Wednesday, November 15, 2023

Celebrate Lit Blog Tour: Remain True by Thomas Nye

Book: Remain True: Amana

Author: Thomas Nye

Genre: Christian Romance

Release Date: January 31, 2023

Rebounding from a failed relationship, Author Timothy Hayes escapes to the beautiful Amana Colonies to begin a new life. Smalltown Iowa, during the 2020 pandemic, proves lax with social distancing. Social awkwardness, however, is at an all-time high as a host of quirky neighbors crowd Tim’s personal space. Tim’s pug must go for walks which opens the door for adorable children, annoying neighbor men, old ladies who want to tell their life story, and a matchmaker set on “fixing Tim up.” Several attractive young women emerge as contenders for Tim’s heart. A woman twice his age infatuates him with her magical gift of storytelling. Remain True is a dual timeline. Tim’s life in 2020 becomes interwoven with the storyteller’s history, resulting in a surprising singular conclusion. No matter what happens in life, God will Remain True.

Click here to get your copy!

I really enjoy Chrsitian Romance books and I have really come to enjoy Dual timeline novels. Remain True: Amana by Thomas Nye is a book that I most recently read that has both of those genres!

The setting of the book is 2020 in Amana, Iowa. Timothy Hayes has moved to Amana Colonies in IA to start life anew after a recent divorce. He moved in the midst of the Pandemic and he finds he isn't able to find alone time as his neighbors are super friendly. Walking his dog is about the most Socialization he gets from the Neighborhood Children, from annoying men in the neighborhood, and storytelling old women. There are also some women trying to "match make" for Tim and he does acknowledge that there are a couple of women who catch his eye. One Old Woman, Oma Zuber, in particular is a GREAT Storyteller and Tim is transported back to the time of the Stories told by the woman.

I have to say it took a couple of chapters to really get into the Storyline. I was overwhelmed at first with all the mentions of the Pandemic and mask wearing. Once we got past much of that, I was able to enjoy the book. I really enjoyed reading about Tim's neighbors and how different they all were. He seemed annoyed by many of them, but he also seemed to change his attitude after a bit. Oma Zuber was my favorite character. Her story telling really was unique and she enjoyed talking to Tim. Tim even seemed intrigued by her stories and the way he felt he was there in the time of the story, and I actually did also. I also enjoyed the theme of the story which is "God will always be with us and Remain True". I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys Christian Fiction. WONDERFUL BOOK!

Thomas Nye, author of the beloved Amish Horses Series, writes romance novels with an Historical flare and a touch of humor. He and his wife live on an acreage her grandparents bought in 1918. They have five grown children, nine grandchildren, and a team of draft horses. Their home is situated between an Amish community and the Amana Colonies, a perfect location to inspire his writing.

More from Thomas

Most of us have experienced some dark episodes in this life. How do we find our way back into hope and sunshine? My wife and I have been married for almost 43 years, but about halfway through we were separated for 4 months. The storyline of Remain True has almost nothing in common with the details of my dark time. The difficult emotions and subsequent hopefulness of God’s graceful intervention led me to write this novel.

For Timothy Hayes, life has become incredibly dark. In the opening scene we find him reluctantly removing his wedding band and placing it in a miniature, coffin-like box. To make matters worse, Tim’s personal struggle coincides with the heaviness of the Coronavirus outbreak. His will to live is shrinking. Tim visited the Amana Colonies ten years earlier and thought of the villages as a hauntingly beautiful getaway where he could sulk.

God has another plan.

Small town Iowa is not the place to isolate, even during Covid, as it proves an epic failure in social distancing. Social awkwardness, however, is at an all-time high as a host of quirky neighbors invade Tim’s personal space and refuse to allow him any opportunity to submerge into depression.

I hope those who read Remain True will be able to relate with Tim’s struggle enough to rejoice with him as God provides a ray of sunshine during his darkest hour.

My wife and I found hope and restoration and are looking forward to our 43rd anniversary. We thoroughly enjoy grandparenting our 9 grandchildren (and counting) together. God is good!