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Lancaster Courtships #2
The Amish Mother
Unexpected Love
Amish widow Lizzie Fisher loves her seven stepchildren as though they were her own. But her brother-in-law's unexpected arrival on the farm has her worried. After all, Zachariah Fisher is the true heir of the property. And he could decide to send her away from her family and her home of two years. Lizzie is determined to show the handsome farmer that her physical challenges don't prevent her from being a hard worker or a loving mother. For she finds herself losing her heart to Zack and hopes he'll see they're meant to be a family forever.
Lancaster Courtships: Life and love in Amish country
Collect all 3 book in the series!
The Amish Bride by Emma Miller
The Amish Mother by Rebecca Kertz
The Amish Midwife by Patricia Davids
Amish widow Lizzie Fisher loves her seven stepchildren as though they were her own. But her brother-in-law's unexpected arrival on the farm has her worried. After all, Zachariah Fisher is the true heir of the property. And he could decide to send her away from her family and her home of two years. Lizzie is determined to show the handsome farmer that her physical challenges don't prevent her from being a hard worker or a loving mother. For she finds herself losing her heart to Zack and hopes he'll see they're meant to be a family forever.
Lancaster Courtships: Life and love in Amish country
Collect all 3 book in the series!
The Amish Bride by Emma Miller
The Amish Mother by Rebecca Kertz
The Amish Midwife by Patricia Davids
352 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published September 15, 2015
66 people are currently reading
177 people want to read
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September 16, 2015
Also posted
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EDIT: since writing this review, I have indeed found an Amish fiction author whose books I enjoy: Patricia Davids
I’ve been thinking of trying an Amish romance for a while now, and so when a whole series of them popped up for review, I grabbed the first one I saw. The me of a few years ago would have thought I’d gone mad: a Christian book about seven children!
The Amish Mother is an interesting insight into Amish life for someone like me, who lives about sixteen-thousand kilometres from the nearest Amish person. However, this is a book that basically has no plot, and relies on nonstop scenes of the heroine misunderstanding people and running off to cry in order to create conflict.
The best thing about this book is that the author clearly knows what she’s talking about. I believe she lives in a community where there are constantly Amish people about, so you couldn’t get a better writer to cover their way of life.
Our heroine is only nineteen, has a disability which causes many people to think she can’t cope, and is running a farm while raising her seven stepchildren on her own. Our hero turns up to take the farm out from under her (which doesn’t exactly making him endearing at first!) and then of course they fall in love with each other, with lots of misunderstandings along the way.
There just wasn’t enough time devoted to the relationship in this one. The hero comes and goes from the book, back and forth from his own home in Ohio, and the heroine spends all her time admiring the children and cooking, and baking, and cooking and baking. More page time was devoted to the ingredients she put in her muffins than to a major tragedy that happens to her (and for some reason this tragedy is never mentioned to the hero)!
I’m still not sure why the hero and the rest of his family had never met the heroine (who was married to his brother) or the children before, or why they didn’t know the first husband had died! Especially if they’re supposed to be such a close family!
There are multiple widows and widowers in this book, and in every situation the same thing happens: the realisation that the second spouse is “better” than the first. I hate this trope! Why does the first – dead – spouse always have to be made out as not as good? Why can a person not love one person, and then love another? And then towards the end the good man dead husband was suddenly, inexplicably made out to be a bad father:
I struggled with the lack of plot. It led to so much padding to make up the word count, which started to make the characters look a little… unintelligent. For example, this conversation where heroine asks hero if he wants apple or chocolate cake:
These characters eat so much! I felt ill reading about it! Pre-breakfast muffins, followed by bacon and potatoes and toast and everything else in the house for breakfast, followed by a few big slabs of cake for morning tea, followed by fried chicken for lunch. They ate more in half a day than I do in a week, and all of it was full of fat!
I must admit I struggle with the mentality of this lifestyle. Girls marry as teens and then have a baby a year for decades, and yet people use all other modern medicine (including – in this book – chemotherapy, antidepressants and painkillers), travel in cars when they need to, play baseball, and eat pizza and hamburgers?
The only aspects of the past they seem to stick to are the ones that make life terribly hard for women.
If you’re a hardcore fan of Amish romances, I’m sure you’ll enjoy this one. I think I’m going to give one more Amish book a go before calling it a day, but this was far from my favourite read of the year. I started out wanting to enjoy it more, but it stopped working for me pretty much right at the start.
Review copy provided by NetGalley.
EDIT: since writing this review, I have indeed found an Amish fiction author whose books I enjoy: Patricia Davids
I’ve been thinking of trying an Amish romance for a while now, and so when a whole series of them popped up for review, I grabbed the first one I saw. The me of a few years ago would have thought I’d gone mad: a Christian book about seven children!
The Amish Mother is an interesting insight into Amish life for someone like me, who lives about sixteen-thousand kilometres from the nearest Amish person. However, this is a book that basically has no plot, and relies on nonstop scenes of the heroine misunderstanding people and running off to cry in order to create conflict.
The best thing about this book is that the author clearly knows what she’s talking about. I believe she lives in a community where there are constantly Amish people about, so you couldn’t get a better writer to cover their way of life.
Our heroine is only nineteen, has a disability which causes many people to think she can’t cope, and is running a farm while raising her seven stepchildren on her own. Our hero turns up to take the farm out from under her (which doesn’t exactly making him endearing at first!) and then of course they fall in love with each other, with lots of misunderstandings along the way.
There just wasn’t enough time devoted to the relationship in this one. The hero comes and goes from the book, back and forth from his own home in Ohio, and the heroine spends all her time admiring the children and cooking, and baking, and cooking and baking. More page time was devoted to the ingredients she put in her muffins than to a major tragedy that happens to her (and for some reason this tragedy is never mentioned to the hero)!
I’m still not sure why the hero and the rest of his family had never met the heroine (who was married to his brother) or the children before, or why they didn’t know the first husband had died! Especially if they’re supposed to be such a close family!
There are multiple widows and widowers in this book, and in every situation the same thing happens: the realisation that the second spouse is “better” than the first. I hate this trope! Why does the first – dead – spouse always have to be made out as not as good? Why can a person not love one person, and then love another? And then towards the end the good man dead husband was suddenly, inexplicably made out to be a bad father:
The boys love Zack, Lizzie thought. He was better with them than their father had been. After Ruth’s death, Abraham had grieved too deeply to pay much attention to his children.
I struggled with the lack of plot. It led to so much padding to make up the word count, which started to make the characters look a little… unintelligent. For example, this conversation where heroine asks hero if he wants apple or chocolate cake:
“Apple chocolate?” She furrowed her brow as she thought. “I haven’t heard of that recipe.”
“Both,” his mother explained.
Before Lizzie could question her, Esther spoke up. “He wants both apple and chocolate cake. He’s telling you he likes both kinds.”
Lizzie examined the man next to her, enjoying the sight of his stunning good looks. “I can make both.”
These characters eat so much! I felt ill reading about it! Pre-breakfast muffins, followed by bacon and potatoes and toast and everything else in the house for breakfast, followed by a few big slabs of cake for morning tea, followed by fried chicken for lunch. They ate more in half a day than I do in a week, and all of it was full of fat!
I must admit I struggle with the mentality of this lifestyle. Girls marry as teens and then have a baby a year for decades, and yet people use all other modern medicine (including – in this book – chemotherapy, antidepressants and painkillers), travel in cars when they need to, play baseball, and eat pizza and hamburgers?
The only aspects of the past they seem to stick to are the ones that make life terribly hard for women.
If you’re a hardcore fan of Amish romances, I’m sure you’ll enjoy this one. I think I’m going to give one more Amish book a go before calling it a day, but this was far from my favourite read of the year. I started out wanting to enjoy it more, but it stopped working for me pretty much right at the start.
Review copy provided by NetGalley.
July 12, 2017
The Amish Mother is a light and slow-paced novel. The story is pretty predictable, and I did feel like it dragged along at times. However, the characters were endearing, and I enjoyed reading their story.
I also loved how the characters from The Amish Bride were back in this novel. Although each book in the series is written by a different author and reads well as a stand-alone, the three authors created a common community and cast of secondary characters for all three novels. The events of this second book are set about a month after those of the first book. That was a nice touch since there was about a month between the release dates of the two books.
I would recommend The Amish Mother to fans of Amish fiction looking for a light romance, although I must say I enjoyed The Amish Bride much more.
I also loved how the characters from The Amish Bride were back in this novel. Although each book in the series is written by a different author and reads well as a stand-alone, the three authors created a common community and cast of secondary characters for all three novels. The events of this second book are set about a month after those of the first book. That was a nice touch since there was about a month between the release dates of the two books.
I would recommend The Amish Mother to fans of Amish fiction looking for a light romance, although I must say I enjoyed The Amish Bride much more.
September 3, 2015
Cried my eyes out.....
February 11, 2024
Great book for a short, simple read! I finished it in one evening. It was predictable but very enjoyable!
September 21, 2015
I might not be a religious person, but I do love reading about other cultures. Amish novels don’t usually tend to be ‘preachy’ but they do give you a good insight into their faith. This book managed to give me a brief look into the Amish or Plain life and very little religion compared to other books of this genre that I have read.
Be aware that this is book two in a trilogy and that each book is written by a different author.
This story should have been fascinating –nineteen year old widow- Lizzie Fisher is responsible for the upbringing of her 7 stepchildren and the farm that they live on. She also has a bit of a handicap. When her brother-in-law decides to visit the farm (and yes he does have an ulterior motive!) Lizzie starts worrying…she has a pretty good reason to worry.
As the book progresses a romance is supposed to blossom –but I never really saw it. Most of the book is taken up with descriptions and repetitive dialogue. Food takes up a major portion of this book –the descriptions of, the eating of and the pondering of food. This probably would have been better as a cookbook! The romance took a backseat to everything else and just seemed to come out of nowhere near the very ending of this book.
What bothered me the most is that I don’t think that the author stayed true to the Amish people/culture in most of this book. You would think that since I am non-religious I wouldn’t notice a detail like this! I am willing to admit I am not an Amish expert by any means, but in what I have read, I do know that the Amish say a prayer before all of their meals – not so in this book.
Not my favorite Amish romance in anyway. The lack of plot, uninteresting and sometimes childish characters made this a difficult read for me.
Read
January 12, 2016"Lizzie is a wonderful role model, as she is a strong, capable character who does not let her physical limitations hold her back. This is a quick read with well-developed and integrated secondary characters" (RT Book Reviews, 4 stars).
Miniseries: Lancaster Courtships
Miniseries: Lancaster Courtships
Read
January 12, 2016received 4 stars @ RT Book Reviews
Miniseries: Lancaster Courtships
Miniseries: Lancaster Courtships
September 11, 2015
Such a sweet little romance! Full review to come.
March 2, 2022
I came over to start my review, and saw SO MANY other people with *MORE* complaints than mine, that... WoW. Isn't that telling?
But honestly?
When I have more pages dog-eared
to 'discuss' here than pages not...
that's a sign the book has ISSUES.
This. Book. Has. Issues.
