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08 September 2016

Diana's Review of "Mount Hope" By Sarah Price


Mount Hope - An Amish Retelling of Jane Austen's Mansfield Park
By Sarah Price
Realms Publishing, Sept. 2016

Reviewed By Diana Flowers
~5 stars!~
(No Spoilers!)
A Wunderbar Amish Classic!

Eloquent and masterful storyteller, Sarah Price, pens a unique Amish tale superbly blended with Jane Austen's classic, Mansfield Park, and distinctly makes it her own! In this timeless tale we perceive that the road to love is oftentimes very rocky and appearances can be very deceiving.

When her father can no longer provide for his family he sends Fanny Price to live with her aunt's family in Mount Hope, Ohio. Never feeling a part of the Bontrager family, Fanny is basically a loner—not taking part in the young people's activities and singings—but choosing instead to stay at home and do whatever work is needed on the large prosperous farm. Befriended only by her aunt's stepson, Elijah, Fanny so yearns for their special friendship to turn into something deeper.

However, when two strangers visit their Amish community—the lovely, Mary Coblentz and her charming, flirtatious brother, Henry—Elijah's attentions are swiftly diverted, much to Fanny's dismay. What ensues are plenty of twists and turns as the roguish Henry causes plenty of jealousies to arise, Elijah becomes besotted with Mary, and the heartbroken Fanny finds herself with a suitor as well. Will he help her to forget the only man she has ever loved?

Author Sarah Price has written a fascinating tale of deceit, betrayal, and unrequited love that finely parallels Jane Austen's classic masterpiece! I literally could not put it down except out of necessity. Fanny is truly a stick-in-the-mud, but with good reason. She tries so hard to gain acceptance from her new family by doing everything for them, that she loses herself in the process. She so seldom laughed or had fun, that when she did it brought a smile to my face as well. I so wanted her to find her mouth even if I had to shake her to bring that about! lol I honestly didn't care who Fanny ended up with as long as she was happy and I wasn't at all sure who that "someone" would be until almost the very end of the book. I love unpredictable and that's why I so enjoyed this "out of the box" Amish book with its capricious characters! You don't have to be an Amish book lover or even a Jane Austen fan to thoroughly relish this enjoyable, never boring new release! Be sure to order your copy today!

This book may be purchased through Amazon, CBD, BAM, and your local bookstore.

GIVEAWAY: Sarah Price is generously giving away a paperback copy of Mount Hope to one blessed commenter! Be sure to leave your email address written (at) and (dot) to protect yourself from spammers! (US entrants only.)


70 comments:

  1. Ooh thank you Diana for your fascinating and beautiful review!! I like unpredictable and intriguing too, and so unless you plan on telling me what happens, I'm going to have to get me a copy! ;)

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    1. No spoilers, NOELA! LOL! Ty for your kind words, my dear cohort!

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  2. Loved the review. I have never read Sarah's books, so thank you for the chance. God bless!

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    1. Oh, LUCY! You have been missing out! I hope you read this one and get acquainted with Sarah's wonderful writing!

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  3. I love Sarah Price's books. I would love to read this one also. padt73[at]hotmail[dot]com

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    1. Aren't they just the best! Lotsa luck in the drawing!

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  4. love to win this one ! thankyou!

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    1. WILMA, please be sure to leave your email address so I can contact you if you're our blessed winner. Thanks so much for coming by OWG!

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  5. Love Sarahs book. Would love to win this one

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    1. Hi, JUANITA! You'll love this one, I'm sure of it!

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  6. Beautiful review Diana! I loved this story and own a lot of Sarah's books on Kindle but would love to own a print copy. Have a Blessed day robsnest60 [at] yahoo [dot] com

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    1. Thank you, ROBSNEST! A wonderful story for sure and for certain!

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  7. What a great review. I really want to read this now. I love Sarah's books. Thank you for the chance. Have a blessed day. dhazelton(at)myfairpoint(dot)net

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    1. Thanks for your kind words, DEBBIE! I hope you get the chance to read this ASAP! Have a blessed day as well, my friend!

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  8. Love reading Sarah's books and this one sounds so good. Can't wait to read it. Deb Simmering

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    1. Hi, DEB! Thank you for sharing your support of Sarah's books! I know she is very appreciative!

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    2. Oh, and btw, DEB, please be sure to leave your email addy as a way for me to contact you in case your name is drawn. Thank you!!

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  9. Thanks for the giveaway of this terrific book.
    JoanEC128[at]AOL[dot[com]

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  10. This book looks like a great read. Thank you for the giveaway.
    MarionMPC[at]AOL[dot]com

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    1. It is indeed, MARION! I hope you get the chance to read it ASAP!

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  11. What an interesting and exciting book. Thanks for the opportunity to win this giveaway.
    MarilynDKC[at]AOL[dot]com

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    1. You said it right, MARILYN! It is indeed! Good luck in the drawing!

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  12. Goodness, Dianna! You are a fellow Austen fan?! I'd would've never thought. *wink wink. And I'd say Sarah Price is also! I've heard so much about Sarah's Jane Austen retelling in Amish fashion, I would LOVE to win this giveaway and read this. Thanks for the review!

    Annie
    justcommonly[AT]gmail[DOT]com

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    1. You're welcome, ANNIE! My absolute favorite Austen retelling of Sarah's (besides this one) was Sense and Sensibility. That and Pride & Prejudice were two of my favorite movies! Sarah does such a great job of incorporating the two worlds. I hope you get a a chance to read a few of her retellings -- you'll love them!

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  13. I have read any of Sara's book. It would be a treat to read this one. It was an amazing review. Thank you.
    Deana
    Jhdwayne(at)peoplepc(dot)com

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    1. I think you will really enjoy it, DEANA! Her Amish books are so different than your typical Amish reads bc Sarah has lived amongst the Amish and stays with them at least once a year if I'm not mistaken. Thanks for your kind words!

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  14. Wonderful review. Sounds like another great read by Sarah Price. Would be thrilled to add this book to my collection. Thank you.

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    1. It's a tough one to put down, MARY ELLEN! Hoping for some good luck for you!

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    2. MARY ELLEN, please be sure and come back and leave an email addy for contact purposes! Thank you!!

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  15. I have never read any of Sarah's books, and I love finding new authors. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this, and Sarah thanks for giving away a copy.
    amylsmith AT bledsoe DOT net

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    1. AIMEE, I believe if you read just one of Sarah's books, you'll be a fan for life! Her books have a much more realistic feel to them than the typical Amish books, because she has lived amongst them and visits with them at least once a year.

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  16. I enjoyed this great review.I am looking forward to reading Sarah's new book.I love her books.Keeping my fingers crossed,hope I win.But of course will be happy for whoever does.Thanks for sharing.

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    1. You're so kind, JACKIE, and the Lord loves a good sport. Keep your fingers crossed, but not your eyes. My mom always used to tell me they would get stuck that way. LOL!

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  17. Nice review, Diana! Thank you for sharing your thoughts. Mount Hope is going to be a fantastic read. Thank you and Sarah for the giveaway opportunity to win. marilynridgway78[at]gmail[dot]com.

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    1. Thank you, MARILYN! I am convinced you'll love it as much as I did! Am hoping you will get a chance to read it ASAP.

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  18. Hi Diana, I'm right now reading Sarah Price's take on Persuasion and it's good! Have you read that one also? Which do you like better?? elise(underscore)jehan(at)yahoo(dot)com

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    1. Yes, I have read all of Sarah's Amish classic retellings, LISA! Actually my endorsements are on the back cover of each book (except this one as I was sick at the time), so it's hard to pick a fave. I would have to say I liked this one a pinch better than the Persuasion take, and Sense and Sensibility my absolute favorite bc I loved that movie so much!

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  19. Love reading Sarah's books!!! Gonzalesdc(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. Hi and welcome to OWG, DIANA! I loooove your first name btw! lol Good luck in the contest!

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  20. Diana, I'm thrilled to see a review for Mount Hope. I have the first two books in this series by Sarah Price and looking forward to the rest. I LOVE re-tellings and Jane Austen, so when the two are combined (and done well) it is sublime. Honestly, I enjoy re-tellings so much that I have an Amazon wish list devoted solely to re-tellings. So maybe I've gone a little overboard. (shrugs) tlhcoupon(at)hotmail(dot)com

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    1. I endorsed each one of these books on the back cover (minus this one as I was sick), so I can't say enough good things about this series, TERRILL! Sarah does such a fabulous job with them and I particularly enjoyed her take on Sense & Sensibility! I hope you get a chance to read them all!

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  21. I would love to win this new book. I have several of hers and I listen to her live feed when I can. She has coffee with everyone and sometimes devotion sometimes she just talks about her books or other things. Always a good & interesting live feed!
    grandmama_brenda(at)yahoo(dot)com

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    1. Yes, I love Sarah's live feeds as well! She's always so interesting, isn't she? Thanks for sharing, BRENDA, and I'll take my magic wand and make those comments above disappear for you. lol

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  22. What a lovely review! It looks like a marvelous read, and can't wait to add this set to my list! terirose22 (at) hotmail (dot) com

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    1. Indeed it is, TERI! I hope you get the chance to read the whole series...you'll love each book!

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  23. Wow! What a great review! Thanks so much for sharing! Can't wait to read! Thanks for the chance to win too! rw620 AT aol DOT com

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    1. Thanks, ROBIN! It'll sure be worth your while! Good luck in the drawing!

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  24. Sounds like a good toe-curler. Nicely written review blondie.
    Luke

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    1. Thanks, LUKE! But you can't do toe-curlers with the Amish! They are chaste and moral. haha But they do like to kiss!

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    2. No toe-curler? Hmm. I'm going to forget you said that. ;-)

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    3. Please do! YIKES! It'll ruin my rep!

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  25. This book sounds so intriguing and a fun read! Would love to win the paperback copy of it.

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    1. Welcome, KELLY! It's fun and heartbreaking at the same time. Poor Fanny! I need your email addy, Kelly, so that if your name is drawn we can contact you. Blessings!

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    2. REMINDER -- Kelly's email addy is butterfly48kdl(at)gmail(dot)com

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  26. Great review Diana! Sarah certainly has a way with words, her books are great.
    Blessings,Tina

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    1. Yes, she is so smart and such an exciting storyteller! Thank you, TINA!

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  27. Thank you Diana, for such a great review of Sarah's new book Mount Hope Also for the giveaway PBonddotPatttatgmaildotcom

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    1. You're quite welcome, PATRICIA! Good luck to you!

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  28. This sounds SO good!!!!!!! Mansfield is one of my faves! And I'm SO happy it parallels so well!

    Many Blessings! :)
    Amada
    amada_chavezATyahooDOTcom

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    1. I love this whole series, AMADA. Each are full length books and retellings of Jane Austen's fabulous classics! I've been blessed to be able to read each one ahead of time! God is good, right?

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  29. Hey Diana! I enjoyed reading your review! You did a great job! I love Fanny's character.....Would definitely love to get know her better. I love Amish books!

    dowelljanet(at)hotmail(dot)com

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    1. JANET! It's such a delight to see you here, my friend! Thank you! Fanny definitely needs wonderful friends such as yourself so I hope that you two become acquainted ASAP!

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  30. Hi Diana. Great job on this review. Sounds like a very interesting book. I would be so happy to be your winner. All my love to my OWG angels. GOD bless each of you. ((Hugs)) Maxie > mac262(at)me(dot)com <

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    1. I have missed you, MAXIE! Thank you for your kind words and I hope you will get a copy of this book in your hands soon! Hugs and all of our love back. God bless!

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  31. Congrats to Kelly De Lance who won a copy of Mount Hope via random number! Thanks to all of you who made my day with your encouraging comments and for honoring me by taking the time to read my review. You are appreciated!

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  32. Beautiful review, Diana - thank you!! I haven't read any of Sarah's books but have enjoyed her FB videos and heard much about her books based on Jane Austen classics. I must find time to read one of them!!

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    1. Thank you, BONNIE! I think you would love Sarah's Amish retellings of Jane Austen's classics. I hope you find time to read one soon!

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