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Amish Turns of Time #1
Wonderful Lonesome
In a struggling Amish settlement on the harsh Colorado plain, Abbie Weaver refuses to concede defeat to hail, drought, and coyotes, even as families begin to give up and return east. The biggest challenge of all is the lack of a spiritual shepherd and regular worship. When Abbie discovers the root of a spiritual divide that runs through the settlement, she faces her own decisions about what she believes. She must choose between a quiet love in her cherished church, passion with a man determined to leave the church, or imagining her life with neither.
310 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 2014
168 people are currently reading
968 people want to read
About the author
Olivia Newport
58 books627 followersHello!
I’m imagining you. You walk past as I water my front flowerbeds and we wave. You check the time as we both stand in a long line at the grocery store. You sit in front of me in church. I’m at my table in the coffee shop and you’re at yours.
We may smile politely and move on with our separate lives. Or one of us may speak, a simple invitation to conversation, and the words flow between us.
Here the adventure begins. When we meet someone new, we never know where it might lead.
I’ve been married over 40 years and have two adult kids and a son-in-law. We live in stunning Colorado at the foot of the Rockies, where the day lilies in my back yard grow as tall as I am. (No short jokes, please.)
Not every piece of my life is pretty, though. Some days I want to throw out whole chunks. But I am living each day looking for the grace of God to me, in me, and through me. Having your companionship along the way will help uncover a lot of great stories.
I’m imagining you. You walk past as I water my front flowerbeds and we wave. You check the time as we both stand in a long line at the grocery store. You sit in front of me in church. I’m at my table in the coffee shop and you’re at yours.
We may smile politely and move on with our separate lives. Or one of us may speak, a simple invitation to conversation, and the words flow between us.
Here the adventure begins. When we meet someone new, we never know where it might lead.
I’ve been married over 40 years and have two adult kids and a son-in-law. We live in stunning Colorado at the foot of the Rockies, where the day lilies in my back yard grow as tall as I am. (No short jokes, please.)
Not every piece of my life is pretty, though. Some days I want to throw out whole chunks. But I am living each day looking for the grace of God to me, in me, and through me. Having your companionship along the way will help uncover a lot of great stories.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 125 reviews
September 19, 2018
This was an interesting novel about a struggling Amish settlement in the plains of Colorado. Not only has drought brought serious financial difficulties to the small number of families trying to build an Amish community there but the lack of a minister and church services are wearing on the settlers' spirits, especially as there is a serious difference of opinion on an essential spiritual question preventing the small Amish community from truly coming together in unity. Through all of this, Abigail Weaver must make choices between the man she passionately loves and the church she can't imagine life without. I thought that the novel was fairly well written and that the characters were interesting. However, even though I enjoyed the novel overall, there was one major turning point in the plot that was based on a certain character's action that felt highly inconsistent with how that character had been portrayed up to that point, and the author certainly could have brought about the result that she wanted without being so inconsistent with that character.
February 22, 2015
The ending of this book makes no sense, in terms of what we see of the person Rudy throughout. It is so incongruous with who we have been told he was that is falls flat and ruins an otherwise interesting read.
None of the people behave in ways that one might believe real people would.
I find this book to be pretty disappointing overall.
None of the people behave in ways that one might believe real people would.
I find this book to be pretty disappointing overall.
February 10, 2015
After about 20 pages I thought "another plodder." I'm glad I stuck with this because it turned out to be one of the best of this genre I have ever had the pleasure to read.
It zeroes in on a new, small, and impoverished Amish settlement near the high plains town of Limon Colorado and follows the struggles of the dozen families trying to survive the droughts, snow, hail and wild animals that plague their lives.
Young Abby Weaver is the daughter of one of the leading families and her leadership, faithfulness and devotion to the Amish faith make her a truly admirable heroine. Two young men are vying for her hand in marriage, both with visions of their own. Abby's own feelings are ambivalent and she cannot decide who her life's mate should be.
Tireless Abby does everything she can to encourage the struggling settlers to stay one more season but slowly, some of the families give up and return to their former eastern communities. But it is not just the elements that are causing families to leave. Abby uncovers a spiritual secret that is deeply dividing the families.
How can a story, so quiet on the surface, evoke such powerful feelings of empathy, hope, and heartbreak in the reader? It is the author masterfully interweaving the "quiet desperation" into the relationships of the settlers with dramatic suspense.
Abby, in the face of disappointment, abandonment, and loss, stubbornly sticks to her Amish faith in God that He will provide, even though no Amish minister ever comes to their settlement. The nearest house of God is Mennonite, meets in Limon, and Abby worries about their teachings.
Dear readers, this story will grab your heart and not let go until the surprising final page.
It zeroes in on a new, small, and impoverished Amish settlement near the high plains town of Limon Colorado and follows the struggles of the dozen families trying to survive the droughts, snow, hail and wild animals that plague their lives.
Young Abby Weaver is the daughter of one of the leading families and her leadership, faithfulness and devotion to the Amish faith make her a truly admirable heroine. Two young men are vying for her hand in marriage, both with visions of their own. Abby's own feelings are ambivalent and she cannot decide who her life's mate should be.
Tireless Abby does everything she can to encourage the struggling settlers to stay one more season but slowly, some of the families give up and return to their former eastern communities. But it is not just the elements that are causing families to leave. Abby uncovers a spiritual secret that is deeply dividing the families.
How can a story, so quiet on the surface, evoke such powerful feelings of empathy, hope, and heartbreak in the reader? It is the author masterfully interweaving the "quiet desperation" into the relationships of the settlers with dramatic suspense.
Abby, in the face of disappointment, abandonment, and loss, stubbornly sticks to her Amish faith in God that He will provide, even though no Amish minister ever comes to their settlement. The nearest house of God is Mennonite, meets in Limon, and Abby worries about their teachings.
Dear readers, this story will grab your heart and not let go until the surprising final page.
March 26, 2015
BACK OF THE BOOK BLURB
(taken from Amazon.com)
In a struggling Amish settlement on the harsh Colorado plain, Abbie Weaver refuses to concede defeat to hail, drought, and coyotes. When Abbie discovers the root of her Amish church's spiritual divide, she must choose between a quiet love in her cherished church, passion with a man determined to leave the church, or imagining her life with neither.
MY REVIEW
An interesting story about some of the first Amish moving west and finding out that most of the good things they read/heard ended up being untrue. Abbie really fell in love with the country and had faith that the church would grow, not everyone felt the same way. When some of the families make decisions that upset her, she still didn't give up, even when her family was giving up, she still held on strong to that faith. Have you ever been told that you have to change your mind and give up on something that you feel in your heart God has told you this is where you need to be, this is what you need to be doing? What did you do and what do think Abbie will do?
A good historical fiction about the Amish trying to move on and not only their physical and emotional fight but also their spiritual fight to follow God's will. It looks like this is going to be a good series. I already have the second book, "Meek and Mild" which I will be reading soon and a the third in the series "Brightest and Best" comes out in August of 2015, looking forward to that one too. I read this first book in e-book format.
(taken from Amazon.com)
In a struggling Amish settlement on the harsh Colorado plain, Abbie Weaver refuses to concede defeat to hail, drought, and coyotes. When Abbie discovers the root of her Amish church's spiritual divide, she must choose between a quiet love in her cherished church, passion with a man determined to leave the church, or imagining her life with neither.
MY REVIEW
An interesting story about some of the first Amish moving west and finding out that most of the good things they read/heard ended up being untrue. Abbie really fell in love with the country and had faith that the church would grow, not everyone felt the same way. When some of the families make decisions that upset her, she still didn't give up, even when her family was giving up, she still held on strong to that faith. Have you ever been told that you have to change your mind and give up on something that you feel in your heart God has told you this is where you need to be, this is what you need to be doing? What did you do and what do think Abbie will do?
A good historical fiction about the Amish trying to move on and not only their physical and emotional fight but also their spiritual fight to follow God's will. It looks like this is going to be a good series. I already have the second book, "Meek and Mild" which I will be reading soon and a the third in the series "Brightest and Best" comes out in August of 2015, looking forward to that one too. I read this first book in e-book format.
September 19, 2014
Olivia Newport has written a story about faith, hope and love. The Weaver family has moved from Ohio to Colorado with great hopes of helping establishing a new community of Amish. The author weaves a story set in 1914 and brings to life the characters with her imagery and dialogue. Colorado is advertised as the land of opportunity. Land was cheap, beautiful scenery were things that interested the Amish a lot. What they really didn't understand was the hardships that would be faced with moving to a new climate. We are introduced to Abigail Weaver and to be honest I didn't really like the character at first, but as the story progressed I found that I admired her greatly. She is a young woman of great faith and lots of determination. She never stops encouraging members of their small settlement and does what ever is necessary to help anyone. The settlement has had the hardships of hail, wind, drought and illness, but the lack of a minister is a strain that is taking a toll on them. Abigail remaining faithful to the original reason for the move was what kept her going. Will she be able to follow the path her heavenly father has for her or will she follow her earthly father in is beliefs?
I had never read this author before, but will certainly read more books from her. I would recommend this book to anyone. I was given this book from Barbour Publishing for a honest review without outside influence or bias as stated above.
I had never read this author before, but will certainly read more books from her. I would recommend this book to anyone. I was given this book from Barbour Publishing for a honest review without outside influence or bias as stated above.
October 4, 2014
Olivia Newport tells the story of Abigail Weaver and Willem Peters in Wonderful Lonesome. Based on an actual Colorado Amish settlement in the early 1900s, Wonderful Lonesome is quite different than most of the Amish fiction in the market today. I would say it is more like Dale Cramer's Daughter' Of Caleb Bender trilogy than Lewis' or Brunstetter's works.
Abbie is a single woman who does the housekeeping and baking for the widowers and bachelors in her small community. With only 12 households and no minister the community must decide how to proceed. Should they continue to look for a minister? Should they disband and go back east? Or should they surrender their beliefs and join the Mennonite church? To complicate matters the county is experiencing a serious drought. Each family will have to decide what "Gotte's wille" is for them. Willem would like for Abby to marry him, but she will not join with him in exploring the Mennonite faith.
This book makes one think about what is most important, faith, family or community. The decisions each family makes affect all of the other's lives. I believe anyone interested in the Amish or in Historical fiction would enjoy this book.
I received this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion. I was not required to offer a favorable review.
Abbie is a single woman who does the housekeeping and baking for the widowers and bachelors in her small community. With only 12 households and no minister the community must decide how to proceed. Should they continue to look for a minister? Should they disband and go back east? Or should they surrender their beliefs and join the Mennonite church? To complicate matters the county is experiencing a serious drought. Each family will have to decide what "Gotte's wille" is for them. Willem would like for Abby to marry him, but she will not join with him in exploring the Mennonite faith.
This book makes one think about what is most important, faith, family or community. The decisions each family makes affect all of the other's lives. I believe anyone interested in the Amish or in Historical fiction would enjoy this book.
I received this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion. I was not required to offer a favorable review.
September 23, 2014
Wonderful lonesome is about a small Amish settlement in the rain belt of Colorado. Unfortunately, this area of Colorado has had a drought for five years and in a good year the rain fall is about half of what the Amish in the Midwest would expect. Needless to say, the Amish families present are having a very hard time meeting the needs of their families and the community. Some sort of dispute between a visiting Bishop and the men of the community have stopped ministers from visiting the community for over a year. The drought and lack of church services has prevented additional families from joining the community and caused some of the families to cut their losses and return to the Midwest.
The main character is Abbie Weaver and she is the cheerleader of the community. Despite the very significant obstacles facing each family, Abbie continues to encourage them to stay the course. She is loved by two men in the community and is attracted to each for different reasons. When the man she loves make choices that split them apart, will Abbie find happiness with the other?
I thought that this was a well written novel. The author does a good job immersing us in the trials of the community and the characters. I did not connect well with Abbie, however, and felt that the story plodded along because of it.
I received this novel free through a Goodreads giveaway.
The main character is Abbie Weaver and she is the cheerleader of the community. Despite the very significant obstacles facing each family, Abbie continues to encourage them to stay the course. She is loved by two men in the community and is attracted to each for different reasons. When the man she loves make choices that split them apart, will Abbie find happiness with the other?
I thought that this was a well written novel. The author does a good job immersing us in the trials of the community and the characters. I did not connect well with Abbie, however, and felt that the story plodded along because of it.
I received this novel free through a Goodreads giveaway.
January 23, 2025
A different kind of pioneer story. It is 1914 but Colorado is still a wild, relatively unsettled part of the country. Land is cheap but not without challenges as a small group of Amish settlers soon discover. This whole story fascinated me on so many levels. The historical facts for one -- the author based the settlement on actual Amish endeavors in the area at the same time and she deals with a lot of 'big' questions. The conflict that stems from those concerns -- both personal and as a group -- compelled me to keep reading.
No worries if you are not an Amish fiction fan. This isn't 'that' book. If you like pioneer stories with a good does of grit, you'll like this novel. It's about living a dream -- willing a dream actually and what you do when that dream starts crumbling right before your eyes. Do you let it go or hang on for all you are worth? And at what cost? Not just to you, but to those you love.
https://kavsbestreads.ca/2025/01/23/w...
Told through multiple viewpoints Wonderful Lonesome is a sombre tale that will haunt you long after you close the book.
No worries if you are not an Amish fiction fan. This isn't 'that' book. If you like pioneer stories with a good does of grit, you'll like this novel. It's about living a dream -- willing a dream actually and what you do when that dream starts crumbling right before your eyes. Do you let it go or hang on for all you are worth? And at what cost? Not just to you, but to those you love.
https://kavsbestreads.ca/2025/01/23/w...
Told through multiple viewpoints Wonderful Lonesome is a sombre tale that will haunt you long after you close the book.
July 4, 2016
I enjoyed reading Wonderful Lonesome. The story was good, and the twists and turns in the plot kept me turning pages until the very end. I really liked that this was both an Amish fiction and an historical fiction book.
However, the main characters, Abbie and Willem, took a while to grow on me. At first, I found them very stubborn and they kind of annoyed me.
I'm also unsure about how I feel towards the ending... I liked the conclusion of the story, but I didn't like what happened with Rudy. It kind of came out of nowhere, and at that point, I thought this was the author's way to wrap up the story quickly. Turns out, the story was nicely finished.
Overall, I enjoyed the book very much, and I will be checking out the other Amish Turns Of Time books.
However, the main characters, Abbie and Willem, took a while to grow on me. At first, I found them very stubborn and they kind of annoyed me.
I'm also unsure about how I feel towards the ending... I liked the conclusion of the story, but I didn't like what happened with Rudy. It kind of came out of nowhere, and at that point, I thought this was the author's way to wrap up the story quickly. Turns out, the story was nicely finished.
Overall, I enjoyed the book very much, and I will be checking out the other Amish Turns Of Time books.
February 9, 2022
This is not what I would call Amish fiction; it was more about Mennonites. When I do read Amish fiction I want to read about strong, decisive families. That's one of the many reasons I choose to read that genre at all. For me this book fell very short in that area. Abbie was exhausting to read about and even she wavered in the end. I did however find the title "Wonderful Lonesome" quite inviting; I just did not feel the warmth after arriving there. The cover was beautiful; and I enjoyed the font size which made it very easy to see. I will however not be purchasing the second book "Meek and Mild" this was just not a good fit for me. I know a lot of readers have enjoyed it; my personal preference just did not.
June 16, 2015
I read about 25% of the book and felt it was too boring to continue.
January 30, 2016
This was the most boring book I've ever read. I have no interest in reading any more of her books.
September 9, 2020
Not your average "feel good" Amish novel. During 1914, a small Amish settlement forms in the harsh Colorado plain. Made up of different groups from around the country, the twelve family pioneer settlement suffers from hail, wind, drought and the ever present hunger of local coyotes. The biggest loss of all, however, is the lack of spiritual guidance and bi-weekly church attendance. It weighs heavily on them all as no minister wants to travel to such a tiny, dwindling group.
Abbie Weaver continues to have faith that all will turn around despite the slow exodus of their families one after another. As the settlement shrinks, Abbie loses both her best friend and a potential suitor. Her families exit leaves her mostly alone with the exception of Willem who is making it plain that he will attend the local Mennonite fledgling church rather than pine away waiting for an Amish church gathering which looks impossible.
Abbie must come to terms with her feelings for Willem and her Amish faith turned dry while months of Gottes Wille continue to stress both her faith and her finances. Will she stay and leave her faith, or will she too exit the group? The first book in the Amish Turns of Time series by Olivia Newport.
Abbie Weaver continues to have faith that all will turn around despite the slow exodus of their families one after another. As the settlement shrinks, Abbie loses both her best friend and a potential suitor. Her families exit leaves her mostly alone with the exception of Willem who is making it plain that he will attend the local Mennonite fledgling church rather than pine away waiting for an Amish church gathering which looks impossible.
Abbie must come to terms with her feelings for Willem and her Amish faith turned dry while months of Gottes Wille continue to stress both her faith and her finances. Will she stay and leave her faith, or will she too exit the group? The first book in the Amish Turns of Time series by Olivia Newport.
November 20, 2023
Wonderful Lonesome
by Olivia Newport
Pub Date 01 Sep 2014 | Archive Date 30 Nov 2014
Barbour Publishing, Inc.,Shiloh Run Press
Christian| Romance
Barbour Publishing and Netgalley provided me with a copy of Wonderful Lonesome for review:
Despite hail, drought, and coyotes, Abbie Weaver refuses to give up on an Amish settlement on the harsh Colorado plain.
Lack of a spiritual shepherd and regular worship is the biggest challenge. When Abbie discovers the root of a spiritual divide running through the settlement, she must make her own choices about what she believes. A quiet love in her beloved church, passion with a man determined to leave, or imagining a life without either must be her choice.
I give Wonderful Lonesome five out of five stars!
Happy Reading!
by Olivia Newport
Pub Date 01 Sep 2014 | Archive Date 30 Nov 2014
Barbour Publishing, Inc.,Shiloh Run Press
Christian| Romance
Barbour Publishing and Netgalley provided me with a copy of Wonderful Lonesome for review:
Despite hail, drought, and coyotes, Abbie Weaver refuses to give up on an Amish settlement on the harsh Colorado plain.
Lack of a spiritual shepherd and regular worship is the biggest challenge. When Abbie discovers the root of a spiritual divide running through the settlement, she must make her own choices about what she believes. A quiet love in her beloved church, passion with a man determined to leave, or imagining a life without either must be her choice.
I give Wonderful Lonesome five out of five stars!
Happy Reading!
June 24, 2018
This was an interesting novel by Olivia Newport, the first in a series. The main character, Abbie Weaver, moved with her family to be part of a new Amish settlement in Colorado. The farming is difficult, and they have no bishop or minister to lead their fledgling congregation. Abbie is determined to encourage everyone to not quit and go home, but to make the settlement work. Yet, meanwhile, the man she thought she'd marry, is not as settled in their faith as she thought. Abbie has so many decisions to make!
Great story about the founding of an Amish community.
Great story about the founding of an Amish community.
April 24, 2025
great start to a good series
This was my first book by this author and it won’t be my last. She brings so much to her stories and immediately brings you into her stories and allows you to step into time and your right there in a kitchen, a farm, a wagon etc. You can’t help feeling the emotions each character is feeling. You will want to have book two on hand when you finish this book.
There is no sexual situations or language so I can honestly recommend this to my preteen advanced reading friends or anyone wanting a good clean wonderful read.
This was my first book by this author and it won’t be my last. She brings so much to her stories and immediately brings you into her stories and allows you to step into time and your right there in a kitchen, a farm, a wagon etc. You can’t help feeling the emotions each character is feeling. You will want to have book two on hand when you finish this book.
There is no sexual situations or language so I can honestly recommend this to my preteen advanced reading friends or anyone wanting a good clean wonderful read.
June 16, 2017
Spell bounding
I was taken back somewhat with the main female character. She was strong willed. Outspoken. And opinionated. She differed from other Amish female characters and I had to remind myself even tho she is Amish, she is a human being who held fast to her upbringing. I enjoyed the book but I seem to tire of her attitude at times. But that's me, Abbie and I are 2 different personalities. Good book.
I was taken back somewhat with the main female character. She was strong willed. Outspoken. And opinionated. She differed from other Amish female characters and I had to remind myself even tho she is Amish, she is a human being who held fast to her upbringing. I enjoyed the book but I seem to tire of her attitude at times. But that's me, Abbie and I are 2 different personalities. Good book.
March 29, 2019
I was a little bummed that this book was not as good and exciting as Olivia's book Accidentally Amish. However, I did still enjoy this one the majority of the time. I did feel as though Abbie was an incredibly pushy character during parts of the book. But the other characters in the book were all wonderful and wonderfully written.
Overall it was a great story with lots of feeling and many wonderful characters.
Overall it was a great story with lots of feeling and many wonderful characters.
February 21, 2018
3.7? I enjoyed the uniqueness of this story; how it focused on the theological differences within an Amish community. The two male characters were easier to understand than the lead female, and I found the ending a bit abrupt. I may read more of this author, but I wasn’t drawn in enough to continue her Amish novels.
September 19, 2017
A young Amish lady tries to save her struggling and dysfunctional Amish settlement in western plains. Skillfully written, with a sympathetic main character, but the story doesn't really get going until halfway through.
July 4, 2022
Great read
This is the story of an Amish community trying desperately not to fail and one young woman determined to make it succeed. Romance and unexpected twist interns make it a great read. I highly recommend it.
This is the story of an Amish community trying desperately not to fail and one young woman determined to make it succeed. Romance and unexpected twist interns make it a great read. I highly recommend it.
January 3, 2024
This book was different than any other Amish romance, I read. I think because it was so full of history. And very truthful about the things the Amish believe. However, I thought it was excellent. Gave me a grasp of Amish history that I lacked.
August 30, 2017
Good book
Very good book to read . I felt like I was one of the people in the book . Makes you feel like you are there among the people in the book .
Very good book to read . I felt like I was one of the people in the book . Makes you feel like you are there among the people in the book .
June 5, 2018
Not a big fan of this book. About half way through I was ready for the author to finish things up. Instead they drug it on and on.
April 26, 2019
While I enjoyed the book and the characters, the twist near the end was too extreme for that character as he’d been portrayed throughout the story. The narrator is very good. Happy reading/listening!
June 24, 2019
Better than average Amish inspirational fiction. Well written, engaging but not taxing.
Read
July 25, 2019The book is good story.
The book is good story again. I love reading from start to finish books number 1. Many thanks for your wonderful writing book.
The book is good story again. I love reading from start to finish books number 1. Many thanks for your wonderful writing book.
October 6, 2022
wonderful story of faith and the struggles of starting a settlement.
June 14, 2024
This book was very jumpy. In fact I was on the last page and was like, that’s it?
February 23, 2016
About this book:
“”Without Church for over a year, this is a wonderful lonesome place to be.”
In a struggling Amish settlement on the harsh Colorado plain in 1914, Abbie Weaver fights for the life of the church she cherishes. Hail, wind, drought, and coyotes are daily enemies to the farming Amish, and some families are giving up and returning east. But the lost the community feels most deeply is the lack of a minister. Visiting bishops have stopped coming—a mystery that demands explanation.
Even Abbie’s closest friends aren’t much comfort: Ruthanna is pregnant and afraid her husband will die. Rudy is lonely and weary. Willem is fiercely determined to succeed at any cost. Their unfolding responses to daily challenges press Abbie to confront the convictions that form the backbone of her dreams for the settlement. Though Abbie loves Willem, his choices put a wedge between them. She turns her gaze to Rudy as a blessing that just might save the settlement.
When Abbie discovers the root of the unspoken spiritual divide that runs through the settlement, she finds herself questioning her own father’s faith. Will a collision of loves and values cost her Willem forever?”
Series: Book #1 in the “Amish Turns of Time”. {Book #2, “Meek and Mild”, is coming February 2015.}
Spiritual Content- Many, many, many talks & mentions of God’s will; Many Scriptures are quoted; Prayers & Hymns; Missing church & church going; The big question of salvation outside of the Amish church.
Negative Content- Quite a few mentions of slaughtering animals for bait or twisting necks for food (semi-detailed); A calf is born (semi-detailed (it all ends okay)); coyote attacks on chickens (semi-detailed); a coyote gets killed (semi-detailed); a coyote attacks a dog (the dog is found and it’s very detailed); A mention of a dog of old age so the father shot it; Illnesses (semi-detailed); A dead body and what to do with it (semi-detailed).
Sexual Content- three semi-detailed kisses & a not-detailed kiss; Two embraces (semi-detailed); Ruthanna says that it would be nice “to sleep in her own bed, besides Eber” (but they are married and expecting); When Abbie says she’s going to make a quilt and Willem asks if it’ll be big enough for two; Abbie puts new sheets on Willem’s bed (she cleans for the single men) & imagines that one day it could be her bed too; A mention of a baby being the (married) parents’ “fruit of their love”; A baby is born (semi-detailed); Mentions of a quilt covering a man’s bed instead of another man’s bed; Love, mentions of love, love triangles, and the emotions.
-Abbie Weaver, age 23 // -Willem Peters, age 26
-Ruthanna Gingerich // -Rudy Stutzman, age 28
P.O.V. switches between them
Set in 1914
310 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- One Star
Early High School Teens- One Star (and a half)
Older High School Teens- Two Stars
My personal Rating- Two Stars
{Not for animal lovers or sensitive girls—lower 2-3 stars}
*Just a note that this is the first Amish Historical I’ve ever read.
When I started reading this book, I was really enjoying it; I loved how there were mentions of future generations. But, as it kept going the coyotes popped up more and more. As a very sensitive girl (and I’d like to tell fellow girls who are the same way, there’s nothing wrong with being sensitive!) the animal parts were way too much. With all that and the many, many plot twists, I wasn’t a fan of the book. Though, I will be trying other books by this author.
Link to review:
http://booksforchristiangirls.blogspo...
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
*I received this book for free from the Publisher (Shiloh Run Press) for this honest review.
“”Without Church for over a year, this is a wonderful lonesome place to be.”
In a struggling Amish settlement on the harsh Colorado plain in 1914, Abbie Weaver fights for the life of the church she cherishes. Hail, wind, drought, and coyotes are daily enemies to the farming Amish, and some families are giving up and returning east. But the lost the community feels most deeply is the lack of a minister. Visiting bishops have stopped coming—a mystery that demands explanation.
Even Abbie’s closest friends aren’t much comfort: Ruthanna is pregnant and afraid her husband will die. Rudy is lonely and weary. Willem is fiercely determined to succeed at any cost. Their unfolding responses to daily challenges press Abbie to confront the convictions that form the backbone of her dreams for the settlement. Though Abbie loves Willem, his choices put a wedge between them. She turns her gaze to Rudy as a blessing that just might save the settlement.
When Abbie discovers the root of the unspoken spiritual divide that runs through the settlement, she finds herself questioning her own father’s faith. Will a collision of loves and values cost her Willem forever?”
Series: Book #1 in the “Amish Turns of Time”. {Book #2, “Meek and Mild”, is coming February 2015.}
Spiritual Content- Many, many, many talks & mentions of God’s will; Many Scriptures are quoted; Prayers & Hymns; Missing church & church going; The big question of salvation outside of the Amish church.
Negative Content- Quite a few mentions of slaughtering animals for bait or twisting necks for food (semi-detailed); A calf is born (semi-detailed (it all ends okay)); coyote attacks on chickens (semi-detailed); a coyote gets killed (semi-detailed); a coyote attacks a dog (the dog is found and it’s very detailed); A mention of a dog of old age so the father shot it; Illnesses (semi-detailed); A dead body and what to do with it (semi-detailed).
Sexual Content- three semi-detailed kisses & a not-detailed kiss; Two embraces (semi-detailed); Ruthanna says that it would be nice “to sleep in her own bed, besides Eber” (but they are married and expecting); When Abbie says she’s going to make a quilt and Willem asks if it’ll be big enough for two; Abbie puts new sheets on Willem’s bed (she cleans for the single men) & imagines that one day it could be her bed too; A mention of a baby being the (married) parents’ “fruit of their love”; A baby is born (semi-detailed); Mentions of a quilt covering a man’s bed instead of another man’s bed; Love, mentions of love, love triangles, and the emotions.
-Abbie Weaver, age 23 // -Willem Peters, age 26
-Ruthanna Gingerich // -Rudy Stutzman, age 28
P.O.V. switches between them
Set in 1914
310 pages
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Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- One Star
Early High School Teens- One Star (and a half)
Older High School Teens- Two Stars
My personal Rating- Two Stars
{Not for animal lovers or sensitive girls—lower 2-3 stars}
*Just a note that this is the first Amish Historical I’ve ever read.
When I started reading this book, I was really enjoying it; I loved how there were mentions of future generations. But, as it kept going the coyotes popped up more and more. As a very sensitive girl (and I’d like to tell fellow girls who are the same way, there’s nothing wrong with being sensitive!) the animal parts were way too much. With all that and the many, many plot twists, I wasn’t a fan of the book. Though, I will be trying other books by this author.
Link to review:
http://booksforchristiangirls.blogspo...
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
*I received this book for free from the Publisher (Shiloh Run Press) for this honest review.
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