Disguised Love by Marie E. Bast

 

Disguised Love:  An Inspirational Victorian-Era Sweet Marriage of Convenience Romance Set on the Western Frontier During the Cholera Epidemic with Reading Guide

Disguised Love (Pre-order Now)

Marie E. Bast

Ethan Tree Road Press

270 Pages

Paperback and Kindle

July 21, 2026

In 1849, their parents' death from cholera forces Swedish immigrants Ingrid Swanson and Lars Nelson to wed in order to rescue their four siblings from an orphanage and adoption. But that's the least of Ingrid's worries. She agrees to a fake marriage, in name only, until she can earn enough money for passage back to Sweden and her fiancé, Christof, before he finds out.

Lars' heart shatters after the death of his fiancée, Mary, Ingrid's sister, which forces him into a marriage of convenience with the quick-witted but unhappy Ingrid and tosses his life further into trepidation. The gold rush of '48, entices many Iowa farmers to abandon their homesteads and head west, which allows Lars to purchase farmland at $1.25 an acre. He and Ingrid build a log cabin, work the land, and make a home for their grieving siblings, who are a handful.

Lars knows of Ingrid's intention to return to Sweden. Yet, after weeks together, Ingrid's advice and help prove invaluable, and her charming ways capture his heart. Lars sets a plan in motion to win Ingrid's love and convince her to stay. But when her fiancé arrives in the U.S., unexpectedly, who will she choose? Could hidden feelings have turned into disguised love?

COMMENTS:

It's historical fiction. It's rugged. It's about what the pioneers had to endure on the prairie. The hardships. The sacrifices. The loneliness. The strength that some had but many didn't possess to go on. It's about courage, faith, and the will to stay alive. To keep families together against the elements, to exist and to outlast the hardships. To survive and battle the obstacles that block their way. And it's why love would be disguised.  

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Marie E. Bast is the Publishers Weekly bestselling author of: The Amish Baker, The Amish Baker's Rival and The Amish Marriage Bargain. Her other awards include: The Amish Baker's Rival, a 2021 finalist in the Mid-American Romance Authors' The Carla Awards Contest; The Amish Baker a finalist in the OCCRWA 2020 Book Buyers Best Book contest for published authors; contemporary book, The Perfect Client, won first place in contemporary for the Ignite the Flame Contest.                    

Ms. Bast’s books whisper words of hope, healing, and forgiveness through complex characters and twisting plots. She enjoys writing Amish, contemporary and historical stories. Married for thirty-five years, she and her husband live in northern Illinois. When she’s not writing, she’s walking, golfing, gardening, or spending time with her family.

Visit her website at www.MarieBastAuthor.com or follow her on social media: Twitter @mariebast1; Facebook/Instagram/Pinterest @mariebastauthor; or visit her blog mariebast.blogspot.com. 

A 2-in-1 Collection: Her Amish Chaperone and The Amish Baker's Rival

 

Her Amish Chaperone by Leigh Bale & The Amish Baker's Rival by Marie E. Bast, a 2-in-1 Collection, Released February 22, 2022.

Amazon Purchase Now

Her Amish Chaperone and The Amish Baker's Rival:

2-in-1 Collection by Leigh Bale and Marie E. Bast

Love Inspired

400 pages

Released February 22, 2022

Her Amish Chaperone by Leigh Bale

When Amish schoolteacher Caroline Schwartz needs assistance while recovering from an accident, Ben Yoder isn’t her first choice for a personal aide. In fact, with Ben’s dark past, most folk in Riverton avoid him! But as he helps Caroline care for her orphaned cousins, she wonders if everyone has misjudged him. Could Ben be the key to the familye she never imagined she’d find?

The Amish Baker's Rival by Marie E. Bast

Amish baker Mary Brenneman is furious when handsome Englischer Noah Miller opens up a bakery right across from hers. Now she must win a local baking contest just to stay in business—and beat know-it-all Noah. But somewhere along the way, Noah and Mary’s kitchen wars are quickly warming into something more…

Marie E. Bast is the Publishers Weekly bestselling author of: The Amish Baker, The Amish Baker's Rival and The Amish Marriage Bargain. Her other awards include: The Amish Baker's Rival was a 2021 Finalist in the Mid-American Romance Authors' The Carla Contest, and The Amish Baker was a finalist in the OCCRWA 2020 Book Buyers Best Book contest for published authors. Her contemporary book, The Perfect Client, won the 2015 first place in contemporary for the Ignite the Flame Contest.                    

Ms. Bast’s books whisper words of hope, healing, and forgiveness through complex characters and twisting plots. She enjoys writing Amish, contemporary and historical stories. Married for thirty years, she and her husband live in northern Illinois. When she’s not writing, she’s walking, golfing, gardening, or spending time with her family.

Visit her website at www.MarieBastAuthor.com or follow her on social media: Twitter @mariebast1; Facebook @mariebastauthor; or visit her blog mariebast.blogspot.com. 

The Amish Baker's Rival

 

The Amish Baker's Rival is book 2 (of the bestselling The Amish Baker) and available on Amazon. Amish baker Mary Brenneman is furious when handsome Englischer Noah Miller opens up a bakery right across from hers. Now she must win a local baking contest just to stay in business—and beat know-it-all Noah. (Paper release Dec. 2020; eBook release Jan. 1, 2021).

Available on Amazon 

She'll do anything to protect her bakery...

no matter the cost to her heart.

But somewhere along the way, 

Noah and Mary's kitchen wars are quickly 

warming into something more...

Read an excerpt:

 "I saw you at the grand opening, what did you think?" Noah wasn't going to let her off that easily.

 Mary shrugged. "I was merely putting in an appearance to pay my respects to a new shop opening. I wasn't there long, but it looked as if you had a nice turnout."

 "Okay, but what did you think?"

 She kept her back to Noah. "It's nice, but I'm a better baker." She said teasingly.

 "Is that right?" He took a step back.

 "That's right," came a smug goading reply.

 "Well, Miss Brenneman, I'm entering the fall festival baking contest. Are you?"

 She jumped to her feet, whirled around to face him and lifted her chin. "Yes."

 "Good. Game on. Let the best baker win." He laughed. She was sassy, but he wanted to pull her and that cute attitude into his arms. But the fear of looking like a complete and utter fool kept him away.

 "You make it sound like a kid's game." Her gaze brushed over him.

 Noah started to leave, then stopped. "We both know there's much more at stake here than merely winning a contest. At this point, it's not even the money, is it? It's the title, the trophy and the prestige that goes along with the achievement."

 "As usual, Noah, you've thought of it all." Her eyes challenged his.

 He took a step closer. "I'm surprised your bishop would actually allow you to enter. It's such an open display of pride that you think your baking is so good you could actually win a contest."

Marie's Bio:

Marie E. Bast is the Publishers Weekly Bestselling Author of              

The Amish Baker, The Amish Baker's Rival and The Amish Marriage Bargain. The Amish Baker's Rival was a 2021 Finalist in the Mid-American Romance Authors' The Carla Contest, and The Amish Baker was also a finalist in the OCCRWA 2020 Book Buyers Best Book contest for published authors.                            

Her first book, The Perfect Client, was the 2015 contemporary winner of the Ignite the Flame Contest. Her stories whisper words of hope, healing, and forgiveness through complex characters and twisting plots. She enjoys writing Amish, contemporary and historical stories. Married for thirty years, she and her husband have two grown sons and one daughter. When she’s not writing, she’s walking, golfing, gardening or spending time with her family.

Visit her website at www.MarieBastAuthor.com or follow her on social media: Twitter @mariebast1; Facebook @mariebastauthor; or visit her blog mariebast.blogspot.com. 

The Amish Baker's Rival

 

Available for preorder.

She'll do anything to protect her bakery...

no matter the cost to her heart

Amish baker Mary Brenneman is furious when handsome Englischer Noah Miller opens up a bakery right across from hers. Now she must win a local baking contest just to stay in business—and beat know-it-all Noah. But somewhere along the way, Noah and Mary’s kitchen wars are quickly warming into something more…

 

Marie's Bio:

Marie E. Bast is the Publishers Weekly Bestselling Author of 
The Amish Baker and The Amish Marriage Bargain. The
Amish Baker is also a finalist in the OCCRWA 2020 

Book Buyers Best Book contest for published authors. Winners

to be announced October 2020.                              

Her first book, The Perfect Client, was the 2015 contemporary winner of the Ignite the Flame Contest. Her stories whisper words of hope, healing, and forgiveness through complex characters and twisting plots. She enjoys writing Amish, contemporary and historical stories. Married for twenty-nine years, she and her husband have two grown sons and one daughter. When she’s not writing, she’s walking, golfing, gardening or spending time with her family.

 

Visit her website at www.MarieBastAuthor.com or follow her
on social media: Twitter @mariebast1; Facebook
@mariebastauthor; or visit her blog mariebast.blogspot.com. 

 

Preorder today: The Amish Baker’s Rival

AMAZON 

Barnes and Noble

Books a Million

Walmart

The Amish Baker

       Woo-Hoo! 

The Amish Baker is a 2020 Book Buyers Best Book Finalist

This Amish Baker is a finalist in the 2020 Book Buyers Best Book Contest for published authors. Winners to be announced Oct. 2020.


Book 2, The Amish Baker's Rival is available for preorder and will be released December 2020.

Amish baker Mary Brenneman is furious when handsome Englischer Noah Miller opens up a bakery right across from hers. Now she must win a local baking contest just to stay in business--and beat know-it-all Noah. But somewhere along the way, Noah and Mary's kitchen wars are quickly warming into something more...

Preorder Now:

                  AMAZON                               Barnes and Noble                                     BAM        


Marie's Bio:

Marie E. Bast is the Publishers Weekly Bestselling Author of 

The Amish Baker and The Amish Marriage Bargain, and the        

first place 2015 contemporary winner of the Ignite the Flame 

Contest for The Perfect Client. Her stories whisper words of 

hope, healing, and forgiveness through complex characters 

and twisting plots. She enjoys writing Amish, contemporary 

and historical stories. Married for twenty-eight years, she and 

her husband have two grown sons and one daughter. When 

she’s not writing, she’s walking, golfing, gardening or 

spending time with her family. Visit her website at 

www.MarieBastAuthor.com or follow her on social media: 

Twitter @mariebast1; Facebook @mariebastauthor; or visit 

her blog mariebast.blogspot.com. 

2-in-1 Collection - 2 Great Novels, 1 Great Price

Bestselling author of The Amish Marriage Bargain, Marie E. Bast, has teamed with award-winning author, Mary Davis, for this sensational 2-in-1 (448-page) collection where change and tradition collide in two heartfelt Amish romances.


Courting Her Prodigal Heart by Mary Davis and The Amish Baker by Marie E. Bast

LOVE INSPIRED: Inspiration Romance

AMAZON (Buy now)

Barnes and Noble (Buy Now)

Christianbook (Buy Now)

Booksamillion (Buy Now)

Preorder Now! Releases February 11, 2020.

The Amish Baker by Marie E. Bast – Re-release!

A child brings them together…Will their differing Amish Beliefs pull them apart?                     

When his son breaks one of baker Sarah Gingerich’s prized possessions, widower Caleb Brenneman insists the boy make amends by doing odd jobs in her bake shop. A childless widow, Sarah can’t help falling for the boy…or his farmer father.

But Caleb is progressive New Order Amish while Sarah holds traditional beliefs. Though they’re worlds apart, are they a perfect match?

Courting Her Prodigal Heart by Mary Davis – Re-release!

Pregnant and alone, Dori Bontrager is sure her Amish kin won’t welcome her—or the child she’s carrying—into the community. And she’s determined that her return won’t be permanent. As soon as she finds work, she’ll leave again. But with her childhood friend Eli Hochstetler insisting she and her baby belong here, will Dori’s path lead back to the Englischer world…or into Eli’s arms?

Author bio: Marie E. Bast is a Publishers Weekly bestselling author of 

The Amish Baker and The Amish Marriage Bargain. Her stories whisper    words of hope and healing through complex characters and twisting plots. She enjoys writing Amish, contemporary and historical stories. Married for twenty-eight years, Marie and her husband have two grown sons and one daughter. When she’s not writing, she’s walking, golfing, gardening or spending time with her family. Visit her website at MarieBastAuthor.com or follower her on social media.

The Amish Marriage Bargain – In stores December 17, 2019

 

 

       She’ll do anything for her niece…                           

       Even marry the man…

       Who broke her heart.

After her sister dies, May Bender settles in to take care of her sister’s baby. But in order to live there, the bishop insists that she marry her widowed brother-in-law, Thad Hochstedler— the beau who jilted her to wed her sister. Can a marriage bargain convince May to risk her heart long enough to learn the real reason for Thad’s first marriage…and possibly rediscover their love?

An excerpt from The Amish Marriage Bargain:

He certainly didn’t profess to know the mind of a woman, but if he had to guess about this one, she regretted her bargain.

 

Author bio: Marie E. Bast is a Publishers Weekly bestselling author of The Amish Baker. Her stories whisper words of hope and healing through complex characters and twisting plots. She enjoys writing Amish, contemporary and historical stories. Married for twenty-eight years, Marie and her husband have two grown sons and one daughter. When she’s not writing, she’s walking, golfing, gardening or spending time with her family. Visit her website at MarieBastAuthor.com or follower her on social media.

Please enter the Goodreads giveaway for a chance to win one of 20 signed copies of The Amish Marriage Bargain. Click on the Goodreads link to enter.

 

 

 

The Amish Marriage Bargain by Marie E. Bast

Release date: December 17, 2019, available for preorder.

Paperback, eBook

ISBN-10: 1335487883

ISBN-13: 978-1335487889 (print)

 

Buy now:

 Amazon                 BarnesandNoble             Booksamillion                Christianbook

The Amish Baker - In stores Feb. 19, 2019

A child brings them together…                                  
Will their differing Amish beliefs pull

them apart?

When his son breaks one of baker Sarah Gingerich’s prized possessions, widower Caleb Brenneman insists the boy make amends by doing odd jobs in her bake shop. A childless widow, Sarah can’t help falling for the boy...or his farmer father. But Caleb is progressive New Order Amish while Sarah holds traditional beliefs. Though they’re worlds apart, are they a perfect match?

I grew up on a farm in northern Illinois, not far from Amish country. When the family would drive to town, I’d see Amish buggies and horses. One day, I asked dad why we didn’t have a horse and buggy. To my disappointment, he explained it was part of their religion to give up modern devices. From then on, the Amish have intrigued me.

Now I live seventy-six miles from Kalona, Iowa, and visit there often. The Amish started to move from Lancaster, PA, to Iowa in 1846 to live a more secluded lifestyle. The different groups in Iowa—include the Old Order, New Order and Beachy Amish—have settled in seven Iowa counties. So come along with me in The Amish Baker and meet the Amish of the heartland.

In The Amish Baker, Sarah Gingerich, who is Old Order, and Caleb Brenneman, who belongs to the New Order, struggle with what their church Ordnung requires and what their hearts want.

Enter The Amish Baker Goodreads Book Giveaway for a chance to win a print book.

The Amish Baker by Marie E. Bast
Release date: February 19, 2019, available for pre-order now.
Pages: 224
Publisher: Love Inspired
Paperback, ebook

ISBN-10: 1335479023

ISBN-13: 978-1335479020 (print)

Buy now:

AMAZON                CBD                BARNES&NOBLE                BOOKSAMILLION

An Amish Book from the Heart Land--Washington County, Iowa, Amish

Excerpt from The Amish Baker: Caleb's chest tightened, he rubbed it to ease the stress. You're a fool Caleb Brenneman. You should have asked her to marry you. Now it is too late. She was excited about her new job as a pastry chef. You can't burst her dream.

 
 



The setting in Iowa is some of the loveliest in the whole Midwest.

Iowa Amish bakers and quilters are some of the best in the country.

The Amish Baker - Cover Reveal

A child brings them together...
     Will their differing Amish
     belief pull them apart?

Available for Pre-order!   

 

Blurb

 

When his son breaks one of baker

Sarah Gingerich's prized possessions,

widower Caleb Brenneman insists the boy

make amends by doing odd jobs in her bake

shop. A childless widow, Sarah can't help

falling for the boy...or his farmer father.

But Caleb is progressive New Order Amish

while Sarah holds traditional beliefs.

Though they're worlds apart, are

they a perfect match?






Welcome!

Thanks for visiting my official webpage. I'm a Christian author of Amish, contemporary, and historical novels, and children's picture books. I invite you to look around, get to know me better, and leave a comment or follow me to keep in touch and get my latest release dates and blog updates.

My first Amish book release, The Amish Baker, scheduled for March 2019 release from Harlequin® Love Inspired®, is the first in my Washington County, Iowa, series. For my debut book release, come celebrate with me. There will be lots of fun drawings, contests, and give away. Be sure to sign up to follow me and get the latest contest dates. Below is a sample of the prizes that some lucky contest winner will take home.

There will be authentic, hand woven baskets that are adorable, and all made by Iowa Amish hands. Their craftsmanship is durable, they are beautiful, and practical. I am a basket collector and I love these. So don't miss out.

                             There will be cute little coasters and other things to cherish.

A painting of an Amish home

             and

                     much

                                much

                                          more!

Book Review: Love by the Number by Laura V. Hilton

Love by the Numbers     (Buy Now)

Laura V. Hilton

Feb. 6, 2018

Kindle, paperback

Whitaker House Publishing

After her fiancé dies in a buggy accident, Lydia Hershberger is invited to Jamesport to manage her Mennonite aunt’s gift shop while her aunt and uncle are on a mission trip. While there, Lydia gets acquainted with her aentie’s best friend, Bethel Bontrager, and her grown son, Caleb. Lydia is surprised to find herself drawn to handsome clockmaker, Caleb Bontrager. But in spite of an instant flame of attraction between them, he doesn’t seem interested. In fact, pesky Caleb treats her like he doesn’t even like her.

 

Bright and sparkly. That’s Caleb’s first impression of Lydia. He’s always been attracted to sparkly things. In fact, his affinity for those things, and the trouble they can cause, are exactly why he’s determined to change his ways and settle down. With Lydia’s aentie gone, he is handling the books for the gift shop and forced to spend time in Lydia's presence.

When God offers Lydia a second chance at love and family, will she take it? Or will the secret Caleb harbors cause her even more heartbreak? 

Love by the Number by Laura V. Hilton, won this reviewer's heart from the very first page, and from there, the story turned into a terrific read. Ms. Hilton is a wizard at matchmaking her hero and heroine and making their courtship a spectacular read. The characters are well developed and their problems to overcome are relatable.

For more information about Larua V. Hilton and her books, visit her at:

Laura's blogs: 

Twitter: @Laura_V_Hilton

Facebook: 

Pinterest: 

Purchase Laura's books at:

Amazon    

CBD:

Barnesand Noble:

          
            Deeper Shopping 

Book Review: Sweet Charity by B.J. Bassett

 

Sweet Charity (Buy now)

by B.J. Bassett

Kindle

May 10, 2018

Desert Breeze Publishing




Sweet Charity by B.J. Bassett is a delightful Christian fiction read about forgiveness, hope, and love.

