A Plain Leaving

GIVEAWAY

GOULD, LESLIE
A PLAIN LEAVING

Leaving was the hardest thing she'd ever done...until she had to return

Three years ago, Jessica Bachmann walked away from everything:  her family, their beloved farm, her Amish community, and Silas Kemp. After clashing with the new bishop and her brother about her role in her family and the future of the family farm, anger and restlessness wouldn't allow her to stay.

When she is forced to return home because of her beloved father's death, her arrival stirs up all kinds of emotions -- sorrow, grief, and yearning alike. Jessica knows things can't regret to the way they were, but, especially upon seeing Silas again, she can't help wonder what might have been -- and what still could be. The stakes grow higher when she learns that her brother, Arden, is still pursuing potentially hazardous fracking on the family's land.

As Jessica wrestles with her next step, she learns the cautionary tale of Ruby Bachmann, a Revolutionary War-era ancestor who faced similar struggles. Will Ruby's decisions motivate Jessica to leave her family, the land, and her community forever? Or is there healing, love, and belonging yet to come for her in Lancaster County?

My Review:

An emotionally sucker-punch kind of read....and I so love it when I really feel a story! In this case -- two stories, because this is a dual timeline plot which I didn't realize when I started reading but was a delightful surprise! I honestly don't know whose story I enjoyed more -- Jessica's or Ruby's.

Have to say I was consumed by righteous indignation over situations in Jessica's story. Living in relationship isn't easy and family dynamics are complicated but no matter how you look at it, Jessica was hard done by. Gah! Honestly, there were moments when I said some very unkind things to certain characters. I bet you will too when you meet Mamm, Marie and Arden. But there's so much grace and wisdom and growth too. Which made me feel guilty over being so harsh...in fact I was as harsh to them as they were to Jessica which is totally ironic. And yes, I know I'm talking about fictional characters but I still apologized to them...well not to Arden if I'm truthful and maybe a bit grudgingly to Marie. Sigh. Clearly I needed the message of faith and forgiveness that Gould included in this compelling story.

And the American Revolution from the eyes of Jessica's Amish ancestors -- truly riveting. It's told by Jessica's Aenti Suz and that lady knows how to draw out a story with plenty of cliffhangers. A clever way to keep Jessica around longer than she planned. But both of us were clamoring for more every time Aenti Suz left off. I was as captivated by Ruby and her romantic dilemma as I was with Jessica's.

Two incredible, faith-filled stories twine together in a celebration of family, tradition and hope in the future.

Book provided courtesy of Baker Publication and Graf-Martin Communications Inc.

GIVEAWAY OPPORUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of A Plain Leaving, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you add your email to a comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday January 20 2018. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck.