Taken for English

Valley of Choice #3

by Olivia Newport

Annie joined the Amish church based on prayerful conviction, not romantic dreams. And yet, she’d hoped to share her new life with Rufus. But he’s obviously in no hurry. Family history clearly shows it’s never been easy living a plain life in the English world. Will the changes and challenges Annie now faces as a young Amish woman test her newfound faith in good ways or bad? And how long will Rufus test her patience?

Genres: Amish, Christian Fiction, Romance, Amish Fiction, Fiction, Christian Romance, Christian

363 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2014

About the author

Hello!

I’m imagining you. You walk past as I water my front flowerbeds and we wave. You check the time as we both stand in a long line at the grocery store. You sit in front of me in church. I’m at my table in the coffee shop and you’re at yours.

We may smile politely and move on with our separate lives. Or one of us may speak, a simple invitation to conversation, and the words flow between us.

Here the adventure begins. When we meet someone new, we never know where it might lead.

I’ve been married over 40 years and have two adult kids and a son-in-law. We live in stunning Colorado at the foot of the Rockies, where the day lilies in my back yard grow as tall as I am. (No short jokes, please.)

Not every piece of my life is pretty, though. Some days I want to throw out whole chunks. But I am living each day looking for the grace of God to me, in me, and through me. Having your companionship along the way will help uncover a lot of great stories.

Reviews

[Vikki Vaught · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Musings

A God ending, if not a great one. I wanted more the end between the two alternate stories. I felt that Joseph and Laura's story needed more at the end. Glad Leah got her happy ending. Also Ruth and Elijah. ☺reading 📚!

[Linda Galella · Rating 4 out of 5]

Conclusions with options, “Taken for English” is the 3rd installment of Olivia Newport’s ‘Valley of Choice’ series. It’s features a family by the name of Beiler/Beyler, that immigrated from Europe to Pennsylvania and then moved from PA to Colorado. Seeking religious freedom, this family of Beiler’s is predominantly Amish but there are a few exceptions, told respectfully in dual timelines.

Newport is a great writer of historical fiction and I wanted more from the 19th century characters. The plot includes an Hatfield & McCoy type family feud and a Westward Ho desire, both of which needed to be expanded and developed, IMO. Characters and scenery were excellent but even after 3 volumes and almost 1100 pages, there are still questions to investigate; potential avenues for new books/series - NOT cliffhangers!

This book can be read as a standalone however, it does read better coupled with the preceding two titles: “Accidentally Amish” & “In Plain View”. All three are available individually or there’s an omnibus/single volume called “Valley Choice”. A great choice for historical fiction fans, family saga, Amish storylines, Colonial & Post Colonial American historical fiction or anyone looking for well written, clean engaging fiction 📚

[Rhonda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Many of us wonder if we could pull off leaving the English world and becoming Amish, and Annie does exactly that. She is given some grief by some folks for it as well. She is in love with Rufus and wants nothing more than his proposal? Will it ever happen? or has she joined the Amish to live a lonely life? She also meets a young Amish girl, new to the community, who seems to be in deep emotional turmoil and she wants to help. Can she effect change in young Leah's life or is it a hopeless cause?
I enjoyed this book very much except for the flashbacks to the 1892 community as it settled in the area. It seemed to confuse me and I wasn't always sure who or what I was reading about. I personally feel that it would be better as a separate novel as a prequel to the series instead of being thrown in every few chapters to the books in the sereis. For that reason, I rate this book 4 Stars.
I received a free pdf version of this book from netgalley and the publishers.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and the series as a whole. I wish there were more books to come. Each one had a bit of a mystery to clear up in the present day setting, as well as Annie’s journey/quest to follow where she thought God was leading her and the ongoing story set in the past, of her heritage, as well as Rufus’ heritage. These two stories sort of mirrored each other in some ways and showed how human nature is still the same (there is nothing new under the sun...history will repeat itself.) They were entertaining and thought provoking, underlining how we can not put God in a box and each person must be true to trying to find out and follow what He is trying to call them to do. I even might do a little research to look into the beliefs and practices of the Amish because they are very intriguing. I find it hard to understand how they say they must forgive one another, yet shun someone if they decide they must leave the Amish church after having joined. I’m glad my Protestant parents did not have to shun me when I converted to Catholicism!

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just like the first two novels in the "Valley of Choice" trilogy, this was a fun and rather unique Amish novel, and I really enjoyed the characters and the story. I liked the amount of detail the author provides for both of the timelines that she covers in the novel. However, in this one novel, I felt that the historical timeline was a bit of a stretch, meaning that since the author still needed to conclude her contemporary story line, she felt compelled to add a third historical section dealing with more of the"Byler/Beiler" family tree because she had done so in the first two novels. While the strategy worked well in the first two novels and the two timelines were truly connected to each other, in this novel, it just didn't gel together too well. It felt like two separate books this time, so even though both stories were good, I have dropped this novel down to three stars from the four I gave the others.

