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Pinecraft #2
The Amish Midwife's Courtship
An Arranged Romance
Molly Ziegler is proud of being a successful midwife. But at age twenty-one, she's unmarried—and fodder for gossip in her Amish community. Even as her meddling mother urges her to marry the town's most eligible bachelor, Molly wants more. And in newcomer Isaac Gruber, she's found her way out. If Isaac will pretend to court her, her mother has to stop matchmaking—once and for all. What Molly didn't plan on are the unexpected feelings the businessman stirs in her. Isaac will go along with Molly's ruse. Especially since he can't stop thinking about her. But when the favor backfires spectacularly, it might just lead them toward true love.
Molly Ziegler is proud of being a successful midwife. But at age twenty-one, she's unmarried—and fodder for gossip in her Amish community. Even as her meddling mother urges her to marry the town's most eligible bachelor, Molly wants more. And in newcomer Isaac Gruber, she's found her way out. If Isaac will pretend to court her, her mother has to stop matchmaking—once and for all. What Molly didn't plan on are the unexpected feelings the businessman stirs in her. Isaac will go along with Molly's ruse. Especially since he can't stop thinking about her. But when the favor backfires spectacularly, it might just lead them toward true love.
224 pages, Mass Market Paperback
Published May 24, 2016
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March 17, 2018
Isaac knew now was the time to declare his love, but the tender words scrambled in his mind and wouldn't come off his tongue. How did a man tell a woman that she meant more to him than the very breath he drew and then confess himself to be a murderer?
Isaac is moving to a new town to escape his community. He is full of guilt because he was driving the truck his friend was in when the friend died when both of them were hit by a drunk driver. He was driving without a license and blames himself. He's ostracized from his family, but not shunned.
Molly lives with her abusive mother. As an Amish woman, she has no recourse. A spinster at age 21, her abusive mother is pushing her to marry rich man Samuel. But she doesn't love Samuel and sees abusive tendencies in him. But she might be forced to marry him by her mom and her church. She works two jobs - waiting tables at a café, and being a midwife. She also is, of course, a full-time live-in servant for her mom, who runs a boarding-house.
Both Molly and Isaac have a bad leg and both consider themselves to be crippled. It's rare for me to see a disabled hero or heroine in romance novels, much less TWO disabled MCs. Quite bold on Williford's part. Their disabilities, while present and constant, do not affect their work, their love, their attractiveness to the opposite sex, or their marriage opportunities. It's actually quite nicely handled on Williford's part. She expertly makes the damaged legs noticeable in the story at most times, but draws back from making it the main focus. It's perfect.
"You're right. I did fall over my own feet. That's what cripples do." He leaned heavily on a single crutch and pushed his way to his feet, his face contorting with pain.
"Ach, you're no cripple," she said, standing.
"What would you know about being crippled?"
He'd crossed the line. Molly lifted her skirt an inch and showed him the built-up shoe on her right foot. "I think I know a lot about being crippled."
Being disabled since she was young, Molly is used to her disability and deals with it a lot better than Isaac, who just became crippled after his car accident. But he grows and changes during the book, and becomes more at peace with it.
Isaac is a little bit of an asshole. He's not a total asshole, like so many of the Amish heroes are - authors seem to think Amish women find asshole Amish men "cute" or "endearing" or something - but he does hurt Molly on purpose and fuck with her on occasion. Luckily this only lasts about the first one-third of the novel.
"Here you go. Fries and eggs. Hope you enjoy them."
"I would have enjoyed them more ten minutes ago." The man's hand rattled his empty coffee mug to express his neglect.
"I'm so sorry, sir. We've been a bit busy and I... Isaac? Was tut Sie Hier?"
Pulling his plate closer, he folded his newspaper and looked at Molly. "Why do you think I'm here? I'm hungry and want my second cup of coffee.
She hadn't seen Isaac since he'd repaired the cart for her the day before. "Why didn't you eat at home? Mamm made pancakes with hot apple-butter early this morning."
"I'm a solitary man. I like my own company," he grumbled as he cut his eggs into perfect bite-sized squares. He leaned over the plate to get the full benefit of a fork full of eggs and home fries. "Now, can I have some coffee to wash down my breakfast?"
"Ya, of course. I'll get you coffee right away."
Taking a fresh carafe of coffee off the heater, Molly hurried back, reminding herself of the café's customer service policy. The customer is always right. She'd agreed with the policy when she'd taken the job a year ago, but some days it took perseverance and a cool head to be friendly and courteous to certain patrons who passed through the café door.
She grimaced as the toe of her built-up shoe hit the edge of Isaac's booth, but kept a smile plastered on her face. "Let me pour you a fresh cup of coffee." She went to pour, and before she could stop him, he reached for the tiny container of milk next to his cup.
Hot coffee splashed his wrist and shirt cuff. He jerked his hand away and reached for a napkin. "Do you really work here, or are you following me around, making sure I get hurt at least once a day?"
