In River Haven, a mysterious visitor brings two lonely hearts together…Joanna Kohler treasures the independence her Amish quilt shop provides. She rarely leans on others, yet finding an injured woman on her property makes her grateful for the store owner next door, Noah Troyer. Calm and unflappable, Noah offers support. He also points out the strong resemblance between Joanna and the unconscious stranger…Noah may admire Joanna, but the bishop’s daughter is out of reach. Though he’s made a good life, Noah still feels shadowed by the shame his father brought on the community. But it’s his duty to aid his lovely neighbor, especially when danger draws close. As he and Joanna unearth answers about her past, Noah will have to confront his own if he’s to have a chance at building a future with the woman he’ll love forever.
Marta Perry is a Pennsylvania-based author of over 35 novels, many of them inspirational romances. She uses her rural Pennsylvania life and her Pennsylvania Dutch heritage in writing her books, especially in her Pleasant Valley Amish series for Berkley Books and her new Amish-set suspense series for HQN Books.
Marta and her husband live in a centuries-old farmhouse in a quiet central Pennsylvania valley. They have three grown children and six beautiful grandchildren, and when she's not busy writing her next book, she's usually trying to keep up with her gardening, baking for church events, or visiting those beautiful grandkids.
Marta Perry didn't waste time drawing readers into this mystery suspense novel. It all starts in the first Chapter when Joanna Kohler returns home from a late shopping trip. It's almost dark as she lets herself into her apartment's rear entrance. With arms full of packages she decides to climb the stairs without using her pen light. She trips over something and gropes around in the dark, curious to find what caused her to stumble . Imagine her surprise to feel a body there on the steps around her feet. Noah Troyer owns the hardware store next to Joanna's quilt shop. Joanna asks him to call 911 from his business phone. He comes to her aid and waits with her until the police and life squad arrives. Noah has always had a crush on Joanna and he is more than willing to help her in her time of need. Noah protects Joanna many times as it becomes apparent that someone is out to harm or kill her. Noah and Joanna become attracted to each other but he pulls away from her because he is concerned he may have inherited his father's temper and abusive behavior . He vows to help her and protect her but that is all he can promise her. I loved the characters in this book. There are many secrets that come to light as the pages are turned. It definitely is hair raising edge of seat reading on more than one occasion. The truth comes out near the end and this reader was surprised when the culprit was revealed . This book is very hard to put down . You find that you want to read more and more. One of Marta Perry's best books as far as I'm concerned. If you love mystery suspense this book will not disappoint you. It can be read as a stand alone . The Amish Outsider is book one of this series. Characters from that book are woven into Amish Protector. I highly recommend it to all readers of Amish Fiction and cozy mysteries. I purchased and downloaded a copy of Amish Protector from Amazon. A favorable review was not requested. All opinions expressed here are my own.
I shivered with readerly delight right through this compelling second River Haven novel. Perry knows how to spin out a suspense and there's a Gothic-y feel to this one. Eeep! That paired with a complicated Amish romance has me free-falling into a full swoon. :-)
Love the depth this author brings to her characters and the communities she creates. No worries if you haven't visited River Haven before, Amish Protector reads wunderbaar-gut as a standalone novel too. But if you have, you'll be happy to meet up with some familiar faces. These are real (to me) people with everyday struggles. They may be Amish but that doesn't mean everything in their lives is serene. There are negatives to balance out the positives. Complicated families, enduring friendships wrapped up in a foundation of faith. The stuff that keeps a reader glued to the page.
And the mystery is divine. Eerie and confusing and sometimes sinister. From the hair raising scene where Joanne discovers the injured woman to the breath-snatching reveal-all-ending and everything in between, it's all sheer poetry to a romantic suspense lover like me.
I love this author books and I try not to miss any! Her Amish books are just the bombs and this book was no exception. This book will have drawn you in from the beginning until the end. Especially if you like mystery like I do. This story is amazing and I enjoyed visiting the small Amish town where Joanna owns her own quilt shop. I think it's amazing how they have the patience to sit there and sew those quilts like that. The work that goes into them is just wow! I don't like to sew but I admire those who do. It's definitely a work of art. I like Joanna from the beginning. I feel like she could be the big sister I never had. I think the one I felt sorry most for was Noah. Sometimes I feel just like him. It's just so unfair. The actions of our parents should never reflect back on their children but in our case (Noah and mine) it does. It's a horrible feeling. For years I could never understand why my dad's people didn't like me until one day my aunt told me. It made me angry and then I felt worse. I asked the Lord to help me and He has but it's just something that you carry with you for the rest of your life. Sometimes you have to face your past in order to able to move on and yes, I know it can be a hard thing to do. I felt myself encouraging Noah and Joanna as they worked together to solve their pasts so that they could move on. I like books like these because they offer hope and light at the end of a long tunnel that things in our world will be ok once again. I really enjoy Perry's books. They have a way that will make your afternoon, evening, or whatever the case may be go by rather quickly that's for sure. This was an awesome read and I highly recommend it. My thanks to Netgalley and Harlequin for a fantastic read. I was NOT required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.
