Amanda Weds a Good Man

One Big Happy Family #1

by Naomi King

The Amish community of Cedar Creek is celebrating a wedding! When Amanda Lambright, widowed with three daughters, marries Wyman Brubaker, a widower with five children, she envisions joining their two households into one big happy family. But it isn’t quite that easy....

Amanda Lambright loves Wyman Brubaker, and after four years as a single mother, she is grateful for his support and for this new chance at happiness as his wife. She’s confident that their children will get along just fine. But once Amanda’s clan moves into Wyman’s home, the tight quarters and Wyman’s reluctance to make changes to accommodate Amanda cause friction. The older kids are squabbling. The little ones are frequently in tears. Tiny Alice Ann isn’t speaking at all. Amanda and Wyman can’t find any privacy. And Amanda wonders if she’ll ever have a chance to pursue the pottery making that means so much to her. 

Amanda believes that family lies at the center of any well-lived Amish life. Can she find the wisdom to guide the reluctant members of her new extended family toward the love that will bind them together?

Genres: Amish, Christian Fiction, Romance, Amish Fiction

336 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2013

About the author

Drawing upon her experiences in Jamesport, the largest Old Order Amish community west of the Mississippi, longtime Missourian Naomi King (a.k.a. Charlotte Hubbard) writes of simpler times and a faith-based lifestyle in her new Seasons of the Heart series. Like her heroine, Miriam Lantz, Charlotte considers it her personal mission to feed people—to share hearth and home. Faith and family, farming and food preservation are hallmarks of her lifestyle, and the foundation of her earlier Angels of Mercy series. She’s a deacon, a dedicated church musician and choir member, and when she’s not writing, she loves to try new recipes, crochet, and sew. Charlotte now lives in Minnesota with her husband and their border collie.

Reviews

[kerrycat · Rating 4 out of 5]

The glaring difference between Amanda and Wyman’s bishops shows how the word of God can be manipulated, and Wyman’s support of Amanda — who insists on respect in a culture that frowns on assertive women — is a shining example of a husband fulfilling his marriage vows. The busy social life they share with family and friends is a sweet counterpoint to the serious nature of their personal and spiritual dilemma.

Amanda and Wyman’s marriage, which unites eight children and Amanda’s mother-in-law under one roof, is off to a very stressful start. Wyman’s district has a much more strict atmosphere than creative Amanda and her three girls are used to, and Wyman must decide how far to allow his bishop to go in chastising them for their freedom. When God steps in and creates a perfect storm, Wyman realizes the solution has been in Amanda’s hands since the day they wed. (NAL, Nov., 336 pp., $14.00)
- See more at: http://www.rtbookreviews.com/book-rev...

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked that I got to see more of James' and Abby's story from the Cedar Creek novels in this companion novel to that series. I also ended up really liking both Amanda and Wyman. They were determined to blend their families and unite them in the love that God had for all of them, but they each needed to learn how they personally fit into the new situation as a 'ready made' maam and dat before their kids could learn to see each other as siblings.
Without saying too much, I feel like there is a certain troublemaker from this book that will be making things difficult in the next book.
3.5 stars

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just finished reading Amanda Weds a Good Man (One Big Happy Family #1) written by Naomi King. The first thing that came to my mind is the "Brady Bunch" , " Yours, Mine and Ours" and "Cheaper by the Dozen." What happens to the family dynamics when you combine 2 strikingly different families together? Are Englisher families as depicted in these movies similar to Amish families that have to experience this?? From the moment that you start reading this book, you will feel the emotions radiating through this story.
Amanda is a widow who remarries another widow man who also has a family. This book takes you through their marriage and journey through the ups and downs, tears and fears and love they have for their families. What decisions will they have to make?? What must be sacrificed to make this family dynamic work?? What is the outcome??
This book inspired me. It kept me interested in the characters and how they handle some very difficult life decisions and obstacles. I loved Amanda and Wyman, Vera ( Amanda's mother-in-law from her first marriage), little Simon and Amanda's cousin Jerome (who exhibits wisdom beyond his young years).
This story is an inspirational story based on God's Love for each one of the characters.
We are reminded by Naomi, that "just as the Lord takes as all broken vessels and fits us for his service here on Earth." (p. 39) We are all broken (but God does have a purpose for each and every one of us). He creates something greater that is evident in the outcome of this book.
Thanks Naomi for writing this delightful story. I highly recommend it and I look forward to the next book, Emma Blooms at Last (One Big Happy Family).

[Jodi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Amish romance stories, and this one, with the heroine, Amanda, starting a new married life with a widower named Wyman, and blending their children together in to one big "Brady Bunch" of a family, was very touching. I have never read any of Mrs. King's previous works, but, I will be looking for more of them. She gets so much detail right, from the differing bishops' enforcement of the Ordunug to the trauma that little Alice Ann experienced when she was just a baby. Courtship, moving to a new district, the wonderful friends and family that sustain and help them when a terrible storm damages their house, all blend together to show that, while the Amish are not rich in things, they are incredibly rich in friendship, love, and Christian fellowship and caring for one another. I truly enjoyed this escape to Amish country, and you will, too.

[Kitty · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this one. It was fun to read a love story between older people who've already loved and lost before, and how they put their big blended family together. I seem to be on a trend of picking up books where I want to hit Bishops for some reason, no idea why.

I liked how Amanda made such pretty pottery, and how her stepdaughter was clever enough to re-use broken pieces. It was also really refreshing to read an Amish novel that actually...GASP acknowledges and NAMES sex, and the characters have frank discussions about it! Very impressed, I'm excited for the next one in the series!

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book started out slow but picked up in the last third. Amanda is a widow with 3 kids and Wyman is a widower with 5 kids, they decide to get married and join their families together. When Amanda moves in the place stays Wyman’s late wife’s with no room for Amanda’s items. The bishop is a strict, cross man and he doesn’t allow Amanda to make or sell her pottery, even smashing it in front of the children. Amanda and Wyman know their lives can’t continue like it is but it takes a bad storm to lead to answers.

[Ace · Rating 5 out of 5]

hooray and hallelujah! it's an Amish Romance with both healthy romantic relationships AND good theology! That's like finding a needle in a haystack these days!
It's seriously so hard to find authors who don't have the rose colored glasses glued to their characters' faces where nobody says "Hmm, we need to talk about the selfishness inherent in x behavior, and the borderline heresy of y statement and tradition" without that character getting "humbled" at the end.

Bravo!

[Jean Thurmond · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amanda story and her giving of or up of what part of her. Blending families are not always easy but when you have God in your heart and mind and giving all into his hands helps. As in this story we see God workings in this new family. I can't wait to read more of what branches off from Amanda story and see the family grow.

[Gail · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent as always!

[Carla R · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story

I’m excited to read the next books that follow. This book was a good example of how God answers prayer when we wait for his answers.

[Ronda Poindexter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the book

Have have enjoyed this book from beginning to end and can't wait to continue the series. Great writing by this author.

[Jenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

For a second, I was going to read all the Amish books at the library— my small town likes Amish fiction. This was one of them. It was set in Missouri and the storyline grew on me.

[Jodi Solum · Rating 5 out of 5]

very touching story about love and acceptance

[Tara Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amanda Weds a Good Man is the third novel I've read by Naomi King (a.k.a. Charlotte Hubbard). And while this particular story goes on about families completely unfamiliar to me up to this point, there are some familiar faces that pop up every now and then which makes reading this feel like home. Do you know what I mean?

Amanda's husband has died. Wyman's wife has, unfortunately, passed as well. It seems that Amanda's family is doing what they can to move on while Wyman's is stuck in a sort of stasis. Wyman is suffering from survivor's guilt and doesn't even seem to realize it. But it's rubbing off on his children as well. When he weds Amanda and she and her children move in to his house it seems that there is little room for them there. The memory of his late wife takes up way too much room. That, and the chaos that seems to reign supreme in the household along with the outright hostility expressed toward Amanda and her children (and even Wyman) by the members of the community Wyman has brought them to, makes everyone absolutely miserable.

Wyman really has to search inside himself and see if what's happening in his house is what's meant to be happening. Sure, the Bishop has told him so, but is following the Bishop at the expense of his family's well-being really worth it? And is the Bishop even right in his instruction?

I can really relate to Amanda. I was married just a month ago and, while my children and I were familiar with the house we were moving in to after the wedding, it was still a lot to get used to. The memories of family members passed hangs in the air and, understandably, sometimes we are reluctant to move on but for the sake of sentimentality. No matter how much you love someone, and how much you want things to be perfect, there can (and will) still be issues at some point.

Poor Amanda. She moved away from the people she knew and loved in to an environment that was neither friendly nor welcoming. She tried. But I could literally feel her frustration and the tension between her and her new husband. She'd been so strong for such a long time and along with her nephew had been able to keep her family afloat. Wyman did not have to struggle as hard to provide for his family and I think, as a result, his children were not as close to him as Amanda's were to her.

He made me angry for much of the first half of the book. I felt bad for Amanda. I sympathized with her and could almost sense the dread building up in her heart at the thought that she'd be expected to submit to a man who didn't seem to have her best interests at heart, despite the fact that he did love her. Someone plants a bug in his ear, though, and gives him a lot to think about as far as the relationship between him and his new wife are concerned.

Now, the relationship between Abby and James... I adored them. The two of them were so completely head over heels for each other that I couldn't help but smile the entire time I read about them. James had such consideration for Abby and the way that she felt, the things that were important to her. And Abby was such an amazingly wonderful person to everyone she came in contact with. The two of them together were an absolutely fantastic pair.

Jerome, Amanda's nephew, was one of my favorites. He was the strong and (somewhat) silent type. He had Amanda's back and was definitely not going to sit idly by while he felt she was being slighted by her new family. He seemed like a happy go lucky guy, although I'm sure he's been through a lot in his life.

Last but not least, where would every great story be without a villain.

The Bishop of Clearwater and his nagging wife were definitely the bane of everyone's existence. They were hypocritical and rude and encouraged everyone to follow in their footsteps while claiming that those who didn't were placing other things at higher importance than their relationship with God, an attitude that had driven several families out of the district already. I could not STAND them and if they'd been real people and standing in front of me speaking to ME the way they spoke to Wyman and Amanda, I would probably have told them off. In the worst way. I honestly don't know how the Brubaker's managed to hold their tongues as well as they did.

The story was wonderful. I like books that make me FEEL things. And I could definitely feel for Amanda. All the hurt and anger and frustration... and on the flip side of the coin... love and adoration and wonderment. Fantastically written.

As with her other novels, I highly recommend this as a read to everyone. Not just those of you who enjoy Amish fiction, but anyone looking for a nice family/feel good read. Luckily, this is the first in the series. I can't wait to see more of what happens for the Brubaker clan.

[S. Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not many Amish novels cover blended families, so this is special. I enjoyed the author's handling of a difficult family situation. I believe it was told honestly and with hope. An encouraging read for those who choose to blend the second time around.

[Kathleen (Kat) Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have fallen in love with the people of Cedar Creek through author Naomi King who introduced us to a handful of the residents there in her novels Rosemary Opens Her Heart and Abby Finds Her Calling. Now launching a new series, One Big Happy Family, Naomi introduces us to Amanda Lambright, a widow with three children who has managed to raise her family in the last four years even if it has been a struggle as a single mom. She finds solace in her best friend Abby who runs A Stitch in Time in Cedar Creek. She understands what it's like to want to work to provide for her family but also knows the struggles facing women in the Amish community trying to do it alone. She only hopes to find a man who might be as understanding as her husband, Atlee was.

When she finds hope in marrying Wyman Brubaker, also a widower with five children, she wonders if they will find ways to mend the differences between the two families. They each come with a set of unique challenges, one of them being that the community of Clearwater is a much stronger Old Amish Order and they believe in sticking to the guidelines set within the community. One of them being that the pottery that Amanda makes and sells at the Cedar Creek Mercantile isn't allowed. In fact, she will have to give up that interest of hers altogether if she hopes to fit in with the new Bishop. Her daughters are also being challenged in their new school with the new rules set forth by the school teacher, the bishop's daughter who believes that their dresses are too short and that too much hair is showing from their kapps.

In the midst of all of this new change, Amanda wonders if she didn't rush into this marriage with Wyman as a way to help one another out. Perhaps this wasn't God's plan after all. She struggles with trying to find a way to communicate with him despite wanting to be a good and devout Amish wife who follows what her husband asks of her. She already knows that Wyman had to tell his previous wife to stop painting because of the Bishop's orders but will he be able to ask Amanda to do the same even if it means causing a rift between them while trying to make things work?

I received Amanda Weds a Good Man by author Naomi King compliments of Pump Up Your Book Tours and Penguin Publishers for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review and the opinions expressed here are strictly my own. This is true a novel that you can compare quite simply as an Amish Brady Bunch with a twist. Understanding the guidelines of the Amish faith plays a big part into the roles that Wyman and Amanda fall into, and thus blending two very different Amish orders together along with additional children to the mix is bound to cause more than just a few ruffled feathers. I love how it simply doesn't all fit together and I love the struggle that Wyman is challenged with in finding resolution with his new wife and the community he grew up in. I love this series and can't wait to read the next book which we get a sneak peek at in Emma Blooms at Last at the end of this one. Hands down a 5 out of 5 stars.

[Ruth Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so thrilled to be reviewing yet another amazing Amish book by such a prolific author. I have said it before, and I will continue to say it. Naomi King/Charlotte Hubbard is the preeminent Amish author on the market today. And I honestly don't say that because I have come to know her through our working relationship--that certainly helps. But her books are so different from the typical Amish fare. Her female protagonists are not shrinking violets who do exactly what their men tell them to, and they are not afraid to revel in all aspects of marriage. Her male characters are constantly struggling with being the head of their household and loving the sweet women in their lives who keep the family going no matter what. It is the perpetual friction between the old ways and the new ways that keep the story lines exhilarating and not always traditional.

Whenever I start one of her books, I am always certain that the current one cannot possibly top her other triumphs. And guess what--she always proves me wrong! I find genuine humor, raw and unabashed emotion, and a true reliance on Christ. Another thing I can always count on is the twists and turns that will occur within the book. So often, I can guess the formula of the book, but not so with this author! The one thing that consoled me in the middle of the book is that I knew she would not let the bishop get away with what he did. (I'm not saying what he did. No spoilers--you have to read the book!)

What I appreciate most of all about Naomi/Charlotte is that she always emphasizes the gospel. Sometimes when I read other Amish books, I find myself questioning the salvation of the Amish characters. I know it depends on the district and the bishop, but so many Amish rely on following all the rules to get to heaven. And readers of her books will see those characters. But invariably, the main characters come to realize that being a true believer is not about following all the rules. It is about a relationship with the Creator of the Universe. And as long as that comes first, they can decide to follow the rules if that is what God has called them to do.

If you love Amish, Christian, clean romances, and really good stories, this is the book for you. It is full of wisdom, depth, warmth, and real life. If you have not read other books in her Cedar Creek series, you can jump into this book with no problem. However, you will savor it more if you read the other books.

I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I was not financially compensated, and all opinions are 100 percent mine.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Title: AMANDA WEDS A GOOD MAN
Author: Naomi King
Publisher: New American Library Trade
November 2013
ISBN: 978-0451417879
Genre: Amish / Women’s fiction

The Amish community of Cedar Creek is celebrating a wedding! When Amanda Lambright, widowed with three daughters, marries Wyman Brubaker, a widower with five children, she envisions joining their two households into one big happy family. But it isn’t quite that easy....

Amanda Lambright loves Wyman Brubaker, and after four years as a single mother, she is grateful for his support and for this new chance at happiness as his wife. She’s confident that their children will get along just fine. But once Amanda’s clan moves into Wyman’s home, the tight quarters and Wyman’s reluctance to make changes to accommodate Amanda cause friction. The older kids are squabbling. The little ones are frequently in tears. Tiny Alice Ann isn’t speaking at all. Amanda and Wyman can’t find any privacy. And Amanda wonders if she’ll ever have a chance to pursue the pottery making that means so much to her.

Amanda believes that family lies at the center of any well-lived Amish life. Can she find the wisdom to guide the reluctant members of her new extended family toward the love that will bind them together?

AMANDA WEDS A GOOD MAN is the first book in Ms. King’s newest series, One Big Happy Family. I felt for Amanda, struggling as a single mom with three children and marrying a wealthy man with five children. But Wyman wanted nothing of Amanda’s former life, her home, her things, her life, all had to go. He did make room for her mother-in-law and her children. But otherwise, the house and all the furnishings all belonged to his deceased wife. Difficult for any woman, Amish or English.

Adjustment in any blended family takes time, and when there are eight children and a mother-in-law involved, even more so. Amanda wants to do the quiet pottery work she loves, but no one else takes her seriously. It’s just a hobby, you don’t need to do it. She struggled with the loss of her creative outlet along with all the other changes. One had to wonder how this couple—blended family—could possibly work things out for a happy-ever-after.

If you like Amish fiction, then AMANDA WEDS A GOOD MAN is a book to consider. Ms. King is a talented author, able to weave a story that moves along, and there is plenty of conflict to keep the reader reading.
$14.00. 336 pages.

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I first picked up this book, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I’ve read Amish mysteries and thrillers, along with a few short story Amish romances – but never a full length novel. So when I opened the cover, I was shocked to find myself instantly lost in an amazing world with Amanda, Wyman and their very eclectic extended family.

Each character is written with incredible detail, projecting the dynamic of family to a tee, particularly the children. They are exactly what you would expect out of a family trying to find a comfortable living scenario for the first time. There’s laughter, tears and the power of love, forgiveness and acceptance. Their struggles to find a happy medium in a newly chaotic state brings the home of this loving family to life and creates a warm, inviting environment for you as the reader.

As for the romance of the story – Amanda and Wyman are absolutely adorable. As they try to keep their family happy, they must find the time to dedicate to one another and to their new relationship. The tender moments that these two share throughout the story are incredibly touching and the love that they have for one another is enough to endure even the most difficult of moments. It’s the kind of romance that renews your faith in love and marriage.

I loved this book more than I could have ever imagined I would. The story develops beautifully and I just adored this family. I cannot wait to read more from the brilliant Naomi King.

I was sent a copy of this book by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All conclusions are my own.

Find out more about the author and read her interview:
http://heasareus.blogspot.com/2013/11...

[Paula-O · Rating 4 out of 5]

Series One Big Happy Family by Naomi King, book #1 "Amanda Weds a Good Man"

Amanda is a young widow with three daughters to raise, after her husband was killed in accident with farming equipment so suddenly. One day they were one big happy family and the next he was gone and she was struggling.

Amanda was allowed to work with pottery which she had a talant for making pretty pieces from. With the monies from this and help from a nephew that she had raised from a child when his parents were killed, they were able to keep the place going though it was run-down and needed work it was livable and they were happy.

Wyman lived in Cedar creek and he was a widower with 5 children and he decided to court Amanda if she would have him as he thought her a strong honest good woman. He just knew they could help one another raise these kids. Wyman had lost his wife and his youngest daughter had been mute ever since seeing the accident that took her life.

The children all seemed to get along together but you never know what will happen when you put them together under one roof. come along and read with me how this good man and woman pull together to raise their families.

Changes had to be made for all concerned in this move and they did well until a hard strict bishop came in wanting changes that seemed unusual to both Amanda and Wyman, read how Mother nature intervenes and life changes drasticly for this couple.

I received this book from another blog and was happy to be able to read this author that is new to me, I am ready to read more about this "Big Happy Family"...

[Wulfwyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amanda Weds A Good Man was everything I hoped it would be ...and more. I was pleasantly surprised to find that the author kept the story very real. Amanda has children. The man she marries, Wyman, also has children. Blending families is a difficult task no matter the circumstances. Yet somehow we think for the Amish it may be different. They lead, what one imagines, very peaceful lives with obedience being a major factor. I think we do that because in our lives everything is hurried and electronic. We stress ourselves out. Then we see the Amish and we think how great it would be to live life so peaceful and slow. We forget they are just people like us, with the same emotions, thoughts and similar issues. The author brings that into focus in this book. It is what I enjoyed most about it. We hear the story from multiple views so we experience the love and joy but we also get the doubts and the fears. We see the blending of the family and the issues. We also experience the blurring of worlds. Wyman has friends who are Mennonite. He is from a strict community while Amanda is not. Seeing them question things and stay true to their relationship with God is inspiring and realistic. I was also very happy to see Abby and so many friends from that book play major roles in this one. You do not need to read the other book to enjoy this one, (I believe they are 2 different but related series), but I would recommend it...for your enjoyment.

*I received a copy of this book for review purposes. All opinions stated are my honest feelings about the book. I was not compensated for the review. *

[Janice · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this on the Kindle

If you wish to read this book i would suggest you read the first 2 books in Home at Cedar Creek book just so you can understand who is who as even after reading those books i could still get a little confused with which person was from which of the families but this did not detract from the book

I love the book & I loved the way the Bishop who Wyman was under was me i think if i was told i had to kneel down for confession i may have but done it in away showing all his bad things lol

I loved the way that even as newly weds things don't jell straight away how many of us once married have stress because we trying to live to fit in to each other's lives

I am also loving the other people's stories are told in the book i read the excerpt from the next book & can't wait for that i already thinking about what may happen

If i could make a suggestion to the author & any other author's who write multi series books which people are carried over how about doing a family tree so in each book you would know who is who this also helps if you read a lot of Amish books as so many have people with the same names but nothing to do with other writers books it would help especially if you have a bit of a memory problem like me i know i have had to go back & read the books again since getting the Kindle which is good i can do that but i could be reading a new book instead lol

[Wall-to-wall books - wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOOOOOOOOOVED! What more can I say? This was the perfect book for me! This was my second book by Naomi King (the first was Abby Finds Her Calling). I loved it right from the very beginning. I don't know what it was about it really. It just felt like I was living along side them in their everyday lives. Almost like they were kind enough to invite me into their homes for the duration of this story. It felt so real to me. Not overdone, not slow - just... just perfect. Naomi King is an excellent writer and has that certain way of just making you feel at home in her books. I just wanted this book to go on and on.

The character development was great! I really felt like I knew this family! There were a lot of them to get to know but Naomi made it so easy with her excellent writing. This were really a few stories wound together in one as you follow along in these families lives. There is so much to learn from this story too - so many good lessons!I wanted to give this to my daughter and say "Look, I know you are not into Amish Fiction, but you need to read this just because you are a new wife."

There are a few twists, a few sad parts, and a few happy parts and a lot of romantic parts! This is Amish fiction at its very best! I love books that don't need to have sex in it to be romantic, books that can make even the simplest little gesture like a touch of the hand seem so romantic. This is one of those books!

[DJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book begins with Amanda—no big surprise there if you read the title—and includes several weddings… Matt and Rosemary, who fell in love in the previous series (Home at Cedar Creek) plus Phoebe and Owen, who have been courting. Abby and Sam offer to have Amanda and Wyman’s wedding at their home, and before you know it, all three couples are joined in marriage.

Their wedding may have been easily arranged, but joining two families together is more difficult than either of them expected. After moving to the Clearwater community, and settling into Wyman’s home, Amanda—and her daughters—get several visits from the strict, unyielding bishop (and his equally difficult wife). I will share one tidbit… after just two visits from the bishop and his wife; Amanda heads back to Cedar Creek—alone.

What happened to cause her to leave?

Will she stay?

Charlotte (writing under the pen name Naomi King) paints a truly inspiring picture of the characters in this book, especially the bishop and his family. The way they act—and react—to others, and the words they say, paint such a realistic picture, I wouldn’t be the least surprised to meet any of them some day… and I’d love to meet most of them (not the bishop or his family).

I’ve definitely said more than I should have—so I’ll leave the rest of the story for you to read for yourself. You’re going to LOVE it!

