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Arms of Love
The year is 1777. America is in turmoil. And Amish life is far different than today.
Pennsylvania in the late 18th century, once called William Penn’s Woods, was an assortment of different faiths living together for the first time in American history. Included in this tapestry was a small and struggling population called Amish.
Surrounding this peaceful people were unavoidable both Patriots and the British were pillaging land and goods for the sake of the war, young Amishmen were leaving the faith to take up arms and defend freedom. A simple walk in the untamed forests could result in death, if not from bullet or arrow, then from an encounter with a wild animal.
Amid this time of tumult, Adam Wyse is fighting a personal battle. To possibly join the war efforts and leave his faith, which would mean walking away from the only woman he’s ever Lena Yoder. But for that love he’s made a promise that may keep them apart permanently.
When Adam withdraws from Lena, she’s forced to turn to his brother, Isaac, for support. Must Lena deny her heart’s desire to save Adam’s soul?And will life in this feral and primitive New World be more than this peace-keeping people can withstand?
“There is a beautiful love story that unfolds within the pages . . . I was vested in the lives of these characters from the first page.” —BETH WISEMAN, best-selling author of The Wonder of Your Love and Plain Proposal
Pennsylvania in the late 18th century, once called William Penn’s Woods, was an assortment of different faiths living together for the first time in American history. Included in this tapestry was a small and struggling population called Amish.
Surrounding this peaceful people were unavoidable both Patriots and the British were pillaging land and goods for the sake of the war, young Amishmen were leaving the faith to take up arms and defend freedom. A simple walk in the untamed forests could result in death, if not from bullet or arrow, then from an encounter with a wild animal.
Amid this time of tumult, Adam Wyse is fighting a personal battle. To possibly join the war efforts and leave his faith, which would mean walking away from the only woman he’s ever Lena Yoder. But for that love he’s made a promise that may keep them apart permanently.
When Adam withdraws from Lena, she’s forced to turn to his brother, Isaac, for support. Must Lena deny her heart’s desire to save Adam’s soul?And will life in this feral and primitive New World be more than this peace-keeping people can withstand?
“There is a beautiful love story that unfolds within the pages . . . I was vested in the lives of these characters from the first page.” —BETH WISEMAN, best-selling author of The Wonder of Your Love and Plain Proposal
322 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 3, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
December 29, 2020
SPOILERS BELOW!!!
My Review: Uhhhhhhh, well then. That was different? I thought it would be interesting to read about an Amish man set in the Revolutionary war era but I was sadly mistaken. The book started well but soon lost my interest. The fact that Adam was abused for no reason was bad enough. That is until you get to the last pages and it turns out his father abused him because at nine Adam saw his dad murder a guy who had touched his wife's hair once . . . Uh, one Amish don't believe in using weapons, they won't fight, and here's an Amish man that brutally murdered a man? And then went on to abuse his young and helpless son so much with a whip that he couldn't stand to have his back touched, the father would refuse to let anyone but the wanton serving girl bandage him up. Oh, and I forgot! The dad, he's a deacon and nobody cared that he beat his younger son. Sickening! It ends with him confessing and not receiving any punishment but what he had already been punished with; meaning the cat attack that nearly killed him, I mean.
Adam also got in a fight if that's what his attacking another man could be called, I believe it was supposed to be PTSD induced but no. And Lena's father marrying an "Englisher"? Not a chance! A true Amish bishop would never let one of his community marry outside of the Amish people. And Adam's brother getting engaged to Lena was pointless, sure the brother was the perfect brother but he wasn't a guy I could see marrying even if commanded to do so by his father.
Of course, that was not nearly enough drama because after fighting so hard for the girl he loved she was bitten by a rattlesnake on the way home on their wedding day. She was fine before the week was out though. So happily ever after.
I'm sorry but I cannot recommend this book with the violence, abuse, murder, and romance that was not even almost romantic.
I just have to add, Lena had a dream in which her mother told her of Adam's promise not to marry her daughter until he was free of his past.
The unreal plot of this book was almost humorous but so unrealistic that it was sad.
If you read this I'd love to know what you think of it. I'd like to say I was harsh on the book but I really wasn't. But maybe this is the book for you; try it out. See if you like it if it sounds interesting to you, I know I wish I hadn't touched it.
My Review: Uhhhhhhh, well then. That was different? I thought it would be interesting to read about an Amish man set in the Revolutionary war era but I was sadly mistaken. The book started well but soon lost my interest. The fact that Adam was abused for no reason was bad enough. That is until you get to the last pages and it turns out his father abused him because at nine Adam saw his dad murder a guy who had touched his wife's hair once . . . Uh, one Amish don't believe in using weapons, they won't fight, and here's an Amish man that brutally murdered a man? And then went on to abuse his young and helpless son so much with a whip that he couldn't stand to have his back touched, the father would refuse to let anyone but the wanton serving girl bandage him up. Oh, and I forgot! The dad, he's a deacon and nobody cared that he beat his younger son. Sickening! It ends with him confessing and not receiving any punishment but what he had already been punished with; meaning the cat attack that nearly killed him, I mean.
Adam also got in a fight if that's what his attacking another man could be called, I believe it was supposed to be PTSD induced but no. And Lena's father marrying an "Englisher"? Not a chance! A true Amish bishop would never let one of his community marry outside of the Amish people. And Adam's brother getting engaged to Lena was pointless, sure the brother was the perfect brother but he wasn't a guy I could see marrying even if commanded to do so by his father.
Of course, that was not nearly enough drama because after fighting so hard for the girl he loved she was bitten by a rattlesnake on the way home on their wedding day. She was fine before the week was out though. So happily ever after.
I'm sorry but I cannot recommend this book with the violence, abuse, murder, and romance that was not even almost romantic.
I just have to add, Lena had a dream in which her mother told her of Adam's promise not to marry her daughter until he was free of his past.
The unreal plot of this book was almost humorous but so unrealistic that it was sad.
If you read this I'd love to know what you think of it. I'd like to say I was harsh on the book but I really wasn't. But maybe this is the book for you; try it out. See if you like it if it sounds interesting to you, I know I wish I hadn't touched it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 18, 2012
Arms Of Love is the first book I have read by Kelly Long and I must say that I really enjoyed it! This book is set in the Revolutionary Pennsylvania and touches on the persecution that the Amish endured at the hands of both the Patriots and the British.
The main characters in the story are Adam Wyse, a troubled young man with a dark past and Lena Yoder, the love of his life. Adam, though he is troubled, is an honorable and caring man who is loved and admired by Lena's mother, Mary. Though she cares for Adam deeply, she worries about the welfare of her daughter if she should move into the Wyse home, as is the tradition of a young Amish couple. Adam's father is very abusive of him and Lena was an unfortunate witness to a brutal beating of Adam. Mary is fearful that Lena may also be subject to abuse if Adam were to continue to live in the home and she makes Adam swear a vow to her as she is on her deathbed that he will leave Lena until he can afford to build his own home. Adam agrees as he fears for his own sanity. He is plagued by nightmares that he can't explain and is missing gaps in his early childhood.
Lena's father has been imprisoned by the Patriots for refusing to surrender their last cow that the family needed for milk and Adam is determined to help him. However, Samuel sees a darkness in Adam and he is determined to let it be known that he wants Adam to leave his daughter alone. So, reluctantly, Adam breaks things off with Lena. At the urging of her father (and to the meddling of Adam's father) Lena agrees to marry Adam's brother, Isaac.
Adam is desperate to find out the reason behind his father's hate for him and also to find a resolution to his own violent desires and tendencies as well as a reprise from the horrible nightmares that haunt him. In doing so he wishes to fulfill the promise he has made to Lena's mother and hopefully win back the heart of his one true love.
This story was filled with raw emotion and even passion which I found very refreshing for a christian romance novel. I'm in no means saying it was raunchy but it was nice to see real characters that strongly desired and longed for each other. It gave a realistic human element to the story that made it very easy to connect with the characters.
I will be looking into other novels written by this author in the future!
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. 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
The main characters in the story are Adam Wyse, a troubled young man with a dark past and Lena Yoder, the love of his life. Adam, though he is troubled, is an honorable and caring man who is loved and admired by Lena's mother, Mary. Though she cares for Adam deeply, she worries about the welfare of her daughter if she should move into the Wyse home, as is the tradition of a young Amish couple. Adam's father is very abusive of him and Lena was an unfortunate witness to a brutal beating of Adam. Mary is fearful that Lena may also be subject to abuse if Adam were to continue to live in the home and she makes Adam swear a vow to her as she is on her deathbed that he will leave Lena until he can afford to build his own home. Adam agrees as he fears for his own sanity. He is plagued by nightmares that he can't explain and is missing gaps in his early childhood.
Lena's father has been imprisoned by the Patriots for refusing to surrender their last cow that the family needed for milk and Adam is determined to help him. However, Samuel sees a darkness in Adam and he is determined to let it be known that he wants Adam to leave his daughter alone. So, reluctantly, Adam breaks things off with Lena. At the urging of her father (and to the meddling of Adam's father) Lena agrees to marry Adam's brother, Isaac.
Adam is desperate to find out the reason behind his father's hate for him and also to find a resolution to his own violent desires and tendencies as well as a reprise from the horrible nightmares that haunt him. In doing so he wishes to fulfill the promise he has made to Lena's mother and hopefully win back the heart of his one true love.
This story was filled with raw emotion and even passion which I found very refreshing for a christian romance novel. I'm in no means saying it was raunchy but it was nice to see real characters that strongly desired and longed for each other. It gave a realistic human element to the story that made it very easy to connect with the characters.
I will be looking into other novels written by this author in the future!
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. 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
April 7, 2012
A complex, stunning novel that took me to unexpected places. Though set during the revolutionary war, I found the character's inner battles far more treacherous. Long did an excellent job of creating angst from both without and within while including fascinating historical facts into the mix. Historical lovers who aren't Amish fans will still enjoy Arms of Love while Amish connoisseurs will relish spotting the similarities and differences in the roots of this much-loved faith.
Life was hard. Complicated. Impossible in ways it's hard to imagine. Thankfully Long has enough imagination for all of us and she takes her characters (and her readers) on a fascinating journey of self-discovery. There were places where I read voraciously and other spots where I just wanted to close the book and not go on! Thankfully the story was too compelling to let go of and I persevered through the angst.
This book is so full of surprising revelations that it's hard to review for fear of posting spoilers so I need to tread carefully. Let's just say that Adam's love is deep and irrefutable even when it's impossible. There's something so alluring about a man who is willing to sacrifice for the woman he loves. By contrast, Lena's innocent, enthusiastic, for-sure-we're-forever faith is sorely tested many times over. And yet their romance is larger than life from the very first page -- even before we see them together. Long's masterful storytelling allows for incredibly intimate scenes that have nothing to do with kissing and everything to do with a connection so much deeper. But when they do get to kissing....wow!
Let's just say that this is well worth the read. A story that will satisfy your heart and your soul and leave you with lots to think about. In fact the author has actually included a four-week Novel Bible Study at the end of the book which looks fantastic. I'm excited to get started on it since I've long been applying gospel truths I read about in fiction into the reality of my life.
Life was hard. Complicated. Impossible in ways it's hard to imagine. Thankfully Long has enough imagination for all of us and she takes her characters (and her readers) on a fascinating journey of self-discovery. There were places where I read voraciously and other spots where I just wanted to close the book and not go on! Thankfully the story was too compelling to let go of and I persevered through the angst.
This book is so full of surprising revelations that it's hard to review for fear of posting spoilers so I need to tread carefully. Let's just say that Adam's love is deep and irrefutable even when it's impossible. There's something so alluring about a man who is willing to sacrifice for the woman he loves. By contrast, Lena's innocent, enthusiastic, for-sure-we're-forever faith is sorely tested many times over. And yet their romance is larger than life from the very first page -- even before we see them together. Long's masterful storytelling allows for incredibly intimate scenes that have nothing to do with kissing and everything to do with a connection so much deeper. But when they do get to kissing....wow!
Let's just say that this is well worth the read. A story that will satisfy your heart and your soul and leave you with lots to think about. In fact the author has actually included a four-week Novel Bible Study at the end of the book which looks fantastic. I'm excited to get started on it since I've long been applying gospel truths I read about in fiction into the reality of my life.
January 27, 2015
This wasn't a bad book really. It was a tad boring for my taste, but that's probably just because I've read so many Amish books already, and this was just a random book I got from the library. But again, not a bad book! I may check out Kelly Long's other books!
May 10, 2012
GENRE: AMISH/HISTORICAL ROMANCE
PUBLISHER: THOMAS NELSON
PUBLICATION DATE: MAY 3, 2012
RATING: 4 OUT OF 5 – VERY GOOD
PROS: Contains Kelly’s trademark edgy romance; good presentation of PTSD; presence of visions and the Holy Spirit is very encouraging
CONS: Initial introduction to the characters feels rushed; a lot of sad events occur at the start of the novel; spiritual message is a bit overwrought
The American Revolutionary War was a time of a great loss, and not just for those who fought for freedom. Lena Yoder’s father has been imprisoned for refusing to give up his livestock for the war effort, and not soon after this her mother dies in childbirth. Alone with just her younger siblings, the only place Lena can think to turn is to her childhood friend, Adam, whom she had always hoped she would someday marry. But Lena’s mother was fearful of the hold that Adam’s father held over him, and made Adam promise not to marry Lena until he was sure Lena would be safely out from under his father’s influence. Adam cannot tell Lena this, but he does know that he would not make a good husband to Lena at present. Continually wrought by troubling dreams, Adam is permanently unsettled, and wants nothing more than to gain freedom from the memories that haunt him. The only way he can see fit to do this is in bearing arms and fighting for the patriot cause. Lena is appalled at Adam’s desire to fight, and turns for solace and stability in his older brother, Isaac. Adam must reconcile himself with the troubling memories that haunt him and with his own desire for freedom before he can begin to fight to win back the love of Lena.
I’ve been anxiously awaiting Kelly’s next book ever since I finished her contemporary romance, Lilly’s Wedding Quilt. But although Lilly’s Wedding Quilt made my list of favourite novels for 2011, I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect from Arms of Love. While a few authors have attempted Amish historical fiction recently and handled the combination well (Murray Pura, Anna Schmidt, Lori Copeland and Virginia Smith), none of them have gone as far back as the eighteenth century, and I wasn’t entirely sure how a novel about the Amish during the American Revolutionary War would turn out. I didn’t enjoy Arms of Love as much as Kelly’s contemporary romances, but I do think that this book is a good start to her Amish Beginnings series and breaks new ground in Amish fiction.
It took me a while to get into this novel, and I’m not sure if that’s just because I wasn’t in the right frame of mind at the time and was up to my ears in exam revision. The beginning of Arms of Love is incredibly sad, and wracked with numerous tragedies – a father is imprisoned, his wife dies in childbirth and a new widow loses her home. Throwing Adam and Lena’s troubled love into the mix made my initial reading of this book quite depressing, and I kept putting it down so that I could read something lighter. I don’t think that all readers will find this book as sad as I did, and perhaps if I read it at a later date, when I didn’t have so much on my plate, I would enjoy it more. I didn’t really feel like I become properly involved with the story until about halfway through the novel, when the plot pacing really began to pick up and I felt like I’d got to know the characters better. When I first met Adam, Lena and their families there was so much going on that I almost felt like I’d been thrown into the middle of a story that already in progress and that I’d missed some essential details. But by the middle of the book I’d settled into the lives of the eighteenth century Lancaster Amish and felt that I could accurately keep up with their troubles.
Arms of Love isn’t all sadness and tragedy; it contains a good helping of romance and a little bit of humour. One of my favourite scenes is probably one around the middle of the novel, in which Adam tells his brother that he won’t have any time to study or work when he has a wife because she’ll want to do is kiss him all day long. The exchange between the brothers was amusing, and really brought the characters’ personalities to life for me. I really enjoyed watching Adam and Isaac’s friendship develop, almost as much as I appreciated the romance between Adam and Lena.
One of my favourite aspects of Kelly’s writing is how her romantic scenes are just a little bit more edgy than most Amish authors’, showing the importance of physical as well as spiritual and emotional attraction in a marriage. The cellar scene was the one that made me really start to care about Adam and Lena, when I found myself rooting for them to get together, even though Lena was then engaged to Isaac. I won’t say any more than that, but any true romance fan can’t help but root for Adam and Lena after reading the all important cellar scene. Kelly hasn’t neglected her trademark of edgy romance, even in the eighteenth century.
I have to admit that I found Adam far more interesting to read about than Lena, and what made me keep reading this book, even during the tough scenes, was the desire to find out what was behind his disturbing dreams. I don’t know a lot about Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, but I found the portrayal of Adam’s struggles to be very realistic. Since PTSD wasn’t properly recognised until around the time of the First World War, it made me wonder how men like Adam were treated by society at this time, which made him all the more endearing.
On the topic of dreams, I also loved the way that Kelly incorporated the Holy Spirit into her novel, through visions and healings. It seems that writing about the Holy Spirit in Christian fiction is just as hard as presenting the physical love between a husband and wife. Kelly manages both in this novel, and I was really impressed by the way that she wrote the scenes containing healings and visions. Nothing felt forced, and I definitely got a sense of the characters’ faith in God. However, I will say that I felt that the message of “God is for us” to be a bit overwrought. I liked how Ruth, the non-Amish wet-nurse, mused over this statement as she came deeper into her faith with God, but as I got further into the novel so many characters were quoting this passage that I wanted to ask them if they actually knew of any other verses in the Bible. It fitted Ruth’s storyline, but at times the statement was made to the extent that it no longer seemed comforting and just became repetitive.
