Amish – Page 3 – Kav's Best Reads

An Uncommon Grace + Giveaway

A moving and inspirational novel about the power of faith, family and above all, love, as a young Amish man must turn to his Englisch neighbor for help after a devastating tragedy.

Grace Connor, a military nurse formerly stationed in Afghanistan, hopes that moving to a farm in rural Ohio will help her recover from the ravages of war.

Levi Troer finds his pacifist beliefs challenged when he discovers his stepfather has been killed and his mother wounded by an unknown intruder. Levi and Grace are thrown together when she comes to his family’s rescue and saves his mother’s life. A deep attraction develops — even though a relationship between them is strictly forbidden.

Levi belongs to the most conservative and isolated of all Amish sects — the Swartzentruber Amish. Even before meeting Grace, Levi had begun to question some of their teachings. He has considered leaving, but knows he will be banned forever from contact with his younger siblings and widowed mother — who need him to survive. He is torn between his love for Grace and his responsibility to his family.

Grace considered leaving her beloved farm and reenlisting rather than continuing to live near the man she loves but cannot have. Levi must confront the Bank if he pursues Grace. And a murderer must be caught. When lifelong allegiances are tested, can love and justice prevail?

My Review:

published in 2012

Captivating from the very first page, An Uncommon Grace made me think as much as it entertained.

First things first — you have to get past the misleading cover. I’ve never seen such a misrepresentation of a book before! Who is that woman looking off into the distance and why is she on the cover of Grace and Levi’s story? LOL. Grace is obviously not Amish and this book is just as much about Grace and her family as it is about Levi’s and his. In fact, if you aren’t into Amish fiction, I’d wager that you’d still find this a compelling read on so many levels.

One of the most fascinating part of this book is the glimpse Miller gives us into the strict Swartzentruber Amish order. The story is peppered with so many interesting facts and comparisons with the Old Order Amish that is usually featured in fiction.

The addition of a murder mystery along with the complicated relationship that slowly develops between Levi and Grace makes this the kind of read you just won’t want to put down. Miller’s characters become living, breathing people with minds and hearts of their own. Grace’s grandmother is an incredible rock for both of them — a genteel lady with a quick sense of humour and deep understanding of the Savior’s love.

As Levi struggles to make sense of the sudden upheaval in his life, Grace finds herself drawn into a chaos of her own. Both ardently support their families, willing to sacrifice anything for those they love. In a perfect world, they would be perfect for each other — but perfection doesn’t come in this life and their journey isn’t an easy one. Miller has spun an emotional tale that I soon won’t forget…and hopefully you won’t either because you’re sure to want to read it now too, right?

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a gently read paperback copy and is available to any reader, any where — so, yay, another International Giveaway!

If you would like a chance to win a copy of An Uncommon Grace, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. 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 winner announced on Saturday August 17 2024.

When Hope Blossoms + Giveaway

Random Retro Re-Read

Amy Knackstedt moves with her children to Weaverly, Kansas, to escape the speculation surrounding her husband’s untimely death. She hopes the new location will provide a fresh start for them all. But her neighbor, Tim Roper, is not pleased to have a Mennonite family living next to his apple orchard. When the children try to befriend him, he resists. Tim left the Mennonite faith years ago and doesn’t want any reminders of his former life. Yet Amy and Tim find their paths colliding far more than either could have foreseen. Will this tentative relationship blossom into something more?

My Review:

published in 2012

Sweet, sweet, SWEET! Brilliantly crafted, Sawyer delivers a story that brings hope from despair — a theme that aptly matches the title. Amazingly tight plotting blends three life experiences into one incredibly moving conclusion. Sawyer is a gifted storyteller.

Told from three POVs — Amy’s, Tim’s and Beckah’s (Amy’s 13-year-old daughter) — their diverse take on life and circumstances propel the story along at the perfect pace. I’m still marveling at how various story strands meshed together, building to one of the best feel-good endings I’ve ever read. Just LOVED this book so much.

And yes it is a Mennonite story — but it’s so much more as well with themes that will attract and satisfy even non-Amish/non-Mennonite fans. Themes like searching for a fresh start, finding ones faith, staying true to that faith no matter what, coping with grief, and learning to accept help from others in times of need. When Hope Blossoms is a wonderful celebration of the hope Christ can bring into every life.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a gently read paperback copy and is available to any reader, any where — so, yay, another International Giveaway!

If you would like a chance to win a copy of When Hope Blossoms, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. 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 winner announced on Saturday August 24 2024.

Matters of the Heart + Giveaway

He’s the community’s jokester auctioneer. She’s the serious caregiver for her siblings who also works at the local plant nursery. What future could they have together?

Declan Miller has always had feelings for Bethel King. Back when they were in school, she was the smartest girl in the class and, in his opinion, by far the prettiest. Now the two of them are in their twenties and while the attraction is still there, Declan is as hesitant as ever to let Bethel know how he feels. His corny jokes and wisecracks cover a heart that’s afraid of rejection.

Bethel can’t deny Declan is nice, funny, hardworking, and pleasing to the eye–a perfect match if you asked any Plain girl in the area. But marrying Bethel would also mean marrying into her family. Two of her younger brothers have a rare form of muscular dystrophy, and her sister Claire is now showing signs of having it as well. Fiercely loyal and nurturing, Bethel has promised herself her siblings will always come first. With a good chance that she carries the gene and could pass it on to her children, Bethel has tried to convince herself marriage and family just aren’t in the cards for her.

When a devastating diagnosis of his own turns Declan’s world upside down, he looks to Bethel for understanding, compassion, and a realistic outlook. As they share their dreams and fears and grow together in faith, a bond begins to develop between them. Perhaps their combination of optimistic extrovert and thoughtful introvert really isn’t such a bad thing–perhaps it’s actually a part of God’s beautiful design.

My Review:

I love finding a unique approach to an Amish novel and this one is phenomenal! So much heart and angst and real life (and faith) struggles for both Bethel and Declan which kept me riveted.

Kelly Irvin gently explores hereditary conditions specific to the Amish with compassion and understanding. Bethel’s family carries a gene that can result in a rare form of muscular dystrophy. Three out of her six siblings are living with the condition and Bethel is dedicated to supporting their every need. She’s so wrapped up with daily logistics and worrying that she’s letting the chance at her own future pass her by.

She is, in fact, resigned to the fact that her life’s role is to be the carer for her siblings. Notice I said ‘the’ not ‘a’ because Bethel has fallen into the trap of thinking she’s the only one who can. She harbours a kind of false pride out of her need to be there for her family. She hasn’t forgotten that the Amish are all about community and sharing life’s difficulties, she just thinks that isn’t needed as long as she can do it all. And isn’t that so relatable no matter what kind of community we live in?!

By contrast, fun loving Declan seems to have it all. A family run business he loves and the freedom from responsibility that Bethel can only dream of. These two are exact opposites. He’s the extrovert to her introvert. The jokester to her serious demeanour. And yet, there’s every indication that there could be so much more if only Bethel could let go of some of her responsibilities and a whole lot of her worries.

But then Declan faces a health challenge of his own and — whoa — this story, their romance, spun in a completely different direction. Heartbreaking and tender but ultimately hopeful though there’s a lot of overcoming to be done before the last page. I appreciate the way the author portrayed their unique challenges through their faith journey. She explores the age old question of why God allows suffering as Bethel and Declan wrestle with untenable circumstances.

A beautifully crafted story that shines grace into the darkest corners of our lives.

I enjoyed listening to the audio book narrated by Lauren Berst. She did a wonderful job with these characters — especially Declan with his evolving situation. Her performance helped me feel my way through the story, rather than just listen to it.

My thanks to Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio and Net Galley for providing me with an audio copy of this book.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY

ebook copy available to anyone with a US Kindle account (.com)

Canadians will have a choice of receiving an Amazon.ca gift card towards the purchase of an ebook OR an audible copy. Winner’s Choice.

If you would like a chance to win an ecopy of Finding You, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. 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 winner announced on Saturday July 20 2024.

The Proposal Plot + Giveaway

A headstrong young businesswoman. An unlucky-in-love bachelor. And the chaperoning assignment that keeps pushing them together.

