An Amish Love

WISEMAN, BETH

LONG, KELLY

FULLER, KATHLEEN

AN AMISH LOVE

HEALING HEARTS by Beth Wiseman

He left to find himself. She found her way without him. Now Levina and Naaman Lapp are together again, feeling miles apart. Although coming home was the right thing to do, Naaman must regain the trust and respect of his wife who, in his absence, has learned to trust God like never before. Could it be that their prior years together have simply been a preface to a greater love than they have ever known?

VERY CLEVERLY DONE. I WAS CAPTURED FROM THE VERY FIRST PAGE -- FIRST BECAUSE I WAS FUMING AT NAAMAN AND ACHING FOR LEVINA BUT NAAMAN EVENTUALLY WON ME OVER. THEN I WAS CELEBRATING RIGHT ALONG WITH THE LAPPS AS THEY REDISCOVERED THEIR LOVE.

WISEMAN HAS ADDED AN INTERESTING SECONDARY THREAD TO THE PLOT LINE WHICH IS BY TURNS INTRIGUING AND FUNNY AND CULMINATES INTO A SURPRISE ENDING.

A MARRIAGE OF THE HEART by Kelly Long

Abigail Kauffman is looking for a way out; Joseph Lambert is seeking a way in. Since her mother's death, Abby has lived alone with her father and longs to escape the emptiness of the farmhouse that has never felt like home. Joseph Lambert is a newcomer in their close-knit community. Only after they find themselves suddenly married to each other do they begin to understand the tender truths of life-long love.

I'VE FOUND A NEW FAVOURITE AUTHOR! I LOVE LONG'S WRITING VOICE -- HER ROMANTIC DEVELOPMENT IS STELLAR AS IS HER CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT. ABBY IS AN UNLIKELY AMISH HEROINE. WE MEET HER IN THE MIDDLE OF A DECEITFUL PLOT OF HER OWN MAKING. SHE EMBELLISHES THE TRUTH AND RISKS RUINING ANOTHER'S REPUTATION. WHAT WOULD DRIVE HER TO DO SUCH A THING? AND STICK TO IT WHEN THINGS GET SO OUT OF HAND? I HAD TO KEEP READING TO FIND OUT.

LONG HAS TAKEN AN OVERUSED PLOT DEVICE (MARRIAGE OF CONVENIENCE/ARRANGED MARRIAGE) AND WORKED IT INTO SOMETHING FRESH, CAPTIVATING AND BELIEVABLE. I ENJOYED WATCHING ABBY'S TRUE CHARACTER SHINE THROUGH ALL THE EMOTIONAL LAYERS IT HAD BEEN HIDDEN BENEATH. I LOVED JOSPEPH'S WIT, HIS STRUGGLE, HIS INNATE DESIRE TO DO WHAT IS RIGHT AND RELY ON HIS GOD TO SEE HIM THROUGH.

WHAT THE HEART SEES by Kathleen Fuller

When Ellie Chupp loses her sight in an accident -- and then her boyfriend shortly after that -- she believes love will never be in her future. But Christopher Miller has returned home, five years after fleeing from the tragedy that broke his heart. When Ellie and Chris meet again, sparks fly. Could true love be a matter of seeing with new eyes?

THIS IS A POWERFUL TALE OF FORGIVENESS -- ON SO MANY LEVELS. FORGIVENESS BECAUSE IT IS WHAT GOD REQUIRES OF US. FORGIVENESS OF THOSE WE PERCEIVE TO HAVE WRONGED US IN SOME WAY. NOT TO MENTION THE IMPORTANCE OF FORGIVING OURSELVES.

FULLER HAS DUG DEEP TO REVEAL SOME OF THE EMOTIONS THAT KEEP INDIVIDUALS SHACKLED BY UNFORGIVENESS. AND IN THE MIDST OF THIS EMOTIONAL ANGST, SHE MANAGES TO WEAVE A TENDER LOVE STORY.