An Amish beginning… At age twenty, Joel Umble, future Bishop of Ice Mountain, is strong, wise, and handsome. No wonder nineteen-year-old Martha Yoder has always noticed him. Still, she dares not trust that her dreams of him could become a reality. Where Joel is striking, she is plain. Where he is educated, she’s had no time for schooling. Caring for her frail grossmuder and aging parents has taken all the time she might have spent being courted by boys her own age. And then there is the matter of Judah Umble, Joel’s harsh older bruder, who’s cast his cold eye on pursuing her since she was sixteen.
The only kind of cold Martha is interested in is the exhilarating chill of bathing in the creek in winter. It is there that she escapes her cares—and where she just may find the answer to her future in a most unexpected way—and gain faith that together, she and Joel will have a very special place among the Amish of Ice Mountain…
This was a highly anticipated read for me! I have read all of the other Ice Mountain books in the series, this is book #4 in the series. A very emotional book I couldn't stop reading it. Exhilarating reading!Looking forward to reading the next book in the series when it releases. Pub Date 28 Nov 2017 Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for a review copy in exchange for my honest review.
This is 3rd in the series. It is the story about Joel who is educated,handsome and a future deacon and Martha who can’t read, is plain and very poor. Joel’s older brother is cruel and has had his eye on Martha. The current Bishop is a very cruel and mean man, totally against Martha’s family. None of the books in the series are the usual clean stories of the Amish.
Kelly Long did not disappoint!! Book #4 of the Ice Mountain series is just wonderful. The Story of Joel and Martha is a wonderful love story. Kelly I love your edgy story of Amish Love. If you are a fan of romance and Amish Fiction do not miss this Series. The great thing about Kelly's writing and books they can also be stand alone even though they are part of a series. I have enjoyed this storyline very much and pray there is a #5 in my future!
I can't believe another visit to Ice Mountain has come and is now closed. I love Joel & Martha Umble more than I did before. I can't wait for the next visit we'll take in An Amish Match on Ice Mountain!
Martha was nineteen years old and Amish from a poor family. She took care of her ninety year old grandmother Ester and her aged and sick parents. The winter days were long in the cabin, Judah has been pursuing Martha since she was sixteen but Martha wants nothing to do with him as something about him makes Martha cold in her soul. Martha found she sometimes had to get out of the cabin tonight was one of the nights and she went to the creek to bath even though winter. Martha jumped naked into the creek Unknown to Martha at first That Judah’s brother Joel was there. Joel couldn’t sleep and Judah was cruel and Joel slipped out of the house to get away from Judah and his anxious mother. Joel really missed his dad . . The moon called to Joel and he had headed to the creek and then he saw Martha naked in the creek. Joel had tried to walk away and fell and Martha had thought it was Judah until she got out and fell also and then realized it was Joel. Joel ended up carrying Martha home. Martha was upset and said it wasn’t right Joel had seen her but Joel told her “ it was dark”. Then Joel kisses Martha and it was her first kiss ever. After seeing Martha naked and then kissing her Joel knew he had to do the honorable thing and ask Martha to court with him. All Joel could think about was Martha and the same for her but Martha didn’t believe she was good enough for Joel. When Martha was on the way out to the barn to get the eggs from the hens Judah stepped out and grabbed her arm and he wouldn’t let go Martha knew she would have bruises. She reminded Judah she had told him that he was not to come around her home anymore. Judah claimed Martha had hexed him and would not lift the spell and Martha told Judah he was crazy he then slapped her in her face and Martha would have fallen if Judah didn’t have such a strong grip on her arm. Martha knew the dark bishop support Judah’s claim of Martha being a witch. Judah was determined to marry Martha. Martha can’t believe how cruel Judah can be. I didn’t really care for this book. Of all the Amish fiction I have never read of them going on about witches and dark bishops. Also Judah’s cruelty would have been noticed and stopped or he would have been shunned as far as I have read. I did love Martha and joel together. I didn’t feel this book was really realistic. The violence in this also surprised me and not especially in a good way. This definitely had a different slant to it. But this wasn’t for me. But I am sure someone will really enjoy this.
An Amish Courtship on Ice Mountain by Kelly Long is the fourth book in Ice Mountain series. It is 1958 in Ice Mountain, Pennsylvania and Joel Umble is twenty years old. Joel lives with his anxiety ridden mother and his cruel older brother, Judah. Late one night, Joel is unable to sleep and goes to the creek. He stumbles upon Martha Yoder bathing. Joel is instantly attracted to her and wants to court the young woman. Martha does not feel worthy of Joel’s attentions. She comes from a poor family, uneducated and takes care of her grandmother and parents. Martha also has the added problem of Judah and his unwanted attentions. Judah has made it clear that he wants Martha and what he intends to do to her. Martha is unprepared for Joel’s determination (and love) or Judah’s cruelty. Will there be a happily ever after for Joel and Martha?
It was lovely to get Joel Umble’s story in An Amish Courtship on Ice Mountain. The story is nicely written and has a good pace which made for an easy to read story. I was unprepared for the violence in this book (it was realistic and cruel). It is uncharacteristic for an Amish novel. The romance is simple, straightforward and predictable. It is gratifying to find out what and who shaped Joel Umble into the man he became (the spiritual leader of their community). He does come across as a goody two-shoes though (honorable, decent, kind, hardworking, does the right thing). Joel is good and kind in the face of evil and adversity. I liked the addition of Sebastian to the story and how he affected Joel’s life. Fans of the Ice Mountain series will delight in reading An Amish Courtship on Ice Mountain. There is a preview of An Amish Match on Ice Mountain at the end of book which is Stephen Lambert’s story (Joel’s best friend).
An Amish Courtship on Ice Mountain is the story of love from a far (Martha feels she has nothing to offer the man she has fallen for, therefore she has he kept her feelings for him to herself. She feels because she thinks that she is plain which of course she is not, she's not much for schooling, and he is going to be a Bishop one day, and she has to take care of her kin, he would not even look at her twice), pursuance (the other brother has wanted Martha since she was young and she of course doesn't want him he is not the nicest of people, you wouldn't want him - why - because he is mean and you wouldn't believe that they were brothers you are just amazed that they were related. There are some twists and you will have to find out for yourself what they are and what they are you will be amazed. I received a copy of this book from the Publisher and Netgalley; all the opinions expressed in this review are all my own.
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Having been inspired by the religious lessons of Bishop Umble in previous books in this series I was thrilled to read about the early years in the story of Joel and Martha who are beloved in their Ice Mountain community. It’s easy to see how Joel’s compassion and faith in God was strong from his youth because there’s an innate wisdom and tenderness that draws Martha to him from the very start. My heart broke for Martha who is subjected to the perverse nature of Joel’s brother and the villainous Bishop Loftus who persecute her because of her poverty and their zealousness. Joel himself is also haunted by his mean spirited and spiteful older brother who delights in intimidating Martha. Judah and Bishop Loftus are evil and to be pitied for twisting God’s teachings to satisfy their twisted personalities. And yes there is sensuality and physical attraction between the different couples in this series which makes them more enjoyable and realistic and are signature for this author. I realize some readers find passion to be objectionable but let’s face it, that’s part of the reason why Amish families are so large to begin with.
Book four in Kelly Long’s Ice Mountain series, starts with Martha Yoder, a nineteen-year-old woman caring for her parents and grandmother. Martha has caught the eye of brothers, Joel and Judah. Where Joel is kind and sensitive, Judah is hard and demanding. Judah has been trying to get a grip on Martha but she only has eyes for Joel. With the local Bishop forbidding the community from helping Martha as he sees poverty as a punishment for some sin and believes they must suffer because of whatever sin has been committed. He has tried to convince the community that is a hex or witch. Judah is being taught by the Bishop to follow all his ways and is determined to "save" Martha.
I was rooting for Martha to overcome her persecution and have the chance to live a happy life with Joel.
I received an advance reader copy of this book from netgalley in return for my honest opinion of the book.
AN AMISH COURTSHIP ON ICE MOUNTAIN ( ICE MOUNTAIN #4) KELLY LONG
Martha Yoder has been caring for her ailing grandmother and her aging parents. This has kept her from getting an education in school and being courted by boys her age. Joel Umble is educated and very handsome. He is also wise and has a "gift" of second sight. Joel's older brother Judah Umnble , has had his "cold" eye on Martha since the age of sixteen. Martha Yoder enjoys the chill of bathing in the creek in winter. One night Joel comes upon Martha, while she is bathing. Joel becomes smitten with Martha and they secretly marry. Will Martha find the answer to her faith in an unexpected way. I enjoyed this story of romance and young budding love and the beginning of Joel and Martha's romance and courtship. I also recommend to read the other books in Kelly Long's Ice Mountain series.
AN AMISH COURTSHIP ON ICE MOUNTAIN. by Kelly Long. book 4 Martha having the care of her grandmother and being inside, especially in the winter. Brings out the desperate need to be outside, and bathing in the icey river. It brings an exhilaring freedom to her body and soul. Thought not to be watched by Judah, the older brother of Joey, who she has an interest in. There is a darkness with Judah, that makes her uneasy. As with Joey has a special way, with people. This story bring out what these three people are like, will it be love and happiness..A different type of story, then what I have read by Kelly, readers will enjoy. Given ARC by Net Galley for my voluntary review and my honest opinion.
I received this book for free through Goodreads Giveaways and have chosen to give my honest opinion about it. Although books like these aren't typically my cup of tea, I found that I didn't quite resonate with this book. The problems seemed cliched, and often the story was melodramatic and the characters were unrelatable, and it often seemed as if the characters were going through hardship purely for the sake of a story instead of there being actual problems. That being said, the culture shock and emotional development within this book was definitely interesting.
I loved loved this book! Why because it's realistic! While some Amish novels are made to look pretty this one doesn't! Kelly Long kept Joel and Martha real, flawed and most all together! This is the 4th book in the series and it just keeps getting better and better! I love that Kelly doesn't beat around the bush so to speak. I didn't like the Bishop either. I didn'ike his personality! Too controlling in my opinion! But anyway I still very much enjoyed this book! I strongly recommend it My thanks to Netgalley..
I was super curious about why the AC women in my town like this genre so much. I can see why- it's so sweet! I'm only slightly embarrassed to admit that I read it and enjoyed it. I read it in a single Saturday; it was a super cozy way to spend a snowy winter day.
Loved this novel written by Kelly Long. I am never disappointed when I read one of her novels. If you are looking for a good romance novel with some twists and turns, I highly recommend this novel.
The Ice Mountain Series by Kelly Long is wonderful. It is full of escape and it full of places that you can imagine and see in your mind. Keep in mind that some of Miss Long's can be saucy but tasteful and true to life, I find her books delightful and heart warming to read.
This book was just as great as the three previous one. The author never lets you know what the end will be. I can't wait for the next one in this series to come out.
I.loved this novel! If you have read any of the Ice Mountain novels or novellas, you have met the older versions of Joel Umble and Martha. This is the begging of their relationship. Now you get to meet the Bishop who came before Joel and why people consider him evil as they remember him in the other novels about the Ice Mountain Amish. Go on get this novel and settle in for a wonderful time meeting wonderful characters and know that it will entertain you and make you think even as you read about Joel's thinking about his older brother and the current Bishop's sermons!