Lizzie is nineteen. She's widowed with SEVEN children under 12 - no twins. She milks the cow, does barn chores, has toddlers, tends her garden, cultivates from an orchard, makes aprons to sell, bakes pies, cooks meals, sews quilts, and leaps tall building in a single bound... and all with hip dysplasia. Because totally believable. I'm sorry, but there is NO way she has enough hours in the day to do all of this. There just isn't.
And the writing is horrendous:
"She had been seventeen when she was married, but she'd been crippled all her life." ← What does one have to do with the other?!
" 'Elizabeth Fischer?' a man's voice asked. She knew before turning that he was Amish, as he'd spoken in Deitcsh." ← Um... her name is the same in English, hello...!
" 'Koom', she said, 'We're about to have a mid-day meal. Come and join us." ← It's 'koom' and 'come', BOTH in the same statement?! What the heck?! How about a little continuity?
" 'Mary Ruth, would you set another plate? We have a visitor.' Lizzie was relieve to note that her daughter had set a place for her." ← Are you saying the kids don't set a place at the table for their mom? What is that?!
"Zack, like everyone else, thought her incapable of making on her own..." ← Actually, it's the Amish way to marry widows up to provide support/solidarity. That's why her HUSBAND married her. Like this is an affront? Lizzie wouldn't think this way - it's the AUTHOR making this crap up.
There's also a problem with inheritance, here. First Kertz says that Abraham got the farm as he was firstborn. Then she says Zach gets it next because he's "youngest". Wouldn't the next son get it, by birth order? But then on pg 51 she says Zach gets it not because he's next in line or the 'youngest', but because his dad said so. !?!?!?!?
Also stupid: Lizzie spent the first year of marriage sleeping in the sewing room. She doesn't consummate the marriage until THE DAY BEFORE Abraham is killed (← too ironic, that), which is TEN MONTHS after she's allowed in his bed. But within the first dozen pages, she can't sleep without Abraham. What the heck - she *wasn't* sleeping with Abraham, for most of it, hello.
Oh, and from that *ONE* coupling? She's pregnant.
BAD. WRITING.
Moving on:
"The atmosphere was one of a big happy family, and it was times such as this that she felt glad that Zack and Esther returned to Honeysuckle." ←This said THE MORNING AFTER they arrived. Times such as this? WHEN!?!?!?!
"If the man I loved wanted to wed me, I wouldn't worry about such worldly things as flowers, the church, or the reception." ← says the woman scrubbing her house with the help of SIX other women for church services, and baking her hiney off for it, t'boot. You're telling me they don't do the same for a wedding?! I call BS.
"You don't want COFFE or tea?" ← so... why make the COFFE German if you're not going to do it for the tea? What the heck?!
"I thank the Lord every day that I'm here to enjoy each and every one of my kis kinner." ← said by a woman who'd recently survived cancer... but hadn't bothered to visit her son in so long, she's only seen TWO of the seven kis kinner. Talk about a load of crap, there...
That's not even including the plastic wrap and other blatantly NON-Amish things included in this book. Don't get me started - I lived a decade in Amish country, and my cousin joined them for ten years - he and I both are jaded and pissed at the hypocrisy of the whole thing. There are so many issues, here...!!!
Let's talk food. If people ate as much and as heavy foods as Lizzie makes at all hours of the day (in addition to sewing, quilting, parenting, gardening, shopping, cleaning, etc.) tHeY'd bE fIVe HuN'ed PoUn', for the love of Mike. Gah, it was bad.
And the D.R.A.M.A. "Oh, I couldn't POSSIBLY go talk to her about the misunderstanding and how I feel, because the author wants more *drama*, and so I'll stew and she'll stew and it can be a huge thing for no reason other than to fill pages. Yuck. Please. No.
I understand Patricia Davids wrote the next one in this series. I've done both a five star and two star review for her, so... there's a 50/50 chance it'll be okay. Just know this one wasn't.
But honestly?
When I have more pages dog-eared
to 'discuss' here than pages not...
that's a sign the book has ISSUES.
This. Book. Has. Issues.
Lizzie is nineteen. She's widowed with SEVEN children under 12 - no twins. She milks the cow, does barn chores, has toddlers, tends her garden, cultivates from an orchard, makes aprons to sell, bakes pies, cooks meals, sews quilts, and leaps tall building in a single bound... and all with hip dysplasia. Because totally believable. I'm sorry, but there is NO way she has enough hours in the day to do all of this. There just isn't.
And the writing is horrendous:
"She had been seventeen when she was married, but she'd been crippled all her life." ← What does one have to do with the other?!
" 'Elizabeth Fischer?' a man's voice asked. She knew before turning that he was Amish, as he'd spoken in Deitcsh." ← Um... her name is the same in English, hello...!
" 'Koom', she said, 'We're about to have a mid-day meal. Come and join us." ← It's 'koom' and 'come', BOTH in the same statement?! What the heck?! How about a little continuity?
" 'Mary Ruth, would you set another plate? We have a visitor.' Lizzie was relieve to note that her daughter had set a place for her." ← Are you saying the kids don't set a place at the table for their mom? What is that?!
"Zack, like everyone else, thought her incapable of making on her own..." ← Actually, it's the Amish way to marry widows up to provide support/solidarity. That's why her HUSBAND married her. Like this is an affront? Lizzie wouldn't think this way - it's the AUTHOR making this crap up.
There's also a problem with inheritance, here. First Kertz says that Abraham got the farm as he was firstborn. Then she says Zach gets it next because he's "youngest". Wouldn't the next son get it, by birth order? But then on pg 51 she says Zach gets it not because he's next in line or the 'youngest', but because his dad said so. !?!?!?!?
Also stupid: Lizzie spent the first year of marriage sleeping in the sewing room. She doesn't consummate the marriage until THE DAY BEFORE Abraham is killed (← too ironic, that), which is TEN MONTHS after she's allowed in his bed. But within the first dozen pages, she can't sleep without Abraham. What the heck - she *wasn't* sleeping with Abraham, for most of it, hello.
Oh, and from that *ONE* coupling? She's pregnant.
BAD. WRITING.
Moving on:
"The atmosphere was one of a big happy family, and it was times such as this that she felt glad that Zack and Esther returned to Honeysuckle." ←This said THE MORNING AFTER they arrived. Times such as this? WHEN!?!?!?!
"If the man I loved wanted to wed me, I wouldn't worry about such worldly things as flowers, the church, or the reception." ← says the woman scrubbing her house with the help of SIX other women for church services, and baking her hiney off for it, t'boot. You're telling me they don't do the same for a wedding?! I call BS.
"You don't want COFFE or tea?" ← so... why make the COFFE German if you're not going to do it for the tea? What the heck?!
"I thank the Lord every day that I'm here to enjoy each and every one of my kis kinner." ← said by a woman who'd recently survived cancer... but hadn't bothered to visit her son in so long, she's only seen TWO of the seven kis kinner. Talk about a load of crap, there...
That's not even including the plastic wrap and other blatantly NON-Amish things included in this book. Don't get me started - I lived a decade in Amish country, and my cousin joined them for ten years - he and I both are jaded and pissed at the hypocrisy of the whole thing. There are so many issues, here...!!!
Let's talk food. If people ate as much and as heavy foods as Lizzie makes at all hours of the day (in addition to sewing, quilting, parenting, gardening, shopping, cleaning, etc.) tHeY'd bE fIVe HuN'ed PoUn', for the love of Mike. Gah, it was bad.
And the D.R.A.M.A. "Oh, I couldn't POSSIBLY go talk to her about the misunderstanding and how I feel, because the author wants more *drama*, and so I'll stew and she'll stew and it can be a huge thing for no reason other than to fill pages. Yuck. Please. No.
I understand Patricia Davids wrote the next one in this series. I've done both a five star and two star review for her, so... there's a 50/50 chance it'll be okay. Just know this one wasn't.
December 28, 2016
Second in the Lancaster Courtships inspirational romance series and revolving around Amish communities. The couple focus is on Lizzie Fisher and Zachariah Fisher and set on the Fisher farm in Honeysuckle, Pennsylvania.
My Take
The premise for The Amish Mother is sweet, and I did want Lizzie to succeed…however, Kertz's main conflict had me rolling my eyes. It was so hamhanded that it stole away from the warmth and love in the rest of the story.
Kertz did make me see Lizzie's daily life on the farm — I am amazed at how much she managed to accomplish every day! — and in her (self-supporting) community, and I loved the support Lizzie did get. Kertz also takes us to prayer meetings and works the harvest.
There are the typical anger issues with the older children resenting Lizzie for taking their mother's place, although Kertz does resolve this nicely. There is plenty of other conflict besides the resentment in the story what with Lizzie's disability and fears for her future, the pregnancy, Esther's regrets, Zack's thoughts, and the really, really annoying shared fears that Zack and Lizzie individually drone on about.
I can certainly understand Lizzie's fear, and this custom appears to be very unfair. How could they toss her off the farm and away from her family?? I wanna smack Zack up one side and down the other for his thoughts. And how is it that Zack is the heir and why was Abraham working the farm until Zack grew up enough? Wouldn't the eldest inherit? It's another factor that brought my rating down for this story. Another aspect that didn't make sense.
It does feel rather odd that the Amish in this story ride around in cars and use gas-powered washing machines. It also felt odd how easily the Fishers flit between Honeysuckle and Walnut Creek.
I did enjoy reading about children who help their parents with chores!
The Story
Amish widow Lizzie Fisher loves her seven stepchildren as though they were her own. But her brother-in-law's unexpected arrival on the farm has her worried. After all, Zachariah Fisher is the true heir of the property. And he could decide to send her away from her family and her home of two years.
Lizzie is determined to show the handsome farmer that her physical challenges don't prevent her from being a hard worker or a loving mother. For she finds herself losing her heart to Zach and hopes he'll see they're meant to be a family forever.
The Characters
Elizabeth "Lizzie" King Fisher has been widowed for two months. Abraham Fisher had taken Lizzie as a second wife almost two years ago, mostly to help him care for his children. Ruth was his first wife. Lizzie's stepchildren include Mary Ruth, Hannah, Rebecca, Matthew, Anne, Jonas, and three-year-old Ezekiel. Rosebud is the mare.
Zachariah "Zack" Fisher is Abraham's brother. Esther Fisher is the unmarried sister. Miriam is the oldest married sister who lives in Walnut Creek with her nine children. John, Miriam's eldest son, is married with two children: Jane and Jacob. Miriam's oldest daughter, Mae, has four children. Sadie is another of Sarah's daughters. Sarah "Mam" Fisher had cancer; Daniel was the husband who died so many years ago (Sarah was Daniel's second wife). Dr. Rosemont is the one who treated Sarah. Ted Harris is a neighbor of theirs back in Walnut Creek.
Rachel Miller had been Lizzie's friend since childhood and is married to Peter Zook. David Hostetler is the preacher; Jacob and Jed are his sons. Margaret Yoder had been his wife. Deacon John Mast has a big family. Bishop Andy is one of the church elders. Rosemary Yost is interested in Zack. Nancy Miller is the unmarried schoolteacher.
Lydia King is the mother who has never taken to her daughter, Lizzie. Katie is Lizzie's sister and interested in Mark Troyer while Susie is another daughter, married to Amos Mast in Indiana. William and Luke are Lizzie's brothers.
Ellen Beachey runs Beachey's Craft Shop. Ellen used to see Neziah Shetler, who has two sons: Asa and Joel. Barbara Emory commissions a quilt for her daughter, Dana, from Lizzie. Dinah Plank lives above the craft shop and works for Ellen. John is Ellen's father. Farmers include Thomas and Marybeth Stoltzfus; Amos Beiler; Wilmer and Joanna Miller; Martha Yoder; and, Samuel Yoder who has a son, James.
John Miller runs Miller's General Store. The grocery is the McCann's. Margaret's is a local Mennonite restaurant. Naomi Beiler is the head of the local widows' group and has three children: Emma, Aaron, and Michael. Mary Blauch's son, Raymond, was born prematurely. Anne Stoltzfus is the midwife. Joseph Lapp has wandering goats. Mark Hostetler is the blacksmith. Alta Miller is an old friend of Sarah Fisher's.
Endie means aunt; grossmama is grandmother; onkel is uncle; schwester is sister; vadder is father; Dat is Dad; mudder is mother; brooder is brother; grossdaddi is grandfather; dochter is daughter. Think of the dawdi haus as a mother-in-law cottage.
The Cover and Title
The cover is soft pastels from the hazy blue of the sky above the blurred yellows and golds of the woods behind Lizzie. She's wearing her white cap with the ties fluttering in the breeze and a pale gray, high-waisted dress with below-the-elbow sleeves, and carrying a dark basket of green apples. Her other hand appears to be on Ezekiel's straw hat, as he looks up at his stepmother with curiosity.
The title is who Lizzie is, The Amish Mother.
My Take
The premise for The Amish Mother is sweet, and I did want Lizzie to succeed…however, Kertz's main conflict had me rolling my eyes. It was so hamhanded that it stole away from the warmth and love in the rest of the story.
Kertz did make me see Lizzie's daily life on the farm — I am amazed at how much she managed to accomplish every day! — and in her (self-supporting) community, and I loved the support Lizzie did get. Kertz also takes us to prayer meetings and works the harvest.
There are the typical anger issues with the older children resenting Lizzie for taking their mother's place, although Kertz does resolve this nicely. There is plenty of other conflict besides the resentment in the story what with Lizzie's disability and fears for her future, the pregnancy, Esther's regrets, Zack's thoughts, and the really, really annoying shared fears that Zack and Lizzie individually drone on about.
I can certainly understand Lizzie's fear, and this custom appears to be very unfair. How could they toss her off the farm and away from her family?? I wanna smack Zack up one side and down the other for his thoughts. And how is it that Zack is the heir and why was Abraham working the farm until Zack grew up enough? Wouldn't the eldest inherit? It's another factor that brought my rating down for this story. Another aspect that didn't make sense.
It does feel rather odd that the Amish in this story ride around in cars and use gas-powered washing machines. It also felt odd how easily the Fishers flit between Honeysuckle and Walnut Creek.
I did enjoy reading about children who help their parents with chores!
The Story
Amish widow Lizzie Fisher loves her seven stepchildren as though they were her own. But her brother-in-law's unexpected arrival on the farm has her worried. After all, Zachariah Fisher is the true heir of the property. And he could decide to send her away from her family and her home of two years.
Lizzie is determined to show the handsome farmer that her physical challenges don't prevent her from being a hard worker or a loving mother. For she finds herself losing her heart to Zach and hopes he'll see they're meant to be a family forever.
The Characters
Elizabeth "Lizzie" King Fisher has been widowed for two months. Abraham Fisher had taken Lizzie as a second wife almost two years ago, mostly to help him care for his children. Ruth was his first wife. Lizzie's stepchildren include Mary Ruth, Hannah, Rebecca, Matthew, Anne, Jonas, and three-year-old Ezekiel. Rosebud is the mare.
Zachariah "Zack" Fisher is Abraham's brother. Esther Fisher is the unmarried sister. Miriam is the oldest married sister who lives in Walnut Creek with her nine children. John, Miriam's eldest son, is married with two children: Jane and Jacob. Miriam's oldest daughter, Mae, has four children. Sadie is another of Sarah's daughters. Sarah "Mam" Fisher had cancer; Daniel was the husband who died so many years ago (Sarah was Daniel's second wife). Dr. Rosemont is the one who treated Sarah. Ted Harris is a neighbor of theirs back in Walnut Creek.
Rachel Miller had been Lizzie's friend since childhood and is married to Peter Zook. David Hostetler is the preacher; Jacob and Jed are his sons. Margaret Yoder had been his wife. Deacon John Mast has a big family. Bishop Andy is one of the church elders. Rosemary Yost is interested in Zack. Nancy Miller is the unmarried schoolteacher.
Lydia King is the mother who has never taken to her daughter, Lizzie. Katie is Lizzie's sister and interested in Mark Troyer while Susie is another daughter, married to Amos Mast in Indiana. William and Luke are Lizzie's brothers.
Ellen Beachey runs Beachey's Craft Shop. Ellen used to see Neziah Shetler, who has two sons: Asa and Joel. Barbara Emory commissions a quilt for her daughter, Dana, from Lizzie. Dinah Plank lives above the craft shop and works for Ellen. John is Ellen's father. Farmers include Thomas and Marybeth Stoltzfus; Amos Beiler; Wilmer and Joanna Miller; Martha Yoder; and, Samuel Yoder who has a son, James.
John Miller runs Miller's General Store. The grocery is the McCann's. Margaret's is a local Mennonite restaurant. Naomi Beiler is the head of the local widows' group and has three children: Emma, Aaron, and Michael. Mary Blauch's son, Raymond, was born prematurely. Anne Stoltzfus is the midwife. Joseph Lapp has wandering goats. Mark Hostetler is the blacksmith. Alta Miller is an old friend of Sarah Fisher's.
Endie means aunt; grossmama is grandmother; onkel is uncle; schwester is sister; vadder is father; Dat is Dad; mudder is mother; brooder is brother; grossdaddi is grandfather; dochter is daughter. Think of the dawdi haus as a mother-in-law cottage.
The Cover and Title
The cover is soft pastels from the hazy blue of the sky above the blurred yellows and golds of the woods behind Lizzie. She's wearing her white cap with the ties fluttering in the breeze and a pale gray, high-waisted dress with below-the-elbow sleeves, and carrying a dark basket of green apples. Her other hand appears to be on Ezekiel's straw hat, as he looks up at his stepmother with curiosity.
The title is who Lizzie is, The Amish Mother.
October 13, 2019
The Amish Mother is the 2nd heartwarming story written by Rebecca Kertz in her Lancaster Courtships series. I absolutely enjoyed this storyline and it moved along at a great pace and kept my interest all the way through. The characters are very likeable and I enjoyed getting to know their stories. The author has done a wonderful job developing just the right characters to tell this story
Lizzie Fisher is a very strongwilled young Amish widow left to mother her seven step children and maintain a farm all without the aid of anyone. When a letter Lizzie has sent to notify her late husband's family of his passing finally reached them her brother in law appears unexpectedly to claim his inheritance, the farm. Lizzie sets out to prove to Zack Fisher that even though she has a physical ailment she is capable of running the farm, raise the seven children, and sell her quilts to make ends meet. This is where they butt heads and the story takes an unexpected turn. The author takes her readers on an amazing journey with these two characters.
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.
Congratulations to Rebecca Kertz for writing this heartwarming story to add to her series and also continues stories from other series. I loved that characters from her previous books continued their stories in this book.
Lizzie Fisher is a very strongwilled young Amish widow left to mother her seven step children and maintain a farm all without the aid of anyone. When a letter Lizzie has sent to notify her late husband's family of his passing finally reached them her brother in law appears unexpectedly to claim his inheritance, the farm. Lizzie sets out to prove to Zack Fisher that even though she has a physical ailment she is capable of running the farm, raise the seven children, and sell her quilts to make ends meet. This is where they butt heads and the story takes an unexpected turn. The author takes her readers on an amazing journey with these two characters.
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.
Congratulations to Rebecca Kertz for writing this heartwarming story to add to her series and also continues stories from other series. I loved that characters from her previous books continued their stories in this book.
May 29, 2025
This was my first novel by this author, and I'm not quite sure if her writing 'jives' with me. I think some of the sentence structure was almost stilted, and felt like she did not adhere to the 'show don't tell' method of writing that I personally prefer.
That said, overall, I enjoyed the story if not the writing. I thought Lizzie was quite relatable . . . trying to prove to others (and perhaps also to herself?) that she was capable despite the physical limitations placed upon her by her chronic pain. I know that I've been guilty of the same at times! I also liked that Zack was willing to put aside his initial concerns about Lizzie and the children's situation when he understood what was truly happening in his late brother's household.
The romance was very sweet, though I do wish that Lizzie and Zack had felt able to be completely transparent with each other earlier on.
2.75 stars
That said, overall, I enjoyed the story if not the writing. I thought Lizzie was quite relatable . . . trying to prove to others (and perhaps also to herself?) that she was capable despite the physical limitations placed upon her by her chronic pain. I know that I've been guilty of the same at times! I also liked that Zack was willing to put aside his initial concerns about Lizzie and the children's situation when he understood what was truly happening in his late brother's household.
The romance was very sweet, though I do wish that Lizzie and Zack had felt able to be completely transparent with each other earlier on.
2.75 stars
February 17, 2020
Although I enjoyed this story I noticed a few details that disagreed with other things written. And lots of repetition.
But I love light reading before bed and this was a great book for that.
It was part of a double set with The Amish Bride by Emma Miller.
I like that the characters in Hickory Hollow are brought into each story. However, the first one should have been after the second one in the timeline.
I found it interesting that the main character has been stamped by the way she grew up - unknowingly instead of giving her courage, her mother had her not believe in herself.
But I love light reading before bed and this was a great book for that.
It was part of a double set with The Amish Bride by Emma Miller.
I like that the characters in Hickory Hollow are brought into each story. However, the first one should have been after the second one in the timeline.
I found it interesting that the main character has been stamped by the way she grew up - unknowingly instead of giving her courage, her mother had her not believe in herself.
June 28, 2020
This is the second novel in the Lancaster Courtship series. There was nothing that made me feel I was missing anything by not having read the first one. I empathized with how she felt about her relationship with her mother. I admired Lizzie’s courage in dealing with her disability and her willingness to do what she believed was right despite her fear of losing something very precious to her. I enjoyed the book but not enough to re-read it. I would probably read the others in the series if they come my way but I doubt I’d go out of my way to find them.
January 16, 2020
I loved the characters and themes in this story!
The main character, Lizzie Fisher, has an abundance of baggage to deal with and overcome; and she does so with grace, kindness, and love.
The author did a fabulous job of revealing details from the past--when we needed to know them.
I borrowed this book from the local public library.
**This book is completely clean in language and content. :0}
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The main character, Lizzie Fisher, has an abundance of baggage to deal with and overcome; and she does so with grace, kindness, and love.
The author did a fabulous job of revealing details from the past--when we needed to know them.
I borrowed this book from the local public library.
**This book is completely clean in language and content. :0}
#################
November 6, 2018
I found this at a library book sale..who knew it would capture me from beginning to end. It was easy reading but yet had many different angles. It was heartbreaking, romantic, and full of family dynamics. Just perfect for a weekend read.
This book is #2 of Lancaster courtships but it can stand alone. It does make me want to get each one though to find out about the other characters.
This book is #2 of Lancaster courtships but it can stand alone. It does make me want to get each one though to find out about the other characters.
July 1, 2024
The Amish Mother, by Rebecca Kertz, was thoroughly enjoyable from start to finish. The amazingly work ethics of the Amish always inspire me. This love story was filled with many layers of challenges but in the end everything worked out as was God’s Will, as the Amish say. I look forward to the last book in this trilogy, The Amish Midwife.
February 4, 2020
Second book that I have read by this author and I have found that I really like her writing. Good love stories. Tough beginnings that slowly build to love. Second chance love story that was really sweet.
August 14, 2020
Lovely story and a feel good summer read. Rebecca Kertz does a wonderful job of keeping you engaged in the story, while giving you an accurate glimpse into the life of the Amish in current day America. I enjoyed this book!
June 13, 2023
Loved this story. Lizzie was awesome as a mom and wife. I can’t imagine taking care of all those children. And to obey your mother when you’re not sure you are doing God’s will was even harder. But Lizzie did it. Beautiful story of selflessness and faith.
December 18, 2018
Part of the appeal of the Amish romance books is the good community, family life lived by the Amish people.
December 31, 2018
Touching and inspiring story.
May 6, 2020
I didn't like it. It's my least favorite of all Rebecca Kertz's books that I have read.
May 19, 2021
Enjoyable insight into another lifestyle.
December 14, 2021
Would have lik we d to read more about their life together. I was kind of disappointed it ended.
June 28, 2023
Zach returns to Honeysuckle finding his broth and his passed years ago. Lizzie loves the 7 children and the farm. Zach realizes it and falls in love. Sweet Amish story
August 10, 2017
A delightful read, that will have you on the edge of your seat the whole way through.
The second book in Lancaster Courtships "The Amish Mother" by Rebecca Kertz focuses on Amish widow Lizzie Fisher who is raising her husband's seven children on his families farm all by herself.
Two months ago, she wrote a letter to her husband's family letting them know he passed away. Lizzie has not heard from them, until Zachariah Fisher, her brother-in-law and her husband's youngest brother, shows up in her yard.
Lizzie is determined to show the handsome Zach that her physical challenges do not prevent her from being a hard worker nor a loving mother to her step-children. And Zach is determined to farm the family farm and to make sure his nieces and nephews are taken care of.
Will the rest of the Fisher family accept Lizzie for who she is and not treat her differently?
Do hearts have something else in mind for them?
Is there another courtship going on in Honeysuckle as well?
Fans of the Amish genre you do not want to miss out on reading this book nor this series. I am loving this series. Each author has done great job of making sure each other so far has characters informations that they need to make each book flow smoothly.
I look forward to reading the last book in the series, The Amish Midwife by Patricia Davids.
I received a free copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review. No money was exchanged. This is my honest review in my own words.
The second book in Lancaster Courtships "The Amish Mother" by Rebecca Kertz focuses on Amish widow Lizzie Fisher who is raising her husband's seven children on his families farm all by herself.
Two months ago, she wrote a letter to her husband's family letting them know he passed away. Lizzie has not heard from them, until Zachariah Fisher, her brother-in-law and her husband's youngest brother, shows up in her yard.
Lizzie is determined to show the handsome Zach that her physical challenges do not prevent her from being a hard worker nor a loving mother to her step-children. And Zach is determined to farm the family farm and to make sure his nieces and nephews are taken care of.
Will the rest of the Fisher family accept Lizzie for who she is and not treat her differently?
Do hearts have something else in mind for them?
Is there another courtship going on in Honeysuckle as well?
Fans of the Amish genre you do not want to miss out on reading this book nor this series. I am loving this series. Each author has done great job of making sure each other so far has characters informations that they need to make each book flow smoothly.
I look forward to reading the last book in the series, The Amish Midwife by Patricia Davids.
I received a free copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review. No money was exchanged. This is my honest review in my own words.
August 9, 2015
The Amish Mother is book 2 of Lancaster Courtships by Rebecca Kertz. It is a Love inspired Harlequin. It is written with neither graphic sexual content nor words. This makes it a wonderful book to read for inspiration. The book is very good.
Lizzie Foster has a handicap. Her hip is a problem and she limps. It hurts her almost constantly; but has not found anyone who is able to fix it. She just bears with it. She married Abraham Fisher to care for him and his seven children. His wife has just died and he is still mourning her. Lizzie knew he didn’t love her but hoped he would come to care for her. Just as this seems to have been happening, he falls from the barn loft and dies. Now Lizzie is left with the farm and the children. Just as she is getting a handle on things, Zachariah Fisher shows up. Lizzie is anxious to know what he is going to do. The farm was left to Zack and Abraham was just taking care of it until Zack was of age. Has he returned to take the farm and the children who are only hers by marriage, but she loves him.
Zack has come to see about the farm and to meet Lizzie. None of the family knows anything about her. He fully intends to take the farm and possibly custody of the children. It depends on what he finds when he gets there. When he sees her physical challenges, he believes he has made the right decision; but he decides to wait and see how she does. Besides, he is attracted to her and he shouldn’t be. Luckily he and his sister are staying in the “dawdi haus” so there is no accusations of impropriety.
What will happen to Lizzie? Will she lose the farm and the children? How can she tell Zack her secrets? Will they make a difference?
Lizzie Foster has a handicap. Her hip is a problem and she limps. It hurts her almost constantly; but has not found anyone who is able to fix it. She just bears with it. She married Abraham Fisher to care for him and his seven children. His wife has just died and he is still mourning her. Lizzie knew he didn’t love her but hoped he would come to care for her. Just as this seems to have been happening, he falls from the barn loft and dies. Now Lizzie is left with the farm and the children. Just as she is getting a handle on things, Zachariah Fisher shows up. Lizzie is anxious to know what he is going to do. The farm was left to Zack and Abraham was just taking care of it until Zack was of age. Has he returned to take the farm and the children who are only hers by marriage, but she loves him.
Zack has come to see about the farm and to meet Lizzie. None of the family knows anything about her. He fully intends to take the farm and possibly custody of the children. It depends on what he finds when he gets there. When he sees her physical challenges, he believes he has made the right decision; but he decides to wait and see how she does. Besides, he is attracted to her and he shouldn’t be. Luckily he and his sister are staying in the “dawdi haus” so there is no accusations of impropriety.
What will happen to Lizzie? Will she lose the farm and the children? How can she tell Zack her secrets? Will they make a difference?
February 4, 2016
Nineteen year old widow Elizabeth (Lizzie ) King Fisher has her hands full. She has most certainly experienced more than others her age in her Amish community of Honeysuckle, Pennsylvania.
Growing up with a bad limp and at times a mom who seems to distance herself from Lizzie, this sweet girl has learned to be independent and do her best in all things.
She finds herself a young widow with 7 stepchildren. Just two years earlier she married Abraham Fisher after being encouraged by her mother that this would be best for her with her disability. Abraham was about 15 years her senior and died tragically on the farm.
Lizzie tries to hold it altogether while dealing with a step daughter who is unaccepting of her, trying to take care of seven children as well as farm and household duties. She always says that the children are the children of her heart.
Zach Fisher comes to reclaim the farm that is his birthright. Lizzie has known that her deceased husband was only a caretaker of the farm until Zach came to claim it.
I loved the sweet characters in this book and Zach's sister Esther is sweet as well as Sarah, Lizzies mother in law.
Putting on a brave front, Lizzie wonders if Zach and her might have feelings for each other. Zach also sees how much Lizzie loves the children and what she is capable of doing. I also loved the budding romance between Preacher David and Esther. .
Even though this was the second book in the series I felt perfectly fine jumping in and feeling at home . If you are looking for a sweet romance with a wonderful message of love, faith, family, and community this would be a great read.
Growing up with a bad limp and at times a mom who seems to distance herself from Lizzie, this sweet girl has learned to be independent and do her best in all things.
She finds herself a young widow with 7 stepchildren. Just two years earlier she married Abraham Fisher after being encouraged by her mother that this would be best for her with her disability. Abraham was about 15 years her senior and died tragically on the farm.
Lizzie tries to hold it altogether while dealing with a step daughter who is unaccepting of her, trying to take care of seven children as well as farm and household duties. She always says that the children are the children of her heart.
Zach Fisher comes to reclaim the farm that is his birthright. Lizzie has known that her deceased husband was only a caretaker of the farm until Zach came to claim it.
I loved the sweet characters in this book and Zach's sister Esther is sweet as well as Sarah, Lizzies mother in law.
Putting on a brave front, Lizzie wonders if Zach and her might have feelings for each other. Zach also sees how much Lizzie loves the children and what she is capable of doing. I also loved the budding romance between Preacher David and Esther. .
Even though this was the second book in the series I felt perfectly fine jumping in and feeling at home . If you are looking for a sweet romance with a wonderful message of love, faith, family, and community this would be a great read.
October 5, 2015
Book 2 in the Love Inspired continuity series, Lancaster Courtships Books are released monthly, written by multiple authors and though they share an overlapping community (Honeysuckle, Pennsylvania) and characters, each book reads as a standalone. How cool is that?
First, kudos to Rebecca Kertz for creating a heroine with a disability in The Amish Mother. It is heartening to read about a heroine who doesn't meet the traditional romance novel standards. I'm of the opinion that diversity in fiction is as important as diversity in our daily lives.
Lizzie has battled a physical challenge all her life and she's determined to prove herself. Especially to the brother-in-law she's just met. Imagine being widowed at nineteen! And left a step-mother to seven children! Lizzie has enough love in her heart and desperate determination to keep the family together especially when Zach arrives in Honeysuckle. He intends to lay claim to his family's farm and his brother's children. Nothing has prepared him for Lizzie though and an unusual love story ensues.
Best line in the book: Little Amish boy explaining the drama of a gash in his hand. "I had an accident. It's better now. Mam took me to the doctor and I got quilted." (pg.109)
And just an interesting side note: Unlike the usual two person point of view found in Love Inspired books, this one has multiple viewpoints and a secondary romance -- all wrapped up in a heartwarming package.
First, kudos to Rebecca Kertz for creating a heroine with a disability in The Amish Mother. It is heartening to read about a heroine who doesn't meet the traditional romance novel standards. I'm of the opinion that diversity in fiction is as important as diversity in our daily lives.
Lizzie has battled a physical challenge all her life and she's determined to prove herself. Especially to the brother-in-law she's just met. Imagine being widowed at nineteen! And left a step-mother to seven children! Lizzie has enough love in her heart and desperate determination to keep the family together especially when Zach arrives in Honeysuckle. He intends to lay claim to his family's farm and his brother's children. Nothing has prepared him for Lizzie though and an unusual love story ensues.
Best line in the book: Little Amish boy explaining the drama of a gash in his hand. "I had an accident. It's better now. Mam took me to the doctor and I got quilted." (pg.109)
And just an interesting side note: Unlike the usual two person point of view found in Love Inspired books, this one has multiple viewpoints and a secondary romance -- all wrapped up in a heartwarming package.
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