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Amish Cinderella #1
MUST READ FOR LOVERS OF AMISH ROMANCE, FAIRY TALES, AND CHRISTIAN FANTASY NOVELS!Will sixteen-year-old Ella have the strength to fight for her future with Samuel in the face of treachery, violence, and a shocking tragedy that threatens everything she'd ever wanted?Set in a whimsical Lancaster County of fantastic possibility grounded in strong Christian values, sixteen-year-old Amish orphan Ella faces constant abuse as she struggles to do all of her own chores as well as those of her two older cousins. Ella has only her whittling and a deep and abiding faith in God to give her strength and comfort. Desperately wishing for some kind of escape, but knowing that it is almost impossible as she has neither time nor permission to step away from her work to court with other local boys, Ella prays every day for a chance to pursue her dream of having a loving home and family of her own. But when Ella meets the deacon's nephew, Samuel, who has moved from Somerset to Lancaster, will their instant connection be enough to defeat the treachery of Ella's cousins, the violence of her uncle, and a tragedy that threatens to destroy the fragile hope for a future that Ella has managed to hold onto in spite of all odds?
Find out in Amish Cinderella - Book 1 by Rachel Stoltzfus
If You Love Whimsical Amish Romance, Scroll up and Grab a Copy Today.
Find out in Amish Cinderella - Book 1 by Rachel Stoltzfus
If You Love Whimsical Amish Romance, Scroll up and Grab a Copy Today.
63 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 11, 2014
290 people are currently reading
347 people want to read
About the author
Rachel Stoltzfus
106 books36 followersRachel was born and raised in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Being part of the Mennonite community, she started writing Amish romance fiction as a way of looking at the Amish community. She wanted to present a fair and honest representation of a love that is both romantic and sweet. Her books about Jacob Marshall, "A Home for Jacob series," is the most popular of her books.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
May 1, 2022
I really hate it when authors divide a book into parts and publish them that way to make you spend more money to read the whole story (and I am not talking about when it is a series of full length novels). The story could also benefit from a good editing for grammatical and sentence issues. Furthermore, the Amish setting is a disaster because it is so inaccurate: curses?, domestic violence going unaddressed? kids duelling? a 17 year old becoming a deacon? It was just so unbelievable.
And what upset me the most was that Ella was excusing her abuser's behaviour with thoughts like "he's just sad" or worse "it is God's will/ path for my life". Excuse me, but it is never God's will for us to be abused or to stay in an abusive environment. Forgive- sure, remain in the abusive situation - no.
And what upset me the most was that Ella was excusing her abuser's behaviour with thoughts like "he's just sad" or worse "it is God's will/ path for my life". Excuse me, but it is never God's will for us to be abused or to stay in an abusive environment. Forgive- sure, remain in the abusive situation - no.
December 7, 2015
I am not exactly sure how to rate this book, while it was good, it was also disturbing - even though it was a modern day Cinderella.
Fifteen-year-old Ella was taken in by her uncle after her parents tragically died in a flood a few years ago. However, Ella is not treated like family, she's not even treated like a human being. Separated from her other sisters, she is miserable. As time progesses, Ella continues to pray and maintain her faith in God as the horrible verbal and physical abuse continue to rain down. I feel for Ella, living in such circumstances would be awful.
I do like how the author kept Ella's faith alive and growing in the midst of such abuse. However, I did not care for the end - I am not much for cliff hangers, so needless to say I will be reading other books in this series, as well as other books written by this author.
Fifteen-year-old Ella was taken in by her uncle after her parents tragically died in a flood a few years ago. However, Ella is not treated like family, she's not even treated like a human being. Separated from her other sisters, she is miserable. As time progesses, Ella continues to pray and maintain her faith in God as the horrible verbal and physical abuse continue to rain down. I feel for Ella, living in such circumstances would be awful.
I do like how the author kept Ella's faith alive and growing in the midst of such abuse. However, I did not care for the end - I am not much for cliff hangers, so needless to say I will be reading other books in this series, as well as other books written by this author.
June 12, 2017
I don't normally read Amish/Christian romance type books, but this one caught my eye and I decided to keep an open mind. The good news is that it's written surprisingly well, and the characters are fairly interesting.
The bad news is that the so-called "fantasy" elements are too strong to be entirely realistic and at the same time too subtle to be satisfying. Additionally, the usual problem with the European/American versions of Cinderella -i.e., a passive female lead who refuses to leave her abusers - is present in full force. Except, rather than being just a bad decision (like in the Disney version), it's presented as the pinnacle of spirituality. She is beaten repeatedly with mop handles, and her only response is deciding that that must be what God wants for her life. This is never exposed in the story for the horribly mistaken idea that it is, and I am horrified that a professing Christian would allow others to think that God might be okay with humans treating each other that way.
In all fairness, I haven't read the sequel, and there's a possibility that the author will address the issue then, but I still think it was very poor judgement to leave such an awful idea unattended to at the end of her book.
The bad news is that the so-called "fantasy" elements are too strong to be entirely realistic and at the same time too subtle to be satisfying. Additionally, the usual problem with the European/American versions of Cinderella -i.e., a passive female lead who refuses to leave her abusers - is present in full force. Except, rather than being just a bad decision (like in the Disney version), it's presented as the pinnacle of spirituality. She is beaten repeatedly with mop handles, and her only response is deciding that that must be what God wants for her life. This is never exposed in the story for the horribly mistaken idea that it is, and I am horrified that a professing Christian would allow others to think that God might be okay with humans treating each other that way.
In all fairness, I haven't read the sequel, and there's a possibility that the author will address the issue then, but I still think it was very poor judgement to leave such an awful idea unattended to at the end of her book.
May 4, 2017
Ok but not great
This book has a lot of violence in it for something set in an Amish community. It is kind of hard to believe the story. I know the Cinderella story is not all roses and fun but this book is full of such terrible abuse that it set off my PTSD from my own past. Amish are pacifists. You would think the community would realize the uncle was nuts and his daughters are not far behind him. You would think they would realize that help is needed in this situation. Red flags all over the place and they do not realize? The more I think about this book or should I just say story the more it bothers me.
This book has a lot of violence in it for something set in an Amish community. It is kind of hard to believe the story. I know the Cinderella story is not all roses and fun but this book is full of such terrible abuse that it set off my PTSD from my own past. Amish are pacifists. You would think the community would realize the uncle was nuts and his daughters are not far behind him. You would think they would realize that help is needed in this situation. Red flags all over the place and they do not realize? The more I think about this book or should I just say story the more it bothers me.
September 14, 2020
I didn't really think the idea of an Amish Cinderella would work, but I enjoy a good Christian story. Sadly, this was not an inspirational tale. I found the Amish aspects a bit misleading. I was expecting an ending to the story. I also don't know that the Amish believe in curses.
You would need to buy the next book to continue on with the story. I am just going to stop with this one. I am sure this author has written better stories.
You would need to buy the next book to continue on with the story. I am just going to stop with this one. I am sure this author has written better stories.
August 5, 2017
The characters were interesting. Even though this is an Amish story this Cinderella has a little more strong pain and abuse that you might be surprised . But it is still a good book , I enjoyed it. I had to get the next books because these have Cliffhanger so you really have to get book after book which I did.
March 18, 2020
It is good read. If you know or read or even seen any of the other Cinderalla stories you'll see similarities and differences. This one is well adapted to what the name suggests. I do think some more work could of been done or things would be a bit different but I do understand the authors way of writing the story.
November 9, 2020
Bullying should alwAys be destroyed.
Well written with a lot of sorrow. The story flowed easily from start to finish. I hope Eli gets a chance at a better life. Her Uncle should be GameCircle treating her this way
Well written with a lot of sorrow. The story flowed easily from start to finish. I hope Eli gets a chance at a better life. Her Uncle should be GameCircle treating her this way
February 9, 2021
Abuse By Family
There is no end to the types of abuse that can be dealt to another. There is no excuse to justify it either. This story will open your mind to things you never want to see. How does faith come into play?
There is no end to the types of abuse that can be dealt to another. There is no excuse to justify it either. This story will open your mind to things you never want to see. How does faith come into play?
February 11, 2021
A good start
This author is a new one for me. The prose was a little different. Warning--beatings, bullying.
Unfortunately, the story ends in an abrupt cliff-hanger. I prefer the complete story instead of serial installments.
This author is a new one for me. The prose was a little different. Warning--beatings, bullying.
Unfortunately, the story ends in an abrupt cliff-hanger. I prefer the complete story instead of serial installments.
November 29, 2022
The author uses the 'free' book to leave you completely hanging. I may not have many encounters with the Amish but it doesn't take a genius to realize I got the short end of that deal. It would have been a good story...had it not been cut off. Won't waste my time on buying book 2.
April 8, 2024
short story
This short story is takes place in an Amish community. It has a Cinderella idea but being a short story it does not get to the happy ending. It leaves you hanging which means you will need to read the next book to find out what happens.
This short story is takes place in an Amish community. It has a Cinderella idea but being a short story it does not get to the happy ending. It leaves you hanging which means you will need to read the next book to find out what happens.
April 16, 2020
Weak two stars
The storyline was there but concentrated to much on her beatings she received than to move the story on. It was good but very choppy and disorganized.
The storyline was there but concentrated to much on her beatings she received than to move the story on. It was good but very choppy and disorganized.
May 19, 2021
Great book
May 26, 2021
It is a quick read and good - but it is the first in a series and leave you hanging - you have to buy the other books to find out what happens
November 13, 2021
Enjoyed this
This book was a fun spin on an old fairy tale. I enjoyed it and would recommend it hard to swallow the beating though.
This book was a fun spin on an old fairy tale. I enjoyed it and would recommend it hard to swallow the beating though.
July 12, 2022
didn't care for this book
April 12, 2025
What a horrible, disgusting and disturbing book. Beatings and abuse do not make a book Christian.
August 17, 2025
Enjoyed the first book!
Great short read, looking forward to reading the next one! Good and unexpected find. Good characters and plot. Kept me interested!
Great short read, looking forward to reading the next one! Good and unexpected find. Good characters and plot. Kept me interested!
January 4, 2015
Deeply disturbing 2 chapters about a girl who has been physically and mentally abused for 10 years since going to live with her uncle and his 2 daughters at aged 4. I wouldn't bother getting this unless you get the whole book. As it stands being published piecemeal in this way, the reader is just left with graphic images (real nightmare material) of a large brutal Amish uncle who is close to killing the protagonist in an episode of domestic violence. I can't recommend it. It is almost as bad as Rebecca Price's "Amish Home" which leaves the reader with no justice or resolution to incestual sexual abuse. Amazon should be making it much clearer when a "book" is only a portion of a work. It is irresponsible in this case where a potential victim of domestic violence may be looking for guidance, to not give a solution. Where are publishers' sense of moral responsibility?
December 29, 2014
This book was hard for me to read. I have read many many books about the Amish and this was the first book where I have read about a girl being physically beaten and abused.
It disturbed me to read this as my perception is that the Amish are more so peaceful individuals.
The book did seem to be a quick read, after I got past most of the bad parts.
It disturbed me to read this as my perception is that the Amish are more so peaceful individuals.
The book did seem to be a quick read, after I got past most of the bad parts.
February 16, 2015
This book kept me wanting to see what happened next.. But there was so much bad things, that I honestly didn't much care for it...
I think it could have been a good book, if they had changed just a little.. I personally don't like reading about a beating of a child..
so I wouldn't really recommend this book to friends..
I think it could have been a good book, if they had changed just a little.. I personally don't like reading about a beating of a child..
so I wouldn't really recommend this book to friends..
January 16, 2016
Cinderella lives still!
It is always interesting to learn of different cultures, especially when they are so closed to home, these United States. I have heard a lot about the Amish people in bits and pieces. This story is a sad comment on human nature. It is also a cliffhanger, is this the trend in current storytelling?
It is always interesting to learn of different cultures, especially when they are so closed to home, these United States. I have heard a lot about the Amish people in bits and pieces. This story is a sad comment on human nature. It is also a cliffhanger, is this the trend in current storytelling?
December 23, 2014
So this is the first Amish romance book I've read. It's one of those split book things. Anyways, the first part was free. It's okay. The use of Cinderella is good, but I can't see myself paying for it.
December 26, 2014
I thought the book was, a little unrealistic even for a fairy-tale. I think the abuse in the story line was to much, could have been better.
I also dont care for cliff hangers, I prefer books that at least somewhat has an ending.
I do like the character and that part was great.
I also dont care for cliff hangers, I prefer books that at least somewhat has an ending.
I do like the character and that part was great.
January 6, 2015
Just a book reader. Goodreads
Enjoyed the book. Seen her faith in the mist of her plight. the loss of parents and separation from her sister. Living with uncle who blamed her for the death of aunt. 2 stars
Enjoyed the book. Seen her faith in the mist of her plight. the loss of parents and separation from her sister. Living with uncle who blamed her for the death of aunt. 2 stars
April 15, 2015
2 chapters is not a book! It doesn't even qualify as a short story since there was no completion. To read the next couple chapters, you have to pay for another "book"."
This is just a plan to have you pay multiple times in order to read one full book.
This is just a plan to have you pay multiple times in order to read one full book.
September 24, 2016
Disturbing book in that an Uncle abuses and beats his neice who he has taken in after her parents death. All thewhile lavishing love and affection on his 2 daughters. This book ends much too soon as many Amish books do.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews