Is there more to love than her bitter memories? Miriam Bontrager has loved Ephraim Neuenschwander for as long as she can remember. As young teenagers they made a secret pact to wed when they came of age. But when Miriam's headstrong brother is arrested and her sister is discovered with child, Ephraim decides that Miriam, with her disgraced family ties, is not worthy of him. Heartbroken and shattered, Miriam vows to never again trust her affection to anyone. But will she surrender her heart when a man of simple faith and gentle ways shows her how to love again?
Jennifer Beckstrand is the two-time RITA-nominated, #1 Amazon bestselling Amish romance author of The Matchmakers of Huckleberry Hill series, The Honeybee Sisters series, The Petersheim Brothers series and The Amish Quiltmaker series for Kensington Books. Huckleberry Summer and Home on Huckleberry Hill were both nominated for the RITA® Award from Romance Writers of America. Her sweet romantic Western series, Cowboys of the Butterfly Ranch, features feisty heroines and tough-as-nails cowboys sprinkled with Jennifer’s trademark humor and happy endings. Maggie and Max is the third book in that series. Dandelion Meadows is her new, sweet small-town romance series, set in a quirky little town in Idaho. Jennifer has written thirty-eight Amish romances, three sweet romantic Westerns, two sweet contemporaries, and the nonfiction book, Big Ideas. Jennifer is a member of ACFW and is represented by Nicole Resciniti of the Seymour Agency. She and her husband have been married thirty-nine years, and she has six children and eleven adorable grandchildren, whom she spoils rotten.
This is an Amish Fiction/Clean Romance, and this is the third book in the Apple Lake series. I have read a review book 1 and 2 in this series. I really enjoyed this book. I have to say Miriam's character did a lot of changing through out this book. I really enjoyed reading this book, and I did not want to put it down. There were a few things I saw coming before it came.
I love Jennifer Beckstrand's characters. She fills them with faith, humor and magnetic qualities, good and sometimes on the wrong side of things. I love that her Amish characters are human, with believable stories, challenges and even heart breaks. This is an excellent story with well rounded characters. I absolutely love it. Seth is a sweetheart of a man but no one knows it as he works hard, stays to himself and tries to protect his younger siblings. Miriam is quite self important under the guise of being a lovely little Amish woman who is perfection while being judgemental of others. Beckstrand gives us a powerful story that certainly shows the human weaknesses and strengths, even in an Amish community. Miriam and Seth change and grow throughout the story. I don't want to take a chance on spoilers so if you love an Amish tale with a more realistic plot, this is it! This is excellent!
Miriam's Quilt is the third and final story written by Jennifer Beckstrand in her Forever After in Apple Lake series. I love the cover because it pulls the reader into the story. The characters are very likeable and I enjoyed getting to know them. This third story takes us back to Apple Lake which is an area I would like to live in. The author uses great descriptions and makes you feel part of the story.
Miriam Bontrager is a young Amish woman who has been devastated by her beautiful Ephraim. Miriam believes they will marry one day. When an unfortunate scandal hits her family Ephraim decides to look elsewhere. Determined never to trust anyone with her heart again Miriam goes on many visits to Seth Lambrights horse farm. Miriam pours her thoughts into the horses but not Seth. Seth believes Miriam is to uppidity for him. As the visits continue Seth finds himself falling in love with Miriam but is he right about Miriam? Will Miriam's heart be mended by Seth? Their journey will have you turning pages to reveal what happens next. It might just surprise you.
I was not given a complimentary copy of this book to read and review. I was not approached to post a favorable response. I have rated this story with five stars for meeting my expectations of a wonderful story that I can highly recommend to others. I have reread this entire series for a second time and found it just as enjoyable the second time around.
Congratulations to Jennifer Beckstrand on writing such an inspiring story and series for her readers enjoyment.
Seth couldn’t stand the site of Miriam. She would.not make eye contact, and offering that indifferent pride, which got his hackles up. Seth even though young is a horse breeder, of which good things are said, and the quality of his horses. Words spoken in haste, if she thought he wasn’t good enough for her to own one of his horses. She asks why he didn’t like her, he though she was a snob. He could recall every time and told her. Then realizing he shouldn’t hold on to them, and asking forgiveness. She always put to much importance on what others thought, was he right. Her brother had gotten into trouble, remarks are being said. Only Seth was offering sympathy not condemning him, as everyone else was doing. Her father is a bishop, and more falls on the family. A deep look at forgiveness, and upholding them, and the ones that truly love you. The series is good one to enjoy reading.
The last book in the Apple Lake Amish series. We meet Miriam and Seth and we learn a lot about different heartbreaks and where bad decisions can lead us. This was a wonderful book and I could not put it down.
I love the Amish series that Jennifer writes about - they are good, clean love stories that teach you that usually love is right in front of you, when you least expect it, and from the most unlikely person. As a reader you're wondering when will this girl wake up and realize the reality of what is really important instead of the dream, what she thought she wanted - glad she has a mind of her own to not be swayed by the face she thought was so handsome but yet so dictatorial to the one that loved his mother, siblings and worked so hard and let Miriam think for herself.
I think this was my favourite of the series. I liked how both Seth and Miriam were able to learn from each other how to be a better person, and how their friendship grew. I also really enjoyed the faith element. It seemed stronger in this book than in the other two of the series. It reminded me that I needed to be careful, not only to not listen to or participate in any gossip, but to show an increase of love to those whom others might condemn as 'fallen'.
This is a great series. I loved all 3 books. Very captivating. The stories keep you rooting for certain character's, while at the same time I wanted to jump into the story and ask " what are you doing, can't you see what's right in front of you"?! I think everyone will love this series
Jennifer’s stories are written with a comfortable mixture of details, description and honest frankness. She portrays the bumpy trails, tough roads and lovely pathways of ordinary life with ease and interest. I enjoyed the open look into the characters’ hearts and the pictures of a treasured and private world she glimpses into.
Miriam has been in love for many years with an Amish man who is both a preachers son and a controlling man. He is concerned with his status and financial wellbeing much more than bringing happiness to others. Luckily she finds by helping other people that true love is much more than status and money.
The characters truly come alive, pulling you into their world with every page. I love a well-crafted character—someone I can grow to understand and connect with as the story unfolds. By the time I reach the final sentence, I’m left wanting more, wondering what happens next in their lives beyond the book.
I loved these books! There was so much love in each one along with as much heartbreak. Each character was wes well described. A must to read for anyone who loves the Amish genre!
Miriam and Seth’s relationship is testy from the start when he shares his opinion that she’s a snob causing her to question herself though he’s reacting out of his own insecurities. When both of her siblings cause chaos and scorn in their community Miriam spends a lot of time searching her soul and learning valuable lessons about herself and those around her. She finds acceptance and forgiveness through Seth’s wisdom and I loved his Christian faith, his commitment to the Ordnung and his growing affection for Miriam. I pitied some characters for their manipulative behavior toward Miriam’s family and though religious fanaticism seems to be a popular theme in some of the Amish fiction books I’ve read recently it’s especially disturbing when it turns to hatred. This story is heartbreaking, thought provoking and filled with lessons of forgiveness for us all.
This was the last book of the Apple Lake series. I was sorry for it to end. Beckstrand's writing is realistic and believable. Excellent character portrayal. Loved the way the plot unfolded--even when you knew something was coming, it was still a surprise. Stellar writing!
I loved this book. I think it use some proofreading. The spelling of friend is creative I was spellbound with the story. One night was so engrossed that it was 4 am before r realized how short my night would be
One of my favorites of Jennifer Beckstrand. Inspiring with wisdom through the threads of how depression influences of a loved family member affects all...but joy does come in the morning ..
Loved the book. Literally wanted to strangle that Ephraim guy. Felt so bad for Seth. Was so happy when they came back together. the book was a roller coaster of emotions. :D
I really enjoyed this story! Easy to read and great characters! Perfect story for those who love Amish romance. I’ll be sure to share how good this book was.