An Unforgivable Secret (J. E. B. Spredemann) Book Review

2017 Reading Challenge

18. An Unforgivable Secret by J. E. B. Spredemann

Synopsis:

Hannah has a good life. A beautiful home, a loving husband, and a wonderful Amish community are only a few of her daily blessings. But she has carried a heavy burden for years: a secret that no one must know. When tragedy strikes, her secret threatens to be revealed, jeopardizing everything she’s ever loved. Will Hannah be able to face her greatest fear and find God's purpose for her life?

My Review:

Hannah, Christian, and Samuel have all grown up together and throughout the story, you get glimpses of that through the years. Just like anybody else, the Amish have their secrets, but the consequences are even worse if those secrets are found out about. It is incredible in how the choices we make can impact us (and those around us in some cases) for the rest of our lives. The author did a great job of keeping it real and authentic. This is a story about love, forgiveness, and healing. It deals with heartbreak and tragedy, which turns into triumph. It reminded me of a saying that goes like this: when one door opens, another one opens. God blesses us in mysterious ways and sometimes we have to go through times of sadness and tragedy to receive a gift or blessing that's even better, that is more special and rewarding.

This was really hard to write without giving away spoilers. It deals with issues that can be hard to write about or even think about.

I would definitely recommend this book to others.

Happy Reading and Keep on Writing!

~Meg~

The Thorn (Beverly Lewis) Book Review

2016 Reading Challenge

47. The Thorn by Beverly Lewis
      Theme/Topic: book set in your home state
     

Synopsis:

Lancaster County, with its rolling meadows and secret byways, may seem idyllic, but it is not without its thorns. THE ROSE TRILOGY is the stirring saga of two Amish sisters on the fringes of the church, and the unforeseen discoveries that change their lives.
Rose Kauffman, a spirited young woman, has a close friendship with the bishop's foster son. Nick dresses Plain and works hard but stirs up plenty of trouble too. Rose's sister cautions her against becoming too involved, but Rose is being courted by a good, Amish fellow, so dismisses the warnings. Meanwhile, Rose keeps house for an English widower but is startled when he forbids her to ever go upstairs. What is the man hiding?
Rose's older sister, Hen, knows more than she should about falling for the wrong man. Unable to abandon her Amish ways, Hen is soon separated from her very modern husband. Mattie, their young daughter, must visit her father regularly, but Hen demands she wear Amish attire--and speak Pennsylvania Dutch, despite her husband's wishes. Will Hen be able to reestablish her place among the People she abandoned? And will she be able to convince Rose to steer clear of rogue neighbor Nick?

My Review:

Every rose has its thorn. I think everyone's familiar with this old adage that means that despite how perfect something may seem, it still has its flaws. The Thorn is based on exactly that. 

In case anyone doesn't know, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania is known for its Amish population. The Amish, like everybody else, have their secrets and flaws and people make mistakes. And then there are those who struggle with that lifestyle and faith. In this story, Hen was one of those. She felt too secluded and grew tired of the ways of the Amish. Doing so, she fell for the wrong man and married an Englishman. After marriage and having a daughter, Hen feels drawn back to the lifestyle that she wanted to get away from. 

On the other side of this, Rose has always stayed true to the Amish lifestyle. This was especially true after Hen abandoned her family. Rose didn't want to see her parents disappointed again. Although Rose is courted by an Amish male, she can't help but feel a growing attraction to the town's rebel. Nick is the bishop's foster son, who feels like he has been forced into the Amish instead of being born into it. And feels like he doesn't belong and has no problem showing it. As much as Rose tries to avoid Nick to prevent herself from going down the wrong road, he keeps showing up in times of need. 

Troubles arise for both sisters and they both try to figure out where they belong in society: either within the Amish or away from it. They both want to please their parents, but also be happy with their own needs and wants, their own lives.

In Amish, "Pennsylvania Dutch", the time of figuring out who they want to be is called rumspringa. By definition, rumspringa means a period of adolescence in which boys and girls are given greater personal freedom and allowed to form romantic relationships, usually ending with the choice of baptism into the church or leaving the community.

The Thorn depicted a more truer reality to what people go through. Who hasn't questioned who they are, what they believe in, what makes them happy? And which family doesn't have their problems and secrets? Perfection doesn't exist and this book proved just that. Sometimes it takes being away from something to realize how much you miss it and how much you cherish it. I mentioned above how Hen and Rose wanted to please their parents. Most of us want to do just that. The realization is all the same and I'm going to give you this gentle reminder. Parents just want their children to be happy, no matter what path they choose, what they believe in, etc. 

Happy Reading and Keep on Writing!

❤Meg❤

Accidentally Amish Book Review

2016 Reading Challenge

14. Accidentally Amish by Olivia Newport

Synopsis:

Escape the helter-skelter of the modern culture and join software creator Annie Friesen, hiding at the home of an Amishman. With her high-tech career in jeopardy, Annie runs from fast-paced Colorado Springs—and straight into the hospitality of San Luis Valley’s Amish community. There she meets cabinetmaker Rufus Beiler, and the more time she spends with him, the more attracted she becomes. When Annie finds she shares a common ancestor with Rufus, she feels both cultures colliding within her. But is her love for Rufus strong enough for her to give up the only life she’s ever known?

My Review:

     It's not everyday that someone shows away (aka runs away from her problems, so to say) in a pickup truck and ends up in an Amish community. That's exactly what Annie did when she had enough of a certain situation. Deciding to hanglow for awhile, Annie stays in an inn just on the outskirts. In the meantime, Annie and Rufus, despite the their stubbornness to admit it, start to fall for each other. When an accident happens, Rufus' family takes in Annie to help her recovery. Rufus has to deal with problems of his own as someone tries to sabotage his work. After Annie heals, they depart, knowing that their different lifestyles won't work out well together. That is until something tragic occurs, bringing them back together. Both of their situations end up well and Annie decides to make a radical change by (thinking about) converting to Amish. 

     I thought that the storyline and plots were well-developed. I've always admired the Amish lifestyle, in particular how they all come together (without question) to rebuild after tragedy strikes and their power of forgiveness. In this story, it was interesting to see the difference between the Amish ways and English ways. Both Annie and Rufus had somewhat similar situations, but handled it differently. Getting revenge isn't always the best solution as Annie comes to find out.

As Annie gets to know about Rufus and his family, she ends up discovering more about her family, like finding out she has some Amish blood. Genealogy plays an important part in who we are. Did you ever find out something interesting about your family history?

♥Meg♥