Tuesday, July 3, 2018

The Amish Teacher's Gift

GIVEAWAY
GOOD, RACHEL J.
THE AMISH TEACHER'S GIFT

A Teacher's Love...

Widower Josiah Yoder wants to be a good father. But it's not easy with a deaf young son who doesn't understand why his mamm isn't coming home. At a loss, Josiah enrolls Nathan in a special-needs school and is relieved to see his son immediately comforted by his new teacher, a woman whose sweet charm and gentle smile might be the balm they both need.

With seven siblings to care for, Ada Rupp wasn't sure she wanted to take on teaching, too. But the moment she holds Nathan in her arms, she realizes she'll do all she can to help this lost little boy. Plus, it gives her a chance to spend more time with Josiah. Falling for a man in mourning may be against the rules, but his quiet strength is the support Ada never knew she needed. And, together, they could have the loving family she'd always hoped for.

My Review:

Rachel J. Good has become one of my favourite Amish fiction authors. I just discovered her last year when I read her first two books in the Sisters and Friends series published with Realms and just discovered  this new series with Hachette Book Group as well...not to mention a backlist to add to my retro reads TBR list! I'm in reader heaven!

So, The Amish Teacher's Gift is the first book in the Love and Promises series and I am well and truly smitten. The story totally captivated me! The hero, the heroine, the secondary characters, the community....I lost myself in another world for a spell and loved every second I spent there. And this is a step out of the ordinary from the usual Amish fare which contributed to my fascination. Because central to the story is the community's special-needs school.

The author does an incredible job of conveying the daily triumphs and despairs that come from working with these special scholars. It's all so true to life -- from the way calm can suddenly catapult into chaos to the piercing sweet exultation when a connection -- no matter how tenuous -- between teacher and student is made. The school scenes left me breathless from tears and laughter.

And there's Ada at the heart of it all. A young, untried teacher with a thirst for knowledge to help her special scholars reach their potential This isn't the first challenge Ada has taken on in her young life, and likely won't be the last. She's already mothering her younger siblings...all seven of them! But when one of her young students, a deaf boy, has even greater needs then she first thought, Ada's heart nearly bursts with the desire to do more. And that pretty much tells you about Ada. She's by no means perfect, doesn't pretend to have all the answers, but she does have a dogged determination that won't allow her to give up...even when a seemingly hostile parent might stand in the way.

Josiah's relationship with his son just about did me in. He's overwhelmed, doing the best he can without all the tools needed to communicate with his deaf son. Honestly, this pair gutted me. Both lost in their grief and confusion. My heart hurt for them. Josiah so out of his element but sincere in his desire to make things better and Nathan without the words or concepts to understand all the changes in his life. There were elements of Helen Keller and Annie Sullivan in this story that really touched me.

What a backdrop to develop a romance against! It's tentative and sweet and uttlerly impossible. They both know it and yet...Dreamy sigh!

A incredible start to a new series that delivers the right mix of laughter, tears and faith. Looking forward to the next book coming out in the fall.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of The Amish Teacher's Gift, 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 to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday July 8 2018. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

21 comments:

  1. I've heard you talk about Rachel's books before and just how smitten you are, so of course, it's piqued my interest as well! I love the unconventional, out-of-the-norm stories that touch heart & soul. Already adding it to my massive want-to-read list :-)

    teamob4 (at) gmail (dot) com

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    1. I just popped over to the Overdrive ebook library to see if they carry any of her books. They have one, "Change of Heart"...but I wanted to share, it looks like a second story in this new series is releasing in November entitled "The Amish Midwife's Secret". Definitely something for you to look forward to, Kav!

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    2. But there's a certain comfort to having a massive want-to-read list, isn't there? And, yes, I'm excited that these books are releasing in a timely manner. Plus she has her last book in the other series coming out soonish too. I'm a happy reader for sure. Good luck, Trixi!

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  2. Heard much about this author. Thanks. teshawATsbcglobalDOTnet. FYI: the instructions say the giveaway is on 7/1 not 7/8???

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    1. Ha -- heat fried brain -- I'm stuck in a time warp. End date is this coming Sunday. I'll fix that. Good luck, Tammie.

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  3. The teacher/student scenario doesn't seem to be used as frequently in Amish fiction as, say, in general historical fiction. This sounds to be a sweet story. Was looking at her books on ChristianBook and noticed her Change of Heart ebook was only $2.79, for those with readers. Thanks!

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    1. Awesome tip, CC. Thanks for sharing that ebook sale price. Good luck!

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  4. Loved this book!
    2clowns at arkansas dot net

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  5. I've only read one of her books so far. cheetahthecat1986ATgmailDOTcom

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    1. I'm really excited about this new series. Good luck, Kim.

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  6. I used lots of tissues on this one my book Twin

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    1. Yay -- we're reading twins again. And yes, so many teary moments in this story. I bawled at one point. :-)

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  7. I think I discovered Rachel's first series right before you did and was so excited to see your first couple of reviews. I've seen this new series, but haven't gone beyond that. Hearing that it's another winner and she's become a favorite author of yours speaks volumes. I'll definitely be picking this one up, too. Thank you. For those who read ebooks, the third book in her Sisters and Friends series is only .99 right now.

    tlhcoupon(at)Hotmail(dot)com

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    1. Ack -- that's good news for people who read ebooks but I don't and it looks like book 3 isn't coming out in print format. Looks like this last one is self-pubbed. Ack! Good luck, Terrill.

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  8. This author is new to me and I would love to read her book. mauback55 at gmail dot com

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    1. Oh you will love her, Melanie. You really will! Good luck.

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  9. I'm so happy to hear of this new series. I have not read any of Rachel's books yet and hope to do so soon.
    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

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    1. Oh, I'm excited for you to try her. I bet you'll fall in love the way I have. Good luck, rubynreba.

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  10. The church library readers enjoy our Amish fiction and non-fiction books. Thanks for giving me the opportunity to win this book.
    Janet E.
    von1janet(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. Amish literature is so popular I bet they fly off the shelves. Good luck, Janet.

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