The Amish Farmer's Proposal

Hearts of Lancaster County #3

by Barbara Cameron

A sweet and heartwarming Amish romance where no disaster can conquer true love. Dairy farmer Abe Stoltzfus wants to propose to Lavinia Fisher, the beautiful young woman he’s been dating, but being a traditional Amish man, he worries about how he can provide for her. Farming can be uncertain enough with weather conditions, crops not doing well, all manner of uncertainties. And after a bad summer storm and a serious injury from a rooftop tumble, Abe wants to wait until both he and his farm are back on their feet.Lavinia is relieved when Abe survives the fall, yet it seems like it’s only the start of events that threaten their future together. But Lavinia is not only a talented Amish crafter, she’s also the daughter of a farmer. She knows what the life of a farm wife is like and remains optimistic things will turn around. And when Abe continues to drag his feet, Lavinia makes him an interesting proposal. Will Abe be able to resist it—and her?

Genres: Amish, Amish Fiction

353 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 1, 2022

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.

CBD, CBA, and ECPA bestselling author of 24 books (including new series upcoming for Abingdon Press in 2011/2012) including fiction and non-fiction books for Abingdon Press, Thomas Nelson, Harlequin, and other publishers.

I sold three films to HBO/Cinemax and am the first winner of the Romance Writers of America Golden Heart Award.

My two novellas won the 2nd and 3rd place in the Inspirational Readers Choice Contest from the Faith, Love, and Hope chapter of RWA. Both were finalists for the novella category of the Carol Award of the American Christian Writers Award (ACFW).

Reviews

[Lynda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Description:
Abe and Lavinia love each other. That is not in doubt. Abe, a dairy farmer, has had multiple serious financial setbacks and that was *before* he fell off a roof.

Lavinia has a craft talent that SELLS. Abe has no problem with Lavinia selling her craft. But he DOES have a problem with needing her income in a marriage.

So, he doesn’t propose. And doesn’t propose. Finally, Lavinia …

Review:
Abe Stoltzfus is an “old school” Old Order Amish man who knows Lavinia Fisher is the 'fraa' for him. But with all the costly setbacks, how can he support a wife, his mother and his father who has MS? He is favor of Lavinia selling her crafts but *not* if the money is *needed* to support the family.

Lavinia’s mother operates a popular Amish craft store where they spend their days. Their family is close and loving.

Abe’s mother and father have a food stand where they sell vegetables. But the big seller in the summer is the homemade ice cream made with a loud battery-operated contraption put together by Faron, Abe’s father. You will enjoy Faron and his wife Waneta’s bantering.

Lavinia sees Abe fall from the roof and knows he is severely injured. She rides in the ambulance to the hospital because his parents are visiting out of state. Things get a bit muddled here — nope, you’ll have to read the book to find out how. Lavinia faithfully visits him daily. (Hey, that works! It did for this reviewer.)

The story is a sweet one with a HEA ending. But these two do have their issues getting there. The pacing is better than good although I did have an issue with both not *trusting* the other. If you have a problem not trusting before marriage, will you not carry that problem into the marriage? The word “trust” is not used in these scenes nor is the issue of trust made relevant. I believe the book would be stronger had it been — thus the four-star rating.

The characters are enjoyable, and the dialogue is entertaining — especially between Waneta and Faron. Yes, an enjoyable read and I recommend adding this to your Want-To-Read List.

I received a complimentary e-ARC copy of The Amish Farmer’s Proposal via NetGalley from the publisher, Forever (Grand Central Publishing. A positive review was not required; the opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

#TheAmishFarmersProposal #NetGalley #BarbaraCameron

Title: The Amish Farmer’s Proposal
Series: N/A
Author: Barbara Cameron
Genre: Amish
Publisher: Forever (Grand Central Publishing)
Release Date: April 26, 2022
Format: Kindle (read), Mass Market Paperback
Pages: Unknown
Source: NetGalley
Cover: Very pretty and eye-catching.

[Jeanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Worry is arrogant. God knows what He is doing. Pray and then we will do the work we're supposed to do and let God do His.

Life can change on the dime. That is true for all of us and even true for the Amish. That is when faith comes in. Abe Stoltzfus and Lavinia have known each other since they were young. Not officially courting but they are spending time together and getting to know each other. Being a farmer, Abe is waiting to officially court Lavina when he is in a more better position to provide for a family. His parents live on the farm and suffer from health issues. When a terrible accident occurs, Abe has to reexamine his plans. Lavina can only encourage him and patiently wait for him to see the light of God's will.

We can confuse our circumstances with faith and Lavina's and Abe's story confronts that confusion. They have to overcome their emotions, pride, and the circumstances that befall them. I enjoyed their story and was encouraged by living out in faith.

A special thank you to Grand Central Publishing and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.