We are back in the Pennsylvania Amish Community of River Creek, and with this author a mystery is about to unfold. Now this is the second book in this series, and yes, it can be read alone, but once you are hooked you will probably want to read the first! Can you imagine coming home in the dark and tripping over a body, thankfully not dead, but this is how this new mystery will get you hooked. When all of the facts unfold, it makes complete sense as to whom the culprit is, but getting there will have you guessing from one to another and maybe back again. We are also given a tentative romance, and we meet the main character, Joanna’s friends, and I can see another story coming with one of them. I did love that Joanna owned, with her aunt a quilt shop, and being a quilter, I loved having the story take place here! I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher HQN Books, and was not required to give a positive review.
I really enjoyed this story line. This book is set in a small Amish town and gives you a realistic view of Amish life. Also, I really like that she owned a quilt shop. I am an avid quilter and found that very interesting. I am hoping that there is another book in this series
I really enjoyed this second book of Marta Perry's River Haven series. I've been a fan of her Amish books for awhile now, and I really enjoy when she adds suspense to the mix. This was a great story and I"m looking forward to the last book of the trilogy.
I received an advance reader copy of this novel from the publisher.
OH MY GOODNESS! The things this attacker does to an innocent woman, but is it the right woman, and why? You will not be able to put this book down! Yes, yet another must read from Marta Perry. I am anxiously waiting for the third book, "Amish Secrets" to come out next month.
I couldn't wait to read this! Intricate mystery in a Amish community with twists makes this a page-turner. I think the River Haven series may be Ms. Perry's best yet.
Love Marta's Books. She is another of my go 2 Amish Authors to read. Great story, COuld not put this down either. Finished this in one day. Cant wait for the next one.
Amish Protector is an rivoting my story written by Marta Perry. This book revolves around another of the three close friends who are looking for the missing meaning to their lives. This is the story of Joanna Kohler and Noah Troyer. Each of these characters already have a bit of mystery in their backgrounds before a new mystery keeps throwing them together. This story is filled with amazing characters, forgiveness, and faith.
When Joanna returns to her apartment after a shopping trip it's dark and things seem a bit off. When Joanna literally stumbles upon a young girl laying injured on her steps she is completely at a loss as to why the young girl chose her house. When Noah makes the startling discovery of a resemblance between the stranger and Joanna events become increasingly dangerous. Who is this stranger and why is Joanna a target? As the mystery unfolds Joanna and Noah also discover their own unique path. The mystery of Joanna's adoption comes to light and her relationship to young girl definitely keeps the readers interest. When the person behind all of the attacks is revealed things really become clear and Noah is faced with his continuing growing feelings for Joanna.
I was not given a complimentary copy of this book to read and review. I was not approached to post a favorable response. I have rated this story with five stars for meeting my expectations of a wonderful story that I can highly recommend to others.
Marta Perry does not disappoint. In this story Joanna who’s Amish has been told that she was adopted at a young age, but the full story comes out after a English girl is found unconscious by her on her door step. The story mixes Amish and English characters very well and you didn’t know who was trying to hurt them until the end. Recommend this series.
This is another fantastic story by Marta Perry. Great story in the second series of River Haven. Masterful story telling by Marta weaving in the English and Amish into a tangled web. Unexpected ending - didn’t see it coming. Excellent read along with the 1st one in series. Many other fantastic series by Marta Perry out there to read too.
A great book full of romance, mystery, and suspense! Joanna is content to run her quilt shop with her Aunt, but when she finds a mysterious woman unconscious on her stairs her life changes! Now she must help to find out who this woman is and the connections she has to her and her past. Thankfully her neighbor, Noah, is there to help her!!!
I give Amish Protector 4.5 stars! This was a well-rounded novel with the right mix of mystery, romance, and suspense! It kept me up most of the night! I loved the romantic scene at the end! The sense of danger interwoven into the story, as well as the romantic conflict kept me reading! I recommend this novel, and the series as a whole! I will definitely be reading book 3 (Amish Secrets).
This was sitting on the staff recommended list at the library I really didn’t know what to expect. Well written good character develop and good mystery. What a pleasant surprise. I will be checking out more of Marta perry books This was apparently the second book in the series
Another great story from Marta Perry that perfectly balances mystery with romance while embracing the Amish culture! I can't wait for the third in the series - poor Rachel needs to escape her selfish family and find herself and love.
This book was gripping from the beginnings, it kept you on the edge of your seat. Full of the Amish life you love, but with a twist. I recommend this book to anyone who loves Amish life and love stories. This book delivers more than you would expect.
The mystery/ thriller aspects of this were more exciting than the first book, but the romance wasn't quite as kilig. Too bad coz I love Joanna's take charge attitude. Noah was okay, but I felt he kinda faded into the background coz the mystery of Joanna and the woman she found was more compelling.