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Prodigal Daughters #1
Courting Her Amish Heart
A doctor or an Amish wife? She can choose to be only one…
In this first book of the Prodigal Daughters series, Kathleen Yoder comes home after fourteen years in the Englisher world. Practicing medicine means sacrifice—no Amish man will want a doctor for a wife. Widowed Noah Lambright offers a cottage as her new clinic, seeing how much Kathleen’s skills can help their community. But as their friendship deepens, could love and family become more than a forbidden dream?
In this first book of the Prodigal Daughters series, Kathleen Yoder comes home after fourteen years in the Englisher world. Practicing medicine means sacrifice—no Amish man will want a doctor for a wife. Widowed Noah Lambright offers a cottage as her new clinic, seeing how much Kathleen’s skills can help their community. But as their friendship deepens, could love and family become more than a forbidden dream?
224 pages, Mass Market Paperback
Published February 20, 2018
31 people are currently reading
139 people want to read
About the author
Mary Davis
56 books233 followersMary originally earned her college degree in elementary education. So where did the passion for inspirational romance books begin? In her head! Her characters would not leave her alone. They kept her from sleeping at night, and focusing on anything else during the day. Over forty titles later, they still keep bothering her to this day - luckily for her readers and fans!
Quiet-natured and creative, Mary also enjoys many crafts such as porcelain doll making, quilting, knitting, and many others!
Neither her dyslexia nor the cat on her laptop has kept her from producing award-winning and bestselling works such as her Quilting Circle series, Mrs. Witherspoon Goes To War, and Newlywed Games. Her published works have been on Publisher’s Weekly bestselling lists several times.
Additionally, she contributes to the writing world as a member of ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers).
She currently resides in Washington State with her husband, a black cat named Buffy, and her favorite weather: the rain.
Quiet-natured and creative, Mary also enjoys many crafts such as porcelain doll making, quilting, knitting, and many others!
Neither her dyslexia nor the cat on her laptop has kept her from producing award-winning and bestselling works such as her Quilting Circle series, Mrs. Witherspoon Goes To War, and Newlywed Games. Her published works have been on Publisher’s Weekly bestselling lists several times.
Additionally, she contributes to the writing world as a member of ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers).
She currently resides in Washington State with her husband, a black cat named Buffy, and her favorite weather: the rain.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
November 26, 2018
"He's going to die. Shun me if you want." 189
A unique Amish romance. Kathleen leaves her Amish community before being baptized to become a doctor.
How does she pay for this? Book is extremely fuzzy on the details. I'm not buying it for one second.
Anyway. Kathleen watched her sister die of anaphylactic shock after being stung by a bee. After that, she vowed to become a doctor and serve the Amish community to save others.
However, her community isn't so happy. They see her as disobedient for getting an education. They literally, at certain times in this book, would rather sit back and watch people die instead of allowing her to treat them. It's barbaric. It's unfathomable. It makes readers see the Amish community as monstrous, which I'm not sure was Davis's intention.
Noah is Kathleen's ally. His wife, Rachel, died in childbirth three years ago. So perhaps he sees the value of an Amish doctor more than other people in the community do. He helps her set up a small clinic on his property and he fights for her right to run it on a trial basis with the council of elders.
Kathleen and Noah start to fall in love. But as in the Amish community a husband is a master, Kathleen knows she can never wed. As a wife, she is a slave and must obey her master's commands. And she knows any man would forbid his wife from working. Even if he allowed his wife to work, he would forbid it after she got pregnant. So she exchanges her hopes and dreams of being a wife and a mother for being a doctor. It's very, very sad and hateful the damage the patriarchy does here.
I guess Davis is saying that Noah would be a kind master to Kathleen and allow her to use her medical degree to save and treat people in the community, but it's kind of hard to read this book without getting sick. Especially when the Amish community acts like Kathleen giving chest compressions to someone suffering from a heart attack is some sort of sexual sin. o.O It's hateful and sick. I was in shock watching these people LITERALLY willing to watch the people they love die rather than have a female Amish doctor treat them and save their life. And the elders saying that her saving people's lives was sinful and that she should be shunned for that. It's HORRIFIC.
I can't understand why people glamorize and idealize this culture. Even born-again Christians. Surely this doesn't sound like a good and idyllic society to anyone?!!?!?!?
Noah was fine. Kathleen was fine. I didn't have a problem with any of them, it was the overall culture and community here I had a huge problem with.
Davis tries to tell us that this book has a happy ending, and I guess it sort of does. It made me depressed, though.
TL;DR: If you want to be very horrified by Amish culture, read this.
MENTIONS OF GOD 121
HOW'S THE SEX, CARMEN?
No sex, three light kisses.
NAMES IN THIS BOOK
ROMANCE CATEGORIES
Contemporary Romance
Inspirational Romance
STEM Heroine Romance
Widower Hero
Doctor Romance
Amish Romance
He's a Carpenter, She's a Doctor
A unique Amish romance. Kathleen leaves her Amish community before being baptized to become a doctor.
How does she pay for this? Book is extremely fuzzy on the details. I'm not buying it for one second.
Anyway. Kathleen watched her sister die of anaphylactic shock after being stung by a bee. After that, she vowed to become a doctor and serve the Amish community to save others.
However, her community isn't so happy. They see her as disobedient for getting an education. They literally, at certain times in this book, would rather sit back and watch people die instead of allowing her to treat them. It's barbaric. It's unfathomable. It makes readers see the Amish community as monstrous, which I'm not sure was Davis's intention.
Noah is Kathleen's ally. His wife, Rachel, died in childbirth three years ago. So perhaps he sees the value of an Amish doctor more than other people in the community do. He helps her set up a small clinic on his property and he fights for her right to run it on a trial basis with the council of elders.
Kathleen and Noah start to fall in love. But as in the Amish community a husband is a master, Kathleen knows she can never wed. As a wife, she is a slave and must obey her master's commands. And she knows any man would forbid his wife from working. Even if he allowed his wife to work, he would forbid it after she got pregnant. So she exchanges her hopes and dreams of being a wife and a mother for being a doctor. It's very, very sad and hateful the damage the patriarchy does here.
I guess Davis is saying that Noah would be a kind master to Kathleen and allow her to use her medical degree to save and treat people in the community, but it's kind of hard to read this book without getting sick. Especially when the Amish community acts like Kathleen giving chest compressions to someone suffering from a heart attack is some sort of sexual sin. o.O It's hateful and sick. I was in shock watching these people LITERALLY willing to watch the people they love die rather than have a female Amish doctor treat them and save their life. And the elders saying that her saving people's lives was sinful and that she should be shunned for that. It's HORRIFIC.
I can't understand why people glamorize and idealize this culture. Even born-again Christians. Surely this doesn't sound like a good and idyllic society to anyone?!!?!?!?
Noah was fine. Kathleen was fine. I didn't have a problem with any of them, it was the overall culture and community here I had a huge problem with.
Davis tries to tell us that this book has a happy ending, and I guess it sort of does. It made me depressed, though.
TL;DR: If you want to be very horrified by Amish culture, read this.
MENTIONS OF GOD 121
HOW'S THE SEX, CARMEN?
No sex, three light kisses.
NAMES IN THIS BOOK
ROMANCE CATEGORIES
Contemporary Romance
Inspirational Romance
STEM Heroine Romance
Widower Hero
Doctor Romance
Amish Romance
He's a Carpenter, She's a Doctor
March 11, 2018
Courting Her Amish Heart by Mary Davis
(Prodigal Daughters)
A doctor or an Amish wife?
She can choose to be only one... In this first book of the Prodigal Daughters series, Kathleen Yoder comes home after fourteen years in the Englisher world. Practicing medicine means sacrifice—no Amish man will want a doctor for a wife. Widowed Noah Lambright offers a cottage as her new clinic, seeing how much Kathleen’s skills can help their community. But as their friendship deepens, could love and family become more than a forbidden dream?
this is Kathleen Yoder and Noah Lambright’s story.
Kathleen Yoder stood in front of the motel room mirror, fussing with her hair. She had to look just right. She needed to be viewed as a proper Amish woman if her community was going to welcome her home. She pulled the pins from her hair and started over. What did the English say? Third time’s a charm.
He reined in the horse and spoke in Deutsch. “Can I give you a ride?” It had been so long since she’d heard her language.
“I’m Noah Lambright.”
“They’ve never stopped talking about you.” “You know my parents?”
Widowed Noah Lambright offers a cottage as her new clinic, seeing how much Kathleen’s skills can help their community.
But as their friendship deepens, could love and family become more than a forbidden dream? read this book to find out.
I am looking forward to reading more books by Mary Davis.
I highly recommend reading.
Courting Her Amish Heart by Mary Davis is a wonderful well written 5 star book.
more books by Mary Davis
Rawlings Family
1. Cinda's Surprise
2. Marty's Ride
A Bouquet of Brides
Courting Her Amish Heart
(Prodigal Daughters)
Courting Her Secret Heart
(Prodigal Daughters)
Novels
The Captain's Wife
Reckless Rogue
Faithful
Uncertain Alliance
Heritage
Titanic
Lakeside
February 18, 2019
I thought I'd try the Amish romance thing because it's so wildly popular, but I don't think it's a good fit for me as a reader. From a story perspective, though, this was pretty tidy and sound. Consistent characters. Clear conflict and resolution. Solid structural storytelling. That's why I like category romances. They're almost writing how-tos in terms of plotting.
In a nutshell, Kathleen was raised Amish but leaves for 14 years to become a doctor. (Another reviewer brought up how she'd pay for this, which is a fair point.) She returns at age 30 (ish) to start a clinic in her Amish community, but she's female and went to college so that causes some friction. There are the harrumphing elders, shriveled and angry, who just sort of bellow at her when she tries to do anything. There's also Noah, our hero, whose wife died three years earlier and he's been too ingrained in habit to shave off his beard. In feminist terms, Noah would be what you'd call an ally. He lets her set up a temporary clinic in his dawdy haus and tries to convince the other menfolk to open their minds to a woman doctor.
Things happen. We already know what sort of things. Kids collapse from bee stings. Noah and Kathleen look at each other in longing ways (sort of). Being a newbie to Amish romance, I found the gentleness of the vibe between them to be borderline uneventful. I got the feeling they were pretty neutral about each other. But again, that's my own personal reader protocol. Savvier Amish romance readers would probably not feel this.
Another thing I noticed, since this was my first: the constant use of "ja" and "ne" and "Gott" and "gut," always in italics. I expect this is standard for the genre. It seemed like a little bit of overkill, but I suppose readers want that reminder.
In a nutshell, Kathleen was raised Amish but leaves for 14 years to become a doctor. (Another reviewer brought up how she'd pay for this, which is a fair point.) She returns at age 30 (ish) to start a clinic in her Amish community, but she's female and went to college so that causes some friction. There are the harrumphing elders, shriveled and angry, who just sort of bellow at her when she tries to do anything. There's also Noah, our hero, whose wife died three years earlier and he's been too ingrained in habit to shave off his beard. In feminist terms, Noah would be what you'd call an ally. He lets her set up a temporary clinic in his dawdy haus and tries to convince the other menfolk to open their minds to a woman doctor.
Things happen. We already know what sort of things. Kids collapse from bee stings. Noah and Kathleen look at each other in longing ways (sort of). Being a newbie to Amish romance, I found the gentleness of the vibe between them to be borderline uneventful. I got the feeling they were pretty neutral about each other. But again, that's my own personal reader protocol. Savvier Amish romance readers would probably not feel this.
Another thing I noticed, since this was my first: the constant use of "ja" and "ne" and "Gott" and "gut," always in italics. I expect this is standard for the genre. It seemed like a little bit of overkill, but I suppose readers want that reminder.
August 27, 2019
Courting Her Amish Heart is the first story written by Mary Davis in her Prodigal Daughters series. This story is a fantastic read and the characters really bring the story to life. ,
Kathleen Yoder has returned to her Amish community after 14 years spent in the outside world studing to become a Doctor. As she reacquaints herself with family, community, and Amish values she is tested time and again about her decision. Her community who claims to welcome her back avoids her knowledge to beable to help them. Setting up her medical clinic proves to be challenging but with the help of a neighbor, Noah Lambright, she opens her door. Now what will it take for her community to embrace her and give her the opportunity to show them why she chose the path she did. Her journey is anything but easy. I enjoy this story and characters immensely.
I was not given a complimentary copy of this book to read and review. I was not approached by anyone to post a favorable review. I have rated this book with five stars for meeting my expectations of a powerful story about the Amish that I can highly recommend to others.
Congratulations to Mary Davis on releasing this heartwarming story for her readers enjoyment. This was my first story written by this author and I look forward to reading her next book in this series.
Kathleen Yoder has returned to her Amish community after 14 years spent in the outside world studing to become a Doctor. As she reacquaints herself with family, community, and Amish values she is tested time and again about her decision. Her community who claims to welcome her back avoids her knowledge to beable to help them. Setting up her medical clinic proves to be challenging but with the help of a neighbor, Noah Lambright, she opens her door. Now what will it take for her community to embrace her and give her the opportunity to show them why she chose the path she did. Her journey is anything but easy. I enjoy this story and characters immensely.
I was not given a complimentary copy of this book to read and review. I was not approached by anyone to post a favorable review. I have rated this book with five stars for meeting my expectations of a powerful story about the Amish that I can highly recommend to others.
Congratulations to Mary Davis on releasing this heartwarming story for her readers enjoyment. This was my first story written by this author and I look forward to reading her next book in this series.
November 14, 2024
SPOILERS!!!!
Kathleen left her community to become a physician. Fifteen years later she came back to live as Amish doctor. Of course she faced a lot of opposition. Noah is a widower and a leader of the church. Kathleen and Noah became very good friends and eventually were attracted to each other but didn't act on it. Noah is a such a sweet man! He helped Kathleen in every way possible to set up her small clinic.
The dilemma Kathleen had: help underprivileged children and go with Ethan ('English' doctor in love with her) or stay and gamble with her own fate and maybe never being able to practice medicine was a good conflict which kept my interest.
The outcome was expected. Kathleen's biggest opponent had a heart attack after she came back to the church. She saved his life even though the moron refused to be treated by her. Kathleen saved his life and the bishops had a change of heart and allowed her to be the community's doctor but, if someone didn't want her services and die because of it, their blood wouldn't be in her hands. Kathleen and Noah had a much needed conversation about their feelings for each other which ended up in a marriage proposal which was accepted. Noah will support her even if it meant shunning. All in all a nice story.
Kathleen left her community to become a physician. Fifteen years later she came back to live as Amish doctor. Of course she faced a lot of opposition. Noah is a widower and a leader of the church. Kathleen and Noah became very good friends and eventually were attracted to each other but didn't act on it. Noah is a such a sweet man! He helped Kathleen in every way possible to set up her small clinic.
The dilemma Kathleen had: help underprivileged children and go with Ethan ('English' doctor in love with her) or stay and gamble with her own fate and maybe never being able to practice medicine was a good conflict which kept my interest.
The outcome was expected. Kathleen's biggest opponent had a heart attack after she came back to the church. She saved his life even though the moron refused to be treated by her. Kathleen saved his life and the bishops had a change of heart and allowed her to be the community's doctor but, if someone didn't want her services and die because of it, their blood wouldn't be in her hands. Kathleen and Noah had a much needed conversation about their feelings for each other which ended up in a marriage proposal which was accepted. Noah will support her even if it meant shunning. All in all a nice story.
April 5, 2018
I reviewed this for RT Bookreviews Magazine: https://www.rtbookreviews.com/book-re...
This is the first book in Davis’ Prodigal Daughters series. It’s refreshing to see an Amish heroine with a non-traditional path who is also willing to make sacrifices for her people, as she is committed to Gott’s will for her life. The entire cast of characters is truly a delight, even Preacher Hochstetter, who could be easy to dislike at times.
Kathleen Yoder left her Amish community fourteen years ago to pursue her dreams of being a doctor. She always wanted to return to be a doctor for her people, but she is not sure she will be welcomed back with open arms. Widower Noah Lambright helps her set up a clinic after the leaders allow her a trial period, as he is one of the few who believe it’s possible for her to be successful. Can she find respect among her family and friends? Is Noah correct that she can be a valuable asset to the community, as well as show her that love, family and a career are all possible?
This is the first book in Davis’ Prodigal Daughters series. It’s refreshing to see an Amish heroine with a non-traditional path who is also willing to make sacrifices for her people, as she is committed to Gott’s will for her life. The entire cast of characters is truly a delight, even Preacher Hochstetter, who could be easy to dislike at times.
Kathleen Yoder left her Amish community fourteen years ago to pursue her dreams of being a doctor. She always wanted to return to be a doctor for her people, but she is not sure she will be welcomed back with open arms. Widower Noah Lambright helps her set up a clinic after the leaders allow her a trial period, as he is one of the few who believe it’s possible for her to be successful. Can she find respect among her family and friends? Is Noah correct that she can be a valuable asset to the community, as well as show her that love, family and a career are all possible?
August 14, 2022
This was a very different and unique Amish story.
Kathleen Yoder is not your typical Amish woman.
She left the Amish during her rumspringa and felt called by God to seek higher education and become a doctor to help her Amish community in Goshen, Indiana.
Fourteen years later she returns and is met with great opposition to her desire to help others with her medical skills. She is dedicated, full of perseverance and yearned for the respect of her people.
Noah Lambright, her next door neighbor offers his dawdi haus for Kathleen’s clinic. He also is one of community leaders who is more understanding of her desire to obey Gods will while still helping her community. He also is drawn to Kathleen.
Events happen to open everyone’s eyes. Kathleen has important choices to make and everyone learns important lessons about love, faith, healing, forgiveness and acceptance.
Kathleen Yoder is not your typical Amish woman.
She left the Amish during her rumspringa and felt called by God to seek higher education and become a doctor to help her Amish community in Goshen, Indiana.
Fourteen years later she returns and is met with great opposition to her desire to help others with her medical skills. She is dedicated, full of perseverance and yearned for the respect of her people.
Noah Lambright, her next door neighbor offers his dawdi haus for Kathleen’s clinic. He also is one of community leaders who is more understanding of her desire to obey Gods will while still helping her community. He also is drawn to Kathleen.
Events happen to open everyone’s eyes. Kathleen has important choices to make and everyone learns important lessons about love, faith, healing, forgiveness and acceptance.
May 26, 2019
This was a good book. Just finished reading it. It proves that some Amish do get a higher education. Kathleen was trying to help her Amish community by coming back with a doctor degree but the Amish do not like changes. The one Amish preacher that was so against seeing Kathleen stay in the community and become their doctor needed her the most. He did thank her after he came home from the hospital for saving his life. So glad that in the end Kathleen and Noah realized they loved each other. Noah was reunited with his Mum and she came back home to live with her husband. Looking forward to read the next book in this series.
June 25, 2018
Courting Her Amish Heart by Mary Davis. Kathleen Yoder leaves her home town Amish community fourteen years ago to become a doctor. She moves back home. But the community head don't want a woman doctor. They forbid her to practice there. With neighbor Noah Lambright he convinces the leader to let her open a clinic for the summer. Noah lets her use the little house on his property. A lot goes on in this book. A very good read. A boy almost dies from a bee sting and a community leader almost dies from a heart attack .
March 6, 2023
Such a sweet story -
Kathleen Yoder has returned to her Amish Community after being gone for 14 years. She has been in the “English “world becoming a doctor. All she wants to do is to help her people but will the church allow her to help. Widowed Noah Lambright wants to help Kathleen by offering her a place to set up her clinic. Will a friendship happen between the 2?
It is a good book from the beginning until the end.
Kathleen Yoder has returned to her Amish Community after being gone for 14 years. She has been in the “English “world becoming a doctor. All she wants to do is to help her people but will the church allow her to help. Widowed Noah Lambright wants to help Kathleen by offering her a place to set up her clinic. Will a friendship happen between the 2?
It is a good book from the beginning until the end.
March 6, 2018
Thank you
Not a lot of drama. The main characters cared for each other they weren't always fighting and then proof at the end of the book they live happily ever after. It was so nice to read a story without discord driving the whole story line. There is some controversy but it helps the story's readability.
Not a lot of drama. The main characters cared for each other they weren't always fighting and then proof at the end of the book they live happily ever after. It was so nice to read a story without discord driving the whole story line. There is some controversy but it helps the story's readability.
April 5, 2019
A quick read. I don't normally care for Harlequin books. but this was a light read. One of those predictable stories. After being away for 14 years, Kathleen comes home a doctor. She wants to help her community, but will they accipt her? and of course there is the love interest. both saying they don't or won't marry. We all know how that ends.
March 3, 2025
Unconventional
This is a truly unconventional story of an Amish woman who take a fourteen year Rumspringa. Who does that? As she comes back without letting her family know, she prepares to walk the eight miles home while pulling a suitcase. But neighbor and widower Noah gives her a ride and this leads to his support of her unconventional life as an Amish woman.
This is a truly unconventional story of an Amish woman who take a fourteen year Rumspringa. Who does that? As she comes back without letting her family know, she prepares to walk the eight miles home while pulling a suitcase. But neighbor and widower Noah gives her a ride and this leads to his support of her unconventional life as an Amish woman.
February 24, 2018
read it while we were watered in
March 24, 2018
I enjoyed a different look at Amish life.
May 30, 2018
A little different then your normal Amish "romance". But l saw some flaws in how the book ended.
Read
June 9, 2019This was a good read that I really enjoyed reading
Read
May 9, 2020sweet story. Loved how the women was independent but still loved the Amish people.
July 17, 2024
Enjoyable. The Amish were a little more worldly than I like.
September 13, 2024
fine not over the top
May 9, 2025
very good book
Read
April 17, 2018"This is the first book in Davis’ Prodigal Daughters series. It’s refreshing to see an Amish heroine with a non-traditional path who is also willing to make sacrifices for her people, as she is committed to Gott’s will for her life. The entire cast of characters is truly a delight, even Preacher Hochstetter, who could be easy to dislike at times" (4 stars @ RT Book Reviews).
Miniseries: Prodigal Daughters
Miniseries: Prodigal Daughters
October 22, 2020
Courting Her Amish Heart by Mary Davis
I read this story as part of a 2-in-1 book: Amish Rescue by Debby Giusti and Courting Her Amish Heart by Mary Davis (2 novels)
Suspense and mystery, love and faith. I enjoyed parts of each story and the challenges the characters face.
~I received a copy of this book from the author/publisher via CFRR 2019 (no monetary gain were exchanged), this is my honest review~
I read this story as part of a 2-in-1 book: Amish Rescue by Debby Giusti and Courting Her Amish Heart by Mary Davis (2 novels)
Suspense and mystery, love and faith. I enjoyed parts of each story and the challenges the characters face.
~I received a copy of this book from the author/publisher via CFRR 2019 (no monetary gain were exchanged), this is my honest review~
Read
March 1, 2018Miniseries: Prodigal Daughters
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