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

After devouring the first 2 books through my library over one weekend, I was disappointed that the library did not carry this book. So I recommended this book to be bought by the library through overdrive. And I could not believe that the library got the book the very next day and this has never happened before. Coincidence?? I do not think so. So I had to read this immediately and I absolutely enjoyed the end of the series. Though, I enjoyed the 2nd one - In Plain View more, I still found Annie's and Ruth's stories engaging. Though I did not skip the historical part this time, it is again not that interesting. I am always restless to get to the contemporary part.

My ranking of the books in this series:
1) In Plain View
2) Accidentally Amish
3) Taken for English

[Rosemarie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The third book in this trilogy was a wonderful wrap up of so many story lines throughout the series. As in the first two books, Olivia Newport continued to share the saga of the Beiler/Byler family up until the 1890s. Meanwhile, in the "present," Annie tries to help a wayward Amish girl while Rufus has to take a job with the English to help finances during a down turn in his business. Will Rufus ever propose to Annie? (I'm not telling!)

Great series by this author. I enjoyed it so much, I plan to read some more books by her.

[Rosa Cline · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars
This series was a really good read. This picks up where the last book left off. This book is written like the others as it has two parts throughout, a modern day and a gone back in time. But this book back in time chapters/story totally lost me so I just skipped over those after reading half the book and not able to get into that storyline. But the modern day story was written very well and was a great ending to this series.

[Kayla · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was, sadly, not quite as amazing as the first two. It had an amazing ending and overall it was a good end to the story. However, there was an entire added storyline that felt like a waste of time and felt completely unnecessary.

[Ann Lawrence · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this series by Olivia Newport. I myself am interested in ancestry and the way the author brings in the ancestry of both the main characters of this series throughout all threes books was very clever. If you're interested in ancestry these you'll enjoy this series.

[Marilyn Kuchma · Rating 4 out of 5]

the conclusion

I’ve enjoyed this series of books but I wasn’t enamored with this one. I felt there was too much time spent on the olden time, too much violence, and then a bad plot in the actual current story. But in the end, it made for a good read.

[~*Trema*~ · Rating 2 out of 5]

Here is my complete review:
https://anovelexperience2011.blogspot...

[Teri Pre · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first two were better.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

DNF. Currently to distracted to finish this series. I plan to pick it back up later.

[Camille · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rufus and Annie finally get married. Elijah and Ruth are together. Another easy read.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

nicely written two stories in one at two different time periods.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book would’ve been better if they had stayed in one time period instead of switching back and forth.

[Louise King · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good ending to the trilogy

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

very good book very good series

[Paula-O · Rating 4 out of 5]

Series Valley of Choice book #3 "Taken for English" by Olivia Newport

I have read this out of sequence but doesn't matter still a great story comes through and I remember characters from before. Annie has made her choice after much prayer and thought to leave the English world and become Plain in the Amish. while still english she had met Rufus and knows she loves him and he her but that is not why she changed her life. Some may think that this is the case but it is not...
The family of Rufus love Annie and keep thinking why is Rufus waiting so long to marry. He is almost 30 way past when most marry. This young man cares deeply for his family and does all he can to help them even putting aside things for himself first.
When two new firefighters come to town there seems to be more fires then usual and then arson is expected.
A young girl leaves her home not long after moving to the community because of upset with the family, she left a young man that she cared for and wants to return and marry him, Mother does not like the idea and tries to keep her from returning this leads to much angst in the family. Annie's heart goes out to the young woman and wants to help her. can a caring heart help while family ties are severed?
Olivia has written a story that will catch your heart as you read the pages and the stories of these two young women and the men in their lives. The mystery of the fires will get sorted out and life in a plain community will settle down once again with a Wedding to be planned.

Thanks Olivia for another story that touches the heart and makes us think beyond English or Amish, we all make choices in our lives and hopefully they will be done with much thought and prayer as Annie has done.

[Maggie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ethical and spiritual choices facing us all!

I just finished "Taken for English", book #3 in the Valley of Choice series. I have read the whole series and from the very first, I was taken into the lives of these characters. Although the series deals with Amish vs English culture, the themes are universal; each and every one of us faces spiritual and ethical dilemmas and choices.

