Cora Pooler

by Dottie Rexford

"

Twenty years ago, Cora Pooler, a young Amish woman, abandoned a newborn child in the village of Wander Lane. Her deed was discovered and reported to the sheriff—and then to Bishop Herrfort. Because Cora was unwilling to repent and would not explain the circumstances of her actions, the uncompromising Herrfort placed her under the bann.

An outcast in her community, she knew the shunning would continue until she obeyed the regulations of the Amish rule book. Cora left the Amish community to live in the English world. Older now, her head and heart are filled with the past. She needs answers. Cora Pooler returns to Wander Lane.

Will she discover what happened to the baby she deserted? Can she resolve the mystery of her sister’s untimely death? Will those who still remember her ignore the imposed shunning? Will Aaron welcome her back? Is he married—or still free? What about Daniel in her English world? Can she forget him? Will the Bishop allow her back into the Community? Will she finally know who she is … Amish or English?

In a compelling story of a divided heart aching to find truth and resolution, Dottie Rexford captures the longings and emotions that belong to all who seek deep and rich relationships, all who doubt and seek answers, and all who seek to be whole.

"

Genres: Amish

287 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 9, 2014

Reviews

[Julia Simpson-Urrutia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cora Pooler is a very well-crafted mystery with gorgeous descriptive evocations. It dives into the Amish way of life, which is a distinctive part of the American culture. The mystery pulls the reader along and is resolved. There are romantic interests and faith issues. The way the author handles the juxtaposition of Amish and modern-world Christian beliefs is shown rather than told. Rexford grants dignity to the individual’s right to believe in God in his or her own way, and that is the ultimate message. Cora Pooler supports the idea that a human being may take a new faith and still respect the one he or she left; additionally, the story demonstrates that for many people, various (or all) faiths support the same truths.

[Novel Destination · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dottie Rexford writes very well. Her story flows at a reasonable pace and the reader soon discovers that they feel a part of the events she describes. This is NOT your typical, sweet Amish or Mennonite love story. This novel has much more depth, mystery, and details that make you laugh or weep for the characters. The discussion of faith-based beliefs, shunning, community-wide events and daily life seems accurate and well researched. I appreciated the moral dilemmas being covered so thoroughly but I was most pleased that the ending was not just a sugar-coated platitude for a return to "simpler ways." I hope that the author will try her hand at writing another Amish or Mennonite novel.

[Nancy Abbey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of love.

This book certainly gave me time to think of the Amish ways. Nothing is entirely black or white! Read for yourself.