UGH. Good thing he knocks this off, because I would have to hate him and turn this into a rant review if he kept practicing asshole-behavior, of which this is only a taste.
One thing I like in this book is how Molly stands up for herself. It's very unusual in Amish romance novels. She's not afraid to tell her abusive mother that she won't marry Samuel. Of course, her mother ignores her, but she really stands up for herself. She puts up with a lot of her mother's shit - cleans, cooks, gives up activities to do work for her mom, her mom forgets her birthday and Molly never says anything, etc. etc. - but draws the line at marrying Samuel.
"I have sacrificed all my life for you. It is time you sacrificed for me."
Molly jerked out of her mother's grasp and stood her ground. "Nee, not anymore. I have done all I am going to do. A loveless marriage is where I draw the line."
When her mother persists, Molly up and moves out of her mother's house and into a very, very small motel room. This is SO GUTSY. She knows her mother will go to the church and request Molly be shunned and banned.
Molly also shows a lot of guts standing up to Samuel, a man she knows tends towards abusive behavior. She keeps shooting him down, and she is NOT polite about it. She's not stupid, she's just fed up. I admired her bravery in standing up to both Samuel and her mom, even though she could easily lose everything due to her actions.
The patriarchy is extra strong and disgusting in this book, and in true patriarchy form it shits on both men and women.
- Molly can't choose to be single. She MUST get married and MUST have children.
- Molly can be forced into a marriage by the church. They tell her it is "God's will" and she'll "learn to love him."
- Isaac cannot choose to be single. He MUST get married and MUST have children.
- Isaac can be forced into a marriage by the church. They tell him it is "God's will and he'll "learn to love her."
- Not only Amish women, but all women in this novel can't have dreams of anything more than birthing children and being a lifelong servant to their husband. Here's what Willa Mae (an Englischer) tells Molly:
"One day you gonna meet some nice Amish man like that Isaac fella and get married. Children become your dream and a clean house your job. You'll see if I'm not right..."
When Molly eats a friend's delicious pancakes and tells her she should open a restaurant, her friend says,
"You really should open up a restaurant. These pancakes are wonderful."
"And when would I have time for this wonderful dream? Between diaper changes and dirty hands?"
She is married and pregnant with kids #4 and #5. She cooks and cleans and serves her husband all day.
Even though Isaac is male, and therefore is allowed more freedom, he's still trapped by the patriarchy and forced to obey it.
"You've been forgiven by Gott, haven't you? He understands you and Isaac meant no real harm. Gott's not punishing you. You're punishing yourself by thinking this arranged marriage is wrong and that Gott is not in it."
"But Isaac -" Molly moaned.
"Forget about Isaac. He's a man. He doesn't know what he wants. Time will bring him around."
Doesn't matter if he doesn't want to marry, he has no choice. He can't choose not to have children, either.
"Don't look so scared. Kinner are wonderful blessings from Gott. I can't wait for our next one to get here."
The married people with children who surround both Isaac and Molly seem to think their ideas of independence and making their own choices is "cute" but soon they will come to their senses and fall in line.
When Isaac says to Molly on page 170
"I'm very serious. I've been doing a lot of thinking. It's time I marry. I need a wife. Someone to do my laundry and cook my meals. I need to be practical."
He's not even being an asshole, it's just the facts that women are their husband's live-in slaves: cooking, cleaning, and birthing as many children as possible. Of course it's important for a man to have a live-in slave so that he can be cared for and so he can have a clean house, clothes, and full-time childcare. Isaac isn't saying this out of malice, it's simply the facts of their situation.
It's very bleak. I have no idea how it reflects on real-life Amish culture, as this was written by an evangelical Christian and not an Amish woman.
GOD. God is mentioned ~50 times in this novel. And God gets the credit for everything. For instance, if Molly clears out an infant's airways and gives it mouth-to-mouth, God is breathing life back into the baby. If Sarah sews a wedding dress for Molly, then pulls it out and shows everyone, everyone marvels at how God is pulling this wedding together by giving Molly a dress, etc. When the church orders X and Y to get married, it is said to be God's will, and that God is bringing the couple together and that God wants them together. Even though X and Y do not want to get married.
It's very strange. Don't read this if you don't enjoy inspirational romance.
TL;DR - I liked Molly's fierce spirit, her willingness to stand up for herself, and her work ethic. Isaac started off as kind of an asshole, but he calmed down and wasn't bad for the last 2/3 of the novel.
Despite the premise of this novel being a 'fake courtship,' that's not really what the book is about or what actually happens. It's a lot more complex than that and not really descriptive of the novel.
Abusive mothers/relatives seem to be prevalent in Amish fiction, perhaps because there is no recourse to people who have to love, support and live with family no matter what. This isn't like An Amish Reunion where Hannah is being beaten and bruised by her great-grandmother, here Molly's mom is mostly verbally and emotionally abusive, but it is still bad.
