What do you think?
Rate this book
Living Plain #1
Anna's Trials
Even with the support of her community and family, life presents many trials to the newly widowed Amish woman, Anna Miller. Left with four young children, Anna must deal with disciplining her young rambunctious sons as well as her personal grief.
Her maiden sister, Beth, has little tolerance for her young nephews who complicate her time teaching at a one-room schoolhouse in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Beth’s family is concerned about her lack of interest in the eligible men in their area and encourage her to seek a relationship with a young Amish carpenter who recently relocates from nearby Ohio.
Can Anna ever love again? Or would it be enough to marry for the sake of the children?
Her maiden sister, Beth, has little tolerance for her young nephews who complicate her time teaching at a one-room schoolhouse in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Beth’s family is concerned about her lack of interest in the eligible men in their area and encourage her to seek a relationship with a young Amish carpenter who recently relocates from nearby Ohio.
Can Anna ever love again? Or would it be enough to marry for the sake of the children?
217 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 12, 2015
41 people are currently reading
74 people want to read
About the author
June Bryan Belfie
34 books48 followersJune Bryan Belfie began writing in her 70s and has written over 30 books. Her Amish novels became best sellers on Amazon Kindle, and her work has been published with both Harlequin and Desert Breeze. You can find most of her books available at Barnes and Nobles in paperback or e-book. Soon audio books will be available for some of her Amish and Christian-based novels.
While raising five children, June found time to take up oil painting and studied under several nationally known artists. She also loved to play the piano, sing, and sew.
In the 1970’s, she and her husband, Jim, purchased and operated a thirty-eight-room country inn located in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania where she established an art gallery as well as creative workshops, which took place in a converted recreation hall. Professional artists and writers from all over the country presided over classes held during the summer months.
In addition to inn-keeping, Ms. Belfie has owned a restaurant, cooked professionally, worked in a bank, collected and sold antiques, directed a church choir, and served as a Stephen's Minister.
She enjoys her eight grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, as well as her adult children and their spouses. She now resides in Media, Pennsylvania.
While raising five children, June found time to take up oil painting and studied under several nationally known artists. She also loved to play the piano, sing, and sew.
In the 1970’s, she and her husband, Jim, purchased and operated a thirty-eight-room country inn located in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania where she established an art gallery as well as creative workshops, which took place in a converted recreation hall. Professional artists and writers from all over the country presided over classes held during the summer months.
In addition to inn-keeping, Ms. Belfie has owned a restaurant, cooked professionally, worked in a bank, collected and sold antiques, directed a church choir, and served as a Stephen's Minister.
She enjoys her eight grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, as well as her adult children and their spouses. She now resides in Media, Pennsylvania.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
December 30, 2019
Anna’s Trials was a quick read with multiple characters facing challenges, especially Anna. Her husband Jeremiah had died unexpectedly at 35 leaving her with 4 children under the age of 10. She struggled with the discipline of the boys as they didn’t listen well but little Rachel was a sweetheart. She worried about her sister Beth wanting to date an Englischer man. Anna was shocked to read about a young widower and his remaining children in another community after losing his wife and 3 children in a buggy accident. Would their paths cross as she was being pressured to remarry? The ending seemed to be rushed which was disappointing.
This was a download from Amazon in the past but I hadn’t read the book till now. Thus a review was not required.
This was a download from Amazon in the past but I hadn’t read the book till now. Thus a review was not required.
May 16, 2017
Very good story
I enjoyed the book. However, there were several things that bothered me, one was in the beginning of the book a couple of names were misspelled which made me wonder if they were different people ( Zach and Isaiah). The other was that the book is titled Anna's Trials and the book seemed to focus on Beth more so than Anna - it felt like Beth was the main character. I got so into Beth's story that Anna just became a side character. We didn't get to see Anna meet the guy she might be able to love until at the very last pages of the book. Beth's story also was left up in the air. It almost seems that this is a prologue to the next book. I would like to know what happens to Anna and Beth, but not so much that I want to rush and get the next book in the series. I recommend this book because I did enjoy the story , but if you want closure from one book, this might not be for you.
I enjoyed the book. However, there were several things that bothered me, one was in the beginning of the book a couple of names were misspelled which made me wonder if they were different people ( Zach and Isaiah). The other was that the book is titled Anna's Trials and the book seemed to focus on Beth more so than Anna - it felt like Beth was the main character. I got so into Beth's story that Anna just became a side character. We didn't get to see Anna meet the guy she might be able to love until at the very last pages of the book. Beth's story also was left up in the air. It almost seems that this is a prologue to the next book. I would like to know what happens to Anna and Beth, but not so much that I want to rush and get the next book in the series. I recommend this book because I did enjoy the story , but if you want closure from one book, this might not be for you.
August 12, 2017
This was a very good Christian story about two Amish people
I enjoyed reading this story about two families and the sorrows of losing their spouses. When children are involved it is hard for the other parent to fill both positions of mother and father. The author did an excellent job of telling this story and I would highly recommend this book to others.
I enjoyed reading this story about two families and the sorrows of losing their spouses. When children are involved it is hard for the other parent to fill both positions of mother and father. The author did an excellent job of telling this story and I would highly recommend this book to others.
October 1, 2018
Anna's Trials
Beautiful story...I cried as there is sadness but the end results are good. Anxious to read the next book. This is the first that I have read by June Bryan Belfie and it is just the beginning of many more to follow. Thank you June for a story that kept me so interested from start to finish.
Beautiful story...I cried as there is sadness but the end results are good. Anxious to read the next book. This is the first that I have read by June Bryan Belfie and it is just the beginning of many more to follow. Thank you June for a story that kept me so interested from start to finish.
November 30, 2016
Pretty good read
I thought this book was a pretty good except I skipped a lot of the pages because it went on too long of the characters like Beth and the ending and it left you with a cliffhanger so you will have to read book 2.
I thought this book was a pretty good except I skipped a lot of the pages because it went on too long of the characters like Beth and the ending and it left you with a cliffhanger so you will have to read book 2.
August 5, 2017
Heartwarming Story!
An absolutely heartwarming book about the trials of losing your spouses and finding love again. Loved how the characters leaned on each other in the families!
Can't wait to read book 2!
An absolutely heartwarming book about the trials of losing your spouses and finding love again. Loved how the characters leaned on each other in the families!
Can't wait to read book 2!
September 26, 2018
This was a very good book, an emotional read. I enjoyed it very much and would recommend this author. You are pulled into the story right away. The characters come alive. I couldn't put the book down and read the entire series in two days.
August 17, 2017
Newly widowed Amish woman, Anna Miller was left with four young children, Anna must deal with disciplining her young rambunctious sons as well as her personal grief.
August 20, 2017
Just loved this book. It had the intensity of life and the trials most of us face in one form or another and handled by the Amish love and trust in God.
September 28, 2018
Great!
Anna's trials is a great read. No one knows how God works, or how he will bless us. I am so looking forward to the next book in this series.
Anna's trials is a great read. No one knows how God works, or how he will bless us. I am so looking forward to the next book in this series.
Read
July 15, 2022quick read. Didnt feel authentic
January 23, 2016
I like the simplicity of the lives of the Amish. I'm she that, in real life, their lives aren't simple, but their love of family and community speak to me.
I chose this rating because I love reading about the simplicity of Amish life. I find it interesting and endearing to witness their warmth, hospitality and love of family and community. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading about lives lived in a different manner. This book is an easy read, and I'll be ordering the next in the series.
I chose this rating because I love reading about the simplicity of Amish life. I find it interesting and endearing to witness their warmth, hospitality and love of family and community. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading about lives lived in a different manner. This book is an easy read, and I'll be ordering the next in the series.
July 15, 2015
Anna found her calling in teaching young minds.
Ann lives at home with her family.she was offer a teaching position and found her calling.she felt she could teach for years.as she had no special man in her life.but God had other plans.
Ann lives at home with her family.she was offer a teaching position and found her calling.she felt she could teach for years.as she had no special man in her life.but God had other plans.
July 9, 2016
.
Great book. I have always e reading books on th Amish community. The story held my interest all the way. I like how God answered Anna's prayers. I will be reading more books done by June Belfie . This was good for all ages
Great book. I have always e reading books on th Amish community. The story held my interest all the way. I like how God answered Anna's prayers. I will be reading more books done by June Belfie . This was good for all ages
August 15, 2015
Anna's Trials
Another start to what will be a great series. Can Hardly wait to start book 2.., this was a good story on how great prayer can be.
Another start to what will be a great series. Can Hardly wait to start book 2.., this was a good story on how great prayer can be.
July 18, 2016
Loved it
This was a fast paced read. There was a lot going on but the writer kept it moving and sorted out now I can't wait to get started on the next one
This was a fast paced read. There was a lot going on but the writer kept it moving and sorted out now I can't wait to get started on the next one
July 18, 2016
God is Good
I really liked the story. It is real to life. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
I really liked the story. It is real to life. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
April 28, 2017
Somewhat slow moving but has a nice ending...
As well as a good setup for next book in the series. A few weak factual spots. A bit tedious at times.
As well as a good setup for next book in the series. A few weak factual spots. A bit tedious at times.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews