Not the Usual Amish Fiction
935113
This book caught my attention from the first page!  A story of a person who has it all going on, but finds love.
716144
It was a sweet book and I liked the characters, but it was not really true to Amish belief in some ways.
1187040
Sales of Amish fiction continue to soar. The apparent simplicity of the Amish lifestyle is a welcome escape from our uncertain times. A new author in this genre is Suzanne Woods Fisher. The Waiting is her second in a series called Lancaster County Secrets. The Waiting is actually a prequel to her first book, The Choice, which she wrote secretly on an antiquated computer. Her interest in the Anabaptist faith stems from her grandfather who was raised in the Old Order German Baptist Brethren Church.

This inspirational fiction novel is set during the 1960s in the Amish community of Lancaster County, PA. The country is embroiled in the Vietnam War. This courageous book, set apart from mainstream Amish fiction, steps away from emphasizing the simplistic, insular lifestyle of the Amish. In The Waiting, we are confronted with prejudice, vandalism and mental illness. Women have a voice.  Outsiders enter the community and insiders leave. Surprises and dilemmas abound with spiritual relevance.

I found the story somewhat predictable until the author gave us some unexpected events in the last third of the book.  I questioned the wisdom of placing an important plot twist in the back cover description. However, Ms. Fisher's characters are endearing and kept me involved. Main character, Jorie King, is a creative teacher with an incisive understanding of children. "Animal tracks are the oldest writing on earth," she tells her students. I especially enjoyed insightful thirteen-year-old Ephraim and his dealings with the cougar.

Many characters are expectant in The Waiting, but God makes everything right for them in His time.

Reviewed by Holly Weiss, author of Crestmont
1366965
Beside Still Waters is a new addition to the genre of Amish fiction, but it might as well stand in a genre of its own. Author Tricia Goyer has the wonderful ability to find unexplored angles and perspectives to make even the most thoroughly covered topics seem fresh and captivating.

Marianna Sommers was born on the most tragic of nights: the very night her two older sisters were killed in a buggy accident. Nineteen years later, the burden of that night still weighs heavily on young Marianna, even as she dreams of a life with Aaron Zook. The burden only increases when Marianna's father decides to move the family from their home in a close-knit Indiana Old Order Amish community to the Montana mountains.

Marianna agrees to move with her family, but she has no intention of settling into the very different community in Montana. Instead, she has plans to return to her familiar home in Indiana as soon as she helps her family settle in. Her heart longs to be in Indiana and with Aaron. Her heart desires to be a good Amish wife and mother in a good Amish community. But, she doesn't expect to find her heart drawn to God in a brand new way in the beautiful Montana mountains. And she definitely doesn't expect  Englischer Ben Stone to be the one who nudges her heart in that direction.

In her writing, Tricia Goyer shows beautiful respect for and insight into the Amish community. But, she also does not shy away from the reminder that being Amish does not equate being saved. The balance between the respect and reminder is a delicate one that is handled expertly in Beside Still Waters.

Whether you are an Amish fiction fan or not, Beside Still Waters is a book I would definitely recommend, along with any other Tricia Goyer novel.
2784339
Amish fiction is one of my favorite genres. There is something so relaxing about working a hard day and then curling up and reading a book about the Amish. I know they work hard, but I enjoy reading about their simple life. A simple, yet full life.

This book is the third book in Ervin R. Stutzman's series, Return to Northkill. I have not read the first two books, nor have I read any other book previously written by him. Needless to say, I was discovering a new-to-me author.

Christian's Hope was set apart from other Amish fiction books because of its historical setting. I'll admit that I don't know a whole lot about the history of the Amish, minus what is usually written about in other Amish fiction books. Christian had been captured during the French and Indian War and had been raised by the Native Americans for those years. When he returns home, he has to figure out his place in the Amish world. That's not as easy to do when he is trying to forget the things he had been taught over those 7 years.

Not only that, but Christian loved his Native American family, as well as his Amish family. Both families represent who he is as a person and have a place in his life. However, he feels like he has to choose between the two. He longs for a way for the two families, and two cultures, to blend together.

There were not a lot of plot twists in the story, but I thought that the story was interesting. It made me interested in what I was missing by not reading the first two books in the series. I would like to read those two soon!

I will definitely be on the lookout for more books by Stutzman. He includes romance, but it doesn't overwhelm the pages like some of the Amish fiction books have the ability to do.

_______________

I received this book free from Litfuse Publicity Group.
4313037
This is an interesting story about a situation you don't read too much about in Amish fiction.  I felt for Carolyn and the judgment she's endured from her brother and her community.  I could understand Carolyn being afraid to tell Joshua that Benjamin's her son, but it drove me crazy that she kept putting it off and wondering how he would respond when she finally told him.  I also couldn't understand why she was considering Saul when she wanted to marry for love and didn't think she could love him.  Her son is fifteen and I could understand her thinking about marrying for her son's sake when he was a little kid, but why now?  I probably liked Joshua the best of all the characters and thought he was incredibly patient with his mother, who was very pushy and controlling, even mean.  The relationship between Joshua and Carolyn was sweet.  I was surprised that though Joshua's widowed sister-in-law left the Amish to marry an Englisher and it's mentioned she was shunned, that Joshua and his family didn't shun her.  It seems like it should have been explained why that was, unless it was in the first book which I didn't read.  This story did work very well as a stand-alone.  I liked the emphasis on praying and asking God for direction, but I didn't like that they believe Carolyn's being baptized into the church was what washed her sins away.  The writing sometimes felt like it was aimed towards a teen audience, though that's not the case.  It also seemed like everything wrapped up a little too perfectly.  If you like Amish fiction, you'll probably like it.

I received this book free from Litfuse Publicity in exchange for an honest review.
1904915
Beautiful story,yet, unlike anything you would think of happening in an Amish community. Beth Shriver I thought handled it very well. Also showing, how the emotions of others that didn't understand. Decided in themselves, not to understand. So that even though she wasn't shunned, people did anyways.
Giving a glimpse into the rules and the elders of the Amish. But, sometimes things  happen and they need to see beyond this safe haven they are use to.
Beth gave a lot of questions as she delivered this book to ponder  Mainly can the Amish stayed back when the English/ in this story a man cause harm to others.  Looking forward to the second book.
4804094
When I read Amish fiction, I look for a unique element. A Season for Tending more than delivers thanks to main character Rhoda Byler. God has given her a special gift--the ability to intuit things she needs to know before anyone else can. The problem is, many in and outside the Amish community considers this witchcraft. Even worse, Rhoda isn't always sure how or if to respond to her intuitions, which has led to tragedy in her life. She no longer trusts herself, and the idea of helping the King family with their orchard terrifies her. Yet she is continually drawn to this family, particularly Samuel and Jacob.

I think the thing I enjoyed most about this book was how Cindy created many memorable characters and made them all seamlessly work together in an engaging plotline. The main plot, of course, concerns Rhoda and her relationship with the King family. Within that though, you have the separate conflicts of Samuel, Jacob, and Leah, as well as how Rhoda influences them. Some authors, yours truly included, would probably make a mess of this. However, because Cindy strikes a balance between over- and under-writing, and deals with one thread at a time, it works.

The characters in A Season for Tending are refreshingly three-dimensional. That is, some characters like Samuel and his girlfriend Catherine are devoutly Amish. Others, like Leah and Jacob, have "jumped the fence" or want to do so. Yet, they don't fall into the typical Amish "mold" of these characters. For example, Leah is anxious to leave the Amish and acts very much like a self-absorbed teen in her pursuit of that at times. Yet she ultimately comes to understand her family needs and loves her, even though she doesn't give up her desires. Her older brother Samuel is judgmental and condescending at first, but while he never wavers in his devotion, Rhoda helps him understand strict adherence to rules is not always a good thing.

Finally, I love how Rhoda acts as a catalyst for many good things that happen for her family and the Kings, despite believing she is a "bad luck penny," so to speak. I also enjoyed the love triangle Cindy ended with--when I first read the series I hated being left hanging as to who Rhoda would choose. Once again, this is one of the most original and creative Amish books on the market. I highly recommend it.
4573881
An interesting perspective on an Amish life choice in that Amish women are to marry and bear children as well as run the household and in some cases work to help the finances. It had some twists that while predictable kept me reading. It did go out on a limb and have a modern day Amish women look to a career in business instead of the conventional choices.
2669227
This is a sweet story of relationships restored after an Amish girl chooses to leave her famly and the plain ways.  A tragedy brings her back to her family for a visit.  She must deal with her past in order to go on with her future.

I thought this book would hold a lot of promise.  I enjoy fiction novels particularly about the Amish.  This title is the third in a series.  Since I jumped in the middle of the series, I spent the first 30-50 pages just trying to figure out who was who and their significance in the book.  I liken it to going to a family reunion where you know no one and continually ask, "Who was that?  Who do they belong to?"  There is a chart of the characters at the front of the book which I referred to frequently.  Once I had the characters and back stories straight I was able to enjoy the book.  I would not recommend jumping into this book without reading the first two.  The character is very believable in her struggle between her past and her present lives.  The author is obviously versed in Amish custom because the Amish people are not mischaracterized.
This was a good read once I got past my initial confusion.  It was well paced and interesting.

