Recently I was given the opportunity to read the book Amish Promises by Leslie Gould.Well, to be honest, I was supposed to review it awhile back but life got distracting. I was glad to be able to check out another book by this author, as I had previously read and reviewed the book Becoming Bea.
Apparently this book is the first in a new series called Neighbors of Lancaster County. I believe that Becoming Bea was also based in Lancaster County, and now I kind of want to go back and see if there are any similar characters in both books. None stuck out to me as names I remembered, but it would be interesting to go back and check.
As was the case when reading Becoming Bea, one of my favorite aspects of these Amish fiction books is the use of phrases that us “Englishers” don’t normally use. Sometimes an actual definition is given; other times you can easily determine what it means in context.
Now, you can read the description of the book, so I don’t need to break it down for you in detail, but here is the basic premise: The Beck’s (Joel, Shani, and their son Zane) moved to Lancaster County to Shani’s grandfather’s farm. Shani is pregnant and looking for some peace and quiet and healing time, as her husband Joel was injured in Iraq and is also suffering from PTSD. They move in next door to an Amish family, the Lehman’s. The patriarch is Tim, whose wife Abra recently passed away, leaving him with 5 children. Abra’s best friend, who is also Tim’s sister Eve has taken on the duties of caring for the children. The children and the women of the families quickly form friendships but both of the men are not so comfortable with the blending. Also, along comes Charlie, Joel’s military buddy and a budding but basically forbidden romance starts to bloom between Charlie and Eve.
Through the course of events, the families have to learn how to co-exist despite their difference. And Eve has to figure out what to do. She had previously vowed never to marry an Amish man. However, the bishop Gideon is pursuing her, though her feelings are for Charlie.
Though this is only the second of Leslie Gould’s books that I have read, but I would definitely love to read more and hope to check out the following books in this series when they are available.
About
Journey Down a Quiet Lane in Lancaster County Where Love and Heartache and Friendship and Healing Meet
When Joel and Shani Beck arrive at their new home, they’re looking for peace. Shani is thrilled to have Joel back from Iraq, but he needs time to heal, and the quiet of Lancaster seems just the place. They can’t imagine any trouble with their Amish neighbors, the Lehmans, but things get off to a rocky start when their son is involved in an accident that injures one of the Lehman boys.
Eve Lehman has run her brother’s household ever since the death of his wife, but Tim’s a stern patriarch. Despite his protests, she’s drawn to the new neighbor, Shani, and the two begin to form a strong friendship forged on faith and family. Things seem like they’ve quieted down until Joel’s single and handsome army friend Charlie catches Eve’s attention–a man unlike any Eve has ever met. Suddenly life for both families becomes more complicated than any of them could have ever imagined.
Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House/Baker Publishing Group in exchange for an honest review.