The Amish Midwife

GIVEAWAY
RANDOM RETRO READ DAY!

CLARK, MINDY STARNS

GOULD, LESLIE

THE AMISH MIDWIFE

A dusty carved box containing two locks of hair and a century-old letter regarding property in Swtizerland, and a burning desire to learn about her biological family lead nurse-midwife Lexie Jaegar from her home in Oregon to the heart of Pennsylvania Amish country. There she meets Marta Bayer, a mysterious lay-midwife who desperately needs help after an Amish client and her baby dies.

Lexie steps in to assume mart's patient load even as she continues the search for her birth family, and from her patients she learns the true meaning of the Pennsylvania Dutch word demut, which means "to let be" as she changes from a woman who wants to control everything to a woman who depends on God.

A compelling story about a search for identity and the ability to trust that God securely holds our whole life -- past, present, and future. 

My Review:

published in 2011

I experienced a book nudge last week after reading a collection of Amish midwife stories. I listened to the prompting and eased this book off the shelf, thinking I'd just skim through some bits to refresh my memory and see if it was really worthy of the nostalgic bookish feelings that had overcome me. Ha! Once I started reading, I couldn't stop. Definitely just as wonderful! So if you missed this one the first time round, here's your chance to play catch up.

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In a word: riveting. A brilliant collaboration. The authors have created a tense, complex story that will leave you gasping in surprise right through to the very end. I lost myself in Lexie's world. Felt her pain and confusion. Her desperate need to discover the truth in a community embroiled in secrets.

And Lexie isn't the only character I could identify with. Every one is skillfully crafted with careful detail -- all with opposing viewpoints and varying goals that build tension and suspense.

But Lexie's journey is much more then discovering her biological family. Hers is a spiritual journey -- a clearing of the mind and and opening of the heart. She is on a quest to find peace.

At one point she is asked if she has every experienced sorrow. When Lexie replies that she has, she is then presented with this profound question: "And did it make you trust Jesus more?" I got goosebumps when I read that, and immediately stopped and asked myself the same question which led me to some soul searching of my own.

Definitely a book for the keeper shelf...as I can attest to having enjoyed it as thoroughly during a second read.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

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

If you would like a chance to win a copy of The Amish Midwife category, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. 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 Saturday August 21 2021. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!