Although I have my qualms about some aspects of this novel, Arms of Love is an encouraging start to Kelly’s historical series and I hope that further Amish Beginnings novels are of a similar fare. Readers might be put off initially by the introduction of so many characters at the start of the novel and the presence of so many sorrowful events, but I would encourage readers to persevere, as this novel is definitely taking the time to read. Kelly doesn’t shy away from edgy topics, whether it's romance to spiritual issues, and her presentation of both in this novel reflects what I’ve come to expect from her writing. I hope that other readers are similarly pleased and challenged by Arms of Love.
Review title provided by Thomas Nelson.
PUBLISHER: THOMAS NELSON
PUBLICATION DATE: MAY 3, 2012
RATING: 4 OUT OF 5 – VERY GOOD
PROS: Contains Kelly’s trademark edgy romance; good presentation of PTSD; presence of visions and the Holy Spirit is very encouraging
CONS: Initial introduction to the characters feels rushed; a lot of sad events occur at the start of the novel; spiritual message is a bit overwrought
The American Revolutionary War was a time of a great loss, and not just for those who fought for freedom. Lena Yoder’s father has been imprisoned for refusing to give up his livestock for the war effort, and not soon after this her mother dies in childbirth. Alone with just her younger siblings, the only place Lena can think to turn is to her childhood friend, Adam, whom she had always hoped she would someday marry. But Lena’s mother was fearful of the hold that Adam’s father held over him, and made Adam promise not to marry Lena until he was sure Lena would be safely out from under his father’s influence. Adam cannot tell Lena this, but he does know that he would not make a good husband to Lena at present. Continually wrought by troubling dreams, Adam is permanently unsettled, and wants nothing more than to gain freedom from the memories that haunt him. The only way he can see fit to do this is in bearing arms and fighting for the patriot cause. Lena is appalled at Adam’s desire to fight, and turns for solace and stability in his older brother, Isaac. Adam must reconcile himself with the troubling memories that haunt him and with his own desire for freedom before he can begin to fight to win back the love of Lena.
I’ve been anxiously awaiting Kelly’s next book ever since I finished her contemporary romance, Lilly’s Wedding Quilt. But although Lilly’s Wedding Quilt made my list of favourite novels for 2011, I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect from Arms of Love. While a few authors have attempted Amish historical fiction recently and handled the combination well (Murray Pura, Anna Schmidt, Lori Copeland and Virginia Smith), none of them have gone as far back as the eighteenth century, and I wasn’t entirely sure how a novel about the Amish during the American Revolutionary War would turn out. I didn’t enjoy Arms of Love as much as Kelly’s contemporary romances, but I do think that this book is a good start to her Amish Beginnings series and breaks new ground in Amish fiction.
It took me a while to get into this novel, and I’m not sure if that’s just because I wasn’t in the right frame of mind at the time and was up to my ears in exam revision. The beginning of Arms of Love is incredibly sad, and wracked with numerous tragedies – a father is imprisoned, his wife dies in childbirth and a new widow loses her home. Throwing Adam and Lena’s troubled love into the mix made my initial reading of this book quite depressing, and I kept putting it down so that I could read something lighter. I don’t think that all readers will find this book as sad as I did, and perhaps if I read it at a later date, when I didn’t have so much on my plate, I would enjoy it more. I didn’t really feel like I become properly involved with the story until about halfway through the novel, when the plot pacing really began to pick up and I felt like I’d got to know the characters better. When I first met Adam, Lena and their families there was so much going on that I almost felt like I’d been thrown into the middle of a story that already in progress and that I’d missed some essential details. But by the middle of the book I’d settled into the lives of the eighteenth century Lancaster Amish and felt that I could accurately keep up with their troubles.
Arms of Love isn’t all sadness and tragedy; it contains a good helping of romance and a little bit of humour. One of my favourite scenes is probably one around the middle of the novel, in which Adam tells his brother that he won’t have any time to study or work when he has a wife because she’ll want to do is kiss him all day long. The exchange between the brothers was amusing, and really brought the characters’ personalities to life for me. I really enjoyed watching Adam and Isaac’s friendship develop, almost as much as I appreciated the romance between Adam and Lena.
One of my favourite aspects of Kelly’s writing is how her romantic scenes are just a little bit more edgy than most Amish authors’, showing the importance of physical as well as spiritual and emotional attraction in a marriage. The cellar scene was the one that made me really start to care about Adam and Lena, when I found myself rooting for them to get together, even though Lena was then engaged to Isaac. I won’t say any more than that, but any true romance fan can’t help but root for Adam and Lena after reading the all important cellar scene. Kelly hasn’t neglected her trademark of edgy romance, even in the eighteenth century.
I have to admit that I found Adam far more interesting to read about than Lena, and what made me keep reading this book, even during the tough scenes, was the desire to find out what was behind his disturbing dreams. I don’t know a lot about Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, but I found the portrayal of Adam’s struggles to be very realistic. Since PTSD wasn’t properly recognised until around the time of the First World War, it made me wonder how men like Adam were treated by society at this time, which made him all the more endearing.
On the topic of dreams, I also loved the way that Kelly incorporated the Holy Spirit into her novel, through visions and healings. It seems that writing about the Holy Spirit in Christian fiction is just as hard as presenting the physical love between a husband and wife. Kelly manages both in this novel, and I was really impressed by the way that she wrote the scenes containing healings and visions. Nothing felt forced, and I definitely got a sense of the characters’ faith in God. However, I will say that I felt that the message of “God is for us” to be a bit overwrought. I liked how Ruth, the non-Amish wet-nurse, mused over this statement as she came deeper into her faith with God, but as I got further into the novel so many characters were quoting this passage that I wanted to ask them if they actually knew of any other verses in the Bible. It fitted Ruth’s storyline, but at times the statement was made to the extent that it no longer seemed comforting and just became repetitive.
Although I have my qualms about some aspects of this novel, Arms of Love is an encouraging start to Kelly’s historical series and I hope that further Amish Beginnings novels are of a similar fare. Readers might be put off initially by the introduction of so many characters at the start of the novel and the presence of so many sorrowful events, but I would encourage readers to persevere, as this novel is definitely taking the time to read. Kelly doesn’t shy away from edgy topics, whether it's romance to spiritual issues, and her presentation of both in this novel reflects what I’ve come to expect from her writing. I hope that other readers are similarly pleased and challenged by Arms of Love.
Review title provided by Thomas Nelson.
August 28, 2018
ARMS OF LOVE ( AMISH BEGINNINGS) KELLY LONG
Arms of Love takes place in the year 1777, in Lancaster Pennsylvania, which was once called William Penn Woods. The story takes place during the Revolutionary War and it tells how the Amish faced persecution by the Patriots and British alike. Patriots and British are taking goods from this small settlement for the sake of the war. Some of the young Amish are leaving their faith to fight and defend freedom.
Adam Wyse, a young Amish man, is fighting his own personal battle, to go fight the war, as he has promised Lena Yoder's dying mother that he will not marry her daughter, his true love. Lena does not understand why Adam will not marry her, so Issac, Adam's older brother asks Lena to be his wife.
Will Lena go on to marry Issac and Adam go off to war to fight. What deep dark secrets that lie within Adams soul, that haunt him, will be revelaed.
I enjoyed reading this historical story of the early Amish that settled in America, the hardships that they faced and how these peace loving people survived in this primitive, dangerous New World
Arms of Love takes place in the year 1777, in Lancaster Pennsylvania, which was once called William Penn Woods. The story takes place during the Revolutionary War and it tells how the Amish faced persecution by the Patriots and British alike. Patriots and British are taking goods from this small settlement for the sake of the war. Some of the young Amish are leaving their faith to fight and defend freedom.
Adam Wyse, a young Amish man, is fighting his own personal battle, to go fight the war, as he has promised Lena Yoder's dying mother that he will not marry her daughter, his true love. Lena does not understand why Adam will not marry her, so Issac, Adam's older brother asks Lena to be his wife.
Will Lena go on to marry Issac and Adam go off to war to fight. What deep dark secrets that lie within Adams soul, that haunt him, will be revelaed.
I enjoyed reading this historical story of the early Amish that settled in America, the hardships that they faced and how these peace loving people survived in this primitive, dangerous New World
October 27, 2018
There are times that we wonder where God is in some circumstances and trials. In the good times we feel His presence, and we celebrate and rejoice. In the bad times we sometimes think that He has forsaken us, when in fact He is weeping with us,hears us and is always near to those who trust and believe. Through God's love,mercy and grace He is enough and His arms are always reaching out for us. The only thing that we need to do is "Let Go and Let God". I loved this book in so many aspects. Kelly Long will always be a favorite author of mine.
April 14, 2023
This book was disappointing. A mother foretells she will die in childbirth and has her daughter's beau promise not to pursue her daughter romantically. That same man's father as well as the daughter's father are other confusing characters in the story, which did not fit Amish beliefs (fighting, the bishop encouraging an Amish man to marry a non-Amish and so soon after his wife's death). I almost didn't finish the book but kept hoping things would develop.
April 30, 2020
I’m only half way through. I love Kelly long but im having a hard time with all of the circumstances in this book and especially the father of Adam. Someone tell me it ends well so I can finish it.
June 2, 2012
Great book, especially for those who love historical fiction and would like to know about the early roots of Amish in Pennsylvania.
For those of you with interest in the history of the Amish and of our country, this is a wonderful piece of Historical Amish fiction by Kelly Long. I did not personally realize the degree of ridicule and prejudice the early Amish immigrants to Pennsylvania experienced. They endured teasing and scoffing on a daily basis. They were pacifists and did not wish to participate in the war but some Amish settlers did join the fight for freedom.
Who can resist a love story in the midst of a war setting? Not me! Lena is struck with tragedy when her mother dies giving birth to new sister, Faith. Complications arose before the death even took place, as Lena's mamm, Mary, predicted her death to Lena's young love interest, Adam Wyse. She also forced Adam to make a cruel promise. She made him agree to give up her daughter and forgo his plans to marry him until he could get away from his abusive father, Joseph, who is one of the church bishops. She tells him she knows of the abuse he endures at his father's hands and is afraid that the father might injure Lena or any of their future children as the custom dictates that they move to the husband's family home when a couple marries. She also expresses her fears that Adam might even have this same tendency to abuse within his own heart. So he helps Lena bury her mother, secretly finds a wet nurse, Rose, for the new sister, and then tells her he is finished with her and breaks her heart.
His brother, Isaac, who is studying with hopes to become a bishop himself, is only too willing to take Adam's place in Lena's affections. He runs to her side and professes his desire to rescue her by marriage. She is not keen on the idea and puts him off until Adam persists in rejecting her. She also has her three younger siblings to think of as her father has been imprisoned for refusing to give up the family cow to the troops. Lena feels that God wants her to marry Isaac so that Adam will be brought to a right relationship with Him. She feels it is her sacrificial duty and only a small price to pay for eternal salvation for the man she loves with all her soul.
I love historical fiction and this book is all about forgiveness and redemption. The book also examines an important issue as Joseph and Adam suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. You will want to read this terrific novel to see how God will heal the broken lives and hearts, and mend relationships. I read this one in one night as I simply could not put the kindle down until I knew how things would resolve for the characters. I am so hoping there is going to be a sequel to Arms of Love as I want to know what happens with Isaac, Adam and Lena, Rose and Samuel, and the others.
A scriptural theme through the story line involved the line: "God is for us." I also loved the use of Zephaniah 3:17: "The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing." For those interested in the Amish history and beginnings, this book is a must-read! I know that I gained new perspectives as I read.
About the Author:
Kelly Long is the author of Sarah's Garden, the first novel in the Patch of Heaven series. She was born and raised in the mountains of Northern Pennsylvania. She’s been married for nearly 25 years and has five children.
Visit Kelly's website: at http://www.kellylongbooks.com
I received a free digital copy of this book from Thomas Nelson publishing, Booksneeze.com, in exchange for my honest review.
For those of you with interest in the history of the Amish and of our country, this is a wonderful piece of Historical Amish fiction by Kelly Long. I did not personally realize the degree of ridicule and prejudice the early Amish immigrants to Pennsylvania experienced. They endured teasing and scoffing on a daily basis. They were pacifists and did not wish to participate in the war but some Amish settlers did join the fight for freedom.
Who can resist a love story in the midst of a war setting? Not me! Lena is struck with tragedy when her mother dies giving birth to new sister, Faith. Complications arose before the death even took place, as Lena's mamm, Mary, predicted her death to Lena's young love interest, Adam Wyse. She also forced Adam to make a cruel promise. She made him agree to give up her daughter and forgo his plans to marry him until he could get away from his abusive father, Joseph, who is one of the church bishops. She tells him she knows of the abuse he endures at his father's hands and is afraid that the father might injure Lena or any of their future children as the custom dictates that they move to the husband's family home when a couple marries. She also expresses her fears that Adam might even have this same tendency to abuse within his own heart. So he helps Lena bury her mother, secretly finds a wet nurse, Rose, for the new sister, and then tells her he is finished with her and breaks her heart.
His brother, Isaac, who is studying with hopes to become a bishop himself, is only too willing to take Adam's place in Lena's affections. He runs to her side and professes his desire to rescue her by marriage. She is not keen on the idea and puts him off until Adam persists in rejecting her. She also has her three younger siblings to think of as her father has been imprisoned for refusing to give up the family cow to the troops. Lena feels that God wants her to marry Isaac so that Adam will be brought to a right relationship with Him. She feels it is her sacrificial duty and only a small price to pay for eternal salvation for the man she loves with all her soul.
I love historical fiction and this book is all about forgiveness and redemption. The book also examines an important issue as Joseph and Adam suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. You will want to read this terrific novel to see how God will heal the broken lives and hearts, and mend relationships. I read this one in one night as I simply could not put the kindle down until I knew how things would resolve for the characters. I am so hoping there is going to be a sequel to Arms of Love as I want to know what happens with Isaac, Adam and Lena, Rose and Samuel, and the others.
A scriptural theme through the story line involved the line: "God is for us." I also loved the use of Zephaniah 3:17: "The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing." For those interested in the Amish history and beginnings, this book is a must-read! I know that I gained new perspectives as I read.
About the Author:
Kelly Long is the author of Sarah's Garden, the first novel in the Patch of Heaven series. She was born and raised in the mountains of Northern Pennsylvania. She’s been married for nearly 25 years and has five children.
Visit Kelly's website: at http://www.kellylongbooks.com
I received a free digital copy of this book from Thomas Nelson publishing, Booksneeze.com, in exchange for my honest review.
December 10, 2021
Wholesome while filled with intrigue and adventure.
May 11, 2012
This takes place in Pennsylvania in 1777, what was once called William Penn's Woods. The area is populated with several different faiths, including a small and struggling Amish group, living together for the first time in American history. The British and Patriots are pillaging land and goods for the war, so the Amish are not safe.
Adam Wyse, fighting a personal battle and in love with Lena Yoder, is thinking about leaving the Amish faith and enlisting. He has had a harsh life, his father has been beating him since he was nine years old, although his older brother Isaac never got beat. Isaac loved books and spent his time studying the Bible and making plans to become a Bishop while Adam worked with his father, Joseph.
Lena's father, Samuel, is in prison because he refused to turn over his last milk cow to the Patriots. He refused because his wife was pregnant and not doing well, he needed the milk for her. Even though Samuel doesn't like Adam, Adam would still go to the Yoder's to help them out, he would even take food and coin to the prison so Samuel would get extra food. Adam was there when Mary Yoder gave birth to Faith. Mary knew she wasn't going to live long so she asked him to promise her that he'd give up Lena's love, to give her up, until he was free from his father's rule and ready to build a new and free life for the two of them away from his father, which he did. She feared for Lena because she thought Adam would turn out like his father, a mean person.
Adam helps Lena get through the next few days, gets a wet nurse for baby Faith, sends his family over to do services for Mary and when these things are taken care of, he breaks things off with Lena, not telling her about the promise to her Mother. When Adam hears that Samuel is about to be tried, he gets Lena and takes her to town, he even trades his horse for Samuel's freedom, these things still don't bring Samuel around to liking Adam. Soon Lena and Isaac are pushed to marry, even though they are not in love. With Joseph and Samuel pushing them, they agree to marry when the Bishop comes around.
Throughout the story you know that something happened in the past, but just can't figure it out, what is it and is that what's causing Adam to think about going to war? Will Lena be able to follow through with the wedding plans to marry Isaac? Where does Adam end up?
I thought the book started out kind of slow, but as I read, I was anxious to see how things worked out for everyone. It was an interesting time period to be reading about and the additional struggle the Amish had during that period. I would recommend this book to anyone that likes historical Amish stories.
Kelly has put a reading group guide, as well as a four week Novel Bible Study on the Arms of Love in the back of the book.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. 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.”
Adam Wyse, fighting a personal battle and in love with Lena Yoder, is thinking about leaving the Amish faith and enlisting. He has had a harsh life, his father has been beating him since he was nine years old, although his older brother Isaac never got beat. Isaac loved books and spent his time studying the Bible and making plans to become a Bishop while Adam worked with his father, Joseph.
Lena's father, Samuel, is in prison because he refused to turn over his last milk cow to the Patriots. He refused because his wife was pregnant and not doing well, he needed the milk for her. Even though Samuel doesn't like Adam, Adam would still go to the Yoder's to help them out, he would even take food and coin to the prison so Samuel would get extra food. Adam was there when Mary Yoder gave birth to Faith. Mary knew she wasn't going to live long so she asked him to promise her that he'd give up Lena's love, to give her up, until he was free from his father's rule and ready to build a new and free life for the two of them away from his father, which he did. She feared for Lena because she thought Adam would turn out like his father, a mean person.
Adam helps Lena get through the next few days, gets a wet nurse for baby Faith, sends his family over to do services for Mary and when these things are taken care of, he breaks things off with Lena, not telling her about the promise to her Mother. When Adam hears that Samuel is about to be tried, he gets Lena and takes her to town, he even trades his horse for Samuel's freedom, these things still don't bring Samuel around to liking Adam. Soon Lena and Isaac are pushed to marry, even though they are not in love. With Joseph and Samuel pushing them, they agree to marry when the Bishop comes around.
Throughout the story you know that something happened in the past, but just can't figure it out, what is it and is that what's causing Adam to think about going to war? Will Lena be able to follow through with the wedding plans to marry Isaac? Where does Adam end up?
I thought the book started out kind of slow, but as I read, I was anxious to see how things worked out for everyone. It was an interesting time period to be reading about and the additional struggle the Amish had during that period. I would recommend this book to anyone that likes historical Amish stories.
Kelly has put a reading group guide, as well as a four week Novel Bible Study on the Arms of Love in the back of the book.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. 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.”
April 30, 2012
On her deathbed, Mary Yoder extracts a promise from young Adam Wyse that he will give up the love of her daughter, Lena, until he is free from his father’s harsh rule. Adam makes the promise, but reluctantly because of his love for Lena, and decides that he will go and fight in the Revolutionary War, despite the pacifist stance of his Amish faith.
Arms of Love is different to most Amish novels, in that it is set in 1777, near Lancaster in William Penn’s Wood (which we know from modern Amish novels becomes Lancaster County, Pennsylvania). This historical setting provided for some external conflict, both literally and figuratively, as many Amish apparently did abandon their pacifist beliefs to fight for the Revolutionary cause in the War of Independence.
The historical setting meant that the novel focused more on the internal conflicts in the relationships between the families, and when the Amish were distinguished from their neighbours by their dress rather than their old-fashioned way of living. After all, in 1777, everyone baked their own bread and electricity hadn’t been discovered.
Most Amish novels use a combination of English and German to convey the fact that most Amish speak German at home, even today (although the Yoder family obviously didn’t speak German at home, because there was no reference to the language issue when Ruth, the English wet nurse arrived).
But I found that Arms of Love took the use of German too far, to the point that it detracted from the story. Using 'gut' for 'good' was manageable, but some of the German words used were not so common or easily translatable (e.g. Derr Herr for God or fesh washa for the ceremony of foot washing). There was a glossary at the beginning of the book but it is irritating enough to continually have to skip back and forward between the glossary and the story in a physical book. It is almost impossible on an e-reader.
The passing of time was another issue. It seems to be only a matter of days or possibly weeks between the death of Mary Yoder and her husband's remarriage. He had barely had time to mourn the loss of his wife, yet we were expected to believe that he had fallen in love with another woman.
As a result, I found Arms of Love hard to get into, and didn’t really ‘get’ the story, so didn’t enjoy it at all. I found the first half quite disjointed - several characters, especially the men, seem to suffer from having multiple personalities - cruel one minute and kind the next, with no explanation. Sometimes this technique is used to introduce hidden secrets; here I found it to be confusing and distracting rather than mysterious and exciting.
As well as the usual discussion questions at the end of the book, Arms of Love also includes a four week Bible study, with a deeper focus on some of the themes of the story. I just suspect the author focused too much on creating a story that people could learn from, and not enough on creating a story people would enjoy reading.
Thanks to Thomas Nelson and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.
This review also appears on my blog, www.christianreads.blogspot.com.
Arms of Love is different to most Amish novels, in that it is set in 1777, near Lancaster in William Penn’s Wood (which we know from modern Amish novels becomes Lancaster County, Pennsylvania). This historical setting provided for some external conflict, both literally and figuratively, as many Amish apparently did abandon their pacifist beliefs to fight for the Revolutionary cause in the War of Independence.
The historical setting meant that the novel focused more on the internal conflicts in the relationships between the families, and when the Amish were distinguished from their neighbours by their dress rather than their old-fashioned way of living. After all, in 1777, everyone baked their own bread and electricity hadn’t been discovered.
Most Amish novels use a combination of English and German to convey the fact that most Amish speak German at home, even today (although the Yoder family obviously didn’t speak German at home, because there was no reference to the language issue when Ruth, the English wet nurse arrived).
But I found that Arms of Love took the use of German too far, to the point that it detracted from the story. Using 'gut' for 'good' was manageable, but some of the German words used were not so common or easily translatable (e.g. Derr Herr for God or fesh washa for the ceremony of foot washing). There was a glossary at the beginning of the book but it is irritating enough to continually have to skip back and forward between the glossary and the story in a physical book. It is almost impossible on an e-reader.
The passing of time was another issue. It seems to be only a matter of days or possibly weeks between the death of Mary Yoder and her husband's remarriage. He had barely had time to mourn the loss of his wife, yet we were expected to believe that he had fallen in love with another woman.
As a result, I found Arms of Love hard to get into, and didn’t really ‘get’ the story, so didn’t enjoy it at all. I found the first half quite disjointed - several characters, especially the men, seem to suffer from having multiple personalities - cruel one minute and kind the next, with no explanation. Sometimes this technique is used to introduce hidden secrets; here I found it to be confusing and distracting rather than mysterious and exciting.
As well as the usual discussion questions at the end of the book, Arms of Love also includes a four week Bible study, with a deeper focus on some of the themes of the story. I just suspect the author focused too much on creating a story that people could learn from, and not enough on creating a story people would enjoy reading.
Thanks to Thomas Nelson and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.
This review also appears on my blog, www.christianreads.blogspot.com.
May 6, 2012
ARMS OF LOVE
by
KELLY LONG
Publication Date: April 3, 2012
Company: Thomas Nelson
ISBN-101401684963
ISBN-139781401684969
Kelly Long's latest novel, "Arms of Love", is set in Revolutionary Era Pennsylvania. The Amish theology does not allow for bearing arms, whether in anger or in an act of war. Adam is torn between his love for Lena Yoder and his desire to defend his freedom. Lena's mother has exacted a promise from Adam on her deathbed that could cost him their future together. Meanwhile, Adam is battling repressed memories of an act that shaped his life and could ultimately ruin it.
Kudos to Kelly Long! I try not to let too much of my personal opinions shape my reviews, but as a serious "Amish-phile", this book is far and above the rest. Not only does the author construct a more complicated plot than is usual for Amish fiction, but the historical and geographical setting is different. Instead of being set in the ever popular state of Ohio, usually in modern times, the novel is set in Pennsylvania. And where most Amish fiction is of the "plain vs. modern way of life" variety, setting this story in the Revolutionary War era changes that. The Amish are not that different from their neighbors in their housekeeping and farming, but a perhaps more serious difference arises; that of the Amish refusal to fight in a war, when their neighbors are ready to fight for our country's independence. Even if a reader does not enjoy the usual Amish fiction found at the local Christian bookstore, if they enjoy historical fiction, religious or secular, they can appreciate this one.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. 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.”
by
KELLY LONG
Publication Date: April 3, 2012
Company: Thomas Nelson
ISBN-101401684963
ISBN-139781401684969
Kelly Long's latest novel, "Arms of Love", is set in Revolutionary Era Pennsylvania. The Amish theology does not allow for bearing arms, whether in anger or in an act of war. Adam is torn between his love for Lena Yoder and his desire to defend his freedom. Lena's mother has exacted a promise from Adam on her deathbed that could cost him their future together. Meanwhile, Adam is battling repressed memories of an act that shaped his life and could ultimately ruin it.
Kudos to Kelly Long! I try not to let too much of my personal opinions shape my reviews, but as a serious "Amish-phile", this book is far and above the rest. Not only does the author construct a more complicated plot than is usual for Amish fiction, but the historical and geographical setting is different. Instead of being set in the ever popular state of Ohio, usually in modern times, the novel is set in Pennsylvania. And where most Amish fiction is of the "plain vs. modern way of life" variety, setting this story in the Revolutionary War era changes that. The Amish are not that different from their neighbors in their housekeeping and farming, but a perhaps more serious difference arises; that of the Amish refusal to fight in a war, when their neighbors are ready to fight for our country's independence. Even if a reader does not enjoy the usual Amish fiction found at the local Christian bookstore, if they enjoy historical fiction, religious or secular, they can appreciate this one.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. 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.”
October 13, 2012
Title: ARMS OF LOVE
Author: Kelly Long
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
April 2012
ISBN: 978-1401684969
Genre: historical/Amish
Adam Wyse loves Lena Yoder. He plans to marry her, and per tradition take her home to his father’s house. But when he goes to visit, her mother insists on talking with him, and claims she’s going to die with childbirth, but she will not die without his promise that he’ll release Lena until he is established and free from his father. Adam reluctantly promises, but figures that Lena’s mother is delusional and she truly won’t die, so they’d be able to resolve this issue and he’d marry Lena as planned.
But Lena’s mother dies that night, leaving Lena as sole caregiver to her younger siblings and a newborn babe, Faith. Adam sends a wet-nurse for her, but then pushes Lena away, so he can go in search of freedom and keep his promise to her mother.
