An Amish Surprise

GIVEAWAY

GRAY, SHELLEY SHEPARD

AN AMISH SURPRISE

In the second installment of the "enjoyable and charming" (USA TODAY) Shelley Shepard Gray's delightful Berlin Bookmobile series, librarian Sarah Anne Miller returns to Berlin to help a childless Amish couple form the family they've always prayed for.

Miriam and Calving Gingerich have been trying for a baby for several years, but the Lord hasn't seen fit to bless them. Though Calvin claims he's content with their childless state, Miriam knows he's not, and when he starts spending more time off their farm, she worries he's found someone else. But just as she finds herself at her lowest point, she discovers the ultimate surprise. Unable to confide in anyone who might tell Calvin -- out of fear she'll disappoint him with another miscarriage -- Miriam turns to bookmobile librarian Sarah Anne Miller -- and any books she may have on pregnancy and childbirth.

Calvin has been keeping a secret from his wife, but it's not another woman. It's a little boy. One afternoon when visiting Sarah Anne's bookmobile, he meets Miles, a ten-year-old living with a foster family down the road. But after spending more time with the boy, Calvin learns that his foster family has no plans to adopt him. Calvin feels a connection with Miles and yearns to give the boy a home, but he's afraid to tell Miriam, knowing she's devastated they can't have children of their own.

As weeks pass and Sarah Anne learns that Miles has nearly given up hope of ever finding a real home, she knows it's time to intervene. It's going to take some fancy footwork and a whole lot of prayer, but she knows she can help make this struggling couple into a happy family of four.

My Review:

Absolutely ADORE the way each story in this series revolves around the bookmobile and Sarah Anne's librarian wiles! Such a fun backdrop for a bibliophile like me. And I have a thing about bookmobiles -- kinda like some people have for lighthouses.  So this book tickled my fancy before I even started reading!

An Amish Surprise is the second book in the Berlin Bookmobile series, but it can be read as a standalone. However, if you have read A Perfect Amish Romance, you'll be happy to discover that Sarah Anne's romance gets off the ground in this one. She's endearingly awkward and unsure of herself and I was on pins and needles waiting to see how it would all play out.

Meanwhile, Sarah Anne is anything but hesitant when it comes to her bookmobile and she works her magic in the lives of some of her most loyal patrons. She's all about finding the perfect book match, asking the right questions and keeping confidences no matter what. What happens in the bookmobile, stays in the bookmobile. :-)

Once again, Gray draws from the community to provide a multi-layered story that reflects real people wrestling with real issues. In this novel, multiple characters struggle with trusting in love. Communication, or more accurately, not communicating effectively, provides the catalyst for plenty of drama. And the result is a story brimming with faith and hope and all kinds of second chances.

I listened to the audible edition narrated by Tavia Gilbert who did a great job of bringing these captivating characters to life.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is paperback or ebook copy -- winner's choice

If you would like a chance to win a copy of An Amish Surprise, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you add an email to your 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 winners announced on Saturday May 29  2021. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!