The Kissing Bridge

 

Title: The Kissing Bridge

By Tricia Goyer

Click to visit amazon

The Gist:

Rebecca has everything she needs to begin following her calling of becoming a nurse.  The problem is that Amish women are not suppose to following any calling other than being a wife and a mother.  But when the time comes, she leaves a note for her family, and walks away from the life that she’s know to continue her education.

On her way to Oregon, Rebecca decides to make a stop in Montana to visit a friend of hers that had left the Amish for love.  Little did she think that she would get her own shot at love in the form of risk taking Amishman Caleb. 

A trip into the wilderness reveals that there is also more to Caleb than meets the eye.  Only time, and this story, will tell if these two young people, hanging by the fringes of being Amish are really meant to be together.   

What I thought:

This story was very enjoyable.  It moved quickly, and smoothly, taking readers along on the love story of Caleb and Rebecca.  The characters introduced in Montana were wonderfully introduced, and I was very happy to find out that I will be able to return to this happy little town since this book is a part of a series!

I love reading Amish fiction, and this story had an angle that I hadn’t read before, with Rebecca wanting to keep being Amish, but needing to become a nurse.  The love story between her and Caleb was written exquisitely.  I always judge a love story by if it makes me smile, and this novel pasted that test with flying colors.

My only critique is that I felt the writing got a little flustered in the middle when Caleb and Rebecca were trying to weed through each other’s lies and omissions.  They seemed to be pretty wishy-washy with each other going from lust, to disgust, and straight back to puppy love in a very short time.

All in all, I very much enjoyed this story, and look forward to reading more of the stories in the Seven Brides for Seven Bachelors series.

Minding Molly

 

Title: Minding Molly

By Leslie Gould

Click to visit amazon

The Gist:

Molly Zook has always been an extremely dependable daughter, so when her father passes away unexpectedly, she takes on running the house and family flower farm.  Unfortunately, the flower farm is in danger of going under, and the only option seems to be for Molly to merge farms by marrying the neighbor boy, Mervin Mosier, who once courted her best friend Hannah.  As Molly considers marrying due to obligation, she is surprised to meet a newcomer from Montana, Leon Fisher, whom she immediately feels an intense spark of love with.

In true Mid-Summer’s Night fashion, the young Amish friends venture into the mountains for a camping trip, and chaos ensues.  Jealousy runs rampant, friendships are tested, and Molly must try to control her needs to control everyone around her.

Molly must learn to let go of the reigns, and put her faith in God, and realize that bumps and obstacles are a natural part of growing up.

What I thought:

This is the first book that I have read of Miss Gould’s and I enjoyed it very much.  It was different compared to other Amish fiction that I have read, which makes me wonder whether this author researched a more liberal ordnung, or whether this is more true to how young Amish adults behave.  Either way, it was an enjoyable read.

I found the concept of adapting Shakespearian plays into a modern day Amish setting to be very clever and fun, and I did feel as though this novel (which is part of a series) can easily be read as a stand-alone.  The character of Molly was a bit hard for me to handle, although the reasons made sense in the story.  Upon reflection, Molly was just over-compensating by trying to control everyone and everything since her life was going through a lot of difficult changes that she couldn’t control.

I very much enjoyed the theme of obligation vs. love, and thought that the timing of introducing Leon right as Molly seemed about to agree to marry without love was perfect.  Miss Gould writes with a beautiful lightness, and has the wonderful ability to keep readers turning the page to see how life turns out for her characters.  I cannot wait to check out the other books in the Courtships of Lancaster County series!

A Road Unknown

 

Title: A Road Unknown

By Barbara Cameron

Click to visit amazon

The Gist:

Elizabeth Bontrager is at the end of her rope, being the oldest of nine children in her Amish family, has taken a toll on her and left her feeling lost.  In a moment of strength, she decides to take her English pen pal up on her offer, and moves to Paradise, Pennsylvania to take her rumschpringe, and discover who she truly is.

Her journey introduces her to modern day conveniences, a new branch of her family that she didn’t know existed, and even dating, both in the Amish, and modern world.  Throughout this time, Elizabeth is faced with many difficult choices, the most challenging being the battle between family obligation, and personal happiness.  As she struggles with choosing which road to take, she must leave her life in God’s hands and trust that He will help her find her way.

What I thought:

I was so excited to see this new book by Barbara Cameron, my favorite author of Amish fiction, and even more thrilled to find that I would be returning to Paradise in this novel!  Miss Cameron always writes with heart, warmth, and values, and this story was no different.