Hope Warner waltzed into Dr. Nancy St. John’s medical office one day and announced that she was the daughter whom Nancy gave up for adoption twenty years earlier. As a teenager, Nancy became pregnant at a time when young girls found themselves whisked away in shame to have their babies. Nancy was sent to live with an aunt in Chicago, but before she gave her baby away, bought two matching gold-heart necklaces, and had the baby’s gold heart engraved with “God has a plan for your life.” Now twenty years later, Nancy recognized the necklace that Hope wore and recognized the facial features staring back at her.

Hope understood why her teenage mother had to let her go, but she wanted to know about her father and if he wanted her. Nancy explained that Skip, the girl’s father, had entered the military academy, shipped overseas, and never learned of his unborn child.

Hope, now with advanced leukemia, needs a bone morrow transplant, but Nancy is not a match. The only solution: find Skip.

This reviewer found herself in tears by the end of the second chapter. Ms. Bassett is an emotional and lovely writer. Her eye for detail enhances the experience of the story. I think you’ll enjoy the story as much as I did. (Disclosure: I was given a copy for my honest opinion. All comments are my own.) 

For more information about B.J. Bassett and her books, visit:

www.bjbassett.com

http://bjbassett.wordpress.com

http://www.facebook.com/bunnybassett

  Book Review: Return to Walhalla by Laura Hodges Poole

Return To Walhalla

by Laura Hodges Poole

Kindle, paperback

March 28, 2018
Lighthouse of the Carolinas

 

 

When financier Penny Ruskin returns to Walhalla, South Carolina, she has one purpose—to settle her grandmother’s estate and sell the Victorian house she grew up in. Not an easy task with the downturned economy. What she doesn't count on are all the roadblocks thrown in her path. 

Walhalla is Tommy McAllister’s life. Between his family’s feed-and-seed store and the bank he’s vice president of, he’s stretched thin trying to survive the recession. But when a girl he hasn’t seen since high school breezes back into town, he’s ready to push himself even further to help her feel at home—and convince her to stay. He reaches out to Penny, but the last thing she wants is to be trapped in a small town that holds painful memories—one dark secret in particular.

The town matchmaker and bank manager, Miss Betty, a motherless teen Emma who lives down the lane from Penny, and the church ladies of Walhalla’s First Baptist Church add both heartwarming and challenging moments to Penny’s life. With the past dogging Penny’s steps, dredging up painful memories she’s tried to outrun, relatives threaten the future she has begun to hope for…But somewhere deep inside her, a spark of hope remains. Tommy isn’t the only one praying for a miracle.

My thoughts: Return to Walhalla is a well-written, delightful story about a young woman who has run from the past only to return to Walhalla and must face the demons she once tried to escape. Miss Betty extends a greeting and invitation to Penny, something Penny couldn’t refuse. And sometimes, that’s all it takes for a life-changing experience.   

Author Bio

Laura Hodges Poole is a freelance writer with dozens of articles, devotions, and short stories in publication. She is the author of five published books and has contributed to two others, all available on Amazon. Laura is the 2016 ACWC Badge of Honor winner, a 2014 ACFW Genesis semi-finalist, and a 2012 RWA Emily finalist. As an editor and member of The Christian PEN, she enjoys mentoring and helping other writers polish their work.  Laura is also a non-fiction ghostwriter/collaborator. Her passion is encouraging others in their Christian walk through her blog, "A Word of Encouragement." When she’s not writing, you might find her hiking, playing the piano, or being crafty. A mother of two, Laura lives in South Carolina with her husband and son.

Website: http://laurahodgespoole.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Laura_Poole
Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/#!/LauraHodgesPoole
Google Plus: https://plus.google.com/+LauraPoole#
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/lhpoole/