A Heart on Consignment - Mindy Steele

Book Stats:

Genre: Amish/Christian Fiction Publication Date: 1 April 2026

Series: Heart of the Amish (Multi-Author series) Pages: 259

My Review:

I really enjoyed this book. I love getting to drop into the Amish lifestyle. The faith throughout this book is inspiring, and we truly get to see that God's plans are often so different from our own but are always better. I loved getting to know both Seth and Salina. I always find it such a treat to get both perspectives in a story. It gives such a fuller picture of what's happening. Not to mention I'm nosy and want to know what both parties are thinking.

I think one of my favorite things was Salina's desire to simply make Seth smile. Her joy and desire to help and spread that joy is infectious. She truly encapsulated what it means to have a servant's heart for Christ and to do it with pure joy because you are glorifying the Father. Seth trying not to smile when he wanted to, made the book so much fun to read, because you know eventually, he has to give in and let the smile free.

For me, one of the best things was watching the community come together and help one another so readily. Something I think can be missing in our church communities. I also just find the work ethic and the pace of life so calming and inspiring. Working hard but also working with our hands, with the giftings God has given each of us, and doing it at the pace of the Amish seems wonderful. They do not have all the modern conveniences which too often scream hurry up, go faster, do more without actually accomplishing much. This book was a breath of fresh air.

Definitely a solid four star read for me. I will be adding this to my shelves for sure.

Quote Time:

As a fellow shorter human this quote really resonated:

"Her fast steps were another habit Mamm insisted she remedy, but in Salina's defense, when you were not even five feet tall, you did have to move at racehorse pace to keep up with others. Her friend Rachel could take one step to Salina's three!"

Now I have three inches on Salina, but I am naturally a speedy walker, have to keep up with everyone else.

Another quote that I truly felt:

"Lord, do You have a plan for me? It would be helpful if You made it clearer, because I'm not so sure."

How many times would it just be easier to have God lay out the plan for us step by step. Yet sometimes the process and the unknown is how we rely on Him, and how He chooses to sanctify us. Trusting He does have a plan even if we can't see it which is much easier said than done.

I want to thank the author and publisher for a copy of this book to read, with no expectations of a review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Meet the Author:

Mindy Steele was raised in Kentucky timber country and has been writing since she could hold a crayon against the wall. Steele writes Amish Romance peppered with just the right amount of humor, as well as engaging suspense, using rural America and the residents as her muse. Steele strives to create realistic characters for her readers and believes in engaging all the sense to make you laugh, cry, hold your breath, and root for the happy ever after ending. A hopeless romantic, with a lyrical pen, Steele wants her readers to find themselves somewhere within her pages. A mother of four and a grandmother to a half dozen blessings, Steele enjoys hiking and gardening, coffee indulgences and weekend road trips, and is personally doing all she can to make peanut butter its very own food group.

More from Mindy:

The Story Behind the Story

Writing fiction has always felt like opening my window and inviting readers to look out at the world with me. Over the years, I've stumbled into countless moments that later became stories--and A Heart on Consignment is one of those grace-filled accidents.

This book began with a series of God winks. A scheduled photoshoot led me to a tucked-away Amish consignment shop in Kentucky. After making my purchase, an experience that sparked a story of its own, I left carryinig more than a dress. I carried the generosity of the owners and the quiet power of their story. I've always believed everyone has a story, and I've learned to be a good listener.

A year later, during one of my many visits to Baltic, Ohio, I found myself unexpectedly stepping into a massive Amish volleyball tournament. It was a charity event raising funds for a local child with a heart condition and a man awaiting a transplant. That evening, a simple conversation with a passerby, who would later become a dear friend and fellow writer, opened doors to learning even more about Amish and Mennonite ministries, fundraisers, and community outreach.

Since then, I've attended countless charitable events, witnessing firsthand the generosity woven into Amish life. From organizations like Samaritan's Purse, Special Hearts Workshop, Disaster Aid Ohio, and CAM, to tournaments of every kind-volleyball, pickleball, softball, even ping pong-each experience planted another seed that eventually grew into this novel.

What began as a frantic search for a dress became a tapestry of God-ordained moments. Each step guided me toward telling the story of a young woman whose courage, compassion, and steadfast heart shine brightest in the face of disaster.

I invite you to join me on this journey from Kentucky to Havenlee, Indiana, as Seth and Salina search for forgiveness, hope, and love. May their story touch your heart as much as the journey touched mine.