A Promise for Miriam



Giveaway



CHAPMAN, VANNETTA
A PROMISE FOR MIRIAM

A Promise for Miriam, the first book in a brand-new romantic series from popular author Vannetta Chapman, introduces the Amish community of Pebble Creek and some of the kind, caring people there. As they face challenges to their community from the English world, they come together to reach out to their non-Amish neighbors while still preserving their cherished Plain ways.


Amish schoolteacher Miriam King loves her students. At 26, most women her age are married with children of their own, but she hasn’t yet met anyone who can convince her to give up the Plain school that sits along the banks of Pebble Creek. Then newcomer Gabriel Miller steps into her life, bringing his daughter, an air of mystery, and challenges Miriam has never faced before.

Will Gabe be able to let go of the past that haunts him? He thinks he just wants to be left alone, but the loving and warm community he and his daughter have moved to has other plans for him. After a near tragedy is averted, he hesitantly returns offers of help and friendship, and he discovers he can make a difference to the people of Pebble Creek—and maybe find love again.

My Review:

This first book in The Pebble Creek Amish series promises to deliver exactly what lovers of Amish fiction will want to read:

Characters that draw you in and take hold of your heart
A complex community that's worth getting to know
Sage Amish wisdom delivered in measured doses
A wounded hero who needs healing
A strong and stubborn heroine who won't give up trying to do just that
A captivating child with a heart-tugging combination of innocence and wisdom

All of this wrapped up in exquisite passages that made my heart sing. Just listen to Gabe trying to explain a father's love. He compares the child to water -- something you can't hold on to no matter how hard you try.

"Perhaps that's what you notice when you see me looking at Grace. You see me trying to pour my love over her as she slips through my fingers."

Chapman uses this kind of dialogue to develop the bond between Gabe and Miriam. Exchanges like these create layers of intimacy that draws them together and the reader into an incredibly touching love story.

A Promise for Miriam is also a refreshing one in that Gabe and Miriam's romance is built upon a mutual devotion to their faith -- though that doesn't mean their love story isn't without peril. Angst abounds, right along side humour and Chapman expertly evokes her readers' emotions with every page turn.

A wonderful, fulfilling, and inspiring read.

Giveaway Opportunity:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of A Promise for Miriam, 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 August 19 2012. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!