Tuesday, September 20, 2016

The Saddle Maker's Son

GIVEAWAY

IRVIN, KELLY
THE SADDLE MAKER'S SON

Rebekah Lantz feels imprisoned by circumstances she didn’t create. Tobias Byler is haunted by regret. Can two young runaways from half a world away teach them the healing power of true family?

Rebekah isn't like her sister who left the Amish faith, but the watchful gaze of her family and small, close-knit Amish community makes her feel as if she's been judged and found lacking. The men avoid her and the women whisper behind her back. She simply longs for the same chance to be a wife and mother that her friends have.

Tobias Byler only wants to escape feelings for a woman he knows he should never have allowed to get close to him. Moving with his family to isolated Bee County, Texas, seemed the best way to leave his mistakes behind. But even a move across the country can't erase the past that accompanies his every thought.

A surprise encounter with two half-starved runaway children forces Rebekah and Tobias to turn to each other to help a sister and brother who have traveled thousands of miles in search of lives of unfettered peace and joy.

In doing so, Rebekah and Tobias discover the key to forgetting the past is the one that will open the door to love and the future they both seek.

My Review:

I have to say that one of the things I love about this Amish Bee County series is the setting. This drought-stricken Texas community gives a totally different spin to the typical Amish novel. There's something so elemental about the barren countryside and how it dictates the kind of life the Amish live. This little community is struggling to survive and that means they must turn to different occupations in order to provide for their families.  Unfortunately that requires more interaction with Englischers which brings its own kind of threat.

Life is a balancing act for Rebekah who finds herself living in the shadow of her sister's transgression. She's smart and tenacious and a bit of a free thinker which can get her in trouble since she's not shy about speaking her mind. Tobias arrives in Texas looking forward to a new start. The last thing he needs in his life is an opinionated woman who doesn't know when to keep her mouth closed. :-) Angst and mayhem ensue -- much to this reader's delight.

Irvin reaches deep to deliver a thought-provoking and inspiring story. I don't want to give specifics because there are elements that a reader should discover as the story unfolds. But I will say that this book challenges the characters and the reader to ask themselves this one question: "What would Jesus have me do?" And then it's just a matter of doing the next right thing and trusting the Lord to see you through. My faith soared with a renewed conviction after reading The Saddle Maker's Son.

And the topical subject matter makes this a great book club selection. There's tons to discuss and celebrate about this novel.

A captivating page-turner that will keep you thinking long after you've closed the book. That's the best kind of read, isn't it? The kind that inspires you to reach higher and draw closer to the Lord.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

 If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of  The Saddle Maker's Son 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  25 2016. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

32 comments:

  1. I have a copy of one of the other books in this series, would love to add to it!

    pattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  2. I enjoy Amish fiction and this does sound different/interesting with the more unusual locale for the community and story setting. Cathy. dixiedobie at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It really is different. And fascinating. Good luck, CC.

      Delete
  3. Great review. This sounds interesting with all the elements of a good Amish story AND the though-provoking one experiences in Christian genres. Thanks for sharing this with us.

    Annie
    justcommonlyATgmailDOTcom

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Annie. It's such an amazing story. Good luck.

      Delete
  4. I have this on my TBR list. TY for the chance to win.
    leliamae54(at)aol(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  5. I've heard a lot of great things about this book & author :-) I've not read one of her stories yet, but definitely have her on my future must-read list.

    teamob4 (at) gmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ooooohhhhh....you will love! Good luck, Trixi.

      Delete
  6. The Texas setting intrigues me because I haven't encountered it before and I enjoy every Amish book I have read. Adding this to my TBR list ASAP! Thanks Kav.
    Dblaser(at)windstream(dot)net

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sounds like that TBR list is getting really long, Diane but this one definitely belongs on it. Good luck!

      Delete
  7. The first book was heartbreaking for me, because I always feel deep characters that have let their disability or disfigurement define them. Yet, at the same time, I love to read them. I haven't read the second book, but it's nice to know that the deeper elements are still there in the third book. Thanks, Kav. tlhcoupon(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes -- it's an exceptional series. I'm really impressed with it. Good luck, Terrill.

      Delete
  8. Would love to read this one. Thanks for the review and a chance to win a copy.
    pwestfall7 at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  9. I'm looking forward to reading this book! Thanks for the review and giveaway. d[dot]brookmyer[at]yahoo[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  10. An Amish book this week sounds doubly appealing since we just are on our way home from an Amish filled vacation! Looks wonderful.
    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Reading this would definitely keep the vacation going at home! Good luck, rubynreba.

      Delete
  11. Kelly Irvin's books are so good. I liked her other Texas-based novels.

    Dianna

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Then you'll meet some familiar characters in this story. That's always a bonus. Good luck, Dianna.

      Delete
  12. This sounds like such an amazing book.
    I have a lot of this author's books on my TBR list but have yet to read one of her stories.
    Thank you for the giveaway.

    melodybissonnette AT gmail DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  13. Don't enter me Kav as I already read this book. Just want to say I love Kelly's books and this one was great. Sh always manages to write from a little different perspective that is out of the box and gets the readers to think about different situations. Very thought provoking. Glad you liked it too Kav!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Beautifully said, Maryann. I love Kelly Irvin's out of the box writing style.

      Delete
  14. Can't wait to read this book! I've heard great things about it!
    susanlulu@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete