Fall from Pride

Home Valley #1

by Karen Harper

Sarah Kauffman sought permission from her church elders to paint murals on a few of the Amish community’s barns. Each was designed like an old-fashioned quilt square, representing a piece of the Amish traditions Sarah loved. The works of art were intended to draw more tourists to the Home Valley in the struggling economy. But instead, they invited a menace. One by one, each barn is set ablaze and destroyed....

The arson fires spread fear through the community— amongst Amish and Englischers alike. Now Sarah wonders if she’s being punished for her pridefulness...or whether there’s a more malevolent will at work.

As an outsider, arson investigator Nate MacKenzie struggles to investigate the crime scenes while adhering to Amish ways. With Sarah as his guide, he warms to the Plain People and their simple ways. As the fires rage, beliefs are challenged, a way of life is questioned and family secrets are exposed. In the aftermath of the destruction the people of the Home Valley must join together to raise their barns and their hopes for the future.

Genres: Mystery, Amish, Romance, Fiction, Romantic Suspense, Amish Fiction, Christian Fiction

347 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2011

About the author

A New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, Karen Harper is a former college English instructor (The Ohio State University) and high school literature and writing teacher. A lifelong Ohioan, Karen and her husband Don divide their time between the midwest and the southeast, both locations she has used in her books. Besides her American settings, Karen loves the British Isles, where her Scottish and English roots run deep, and where she has set many of her historical Tudor-era mysteries and her historical novels about real and dynamic British women. Karen's books have been published in many foreign languages and she won the Mary Higgins Clark Award for 2005. Karen has given numerous talks to readers and writers across the county. Her most recent books include THE SOUTH SHORES TRILOGY (CHASING SHADOWS, DROWNING TIDES and FALLING DARKNESS.) Her latest historical is THE ROYAL NANNY. Please visit her website at www.KarenHarperAuthor and her fb page at www.facebook.com/KarenHarperAuthor

Reviews

[Diane S ☔ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have enjoyed Karen Harper in the past but did not really enjoy this one. Not as well written and although I did enjoy learning about the Amish the characters are not well rounded and not very interesting. Also this was more a romance than a mystery.

[Sandra Stiles · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a good mixture of Romance and Mystery. Sarah is a young Amish woman who loves to paint. Her bishop allows her to do it from the standpoint it might bring in tourists. Sarah sees it as an acceptable way to do what she loves without appearing prideful. The barns she has painted symbols on are burning and this causes an outsider to be brought in to investigate the crimes. Sarah now faces her feelings for a man who is not Amish. This is another no-no. I loved the way the author didn’t try to put the character’s in an all restrictive, “don’t talk to the Englishers”, type of story line. I live in a community in Florida that has both Amish and Mennonites. The postal clerk in this small community is Amish and is one of the most pleasant people I know. For this reason I felt the book was much more on target than what is often pictured in Amish books. The characters were well thought out. I loved the idea of a budding, yet forbidden romance. The ending was okay. It was good enough to make me say, I can’t wait to see what is next in this series. So if you are the type who loves Amish fiction with a twist of mystery then this is probably the book for you.

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amish barns are being torched in Home Valley Ohio, is it a hate crime against the Amish? Perhaps it might be that the arsonist is targeting barns where Sarah Kauffman has painted her murals. You see Sarah is an Amish woman who loves to paint, so when the elders of her community decide to allow her to paint quilt squares on Amish barns in the hopes it might draw in tourists, those barns start burning! When Englisher Nate MacKenzie is sent from Columbus to investigate he knows he will have his work cut out for him because of Amish beliefs. Sarah decides to help Nate any way she can and as their friendship develops they realize their feelings go deeper than that! Can Nate and Sarah work together to catch a fire bug without falling in love?

I love the contemporary feel of this Amish novel, but the thing that really drew me in was the fact that the Amish weren't standoffish instead they readily accepted the help of an outsider.Also the Amish don't come off as perfect by any means in this story. Sarah is a young Amish lady who struggles to conform to what her people believe, but her heart longs to paint. She also had a failed relationship with a young man who left the faith, which made her seem much more real to me. Nate is a character that is easy to understand,he struggles with issues from his past, but I felt like those same issues led him on the path of what he would do with his life, which was to become a fire investigator.

There was never a down time with this book, it took me awhile to figure out who the arsonist was. Although I felt the ending was a bit rushed, the conclusion was good, and of course since its part of a trilogy there were a few questions left unanswered which makes me anxious to read the next book in the series!
Overall if your looking for a contemporary Amish fiction, that is mystery and suspense blended with a sweet romance then check out "Fall From Pride," the first book in A Home Valley Amish series. If this first book is any indicator of the rest of the series then I predict its going to be a great!