[Alison (Ali's Books) Flores · Rating 4 out of 5]

While Amanda Lambright and Wyman Brubaker may be the central focus of this novel, they are really just a tiny portion of the story. As with your typical Amish story, this is about whole communities of people. You get to see the ins and outs of their lifestyle. You see some of the goodness that I’ve always felt drawn to, but then you also get to witness some of their struggles and unforgiving attitudes. I might add here that this is the first Amish story that I’ve read that referenced sex. I was a bit surprised by that. Don’t get me wrong here, it’s not in the least bit erotic. It’s just talked of.

Amanda gets down on herself easily, and while some things I wouldn’t have blinked at, there were times that I didn’t know how she could tolerate certain things and put on such a strong face. I fell in love with other characters in the story besides just Amanda and Wyman. I absolutely loved Abby’s constant cheerfulness. Everyone could use a friend like her. I got tickled at Merle’s excitement.

I’m definitely interested in reading more of the series! I have a few characters I want to keep an eye on!!! I recommend this to anyone interested in the Amish world.

*I received a copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.*

[Maureen Timerman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok, this is a new series, and I love it, but it is also a return to Home At Cedar Creek. Now you don't have to read the other books to enjoy this one, but oh how you will want to.
Enjoy the tenacity of Amanda, in the Amish Patriarch Society! Also the warm heart of Wyman, although it took a disaster to wake him up!
Amanda's beloved husband Atlee has passed away. She has three daughters and her Mother-In-Law to take care of, and has a hard time making ends meet. When the story opens she is setting the date for her marriage to Wyman, a widower with five children, three boys and two girls. The oldest girl, Vera, has had the responsibility of taking over for deceased Mom.
We follow this family as they try to blend the family, and Amanda moving into Wyman's home. Know I would find it difficult to live with my husband's former wife's imprint everywhere. We also meet the new Bishop and his wife, and hope he would leave, but find the love that comes for this family from Cedar Creek.
I can't wait for the next book in this series, such great and moving read!!

I received this book through Pump Your Book Virtual Book Tours, and was not required to give a positive review.

[Melina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story started out a little slow for me, but towards the middle it really picked up and I didn't want to put it down. There is more going on in this book besides Amanda wedding Wyman and combining their families. There is also the love story of James and Abby that is playing out and how he can't find the right time to ask Abby to marry him. I felt that Naomi did a very good job portraying Amanda's dilemma. Amanda and her family have a very hard time fitting in at Wyman's home and in his district. But when tragedy strikes, will Wyman realize that God is directing him in a different direction. This book was very well written with realistic situations. It shows that even the Amish have marital problems. Very good job Naomi. I really enjoyed this book.


I received a complimentary copy of this book for my honest review.

[Barb · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Amanda Weds a Good Man" by Naomi King, and published by Penguin was a very fast novel to read.

The story is about a widow with three children who marries a widower with five children and the problems and promises that come with that merger of families. It is to be expected that certain family procedures for each family might have problems combining into a workable arrangement. Sometimes husbands are not as cognizant about hurtful words or actions and so this novel takes the reader through the adjustment period. I really enjoyed the book and would highly recommend it to readers who enjoy Amish stories.

I was sent a free print copy of this book by Night Owl Reviews in return for my honest assessment of the book.

You can find this review on my blog at http://wp.me/p2pjIt-99.

[Debbie Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't have time for a long review.

I loved this book. I want to read some more books by Naomi King.

I loved the story, the characters, the blending of the families. Like an Amish 'Brady Bunch'. I can't wait to read the next book in the series... due out later this year.




I just wanted those who read my reviews to know that I felt this book had some information about marriage and sex that some would not want to read about. I know I would not recommend the book to my daughters even though they are in their later 20's, because they are unmarried and not even close to getting married (not courting or anything). It wasn't terrible, just unnecessary... those are my feelings anyway.

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read the second book two in this series before I read this one. I love the story of Amanda and Wyman. Their marriage goes through some trials and tribulations. I was so mad at Uriah their bishop that I could have screamed (read book and find out). When story destroys part of Wyman's house no one from his district shows up to help with repairs or clean up. After making a big decision that will change all of the Brubaker family for the better.