3 stars & 3/10 hearts. This was my first Mainstream Christian Fiction Romantic Suspense, and one of the first Amish books I’ve ever read as well. I fr3 stars & 3/10 hearts. This was my first Mainstream Christian Fiction Romantic Suspense, and one of the first Amish books I’ve ever read as well. I frankly wasn’t expected to love it, and at first it bore out my belief… but then!!!
This story begins when a man runs into an Amish school and murders his partner in front of the children. He is seeking diamonds, which the partner handed over to Sarah, who apparently was bringing a snack to the schoolhouse… perhaps to her husband, Peter, who for some reason is there. It’s not really explained. Peter is killed at once, and Sarah herself is shot, waking up in the hospital with amnesia.
Frankly, the writing style isn’t my type, but it made for a quick, easy read. I just don’t tend to like modern writing styles. *coughs* The characters were interesting though. Sarah, a former English girl who was placed in the Amish community, was a tomboy who married her best friend because it was expected of her. She is now his widow and pregnant with his child, but has no recollection of who he is. I appreciated her struggle in finding herself and her place in the Amish world. Her guilt and uncertainty was well done. Samuel’s past and the way it controls him was well done. He wasn’t as fleshed out as Sarah, but he wasn’t too shallow. Rebecca & Jacob were nice strict but loving parent figures, and I liked Benjamin’s arc.
The plot was my favourite part. The suspense was well done, keeping me on my toes without frightening me, and still showing me what a terrible person the villain was. I really appreciated how the thread of “which world do I belong to?” was so deeply woven. The romance was kind of cheesy, and I was irritated by how hard Samuel found it to keep his thoughts off Sarah and focussed on his job, and how both of them just “fell in love and couldn’t help it”, kissed, and wanted to be together even while they knew they couldn't be. On the other hand, I liked that they fell for each others’ characters, not looks, and that they both were willing to draw apart and let God work to bring them together.
The theme of “are you seeking vengeance, or letting God take care of it?”, of forgiveness (of self and others), and of violence vs. justice were well done. I was super intrigued how Burke was going to put together a happy ending in spite of the “Samuel is an English cop and Sarah is an Amish woman.” No spoilers, but the ending is FANTASTIC. I might have cried, and I definitely squealed happily, and I totally love it. That ending is worth some 4 stars alone. It’s perfect and realistic all at once!
Overall, although I wasn’t a exactly a fan of the romance, I enjoyed the suspense and storyline a lot and look forwards to more of these books!
A Favourite Quote: “But try not to worry. I will not let anything happen to you while you are in my care.” “I am not in your care, Samuel. I am in God’s hands.”...more
2 stars & 2/10 hearts. I found this story almost annoyingly basic. The plot was extremely predictable, the falling in love was literally as soon as th2 stars & 2/10 hearts. I found this story almost annoyingly basic. The plot was extremely predictable, the falling in love was literally as soon as they laid eyes on each other, the characters were rather stilted, and the writing style was so basic… I just could’t enjoy it....more
3 stars & 3/10 hearts. The first Amish books I read as a child were bad, and that rather turned me off against Amish fictio**Free on Amazon! (28.5.22)
3 stars & 3/10 hearts. The first Amish books I read as a child were bad, and that rather turned me off against Amish fiction. This was my first adult/YA Amish book and rekindled my interest in Amish fictions. The story was short, interesting, quick, & simple. And I LOVED how there was no kissing or even touching in the romance! I’m certainly interested in trying this author again.
A Favourite Quote: “God blessed me richly by bringing her into my life. He prepared a way on that Christmas Eve night so long ago[.] He foresaw my needs before I was aware of them, and He provided. It’s the Christmas story, isn’t it? And the ending is always one of grace.” A Favourite Humorous Quote: “My figure was what folks called thin or even rail-thin, which I thought was an unfortunate description. Who wants to look like part of a railroad track?”...more
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