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Snapshots in History #1
The Wings of Morning
Lovers of Amish fiction will quickly sign on as fans of award-winning author Murray Pura as they keep turning the pages of this exciting new historical romance set in 1917 during America’s participation in World War I.Jude Whetstone and Lyyndaya Kurtz, whose families are converts to the Amish faith, are slowly falling in love. Jude has also fallen in love with flying that new-fangled invention, the aeroplane.The Amish communities have rejected the telephone and have forbidden motorcar ownership but not yet electricity or aeroplanes.Though exempt from military service on religious grounds, Jude is manipulated by unscrupulous army officers into enlisting in order to protect several Amish men. No one in the community understands Jude’s sudden enlistment and so he is shunned. Lyyndaya’s despair deepens at the reports that Jude has been shot down in France. In her grief, she turns to nursing Spanish flu victims in Philadelphia. After many months of caring for stricken soldiers, Lyyndaya is stunned when an emaciated Jude turns up in her ward.Lyyndaya’s joy at receiving Jude back from the dead is quickly diminished when the Amish leadership insist the shunning remain in force. How then can they marry without the blessing of their families? Will happiness elude them forever?Welcome a powerful new voice to the world of Amish fiction!
306 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 1, 2012
47 people are currently reading
868 people want to read
About the author
Murray Pura
149 books748 followersreader, writer, author, free thinker
books published in 2023
KINGFISHER CROSS
NEVENA IN LOVE
CLARA RAVEN
UNDER THE STONES
available on Amazon, B&N, Indigo, etc.
listed for Best Series of the Year Award 2023
Hemingway Award 2022 Seattle
Word Guild Award 2022, 2012 Toronto
books published in 2023
KINGFISHER CROSS
NEVENA IN LOVE
CLARA RAVEN
UNDER THE STONES
available on Amazon, B&N, Indigo, etc.
listed for Best Series of the Year Award 2023
Hemingway Award 2022 Seattle
Word Guild Award 2022, 2012 Toronto
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews
June 1, 2024
🦅 The Wings of Morning 1917 🦅
☀️ I wrote this book because the year America entered the Great War, 1917, was a turning point for the Amish in the US. Henry Ford was rolling out cars - would the Amish drive them or not? Airplanes were filling the skies - would the Amish choose to fly in them? Power lines were going up and people had to choose whether they were going to go on the grid or stay off the grid - what would the Amish do about electricity? America was on the world stage in a world war the Amish would not fight - how would the Amish handle the persecution that fell upon them because they were conscientious objectors like the Quakers, Hutterites, Mennonites and others?
🦅 In this story, a young Amish man is forced to fly in the war in order to protect his community from further persecution. But he makes a vow to God, and to the young woman who is the love of his heart, that he will never take a human life. Then he takes to the air, as he is ordered to do, committed to fulfilling that vow, come what may, in the skies over France, with German planes darting and diving all around him, threatening his life and the lives of those in his squadron.
🦅☀️ This is one of the books I felt was important to write for so many reasons. For those of you who pick it up, I hope the story means something to you too and, in some way, fills your heart and soul with good. It’s about love on so many different levels. And sacrifice - sacrifice that is not always understood or appreciated or honored.
☀️ I wrote this book because the year America entered the Great War, 1917, was a turning point for the Amish in the US. Henry Ford was rolling out cars - would the Amish drive them or not? Airplanes were filling the skies - would the Amish choose to fly in them? Power lines were going up and people had to choose whether they were going to go on the grid or stay off the grid - what would the Amish do about electricity? America was on the world stage in a world war the Amish would not fight - how would the Amish handle the persecution that fell upon them because they were conscientious objectors like the Quakers, Hutterites, Mennonites and others?
🦅 In this story, a young Amish man is forced to fly in the war in order to protect his community from further persecution. But he makes a vow to God, and to the young woman who is the love of his heart, that he will never take a human life. Then he takes to the air, as he is ordered to do, committed to fulfilling that vow, come what may, in the skies over France, with German planes darting and diving all around him, threatening his life and the lives of those in his squadron.
🦅☀️ This is one of the books I felt was important to write for so many reasons. For those of you who pick it up, I hope the story means something to you too and, in some way, fills your heart and soul with good. It’s about love on so many different levels. And sacrifice - sacrifice that is not always understood or appreciated or honored.
September 18, 2023
I’ve had this one waiting in the wings for a while.
The genre blurb includes Christian, Amish Fiction, Romance and World War One, which I thought was an interesting combination.
I gave it a go because I’ve never read anything about the Amish before.
The novel is steeped in the scripture, the lifestyle and ‘Meidung’ (shunning) practices of this community. For that, it was such a refreshing, new reading experience for me.
Thank you, Mr Murray Pura, for the enjoyment of your story that took me to unfamiliar places.
The genre blurb includes Christian, Amish Fiction, Romance and World War One, which I thought was an interesting combination.
I gave it a go because I’ve never read anything about the Amish before.
The novel is steeped in the scripture, the lifestyle and ‘Meidung’ (shunning) practices of this community. For that, it was such a refreshing, new reading experience for me.
Thank you, Mr Murray Pura, for the enjoyment of your story that took me to unfamiliar places.
October 9, 2012
Besides the fact that I simply adore Murray Pura as a colleague and now friend, this was the first of his books that I have read. After reading this one, I can assure everyone that ALL of his books will adorn my bookshelves!
I will read all of his Amish books. There were two unique things that set this apart from other Amish books that I have read. First, the setting is in the past. Murray Pura is quite the historian and I love books that provide detailed insight into history. He is a masterful writer and knows how to weave the story around history. Bravo! The second thing was the detailed character development of BOTH the female and the male character. I really like books that provide well-written insight into both the female AND male protagonists.
I look forward to reading many more books from Murray Pura. My next one will be the Rose of Lancaster.
I will read all of his Amish books. There were two unique things that set this apart from other Amish books that I have read. First, the setting is in the past. Murray Pura is quite the historian and I love books that provide detailed insight into history. He is a masterful writer and knows how to weave the story around history. Bravo! The second thing was the detailed character development of BOTH the female and the male character. I really like books that provide well-written insight into both the female AND male protagonists.
I look forward to reading many more books from Murray Pura. My next one will be the Rose of Lancaster.
April 1, 2022
I read Amish fiction when it first became popular, but I soon found that so many of the books followed a formulaic pattern that made them all seem the same. So I don't read much Amish fiction any more. But Murray Pura's book is definitely the exception to the rule with a fresh and interesting plot.
Lyndaya Kurtz and her friend Jude, Amish young adults, both care for one another; but Jude's interest in flyng airplanes just may be the explosive that breaks their relationship and leads Jude to be shunned. The Bishop has limited Jude's flying to just taking people up in the air and nothing more.
When World War 1 breaks out in 1917 and the US enters, Jude is drafted but uses the Amish belief in peace and not taking lives to be exempted. But after a talk with his Captain, Jude finds he has no choice but to become a pilot in the Army Air Corps. Shunning procedures begin and Jude and Lyndaya are both devestated that this will happen. But what did the Captain say to Jude that caused him to go ahead and fight in World War 1? Only his buddies knew and they vowed to never tell.
Well written with excellent historical research, Pura kept my attention from start to finish and created an Amish fiction novel that is well worth reading.
Lyndaya Kurtz and her friend Jude, Amish young adults, both care for one another; but Jude's interest in flyng airplanes just may be the explosive that breaks their relationship and leads Jude to be shunned. The Bishop has limited Jude's flying to just taking people up in the air and nothing more.
When World War 1 breaks out in 1917 and the US enters, Jude is drafted but uses the Amish belief in peace and not taking lives to be exempted. But after a talk with his Captain, Jude finds he has no choice but to become a pilot in the Army Air Corps. Shunning procedures begin and Jude and Lyndaya are both devestated that this will happen. But what did the Captain say to Jude that caused him to go ahead and fight in World War 1? Only his buddies knew and they vowed to never tell.
Well written with excellent historical research, Pura kept my attention from start to finish and created an Amish fiction novel that is well worth reading.
May 25, 2012
Title: THE WINGS OF MORNING
Author: Murray Pura
Publisher: Harvest House Publishers
February 2012
ISBN: 978-0-7369-4877-7
Genre: Inspirational/historical/Amish
Lynndaya Kurtz is working in her garden when an aeroplane flies overhead and then lands in the hayfield. She and everyone else in the community run out there to meet the pilot, who turns out to be Lyyndaya’s friend, Jude Whetstone. Jude takes the bishop up first, then Lynndaya, flying upside down and everything at Lynndaya’s demands.
The community is scandalized by Lynndaya’s behavior in the plane, and she’s barely back on solid ground when her parents are scolding her for having anything to do with Jude Whetstone. Much to Lynndaya’s dismay, she’s forced to write Jude a letter, breaking things off before they even begin.
When war breaks out, Lynndaya and Jude find themselves separated by more than just disapproving parents. Thousands of miles and an ocean now separate them. Not to mention a forced shunning because Jude enlists to fight in the war. What will it take to bring Lynndaya and Jude back together? Or, is it too late for both of them?
THE WINGS OF MORNING is the first book I’ve read by Murray Pura but I’m sure it won’t be the last. I wasn’t sure what to expect of this book. I loaned it to a friend who handed it back to me with the comments that he has all his historical facts wrong. I didn’t see anything wrong, though I did double check a couple details for accuracy.
I couldn’t help but fall in love with Lynndaya—a spunky Amish girl who’s a tomboy at heart, and Jude, an Amish man with one foot in the world. Historical fiction fans and Amish fans alike will love this novel. Don’t miss THE WINGS OF MORNING. $13.99. 300 pages.
Author: Murray Pura
Publisher: Harvest House Publishers
February 2012
ISBN: 978-0-7369-4877-7
Genre: Inspirational/historical/Amish
Lynndaya Kurtz is working in her garden when an aeroplane flies overhead and then lands in the hayfield. She and everyone else in the community run out there to meet the pilot, who turns out to be Lyyndaya’s friend, Jude Whetstone. Jude takes the bishop up first, then Lynndaya, flying upside down and everything at Lynndaya’s demands.
The community is scandalized by Lynndaya’s behavior in the plane, and she’s barely back on solid ground when her parents are scolding her for having anything to do with Jude Whetstone. Much to Lynndaya’s dismay, she’s forced to write Jude a letter, breaking things off before they even begin.
When war breaks out, Lynndaya and Jude find themselves separated by more than just disapproving parents. Thousands of miles and an ocean now separate them. Not to mention a forced shunning because Jude enlists to fight in the war. What will it take to bring Lynndaya and Jude back together? Or, is it too late for both of them?
THE WINGS OF MORNING is the first book I’ve read by Murray Pura but I’m sure it won’t be the last. I wasn’t sure what to expect of this book. I loaned it to a friend who handed it back to me with the comments that he has all his historical facts wrong. I didn’t see anything wrong, though I did double check a couple details for accuracy.
I couldn’t help but fall in love with Lynndaya—a spunky Amish girl who’s a tomboy at heart, and Jude, an Amish man with one foot in the world. Historical fiction fans and Amish fans alike will love this novel. Don’t miss THE WINGS OF MORNING. $13.99. 300 pages.
January 28, 2018
An exciting and inspirational romance, though I was shocked to discover that the author was male.
(Did anyone else think of Disney Channel star Zendaya while reading Lyyndaya's name? I definitely did; then again, I'm a big fan of the Mouse network.)
(Did anyone else think of Disney Channel star Zendaya while reading Lyyndaya's name? I definitely did; then again, I'm a big fan of the Mouse network.)
January 31, 2012
GENRE: HISTORICAL/AMISH/ROMANCE
PUBLISHER: HARVEST HOUSE
PUBLICATION DATE: FEBRUARY 01, 2012
RATING: 5 OUT OF 5 – NEAR PERFECT
PROS: Well-researched historical detail; encouraging presentation of the Amish; gets the reader emotionally invested in the story
CONS: None!
It is 1917 and the Amish have not yet decided whether to ban the flying machines that are taking the country by storm. While they abhor the use of them as a weapon of war across on the frontlines of France, Jude Whetstone has been allowed to take flying lessons in Philadelphia and members of the Lapp Amish community are amazed at the tricks that his plane can do. But Jude is only intent on impressing one person – Lyyndaya Kurtz, a childhood friend whose parents do not approve of his flying. Being banned from spending time with Jude is bad enough for Lyyndaya, but when Jude and several other young men from their community are imprisoned for refusing to fight in the war taking place in Europe, Lyyndaya wonders if she’ll ever get to see Jude again. When Jude’s friends are mysteriously released from military prison on the same day that he volunteers to fly on behalf of the United States Air Force, Lyyndaya’s fears are confirmed as Jude is placed under the bann. But soon she has matters closer to home to worry about, as her sister and various other members of the community fall ill with the Spanish Flu. While continuing to write letters to Jude that she knows he won’t be able to read until he returns home, Lyyndaya helps the local doctor nurse her friends and family back to health. Meanwhile, Jude is quickly being lifted up in the ranks of aviation as members of the Air Force witness his flying abilities. But can he bring himself to kill? And even if he manages to survive the war without taking another man’s life, will he ever be accepted back into his community? And will they ever understand why he felt called to sign up?
Just as with Ruth Reid’s The Promise of an Angel, I was doubtful as to whether this unusual blend of genres would work. And just as I was completely won over by the angelic characters in Ruth’s novel, I completely fell in love with Murray Pura’s take on the Amish during the First World War. The Wings of Morning wasn’t simply an attempt to break out of the typical mould of Amish romances by sticking the story in front of the backdrop of WWI. Murray’s writing showed that he’d researched not only military camps and bases, the treatment of conscientious objectors and the role that aeroplanes played in WWI, but the actual flying of these planes. I don’t claim to be an expert on early twentieth century flying machines but I’ve visited the Museum of Flight in East Fortune and listened to my dad talking about aviation enough to figure out that the descriptions given in this novel had to be based on research. I never thought I’d enjoy reading flight sequences but Jude and Lyyndaya’s descriptions of their experiences surprised me and made me think about what it would have been like to fly in one of the open-cockpit planes that were flown in this period.
Murray presents us with a view of the Amish that hasn’t been overly explored before. Nowadays, we think of them as a religious group who have rejected many modern conveniences. But The Wings of Morning visits the Amish while they’re still trying to figure out whether or not to permit the use of electricity and aeroplanes, having recently banned the telephone and ownership of motorcars. The picture presented in this novel is not of religious leaders who wish to make life hard for their followers by rejecting the use of certain technologies, but of a group determined to preserve the bonds of family and community over convenience. The leaders of Jude’s community struggle to come to an agreement over how they should deal with his interest in flying and are unhappy when they feel they must shun him when he agrees to use his flying skills in the war in Europe. Murray definitely seems to have captured the essence of what we “Englishers” admire about the Amish, and while he doesn’t openly endorse their way of life, he presents the dilemmas and struggles that made them into the iconic people we see them as today.
The biggest issue surrounding the shunning of aeroplanes is that they can be used as a weapon of warfare, and although the Lapp Amish community may be joyful when watching Jude flying his plane at their Fourth of July picnic, they are acutely aware that the aeroplane is a force that can be used for good and evil. Jude struggles with this dilemma also when he finds himself based in France. He does not want to kill, but how can he sit by idly as his friends are shot down by enemy planes? Murray does not condemn nor endorse pacifism, and I appreciated that he didn’t take sides on this issue. I found myself becoming increasingly wrapped up in Jude’s struggle and wondered how I would react in a similar situation. While ideologically I oppose to the concept of war, I don’t think I could suggest that my country should not defend itself if it were attacked. The Wings of Morning subtly discussed this idea, as both Jude and Lyyndaya serve their countrymen and without compromising their beliefs.
I would class The Wings of Morning as a historical novel, but it does contain a romantic aspect to it. But because Jude and Lyyndaya are kept apart for the majority of the story it does not take on the conventional romantic structure that readers of Amish fiction will be familiar with. Jude and Lyyndaya are unable to receive letters from each other, but continue to write in the hope that when Jude returns from war he will be accepted back into the community and then they can read each others’ letters. I loved this device, as it kept the reader aware of the characters’ emotions regarding their relationship and gave them each a place to express their feelings about the wider situation of the war and the Spanish Flu. Of course, Jude and Lyyndaya get their happy ending eventually, but I felt it appropriate that the novel ended on a positive note considering all that they had suffered over the course of the book.
The Wings of Morning crosses the genres of historical, Amish and romantic fiction and will hopefully appeal to readers of each of these groups. Murray Pura shows the beginnings of being a popular voice in inspirational fiction and I look forward to reading more emotionally stirring and well-researched depictions of history in the next volume in his Snapshots in History series.
Review title provided by Harvest House Publishers.
PUBLISHER: HARVEST HOUSE
PUBLICATION DATE: FEBRUARY 01, 2012
RATING: 5 OUT OF 5 – NEAR PERFECT
PROS: Well-researched historical detail; encouraging presentation of the Amish; gets the reader emotionally invested in the story
CONS: None!
It is 1917 and the Amish have not yet decided whether to ban the flying machines that are taking the country by storm. While they abhor the use of them as a weapon of war across on the frontlines of France, Jude Whetstone has been allowed to take flying lessons in Philadelphia and members of the Lapp Amish community are amazed at the tricks that his plane can do. But Jude is only intent on impressing one person – Lyyndaya Kurtz, a childhood friend whose parents do not approve of his flying. Being banned from spending time with Jude is bad enough for Lyyndaya, but when Jude and several other young men from their community are imprisoned for refusing to fight in the war taking place in Europe, Lyyndaya wonders if she’ll ever get to see Jude again. When Jude’s friends are mysteriously released from military prison on the same day that he volunteers to fly on behalf of the United States Air Force, Lyyndaya’s fears are confirmed as Jude is placed under the bann. But soon she has matters closer to home to worry about, as her sister and various other members of the community fall ill with the Spanish Flu. While continuing to write letters to Jude that she knows he won’t be able to read until he returns home, Lyyndaya helps the local doctor nurse her friends and family back to health. Meanwhile, Jude is quickly being lifted up in the ranks of aviation as members of the Air Force witness his flying abilities. But can he bring himself to kill? And even if he manages to survive the war without taking another man’s life, will he ever be accepted back into his community? And will they ever understand why he felt called to sign up?
Just as with Ruth Reid’s The Promise of an Angel, I was doubtful as to whether this unusual blend of genres would work. And just as I was completely won over by the angelic characters in Ruth’s novel, I completely fell in love with Murray Pura’s take on the Amish during the First World War. The Wings of Morning wasn’t simply an attempt to break out of the typical mould of Amish romances by sticking the story in front of the backdrop of WWI. Murray’s writing showed that he’d researched not only military camps and bases, the treatment of conscientious objectors and the role that aeroplanes played in WWI, but the actual flying of these planes. I don’t claim to be an expert on early twentieth century flying machines but I’ve visited the Museum of Flight in East Fortune and listened to my dad talking about aviation enough to figure out that the descriptions given in this novel had to be based on research. I never thought I’d enjoy reading flight sequences but Jude and Lyyndaya’s descriptions of their experiences surprised me and made me think about what it would have been like to fly in one of the open-cockpit planes that were flown in this period.
Murray presents us with a view of the Amish that hasn’t been overly explored before. Nowadays, we think of them as a religious group who have rejected many modern conveniences. But The Wings of Morning visits the Amish while they’re still trying to figure out whether or not to permit the use of electricity and aeroplanes, having recently banned the telephone and ownership of motorcars. The picture presented in this novel is not of religious leaders who wish to make life hard for their followers by rejecting the use of certain technologies, but of a group determined to preserve the bonds of family and community over convenience. The leaders of Jude’s community struggle to come to an agreement over how they should deal with his interest in flying and are unhappy when they feel they must shun him when he agrees to use his flying skills in the war in Europe. Murray definitely seems to have captured the essence of what we “Englishers” admire about the Amish, and while he doesn’t openly endorse their way of life, he presents the dilemmas and struggles that made them into the iconic people we see them as today.
The biggest issue surrounding the shunning of aeroplanes is that they can be used as a weapon of warfare, and although the Lapp Amish community may be joyful when watching Jude flying his plane at their Fourth of July picnic, they are acutely aware that the aeroplane is a force that can be used for good and evil. Jude struggles with this dilemma also when he finds himself based in France. He does not want to kill, but how can he sit by idly as his friends are shot down by enemy planes? Murray does not condemn nor endorse pacifism, and I appreciated that he didn’t take sides on this issue. I found myself becoming increasingly wrapped up in Jude’s struggle and wondered how I would react in a similar situation. While ideologically I oppose to the concept of war, I don’t think I could suggest that my country should not defend itself if it were attacked. The Wings of Morning subtly discussed this idea, as both Jude and Lyyndaya serve their countrymen and without compromising their beliefs.
I would class The Wings of Morning as a historical novel, but it does contain a romantic aspect to it. But because Jude and Lyyndaya are kept apart for the majority of the story it does not take on the conventional romantic structure that readers of Amish fiction will be familiar with. Jude and Lyyndaya are unable to receive letters from each other, but continue to write in the hope that when Jude returns from war he will be accepted back into the community and then they can read each others’ letters. I loved this device, as it kept the reader aware of the characters’ emotions regarding their relationship and gave them each a place to express their feelings about the wider situation of the war and the Spanish Flu. Of course, Jude and Lyyndaya get their happy ending eventually, but I felt it appropriate that the novel ended on a positive note considering all that they had suffered over the course of the book.
The Wings of Morning crosses the genres of historical, Amish and romantic fiction and will hopefully appeal to readers of each of these groups. Murray Pura shows the beginnings of being a popular voice in inspirational fiction and I look forward to reading more emotionally stirring and well-researched depictions of history in the next volume in his Snapshots in History series.
Review title provided by Harvest House Publishers.
February 23, 2016
Those who know me know that I am not usually a fan of Amish fiction. For some reason or other they've never really appealed to me. . .I think they're just no my style.
However, I LOVE historical fiction. So when my sister randomly pulled it out of a shelf at our church library, the front cover and description seemed interesting enough that I thought I'd give it a try.
I'm so glad I did! This was totally unlike all the other Amish books I've tried over the years. While there was some romance, it wasn't the main focus of the book, which I really appreciated.
Yeah. I just really, really enjoyed the book. It was a lot different for me in more was then one. 1st simply because of the fact that it was Amish fiction, and 2nd because it was set during WWI. It was very interesting to learn more about the aerial warfare if WWI. It surprised me just how much the "aeroplanes" were used towards the end of the war. I think a lot of the time we think of WWII as the start of aerial warfare. And while it was, the new-fangled aeroplanes were also used quite successfully toward the end of WWI. So that was super interesting to read about.
The conflict Jude faced was shown really well. I was never just quite sure how it would all end up, and the ending, when we finally got there, was just beautiful.
And of course Lyyndaya was just so sweet! The struggles she went were shown very realistically. Would she stay true to her amish faith? Was there any way God could have a plan in all that had happened?
Even though she was quite a bit different, the things she struggled with made her very relatable and I truly enjoyed learning more about her through the course of the book.
So yes, I loved the book. And now I'm really looking forward to the next two books in the series! :)
*A caution to younger readers. There are two semi-detailed kisses toward the end of the book. It didn't bother me too much, because it was only touched on, and that pretty much all there was in the whole book. :)
However, I LOVE historical fiction. So when my sister randomly pulled it out of a shelf at our church library, the front cover and description seemed interesting enough that I thought I'd give it a try.
I'm so glad I did! This was totally unlike all the other Amish books I've tried over the years. While there was some romance, it wasn't the main focus of the book, which I really appreciated.
Yeah. I just really, really enjoyed the book. It was a lot different for me in more was then one. 1st simply because of the fact that it was Amish fiction, and 2nd because it was set during WWI. It was very interesting to learn more about the aerial warfare if WWI. It surprised me just how much the "aeroplanes" were used towards the end of the war. I think a lot of the time we think of WWII as the start of aerial warfare. And while it was, the new-fangled aeroplanes were also used quite successfully toward the end of WWI. So that was super interesting to read about.
The conflict Jude faced was shown really well. I was never just quite sure how it would all end up, and the ending, when we finally got there, was just beautiful.
And of course Lyyndaya was just so sweet! The struggles she went were shown very realistically. Would she stay true to her amish faith? Was there any way God could have a plan in all that had happened?
Even though she was quite a bit different, the things she struggled with made her very relatable and I truly enjoyed learning more about her through the course of the book.
So yes, I loved the book. And now I'm really looking forward to the next two books in the series! :)
*A caution to younger readers. There are two semi-detailed kisses toward the end of the book. It didn't bother me too much, because it was only touched on, and that pretty much all there was in the whole book. :)
February 18, 2012
Refreshingly unique, and well done.
The one thing that really caught my eye about thia book was how different the premise was from other Amish books. And I loved every minute of it! Slightly reminding me of Gilbert Morris, Mr. Pura wove an engaging story about a young man full of honor and a commitment to doing his duty. We need more heroes like that! A book that made me smile and sigh, hoping that somehow the truth would come out, though non of the problems were caused by the lips of the main characters.
The Wings of Morning is an adventure about trusting God for the best, even when things seem their bleakest. And then taking those situations, and making the best out of them. Who knows? It might just be for such a time as that, that God chose you to endure a certain hardship for the glory of his kingdom.
I really liked how different this was from any Amish book I had read before, set in the changing times when things like telephones were just starting to get banned.
And if you haven't already guessed, my favorite character was Jude, for his honesty, and pure heart :)
Overall, a book that engaged me on all levels, I can't help but give it five stars! Very clean, and I would recommend it to young teens as well as adults, both girls and guys :) And as a closing, let me just say that I will certainly be looking out of more books by Mr. Pura in the future!
Final Rating : 5 out of 5
I received this book from the publisher in return for an honest review. I was not required to give a positive review. Just to be honest and respectful in sharing my thoughts. Thank you!
The one thing that really caught my eye about thia book was how different the premise was from other Amish books. And I loved every minute of it! Slightly reminding me of Gilbert Morris, Mr. Pura wove an engaging story about a young man full of honor and a commitment to doing his duty. We need more heroes like that! A book that made me smile and sigh, hoping that somehow the truth would come out, though non of the problems were caused by the lips of the main characters.
The Wings of Morning is an adventure about trusting God for the best, even when things seem their bleakest. And then taking those situations, and making the best out of them. Who knows? It might just be for such a time as that, that God chose you to endure a certain hardship for the glory of his kingdom.
I really liked how different this was from any Amish book I had read before, set in the changing times when things like telephones were just starting to get banned.
And if you haven't already guessed, my favorite character was Jude, for his honesty, and pure heart :)
Overall, a book that engaged me on all levels, I can't help but give it five stars! Very clean, and I would recommend it to young teens as well as adults, both girls and guys :) And as a closing, let me just say that I will certainly be looking out of more books by Mr. Pura in the future!
Final Rating : 5 out of 5
I received this book from the publisher in return for an honest review. I was not required to give a positive review. Just to be honest and respectful in sharing my thoughts. Thank you!
August 15, 2012
It is 1917, and the Amish have not yet decided whether or not to ban the areoplane, which is taking the country by storm, (they have also not decided on cars or electricity at this time.) While they are not allowed to use them in war, Jude Whetstone is allowed to take flying lessons in Philadelphia, and members of his Amish community are amazed at the tricks he can in his plane. Jude intends to keep flying as long he can before it is banned.
He is courting Lyyndaya Kurtz, whose parents don't approve of his flying. Her parents ban her from spending time with Jude. But when Jude and several young men from the community are imprisoned for refusing to fight in the war in Europe, she wonders if she will ever see him again. When Jude volunteers to fly on behalf of the US Air Force, despite his beliefs, he is shunned, and Lyyndaya is not permitted to send or receive letters from him.
But Lyyndaya has worries closer to home; she is busy helping the doctor nurse members of the community who are ill with the deadly Spanish flu.
Meanwhile, Jude is lifted up through the ranks of the Air Force because of his flying abilities, but can he bring himself to kill if he needs to?
This was an enjoyable read, the descriptions of flying were great, I felt like I was right up in the plane with Jude. The author made sure it was historically accurate too; there were many Amish and Mennonite men drafted into the war at that time, most served prison time and were treated harshly, but a few went to war, and were shunned by their communities, even in non-combat roles such as medics and ambulance drivers.
He is courting Lyyndaya Kurtz, whose parents don't approve of his flying. Her parents ban her from spending time with Jude. But when Jude and several young men from the community are imprisoned for refusing to fight in the war in Europe, she wonders if she will ever see him again. When Jude volunteers to fly on behalf of the US Air Force, despite his beliefs, he is shunned, and Lyyndaya is not permitted to send or receive letters from him.
But Lyyndaya has worries closer to home; she is busy helping the doctor nurse members of the community who are ill with the deadly Spanish flu.
Meanwhile, Jude is lifted up through the ranks of the Air Force because of his flying abilities, but can he bring himself to kill if he needs to?
This was an enjoyable read, the descriptions of flying were great, I felt like I was right up in the plane with Jude. The author made sure it was historically accurate too; there were many Amish and Mennonite men drafted into the war at that time, most served prison time and were treated harshly, but a few went to war, and were shunned by their communities, even in non-combat roles such as medics and ambulance drivers.
July 10, 2012
Murray Pura had me from the moment the plane came out of the sky to land in an Amish farm field! Pura’s characters are believable and real. The plot is well thought and makes you think ‘this may not be fiction’.
It’s 1917, and the Amish have not decided to reject planes and pilots, Jude is able to fly and he does. unfortunately he flies too well and is soon imprisoned at an Army base along with other ‘conscientious objectors’ from his home in Paradise PA.
All he wants is to do is serve the Lord and marry his sweetheart Lyyndaya, but there are other plans for his life, and hers.
Jude makes a surprising choice, with an even more surprising outcome.
Lyyndaya, finding herself compelled to do ‘something to help’, begins nursing victims of the Spanish flu epidemic, first at home and then in Philasdelphia.
The twists and turns of their story are as exciting and interesting as Jude’s arobatic flying.
Will Jude and Lynndaya find happiness?
Honestly, this was a book I could not stop reading and I give it 5 stars. This is the first book I have read by this author, it will not be the last!
It’s 1917, and the Amish have not decided to reject planes and pilots, Jude is able to fly and he does. unfortunately he flies too well and is soon imprisoned at an Army base along with other ‘conscientious objectors’ from his home in Paradise PA.
All he wants is to do is serve the Lord and marry his sweetheart Lyyndaya, but there are other plans for his life, and hers.
Jude makes a surprising choice, with an even more surprising outcome.
Lyyndaya, finding herself compelled to do ‘something to help’, begins nursing victims of the Spanish flu epidemic, first at home and then in Philasdelphia.
The twists and turns of their story are as exciting and interesting as Jude’s arobatic flying.
Will Jude and Lynndaya find happiness?
Honestly, this was a book I could not stop reading and I give it 5 stars. This is the first book I have read by this author, it will not be the last!
February 3, 2012
This is an Amish romance story, and nothing like any you have ever read before! The story is set beginning in 1917 and includes WWI and the Spanish Flu epidemic.
Lyyndaya Kurtz's family and the fellow she has eyes for Jude Whetstone's family are both converts to the Lapp Amish...very unusual. Again another unusual feature is Jude flying aeroplanes! When it is discovered what a great pilot he is, I can't stand what happens! I want to believe that these things happen in another Country, but not here...how naieve I am.
With this horrible War, and the Amish speaking German, and now a flu epidemic. You will wonder who is going to survive, never mind make a love match.
A great and unusual read. Do not miss this one!! It is a one of a kind!
I received this book from the Publisher Harvest House and was not required to give a positive review.
Lyyndaya Kurtz's family and the fellow she has eyes for Jude Whetstone's family are both converts to the Lapp Amish...very unusual. Again another unusual feature is Jude flying aeroplanes! When it is discovered what a great pilot he is, I can't stand what happens! I want to believe that these things happen in another Country, but not here...how naieve I am.
With this horrible War, and the Amish speaking German, and now a flu epidemic. You will wonder who is going to survive, never mind make a love match.
A great and unusual read. Do not miss this one!! It is a one of a kind!
I received this book from the Publisher Harvest House and was not required to give a positive review.
Read
August 11, 2012Minor glitches in the early flying scenes had me wondering if I should finish reading this book. I'm so glad I kept going! I learned so much - that the Amish once used telephones, that each new invention was met with soul-searching and not just immediate condemnation. And that many in this country condemned the Amish position against war and persecuted them for it - an ugly chapter in US history. The conflict built steadily to an amazing resolution that had me in tears. As pilots say, Attaboy, Murray Pura!
January 4, 2013
If you live in the Amish world you must learn to give up certain conveniences of the world, electricity, cars and modern technology. However in the small Amish town of Paradise, the subject of flight is still up for debate. So while it is not yet banned, Jude Whetstone continues to pilot his Curtis JN-4, the Jenny as he affectionately refers to it to the amazement of the residents below. But his heart belongs to more than the sky, it belongs to Lyyndaya Kurtz.
"If God had meant for us to fly, Master Whetstone, wouldn't he have given us wings?" asked the ever curious Bishop Zook.
"Bishop Zook," he responded, "if God had meant us to ride a buggy he would have given us wheels and four legs."
"Ah ha!" shouted the bishop, slapping his huge hand against his leg and making most of the people jump, including Lyyndaya. "You have it, Master Whetstone, you have it." He clapped his hands lightly in appreciation and a smattering of relieved laughter came from the small crowd. "So now take me up."
It's the year 1917 and while the war in Europe is brewing, the Amish are exempt from the draft because of their religious beliefs and their unwillingness to take the life of any man. However when a British pilot sees the remarkable ability that Jude exhibits being self taught, he feels he could be just the edge his squadron could use to prevent so many deaths on the front lines.
Soon the army shows up and proceeds to take the young men from the Amish community believing that they pose a threat to the war, speaking German and refusing to fight in the war. After countless months in prison and on the verge of watching some of his friends facing death, Jude learns there is a way to save them. If he is willing to enlist, his friends will be released and sent back home. It may be the greatest sacrifice of his life, for if Jude does this, he will lose the life he knew back in Paradise. He will be shunned and the love of his life, Lyyndaya will never be allowed to write or wait for him. It is the greatest punishment of the Amish community, but for the sake of his friends it may be worth the cost!
In the novel, The Wings of Morning by Murray Pura, the men in the Amish community must face extreme persecution for a crime they didn't commit. However in the eyes of the government, they treat them like spies and they undergo the worst treatment imaginable for people who don't understand their way of life. Once again Murray Pura blends the perfect genres of historical fiction along with Amish romance to create another unforgettable story. I would have never considered what the implications would have been for the Amish young men when faced with this difficult decision and applaud Murray Pura's portrayal of this storyline in his Snapshots of History series. This is the second book in the series and one I had been waiting to review after reading, The Face of Heaven, dealing with the Civil War. I was not disappointed and literally took my time reading this one. The richness of the details he manages to capture are unforgettable as well as the tenderness of love and romance appeal to the hopeful romantic in all of us.
I received The Wings of Morning by Murray Pura compliments of the author himself as a gift during a Christmas giveaway!!! While I was not required to review this book, I just knew I had to share it with fans of Historical Fiction and Amish Romance. I absolutely love this one because I am a huge fan of World War 1 and 2 fictional books and this took my favorite genre's to an entirely new level of delight!!! I would rate this one a 5 out of 5 stars and can't wait for his next book in this wonderful series! Trust me, this author will be on your must read list!!!
"If God had meant for us to fly, Master Whetstone, wouldn't he have given us wings?" asked the ever curious Bishop Zook.
"Bishop Zook," he responded, "if God had meant us to ride a buggy he would have given us wheels and four legs."
"Ah ha!" shouted the bishop, slapping his huge hand against his leg and making most of the people jump, including Lyyndaya. "You have it, Master Whetstone, you have it." He clapped his hands lightly in appreciation and a smattering of relieved laughter came from the small crowd. "So now take me up."
It's the year 1917 and while the war in Europe is brewing, the Amish are exempt from the draft because of their religious beliefs and their unwillingness to take the life of any man. However when a British pilot sees the remarkable ability that Jude exhibits being self taught, he feels he could be just the edge his squadron could use to prevent so many deaths on the front lines.
Soon the army shows up and proceeds to take the young men from the Amish community believing that they pose a threat to the war, speaking German and refusing to fight in the war. After countless months in prison and on the verge of watching some of his friends facing death, Jude learns there is a way to save them. If he is willing to enlist, his friends will be released and sent back home. It may be the greatest sacrifice of his life, for if Jude does this, he will lose the life he knew back in Paradise. He will be shunned and the love of his life, Lyyndaya will never be allowed to write or wait for him. It is the greatest punishment of the Amish community, but for the sake of his friends it may be worth the cost!
In the novel, The Wings of Morning by Murray Pura, the men in the Amish community must face extreme persecution for a crime they didn't commit. However in the eyes of the government, they treat them like spies and they undergo the worst treatment imaginable for people who don't understand their way of life. Once again Murray Pura blends the perfect genres of historical fiction along with Amish romance to create another unforgettable story. I would have never considered what the implications would have been for the Amish young men when faced with this difficult decision and applaud Murray Pura's portrayal of this storyline in his Snapshots of History series. This is the second book in the series and one I had been waiting to review after reading, The Face of Heaven, dealing with the Civil War. I was not disappointed and literally took my time reading this one. The richness of the details he manages to capture are unforgettable as well as the tenderness of love and romance appeal to the hopeful romantic in all of us.
I received The Wings of Morning by Murray Pura compliments of the author himself as a gift during a Christmas giveaway!!! While I was not required to review this book, I just knew I had to share it with fans of Historical Fiction and Amish Romance. I absolutely love this one because I am a huge fan of World War 1 and 2 fictional books and this took my favorite genre's to an entirely new level of delight!!! I would rate this one a 5 out of 5 stars and can't wait for his next book in this wonderful series! Trust me, this author will be on your must read list!!!
February 9, 2013
The Whetstone and Kurtz families both joined the Amish about 10 years ago and during that time Jude Whetstone and and Lyyndaya Kurtz started falling in love. Jude also fell in love with aeroplanes and since they were new the church had not decided whether to ban the use of them so they allowed Jude to take flying lessons. He even gave every Amish member a ride that wanted one but when he took Lyyndaya up she asked him to do barrell rolls, dives and fly as fast as he could, she fell in love with flying too.
Lyyndaya's father forbid her to see Jude because he didn't approve of the flying and since they were new to the Amish he didn't want any problems if it was decided flying was not allowed. The young couple followed her father's rule and Jude casually saw Lyyndaya's best friend, but still truly loved his Lyyndy Lyyndy Lou from afar, and she loved him, but the words were never spoken to each other.