This story grabbed me from the first page, watching a young woman who had missed out on the life that most people take for granted in order to help her mother with her siblings, break out on her own in order to discover her true path.  It was interesting seeing how Elizabeth adjusted to life with an English roommate, while holding tight to the values and the person that she is, and I love the mentions of familiar characters from the Quilts of Lancaster County and Stitches in Time Series!  My favorite aspect of this book was the repeating theme of the sparrow (His eye is on the sparrow), which hit home for me personally and filled me with a much-needed sense of peace, as I applied it to my life.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who has ever struggled with difficult life choices, or who just wants a book that will touch their heart and make them feel good. 

A Simple Christmas Wish by Melody Carlson

 

Title: A Simple Christmas Wish

By Melody Carlson

Click to visit amazon

The Gist:

Rachel is enjoying spending time with her seven-year-old niece Holly in a Chicago sky-rise, while her brother and sister-in-law are on an anniversary trip.  When the heartbreaking news of their plane crash is delivered, Rachel assumes that she, being Holly’s only known relative, will be awarded full custody.  Unfortunately her brother’s will was written at a time when Rachel was estranged from the couple, and custody was granted to Aunt Lydia, Holly’s mother’s sister, a women who Holly had not only never met, but never even knew existed.

Rachel is given the task of delivering this fragile little girl to her new home on an Amish farm in Ohio, but she will not hand her over unless she is sure it is for the best.  Ready to give it everything she has to convince Lydia that she and Holly belong together, Rachel is forced to examine what really is the best thing for the child.

Head to Amish country, and witness a simple Christmas full of sometimes forgotten joys like riding in a horse-drawn buggy, board games with family, the birth of a calf, and even a touch of possible romance.

What I thought:

Melody Carlson’s Novella’s never disappoint!  Give me a wonderful, warm Christmas story, and I’m a happy girl; also include an Amish aspect, a child, and a budding romance?  You’ll probably be able to hear me sigh!  This story will pull on your heartstrings, making you cry on one page and smile on the next.

I am always amazed when an author can convey such a depth of emotion in such a limited amount of pages, but my heart broke for Holly and for Rachel a couple of times over the course of this read.  That being said, this story was written so beautifully that I couldn’t bear to put it down and leave these characters for a second, I had to know how it turned out.

It was very easy for me to identify with Rachel, and not see the situation from Lydia’s point of view, but Miss Carlson even remedied that with a conversation between Rachel and Lydia’s mother asking Rachel (and readers), to think about what is truly best for the child.  The romance aspect of this book is incredibly subtle so as not to take away from the central storyline of the “fight” for Holly, but entirely refreshing, sweet and sincere.

Please pick up a copy of this book, it will make you feel real emotions for characters that you will quickly love, and leave you feeling satisfied and happy.

A Christmas Gift for Rose by Tricia Goyer

The Book: A Christmas Gift for Rose

The Gist:

            Rose has always felt secure in life.  As a young, Amish, woman growing up in the times of World War II, she was devoted to her faith, family, and Jonathan, the man she loved and was hoping to marry.  However, when Jonathan chooses to volunteer to go into the Army, Rose, egged on by her bishop and other members of the community, decides that he is not the man meant for her, and goes about trying to forget him.

      When the war is over, and Jonathan returns home, Rose sticks to her convictions and refuses to have anything to do with him, but when an unexpected secret about Rose’s past is uncovered, he might just be the only person that she wants to turn to.

What I thought:

            This was a wonderful quick read, and my first experience with Miss Goyer.  I have recently become a fan of novels depicting Amish life, and it was interesting to me, reading a book that was not set in present day, yet noting the similarities in the way that the Amish people still live their lives.  This story held a lot of emotions, love, and forgiveness, making it an ideal read for the Christmas season.

      I was particularly affected by the struggle that Rose endured between listening to her heart and taking to heart the thoughts of people outside of her relationship.  I thought that Miss Goyer handled the situation beautifully by having Rose give the outside voices power in her life- like most people have done- and then showing her through a twist in the plot, that there are more important things than the opinions of others.

      My only critique of this book is that I wish that it could have been a little longer.  I felt like as soon as I developed a kinship with Rose, the book was almost over.  I recommend this book to anyone looking for a good, clean story that will take them to a simple time where the only things that mattered were faith, love, and family.

The Christmas Quilt by Vennetta Chapman

The Book: The Christmas Quilt by Vennetta Chapman

The Gist:

      Annie and Leah had it all, they found the men of their dreams, married on the same day, making them sisters-in-law, and were both expecting their first children.  Their Amish faith taught them to be thankful, and they were most of the time, except Leah had begun to question her husband’s love for her through her difficult pregnancy.  When her relationship with Adam began deteriorating more quickly, it took a glimpse at possible tragedy to bring things back into perspective.

      When Leah began having serious complications with her twins, and needed to be taken to a hospital far from home in Philadelphia, she and her husband, Adam, are reminded not only of their love for each other, but also to put their faith in God.  Passing the time in the hospital, Annie and Leah strengthen their bond by attaching a story pertaining to each fruit of the spirit to a quilt square, meant for the babies.  As the stories are told and pondered, Leah works to find her way back to the relationship that she hadn’t realized that she’d lost.

What I thought:

     Don’t you just love a story that cuts through the hectic bluster of life, and allow you to breath, reflect, and reassess your priorities?  This novel definitely meets those criteria.  Although this story does pick up after Ms. Chapman’s previous novel, A Simple Amish Christmas, it takes place three years later, and stands on it’s own without it’s predecessor, although I strongly recommend picking up that novel as well (you’ll love it). 

      Having recently had my children, I identified completely with Leah.  All of the fears, worries, and self-consciousness are, I believe, common with the changes that pregnancy brings.  My heart broke for her relationship with Adam, as she watched it slip away from her, all the while aiding in the rift, instead of the solution.  The timing of Leah going into early labor really lent itself to show the characters and readers that God is at the wheel, and sometimes it takes quite a wake-up call to get us off of the wrong track.

      My favorite portion of this book was the time that Leah and Annie spent together in the hospital making a quilt for Leah’s babies.  When Leah suggested that they attach a story to each child appliqué that they made based on the fruits of the spirit, this story took a special place in my heart.  Reading each memory of people that met descriptions like “peace, patience, love, hope, faithfulness,” etc. and picturing those stories seeping into each square, and thought of each time they were seen made me long to have one of these quilts for each of my children.

      All in all, this was a story of putting aside ego and finding your way back to the things that really matter.  Amish or English, this is a story that should be read and re-read, particularly by mothers.  I know that I will be opening the pages again, anytime that I need a reminder of what my focus should be on.

 

Annie's Christmas Wish

The Book: Annie's Christmas Wish by Barbara Cameron 

 

The Gist:

Annie has always dreamed of visiting New York City, ever since her mother brought her a snow globe when she was younger. 

At a time in her life, when young Amish adults are made to decide whether they want to be baptized into the church or leave the simple life behind, this dream trip could tip the scales.  On the other hand, there is Aaron, the man who has grown up with Annie and, in adulthood, come to believe that they are meant to be. 

      As Annie, her family, and Aaron wonder through the sites of New York at Christmastime, she is forced to examine whether she should follow her career ambition of writing, or give a second look to an old friend who might be the central piece in the future she could have.

      Readers journey from Amish country, Paradise Pennsylvania, to the big city with the Bontrager family, in this fourth book in the Quilts of Lancaster County series.

What I Thought:

      This novel was an incredibly refreshing read.  So often it seems as though we get caught up in things that do not matter, and neglect the blessings that we receive all of the time.  Reading about the Bontrager family, with their “simple” beliefs, made me open my eyes to all of the wonders in my community, and in my life.

      I have read the first book in this series a while ago, so I was familiar with the Bontrager dynamic, however it did take me a little bit of time to readjust to the characters, and place all of the family members with the amount of back story I need.  Although I do believe that there is enough background given on the previous stories, I would suggest reading at least the first novel, A Time to Love, since this family did not form in a traditional way, you will not be disappointed, it is also a fabulous read.  I personally am looking forward to reading the second and third book in the series to see what I have missed!

      Miss Cameron has a way of writing about the Amish community, that makes readers feel as though they are an invited guest, sipping hot tea in the kitchen as a family that is not caught up in the trappings of modern day society works, plays, dreams, and loves.  You really get a sense of this religion, not so much in the specifics, or history, but more in the way you’d get to know what it is really about by living it, or watching members live, without them knowing you were there.

I left this book feeling as though I would miss the characters.  Annie is very relatable in the sense that everyone goes through a struggle in their young life, where they need to decide who they want to be, and what sacrifices that they are willing to make to get there.  Jenny, Annie’s mother, is the mother that I strive to be; she is caring, warm, and genuinely interested in her children’s thoughts and feelings.  Aaron is a genuinely good guy; readers will root for him, as he tries to open Annie’s eyes to a future that could fulfill more dreams than one.

If you are looking for a good clean story, that puts the emphasis of Christmas back on God and family, I highly recommend this book.  Grab a cup of tea, cuddle under a blanket, and let yourself be overtaken with the Christmas Spirit with Annie’s Christmas Wish available now!