ROMANCE CATEGORIES:
Amish Romance
Contemporary Romance
Inspirational Romance
Virgin Hero Romance
Disabled Hero
Disabled Heroine
She's a Midwife/Waitress, He's a Bike Repair Shop Owner
Isaac is moving to a new town to escape his community. He is full of guilt because he was driving the truck his friend was in when the friend died when both of them were hit by a drunk driver. He was driving without a license and blames himself. He's ostracized from his family, but not shunned.
Molly lives with her abusive mother. As an Amish woman, she has no recourse. A spinster at age 21, her abusive mother is pushing her to marry rich man Samuel. But she doesn't love Samuel and sees abusive tendencies in him. But she might be forced to marry him by her mom and her church. She works two jobs - waiting tables at a café, and being a midwife. She also is, of course, a full-time live-in servant for her mom, who runs a boarding-house.
Both Molly and Isaac have a bad leg and both consider themselves to be crippled. It's rare for me to see a disabled hero or heroine in romance novels, much less TWO disabled MCs. Quite bold on Williford's part. Their disabilities, while present and constant, do not affect their work, their love, their attractiveness to the opposite sex, or their marriage opportunities. It's actually quite nicely handled on Williford's part. She expertly makes the damaged legs noticeable in the story at most times, but draws back from making it the main focus. It's perfect.
"You're right. I did fall over my own feet. That's what cripples do." He leaned heavily on a single crutch and pushed his way to his feet, his face contorting with pain.
"Ach, you're no cripple," she said, standing.
"What would you know about being crippled?"
He'd crossed the line. Molly lifted her skirt an inch and showed him the built-up shoe on her right foot. "I think I know a lot about being crippled."
Being disabled since she was young, Molly is used to her disability and deals with it a lot better than Isaac, who just became crippled after his car accident. But he grows and changes during the book, and becomes more at peace with it.
Isaac is a little bit of an asshole. He's not a total asshole, like so many of the Amish heroes are - authors seem to think Amish women find asshole Amish men "cute" or "endearing" or something - but he does hurt Molly on purpose and fuck with her on occasion. Luckily this only lasts about the first one-third of the novel.
"Here you go. Fries and eggs. Hope you enjoy them."
"I would have enjoyed them more ten minutes ago." The man's hand rattled his empty coffee mug to express his neglect.
"I'm so sorry, sir. We've been a bit busy and I... Isaac? Was tut Sie Hier?"
Pulling his plate closer, he folded his newspaper and looked at Molly. "Why do you think I'm here? I'm hungry and want my second cup of coffee.
She hadn't seen Isaac since he'd repaired the cart for her the day before. "Why didn't you eat at home? Mamm made pancakes with hot apple-butter early this morning."
"I'm a solitary man. I like my own company," he grumbled as he cut his eggs into perfect bite-sized squares. He leaned over the plate to get the full benefit of a fork full of eggs and home fries. "Now, can I have some coffee to wash down my breakfast?"
"Ya, of course. I'll get you coffee right away."
Taking a fresh carafe of coffee off the heater, Molly hurried back, reminding herself of the café's customer service policy. The customer is always right. She'd agreed with the policy when she'd taken the job a year ago, but some days it took perseverance and a cool head to be friendly and courteous to certain patrons who passed through the café door.
She grimaced as the toe of her built-up shoe hit the edge of Isaac's booth, but kept a smile plastered on her face. "Let me pour you a fresh cup of coffee." She went to pour, and before she could stop him, he reached for the tiny container of milk next to his cup.
Hot coffee splashed his wrist and shirt cuff. He jerked his hand away and reached for a napkin. "Do you really work here, or are you following me around, making sure I get hurt at least once a day?"
UGH. Good thing he knocks this off, because I would have to hate him and turn this into a rant review if he kept practicing asshole-behavior, of which this is only a taste.
One thing I like in this book is how Molly stands up for herself. It's very unusual in Amish romance novels. She's not afraid to tell her abusive mother that she won't marry Samuel. Of course, her mother ignores her, but she really stands up for herself. She puts up with a lot of her mother's shit - cleans, cooks, gives up activities to do work for her mom, her mom forgets her birthday and Molly never says anything, etc. etc. - but draws the line at marrying Samuel.
"I have sacrificed all my life for you. It is time you sacrificed for me."
Molly jerked out of her mother's grasp and stood her ground. "Nee, not anymore. I have done all I am going to do. A loveless marriage is where I draw the line."
When her mother persists, Molly up and moves out of her mother's house and into a very, very small motel room. This is SO GUTSY. She knows her mother will go to the church and request Molly be shunned and banned.
Molly also shows a lot of guts standing up to Samuel, a man she knows tends towards abusive behavior. She keeps shooting him down, and she is NOT polite about it. She's not stupid, she's just fed up. I admired her bravery in standing up to both Samuel and her mom, even though she could easily lose everything due to her actions.