For someone so strong-willed and certain, Ella Yoder has never been more unsure of her life. It’s been a year since she convinced her father to move with her and her younger sister Junia to Marigold, Ohio, to open E and J Grocery. Ella’s got a keen eye for running a business and has big dreams to expand. But her plans are stalled because Junia refuses to lift a finger at the store–or listen to her about anything.

Nelson Bontranger knows one thing for creating his own artisan deli meats is his passion. Well, maybe one other he’s sworn off women forever. After two bouts of heartbreak, he’s not willing to open up himself to a third. When he eyes his own butcher shop next to E and J Grocery in Marigold, he’s surprised to learn that Ella has had her eye on the property for some time. He doesn’t trust this stubborn, pushy young woman–and for her, the feeling is mutual.

Against their wishes, Ella and Nelson’s paths continue to cross when Nelson’s nephew Malachi falls head over heels for Junia. Nelson and Ella are brought together to keep the lovebirds in check, but somewhere along the line, their frustration turns to something altogether more pleasant. But they will both need to come to terms with past pain before they can find their future happiness.

My Review:

A captivating Amish romance full of surprises. Like that fiery meet-cute! Bwahahaha! And things don’t settle down for quite a while so be prepared for clashing wills and lamentable outbursts in this enemies to more romantic trope.

Truth: sometimes Ella frustrated me no end! She is opinionated and bossy to the point I wanted to purse whomp some sense into her. Her motives are good, but her delivery leaves a lot to be desired! Which means she makes a horrible first impression on Nelson and that doesn’t improve upon further acquaintance for a long time. I think it’s about the halfway point before they declare a truce.

And Nelson is just a tad grumpy over all things Ella which comes with its own frustrations. So this one isn’t your typical ‘sweet’ romance. I do like the way the author digs deep into both our hero ad heroine’s backstories and their family dynamics. Especially Ella’s. It really helps to explain nuances of her personality. I could totally sympathize with her and became righteously indignant on her behalf more than once. But then we’re given more insights into Ella’s father and sister and well..wow, it all makes sense. The author doesn’t just leave it there, though, she works some healing magic that includes even more romance which made for a delightfully satisfying read.

I enjoyed listening to the audio edition of ‘The Proposal Plot’ expertly narrated by Lauren Berst. She’s a familiar voice in my Amish Fiction listening which made this even more of a comfort read for me. Funny how I can become as attached to narrators as I am to my fave authors.

My thanks to Thomas Nelson, Zondervan Fiction Audio and Net Galley for providing me with an audio copy of this book.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a print or ebook copy. Winner’s choice.

US – available in print or ebook — winner’s choice

Canada – available in print or ebook or audible (if available) — winner’s choice

International – ebook copy if you have a US Kindle account.

If you would like a chance to win a copy of The Proposal Plot, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. 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 winner announced on Saturday April 20 2024.

An Amish Cinderella

Now that her friends are all marrying or moving away, Heart Beachy has started feeling lonely. Worse, everyone keeps asking when she’s going to find a man of her own. Don’t they realize Heart has her hands full at home with her widowed dad, too many chores, and a menagerie of needy, small animals? Besides, she doesn’t understand the fuss about marriage. It’s enough to make her consider finally becoming a pet-sitter, or moving to an English community, where she won’t be an oddity . . .

Newcomer Clayton Glick is utterly charmed by Heart—and completely confounded. He can’t figure out why this beautiful woman is as awkward as a teenager whenever he’s around, which is often now that he’s an apprentice to her blacksmith father. So Clayton starts assisting with Heart’s never-ending tasks, even helping her corral her unruly pets. How else can he court an adorably flustered woman who doesn’t know the first thing about courtship? Because courting is exactly what he intends . . .

Heart doesn’t know why her pulse hammers every time she sees Clayton. She only knows yielding to such emotions will mean trouble. . . But maybe with a little faith—and the loss of a shoe—Clayton can convince her to join him on the road to happily ever after.

My Review:

First off — this really isn’t a Cinderella retelling — not unless you want to call every book with a motherless heroine who feels overworked and under appreciated a Cinderella tale as well. So, that was disappointing, especially since I specifically picked up this book for a fairy tale retelling challenge I was participating in.

BUT

It is a really good story, told to Shelley Shepard Gray’s exacting storytelling standards. She expertly blends humour and drama as she leads likeable characters through personal challenges towards their happily ever afters. And we get two love stories here which was all kinds of fun.

Have to admit that Heart’s father, Levi, kinda stole the spotlight for me. An oversized blacksmith with a reputation for being intimidating but really, he’s more gruff than grump and I enjoyed his story very much.

Clayton made for an intriguing hero with a back story that tugged at my heart and made his personal musings all the more emotionally charged for me. And Heart was a delightfully cheery, forthright foil to his wary reserve.

A fun, quick read — just don’t go in expecting a fairy tale retelling.

Dating Can Be Deadly + Giveaway

Between her quilting circle and tending to her mischievous goats, widowed matchmaker Millie Fisher is never at a loss for things to do in her small-town Ohio community–especially when she’s solving the odd murder or two . . .

It’s August in Holmes County, and that means it’s time for the Holmes County Fair. It’s the county’s biggest annual event, drawing tourists and locals alike to see livestock, eat too much fried food, and watch the rodeo and speed racing contests. This year, Millie has entered the quilting competition–while her very not Amish best friend, Lois Henry, is distracted by her new dating app and her search for husband number five. In a place where quilting is a way of life, the competition is fierce–especially this year, when an anonymous donor doubles the winning cash prize. Amish and English women are up against each other, and some will do anything to win–even murder . . .

When someone attacks the quilt barn by slashing the quilt display, it’s unsettling enough. But when a quilting judge is found murdered, Millie knows it’s time to for Lois to get off her app and help her hunt for a killer instead–before the competition is wiped out for good . .

My Review:

I can’t wipe the Cheshire grin off my face…or should I say Peter and Phillip grin? Those naughty goats are such a hoot! And they shine in this fifth instalment of the Amish Matchmaker Mystery series. Plus, there’s an added bonus — woot! — Jethro the pig stops by to add his unique porky flair to Dating Can Be Deadly (as if there wasn’t enough going on at the fair!) For those who aren’t familiar with Jethro, he’s a star in the author’s Amish Candy Shop Mystery series and has quite the following. Some might say he’s THE star, but you’ll need to read those books to find out if that’s true. 🙂

So, Millie and Lois are back at it — stumbling over a dead body at a fair full of mysteries. Love this Amish/English senior crime fighting duo. 🙂 The story is all told from Millie’s perspective but that doesn’t stop Lois’s larger than life personality from taking over now and again, much to my delight! And while Millie might be the Amish matchmaker, Lois has decided technology is the key to her next love match. Cue the eye rolls as you picture Lois on a dating app!

The mystery is fantastic with some clever twists that had me scrambling to keep up. Once again, the author deftly weaves Amish tradition and faith throughout the story which adds a heartwarming touch in the midst of all the murder and mayhem. 🙂 And the country fair setting was cozy perfection.

Oh — and the ending?! Jumping up and down with bookish delight. Did not see that coming either!!!! More grinning and some happy dancing.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Since this is the fifth book in the Amish Matchmaker Mystery Series and I think it’s best read in order — this giveaway is for any one of the books, so you can pick up where you left off, or start with number one if the series is new to you. I’ll list the titles below and please mention which book you would like to win in your comment.

#1 Matchmaking Can Be Murder

#2. Courting Can Be Killer

#3. Marriage Can Be Mischief

#4 Honeymoons Can Be Hazardous

#5 Dating Can Be Deadly

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a print or ebook copy. Winner’s choice.

US – available in print or ebook — winner’s choice

Canada – available in print or ebook or audible (if available) — winner’s choice

International – ebook copy if you have a US Kindle account.

If you would like a chance to win a copy of one of the Amish Matchmaker Mystery books , leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. 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 winner announced on Saturday February 24 2024.

REMEMBER TO MENTION WHICH BOOK IN THE SERIES YOU WOULD LIKE TO WIN IN YOUR COMMENT!!!

The Flower Quilter

Barbara Breaks from Amish Tradition to Express Her Artistry

Full of faith, hope, and romance, this new series takes you into the Heart of Amish country.

Barbara Schwartz was born into a family of quilters, but she would rather eat dirt than partake in another quilting frolic or sew on another binding. When her parents send her to Indiana to help her grandmother in her quilting shop, she finds herself amongst a very different community. It’s only one summer and then she will be back in Kentucky where she belongs.

Melvin Bontrager’s world stopped six years ago when his parents died. Now when his only means of providing for his widowed sister and niece is threatened, Melvin finds his landscaping business disappearing too. When spring delivers a newcomer who is immune to his salty moods, Melvin does something he has never done before, accepts help.

What blooms is the last thing Barbara ever expected, and everything Melvin could ever want.

My Review:

Hooray for a glasses-wearing heroine on the cover! And yes, that’s what drew me to this particular Amish story among all the others waiting to be read. Mind you, I enjoy Mindy Steele’s storytelling as well, but the glasses were definitely the deciding factor. :-)

Poor Melvin doesn’t make a good first impression. Or second. Or third. Or…let’s just say it took a while for Barbara to warm up to him much to this reader’s delight. Not quite frenemies to more…but almost. The way they butt heads is both amusing and frustrating and always highly entertaining!

Barbara has left her Kentucky home to spend the summer helping out her grandmother in Indiana…at least that’s supposed to be the plan. But since Barbara “would rather eat dirt than partake in another quilting frolic” (bwahahaha!) plans change and she’s suddenly around Melvin way more than she’d like which might not sound like fun to Barbara, but it sure was for me!

I could relate to both hero and heroine – their individual histories brought depth to the story and explained the difficulties they had with connecting and committing. Duty to family pulls at individual desires and leaves both Barbara and Melvin with a conundrum that doesn’t seem easily solved…unless God has a plan.

Loved the way the author describes the Amish and the intricacies of relationships within the community. And she has cleverly highlighted differences between Barbara’s stricter Kentucky Amish community and the more liberal Indiana one which made for an interesting read.

Great blend of humour and angst add just the right sizzle to this heartwarming romance.

The Heart’s Shelter

Kira has no interest in dating and putting down roots in Pennsylvania—that is, until she finds a kindred spirit in Jayden Bontrager.

Kira Detweiler doesn’t plan to be in Lancaster County for long. She’s left her family in Indiana to help her aunt after the birth of her fourth boppli. Or at least that’s what she tells people. Deep down, she’s trying to escape the heartache of a broken engagement and has no plans to date again anytime soon.

Jayden Bontrager watches his older brothers with admiration, and he prays that someday he’ll have the kind of life they do. Even so, he’s only twenty-three and not in a hurry to marry and start a family. He’s content to watch from the sidelines and is happy to see his brothers enjoying a close relationship once again.

When Jayden and Kira strike up a friendship, they are each drawn to the other’s gentle and humble demeanor, and they feel things for one another unlike anything they’ve felt before. But Kira is torn between her heart and her home. She sees no point in pursuing a relationship with Jayden when she doesn’t plan to put down roots in Pennsylvania. The last thing she needs is another heartbreak.

Will Jayden and Kira be able to overcome the obstacles in their path to find the future they both dream of?

In this fourth and final book of the Amish Legacy Series, readers will find out if the youngest Bontrager brother will get his happily ever after.

My Review:

A lovely slice of Amish family life with a sweet friends to more romance trope.

The strength of this story is in the rich details of the Amish community. I loved reading about the day to day goings on in both Jayden’s and Kira’s extended families. And the way they are drawn together and slowly open themselves up to love made for a rich, satisfying read.

Of course it doesn’t all go smoothly. Clipston captures both the anxiety and thrill of starting a relationship and I was unaccountably nervous off and on through the whole read. I mean, I knew there’d be a happily ever after, but still the emotional twists and turns kept me angsting…as did one very annoying maidel. ‘Nuf said.

