What do you think?
Rate this book
The Men of Lancaster County #2
The Amish Blacksmith
The Amish Blacksmith explores the men of an Amish community in Lancaster County, how their Amish beliefs play out in their unique roles, and the women who change their lives.
Apprenticed blacksmith Jake Miller is skeptical of Priscilla Kinsinger's innate ability to soothe troubled horses, especially when he has own ideas on how to calm them. Six years earlier, Priscilla's mother died in an awful accident at home, and Priscilla's grief over losing her mother was so intense that she was sent to live with relatives in Ohio. She has just returned to Lancaster County. Not that her homecoming matters to Jake, who is interested in courting lighthearted Amanda Shetler. But Jake's boss is Priscilla's uncle, and when the man asks Jake to help his niece reconnect with community life, he has no choice but to do just that. Surprisingly, he finds himself slowly drawn to the beautiful but emotionally wounded Priscilla.
Jake then determines to prove to her that it's not her fault her mother died, but what he discovers will challenge everything they both believe about the depth of love and the breadth of forgiveness.
Apprenticed blacksmith Jake Miller is skeptical of Priscilla Kinsinger's innate ability to soothe troubled horses, especially when he has own ideas on how to calm them. Six years earlier, Priscilla's mother died in an awful accident at home, and Priscilla's grief over losing her mother was so intense that she was sent to live with relatives in Ohio. She has just returned to Lancaster County. Not that her homecoming matters to Jake, who is interested in courting lighthearted Amanda Shetler. But Jake's boss is Priscilla's uncle, and when the man asks Jake to help his niece reconnect with community life, he has no choice but to do just that. Surprisingly, he finds himself slowly drawn to the beautiful but emotionally wounded Priscilla.
Jake then determines to prove to her that it's not her fault her mother died, but what he discovers will challenge everything they both believe about the depth of love and the breadth of forgiveness.
334 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2014
87 people are currently reading
822 people want to read
About the author
Mindy Starns Clark
56 books630 followersMindy Starns Clark is the bestselling author of more than 30 books, both fiction and nonfiction, and has received numerous literary honors, including two Christy Awards and RT Book Review Magazine’s 2012 Career Achievement Award. Mindy and her husband, John, have two adult children and live near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 104 reviews
August 2, 2019
A touching story of love and triumph over tragedy.
This book is told from the perspective of Jake, the nephew/"brother" of Tyler, the first novel's protagonist/narrator. (If you read the previous volume, you know what I mean.)
Priscilla's life was rather tragic; I myself have been struggling with some issues lately, so, her story inspired me to be more respectful of others...even if I disagree with them.
This book is told from the perspective of Jake, the nephew/"brother" of Tyler, the first novel's protagonist/narrator. (If you read the previous volume, you know what I mean.)
Priscilla's life was rather tragic; I myself have been struggling with some issues lately, so, her story inspired me to be more respectful of others...even if I disagree with them.
July 10, 2016
This book was given to me by my aunt and although it's really not something is typically pick up on my own, I did thoroughly enjoy it. I've always found the Amish way of life very interesting and it was fascinating to learn more about it albeit in a fictional setting. I also very much enjoyed that the story featured horses prominently and I loved learning more about them as well. The love story was really cute as well, even though I did predict it from the very beginning. All in all, a very interesting and enjoyable read.
February 5, 2015
Good Christ, the shite I read for work.
July 28, 2014
This was a really unique bit of Amish fiction/romance.
Why, you ask?
Because the authors give you the story from the hero's perspective, and Jake Miller is such a wonderful Amish guy.
There are actually two aspects to this story; the relationship with Priscilla and his job with horses, he's a Blacksmith/Horse whisperer.
The dealings with the horses is actually the more enjoyable part of the story, as is getting Priscilla's back story.
Jake's romances were a little bit too predictable. You knew what was going to happen with Amanda long before it did.
It is really Jake, Priscilla and Patch, January and Duchess that bring the novel to life. I loved the horses, and I loved how the two of them figured out each animal's needs. I would have loved more of the story to have focused on Jake, Priscilla and the horses.
One of the reasons for this is Priscilla. Even though we got to know her better in the second part of the book, through her recounting the weeks leading up to her mother's death, you don't feel like you really "know" her. She's really a mystery.
I did like how Jake found himself through his letters to Priscilla. It was a different twist, and another reason why I enjoyed getting a novel from the hero's point of view.
A great read for lovers of all things Amish.
Why, you ask?
Because the authors give you the story from the hero's perspective, and Jake Miller is such a wonderful Amish guy.
There are actually two aspects to this story; the relationship with Priscilla and his job with horses, he's a Blacksmith/Horse whisperer.
The dealings with the horses is actually the more enjoyable part of the story, as is getting Priscilla's back story.
Jake's romances were a little bit too predictable. You knew what was going to happen with Amanda long before it did.
It is really Jake, Priscilla and Patch, January and Duchess that bring the novel to life. I loved the horses, and I loved how the two of them figured out each animal's needs. I would have loved more of the story to have focused on Jake, Priscilla and the horses.
One of the reasons for this is Priscilla. Even though we got to know her better in the second part of the book, through her recounting the weeks leading up to her mother's death, you don't feel like you really "know" her. She's really a mystery.
I did like how Jake found himself through his letters to Priscilla. It was a different twist, and another reason why I enjoyed getting a novel from the hero's point of view.
A great read for lovers of all things Amish.
September 6, 2021
This Amish book is different in that it’s told from the perspective of Jake Miller, who is doing an apprenticeship to become a blacksmith. He was also known to be able to help horses that had driving, trust, etc issues. The authors research into horses and the skills of blacksmiths was a plus while reading this story.
Jake was asked by his boss to befriend his niece when she returned to Lancaster after being away for six years. Priscilla was withdrawn, quiet and carried grief for her mother. As her story unfolds with Jake, she challenged him to find his own inner self. Jake world crumpled after several events and Priscilla had left to assist an aunt in Indiana. How will Jake discover find inner peace as well as Priscilla?
I obtained this book from our library thus a review was not required. I have left my own opinion.
Jake was asked by his boss to befriend his niece when she returned to Lancaster after being away for six years. Priscilla was withdrawn, quiet and carried grief for her mother. As her story unfolds with Jake, she challenged him to find his own inner self. Jake world crumpled after several events and Priscilla had left to assist an aunt in Indiana. How will Jake discover find inner peace as well as Priscilla?
I obtained this book from our library thus a review was not required. I have left my own opinion.
April 26, 2017
This is the second novel of the series: The Men of Lancaster County by Mindy Starns Clark and Susan Meissner. It was a fairly well-written Amish novel with interesting characters, most of which were well drawn. I found the plot to be reasonably unique for its genre, but I liked the first book of the series, The Amish Groom, a lot better. I will likely finish the series at some point.
March 8, 2023
The main character is so boring I nearly gave up on him but once the character development finally started, for him as well as his love interest, it got really moving!
September 15, 2015
SUMMARY: Apprenticed blacksmith Jake Miller is skeptical of Priscilla Kinsinger's innate ability to soothe troubled horses, especially when he has own ideas on how to calm them. Six years earlier, Priscilla's mother died in an awful accident at home, and Priscilla's grief over losing her mother was so intense that she was sent to live with relatives in Indiana. She has just returned to Lancaster County.
Not that her homecoming matters to Jake, who is interested in courting lighthearted Amanda Shetler. But Jake's boss is Priscilla's uncle, and when the man asks Jake to help his niece reconnect with community life, he has no choice but to do just that. Surprisingly, he finds himself slowly drawn to the beautiful but emotionally wounded Priscilla.
Jake then determines to prove to her that it's not her fault her mother died, but what he discovers will challenge everything they both believe about the depth of love and the breadth of forgiveness.
REVIEW: Having read so many Amish novels when I first began reading Christian fiction, I began to find them all somewhat formulaic. I must say that The Amish Blacksmith is quite different, and I really liked it. The storyline is very unusual and the characters are not your typical Amish. Both major characters have been affected emotionally by something in their past that has created the person they have become. I love how the characters in working with horses who had problems began to recognize in turn their own problems. The secondary characters, faith thread, and detail on the Amish lifestyle all lent good support to the overall story.
FAVORITE QUOTES: "But God didn't design us to be tied to those kinds of feelings forever. If we are living in His will, then we surrender the right to wallow in our misery or blame ourselves or refuse to move on."
"Every day, I don't want to ever forget that when you choose the way of self over others, terrible things can happen."
"Live your life insulated from passion, and you will have lived a life of pretense and shallowness."
Not that her homecoming matters to Jake, who is interested in courting lighthearted Amanda Shetler. But Jake's boss is Priscilla's uncle, and when the man asks Jake to help his niece reconnect with community life, he has no choice but to do just that. Surprisingly, he finds himself slowly drawn to the beautiful but emotionally wounded Priscilla.
Jake then determines to prove to her that it's not her fault her mother died, but what he discovers will challenge everything they both believe about the depth of love and the breadth of forgiveness.
REVIEW: Having read so many Amish novels when I first began reading Christian fiction, I began to find them all somewhat formulaic. I must say that The Amish Blacksmith is quite different, and I really liked it. The storyline is very unusual and the characters are not your typical Amish. Both major characters have been affected emotionally by something in their past that has created the person they have become. I love how the characters in working with horses who had problems began to recognize in turn their own problems. The secondary characters, faith thread, and detail on the Amish lifestyle all lent good support to the overall story.
FAVORITE QUOTES: "But God didn't design us to be tied to those kinds of feelings forever. If we are living in His will, then we surrender the right to wallow in our misery or blame ourselves or refuse to move on."
"Every day, I don't want to ever forget that when you choose the way of self over others, terrible things can happen."
"Live your life insulated from passion, and you will have lived a life of pretense and shallowness."
May 10, 2022
Long and not that interesting.
March 29, 2022
This was a very dry and dull read; some parts were almost written educational like. There wasn't enough community focus or frankly enough of anything going on to make this a memorable read. Everybody was just average; the few family members that were mentioned were not enjoyable either. I didn't like the English twist in the middle; but I never like English twists in Amish fiction. That's just my preference to keep the Amish genre about Amish people. There wasn't enough dialogue for my liking; I love conversations between characters in books. There was a lot of unnecessary horse talk in the story; so much it read like an encyclopedia at times. I unfortunately have the next one in this series already; so I will probably read it and be done with this author. I didn't connect to these two authors writing style at all.
August 2, 2015
I really loved this book. The Amish setting gave a basis for the characters that I found believable and satisfying. I especially loved the characters interaction with th horses and how they learn about each other from the way they treat the horses. a well researched book with characters who resonated with me. if you have read Amish fiction before, this is one you will love. if you haven't read Amish fiction, this is the book you want to start with. it's good!
June 15, 2022
This is by far the WORST Amish book I have ever read. Priscilla is annoying and way to pretentious for an Amish person. I ended up skimming the last half of the book after Priscilla decided she knew everything about training horses.
I just can't even believe I wasted so much time reading this drivel.
I just can't even believe I wasted so much time reading this drivel.
August 4, 2014
The Amish Blacksmith is a different piece of Amish fiction to me because it tells the story through a male's eyes. I thought it was a pretty good story. There are times where my heart just ached for the characters but a wonderful way of learning of God's grace.
4 stars.
4 stars.
December 3, 2024
2nd book in series. This starts off rather slow at least through the horse part. There was a lot of talk about horse behavior.
The ending was good and Jake had to learn to face his pain and time to heal .
The ending was good and Jake had to learn to face his pain and time to heal .
July 29, 2019
Jake Miller practically has it all—a job he loves, a beautiful girlfriend, a promising future. After a little while longer as an apprentice blacksmith, he’ll finally be able to start working in his dream of owning a blacksmithing/horse-gentling business. But when his boss’s niece, Priscilla Kinsinger, arrives after a lengthy absence, she challenges his methods, and soon his character. Jake is confused by her accusations that he doesn’t “feel anything”, but he starts to wonder if she might be right; and if she is, what that means for him...
This book started off well. I was very interested in all the details about horses and their behavior, and although some of the details about blacksmithing and shoeing horses felt like it was copied from Wikipedia, most of the descriptions about horses were very engaging and enlightening. It was also fun seeing how Jake and Priscilla interacted with the animals. I really liked Priscilla; I wasn’t sure I would at first, but once I got to know her a little better, she became a very enjoyable character.
The ending, however, got a little weird. The book is split into three parts, and the third part seemed almost detached from the rest of the story. It suddenly went from Jake trying to pursue his dream job to Jake trying to understand why he never has any feel emotions. It was a bit strange, and it all felt somewhat off. Also, some of the best parts of the book were Jake and Priscilla’s conversations; in the third part, the majority of their communication is done by letter. Which brings up another strange part: letters between the two of them were inserted at odd parts, making it a little hard to really get into the flow of the story.
Overall, I did enjoy the book. It was a fun, easy read, and I loved seeing Jake and Priscilla together. But I wish the ending could have been altered. What started out as an interesting premise ended up as a soap-operaish drama about how following your heart and experiencing emotions is important. It wasn’t at all what I was expecting, so it was a little disappointing. Still, though, it’s a book that fans of Amish fiction will probably enjoy.
This book started off well. I was very interested in all the details about horses and their behavior, and although some of the details about blacksmithing and shoeing horses felt like it was copied from Wikipedia, most of the descriptions about horses were very engaging and enlightening. It was also fun seeing how Jake and Priscilla interacted with the animals. I really liked Priscilla; I wasn’t sure I would at first, but once I got to know her a little better, she became a very enjoyable character.
The ending, however, got a little weird. The book is split into three parts, and the third part seemed almost detached from the rest of the story. It suddenly went from Jake trying to pursue his dream job to Jake trying to understand why he never has any feel emotions. It was a bit strange, and it all felt somewhat off. Also, some of the best parts of the book were Jake and Priscilla’s conversations; in the third part, the majority of their communication is done by letter. Which brings up another strange part: letters between the two of them were inserted at odd parts, making it a little hard to really get into the flow of the story.
Overall, I did enjoy the book. It was a fun, easy read, and I loved seeing Jake and Priscilla together. But I wish the ending could have been altered. What started out as an interesting premise ended up as a soap-operaish drama about how following your heart and experiencing emotions is important. It wasn’t at all what I was expecting, so it was a little disappointing. Still, though, it’s a book that fans of Amish fiction will probably enjoy.
June 3, 2017
This is book 2 in The Men of Lancaster County Series by Mindy Starns Clark and Susan Meissner
"The Amish Blacksmith"
Jake Miller is a talented blacksmith and horse-gentler, he works for Kinsingers and within a year will be finished with his apprenticeship. Life is good. He has been courting the beautiful Amanda and his dream of owning his own business will happen soon.
Priscilla Kinsinger's life started to unravel the day her dad died, then her mother passed several years later and this young girl never recovered. With no real friends she spends her time with her beloved horses, that was once her fathers, problem is people start to talk which Priscilla could care less but after time she withdraws more and more and never recovering for the passing of her mothers passing her Uncle and Aunt feel it's time young Priscilla move away.
Six years have passed and Priscilla has come home,
Jake remembers the little cute tomeboy Priscilla who would come to the blacksmith shop and spend time with the horses, but the woman that returned is not a tomeboy anymore. .
Together these two characters butt heads and at the same time there is something that draws them together.
I can't say enough about this book I have a review of book 1 in the series and this book does not disappoint either. It's like a story within a story, kinda like looking back into your life to find your true path. These Authors have really hit it out of the park with this series it's outstanding I can't wait for book 3 and 4. Please do yourself a favor and read this series and then reccomend it to someone else.
"The Amish Blacksmith"
Jake Miller is a talented blacksmith and horse-gentler, he works for Kinsingers and within a year will be finished with his apprenticeship. Life is good. He has been courting the beautiful Amanda and his dream of owning his own business will happen soon.
Priscilla Kinsinger's life started to unravel the day her dad died, then her mother passed several years later and this young girl never recovered. With no real friends she spends her time with her beloved horses, that was once her fathers, problem is people start to talk which Priscilla could care less but after time she withdraws more and more and never recovering for the passing of her mothers passing her Uncle and Aunt feel it's time young Priscilla move away.
Six years have passed and Priscilla has come home,
Jake remembers the little cute tomeboy Priscilla who would come to the blacksmith shop and spend time with the horses, but the woman that returned is not a tomeboy anymore. .
Together these two characters butt heads and at the same time there is something that draws them together.
I can't say enough about this book I have a review of book 1 in the series and this book does not disappoint either. It's like a story within a story, kinda like looking back into your life to find your true path. These Authors have really hit it out of the park with this series it's outstanding I can't wait for book 3 and 4. Please do yourself a favor and read this series and then reccomend it to someone else.
April 18, 2023
This is the second in the Amish series about the men of Lancaster County. Jake Miller is an apprentice blacksmith whose boss has a niece named Priscilla Kinsinger. Priscilla's mother died in a tragic accident and Priscilla believes she is responsible for her death. She goes to live with her uncle and Jake is very aware of her because she is spending so much time with one of the horses on the farm. Jake is considered to be a person that can teach horses to trust people or animals. He trains them in a certain way but Priscilla doesn't approve of his method. She has other ideas that Jake becomes interested in because they are so unorthodox. Even though Jake has a girlfriend Amanda, he is planning on asking to be his wife he still hasn't done it after a long courtship. The love story is a little predictable, but it develops slowly. It ties in somewhat with the first book so the story continues.
August 26, 2017
Jake is a apprentice blacksmith, but also finds he enjoys working with helping to gentle troubled horses. Think he has his life pretty well planned out, work for awhile, and then open his own business. Even courting Amanda and thinks will marry and have a family.
But when Priscella back his boss ask him and Amanda to help her adjust back in to the community. Been away for 6 years, and just needs lots of help.
He loses his job due to the boss's family plans change and just can't afford to pay him. No fault of his own, but major change for Jake. He starts asking God help to let him know what his plans are for him.
In for a few surprises. Anyone that loves the Amish stories and also working with the horses should enjoy this one.
But when Priscella back his boss ask him and Amanda to help her adjust back in to the community. Been away for 6 years, and just needs lots of help.
He loses his job due to the boss's family plans change and just can't afford to pay him. No fault of his own, but major change for Jake. He starts asking God help to let him know what his plans are for him.
In for a few surprises. Anyone that loves the Amish stories and also working with the horses should enjoy this one.
July 25, 2020
4.10 stars. This was a really nice read. I do really like romances involving Amish characters (from contemporary romances like Sunshine and Shadow to traditional Amish romances like Lilly's Wedding Quilt). The way Amish people deal with emotions and worldly equations is so guileless and without artifice, that it makes for a refreshing read from other romances where the lead characters are playing games of one-upmanship and putting on facades.
February 16, 2019
Amish Blacksmith is a smashing book! and to say that I really enjoyed it might be an understatement. I love the cute romance that develops between Jake and Priscilla when she returns to Lancaster County. And while most Amish romances follow the same sort of trope, to which The Amish Blacksmith is no exception, it is written in such a way that the storyline seems fresh and new.
I have to say that if you haven't read an Amish Romance before, The Amish Blacksmith is a great introduction to the Amish culture. you can tell the authors have put effort into researching this story, as well as written it so beautifully, The Amish Blacksmith is definitely a 5-star book.
I have to say that if you haven't read an Amish Romance before, The Amish Blacksmith is a great introduction to the Amish culture. you can tell the authors have put effort into researching this story, as well as written it so beautifully, The Amish Blacksmith is definitely a 5-star book.
February 15, 2021
Have you ever felt like your emotions were just ~mediocre? Maybe you felt that you were just sailing through life on a constant, even keel without passion and without joy? That's what can happen when your heart is wounded by trauma. You build up walls...high walls to protect yourself from pain, but you also eliminate the deeper-felt emotions and hold them away ~at a distance. You live in a perpetual state of numbness and somehow in the midst of your dilemma, you've got to break out of this prison to deeply experience love and life once again. THAT is what this story is about...having the courage to face your pain, heal from it and re-enter life as a whole person.
For future reprints: this book had numerous missing words within the text. Oops!
For future reprints: this book had numerous missing words within the text. Oops!
October 23, 2023
The Amish Blacksmith is a refreshing read without a lot of violence, and with an element of mystery to keep the reader turning pages. Jake, who has a gift of working with problem horses, is asked to befriend Priscilla, who left the area following her mother's death which she blamed herself for. What was her part in it, and how could he help her to forgive herself and begin to heal? Meanwhile, Jake discovers that he has to dig deep into his own past to understand the problems of his own heart. This was a satisfying read. I would recommend it because it was entertaining, and yet had a helpful Christian message of healing.
—reviewed by SH
—reviewed by SH
May 22, 2020
A story told.by Jake, of finding the path he wanted for his life work. It was expected to follow his father in the making of buggies. His love was with horses and being a farrier, and a horse whisper. Priscilla comes back in the area after six years. She too has a gift with horses, and preferring the to people. His mother’s advice on who to marry, for God to chose, not him.
A good story of the young finding their place,in love and work
A good story of the young finding their place,in love and work
June 10, 2020
Wonderful Read!
I am a fan of Mindy Starns Clark, butv am a bit leery of some Amish fiction. Sometimes I think the people don't have a relationship with God, but focus is on the Bishop and rules like shunning? I so appreciate the real life spiritual emphasis in these books. I finish being encouraged in my own Christian walk! Truly a gift of a good Christian writer. Can hardly put these books down!
I am a fan of Mindy Starns Clark, butv am a bit leery of some Amish fiction. Sometimes I think the people don't have a relationship with God, but focus is on the Bishop and rules like shunning? I so appreciate the real life spiritual emphasis in these books. I finish being encouraged in my own Christian walk! Truly a gift of a good Christian writer. Can hardly put these books down!
May 28, 2024
What a startlingly accurate rendering of a young man fresh from rumspringa. I was shocked to find books, capturing mail characters in the Amish community. Truly intrigued, I grabbed hold of the first one I saw. Imagine my surprise finding out it was book 2 in a series. I intend to go back and read the first book and follow up with all the successive books. This should be an amazing series!
January 11, 2020
I enjoyed the first half of this book a lot. I got a little annoyed at all the accusations that the main character needed to look into himself and break down walls. Otherwise he wasn’t good enough. The last half of the book was annoying to me.
April 9, 2024
I had a large print copy so reading this book went quickly. I had the ending figured out early, but the details to reach the end were surprising.
Oil and wick… not a combination I had heard previously, but perfect for a book with Amish characters.
Oil and wick… not a combination I had heard previously, but perfect for a book with Amish characters.
March 14, 2018
A lovely story that really gets to the heart of love - literally.
April 25, 2019
Enjoyable series. Amish life explained very well and good development of characters.
June 26, 2019
A lot of the slang and verbiage used by the characters seemed pretty unrealistic.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 104 reviews