[Nieca · Rating 1 out of 5]

Wanted to like it, but was pretty convinced early on I wasn't going to. Growing up in Holmes County makes me more aware of the Amish culture, and I knew there was no way to have a satisfying ending. But I had to keep reading, because I generally like Karen Harper's works.

[Jan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A devastating barn fire in Ohio’s Amish country brings State Arson Investigator Nate MacKenzie to Home Valley. The first fire witness is Sarah Kauffman. She becomes Nate’s guide to the Amish community. Government representatives are not welcomed by the community due to centuries of harassment and killings in Europe and America.

This barn fire is only the first. Sarah has another connection to the fires. The community needs tourist dollars in the economic downturn. Sarah has been permitted to use her artistic talent to paint quilt squares on the sides of 4 barns to increase tourism and tourist interest. Is the Amish community the target of the fires or is it Sarah and her ‘blasphemous’ art?

This first installment of the trilogy presents the Amish way and some of the tensions with the modern world. Sarah is particularly conflicted. Her art is part of her; she desperately wants to illustrate her way of life and her admirable community. As she gets to know Nate and begins to fall in love with him, her struggles increase. The suspense builds with more fires and human suffering. Friends from Sarah’s youth become suspects in the arson. Fast-paced, likeable and empathetic characters, suspense and romance, and a fascinating setting make for a good read. Recommended.

Readalikes:
Marta Perry’s Amish suspense stories; Shelley Shepard Gray – Her Secret; Erin Bates – Her Amish Man; Dee Henderson – Traces of Guilt; Linda Castillo’s Kate Burkholder series especially A Gathering of Secrets; J.R. Ward – Consumed; Laura V. Hilton – Love by the Numbers; Jane Jensen – Kingdom Come.

Pace: Fast-paced
Characters: Likeable; Strong women, sensitive men
Storyline: Plot-driven
Writing style: Engaging; Richly detailed
Tone: Atmospheric; Suspenseful
Frame: Home Valley, Ohio (Northeast Ohio, south of Cleveland p.14); 2010
Theme: Communities set apart; Arson

[Karin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a romance between an Amish woman who loves to paint and an Ausländer aka in other novels as Englisher arson investigator that is kindled* when he comes to investigate a barn fire that turns out to be arson. This happens when they team up to help solve the mystery of who this arsonist is. For some reason, the barns that burn all have quilt squares she has painted on them, but it's hard to say if someone is attacking her work or the elders of the local Amish group.

What I like is that these are intelligent adults who aren't namby pamby and there wasn't that "does he like me or doesn't he," no love triangles, etc, but of course there is the idea on both parts that their feelings for each other will go nowhere because of who they both are. This isn't a book where the reveal is a shock by the time you get there, but that doesn't mean every single thing is predictable, either.


*pun intentional

[Maureen Timerman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amish barns are starting to burn, State of Ohio arson investigator Nate MacKenzie is called to Home Valley. One thing in common is Quilt Art on each of the barns. With permission of the Bishop Sarah Kauffman has been painted quilts on barns, to tempt tourists in the area.
I enjoyed the descriptions of every day life in the Amish Community. Loved the relationship of the family with their Grandmother. You will meet a couple of Sarah's friends that are shunned. You will also find a forbidden relationship blooming between Sarah and Nate. There are also a few other relationships that you will be wondering what is going to happen.
With many twists and turns, the truth will come out as to who and why the barns are burning. Good Summer mystery read!
of B & B Media Group
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Mira Publishing . I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

[Elle · Rating 3 out of 5]

It took me forever to read this book. Partly it is because I just don't have time and partly because the book moved slowly. I think the rating is generous because I thought it was quaint. I wanted to say that it was cute but I think quaint fits the bill accurately. As a spiritual person who is a believer in God I would recommend it to the Christians out there and it had enough suspense to make and keep it interesting.

It's about Sarah, a young Amish woman who struggles to hide her artistic talent in a community that does not welcome it. She is allowed to paint quilt squares on barns but she longs to do more and can not due to the restrictions set upon her by her faith and her community. When the barns her paintings are on are being burned down in comes in Mackenzie to investigate... and fall in love with this determined and conflicted Amish woman. Will they find the arsonist before their hearts burn with the fire of their love? (I couldn't resist!)

[Lisa Gricius · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surprisingly, I really enjoyed this novel and am looking forward to future installments in this new Amish-Fiction trilogy by Karen Harper. I don't usually pick up a work of Amish Fiction (not enough spice--ya know;-) But this novel intrigued me when I saw it received a starred review in Booklist. After researching the novel further and learning it was filled with suspense, mystery and a sexy Englische Auslander arson investigator, I was sold! This novel was very well written and its plot engaging and satisfying. Just don't tell my Mother I read Amish Fiction and liked it! Although, now I have a new author for her and Christmas present ideas too!

