The Prodigal's Path

by Hope Kesler

For independent-minded Amish woman Birdie Troyer, moving with her husband Caleb to his home community of Twin Oaks is taking some getting used to.

Caleb has only told his parents, Hannah and John, part of the story about his new wife. They know she joined the church after leaving for rumpsringa, but Caleb has decided that they not be told that his wife joined under duress. To him it doesn't matter; he knows Birdie to be faithful. But would his conservative parents - especially is overbearing mother - understand.

Then a painful crisis for the couple coincides with another surprise - the unexpected homecoming of Caleb's brother, Benjamin, whose rejection of the faith had left him a shunned outsider.

Now Benjamin wants to come back, and as the community prepares to pave the way for his repentance, Caleb finds himself dealing with deep resentment towards a brother he does not believe is sincere. And as Birdie struggles to come to terms with a personal loss, she must also unravel the true source of her husband's hostility towards his younger brother.

Can a fractured family dealing with hurt and old secrets find its way back to unity? Or will unspoken hurts build a wall that threatens to divide Birdie from the man she loves?

Genres: Christian Romance, Amish

137 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 30, 2015

Reviews

[Scarlet Fanning · Rating 5 out of 5]

Birdie and Caleb are now married and living at his home in Canada. She is pregnant with their first child and under the watchful eye of her mother-in-law. But Birdie feels pain in her fifth month, and has a miscarriage. Caleb and Birdie are hurtbroken, but her mother-in-law blames Birdie for lifting items and doing too much. The doctor tells them her activity did not cause the miscarriage, but with her own mother's history of miscarriages, Birdie may be high risk and need to be doctor's care while pregnant.

What compounds Birdie's self-doubts is that Martha, the woman that Caleb had hoped to marry had her son born on the day of Birdie's miscarriage. Birdie is strong, but surrounded by negative energy -- her mother-in-law and Caleb listening to his mother instead of her. She begins to doubt his love.

An emotional journey of faith and love as the two come together and weather the storm.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

he Prodigal's Path" (Paths of Hope Book 2) by Hope Kesler is just as great as the first book in the series " The Journey Home"

This book is a lesson in forgiveness and love and trust. It also tells us that you have to be true to yourself in order to be the person God intended you to be and if you are true to yourself it also helps others become the person God intended them to be.

When a crisis happens to Caleb and Birdie, Caleb's mother writes and tells Benjamin, Caleb's shunned brother and then he comes back and wants to be treated like he never left the faith. But Caleb is angry and wants no part of Benjamin. Birdie is tired of Caleb's mother putting her down and befriends Benjamin.

Will Benjamin and Birdie's love stand the test and is Birdie to independent to be a true Amish wife.

Is Caleb really just angry because Benjamin left or because Martha turned to another man after Caleb became too stern after Benjamin left?

I couldn't wait to see how it would all end up and I wasn't disappointment.

I can honestly say I want a third book.

These two books are definitely books any lover of the Amish fiction would love. I am sure that any reader that likes love stories that deal with couples that have to struggle to make their love work will also enjoy them!

I am giving "The Prodigal's Path" five stars.

I was given a pdf file for my honest review.

[Kathy Heare Watts · Rating 5 out of 5]

IT FEELS LIKE HOME. AND THAT IS THE BEST PLACE TO COME BACK TO.
This is book 2 of the Paths of Hope series. This story has so many emotions, from heartache, bitterness, betrayal, forgiveness, redemption, acceptance and respect. Caleb Troyer and Birdie Miller are married and have moved back to Twin Oaks where he has taken over the ferrier business of his father. They are expecting their first baby when tragedy strikes. Benjamin comes back home after being shunned and wishes to rejoin the Amish community and his parents are thrilled, but Caleb is bitter. Birdie must deal with the loss of a baby, a meddling mother in law, a brother in law she relates to and a bitter husband. Caleb feels pulled in so many directions, dealing with the loss of their baby, his family's acceptance as the prodigal son returns and trying to be the good, respectful son and keeping peace with Birdie. Caleb learns that Birdie is more than just a strong-willed woman, she is a strong, capable and good hearted woman who takes a risk and saves a life, even if it is doing something he was against. How many more storms will they face before it is sunny again? Benjamin and Emma realize they have feelings for each other and hopefully this will be the next story.

[Rhonda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hope Kesler has written a remarkable modern-day Amish retelling of the Biblical story of the prodigal son. Benjamin is the prodigal young Amish man who has returned home repentant and Caleb is the angry, unforgiving older brother who stayed behind and remained faithful to their father. Since Amish are noted for their ability to forgive others even in the face of incredible wrong-doings, this story may take many readers by surprise. Add to the mix a gossiping, cruel mother-in-law for poor Birdie. Birdie has had to do her own share of forgiving in the past and she will need to find forgiveness in her heart for this mother-in-law. Can she do it? Can Caleb and Benjamin work out their differences and return their family to health? Readers will enjoy reading about this family's journey to hope and forgiveness.
I rated this book 4 stars and highly recommend it. I hope there is a book 3 in the series. I am anxious to read it already.
I received a pdf version of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my - I just finished this book and it is such a beautiful and heartwarming story. I was pulled back into Birdie's and Caleb's lives from the first pages and read it in one setting because I could not put it down. It is a wonderful story of love and forgiveness and Hope does an outstanding job of picturing how God can use imperfect people who will admit their faults and will trust in Him to bring about His perfect plan. This is the second book in the series but it can be read as a stand alone. However, I am sure after it has been read, the reader will want to go back and read The Journey Home, the first book in the series. I definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys good Amish fiction.

[Cheryl Baranski · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Prodigal’s Path (Paths of Hope Book 2) By: Hope Kesler
This was such a refreshing reading. There were so many things that were happening in this book. Lots of love, laughter, tears, fears, doubts, heartache and pain. This was such a wonderful story. I couldn’t help but fall in love with the characters in this story! Never a dull moment. This story definitely held my interest. I am so looking forward to reading more books in this series.

[Cris Rogers · Rating 5 out of 5]

The prodigal path

I really enjoyed the book. It made me laugh and cry. I would recommend this book to any one who enjoys Amish romances as much as I do.