What do you think?
Rate this book
An Amish Cradle
In His Father's Arms
Ruth Anne has been dreaming about motherhood her entire life. Now she is doubly excited that she and her best friend are due with their children the same week. But when Ruth Anne's baby is born with Down syndrome, she and her husband struggle to understand God's plan.
86 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 1, 2015
About the author
Beth Wiseman
228 books1,447 followers"I wish I had the time to review books and chat with you here, but my writing deadlines just don't allow it. Please like my Fans of Beth Wiseman Page on Facebook where I try to post any news and interact with readers."
Beth is the best-selling and award winning author of the Daughters of the Promise series - Plain Perfect, Plain Pursuit, Plain Promise, Plain Paradise, and Plain Proposal. She is contracted with HarperCollins Christian Publishing. Her other series--the Land of Canaan Novels--begins with Seek Me With All Your Heart, then The Wonder of Your Love and now, His Love Endures Forever. Seek Me With All Your Heart is the first Amish fiction book selected as a Women of Faith novel in 2011. Beth has also written three contemporary Christian fiction novels, Need You Now published in 2012 and The House That Love Built in 2013. In The Promise, (2014) Beth jumps way outside the box. This story takes readers far away from Amish Country and small Texas towns to a dangerous place on the other side of the world. Inspired by a true story, Beth believes this is the book she’s been working toward for a long time. 2015 brings Beth back to the Pennsylvania Amish with her new series, Amish Secrets. She is currently working on book #2 following much success with book #1, Her Brother's Keeper.
You can also follow Beth on Twitter: @BethWiseman
Beth is the best-selling and award winning author of the Daughters of the Promise series - Plain Perfect, Plain Pursuit, Plain Promise, Plain Paradise, and Plain Proposal. She is contracted with HarperCollins Christian Publishing. Her other series--the Land of Canaan Novels--begins with Seek Me With All Your Heart, then The Wonder of Your Love and now, His Love Endures Forever. Seek Me With All Your Heart is the first Amish fiction book selected as a Women of Faith novel in 2011. Beth has also written three contemporary Christian fiction novels, Need You Now published in 2012 and The House That Love Built in 2013. In The Promise, (2014) Beth jumps way outside the box. This story takes readers far away from Amish Country and small Texas towns to a dangerous place on the other side of the world. Inspired by a true story, Beth believes this is the book she’s been working toward for a long time. 2015 brings Beth back to the Pennsylvania Amish with her new series, Amish Secrets. She is currently working on book #2 following much success with book #1, Her Brother's Keeper.
You can also follow Beth on Twitter: @BethWiseman
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
March 22, 2024
At 74 pages in length, IN HIS FATHER’S ARMS is a short novella by Beth Wiseman. It explores the topic of parenting children with Downs Syndrome and secondarily investigates the question of how people will react when given notice that their unborn child has the chromosome 21 mutation that causes DS. Will they terminate the pregnancy?
In this story, the main characters are a young Amish couple whose first child is born with DS. They are struggling hard but doing so individually. Their little guy has a growing list of physical ailments that’s adding to the stress along with reactions from friends.
The young couple seek help in different ways, from different people and their faith, eventually finding their way back together. If Wiseman had devoted another chapter or two to the concluding arcs, this would have been a 5 star story. Instead, the ending is very abrupt and unsatisfying.
Because of the subject matter, I still think this is worth recommending. It’s well written and deals with the subjects of abortion in a non political and non threatening manner and Downs Syndrome. Age appropriate teens could read the story in an hour or two and easily participate in conversations or discussions about life with disabled people/children, abortion, alternatives, effects on relationships, effects on the family and more📚
In this story, the main characters are a young Amish couple whose first child is born with DS. They are struggling hard but doing so individually. Their little guy has a growing list of physical ailments that’s adding to the stress along with reactions from friends.
The young couple seek help in different ways, from different people and their faith, eventually finding their way back together. If Wiseman had devoted another chapter or two to the concluding arcs, this would have been a 5 star story. Instead, the ending is very abrupt and unsatisfying.
Because of the subject matter, I still think this is worth recommending. It’s well written and deals with the subjects of abortion in a non political and non threatening manner and Downs Syndrome. Age appropriate teens could read the story in an hour or two and easily participate in conversations or discussions about life with disabled people/children, abortion, alternatives, effects on relationships, effects on the family and more📚
August 11, 2020
Liked!
September 23, 2015
In His Father’s Arms is a beautiful, albeit unexpected story of a young couple who are expecting their first baby. Ruth Anne and Levi have been preparing for months... waiting anxiously for their baby's arrival.
But they find themselves unprepared when they receive the news that their precious Joshua is a special needs baby.
Levi, feeling like it’s his fault, pulls away from the church, Ruth Anne, and baby Joshua. Meanwhile, Ruth Anne feel more and more frustrated that her husband has become a stranger to her.
Most people already know – or could guess – that the Amish believe babies are a blessing… and a baby born with any type of handicap or problem – is a special blessing from God.
