educating herself for her future career as a Christian writer. She certainly put her education to use as she is the author of more than 75 books.

A certified professional life coach now certified in three coaching disciplines, Baer coaches primarily professional and aspiring writers. She is also a faculty advisor in the Department of Human Development at St. Mary's University in Minneapolis, MN. Baer has two daughters and three step children. She and her husband live in Minnesota.

She invites you to visit her at her web site www.judykbaer.com for more information on her and her books.

JudyKBaer is giving away a Kindle for YOU … and one for a Friend in her Forever Hilltop Giveaway!

Celebrate with Judy by entering to win a Kindle for you and a friend!