I received this book free from Waterbrook-Multnomah Publishing for the purposes of review.  All opinions expressed are my own.
4622488
This is really a different Amish book.  I didn't know that some lived this way.  I would hate this kind of life and being told every single thing that I had to do.  It did hold my interest  and yes I would read more books by this author.
1368800
This is a bit of a different type of Amish book.  The three sisters in this book plus their Aunt who is more of an englisher raise  bees for the honey to provide for them.  There are several things that happen in this book that you don't expect for Amish to do. It has it's laugh out loud moments and was a joy to read.  I haven't read any books by this author but I will be looking forward to reading more by her.
3823794
This story takes time to imagine. Therefore it certainly makes a new twist to Amish love and courage. I would have liked to see and read it i a box series.
2518111
I read a lot of the Amish genre. Most seem to be geared to young adults and Amish romance. I like how the author wove the story around an. English (non Amish) family. This family had many of the same problems that many American families experience today; unemployment, the family unit falling apart. Shep and Jennie Davis finally seem to get a break when a distant cousin dies and leaves his home and bicycle shop in the heart of Amish country to Shep. Things go down hill pretty quick when it appears their inheritance is a money pit. The shining lights in the story are Amish next door neighbors Abraham and Mattie Fisher.  Their friendship and quiet strength offer the inspiration that helps the Davises turn their situation around. A great read and I hope the author will write more about these interesting characters!
11184
I enjoyed reading this book even though the premise of two strangers looking enough alike to fool their family and friends is extremely far-fetched.  Amish fiction is not my favorite genre, so that may account for my lack of enthusiasm for this book as well.  Fans of Amish literature might really like this one!
1031899
I have read many e-books about the Amish. They are enjoyable and uplifting but generally follow a similar story line: girl meets boy-they fall in love- and they marry at the end of the novel. This one is somehow different. The man is Amish and the woman is 'English' they marry near the middle of the book; the woman embraces the values and lifestyle of the Amish and the woman decides to become Amish. I have not yet finished the book, but it is very good. The author has deep insights into the details of Amish life. I suspect the the author is actually Amish or has live among the Amish. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading stories about the Amish.
2310127
One of my favorite things to do in my spare time is read.  I love reading books, magazines, blogs, news articles, curriculum designs...I just love reading and learning new information.  While I mostly read non-fiction material these days if I do take the opportunity to read some light-hearted fiction it is invariably Amish inspired Christian fiction.  I'm not sure exactly why.  Maybe it's the wonder of a simpler culture or a desire for a more focused, less materialist lifestyle.  For whatever the reason I recently found myself sucked into the latest by Cindy Woodsmall titled, The Harvest of Grace.

The Harvest of Grace is the 3rd book in Woodsmall's "Ada's House" Series.  While you may miss a little of the story line getting into this book from the git-go, the author does a fantastic job preparing the reader for this book without prior series reading by including a summary of books one and two at the beginning and a description of the main characters at the back of the book.  I have to say even I found myself wandering to the back of the book occasionally to get a character or two straight in my mind as there are several story lines to keep track of in this 3rd book.

Overall the book centers around one particular young Amish woman by the name of Sylvia Fisher.  Sylvia is the youngest of an Amish farmer's nine daughters.  While the other daughters maintain the household etiquette and demeanor typical of that found in Amish society, Sylvia prefers the life of a dairy farmer, milking the family's cows in the mornings and making sure they are fed and properly cared for.  As the story begins, Sylvia is heavily involved in her father's farm and even has hopes of inheriting a portion of it for her own one day.  She also is contemplated a relationship with a certain Amish man by the name of Elam with whom she finds irresistibly handsome.

As the story unfolds, Sylvia finds herself needing to leave her family farm and escaping to a failing dairy farm in another Amish community some 70 miles away.  When she lands at this dairy farm she puts her heart and soul into restoring it while the farmer's son puts his heart and soul into trying to sale it so he can better provide for his parents by doing something he thinks he would better enjoy.

Without giving much more of the plot away, I will say there are lots of heartfelt sensative topics covered in this story that some often avoid discussing--everything from adultery to abandonment, foster care and stalkers, alcoholism and rejection of a loved one, birth defects and fertility testing, and more.  I very much appreciate the way Woodsmall presents these topics in a non-threatening and life-changing way...a way that draws the eyes upward.

If I had to summarize this book in one sentence I would have to say, "my God is a God of second chances" because in nearly every plot found in this book, couples and individuals are being given second chances to live again.  If you are in need of a little light-hearted reading that can uplift your soul or some spiritual encouragement that God is a God of second chances then I highly recommend you pick up a copy of The Harvest of Grace.  I'm sure you won't be disappointed.