The patriarchy is extra strong and disgusting in this book, and in true patriarchy form it shits on both men and women.
- Molly can't choose to be single. She MUST get married and MUST have children.
- Molly can be forced into a marriage by the church. They tell her it is "God's will" and she'll "learn to love him."
- Isaac cannot choose to be single. He MUST get married and MUST have children.
- Isaac can be forced into a marriage by the church. They tell him it is "God's will and he'll "learn to love her."
- Not only Amish women, but all women in this novel can't have dreams of anything more than birthing children and being a lifelong servant to their husband. Here's what Willa Mae (an Englischer) tells Molly:
"One day you gonna meet some nice Amish man like that Isaac fella and get married. Children become your dream and a clean house your job. You'll see if I'm not right..."
When Molly eats a friend's delicious pancakes and tells her she should open a restaurant, her friend says,
"You really should open up a restaurant. These pancakes are wonderful."
"And when would I have time for this wonderful dream? Between diaper changes and dirty hands?"
She is married and pregnant with kids #4 and #5. She cooks and cleans and serves her husband all day.
Even though Isaac is male, and therefore is allowed more freedom, he's still trapped by the patriarchy and forced to obey it.
"You've been forgiven by Gott, haven't you? He understands you and Isaac meant no real harm. Gott's not punishing you. You're punishing yourself by thinking this arranged marriage is wrong and that Gott is not in it."
"But Isaac -" Molly moaned.
"Forget about Isaac. He's a man. He doesn't know what he wants. Time will bring him around."
Doesn't matter if he doesn't want to marry, he has no choice. He can't choose not to have children, either.
"Don't look so scared. Kinner are wonderful blessings from Gott. I can't wait for our next one to get here."
The married people with children who surround both Isaac and Molly seem to think their ideas of independence and making their own choices is "cute" but soon they will come to their senses and fall in line.
When Isaac says to Molly on page 170
"I'm very serious. I've been doing a lot of thinking. It's time I marry. I need a wife. Someone to do my laundry and cook my meals. I need to be practical."
He's not even being an asshole, it's just the facts that women are their husband's live-in slaves: cooking, cleaning, and birthing as many children as possible. Of course it's important for a man to have a live-in slave so that he can be cared for and so he can have a clean house, clothes, and full-time childcare. Isaac isn't saying this out of malice, it's simply the facts of their situation.
It's very bleak. I have no idea how it reflects on real-life Amish culture, as this was written by an evangelical Christian and not an Amish woman.
GOD. God is mentioned ~50 times in this novel. And God gets the credit for everything. For instance, if Molly clears out an infant's airways and gives it mouth-to-mouth, God is breathing life back into the baby. If Sarah sews a wedding dress for Molly, then pulls it out and shows everyone, everyone marvels at how God is pulling this wedding together by giving Molly a dress, etc. When the church orders X and Y to get married, it is said to be God's will, and that God is bringing the couple together and that God wants them together. Even though X and Y do not want to get married.
It's very strange. Don't read this if you don't enjoy inspirational romance.
TL;DR - I liked Molly's fierce spirit, her willingness to stand up for herself, and her work ethic. Isaac started off as kind of an asshole, but he calmed down and wasn't bad for the last 2/3 of the novel.
Despite the premise of this novel being a 'fake courtship,' that's not really what the book is about or what actually happens. It's a lot more complex than that and not really descriptive of the novel.
Abusive mothers/relatives seem to be prevalent in Amish fiction, perhaps because there is no recourse to people who have to love, support and live with family no matter what. This isn't like An Amish Reunion where Hannah is being beaten and bruised by her great-grandmother, here Molly's mom is mostly verbally and emotionally abusive, but it is still bad.
ROMANCE CATEGORIES:
Amish Romance
Contemporary Romance
Inspirational Romance
Virgin Hero Romance
Disabled Hero
Disabled Heroine
She's a Midwife/Waitress, He's a Bike Repair Shop Owner
February 6, 2017
Second in the Pinecraft inspirational romance set in the Amish community in Pinecraft, Florida. The couple focus is on Molly Ziegler and Isaac Gruber.
My Take
I'm tellin' ya right off…this story pissed me off from the start. I despised Molly's mother and her attitude. As for her turnaround at the end, nope, too easy. So take this review with a grain of salt.
I do love this community. They're so supportive — the perfect Adam Smith capitalist society, although Molly does keep me wondering. She's so quickly abrasive and yet she jumps to help almost before she rips a piece off'a ya. And everyone else is a major contrast with Ulla. I don't really count Samuel as he's such a minor character.
Williford using the third-person omniscient point-of-view helps in keeping the reader apprised of what everyone is angry or worried about, although Williford kept Isaac's secret for quite a while. An overblown secret in my opinion. I wanted to like Isaac, and most of me did, but I was surprised that he hadn't done more due diligence before he bought the shop. I did like Molly. She had great strength of will and patience…and determination.
Romance-wise, it feels as if Williford was trying too hard to give this a twist and was too obvious. On the other hand, it does provide a nice bit of drama to the story with the twist of those lies Molly and Isaac are telling, as well as providing insight into the rules of the Amish community.
It's sweet. It's warm. And it will get your dander up.
The Story
Proud of being a successful midwife and earning her own way, the unwed Molly Ziegler is still subject to her mother's demands. Selfish demands for which Molly refuses to sacrifice herself.
When newcomer Isaac Gruber shows up, he could be the answer to her prayers with a pretend courtship.
But that favor backfires spectacularly and might just lead them toward true love.
The Characters
Margaret "Molly" Ziegler is a midwife who works as a waitress AND slaves for her mother. The inconsiderate, tyrannical Mamm, Ulla Ziegler, runs a boarding house.
Isaac Graber had to leave home and has bought The Bike Pit from Leonard Lapp's son in Pinecraft. His father is Old Order Amish and furious with his son. Thomas, a Mennonite, had been his best friend. Until that night. Rose is Isaac's sister on rumspringa.
Mose Fischer, Molly's brother-in-law when he had married Greta, Molly's sister, owns a furniture store and Fischer Transport. Now he's married to Sarah who will give birth to twins: Wilhelm and Rebecca. Beatrice and Mercy were Mose and Greta's daughters. Levi is Mose's son with Sarah. Wilhelm is his nephew. Bishop Otto Fischer and Theda are Mose's parents. Heidi is one of Ruben's children, the bishop's oldest son. Helen is another granddaughter. Kurt is Mose's brother and is married to Marta. Fredrik works at the furniture store.
Samuel Bawell from Ohio is the man Ulla wants Molly to marry. He has money but hides his true self. Willa Mae owns the café where Molly works. Chicken John Schwarts is a chicken farmer and prankster interested in Ulla. Lalalu manages a motel.
Molly's friends include…
…Bretta, Molly's best friend since school, is about to give birth to her seventh child and is married to Ralf. Ruth Lapp is married to Saul and lives in Ohio for half of the year. Rachel Lapp is about to marry Ralf Yoder while Belinda is also about to marry. Liesel Troyer.
Frieda Lapp had a baby girl, Rachel. Herr Zucker is a neighbor of the Zieglers'. Becky Esch has two marriageable daughters.
The Cover and Title
The cover has a base of blues and oranges with a bright orange-yellow sunset over a green park-like setting with a bust of Molly, her blonde hair escaping from under her white prayer kapp in her round-neck blue dress, floating over it. The title and author's name are in white across her shoulders while the publisher's name is in a bright blue script across the top over a narrow band of yellow-orange with a quick blurb.
The title is to the point, for this is The Amish Midwife's Courtship.
My Take
I'm tellin' ya right off…this story pissed me off from the start. I despised Molly's mother and her attitude. As for her turnaround at the end, nope, too easy. So take this review with a grain of salt.
I do love this community. They're so supportive — the perfect Adam Smith capitalist society, although Molly does keep me wondering. She's so quickly abrasive and yet she jumps to help almost before she rips a piece off'a ya. And everyone else is a major contrast with Ulla. I don't really count Samuel as he's such a minor character.
Williford using the third-person omniscient point-of-view helps in keeping the reader apprised of what everyone is angry or worried about, although Williford kept Isaac's secret for quite a while. An overblown secret in my opinion. I wanted to like Isaac, and most of me did, but I was surprised that he hadn't done more due diligence before he bought the shop. I did like Molly. She had great strength of will and patience…and determination.
Romance-wise, it feels as if Williford was trying too hard to give this a twist and was too obvious. On the other hand, it does provide a nice bit of drama to the story with the twist of those lies Molly and Isaac are telling, as well as providing insight into the rules of the Amish community.
It's sweet. It's warm. And it will get your dander up.
The Story
Proud of being a successful midwife and earning her own way, the unwed Molly Ziegler is still subject to her mother's demands. Selfish demands for which Molly refuses to sacrifice herself.
When newcomer Isaac Gruber shows up, he could be the answer to her prayers with a pretend courtship.
But that favor backfires spectacularly and might just lead them toward true love.
The Characters
Margaret "Molly" Ziegler is a midwife who works as a waitress AND slaves for her mother. The inconsiderate, tyrannical Mamm, Ulla Ziegler, runs a boarding house.
Isaac Graber had to leave home and has bought The Bike Pit from Leonard Lapp's son in Pinecraft. His father is Old Order Amish and furious with his son. Thomas, a Mennonite, had been his best friend. Until that night. Rose is Isaac's sister on rumspringa.
Mose Fischer, Molly's brother-in-law when he had married Greta, Molly's sister, owns a furniture store and Fischer Transport. Now he's married to Sarah who will give birth to twins: Wilhelm and Rebecca. Beatrice and Mercy were Mose and Greta's daughters. Levi is Mose's son with Sarah. Wilhelm is his nephew. Bishop Otto Fischer and Theda are Mose's parents. Heidi is one of Ruben's children, the bishop's oldest son. Helen is another granddaughter. Kurt is Mose's brother and is married to Marta. Fredrik works at the furniture store.
Samuel Bawell from Ohio is the man Ulla wants Molly to marry. He has money but hides his true self. Willa Mae owns the café where Molly works. Chicken John Schwarts is a chicken farmer and prankster interested in Ulla. Lalalu manages a motel.
Molly's friends include…
…Bretta, Molly's best friend since school, is about to give birth to her seventh child and is married to Ralf. Ruth Lapp is married to Saul and lives in Ohio for half of the year. Rachel Lapp is about to marry Ralf Yoder while Belinda is also about to marry. Liesel Troyer.
Frieda Lapp had a baby girl, Rachel. Herr Zucker is a neighbor of the Zieglers'. Becky Esch has two marriageable daughters.
The Cover and Title
The cover has a base of blues and oranges with a bright orange-yellow sunset over a green park-like setting with a bust of Molly, her blonde hair escaping from under her white prayer kapp in her round-neck blue dress, floating over it. The title and author's name are in white across her shoulders while the publisher's name is in a bright blue script across the top over a narrow band of yellow-orange with a quick blurb.
The title is to the point, for this is The Amish Midwife's Courtship.
May 20, 2017
4.5 stars
I really enjoyed The Amish Midwife's Courtship. The story was very different from any other Amish fiction I'd read, and I loved that. The unfolding of events wasn't predictable.
I also loved the characters! I'll be sure to read The Amish Widow's Secret, which is the first book in this series. It covers the story of Mose and Sarah. However, The Amish Midwife's Courtship can be read as a standalone. I didn't feel lost at all with the characters or with the story.
I'd definitely recommend this book to all Amish fiction fan. It has great characters and a story that feels new.
I really enjoyed The Amish Midwife's Courtship. The story was very different from any other Amish fiction I'd read, and I loved that. The unfolding of events wasn't predictable.
I also loved the characters! I'll be sure to read The Amish Widow's Secret, which is the first book in this series. It covers the story of Mose and Sarah. However, The Amish Midwife's Courtship can be read as a standalone. I didn't feel lost at all with the characters or with the story.
I'd definitely recommend this book to all Amish fiction fan. It has great characters and a story that feels new.
July 11, 2024
3.5 - these books make me happy but I won’t say they’re actually good haha
March 14, 2025
very good book
July 25, 2018
I picked up this book when I was participating in an adult reading program at my local library. We were given bingo cards and had to fill each square with a specific type of book. This book filled the 'a book you would normally never read' square.
The Amish Midwife's Courtship is way off my radar when it comes to the types of books I read. I'm not much into romance novels, and I've never read an Amish book before. I honestly had no idea what I was getting in to. I was so sure this was going to be a cringefest, but I was willing to give it a go for the sake of the bingo card.
You know what? I'm so glad I did. This wasn't nearly as bad as I had expected it to be. In fact, I found myself really enjoying the time I spent reading this.
The story follows Molly Ziegler, a twenty-one-year-old midwife living in an Amish community in Pinecraft, Florida. Because she is still unmarried, she is often seen as a spinster destined to live her life alone. Her mother is desperate to marry her off to a wealthy, eligible bachelor from a community in Ohio. Molly, however, can not stand the man her mother wants her to court. She believes she should marry for love, not for a comfortable future. When her mother's pestering pushes Molly to the edge, she finds a ruse worth trying.
Isaac Gruber is looking to escape his problems in Missouri. He comes to Pinecraft hoping to find some sort of fresh start away from anyone who knows about his past. While staying at the Ziegler's bed and breakfast, Isaac finds himself pulled into Molly's plan to get herself out of marriage. The two will fake a courtship until the wealthy bachelor leaves town. While Molly seems to have the plan all worked out, it manages to backfire on both Isaac and her. Despite the failed plan, there is a silver lining in it all.
The characters in this book were so well developed and easy to identify. Even the minors characters were distinct and enjoyable. Williford's writing style was easy to follow and extremely enjoyable. That said, I felt as though the entire 'fake courtship' plot never fully reached its potential. By the time it actually got anywhere, the book was nearly done. I would have liked to have seen Molly and Isaac work through the fake courtship more than we actually got to see.
If there were to be another book following Molly and Isaac, I'd be happy to read it.
The Amish Midwife's Courtship is way off my radar when it comes to the types of books I read. I'm not much into romance novels, and I've never read an Amish book before. I honestly had no idea what I was getting in to. I was so sure this was going to be a cringefest, but I was willing to give it a go for the sake of the bingo card.
You know what? I'm so glad I did. This wasn't nearly as bad as I had expected it to be. In fact, I found myself really enjoying the time I spent reading this.
The story follows Molly Ziegler, a twenty-one-year-old midwife living in an Amish community in Pinecraft, Florida. Because she is still unmarried, she is often seen as a spinster destined to live her life alone. Her mother is desperate to marry her off to a wealthy, eligible bachelor from a community in Ohio. Molly, however, can not stand the man her mother wants her to court. She believes she should marry for love, not for a comfortable future. When her mother's pestering pushes Molly to the edge, she finds a ruse worth trying.
Isaac Gruber is looking to escape his problems in Missouri. He comes to Pinecraft hoping to find some sort of fresh start away from anyone who knows about his past. While staying at the Ziegler's bed and breakfast, Isaac finds himself pulled into Molly's plan to get herself out of marriage. The two will fake a courtship until the wealthy bachelor leaves town. While Molly seems to have the plan all worked out, it manages to backfire on both Isaac and her. Despite the failed plan, there is a silver lining in it all.
The characters in this book were so well developed and easy to identify. Even the minors characters were distinct and enjoyable. Williford's writing style was easy to follow and extremely enjoyable. That said, I felt as though the entire 'fake courtship' plot never fully reached its potential. By the time it actually got anywhere, the book was nearly done. I would have liked to have seen Molly and Isaac work through the fake courtship more than we actually got to see.
If there were to be another book following Molly and Isaac, I'd be happy to read it.
February 20, 2018
The Amish Midwife's Courtship is the second book written by Cheryl Williford in her series Pinecraft Homecomings. I really enjoyed this storyline because Ulla the bully gets put in her place by her own daughter. She doesn't get her way and it happens in a very dramatic way..
I enjoyed getting to know the characters in this story immensley because of all the twist and turns thru out the story. Molly finally gets to have her say and Isaac gets the chip off his shoulder.
I was not given a complimentary copy of this amazing book to read and review. I was not approached to post a favorable review at anytime. I have rated this book with five stars for meeting my expectations of a wonderful story that i can highly recommend to all those who love the Amish genre. All opinions and statements are strictly my own.
Congratulations to to Cheryl Williford on writing such an amazing story for her readers to enjoy. I will be anticipating more wonderful books from her in the future.
I enjoyed getting to know the characters in this story immensley because of all the twist and turns thru out the story. Molly finally gets to have her say and Isaac gets the chip off his shoulder.
I was not given a complimentary copy of this amazing book to read and review. I was not approached to post a favorable review at anytime. I have rated this book with five stars for meeting my expectations of a wonderful story that i can highly recommend to all those who love the Amish genre. All opinions and statements are strictly my own.
Congratulations to to Cheryl Williford on writing such an amazing story for her readers to enjoy. I will be anticipating more wonderful books from her in the future.
January 30, 2024
Molly Zieglar turns 21 and her mother steps up efforts to marry her to an affluent older man. Molly runs her mother's guesthouse, waitresses at a restaurant and is the local midwife. Isaac Gruber leaves his home after an auto accident which left his crippled and killed his friend. Molly asks him to participate in a ruse to make the community think they are stepping out and thereby put a stop to her mother's efforts to marry her off. An interesting story where kindness and respect win out over greed.
December 2, 2021
The story line is 4.5, the proofreading & publishing is 2 - the latter seems to be a constant problem with Harlequin books. Also, the instances of PA Dutch words in italics was terrible, as if who ever put them in had no knowledge of the language or proper spelling of the words - why would anyone use the word ‘mein’ (my) to add in the Amish touch when there are so many other words that would actually add to the writing?
December 21, 2018
This is a sweet story that is sometimes quite comical. It certainly is a reminder of how much trouble we can get into if we go through life reacting to worrisome things rather than thinking it all through and trusting God to carry us forward. The characters are interesting and realistic to human reaction rather than being the stoic perfection some Amish stories portray. Enjoyable read.
May 31, 2023
"The Amish Midwife's Courtship" by Cheryl Williford. Molly is a busy lady -- midwife, server, and helps her mom with the rooms they let out. But her mom wants her to marry this man Molly doesn't want. One of the people renting a room agrees to pretend to have a courtship with her so she doesn't have to marry the other man, but this causes some issues.
April 19, 2025
Love the strong independent Amish woman standing up to her mother.
Love the supportive characters - Moses, Isaac of course and Willa Mae.
Generally good flowing traditional Amish romance but the mother was so awful and the bishop too assuming.
Love the supportive characters - Moses, Isaac of course and Willa Mae.
Generally good flowing traditional Amish romance but the mother was so awful and the bishop too assuming.
January 12, 2018
Fun Amish love story.
July 11, 2018
When an Amish woman is being forced into courtship with a man she doesn't love she will go to great lengths to get out of it.
August 8, 2018
I just love these books.
September 7, 2018
Good Story
I enjoyed this story, it was a little sad, but it turned out to have a happy ending which I was glad to see.
I enjoyed this story, it was a little sad, but it turned out to have a happy ending which I was glad to see.
May 7, 2021
A quick, sweet read. I enjoyed following Molly’s story, and found myself frustrated and excited right along with her. May we all accept God’s forgiveness that He so freely gives.
May 14, 2022
The ruse
A ruse is a lie. But it can be forgiven, especially when it becomes true. A Bad Amish parents a good understanding Bishop make strange bed fellows.
A ruse is a lie. But it can be forgiven, especially when it becomes true. A Bad Amish parents a good understanding Bishop make strange bed fellows.
June 16, 2016
Molly Ziegler is finding success as a midwife in Pinecraft, FL. She is respected by everyone in their community - except her mother, who treats her like her personal slave. Molly's plans and dreams do NOT include marrying wealthy, spoiled Samuel Bawell but her mother, Ulla, sees him as the gravy-train who will support her in the manner she wants to live in. As Molly resists the pressure to marry coming from both her mother and from Samuel, she begins to look at their new boarder, Isaac Graber as a possible way out of the mess. If the two of them could pretend to be courting, surely her mother would back off and Samuel would walk away.
As Molly and Isaac grow closer as friends, will their pretense become the real thing?
Gotta say, I did NOT like Molly's mother!! I've never seen a more disagreeable Amish woman than she is. How Molly turned out as sweet and giving as she is in the story is a mystery although, by all accounts, her father was a sweet, giving man. This is a fairly quick read and the relationships kept me engrossed in the story. I definitely recommend!
As Molly and Isaac grow closer as friends, will their pretense become the real thing?
Gotta say, I did NOT like Molly's mother!! I've never seen a more disagreeable Amish woman than she is. How Molly turned out as sweet and giving as she is in the story is a mystery although, by all accounts, her father was a sweet, giving man. This is a fairly quick read and the relationships kept me engrossed in the story. I definitely recommend!
June 30, 2016
Grumpy meets grouchy in this Pinecraft Amish romance. There are some great sniping scenes. LOL Lots of cranky on both sides as Molly and Isaac deal with challenges in their lives. Their first meet is so much fun. Something about a disgruntled and discombobulated hero being given what for by an opinionated heroine. There's no way to hide that Molly is strong-willed. And she might need to learn to count to ten before speaking her mind sometimes. But she also has a kind and giving heart and is a woman of action when it comes to good deeds. Isaac comes to the Amish community in Florida to escape the pain of his past. He's looking for peace, not a whirlwind of femininity that knocks him off his feet both literally and figuratively! Hearts collide in the most unexpected way as these two battle their way to a happily ever after.
August 1, 2016
I read this on the kindle
This book was okay but not great while the idea of the storyline was good just didn't warm so much to the characters the mother came across as lazy & selfish the daughter while a midwife apart from a couple of births in the story was either cleaning or working in the cafe
I know i don't know much about the Amish but the mother trying to force the daughter in to marriage which would just be for money & while the children are dutiful & respectful for the daughter not to have left home & even be threaten with being Shunned yet it set in Florida which comes across as a more modern order
The Isaac i can understand the guilt he was feeling
The whole story just didn't quite ring true & it just didn't flow didn't warm to this one
This book was okay but not great while the idea of the storyline was good just didn't warm so much to the characters the mother came across as lazy & selfish the daughter while a midwife apart from a couple of births in the story was either cleaning or working in the cafe
I know i don't know much about the Amish but the mother trying to force the daughter in to marriage which would just be for money & while the children are dutiful & respectful for the daughter not to have left home & even be threaten with being Shunned yet it set in Florida which comes across as a more modern order
The Isaac i can understand the guilt he was feeling
The whole story just didn't quite ring true & it just didn't flow didn't warm to this one
July 31, 2016
Cheryl is one of my new favorite authors who writes Amish fiction. In this book we all know what Molly is going through. Who has had a mother who tries to run your life, tell you how things are and will go, and makes your life miserable. This what Molly deals with with her mother. She tells Molly she must marry Samuel because his family had lots of money but Molly is having nothing to do with this let alone is she in love with Samuel. She comes up with a ploy that Isaac the newcomer and herself are courting. Things progress beyond Molly's control but will she find love in the end. Read to find out. I loved this story line, the characters and faith in this book.
July 8, 2016
This is the first book that I read from this author. I enjoyed it and it was a quick and fast read. It had a fun and different plot and moved quickly.
Molly's mother was an interesting woman from whom Molly probably got her feisty ways and strong character. I will probably read more of her books.
Molly's mother was an interesting woman from whom Molly probably got her feisty ways and strong character. I will probably read more of her books.
April 17, 2016
It was a little confusing and I never saw a climax to the story.
Read
June 13, 2016" Molly is a strong, relentless character. Her determination to stand up for herself is a bit uncommon in Amish-themed books, but is a breath of fresh air" (4 stars @ RT Book Reviews).
Read
June 1, 2016received 4 stars @ RT Book Reviews
December 29, 2016
Quick, easy read. I found this book to be just ok.
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