The series twins two story lines -- the first set in an Amish / 'English' community in today's Colorado, the second, a fictional view of the settling and spread of the family line (Amish and 'English') in the US from the 1700's until late 1800's (part of the author's family tree). I learned a lot, laughed and cried.

I agree with the other reviewer that the series is best read in order. I find the writing style clear, like a voice in your head.

In "Taken for English", we live through Annie's baptism and the subsequent challenges in her relationship with Rufus. In addition, Ruth faces her future career path and consequences. Both face ethical and spiritual choices. We also have arsonists, cute firemen, teen-aged angst, all the elements that make for good reading of the romantic persuasion. In the historical subplot, we see western Tennessee in the late 1800's through the eyes of young Amish looking for a peaceful (?) place to settle...

I highly recommend this book and the others in the series for their thoughtful description of choices we all face, along with a little romance....

[Rhonda · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 STARS

I have read and enjoyed all three books of this series. Like the other two stories it has two stories in it. Sometimes it is hard to switch back and forth fron the past in 1800 and now.

This is a clean read. Lots of characters who I liked. Lots of relationships intertwined.
Annie finally gets baptized into the Amish religion. Everyone was expecting her to get married to
Rufus.
Rufus is having problems with his work and wonders what do. When and where he will live in the future.
Ruth is living with Annie while she does a internship in town with clinic. She likes some things about being English. She stills has a lot of schooling to finish to be a nurse.
Elijah is thinking about leaving his Amish faith. He still loves Ruth.

Somebody is starting fires in the community. Rufus thinks it could be one suspect and Ruth wonders if it could be another one.

In the past a feud between two families start and causes a lot of pain to everyone when innocents gets caught in between the two families.

I personally would have enjoyed it better as two books instead of one.

I would continue to read Olivia Newport books in the future.

This ebook was given to me for purpose of reviewing it and giving honest review of it by Netgalley.

02/01/2014 PUB. Barbour Publishing, Inc. ISBN 9781616267148

[Joy · Rating 5 out of 5]

MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK

I loved, loved Taken for English! It was fun reading about the characters I grew to love so well in the first two books. Annie was such a sweetheart, and her personality was certainly close enough to the Amish people that joining the Amish faith was a good choice for her. I was just hoping Rufus thought the same thing, and started paying a little attention to her! And I always like when an author writes about the struggles of the Amish people and in their communities, but that is just real life. And this is just what author Olivia Newport does so well! I have read all of Ms. Newport’s book, I love all of her books, and I love this one just as much as all of the others! The characters in Taken for English, as well as the first two books in this series are so well developed, solid, and entertaining, warming their way into the hearts of readers. This is an Amish community I would love to read more about! I highly recommend this book if you enjoy Amish fiction, or if you are looking for a really awesome, good, clean story to read!

I received this book from the Barbour Books to read and review. 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 55

[Shari Larsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the third and last book in the Valley of Choice series. Annalise Friesen (who goes by Annie), has joined the Amish church, based on prayerful conviction, not romantic dreams, but she still hopes to share a future with Rufus. However, the fact that Rufus is no hurry to propose tests Annie's patience.

Other problems test Annie's newly found faith; a series of fires within the community that appear to be arson, and Leah, a troubled Amish teenager who refuses Annie's efforts to help her.

As with the first two books, there is also a secondary storyline of Annie's ancestors, who also came together from two different worlds; Amish and English (English is the Amish term for those outside the Amish faith.)

I really enjoyed this story, as much as I did the first two books of the series, and it brought the story of Annie and Rufus to a satisfying conclusion. The mystery of who was starting the fires had some very interesting twists, which kept me guessing until almost the end of the story of who the culprit was.

I do recommend though, that if you are interested in this story, reading the books in order, starting with Accidentally Amish, and In Plain View; doing so will give you a much deeper insight into Annie and make her conversion to the Amish more believable.

[Dali Castillo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Taken for English, book 3 of the Valley of Choice Series

In Taken for English, book 3 of Olivia Newport's Valley of Choice series, Annalise, Annie, Friesen's journey continues as she becomes a member of the Amish church. Annie constantly faces the challenge of conquering her "English" thinking and ways while continuing to grow in the Amish faith. Although Annie's decision to join the church and live a plain life was not based on romance, she does look forward to her future with Rufus. However, Rufus doesn't appear to be in any hurry, causing Annie to question if that future will ever happen.

As in Accidentally Amish, book 1 of the Valley of Choice series, Ms. Newport tells Annie and Rufus' story along side another couple's story. The author deftly moves between the couples' stories, weaving past and present together. Ms. Newport also blends in romance, faith, and intrigue, which will leave you guessing up to the last moment.