[C Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for allowing me to read Barbara Cameron, The Farmer’s Proposal. The book will be released April 26, 2022.

Abe Stoltzfus has been dating Lavinia Fisher, and he really wants to marry her, but he takes a bad fall off the farmhouse roof and is seriously injured.
Abe is really old fashioned and he believes a man should be able to stand on two feet and support his family.

After the fall, weather setbacks, and crop problems, Abe is unsure if they should try to make a wedding happen this wedding season.

Lavinia works in her mom’s gift shop and she knows that farm life can be uncertain but she still wants to marry, so she makes Abe an interesting proposal. The question is, will Abe agree to Lavinia’s idea?

Such a sweet story of love, problems, life, and learning to depend on God. This is A 5-star read. All opinions are my own. Pre-order yours today.

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of the book from NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing). The opinions expressed are my own.

This book was a love story between Lavinia Fisher and Abe Stoltzfus. Abe and Lavinia knew each other since grade school and they were beginning to date. Livania comes over to see Abe and witnesses him falling off of his roof. She flags down a car and has the man call 911. Lavinia is very dedicated to Abe and visits him every day in the hospital and sits by his bed. His parents are lovely and really like Lavenia. The book progresses with his recovery from the fall, returning home in a wheelchair, physical therapy to improve the muscles in his legs, and the ups and downs of their courtship.

I thought the story was very typical with many Amish words and customs in the book. I did not think there was very many exciting developments in the story which as a result earning it a four star rating.

At the end of the book there are some Amish recipes, a glossary of Amish words, and book discussion questions.

[Sherry Greene · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this book we meet Lavinia Fisher and Abe Stolzfus. We see how life circumstances can take a terrible toll on people, sometimes bringing them closer, other times keeping them apart. Just as Lavinia and Abe seem to have a blossoming relationship, Abe is involved in a serious accident. How will this affect their future if there is to be one? Will Abe recover enough to be able to be the provider he feels he should be and will he be open to letting Lavinia help support their lives together, or will they choose to go their own ways?

This is a fast-paced book that you will not want to not put down until you have read the entire book to see how all the circumstances play out. I enjoyed this book very much and highly recommend it.

I received a copy of the book from NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing). The opinions expressed are my own.

[Dali Castillo · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Lovely and Moving Story

Abe Stolzfus wants to ask Lavinia Fisher to marry him, but with all of the challenges that can affect farming, Abe worries about being able to provide for her. The situation is further complicated when Abe suffers a fall which puts him in the hospital and severely limits his mobility and ability to care for himself or the farm. This convinces him even more that he and Lavinia won't be able to marry for quite some time. Sticking to that plan will be easier said than done if Lavinia has any say in the matter.

I was deeply moved by the story right from the start. Part of that was due to Abe's feelings and frustrations associated with his limited mobility. (I know someone that suffered a similar situation and saw first hand how this can affect a person.) Although his stubbornness of resisting marriage to Lavinia frustrated me more than once, his pain and challenges drew my heart to him and helped me understand him more.

Lavinia's deep devotion and love for Abe was the other element that drew me into the story right from the start. From the moment Abe suffered his accident and throughout the story, she demonstrated how deeply she cared for him. Even when Abe had his down times, difficulties, and wasn't exactly the nicest person, Lavinia didn't waver. But, would this be enough for Abe to change his mind about Lavinia and marriage?

Abe and Lavinia's relationship isn't without its challenges, and they most surely have their work cut out for them. Their path had some bumps in the road that caused me to hold my breath as I waited and wondered how it would all turn out. However, following them as they faced the good along with their ups and downs is exactly what I loved about this lovely and moving story. In order for you to see just how their story unfolds, you'll have to read it for yourself. And I highly recommend you do just that.

***I received a copy of the book from Forever (Grand Central Publishing) via NetGalley. All opinions and comments are completely my own.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Barbara Cameron’s books are always a favorite for me. THE AMISH FARMER’S PROPOSAL is exactly why I love her writing. She give the characters flaws, strengths, fears and love of family and friends. Her storytelling has held me captive. I could not put THE AMISH FARMER’S PROPOSAL down. I had to keep reading! I had to find out what would happen next! And now, having finished this wonderful story, I find myself itching to start one of Ms. Cameron’s books from her backlist.

Abe and Lavinia have known each other since grade school and they were beginning to date. Livania comes over to see Abe and sees him falling off of his roof. She flags down a car and has the man call 911. She goes to the hospital to make sure Abe is okay. Lavinia realizes that she loves Abe and is worried their lives will never be the same. When Abe finally leaves the hospital in A wheelchair where he is afraid he is going to stay! How will this affect their future if Lavinia can’t depend on Abe? Will Abe recover enough to be able to provide for her the way he feels he should be and will he be open to letting Lavinia help support their lives together by continuing to work in the shop with her mother? To say Abe is very old fashioned is a huge understatement. Barbara Cameron has written so many previous books and after reading THE AMISH FARMER’S PROPOSAL I’m excited to discover all of them!

Will Abe and Lavinia finally be able to put their problems behind them, and be married? Barbara’s characters start to feel like friends by the time you finish reading THE AMISH FARMER’S PROPOSAL. My only complaint is that it does end too soon. I would have loved for it to have been longer so I could enjoy it more. Trust me when I say that THE AMISH FARMER’S PROPOSAL is worth your time. It’s a fantastic read and not just for those who love Amish fiction but for anyone who loves a great story! As an added bonus, there are recipes at the end of this heart tugging story!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Forever through Netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Kristina Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Amish Farmer’s Proposal by Barbara Cameron is the third A Hearts of Lancaster County Novel. Each book in the series can be read as a standalone. Abe Stolzfus falls off his roof while trying to repair it. Lavinia Fisher is pulling up to Abe’s house in her buggy when she sees him fall to the ground. Her quick thinking has her stopping a car going by to get them to call 9-1-1. Abe ends up with a broken arm and temporary paralysis. Abe had been prepared to propose to Lavinia before the accident. He puts his plans on hold while he works on his recovery. Abe wants to be able to provide for his wife and, if he is unable to walk again, he does not know how he will accomplish that task. Abe and Lavinia love each other, but they road to their happily ever after is a bumpy one. I thought The Amish Farmer’s Proposal was well-written with realistic characters. I enjoyed getting to know Abe, Lavinia, and their families. The pacing was gentle as we followed the day to day lives of the characters and Abe’s recovery. I like that Lavinia’s mother owns a store that sells local Amish handicrafts (quilts, candles, canned items, handmade rugs, carved objects, etc.). Lavinia works there and sells her rag rugs. The Amish Farmer’s Proposal is a sweet story. I like that we get to catch up with the characters from the first two books in A Hearts of Lancaster County series (Rebecca, Samuel, Gideon, and Hannah). I appreciated the epilogue that nicely wrapped up this charming tale. Faith was an important part of this story. Prayer, turning our worries over to God, and God’s plan are three of the messages imparted. I admit that I tend to fret like Lavinia. It is hard to turn it all over to God. The Amish Farmer’s Proposal is a heartwarming tale with a courting couple, an awful accident, diminishing milk prices, a contrary attitude, an incommodious misunderstanding, and a caring community.

[Michelle Rhoden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Abe and Lavinia are dating, but when an accident leaves Abe with a broken arm and unable to walk, he begins to worry about his future with Lavinia and about his dairy farm. How will he work his farm in a wheelchair and more importantly, taking his relationship with Lavinia to the next level? He hates having people wait on him and do his work and he definitely does not want Lavinia to be the sole provider should they get married. Will his stress and worry cause their relationship to struggle even more? Will his pride be his downfall with depending on the community to help pay his medical bills?

Barbara Cameron does a good job in showing how worry can take hold of a person and shake their faith, not only in God, but themselves as well. I always enjoy Barbara’s book and I recommend it.

I was given a copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher for my honest opinion and review.

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this story with all the characters that were within. The main characters were Lavinia and Abe.

Abe Stoltzfus family has a cow farm. Abe has been taking care of it since his father was diagnosed with something. While fixing the house roof, something goes wrong when coming down off the roof. He was trying to be safe and should have had someone there with him but didn't.

Lavinia is going to visit Abe at his farm. She is almost at Abe farm when she sees him on the rooftop of his house. He looks like he is coming down to the ladder to get off, but something happens. She gets out of her buggy and run to were Abe is on the ground. He doesn't look good.

This was an emotional story to read and fun, too. It had action and drama throughout. There were a few giggles within.

I received a complimentary copy via Netgalley. This is my honest, unbiased opinion.

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this gentle read from new-to-me author Barbara Cameron. It’s a positive view of Amish life as families pull together to overcome hard times. Abe is a passive dairy farmer who sometimes needs a strong nudge to see the good life right in front of him. Instead, what he gets is a tumble off his leaky roof, and the hospital bills to go with it. (Can you tell he was not my favorite character?!) Lavinia more than makes up for his pessimism as she encourages him him and persuades him to plan for a better future together. But without a couple pair of strong loving parents behind them, this story might not have had its happy ending. I could tell this book was part of an interesting series, and I wish I’d known the full background on other characters who supported this young couple in their struggles, but it can be read as a stand-alone novel. Pleasant, light reading for those who enjoy Amish fiction. I was given a complimentary copy of this book via NetGalley and was not required to post a review.

[Marianne Woolbert-Maxwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would like to thank the publisher and author for giving me the opportunity to read this book and provide a review. I love Amish fiction and have read many different authors. This is the first book I have read by Barbara Cameron. The story deals with an Amish man who sustains a severe injury. This book is like many Amish books in that it shows the wonderful aspects of the Amish life--such as the community coming together to help each other out. It also shows the strong family ties and love shared. It is very enjoyable to read and moves at a good pace. I would highly recommend it and plan to read more of her books!

[Tish · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet Amish romance story. This is the story of Abe Stoltzfus and Lavinia Fisher. Abe and Lavinia date but Abe is old fashion Amish and worries how he can provide for her. His diary farm is not doing well and other things on the farm need attention. When Abe has a accident and Lavinia is there to help Abe is worried he may not walk and that he can not make any plans in his relationship. This is a beautiful story of true love. Barbara Cameron can truly put a storyline together that makes you want to read to the book is complete.

[Ernestine Kaye Haggard · Rating 5 out of 5]

#Barbara Cameron
The Amish Framers Proposal Finds Inspiration And Love In A Long Time Friend.
Abe Stoltzfus tumbles from his roof.Lavinia Fisher his long time friend was lucky to be there to help Abe.But with his injuries ,his diary farm in danger his harvest at stakeAbe worries he well only be a burden to Lavinia.He dont know where to propose to her.Lavinia just need too convince him that real love don't need perfect timing. Love Faith ,Trust is what this book is about .Go on Abe and Lavinia journey find out what happens to them.This is a great book I reckmend you get it to day

[Sandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Received advanced copy from publisher, my opinions of this book are of my own and not influenced in any way. I really liked the story line about Abe, who becomes injured and Lavinia his helpful neighbor and friend. Both like each other but Abe's injuries make him question himself as a suitable provider. Some parts of the book dragged on and found myself skipping pages the last quarter of the book.it was eh book.

[Vicky Sluiter · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book by Barbara Cameron. She writes a good story line with interesting, well developed characters. She also describes situations and places really well, putting the reader right in the middle of them.

Abe suffers not just physical pain, but mental and emotional. Lavinia is a determined maedel and won’t let him turn away. The Amish Farmer’s Proposal is faith-filled as it teaches about trusting God, leaning on Him and others for help. I highly recommend it!

[Laurel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the third book in the Hearts of Lancaster County series. I did enjoy the book, but I'm giving it a three-star rating because it had a lot of repetition in it, and the timeline was off. In the beginning of the book, harvest is soon coming, but then a little after the middle of the book, it's like it goes back several months in time, and then it's back to being before harvest again.

[PottWab Regional Library]

E

[Sarah]

There was a split second where I thought I was going to get an actual Amish love triangle but alas it was not to be

[DianeLikesToRead · Rating 4 out of 5]

“The Amish Farmer’s Proposal” is a sweet romance by Barbara Cameron. Lavinia Fisher is dating dairy farmer Abe Stoltzfus. The relationship is progressing slowly and then Abe falls off a roof, leaving him with serious mobility issues. Lavinia is willing to work on their relationship, while Abe wants to wait to start a life together.
I want to thank the author, Forever (Grand Central Publishing) and NetGalley for a complimentary copy of the book. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Amish Farmer’s Proposal by Barbara Cameron tells the heartfelt story of Abe Stoltzfus, a devoted Amish dairy farmer who faces uncertainty about his livelihood and recovery from an injury. Despite his deep love for Lavinia Fisher, the woman he has been courting, Abe is hesitant to propose—worried he cannot provide for her the way he believes a husband should.

Abe and his family are struggling to keep their dairy farm afloat due to falling milk prices and recent harsh weather, which has damaged crops and the barn roof. In an attempt to save money, Abe tries to repair the roof himself but suffers a serious fall. Determined to wait until the farm is financially stable, Abe continues to postpone their future together.

Lavinia, a talented crafter and farmer’s daughter, witnesses Abe’s accident and worries that his hesitation is putting their relationship at risk. While she remains hopeful, she eventually grows tired of waiting—and decides to take matters into her own hands.

This is a gentle, clean romance with a straightforward plot and a cozy, small-town atmosphere. While the pacing can be slow at times, especially in sections where little happens, the story is ultimately a sweet exploration of love, faith, and perseverance. If you enjoy Amish romances centered on family values and emotional honesty, you may find this novel a comforting read.

[Clare O'Beara · Rating 5 out of 5]

A young man who runs a dairy farm - all cows grazing, milked by hand - wants to propose to his sweetheart. But then he falls off the roof during a mending job, and everything gets put on hold. This thoughtful tale looks at how the Amish community care for someone who is seriously injured, and what makes a sustainable way of life.
I enjoyed the romance and found many positive messages.
I read an e-ARC from Fresh Fiction. This is an unbiased review.