Of Note: This is the fourth book in the author’s Amish Legacy series but reads perfectly fine as a standalone. If you are familiar with the Bontrager men, you’ll be thrilled to catch up with them and their Frauen. This was my introduction to the series and I had no problem using this story as my starting point. You can bet I’ll be backtracking to catch up with this series sometime soon.

I listened to the audio edition of this novel and Lauren Berst’s narration brought an extra level of enjoyment. It was fun to actually hear various Pensylvania Dutch words spoken (as opposed to the mangled pronunciations rattling around in my head!) And she did a fantastic job of giving the characters distinctive tones and inflections which helped to flesh out the characters in my mind.

My thanks to Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Audio and Net Galley for providing me with an audio edition of The Heart’s Shelter.

Murder of an Amish Bridegroom

Petunia Yoder is Blueberry, Pennsylvania’s youngest old maid, at twenty-two years of age, and completely unmarriageable. But she’s determined to celebrate her friends’ weddings with joy and a full heart. Unfortunately, Petunia’s best friend, Eden Beiler, is playing a dangerous game with a man who is ruining her reputation.

Ike Smoker is the community’s ice man—the one who cuts, stores, and sells the ice—and when Petunia discovers him dead with an ice pick in his chest, Eden is found on the scene with blood on her hands. Homicide detective Asher Nate is new to the area, and he has a challenge on his hands. The Amish community sticks close together, and he doesn’t understand the subtleties and nuances of the clues he uncovers. He needs an Amish interpreter, and he asks Petunia if she’ll help. In a bid to keep her best friend out of prison, she agrees.

The community is filled with people who had good reason to hate Ike Smoker, especially as Petunia and Asher begin to uncover his secrets. Was someone trying to protect their family’s reputation? Or to exact revenge for a sin buried deep in the past?

There’s a litany of damning clues that litters the ground—and if Petunia and Asher can’t come up with the truth, they could end up as the next ones on the killer’s list.

My Review:

Absolutely love this debut cozy mystery! It’s so well done from plot to characters and the intriguing whodunnit that kept me guessing close to the very last second!

Love the way the author includes tidbits of Amish culture and tradition in a very natural way, even if our heroine, Petunia, isn’t quite the typical maidel. The forthright way she has of speaking her mind has kept suitors at bay has earned her the reputation as ‘the youngest old maid.’ 🙂

When murder strikes their peaceful little village, Petunia becomes enmeshed in the investigation as she attempts to clear her friend from murder charges. Love the clever way the author justifies her involvement and it leaves things open for more murder and mayhem to come in future books.

Satisfying blend of cozy and mystery with dashes of humour and characters it’s easy to care about. Looking forward to a (hopefully) long-running series!

Writing About the Amish + Giveaway

Why does every Beth Wiseman book include a red suitcase?

This is one of the many questions answered by an author who has sold over two million books. Beth has penned more than forty books about the Plain People in Pennsylvania, Colorado, and Indiana. In this collection of essays, Beth gives readers a glimpse into her personal life and shares experiences she’s had while writing about the Amish.

Includes photos, Amish recipes, and a ‘bonus’ short story.

My Review:

I have Lucy to thank for recommending this little gem — love, love, love bookish friend reading referrals!

‘Writing About the Amish’ is a short but highly informative glimpse into the author’s research of various Amish communities. If you want to read realistic Amish fiction by an author who does her homework, Beth Wiseman’s book are definitely for you.

Bottom line: Each Amish community is unique with variations that make it hard to say, “The Amish would never…” The author includes actual ‘critiques’ of elements in her stories (even one from an Amish couple) and cover art and she answers them all with grace and humour. Interesting to note that the objection the Amish couple made was actually allowed in the community the book in question was set in, which totally stunned them! So even the Amish can get confused about what is and what isn’t allowed. 🙂

There are photos and recipes and some nifty insights into a writer’s life which I so appreciated as well. And the short story packs an emotional wallop: two childless couples, one Amish, one English and an orphaned child who needs a home. ‘Nuf said…but have a hanky handy when you read this one.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a gently read paperback and is available to any reader, any where — so, yay, another International Giveaway!

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Writing About the Amish , leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. 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 winner announced on Saturday January 13 2024.