[Alison · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh
I enjoy books written from the amish perspective, but this is a poor attempt at trying to capture that. I found Nate to be believable, but found Sarah's "oh poor me I want to paint, to be truuuuuue to myself" such a teenage whine.
It's a light, relatively entertaining romantic mystery. It's not an Amish romance nor an Amish mystery, but it us an ok way to while away a couple of hours of travel time, but I wouldn't pack it for my "nothing but poolside reading" holiday.

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Every now and then, I enjoy reading an Amish mystery because they can be interesting and enjoyable, and I don't have to worry about reading gratuitous sex, violence or obscenities. It has been quite a while since the last Amish book I read, so when a friend recommended this book, I found a copy and started reading. This book had some mystery and romance, and generally wasn't as completely predictable as most Amish books. The plotline deals with a young Amish woman, Sarah, with an artistic gift that she is not allowed to fully use by the Amish religious hierarchy. She is allowed, however, to design and paint quilt squares on Amish barns to attract outside visitors to the area. When one of the barns she has painted a design on is burned by arson, a young fire investigator, Nate, comes to try and solve the crime. Of course, Sarah and Nate fall hard for each other even though Nate is not Amish and Sarah would never be allowed to be with him. As more Amish barns are burned to the ground by a mysterious arsonist, the fire between Sarah and Nate also grows. How will the book end? Will the Amish arsonist ever be caught? Will Sarah leave her family and Amish community and follow her heart? Will Nate decide to join the Amish community to be with Sarah? I won't say it was the best book I ever read, but the plot kept moving along and it was enjoyable so I gave it 4/5 stars. I read a paperback copy of the book which I own.

[Debfiddle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sarah Kauffman sought permission from her church elders to paint murals on a few of the Amish community’s barns. Each was designed like an old-fashioned quilt square, representing a piece of the Amish traditions Sarah loved. The works of art were intended to draw more tourists to the Home Valley in the struggling economy. But instead, they invited a menace. One by one, each barn is set ablaze and destroyed....

The arson fires spread fear through the community— amongst Amish and Englischers alike. Now Sarah wonders if she’s being punished for her pridefulness...or whether there’s a more malevolent will at work.

As an outsider, arson investigator Nate MacKenzie struggles to investigate the crime scenes while adhering to Amish ways. With Sarah as his guide, he warms to the Plain People and their simple ways. As the fires rage, beliefs are challenged, a way of life is questioned and family secrets are exposed. In the aftermath of the destruction the people of the Home Valley must join together to raise their barns and their hopes for the future.
Turns out to be the local Newspaper owner (not Amish) who is trying to destroy Sarah's art work by burning the barns.
Sarah leaves because she wants to follow her art, moves in with Nate's foster mom and they begin to build a life getting to know each other.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Against the peaceful night sky, a barn burns......

Sarah Kauffman sought permission from her church elders to paint murals on a few barns in her Amish community. Each were designed like an old-fashioned quilt square - representing a piece of the Amish traditions Sarah loved. The works of art were intended to draw more tourists to Home Valley in the struggling economy. But instead, they invited the menace......

One by one, each barn is set ablaze & destroyed. And soon, the arson fires spread fear through the community. Now Sarah wonders if she's being punished for her pridefulness....or whether there's are more malevolent will at work.

As an outsider, arson investigator Nate Mackenzie struggles to investigate the crime scenes while adhering to Amish customs. With Sarah as his guide, he warms to the Plain People and their simple ways. But as the fires rage, beliefs are challenged, a way of life is questioned and family secrets are exposed.

[Pamela Pavkov · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fall From Pride is an excellent mystery written by Karen Harper. The characters are so amazing that it brings this story to life. With an arsonist hiding well within the Amish community burning barns and escaping capture this small Ohio community is on edge. With several suspects on the fire Marshalls list he is not confident any of them are guilty. When the true arsonist is revealed it will leave you scratching your head. This person is definitely not someone on the list of suspects. This story is a little slow going in the beginning but when the pace is stepped up it gets really good.

I was not given a complimentary copy of this book to read and review. I was not approached to post a favorable response and all opinions are my own. I have rated this story with five stars for meeting my expectations of an excellent mystery that I can highly recommend to others.

[Glenn Armstrong · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fall From Pride is an easy reading novel. In many ways it had a Nicholas Sparks feel to it as I read it. The romance part of the story was nice and I liked how it ended. I wondered if Sarah’s decision left her alienated from her Amish family and community? I enjoyed learning about the Amish and their ways. The arson mystery part of the story was mostly intriguing with plenty of suspense. The big reveal left me a bit flat. Firstly because the guilty party is a long-standing community member and it just seems weird he would suddenly start burning barns down. His motive seemed rather weak and not believable. Secondly Nate mentions a few times how smart the arsonist is, and then he is caught in the end by being completely stupid. Basically I found the end a little slack and perhaps rushed by the author.

[Joy Norman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the research on the Amish , the specialised vehicle (VERA) and the ability to do so much research and the means to fingerprint etc from a vehicle !!, how a barn is put together time away from the Amish community to choose between being part of a western environment or pledge do stay with the Amish community.
Great to hear about the paintings and how the Amish community club together to raise a barn when another was burnt down etc.
I did at times thinks the author could of moved it along a bit as some parts of it became repetitive.
Enjoyed the book and would like to read another of her books

[Frances Rettenmaier · Rating 3 out of 5]

Someone has been burning Amish barns. Sarah is a young Amish girl who paints pictures of quilts on these barns. Is she the topic of the burnings ? A young fire investigator comes to the town trying to figure out who is burning the barns. Is it Sarah‘s friend Yoder, who has been shunned for joining a theft ring? Is it the local restaurant owner who is encouraging Sarah to expand her artwork? Is it the neighbor and his wife who owns the hardware store? Is it the best friend of Sarah, who left the Amish to follow her dream of music?
Of course along with the mystery, there is underlying romance. After 20 chapters of back and forth, the whole story ends in one chapter.

[Theresa M · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have read quite a few books about the Amish and have enjoyed them. This book was not very good. The dialogue included many of the details that the narration should have, and it drove me crazy. For example, in the middle of a fire, the character yells out, "Let me climb up and use the arm of my ax to break the window!!" One would never say the things this author made her characters say. It would have been more logically said by the narrator. The story wasn't very good either. I would not recommend this book.

[patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sarah has been allowed to paint quilt squares on barns. One night the Esh's barn goes up in flames. No one is injured but the barn is gone. Ohio fire marshal comes to uncover the arsonist. As his boss told him he'll need an interpreter and Sarah is that one. The Amish help Nate and are kind to him. Two more barns burn and suspects are plenty. Nate and Sarah have an attraction for each other. Sarah is saddened every time her paintings are destroyed. Is she being prideful? Karen Harper does not disappoint in Fall From Pride. The day the arsonist is caught is amazing story telling.

[Alyssa White · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story in this book was quite captivating. I loved the romance that was tied unto the story because it allows the reader to fall in love while still pondering the mystery. I figured out the who-done-it long before I was halfway through the book but I enjoyed seeing how it panned out. Overall, an enjoyable read.

[Mrs A. J. Turbfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

love this story so reminiscent of the 1950 cowboy series I watched as a child, where the hero rides in at the last

Minute to wasteful and the day. Happy endings all round what could be better. Thank you so much. Excellent storytelling reading.

[Mary Baker · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought this novel was written for younger readers. It took me forever to get into the plot although something like arson should have propelled a much more suspenseful read. The romance between the Amish girl and the Englisher didn't seem to work well either. I was disappointed.

[Vandecasteele Petra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sarah is Amish, en in haar hart een kunstenaar. Ze mag niet schilderen 'voor de mooi', maar krijgt wel toestemming om quiltschilderijen te maken op de schuren. Tot een pyromaan de schuren één voor één in brand steekt.
Mooi boek met een zeer goede inkijk in het leven van de Amish People.

[Tina Mehl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Karen Harper's Amish heroes and great, scary villains.

I LOVE Karen Harper's Dark series and this is one is almost as good. The theme is usually about trying to find yourself.

[Dorothy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn’t believe a person could have so much hate against Amish people and so desperate to make the paper headlines,also try to kill them to silence them.But never knew an Amish girl to fall in love with an English person.love it

[Renata Medanovic · Rating 3 out of 5]

There’s no action. I love the story line and idea, but it’s dragging...

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had a feeling it was Clawson, but the suspense kept me thinking it was Hannah. Great book. I'm glad Sarah went in pursue of her dreams of being an artist.

[Valerie Bradley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book in the series. Good characters and a good story.

[Sara Cowells · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh. I like this author, but didn’t love this one. Predictable romance and plot; though the Amish heroine being a painter was interesting

[Rebecca Dowd · Rating 5 out of 5]

DIFFERENT WORLD

I have read too many books by her as I had the mystery solved early. Her skill at bringing scene alive kept me reading until the end.