The Patriots and British are both pillaging land and goods for the sake of the Revolutionary war. A simple walk in the woods can result in death. Lena is forced to turn to Adam’s brother, Isaac, for support, as Adam’s search for freedom may keep them apart permanently.
ARMS OF LOVE is the first book in Ms. Long’s Amish Beginnings series. I had this novel on my wish list for ages, hoping for a chance to review it. I’ve been a fan of Ms. Long’s contemporary Amish stories, and love the way she writes. I hoped that I’d feel the same about this book.
That wasn’t exactly the case. The story begins with the death that seems to be mandatory in most historical novels. The writing is stilted, there is more telling than showing, and some of the writing is passive. I was unable to connect with the characters the way I hoped and had to struggle to keep reading.
I know that some die-hard fans of Amish fiction just eat up anything Amish and the historical setting of the Revolutionary war might appeal to the historical crowd, so this book might appeal to some. I’d recommend reading a sample chapter before you make your decision whether you like it or not. Discussion questions and a Bible study based on the novel, ARMS OF LOVE is included at the end of the book. $15.99. 320 pages.
Author: Kelly Long
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
April 2012
ISBN: 978-1401684969
Genre: historical/Amish
Adam Wyse loves Lena Yoder. He plans to marry her, and per tradition take her home to his father’s house. But when he goes to visit, her mother insists on talking with him, and claims she’s going to die with childbirth, but she will not die without his promise that he’ll release Lena until he is established and free from his father. Adam reluctantly promises, but figures that Lena’s mother is delusional and she truly won’t die, so they’d be able to resolve this issue and he’d marry Lena as planned.
But Lena’s mother dies that night, leaving Lena as sole caregiver to her younger siblings and a newborn babe, Faith. Adam sends a wet-nurse for her, but then pushes Lena away, so he can go in search of freedom and keep his promise to her mother.
The Patriots and British are both pillaging land and goods for the sake of the Revolutionary war. A simple walk in the woods can result in death. Lena is forced to turn to Adam’s brother, Isaac, for support, as Adam’s search for freedom may keep them apart permanently.
ARMS OF LOVE is the first book in Ms. Long’s Amish Beginnings series. I had this novel on my wish list for ages, hoping for a chance to review it. I’ve been a fan of Ms. Long’s contemporary Amish stories, and love the way she writes. I hoped that I’d feel the same about this book.
That wasn’t exactly the case. The story begins with the death that seems to be mandatory in most historical novels. The writing is stilted, there is more telling than showing, and some of the writing is passive. I was unable to connect with the characters the way I hoped and had to struggle to keep reading.
I know that some die-hard fans of Amish fiction just eat up anything Amish and the historical setting of the Revolutionary war might appeal to the historical crowd, so this book might appeal to some. I’d recommend reading a sample chapter before you make your decision whether you like it or not. Discussion questions and a Bible study based on the novel, ARMS OF LOVE is included at the end of the book. $15.99. 320 pages.
April 28, 2012
This is a work of romance with many facets - it's Christian fiction, Amish fiction, and it's also historical fiction - the Patriots and the British are at war and danger is aplenty. The Amish are belittled by the Patriots for not joining their ranks and fighting for their home and country.
The story opens in William Penn's Woods in the late 1700s, Adam Wyse, a young Amish man is in love with his beautiful neighbor, Lena Yoder. Alas, before Lena's mother dies in childbirth with her youngest child, she requires a promise from Adam that he will set himself free from his harsh, ungiving father before taking Lena as his wife. Lena, feeling cast off and not knowing Adam's promise, turns to his older brother, Issac, who is studying to be a bishop and also his father's favorite son.
Adam has horrible flashbacks to an unnamed fearful time when he was young. His flashbacks compel him to leave the Amish fold and enlist - to get away from his father and make a life of his own, therefore fulfilling the promise to Lena's mother.
Not just for readers of Amish literature (I do not often read Amish fiction but it is extremely popular), I enjoyed getting to know the characters, seeing their flaws and strengths, and watching their faith be tested and grow from inner and outer turmoil. I also liked Adam's British acquaintance, a family man named Major Dale Ellis, who became a good, kind friend to Adam, despite their many differences. At the end of the book Kelly Long has not only included Reading Club questions but also a four-week bible study.
Joyce Lamb from USA TODAY writes:
Kelly Long knows a thing or two about the Amish. She grew up in the Allegheny Mountains of Pennsylvania, where the Amish roadside vegetable stands made a big impression on her as a child. She says that her new release, Arms of Love, "traces the Amish to their first roots in America" and also deals with post-traumatic stress disorder. .... what draws her to the Amish culture and how the Amish struggle with the same problems that everyone else does.
The story opens in William Penn's Woods in the late 1700s, Adam Wyse, a young Amish man is in love with his beautiful neighbor, Lena Yoder. Alas, before Lena's mother dies in childbirth with her youngest child, she requires a promise from Adam that he will set himself free from his harsh, ungiving father before taking Lena as his wife. Lena, feeling cast off and not knowing Adam's promise, turns to his older brother, Issac, who is studying to be a bishop and also his father's favorite son.
Adam has horrible flashbacks to an unnamed fearful time when he was young. His flashbacks compel him to leave the Amish fold and enlist - to get away from his father and make a life of his own, therefore fulfilling the promise to Lena's mother.
Not just for readers of Amish literature (I do not often read Amish fiction but it is extremely popular), I enjoyed getting to know the characters, seeing their flaws and strengths, and watching their faith be tested and grow from inner and outer turmoil. I also liked Adam's British acquaintance, a family man named Major Dale Ellis, who became a good, kind friend to Adam, despite their many differences. At the end of the book Kelly Long has not only included Reading Club questions but also a four-week bible study.
Joyce Lamb from USA TODAY writes:
Kelly Long knows a thing or two about the Amish. She grew up in the Allegheny Mountains of Pennsylvania, where the Amish roadside vegetable stands made a big impression on her as a child. She says that her new release, Arms of Love, "traces the Amish to their first roots in America" and also deals with post-traumatic stress disorder. .... what draws her to the Amish culture and how the Amish struggle with the same problems that everyone else does.
May 16, 2012
Although the Patriots and British are still at odds, Lena Yoder believes that she will marry soon, perhaps even before the year 1777 comes to a close. Lena's father Samuel is imprisoned, but she is hopeful he'll be released soon and things on their Amish farm near Lancaster, PA can return to normal.
The recipient of Lena's affections, Adam Wyse, has entertained thoughts of joining the war efforts despite his Amish upbringing. He is willing to settle down, though, and marry Lena, whom he has loved for as long as he can remember. Everything changes, however, when Adam makes an unusual promise to Lena's mother.
Lena struggles to regain her equilibrium as Adam withdraws from their relationship. Isaac, Adam's brother, desires to become an Amish bishop someday, and expresses interest in Lena. Hurt and confused, Lena reluctantly accepts Isaac's marriage proposal to please her father.
Meanwhile, Adam again considers enlisting while wrestling with dark memories from his past. He befriends a prisoner of war, a British soldier who is detained in Lancaster. The unlikely pair forge an interesting bond that brings comfort and light in unexpected ways.
This book illuminates an aspect of the Revolutionary War period that isn't often discussed. The Amish, as a peace seeking community, sought to stay out of the fray, desiring instead to foster harmony between men. The Patriots viewed them as cowards, unwilling to fight for freedom. Both sides were in need of able bodied men, and the competition for soldiers, Amish or not, was fierce. Even John, Lena's preteen brother, entertained thoughts of joining up. This book shares a glimpse of how hearts and convictions were sorely tested during this epic time in American history.
Kelly Long brings an interesting tale of heartbreak and loyalty to life. Her characters' situations show us that, whether from the past or present, we must seek honor and truth. This book provided a wonderful introduction to Kelly Long's skill and storytelling ability. I look forward to reading more of her books.
The recipient of Lena's affections, Adam Wyse, has entertained thoughts of joining the war efforts despite his Amish upbringing. He is willing to settle down, though, and marry Lena, whom he has loved for as long as he can remember. Everything changes, however, when Adam makes an unusual promise to Lena's mother.
Lena struggles to regain her equilibrium as Adam withdraws from their relationship. Isaac, Adam's brother, desires to become an Amish bishop someday, and expresses interest in Lena. Hurt and confused, Lena reluctantly accepts Isaac's marriage proposal to please her father.
Meanwhile, Adam again considers enlisting while wrestling with dark memories from his past. He befriends a prisoner of war, a British soldier who is detained in Lancaster. The unlikely pair forge an interesting bond that brings comfort and light in unexpected ways.
This book illuminates an aspect of the Revolutionary War period that isn't often discussed. The Amish, as a peace seeking community, sought to stay out of the fray, desiring instead to foster harmony between men. The Patriots viewed them as cowards, unwilling to fight for freedom. Both sides were in need of able bodied men, and the competition for soldiers, Amish or not, was fierce. Even John, Lena's preteen brother, entertained thoughts of joining up. This book shares a glimpse of how hearts and convictions were sorely tested during this epic time in American history.
Kelly Long brings an interesting tale of heartbreak and loyalty to life. Her characters' situations show us that, whether from the past or present, we must seek honor and truth. This book provided a wonderful introduction to Kelly Long's skill and storytelling ability. I look forward to reading more of her books.
May 27, 2013
When I think of Amish people, I think of people who seek a simple existence. They don’t use electricity, or cars. So what set them apart from the masses in the late 18th century when there was no technology? Their beliefs. Beliefs that they were often ostracized for. Adam and Lena grew up on neighboring farms and were playmates for as long as they could remember. Everyone expected them to marry as they were both obviously smitten with each other. Lena’s mother asked Adam to promise her that he wouldn’t marry Lena until he was out from under his abusive father’s thumb. A perfectly understandable concern in a community where the new wife would go live in her husband’s family’s home.
This is where the book ceased to make much sense to me. I’m not sure if it is the romance thing, or the religious thing but I was just completely lost behind some of the character’s thinking. Instead of extending the relationship and putting off marriage, Adam breaks up with Lena and doesn’t bother to tell her why. He doesn’t tell anyone why. Lena takes it upon herself to make a sacrifice to help Adam become closer to God. I don’t want to give away too much of the plot so won’t reveal what her sacrifice is, but if I were Adam, I wouldn’t be brought closer to God, most likely I’d get miffed at Him for letting such an ironic situation come about. I just see absolutely no sense in how her sacrifice would help Adam at all.
Other than the stupidity that I’ve already pointed out, it was an interesting story. The two families struggle to keep their customs of peace rather than joining the patriots in the Revolutionary War, even though they are punished for it. The historical qualities felt right to me, though I admittedly don’t know much about Amish life. I would recommend this novel to those who like romance books and are not offended by frequent references to God and the Bible.
This is where the book ceased to make much sense to me. I’m not sure if it is the romance thing, or the religious thing but I was just completely lost behind some of the character’s thinking. Instead of extending the relationship and putting off marriage, Adam breaks up with Lena and doesn’t bother to tell her why. He doesn’t tell anyone why. Lena takes it upon herself to make a sacrifice to help Adam become closer to God. I don’t want to give away too much of the plot so won’t reveal what her sacrifice is, but if I were Adam, I wouldn’t be brought closer to God, most likely I’d get miffed at Him for letting such an ironic situation come about. I just see absolutely no sense in how her sacrifice would help Adam at all.
Other than the stupidity that I’ve already pointed out, it was an interesting story. The two families struggle to keep their customs of peace rather than joining the patriots in the Revolutionary War, even though they are punished for it. The historical qualities felt right to me, though I admittedly don’t know much about Amish life. I would recommend this novel to those who like romance books and are not offended by frequent references to God and the Bible.
May 9, 2012
Kelly Long's Arms Of Love is a different kind of Amish novel. It takes place during the Revolutionary War. The Amish weren't considered backward then, they were just different, much like the Quakers. (Only the Quakers allowed a little bit more adornment on their clothing)
I have mixed feelings about this book. In some ways it is really fantastic. Kelly does a great job of giving us a glimpse of what the Amish were like when they first settled in Pennsylvania. It wasn't all a bed of roses, especially when you are a pacifist during war time.
Surprisingly enough, Kelly shows Adam and Lena as sexual beings. They don't have sex, but they have desire for one another. That's something you won't see in a lot of Amish fiction, because they keep it too Christian. (And you know Christian people don't do that) Sex is naughty...those babies are delivered by the stork!
Makes you wonder how those Amish people have all those kids!
But back to the story. Adam and Lena made a great couple. The historical detail was wonderful. The story was well written but a little bit lacking. Too much of what happened just seemed too easy or too unbelievable.
1. The resolution of the conflict between Adam and his father. This is just way too crazy to deal with.
2. Lena's snakebite! She was bit by a rattler and she recovered remarkably fast...On her wedding night, no less.
3. Samuel and Ruth's courtship. He didn't grieve for his wife very long.
4. Isaac, Adam's brother just didn't seem human to me, at all.
This isn't the greatest story about the Amish, but it is a good one that is worth reading if you are a fan of the genre.
I have mixed feelings about this book. In some ways it is really fantastic. Kelly does a great job of giving us a glimpse of what the Amish were like when they first settled in Pennsylvania. It wasn't all a bed of roses, especially when you are a pacifist during war time.
Surprisingly enough, Kelly shows Adam and Lena as sexual beings. They don't have sex, but they have desire for one another. That's something you won't see in a lot of Amish fiction, because they keep it too Christian. (And you know Christian people don't do that) Sex is naughty...those babies are delivered by the stork!
Makes you wonder how those Amish people have all those kids!
But back to the story. Adam and Lena made a great couple. The historical detail was wonderful. The story was well written but a little bit lacking. Too much of what happened just seemed too easy or too unbelievable.
1. The resolution of the conflict between Adam and his father. This is just way too crazy to deal with.
2. Lena's snakebite! She was bit by a rattler and she recovered remarkably fast...On her wedding night, no less.
3. Samuel and Ruth's courtship. He didn't grieve for his wife very long.
4. Isaac, Adam's brother just didn't seem human to me, at all.
This isn't the greatest story about the Amish, but it is a good one that is worth reading if you are a fan of the genre.
May 6, 2012
I just read another awesome novel by Kelly Long. As the book description says, it takes place in 1777 which was during a time of upheaval in Pennsylvania. The understanding Kelly brings to this novel is phenomenal, and I loved learning more about the early days of the Amish.
During this time, the faith of many of the characters are tested...Adam and Lena in particular, but also their families. Sadness is predominant at the beginning of the novel, but gives way to happiness at the end. It deleves deaply into the subject of a person acts the way they do, and how past decisions, situations and happenings can determine the way we look at things, or react to circumstances in the presence.
I dreaded coming to the end of the novel, because I did not want to leave the characters. They grow on you as they grow in their Christian lives, and I loved them.
I believe that that is where the saying of my dad comes from – Believe only half of what you see, and nothing of what you hear.
In the back of the book, Kelly has included a reading group guide as well as a four week Bible Study that can be done individually or as a group, based on the novel. Reading trhough both sets of questions, I feel they are valuable in learning to apply what you have read to your own life.
I would recommend this novel to my friends, and feel they could come away with a satifaction of having read it.
I received this novel from ThomasNelson through their Booksneeze program free in exchange for an honest review. The opinions stated are my own! Thank you ThomasNelson for your great program.
June 26, 2012
Set in colonial America, the Amish families suffer persecution from the colonists because they do not fight against the British and from the British because they are colonists. Adam is the son of an Amish family that holds some authority in their neighborhood Amish community. Adam has loved Lena for several years and they look forward to marrying, but on her deathbed, Lena's mother Mary makes Adam promise to stay away from Lena until he is no longer under a dark cloud. When Adam tells Lena that the can no longer be together, she vows to marry is brother. Between the difficulties of life, Adam discovers a truth that he has tried to forget for many years, and comes to forgive his father for beating him.
This is a very tender story of strength, forgiveness, and love, with well thought out characters, and involving plot twists. One rarely remembers that while fighting for their own freedom, colonists were lax to extend those same ideas to others. Viewing the Amish way of life through a historical lens adds interest to the story, as does other elements of the setting such as the frequent deaths that surrounded everybody's lives. This is a book for readers that enjoy a love story deeper than a mere romance, along with the interesting history of the setting.
Received Galley from NetGalley.com
This is a very tender story of strength, forgiveness, and love, with well thought out characters, and involving plot twists. One rarely remembers that while fighting for their own freedom, colonists were lax to extend those same ideas to others. Viewing the Amish way of life through a historical lens adds interest to the story, as does other elements of the setting such as the frequent deaths that surrounded everybody's lives. This is a book for readers that enjoy a love story deeper than a mere romance, along with the interesting history of the setting.
Received Galley from NetGalley.com
July 7, 2012
In short, this book is about a young lady, Lena, & her struggles - both her struggles to listen to her beloved father, her struggles to do what is right & her struggles to listen to what she believes God is telling her to do.
The book begins with Lena's love interest, Adam, making a promise to Lena's dying mother. As with most romance books, most of the anguish of the book could have been solved if Adam just told Lena of his promise to her mother - but he doesn't. The rest of the book is about how he struggles to keep his promise, how their romance is resolved, so they can live happily ever after. There's a few minor mysteries that are solved along the way as well.
This book takes place during the Revolutionary war, but those seeking a historical fiction book won't really see any history in the book. There's a few brief mentions of going off to fight the war, & Adam is friends with a military man, but over all, this is more of an Amish romance than a historical fiction book.
All & in all, I did greatly enjoy the book & read it in just a couple of days, which is amazing for me these days. I felt it was a little slow in the middle, & I wish it had ended a little sooner (instead of adding a couple more scenes after what I felt was a nice climatic ending), but I did enjoy reading the tale of Lena, Adam, & his brother Issac.
The book begins with Lena's love interest, Adam, making a promise to Lena's dying mother. As with most romance books, most of the anguish of the book could have been solved if Adam just told Lena of his promise to her mother - but he doesn't. The rest of the book is about how he struggles to keep his promise, how their romance is resolved, so they can live happily ever after. There's a few minor mysteries that are solved along the way as well.
This book takes place during the Revolutionary war, but those seeking a historical fiction book won't really see any history in the book. There's a few brief mentions of going off to fight the war, & Adam is friends with a military man, but over all, this is more of an Amish romance than a historical fiction book.
All & in all, I did greatly enjoy the book & read it in just a couple of days, which is amazing for me these days. I felt it was a little slow in the middle, & I wish it had ended a little sooner (instead of adding a couple more scenes after what I felt was a nice climatic ending), but I did enjoy reading the tale of Lena, Adam, & his brother Issac.
June 30, 2016
Arms of Love by Kelly Long is a uniquely styled story. I have read other books in an Amish setting, but never have I come across something quite like this. It is set in the late 18th century and is largely a romance, but there are also elements of suspense, jealousy, scandal and tough topics such as abuse, loss and post traumatic stress disorder. While the topics are vast, the subplots mesh well.
There are characters that are likable and those that are intended to be disliked, but the author does a fine job at addressing the inner demons that are a struggle for some and understanding replaces disdain for even the most deviant of character. Adam Wyse is by far one of my favorite male heroins. Although he suffers profusely from the trauma of his past, he remains incredibly giving and is very much a masculine, but tender gentleman.
The ending fell a little too easily into place for my liking, but it was still satisfying and I look forward to reading more from Kelly Long. I recommend Arms of Love to fans of historical romance, Christian fiction and Amish fiction fans. There are some interesting discussion topics for reading clubs. Reading guide questions are included at the end of the book.
There are characters that are likable and those that are intended to be disliked, but the author does a fine job at addressing the inner demons that are a struggle for some and understanding replaces disdain for even the most deviant of character. Adam Wyse is by far one of my favorite male heroins. Although he suffers profusely from the trauma of his past, he remains incredibly giving and is very much a masculine, but tender gentleman.
The ending fell a little too easily into place for my liking, but it was still satisfying and I look forward to reading more from Kelly Long. I recommend Arms of Love to fans of historical romance, Christian fiction and Amish fiction fans. There are some interesting discussion topics for reading clubs. Reading guide questions are included at the end of the book.
May 9, 2012
An absolutely great read. Very different from the average Amish romance story. In this one we see some of the abusive parenting, conflicting emotions with spiritual beliefs, and the normal "I'll try it my way rather than wait for God" human emotions that we all encounter in our lives including the Amish. Just before she dies, Adam makes a promise to his intended's mother not believing that she will really die. Can he keep his promise? Is it necessary to keep a promise to someone who is dead? This is the story of how Adam manages to come to grips with his emotional terrors, his father's abuse, his brother's indifference, and his love for Lena even though her family doesn't approve. Can he solve his problems without running away to war? The book was easy to read, the story gripping and suspenseful. I read it in one long night and was most impressed. I will definitely be looking for more books by Kelly Long. The back of the book contains a four week bible study on the novel which would be wonderful for a group study. Not only do the questions pertain to the story but ask the reader to really delve into her beliefs and practices.
August 30, 2012
The year is 1777. America is in turmoil. And Amish life is far different from today.
Pennsylvania in the late 18th century, once called William Penn's Woods, is populated with an assortment of different faiths living together for the first time in American history. Included in this tapestry is a small and struggling group called the Amsih.
Surrounding this peaceful people are unavoidable threats. Both Patriots and the British are pillaging land and goods for the sake of the war. Young Amishmen are leaving the faith to take up arms and defend freedom. A simple walk in the untamed forests could result in death- from bullet, arrow or wild animal.
Amid the chaos, Adam Wyse is fighting a personal battle. To join the war efforts and leave his faith would mean walking away from the only woman he's ever loved: Lena Yoder. But because of his love for her, he's made a promise that may keep them apart permanently.
When Adam withdraws from Lena, she's forced to turn to his brother, Isaac, for support. Must Lena deny her heart's desire to help Adam's soul? And will life in this feral and primitive New World be more than this peacekeeping people can withstand?
Pennsylvania in the late 18th century, once called William Penn's Woods, is populated with an assortment of different faiths living together for the first time in American history. Included in this tapestry is a small and struggling group called the Amsih.
Surrounding this peaceful people are unavoidable threats. Both Patriots and the British are pillaging land and goods for the sake of the war. Young Amishmen are leaving the faith to take up arms and defend freedom. A simple walk in the untamed forests could result in death- from bullet, arrow or wild animal.
Amid the chaos, Adam Wyse is fighting a personal battle. To join the war efforts and leave his faith would mean walking away from the only woman he's ever loved: Lena Yoder. But because of his love for her, he's made a promise that may keep them apart permanently.
When Adam withdraws from Lena, she's forced to turn to his brother, Isaac, for support. Must Lena deny her heart's desire to help Adam's soul? And will life in this feral and primitive New World be more than this peacekeeping people can withstand?
February 27, 2016
Set in the Revolutionary War time period, this book is the first in a series, "Amish Beginnings". That alone requires extra research by the writer but also allows the author to write a different kind of Amish story. I truly liked this book and plan to read the entire series.
Ms. Long adds more Amish terminology than has become standard. For me, I found this an extra nice touch although others my differ.
I made quite a few highlights as I read this book. It was hard to pick my favorite. The following is from Chapter 24 and does a good job of conveying the "message" of the book.
At the end of the book the author provides a four-week Bible study on the novel which can be done alone or in a read or Bible study group. I'd like to do study too.
Highly recommend.
Ms. Long adds more Amish terminology than has become standard. For me, I found this an extra nice touch although others my differ.
I made quite a few highlights as I read this book. It was hard to pick my favorite. The following is from Chapter 24 and does a good job of conveying the "message" of the book.
"...if you believe God is on your side, then you don't have to try to be your own god, or make your own decisions based on what you think is right, but maybe not on what He wants..."
At the end of the book the author provides a four-week Bible study on the novel which can be done alone or in a read or Bible study group. I'd like to do study too.
Highly recommend.
April 28, 2012
A very different type of Amish Story, with a lot of Historical reference. It takes place in Lancaster PA, but not the current Amish population. The Bishop doesn't come around all that often, and the district sounds huge, but a small number of Amish. Weddings can only happen when he comes, and it could be many months in between.
There are a lot of sad happenings in this story, death in childbirth, loss of a spouse in war, and home burning down, murder, imprisonment, and horrible child abuse. Not really happy topics.
The story did keep me turning the page, and kept my interest. It takes awhile for all of this to work out, and some of the happenings are so different that what we are used to with Amish stories.
I received this book from the Publisher Thomas Nelson, and Netgalley, and was not required to give a positive review.
There are a lot of sad happenings in this story, death in childbirth, loss of a spouse in war, and home burning down, murder, imprisonment, and horrible child abuse. Not really happy topics.
The story did keep me turning the page, and kept my interest. It takes awhile for all of this to work out, and some of the happenings are so different that what we are used to with Amish stories.
I received this book from the Publisher Thomas Nelson, and Netgalley, and was not required to give a positive review.
June 26, 2012
Though I am not really a big fan of Amish novels (it just seems like if you have read one, you have read them all), somehow this book attracted me enough to buy it. Having finished it, I am happy to say that I do not feel like I wasted my money! I liked that this book was historical - set back in the Revolutionary War era. This was a great story of two young people thwarted in love by a promise the young man made to the girl's dying mother. Through all of its twists and turns, the story never failed to keep my interest. I didn't agree with some of the spiritual "experiences" in the book but that did not detract from my overall enjoyment of the novel. Definitely looking for more books by this author...
January 18, 2014
I didn't really care for this book. The two main characters, Lena Yoder and Adam Wyse, are madly in love with each other. But a promise keeps Adam Wyse from marrying Lena Yoder. So Adam Wyse tells Lena Yoder that he can't be her "boyfriend" anymore, but he still loves her. Most of the story are of them going back and forth. It wasn't worth reading and I don't consider it a Christian novel. So I don't know why I bothered finishing it. However, I do liked that some of the story was about forgiveness. Adam Wyse's father was physically abusive to him when he was little and was emotionally abusive when he got older. Towards the end of the story something happens, and his father finally sees how wrong he has been to his son, and he asks for forgiveness to Adam and especially, to God.
September 15, 2016
Although reading about what the Amish looked like during the Revolutionary War era was fairly interesting, I just didn't care for the book too much mainly because I didn't like any of the characters, so I didn't particularly care what happened to them except for two things. First, I was glad that Adam and his father were able to get deliverance from and feel true forgiveness from God for something from their past that had plagued them until their present, which also helped heal their relationship with each other. Then, second, I was glad that Lena didn't marry the wrong brother in the end after all the confusion was settled. The writing itself was fairly decent though except for the character development.
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