The Amish were exempt from serving in the Military but since some officers had seen how good Jude could fly they wanted him desperately. One day the army showed up and took several of the young men, including Jude, and told them they were being drafted because they had not been Amish long enough so the exemption didn't include them.
These young men were treated worse than the German prisoners of war, the longer they refused to enlist in the service the worse the treatment was. Jude couldn't take it any longer so he enlisted and the other boys were sent home barely alive. Lyyndaya was forbidden to write to him or to receive any letters from him. Any letters he sent had to be held at the post office and any sent to him were held there also. When he returned home they would each be given their rightful mail only if Jude would recant his enlistment.
While Jude was serving his time Lyyndaya turned to helping people with the Spanish Flu in Philadelphia on the weekends. When the flu hits her community she helps to nurse them including her own family. Once they were better she returned to Philadelphia to help, soon there were servicemen coming home and needed nursing and to her surprise Jude was one of them. She had thought he had died when his plane was shot down over France.
Jude returned home accompanied by Lyyndaya. He was given two weeks to recant his enlistment or he would be placed under the ban. During that time things went back to the way they were before the war, all the while waiting for the dreadful day Jude would have to tell the church if he recanted his enlistment or not.
What will Jude do? Will he and Lyyndaya spend the rest of their lives together? Will the community ever forgive him?
This is the first book I've read by Murray and I will tell you that I really enjoyed this book, even though I did need a lot of tissues to get through it. I feel that anyone who can get this book in their hands will find it hard to put down, but be sure and have a lot of tissues handy. If you don't shed some tears I just don't know what to say. Wonderful job Murray!
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the NetGalley book review 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.”
Lyyndaya's father forbid her to see Jude because he didn't approve of the flying and since they were new to the Amish he didn't want any problems if it was decided flying was not allowed. The young couple followed her father's rule and Jude casually saw Lyyndaya's best friend, but still truly loved his Lyyndy Lyyndy Lou from afar, and she loved him, but the words were never spoken to each other.
The Amish were exempt from serving in the Military but since some officers had seen how good Jude could fly they wanted him desperately. One day the army showed up and took several of the young men, including Jude, and told them they were being drafted because they had not been Amish long enough so the exemption didn't include them.
These young men were treated worse than the German prisoners of war, the longer they refused to enlist in the service the worse the treatment was. Jude couldn't take it any longer so he enlisted and the other boys were sent home barely alive. Lyyndaya was forbidden to write to him or to receive any letters from him. Any letters he sent had to be held at the post office and any sent to him were held there also. When he returned home they would each be given their rightful mail only if Jude would recant his enlistment.
While Jude was serving his time Lyyndaya turned to helping people with the Spanish Flu in Philadelphia on the weekends. When the flu hits her community she helps to nurse them including her own family. Once they were better she returned to Philadelphia to help, soon there were servicemen coming home and needed nursing and to her surprise Jude was one of them. She had thought he had died when his plane was shot down over France.
Jude returned home accompanied by Lyyndaya. He was given two weeks to recant his enlistment or he would be placed under the ban. During that time things went back to the way they were before the war, all the while waiting for the dreadful day Jude would have to tell the church if he recanted his enlistment or not.
What will Jude do? Will he and Lyyndaya spend the rest of their lives together? Will the community ever forgive him?
This is the first book I've read by Murray and I will tell you that I really enjoyed this book, even though I did need a lot of tissues to get through it. I feel that anyone who can get this book in their hands will find it hard to put down, but be sure and have a lot of tissues handy. If you don't shed some tears I just don't know what to say. Wonderful job Murray!
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the NetGalley book review 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.”
January 17, 2012
Lyyndaya Kurtz and her family became Amish and were living with the Lapp Amish settlement for 10 years. Jude Whetstone and his family had done the same. Jude and Lyyndaya were friends from day one. Now older and ready to court, Jude and Lynndaya were attracted to each other.
Jude loved flying and could do maneuvers like no other. It was 1917 and the Amish had yet to decide if aeroplanes should be allowed or not. It was also the beginning of WW1. The US Military found out about Jude's extraordinary flying skills and they convinced Jude to join them. He said he did it to save lives. Jude know he would be shunned because the Amish did not believe in joining the military but he felt it's what God wanted him to do.
While Jude was in France, Lyyndy (as Jude called her) and Jude wrote to each other. These letters strengthened their relationship with each other and God, even though they couldn't get each others letters due to the shunning.
Jude decided that he would shoot down enemy planes but only to cause harm to the plane, not the pilot. He was soon recognized as a gentleman of the air. After Jude brought down a German Ace that killed many people, he was also shot down over enemy lines. He was presumed dead. Lyyndy decided to save lives like Jude, and helped nurse those with the deadly Spanish Flu. While working with patients in Philadelphia, she discovered Jude on her ward.
Jude returned home only to discover that the shunning was still in effect. Will he repent of his sins and be brought back into the church? Will he stay in the miitary? Do Jude and Lyyndy ever get to court?
Another character in this book is Emma Zook. The relationship with Emma Zook and Lyyndy was odd to me. Emma was trying to get Jude's attention when she knew he only had eyes for Lynndy. Lyyndy went from being jealous of Emma to being close to her and calling her a sister. When a woman is saying she is going to marry the man I want to marry, I wouldn't be calling her sister. Emma went so far to say that if it were the time of King Solomon in the Bible, Jude could have more than one wife - Emma and Lyyndy both could be married to Jude.
Anyone who enjoys reading about WW1, war planes and aerial conflict will enjoy this book. There are a lot of air battle scenes described as Jude fights the Germans. It seemed a bit far fetched that Jude only shot the plane to force it down, not to kill the pilot. I did some research and discovered that there were real life pilots that did this.
The scene at the end off the story, when Jude is given the chance to repent for joining the military, during the church service is touching. I don't want to give it away, you have to read the book to discover what goes on. I found myself wanting to keep reading to find out what was happening and if Lyyndy and Jude ever got together. I liked how the characters depended on the word of God that they learned from childhood to help them through difficult times.
I received a free copy of this e-book from NetGalley for my honest review.
Jude loved flying and could do maneuvers like no other. It was 1917 and the Amish had yet to decide if aeroplanes should be allowed or not. It was also the beginning of WW1. The US Military found out about Jude's extraordinary flying skills and they convinced Jude to join them. He said he did it to save lives. Jude know he would be shunned because the Amish did not believe in joining the military but he felt it's what God wanted him to do.
While Jude was in France, Lyyndy (as Jude called her) and Jude wrote to each other. These letters strengthened their relationship with each other and God, even though they couldn't get each others letters due to the shunning.
Jude decided that he would shoot down enemy planes but only to cause harm to the plane, not the pilot. He was soon recognized as a gentleman of the air. After Jude brought down a German Ace that killed many people, he was also shot down over enemy lines. He was presumed dead. Lyyndy decided to save lives like Jude, and helped nurse those with the deadly Spanish Flu. While working with patients in Philadelphia, she discovered Jude on her ward.
Jude returned home only to discover that the shunning was still in effect. Will he repent of his sins and be brought back into the church? Will he stay in the miitary? Do Jude and Lyyndy ever get to court?
Another character in this book is Emma Zook. The relationship with Emma Zook and Lyyndy was odd to me. Emma was trying to get Jude's attention when she knew he only had eyes for Lynndy. Lyyndy went from being jealous of Emma to being close to her and calling her a sister. When a woman is saying she is going to marry the man I want to marry, I wouldn't be calling her sister. Emma went so far to say that if it were the time of King Solomon in the Bible, Jude could have more than one wife - Emma and Lyyndy both could be married to Jude.
Anyone who enjoys reading about WW1, war planes and aerial conflict will enjoy this book. There are a lot of air battle scenes described as Jude fights the Germans. It seemed a bit far fetched that Jude only shot the plane to force it down, not to kill the pilot. I did some research and discovered that there were real life pilots that did this.
The scene at the end off the story, when Jude is given the chance to repent for joining the military, during the church service is touching. I don't want to give it away, you have to read the book to discover what goes on. I found myself wanting to keep reading to find out what was happening and if Lyyndy and Jude ever got together. I liked how the characters depended on the word of God that they learned from childhood to help them through difficult times.
I received a free copy of this e-book from NetGalley for my honest review.
October 22, 2013
Amish beauty Lyyndaya Kurtz is in love with Jude Whetstone, the blacksmith’s son. Trouble is, Jude has taken a shine to the new invention the flying machine. The year is 1917, the location the Lapp Colony of Paradise, Pennsylvania in Murray Pura’s The Wings of Morning. It is the first book in the “Snapshots In History” series which sets out to “…tell compelling romantic stories about faith-filled men and women caught up in the high drama of past historical events … the Civil War, Pearl Harbor, and the American Revolution” p. 301.
Jude’s flying skill soon comes to the attention of the air force brass who are recruiting pilots for the WWI air effort against Germany. The recruitment office rejects Jude’s appeal to remain at home on the basis of a religious exemption and round up a slew of enlistment-aged Paradise boys in an attempt to force him to change his mind. There is joy in Paradise when their youth return home. But Jude is not with them. Word is that they were released because Jude couldn’t stand to be away from flying and willingly joined the air force.
As the story unfolds, we experience the war with Jude. Meanwhile, Lyyndaya lives through their separation, made more bitter by the colony’s ban on him. Will they ever be reunited?
The characters are well drawn, especially the green-eyed tom-boyish Lyyndaya. I appreciated the sympathetic portrayal of some of the colony’s leaders (especially Bishop Zook), which I found a departure from other Amish fiction I’ve read where leaders are often shown as authoritarian and unfeeling. This Amish book differs as well in the way it depicts their beliefs as faith-nourishing (vs. merely a legalistic form). It also grapples at length with their pacifistic stance.
Pura has a broad understanding of history and the detail with which he pictures things like the kinds of planes flown during WWI gave me confidence in his portrayal of other historical aspects of the story with which I am unfamiliar (like whether or not Amish people actually entered military service during times of war).
Pura addresses themes of pacificism, laying down one’s life for one’s friends (sacrifice), and what things besides military involvement could constitute service to one’s country and community. Of course this is also a tale of romantic love.
This lively and interesting story (the first I’ve read by this prolific writer) whets my appetite for more books by Canadian author Murray Pura. I’ve put his series “The Danforths of Lancashire” (Ashton Park and Beneath the Dover Sky) on my ‘want-to-read’ list.
The Wings of Morning is part of my own fiction collection.
Jude’s flying skill soon comes to the attention of the air force brass who are recruiting pilots for the WWI air effort against Germany. The recruitment office rejects Jude’s appeal to remain at home on the basis of a religious exemption and round up a slew of enlistment-aged Paradise boys in an attempt to force him to change his mind. There is joy in Paradise when their youth return home. But Jude is not with them. Word is that they were released because Jude couldn’t stand to be away from flying and willingly joined the air force.
As the story unfolds, we experience the war with Jude. Meanwhile, Lyyndaya lives through their separation, made more bitter by the colony’s ban on him. Will they ever be reunited?
The characters are well drawn, especially the green-eyed tom-boyish Lyyndaya. I appreciated the sympathetic portrayal of some of the colony’s leaders (especially Bishop Zook), which I found a departure from other Amish fiction I’ve read where leaders are often shown as authoritarian and unfeeling. This Amish book differs as well in the way it depicts their beliefs as faith-nourishing (vs. merely a legalistic form). It also grapples at length with their pacifistic stance.
Pura has a broad understanding of history and the detail with which he pictures things like the kinds of planes flown during WWI gave me confidence in his portrayal of other historical aspects of the story with which I am unfamiliar (like whether or not Amish people actually entered military service during times of war).
Pura addresses themes of pacificism, laying down one’s life for one’s friends (sacrifice), and what things besides military involvement could constitute service to one’s country and community. Of course this is also a tale of romantic love.
This lively and interesting story (the first I’ve read by this prolific writer) whets my appetite for more books by Canadian author Murray Pura. I’ve put his series “The Danforths of Lancashire” (Ashton Park and Beneath the Dover Sky) on my ‘want-to-read’ list.
The Wings of Morning is part of my own fiction collection.
February 19, 2012
**I received this book from Harvest House Publishers through NetGalley. I am not required to give a positive review, just an honest one. This review is posted on Amazon, Goodreads, and my personal blog: http://nickswifey09.blogspot.com**
According to Goodreads:
Lovers of Amish fiction will quickly sign on as fans of award-winning author Murray Pura as they keep turning the pages of this exciting new historical romance set in 1917 during America's participation in World War I.
Jude Whetstone and Lyyndaya Kurtz, whose families are converts to the Amish faith, are slowly falling in love.
Jude has also fallen in love with flying that new-fangled invention, the aeroplane.
The Amish communities have rejected the telephone and have forbidden motorcar ownership but not yet electricity or aeroplanes.
Though exempt from military service on religious grounds, Jude is manipulated by unscrupulous army officers into enlisting in order to protect several Amish men. No one in the community understands Jude's sudden enlistment and so he is shunned. Lyyndaya's despair deepens at the reports that Jude has been shot down in France. In her grief, she turns to nursing Spanish flu victims in Philadelphia. After many months of caring for stricken soldiers, Lyyndaya is stunned when an emaciated Jude turns up in her ward.
Lyyndaya's joy at receiving Jude back from the dead is quickly diminished when the Amish leadership insist the shunning remain in force. How then can they marry without the blessing of their families? Will happiness elude them forever?
Welcome a powerful new voice to the world of Amish fiction
This book definitely took on a new twist, at least where I was concerned. I have never read another book quite like this one. This story took place around 1917, WW1 and the Spanish Influenza epidemic. At first, I was a little hesitant to read this book. However, I was pleasantly surprised.
I was shocked to find out that at that time, aeroplanes were not banned from the Amish. I was so upset when the soldiers came to the community to take the Amish men away for war. Jude showed extreme strength throughout this book. He sacrificed himself so his friends could go home safely.
The more I read Amish books, the more I fall in love with their way of life.
The description throughout this book, was fantastic. Not only did I laugh, I also cried.
I rate this book 5/5!
According to Goodreads:
Lovers of Amish fiction will quickly sign on as fans of award-winning author Murray Pura as they keep turning the pages of this exciting new historical romance set in 1917 during America's participation in World War I.
Jude Whetstone and Lyyndaya Kurtz, whose families are converts to the Amish faith, are slowly falling in love.
Jude has also fallen in love with flying that new-fangled invention, the aeroplane.
The Amish communities have rejected the telephone and have forbidden motorcar ownership but not yet electricity or aeroplanes.
Though exempt from military service on religious grounds, Jude is manipulated by unscrupulous army officers into enlisting in order to protect several Amish men. No one in the community understands Jude's sudden enlistment and so he is shunned. Lyyndaya's despair deepens at the reports that Jude has been shot down in France. In her grief, she turns to nursing Spanish flu victims in Philadelphia. After many months of caring for stricken soldiers, Lyyndaya is stunned when an emaciated Jude turns up in her ward.
Lyyndaya's joy at receiving Jude back from the dead is quickly diminished when the Amish leadership insist the shunning remain in force. How then can they marry without the blessing of their families? Will happiness elude them forever?
Welcome a powerful new voice to the world of Amish fiction
This book definitely took on a new twist, at least where I was concerned. I have never read another book quite like this one. This story took place around 1917, WW1 and the Spanish Influenza epidemic. At first, I was a little hesitant to read this book. However, I was pleasantly surprised.
I was shocked to find out that at that time, aeroplanes were not banned from the Amish. I was so upset when the soldiers came to the community to take the Amish men away for war. Jude showed extreme strength throughout this book. He sacrificed himself so his friends could go home safely.
The more I read Amish books, the more I fall in love with their way of life.
The description throughout this book, was fantastic. Not only did I laugh, I also cried.
I rate this book 5/5!
August 21, 2012
Murray Pura has found a new fan across the ocean! After reading The Face of Heaven I can’t get enough of his writing. So, The Wings of Morning was the next of Pura’s books that I’ve read – and certainly not my last! From the first page I was hooked and I knew this was going to be another awesome book.
It’s 1917 and the Amish have not yet made a decision on aeroplanes. Jude Whetstone is a convert of the Lapp Amish community. He loves the aeroplanes and took lessons to fly. Some people of the community don’t agree with the flying – including Lyyndaya Kurtz’ parents. Jude and Lyyndaya grew up together and slowly fell in love. Now Lyyndaya’s parents don’t want her to see Jude anymore. This is breaking Lyyndaya’s heart, but as a good Amish daughter she will obey her parents.
In Europe WWI is afoot. The Amish don’t fight in war, but when the US Army finds out that Jude is a good pilot and has not enlisted to fight in Europe, he soon finds himself imprisoned – together with some other young men from his community. The Amish men are treated badly. Jude is praying for a way out of prison and understands that the only way to end the imprisonment is to enlist. When he does, the other men are freed and returned to their community. Jude’s decision is not understood among his people and he is shunned.
Jude knows he is in the will of God and asks God to guide him through the air fights. He learns to fight the Germans without killing anyone.
Lyyndaya is not allowed to send letters to Jude, but she decides to write him letters and keep them somewhere safe until he has returned from Europe and his shunning is ended. Jude is also sending letters to Lyyndaya weekly, but she can’t read them.
Through reports the Amish are informed about what Jude is doing in France, but the question why Jude ever enlisted remains unanswered. Then a report comes in that Jude’s plane was crashed and he is missing in action and presumed dead.
Meanwhile in Pennsylvania there’s an outbreak of the Spanish flu and Lyyndaya volunteers to care for the sick. Then one day at the hospital a stranger is whispering her name...
I can’t find the right words to described how much I enjoyed this book. Mr. Pura is an awesome and fascinating writer. Normally I don’t read many Amish books, but the way Pura combines Amish, history and WWI is phenominal. I can’t wait to read Pura’s next book!
It’s 1917 and the Amish have not yet made a decision on aeroplanes. Jude Whetstone is a convert of the Lapp Amish community. He loves the aeroplanes and took lessons to fly. Some people of the community don’t agree with the flying – including Lyyndaya Kurtz’ parents. Jude and Lyyndaya grew up together and slowly fell in love. Now Lyyndaya’s parents don’t want her to see Jude anymore. This is breaking Lyyndaya’s heart, but as a good Amish daughter she will obey her parents.
In Europe WWI is afoot. The Amish don’t fight in war, but when the US Army finds out that Jude is a good pilot and has not enlisted to fight in Europe, he soon finds himself imprisoned – together with some other young men from his community. The Amish men are treated badly. Jude is praying for a way out of prison and understands that the only way to end the imprisonment is to enlist. When he does, the other men are freed and returned to their community. Jude’s decision is not understood among his people and he is shunned.
Jude knows he is in the will of God and asks God to guide him through the air fights. He learns to fight the Germans without killing anyone.
Lyyndaya is not allowed to send letters to Jude, but she decides to write him letters and keep them somewhere safe until he has returned from Europe and his shunning is ended. Jude is also sending letters to Lyyndaya weekly, but she can’t read them.
Through reports the Amish are informed about what Jude is doing in France, but the question why Jude ever enlisted remains unanswered. Then a report comes in that Jude’s plane was crashed and he is missing in action and presumed dead.
Meanwhile in Pennsylvania there’s an outbreak of the Spanish flu and Lyyndaya volunteers to care for the sick. Then one day at the hospital a stranger is whispering her name...
I can’t find the right words to described how much I enjoyed this book. Mr. Pura is an awesome and fascinating writer. Normally I don’t read many Amish books, but the way Pura combines Amish, history and WWI is phenominal. I can’t wait to read Pura’s next book!
June 25, 2012
Lyyndy Kurtz and Jude Whetstone had known each other from the time they were young. When he learned to fly Lyyndy was excited and asked for a ride into the blue sky. Others in their community of Amish folk were hesitant but watched in awe as Jude and Lyyndy flew higher and higher and then did some stunt flying. Bishop Zook was interested in Jude's skills as a pilot, an unusual hobby for an Amish blacksmith. Others had also noticed Jude as he gave a show to the community at picnics. Then a group of young men from Paradise were visited by the United States Army. Though the Amish were exempt from serving in the war these young men were taken to a camp where they were treated as prisoners. They were made to do physical labor in the Pennsylvania winter in inadequate clothing. The food they were given was poor quality and not enough of it. Verbal abuse by the soldiers was constant. It seemed that soon some of the Amish would collapse or die. People back in Paradise were shocked and puzzled when Jude enlisted in the Army to fly in combat and yet the rest of the group was released to return to Paradise. It was a long time before Jude's family or Lyyndy got any word from him about what he was doing. Then they still had many questions about why he had joined the war. Had he lost his faith or had he just wanted so badly to fly that he decided to go to war? The men who had been mistreated at the same time as Jude were not telling anyone what had really happened to them or Jude. Before they got adequate answers to their questions the influenza epidemic reached the cities of Pennsylvania and even to Paradise. Through all this Lyyndy continued to believe that Jude must have a good reason for what he was doing. And she also decided to do something to help during these years of World War I.
In this story we learn about early aviation, World War I, the influenza epidemic as well as life in an Amish community. More than in many stories set in Amish communities we see how changes in American society can touch the people in a subculture. And how everyone must grapple with how those changes make a difference in their lives.
In this story we learn about early aviation, World War I, the influenza epidemic as well as life in an Amish community. More than in many stories set in Amish communities we see how changes in American society can touch the people in a subculture. And how everyone must grapple with how those changes make a difference in their lives.
January 15, 2013
First time to read one of Murray Pura books but It won't be the last, he writes a wonderful historical romance that keeps you turning the pages to see what will happen next....
If I take the Wings of the Morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea.. even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me..Psalm 139:9-10
"The Wings of Morning" by Murray Pura
This is the story of Jude Whetstone who found he loved to fly aeroplanes at the time when there was much controversy if Amish should be in the clouds flying...
Lyyndaya Kurtz was a young woman of the Amish community where Jude and his father had come to be new converts, she was a girl that loved adventures and Jude grew up liking her spirit and how she saw life.
There are many wonderful characters in this story and you will enjoy reading about them like Emma who was a little flirty but the daughter of the Bishop and she found that she too liked this young man that grew up liking aeroplanes and wanting to fly more then anything else...
When Jude and his friends in the community are gathered and transported to an army base because they will not join the army and fight many folks have their faith tested ..The young men are not treated well while in custody and circumstances have Jude agreeing to join the army and fly for them even though in his heart of hearts this is not what he wants to do...He says he wants to save souls is the reason he joins and you will enjoy reading how his community's feelings change and change again about this young man who has became important in Lyyndaya's life. The amish do not believe in fighting and this is war times.
Can Jude's faith sustain him through War-Persecution-misunderstanding, shunning and even being shot down in enemy territory?
Lyyndaya's faith is so strong and she believes in this young man, will it sustain her..while so many turn away ..can she hold on, waiting for Jude to return to the community?
Thank you Murray Pura for the many Bible verses about wartimes and the wonderful characters that flew with Jude....I enjoyed learning more about the early aeroplanes..
If I take the Wings of the Morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea.. even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me..Psalm 139:9-10
"The Wings of Morning" by Murray Pura
This is the story of Jude Whetstone who found he loved to fly aeroplanes at the time when there was much controversy if Amish should be in the clouds flying...
Lyyndaya Kurtz was a young woman of the Amish community where Jude and his father had come to be new converts, she was a girl that loved adventures and Jude grew up liking her spirit and how she saw life.
There are many wonderful characters in this story and you will enjoy reading about them like Emma who was a little flirty but the daughter of the Bishop and she found that she too liked this young man that grew up liking aeroplanes and wanting to fly more then anything else...
When Jude and his friends in the community are gathered and transported to an army base because they will not join the army and fight many folks have their faith tested ..The young men are not treated well while in custody and circumstances have Jude agreeing to join the army and fly for them even though in his heart of hearts this is not what he wants to do...He says he wants to save souls is the reason he joins and you will enjoy reading how his community's feelings change and change again about this young man who has became important in Lyyndaya's life. The amish do not believe in fighting and this is war times.
Can Jude's faith sustain him through War-Persecution-misunderstanding, shunning and even being shot down in enemy territory?
Lyyndaya's faith is so strong and she believes in this young man, will it sustain her..while so many turn away ..can she hold on, waiting for Jude to return to the community?
Thank you Murray Pura for the many Bible verses about wartimes and the wonderful characters that flew with Jude....I enjoyed learning more about the early aeroplanes..
January 24, 2012
This is not your typical Amish love story book! I loved this book! Why? Because I had to keep turning pages to see what happened next and there was always something happening! I was never a fan of books with a war theme but this book was totally different.
Jude Whetstone and his family are converts to the Amish faith and have been part of the faith for about 10 years. He has fallen in love with two things - Lyyndaya Kurtz, also an Amish convert, and the aeroplane. His love of flying gets him in a bit of hot water with the elders but since a decision whether or not to ban the Lapp Amish from flying in them has not been made yet, Jude decides to fly as long as is permitted. Unfortunately for him, he is really good at what he does and the military soon takes notice. After being asked to join the Army and fly and refusing on religious grounds he and several other young men from his community are arrested for being objectors. They, being of German descent are put into horrible conditions and forced to do unthinkable things. Jude is told by an unsavory commander that if he will just agree to fly his buddies can go home or they can die in the conditions they are in if he says no. So he agrees against his will.
Mr. Pura does a wonderful job of getting across the conflict within Jude. He is Amish and does not kill but he is being asked to go to war and kill. How he handles this is the main focus of this book and it is amazing to read. And what about Lyyndaya? She, too loves to fly but not like Jude. And what of their community? They have put a baan on Jude for enlisting and Lyyndaya is forbidden from communication with him. No one understands, except the other boys who were with him, why he did what he did, but Lyyndaya is going to stand by him, no matter what. Will she be shunned too? What if he doesn't come home?
This book had such a good feeling to it amid the conflict and I really enjoyed reading it. I look forward to Mr. Pura's next book. This one is not to be missed!
Jude Whetstone and his family are converts to the Amish faith and have been part of the faith for about 10 years. He has fallen in love with two things - Lyyndaya Kurtz, also an Amish convert, and the aeroplane. His love of flying gets him in a bit of hot water with the elders but since a decision whether or not to ban the Lapp Amish from flying in them has not been made yet, Jude decides to fly as long as is permitted. Unfortunately for him, he is really good at what he does and the military soon takes notice. After being asked to join the Army and fly and refusing on religious grounds he and several other young men from his community are arrested for being objectors. They, being of German descent are put into horrible conditions and forced to do unthinkable things. Jude is told by an unsavory commander that if he will just agree to fly his buddies can go home or they can die in the conditions they are in if he says no. So he agrees against his will.
Mr. Pura does a wonderful job of getting across the conflict within Jude. He is Amish and does not kill but he is being asked to go to war and kill. How he handles this is the main focus of this book and it is amazing to read. And what about Lyyndaya? She, too loves to fly but not like Jude. And what of their community? They have put a baan on Jude for enlisting and Lyyndaya is forbidden from communication with him. No one understands, except the other boys who were with him, why he did what he did, but Lyyndaya is going to stand by him, no matter what. Will she be shunned too? What if he doesn't come home?
This book had such a good feeling to it amid the conflict and I really enjoyed reading it. I look forward to Mr. Pura's next book. This one is not to be missed!
February 15, 2012
One of my favorite genres to read in between a good Christian historical and a young adult paranormal is an Amish fiction! Amish fiction is unlike any other genre and I just love reading about their ways of life even if I don't really understand it! This is my first time reading anything by Murray Pura and I was impressed by the attention to historical detail in this Amish fiction.
Both Jude Whetstone and Lyyndaya Kurtz are from families that have recently converted over to the Amish faith and now they are slowly falling in love. For them to fall in love wouldn't be too bad except that Lyyndaya's dad isn't happy about Jude's flying. Jude loves to fly aero planes and he thinks he should get as much flying time in that he can before the Amish decide to ban flying.
When an Army officer sees Jude's amazing ability to fly he is suddenly told that he has to join the military and that religious exemption does not apply to the newly formed Amish community. That meant him and some other men from the community were forced to enlist. Will Jude and Lyyndaya's love for each other stand the test of war, religious freedoms and shunning?!
The only thing I struggled with was the middle part of the book that dealt with Jude during the war. There was a lot of details and that part is just not very interesting to me but I still enjoyed the story.
I received this book from the Publisher Harvest House and was not required to give a positive review.
I loved the unique delivery of The Wings of Morning. Never had I ever read any Amish fiction that deals with war, flying or flu epidemic. You will be wondering who will live, who will fall in love and who will be shunned. A very different and great Amish fiction!
Both Jude Whetstone and Lyyndaya Kurtz are from families that have recently converted over to the Amish faith and now they are slowly falling in love. For them to fall in love wouldn't be too bad except that Lyyndaya's dad isn't happy about Jude's flying. Jude loves to fly aero planes and he thinks he should get as much flying time in that he can before the Amish decide to ban flying.