Babies are a blessing!
But raising a family takes a lot of hard work – from everyone. A special needs child requires much more work at times. I have some experience with this… and I can tell you it’s difficult, it’s frustrating, it’s expensive – and it’s worth every penny… every tear… every moment.
This story reminds us that we can do anything… with God’s help.
May 25, 2017
This is a nice story. I could see it as a full novel where you can see if the friendship between Ruth Ann and Bethany ever resolves. Also, wondering how Joshua does growing up with or without siblings.
December 12, 2018
Very emotional book. It makes you stop and think about what you would do if you discovered the baby you were carrying wasn't normal. Would you abort that child and if not would you judge someone else what aborted their child.
December 25, 2023
I know I'm not the target audience, so I understand my experience and complaints about the text might not be extremely fair. But yeah, here we go.
To start off, the writing is generally pretty good. It flows well, there some lovely proses, and is pleasant to read in a purely artistic basis.
The characters and their relationships are interesting. Some of them are not super developed, but I enjoyed how the characters acted with each other.
I was excited for this story. I never once had wondered how the Amish would handle a child with Down syndrome. But I was disappointed. It feels like a lot of the language being used was outdated and incorrect. I don't know. I know it's supposed to be about the Amish and how they live their lives, but this book is written in such a romanticized way it feels like it's trying to depict the Amish way as the right way.
I'm not really a fan of when romance novels use the whole miscommunication trope. Just talk! Especially here where the characters are already married.
This book really just wasn't for me, I guess.
To start off, the writing is generally pretty good. It flows well, there some lovely proses, and is pleasant to read in a purely artistic basis.
The characters and their relationships are interesting. Some of them are not super developed, but I enjoyed how the characters acted with each other.
I was excited for this story. I never once had wondered how the Amish would handle a child with Down syndrome. But I was disappointed. It feels like a lot of the language being used was outdated and incorrect. I don't know. I know it's supposed to be about the Amish and how they live their lives, but this book is written in such a romanticized way it feels like it's trying to depict the Amish way as the right way.
I'm not really a fan of when romance novels use the whole miscommunication trope. Just talk! Especially here where the characters are already married.
This book really just wasn't for me, I guess.
May 7, 2021
I really enjoyed this book. I like this author a lot as well. I like that the couple in this book was not perfect and they had to get past their fears to come together again. The story was believable and the emotions were palpable and easy to understand. It was a nice short story that didn't really leave any questions. As always I would of loved more to the story but this one was complete in itself. I would highly recommend it to others who enjoy this genre.
February 21, 2018
Cute short novella of a young Amish couple whose first child is born with Downs Syndrome. They must be from a much more progressive community than I am use to. Also if the best friend did what she did here, her family would be kicked out and banned.
May 15, 2026
very good book
July 27, 2026
Ruth Anne must deal with the emotions of becoming a 1st time mother to a child with Down syndrome.
March 27, 2015
About this book:
“Ruth Anne has been dreaming about motherhood her entire life. Now she is doubly excited that she and her best friend are due with their children the same week. But when Ruth Anne’s baby is born with Down syndrome, she and her husband struggle to understand God’s plan.”
Spiritual Content- Prayers; Talks about & mentions of God choosing special people & being Blessed; Talking to the Bishop; ‘H’s are capital when referring to God; Levi is angry at God.
Negative Content- N/A
Sexual Content- Married couples kiss; Wanting to touch (barely-above-not-detailed); Babies are born (detailed wise is barely-above-not-detailed but the emotions are semi-detailed); Mentions of nursing; Levi walks out of the bathroom naked (not-detailed); Mentions of abortions.
-Ruth Anne
-Levi
P.O.V. switches between them.
96 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- Two Stars
Early High School Teens- Three Stars
Older High School Teens- Four Stars
My personal Rating- Four Stars
“In His Father’s Arms” by Beth Wiseman – As someone who has a heart for kids with special needs and a future Occupational Therapist, I did enjoy this novella. Tied for first with Amy Clispton's novella!
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 an Author for this review.
“Ruth Anne has been dreaming about motherhood her entire life. Now she is doubly excited that she and her best friend are due with their children the same week. But when Ruth Anne’s baby is born with Down syndrome, she and her husband struggle to understand God’s plan.”
Spiritual Content- Prayers; Talks about & mentions of God choosing special people & being Blessed; Talking to the Bishop; ‘H’s are capital when referring to God; Levi is angry at God.
Negative Content- N/A
Sexual Content- Married couples kiss; Wanting to touch (barely-above-not-detailed); Babies are born (detailed wise is barely-above-not-detailed but the emotions are semi-detailed); Mentions of nursing; Levi walks out of the bathroom naked (not-detailed); Mentions of abortions.
-Ruth Anne
-Levi
P.O.V. switches between them.
96 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- Two Stars
Early High School Teens- Three Stars
Older High School Teens- Four Stars
My personal Rating- Four Stars
“In His Father’s Arms” by Beth Wiseman – As someone who has a heart for kids with special needs and a future Occupational Therapist, I did enjoy this novella. Tied for first with Amy Clispton's novella!
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 an Author for this review.
December 18, 2019
Reading Women Challenge 2019: A Novella
Many people who don't know the ins and outs of Amish life may feel this novella could never happen. That abortion would never be considered an option for those who live the plain life not that they would own a cell phone. I can 100% disagree with you. Living in a community known for it's Amish population, I can attest that this novella is the most accurate depiction of the Amish I have ever read. Not a cozy read, but accurate!
Many people who don't know the ins and outs of Amish life may feel this novella could never happen. That abortion would never be considered an option for those who live the plain life not that they would own a cell phone. I can 100% disagree with you. Living in a community known for it's Amish population, I can attest that this novella is the most accurate depiction of the Amish I have ever read. Not a cozy read, but accurate!
February 18, 2015
Beautiful story. The Difficulties Ruth Ann and Levi have to face after the baby is born is so sad It's wonderful how the bishop and the support group help them to understand what to expect with tthere special blessing. You can feel God working on this young couplle. You won't be able to stop reading this book.
February 16, 2016
I wasn't ready for this novella to end as I wanted to keep following Levi and Ruth Anne through their journey with their new baby. I'm left with too many questions at the end. Hoping it may turn into a full length novel in the future.
May 12, 2016
Calming
I would re commend this book for anyone with a special child. Enjoyed the fact that the help group had a Christian basis.
I would re commend this book for anyone with a special child. Enjoyed the fact that the help group had a Christian basis.
Read
April 20, 2017Great Book. I loved this series
Read
February 15, 2018I don't believe in star rating books where I'm clearly not the target audience. I try to judge books on their own merits, and also I think it does a disservice to other readers. (I don't want the star readings of the books I read artificially lowered based on the fact that they don't like fantasy; I'm not going to star-rate a book that assumes I'm an evangelical Christian.)
So, in order of most- to least-relevant to someone who is a more than occasional reader of Amish romances:
* I really enjoyed Levi and Ruth Anne's relationship. They clearly cared for each other a lot, and I identified with their struggles to support and understand each other. I felt like the novella was strongest when they were physically together in the same scene.
* Which was the frustrating part: the majority of the plot revolved around them stressing and fretting about their son, who has Down syndrome, and their relationship with God... separately. I get frustrated by romances where they aren't already together and the entire conflict could be resolved by talking to each other. In this case, they've been married for two years and the entire plot is literally "this is new and hard and scary, there's definitely no way I could talk to my spouse about it." Levi and Ruth Anne had a whole lot of people in their lives ready to provide advice, but the advice seemed to be mostly "eh, give it time." I have no idea why none of these people said "I know this is hard and scary, but you married this person, sit down and talk to them!"
* The Down syndrome representation could have come from a trifold pamphlet from a Christian support group. Lots of "mental age," a lot of worry about their son dying in childhood and a little discussion on how life expectancies for people with Down syndrome have improved, not a lot of discussion on why that is. I wasn't really expecting radical disability activism, but if someone picks this up because they've found themselves in a similar situation, there might not be much more than comfort on offer.
* I was disappointed by the lack of depth in the characters; everyone was exactly who they were made out to be (except, perhaps, Bethany, who may have been the most interesting character) and no one really grew.
* The ending was super rushed and not entirely satisfying.
* Yikes, the abortion discussion was really one-sided and brought it way out of happy fun times for me.
So, in order of most- to least-relevant to someone who is a more than occasional reader of Amish romances:
* I really enjoyed Levi and Ruth Anne's relationship. They clearly cared for each other a lot, and I identified with their struggles to support and understand each other. I felt like the novella was strongest when they were physically together in the same scene.
* Which was the frustrating part: the majority of the plot revolved around them stressing and fretting about their son, who has Down syndrome, and their relationship with God... separately. I get frustrated by romances where they aren't already together and the entire conflict could be resolved by talking to each other. In this case, they've been married for two years and the entire plot is literally "this is new and hard and scary, there's definitely no way I could talk to my spouse about it." Levi and Ruth Anne had a whole lot of people in their lives ready to provide advice, but the advice seemed to be mostly "eh, give it time." I have no idea why none of these people said "I know this is hard and scary, but you married this person, sit down and talk to them!"
* The Down syndrome representation could have come from a trifold pamphlet from a Christian support group. Lots of "mental age," a lot of worry about their son dying in childhood and a little discussion on how life expectancies for people with Down syndrome have improved, not a lot of discussion on why that is. I wasn't really expecting radical disability activism, but if someone picks this up because they've found themselves in a similar situation, there might not be much more than comfort on offer.
* I was disappointed by the lack of depth in the characters; everyone was exactly who they were made out to be (except, perhaps, Bethany, who may have been the most interesting character) and no one really grew.
* The ending was super rushed and not entirely satisfying.
* Yikes, the abortion discussion was really one-sided and brought it way out of happy fun times for me.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews