Wednesday, September 12, 2012

A Hidden Truth

GIVEAWAY

MILLER, JUDITH
A HIDDEN TRUTH

In the closed communities of the Amana Colonies, hidden truths are about to change everything for two young women...

East Amana, Iowa
1892

When Karlina Richter discovers that a new shepherd will be sent to her village, she fears she'll no longer be allowed to help her father with the sheep. She'll be relegated back to kitchen work, stuck inside all day. Her fears increase when the new shepherd shows little interest in the flock--or in divulging why he's suddenly been sent to East. Is he keeping secrets that will impact Karlina's family?

Dovie Cates visits the Amana Colonies to learn more about the place where her mother grew up. But when Dovie begins to ask questions about her mother's past, no one seems willing to reveal anything, so she decides to take matters into her own hands. Will the answers she finds spell disaster for her future plans and the longings of her heart?

My Review:

Just the kind of solid, riveting, in-depth read that I've come to expect from Judith Miller. The Amana Colonies provides such a fascinating backdrop to the story. Details of the colonists lives and beliefs give body to the work and leave me fussing with questions by the end. That's a good thing. Again, as with the Shakers, I can't help but feel like the Amana followers would be considered a cult in our 21st century.

Loved the details of the shepherd's life as well and the parallels to Christ and his followers that Miller references through scriptures. One of the best inspirational threads I have read in a book. Simple, but so poignant and so relevant even today.

Dovie's quest to uncover her mother's history made for an interesting mystery threaded through the plot. I could feel her yearning and understood her need to to know the truth. I've experienced the same promptings in my own life. Unfortunately no one else understands or accepts her needs as valid and that poses quite a few complications and misunderstandings. And that resulted in frantic page turning for me!

By contrast, Karlina's story is much different from her cousin's. Karlina has been blessed to know her family, anchored in the roots of her faith and tradition, she isn't searching to find herself by sifting through the past. She has enough to deal with in the present! And that includes the infuriating new shepherd cloaked in mystery. Now his past might be worth delving into!

Told in two voices -- both first person -- the chapters flip between Dovie's and Karlina's viewpoints. I love how Miller drew on parallels in their stories to wrap the threads of the plot together. Brilliantly written and greatly enjoyed, I highly recommend this first book in the first of the Home to Amana series.

Giveaway Opportunity:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of A Hidden Truth, please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you post a comment and add your email address, please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in the address to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so that it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday September 16 2012. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group". 

32 comments:

  1. YES PLEASE!!! I REALLY want to read this one!

    Amada (pronounced: a.m.a.th.a) Chavez

    amada_chavez[AT]yahoo[DOT]com

    John 3:15-16 (Read it, Believe it, and Be Saved!!!)

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  2. Good luck, Amada!!!!! Crossing my fingers and toes since you really want this book! :-)

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  3. I have been seeing this one but this is the first review I have seen. And since you highly recommend, I guess I should give it a try.

    campbellamyd at gmail dot com

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  4. Thanks for the vote of confidence, Amy. Good luck!

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  5. I would love to win and read this book.
    godblessamerica.jan(at)gmail(dot)com

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  6. I have bought and read all of Judith's Amana books, except this one of course, which I would love to win. This group and the Shakers had some very odd beliefs that I think would really be considered a cult in this day and time. Thanks for the great review!

    dianalflowers[at]aol[dot]com

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  7. Makes for a fascinating read, doesn't it Diana? Good luck!

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  8. I would love this book for my 80 year old aunt. She loves Amish fiction. :O)

    estrella8888 at roadrunner dot com

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  9. A Hidden Truth sounds interesting, I don't know much about the Amana Colonies so this would be a neat way to learn something new. Please add me, Kav!
    worthy2bpraised at gmail dot com

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  10. You're added, Merry. You too, Diane. Good luck!

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  11. Yes, would love opportunity to win this book. teshaw(at)sbcglobal(dot)net.

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  12. thanks for the chance to read judith's latest novel, kav

    karenk
    kmkuka at yahoo dot com

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  13. I would love to learn about the Amana Colonies. I searched on the Internet and found out more. We have them to thank for the Amana Refrigerator! I visited a reconstruction of a Shaker colony and listened to a lot of Shaker songs which I have on CDS. I love their songs so much. I think we can learn a lot from different religious movements. I really like your review and especially where you said that this book is riveting. My grandfather's family were from Iowa and I wonder if they knew anyone in the colony.

    I have my fingers crossed for winning this one.

    CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

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  14. I'd love to read more about the Amana Colonies. Thanks for the chance.
    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

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  15. Would love to read this book and review it on my blog create4christ.blogspot.com

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  16. Thank you so much for hosting this giveaway, I would love to have this book, winning it would be great.

    wfnren(at)aol(dot)com

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  17. I enjoy reading Judith's books, though I haven't read any of hers about the Amana colonies. This looks like it would be a very good book. Thanks for the chance to win a copy.

    pmk56[at]sbcglobal[dot]net

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  18. I would love to read and win this one.

    teakettle58(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  19. I would love a chance to win this book. Thanks for the opportunity. God bless you.

    Glenda Parker
    parker(dot)glenda(at)ymail(dot)com

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  20. Glad to see such interest in the Amana colonies. Judith Miller does a fantastic job capturing the feel and history. Good luck everyone!

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  21. I have seen this cover on some other blogs but haven't seen a review until now. It sounds great and I have read much Judith has written. Count me in. Thanks and many blessings!
    Darlene

    spangldlady[at]gmail[dot]com

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  22. This looks like an awesome book and Judith is a wonderful writer! Enter me please!

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  23. I love Judith Miller books! Would love to win!

    gka444 (at) gmail (dot) com

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  24. Good luck G., Marie and Darlene!

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  25. Yes, please enter me in this giveaway. I need to read this wonderful writing. I don't recall reading Judith Miller before and I'd like to know more about her through her books. Thanks for this giveaway and the chance to win a wonderful read.

    Blessings,
    Barb Shelton
    barbjan10 at tx dot rr dot com

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  26. This book looks so very interesting and I'd love to win a copy. I have read Judith's work and think she is a very accomplished author.
    Thank you for this opportunity to enter. Blessings!

    spangldlady[at]gmail[dot]com

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