I thoroughly enjoyed the story, and felt the author did a great job of bringing closure to Annie's journey. Even though she faces many challenges, Annie is able to conquer them and make decisions that help her continue to grow in her new faith, ensuring that she will no longer be Taken for English.

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked that this book opened with what turns into a mystery. I did figure out who did it and their motivations before it was revealed, but it wasn't early enough in the story for me to feel impatient for the author to 'get on with it'.
Since this was the final book in the series, I expected (and appreciated!) that Annie's and Rufus' story would find its conclusion, but was surprised (and pleased!) that Ruth's secondary storyline was brought to a point of peace for her. I also enjoyed meeting new characters, both English and Amish in the telling of this story.
The one thing I didn't like as much as I did in the previous 2 books of the series was the foray back into previous times. I know that Annie was reading about the history of the location that the 'historical storyline' was showing, but I didn't feel the same connection that I did to those characters as I did in the previous books. Perhaps if it had been shown that Sheriff Byler/Joseph Beiler were descendents of the previous books' historical characters . . . or how/if they connected to Annie's and Rufus' present-day families? Ahh, well. Can't have it all, I suppose! :)

[Tammy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story line of Annie and Rufus and their families is a very enjoyable one, even with the little twists in the book. Their faith is so strong that I am some time amazed at this and I am amazed at how trusting and forgiving their faith has taught them to be.
The story line of the ancestors is a little easier to follow in this book than it has been in the other books in this series but I am still not big on having to try to follow to story lines so this is the only reason that I can't give this book a 5 star. Don't get me wrong, the story line is a really great one and I keep waiting for the generations to come together at some point. I just wish I didn't have to follow the different eras.

All in all, I wish the book would have continued and I am really hoping that there is a fourth book because there is more that I want to know about Annie and Rufus's relationship and the others. I feel like I have been left hanging. So until the next book, which I have my fingers crossed will happen, here I sit hanging on.

You can read my complete review at: http://lovemy2dogs.blogspot.com/2014/...

[Dani Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ruth and Analise are friends, but they are at opposite ends of the Amish community near Westcliffe, Colorado. Analise is just joining the Amish Church, having given up her "English" life. Ruth on the other hand has chosen not to join the church so that she may continue her training as a nurse. There are fires threatening the community and Ruth has a chance meeting with a volunteer firefighter that seems destined to make her life even more complicated. Analise feels drawn to help a rebellious Amish girl seemingly bent on putting herself in danger.

Set against these modern day dramas, we get a look at another town town circa 1892 as danger and violence threaten the town's peace and future. Sheriff Byler tries to stop a feud between the Twigs and the Dentons in Gassville, Arkansas as Joseph Beiler and Zeke Berkey arrive looking for a spot for a new Amish settlement. and Joseph finds himself attracted to an English woman in town Maura Woodley.

The two stories lead us through the junction of English and Amish in both time periods.

Jumping back and forth between the stories can be a bit disconcerting, but both stories are well worth the journey!

[Maureen Timerman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved joining the old friends again. I have really come to know them well through the past two books. Let me begin by saying you can read this book and follow the story by reading this book alone, but you will deprive yourself of some really good reads.
Loved all the action that takes place, and you think you have decided who the guilty party is. Found myself changing my mind a few times, and then back again.
We see that there are problems in Amish families, with the wandering of Leah. How could parents let her go for so long? Strange!
We see Annie following through with her commitment to become Amish. What a sweet heart she has, and full of compassion. Hope that Rufus comes to his senses!
There is also some conclusion here in the lives of Ruth and Elijah. I would love to follow those two.
In all this is a read that really could happen in any community, arson and mental illness are sadly present in all cultures. Enjoy!

I received this book through Net Galley and Barbour Publishing, and was not required to give a positive review.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

True to the author's style, she has written at least 4 stories in one novel. There's the 1892 story of 2 Amish men scouting out an area for a new settlement and dealing with a feud between the Beilers and Twiggs and a romance between an Englisher and one of the Amish men. Story 2 is the main story about Annie and Rufus and Ruth and Elijah. These characters have been in books 1 and 2 in this series. Annie is an Englisher turned Amish, and Ruth is the Amish sister of Rufus, Annie's love interest, who turns Englisher. Who will Ruth choose for her love interest? her longtime Amish, turning Englisher, friend or a fireman she has just met. Story 3 is a wayward, confused Amish teen who wants to return to her Amish boyfriend in Pennsylvania. Story 4 is about several fires started about the area and who is doing this. The author ties these stories together by the end of the novel.
This series has been a very good read, as I followed Annie, Rufus and Ruth through their life decisions. You'll enjoy it.