When an Army officer sees Jude's amazing ability to fly he is suddenly told that he has to join the military and that religious exemption does not apply to the newly formed Amish community. That meant him and some other men from the community were forced to enlist. Will Jude and Lyyndaya's love for each other stand the test of war, religious freedoms and shunning?!
The only thing I struggled with was the middle part of the book that dealt with Jude during the war. There was a lot of details and that part is just not very interesting to me but I still enjoyed the story.
I received this book from the Publisher Harvest House and was not required to give a positive review.
I loved the unique delivery of The Wings of Morning. Never had I ever read any Amish fiction that deals with war, flying or flu epidemic. You will be wondering who will live, who will fall in love and who will be shunned. A very different and great Amish fiction!
May 19, 2012
THE WINGS OF MORNING by Murray Pura is a wonderful christian historical fiction set in 1917 America and France. The first in the “Snapshots in History” series. An Amish story with a twist. Young Lyyndaya Klutz and Jude Whetstone are young,Amish, and falling in love but war may get in their way. As these two young Amish people are separated by faith,war, and the Amish community. They must deal with a shunning,misunderstanding,persecution in America,faith,the new invention the “aeroplane”. No matter how difficult things get Lyyndaya keeps her faith. “The Wings of Morning” is a very interesting story. Anyone who enjoys Amish,Inspirational,Romance and wartime will enjoy this story. Journey with Lyyndaya and Jude as they follow their hearts,their fatih,defy their family,and find peace and happiness in a world during wartime. A wonderful read! Written with vivid descriptions and a wonderful cast of character. Received as a prize from the author. Details can be found at the author’s website,Harvest House Publishers,and My Book Addiction and More.
RATING: 5
HEAT RATING: Sweet: No sex or scenes of physical intimacy except some kissing. No graphic violence or profanity.
REVIEWED BY: AprilR, My Book Addiction and More
RATING: 5
HEAT RATING: Sweet: No sex or scenes of physical intimacy except some kissing. No graphic violence or profanity.
REVIEWED BY: AprilR, My Book Addiction and More
June 4, 2012
The Wings of Morning was an awesome and quick read – after the first chapter anyway – as I had a hard time thinking of the Amish actually allowing one of their own to fly a plane but since it’s set in the early 1900′s I guess it’s possible. It isn’t your typical Amish book either with the lovey dovey romance stuff, and with the twist of military enlistment it makes for a story full of twists and turns and true love. Since the main characters can’t actually write or be with other, they rely on the Lord to get them through their time of separation.
I really enjoyed the historical component of this book as well, having had relatives who served in WWI I appreciate it when war isn’t romanticized, like Hollywood tends to do, this book made the plane fights seem to leap from the pages and the descriptions of what the men go through in war was very well done without being gory. The ending was definitely not what I was expecting but it was a wonderful conclusion to the story and wrapped up the book without feeling like I was dangling – although I’d love to read more about Jude and Lyyndy.
***Special thanks to Karri James, Marketing Assistant, Harvest House Publishers for sending me a review copy.***
I really enjoyed the historical component of this book as well, having had relatives who served in WWI I appreciate it when war isn’t romanticized, like Hollywood tends to do, this book made the plane fights seem to leap from the pages and the descriptions of what the men go through in war was very well done without being gory. The ending was definitely not what I was expecting but it was a wonderful conclusion to the story and wrapped up the book without feeling like I was dangling – although I’d love to read more about Jude and Lyyndy.
***Special thanks to Karri James, Marketing Assistant, Harvest House Publishers for sending me a review copy.***
June 8, 2012
I enjoyed "The Wings of Morning" by Murray Pura very much. It is about Jude, an Amish pilot during World War I who agrees to fly for America in order to save his friends even though it means he will be shunned. Lyyndaya and Jude develop a friendship which leads to a romance but their letters must remain at the post office because of the shunning. This is the best Amish romance I've read because it didn't poke along and the main character was male instead of female. I liked the description of the flying, the dog fights and the romance. Parts were heart-breaking and very sad but It was really great to see how Jude maintained his faith while at war and managed not to kill anyone! This book is so much more than just a Christian romance. I loved this one because it had adventure, Christian perspective, forgiveness, group dynamics and romance.
October 14, 2013
If you like historical fiction, and you love a good romance, this is your book! Author Murray Pura tells a beautiful love story, set during the first World War. This story is unique, however, in that it is told from the perspective of an Amish community in Pennsylvania. I had never imagined what it must have been like for the Amish at this time in history, the persecution they must have faced for their stand against fighting in war, and the fact that they spoke German, when the enemy at that time was Germany. All in all, a very engaging story, and also extremely educational, in addition to being a sweet love story (I did have tears in my eyes at a few points, I will admit). I greatly recommend this book, and am sure you will love it as much as I did! So glad to have discovered this author....
April 7, 2018
Really good
historical novel that combines WW1 fighter squadron info with early 20th century Amish community history. The research is excellent and includes the Spanish Flu as a foil for the characters growth as well as bringing the story lines to conclusion. Most of the characters are well defined and you will come to care about them. Chapters bounce between Lancaster Pa. and various places in Europe (as Jude, the Amish pilot moves thru the war), but it is done well and is not bothersome. “The Wings of Morning” is a great story about love, truth and real forgiveness we could all benefit from. I heartily recommend it!
historical novel that combines WW1 fighter squadron info with early 20th century Amish community history. The research is excellent and includes the Spanish Flu as a foil for the characters growth as well as bringing the story lines to conclusion. Most of the characters are well defined and you will come to care about them. Chapters bounce between Lancaster Pa. and various places in Europe (as Jude, the Amish pilot moves thru the war), but it is done well and is not bothersome. “The Wings of Morning” is a great story about love, truth and real forgiveness we could all benefit from. I heartily recommend it!
March 4, 2016
The Wings of Morning was a very good read and I can't believe how much I enjoyed it. I'm not a huge Amish fiction reader, so this wasn't a book I was excited about going in, but the story was so touching and I found it enjoyable from the beginning.
I loved the characters, setting, and plot. It was really interesting to read about an Amish man who went to war in order to save his friends and then while in war tried to stay true to his Amish faith.
All in all, a good read.
*I received this book for free for my honest review. As always, all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.*
I loved the characters, setting, and plot. It was really interesting to read about an Amish man who went to war in order to save his friends and then while in war tried to stay true to his Amish faith.
All in all, a good read.
*I received this book for free for my honest review. As always, all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.*
April 17, 2021
A not to be missed story of the Amish, aeroplanes, war, and heroism at its finest! But first, a confession... Amish love stories are not my thing—but this not just any Amish love story. I have picked up several Amish based books before, but none really captured my interest as did The Wings of Morning. It helped that as I read, I found several things that caught my attention and kept my interest. First, this is not a modern love story so typical of today’s market. It is historical fiction, namely World War I. But the Amish don’t believe in fighting wars or wearing a uniform, you say. True, and therein lies the heart of this story. The Amish don’t believe in flying airplanes either. But in 1917, that decision had not yet been made. Second, I grew up in Pennsylvania—my mother even lives in Lancaster County surrounded by good Amish neighbors in a very Amish sounding place called Peach Bottom—so I am familiar with places like Harrisburg, Philadelphia, Bird-in-Hand, Intercourse, and Paradise. And I have tremendous respect for their stand and beliefs. So far, so good. I’m interested now. Third, (spoiler alert!) half way into the story, we have the Spanish Flu epidemic raging through the Amish community and surrounding areas. With our current Covid epidemic, it was eerily familiar, though separated in time from us by a hundred years. Lastly, and this one is just plain fun, one character hails from Pima County, Arizona, which is where I live. How crazy is that?! All these things create a sense of realism for me and a connection to the story I have never found in this genre. So why did I pick it up to read? I was looking for something outside my normal reading fare... and I found it!
Most often in Amish-based stories we see the religion and culture front and center, and it seems like another world that most people can’t relate to. It seems romantic to them, not real, unless you have actually experienced them and talked with them. But the Amish are real people who live their simple lives with their—trust me—not so simple faith. In Murray Pura’s hands, their beliefs have grit and believability, it is an integral part of their lives they don’t take lightly. And in this case, we see two families that were not born into the Lapp Amish community, they joined it and come to be apart of it. So what happens when their actions—or at least the actions of one of its beloved members—goes against the rule of their lives? Well, you’ll just have to read it to find out!
The story is well-written and believable. I actually found myself skimming through the last few chapters because I wanted to see how it ended. And I was not disappointed! Anyone can give a quick synopsis of book, so I won’t. But I will say that if you enjoy well-researched historical fiction and Amish fiction, this one will not disappoint. The author knows his history and his Amish culture. Now I absolutely HAVE to read the second in the series about the Civil War and the third, a sequel to the first! Easily five stars! ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Most often in Amish-based stories we see the religion and culture front and center, and it seems like another world that most people can’t relate to. It seems romantic to them, not real, unless you have actually experienced them and talked with them. But the Amish are real people who live their simple lives with their—trust me—not so simple faith. In Murray Pura’s hands, their beliefs have grit and believability, it is an integral part of their lives they don’t take lightly. And in this case, we see two families that were not born into the Lapp Amish community, they joined it and come to be apart of it. So what happens when their actions—or at least the actions of one of its beloved members—goes against the rule of their lives? Well, you’ll just have to read it to find out!
The story is well-written and believable. I actually found myself skimming through the last few chapters because I wanted to see how it ended. And I was not disappointed! Anyone can give a quick synopsis of book, so I won’t. But I will say that if you enjoy well-researched historical fiction and Amish fiction, this one will not disappoint. The author knows his history and his Amish culture. Now I absolutely HAVE to read the second in the series about the Civil War and the third, a sequel to the first! Easily five stars! ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
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