Sarah

by Sylvia Price

Welcome to Morrissey County! This fictional region in Pennsylvania Amish country is home to several generations of strong-willed Amish women who know what they want in life, even if others disagree. Join these women on their search for love and acceptance.

Morrissey County, 1979

Sarah Kauffman has always abided by the Ordnung, and not only because her father happens to be the town’s bishop and would, she feels, disown her if she didn’t. But when her mother passes away, she longs to escape the clutches of her father and run away to the Englisch world. When her father wants her to marry someone she doesn’t love, Sarah becomes even more desperate to leave.

Jacob Renno, on the other hand, is happy with life on his farm. It keeps him so busy that the older bachelor has no time for love, but on lonely nights, he finds himself longing for a companion.

When Sarah and Jacob meet, there’s an instant connection, but things get complicated. Jacob offers to help Sarah with her dilemma, but Bishop Kaufmann insists that she obey his wishes. Will Sarah run off to join the Englisch, or will the handsome farmer give her pause? Will her father disown her or give her his blessing? Find out in this sweet Amish romance as you become immersed in the lives of these Morrissey County residents.

Sarah is the prequel to the Amish of Morrissey County series. Each book is a stand-alone read, but to make the most of the series, you should consider reading them in order.

Genres: Amish

105 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 19, 2022

About the author

Now an Amazon bestselling author, Sylvia Price is an author of Amish and contemporary romance and women’s fiction. She especially loves writing uplifting stories about second chances!

Sylvia was inspired to write about the Amish as a result of the enduring legacy of Mennonite missionaries in her life. While living with them for three weeks, they got her a library card and encouraged her to start reading to cope with the loss of television and radio, giving Sylvia a new-found appreciation for books.

Although raised in the cosmopolitan city of Montréal, Sylvia spent her adolescent and young adult years in Nova Scotia, and the beautiful countryside landscapes and ocean views serve as the backdrop to her contemporary novels.

After meeting and falling in love with an American while living abroad, Sylvia now resides in the US. She spends her days writing, hoping to inspire the next generation to read more stories. When she’s not writing, Sylvia stays busy making sure her three young children are alive and well-fed.

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Reviews

[Lori Jahner Mohre · Rating 5 out of 5]

I highly recommend this book!!! I felt like a lot us could relate to Sarah. I loved Sarah's and Jacob's story, it was really sweet. I always appreciate a clean storyline that is well written. This was an easy read that went to fast 💕

[Maria Fledgling Author Park · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Sure and Certain Love

Sarah is the Bishop's daughter and she's just now 20 years old. She dreams of leaving her community, the g'may, for the freedom of the Englischer's world.

Since losing her Maem several years ago, Sarah's father has been so rigid and controlling, she feels like an orphan. Most evenings, Sarah can be found by the cemetery, crying and spilling her sorrows to her mother.

The talk around the people is that Sarah wants to leave the g'may and go to find out what the other world has to offer. Sarah's father makes it abundantly clear that no dochder of his will ever leave.

One evening, after a particularly frustrating day with her father, Sarah is surprised in her grief by an older bachelor man, Jacob Renno. He listens to her troubles with gentle care and unusual empathy and they are soon fast friends.

What will happen to Sarah's dreams of leaving? Will the Bishop keep insisting Sarah marry their neighbor, Ivan? How will Jacob Renno fit in with the plans of their family? I hope you'll read this touching story and find out for yourself.

[Alice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Knowing what was in her heart, Sarah became quite a stubborn daughter for her father to put up with. He was determined to see her married to the ‘boy next door’ and she was determined to marry someone she loved. I think she is just as stubborn as her father is.
This one will make you chuckle out loud.

[Tracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I highly recommend this book!! I felt like I could put myself in Sarah's shoes at times. The story between her and Jacob was so sweet. I couldn't put put the book down once I started, so I read the whole thing in one sitting!!!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[JoAnne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sarah is a heartwarming story of finding love where and when least expecting it. She is Amish and the bishop's daughter but has no desire to marry anyone in their area. Her father keeps trying to get her to decide to marry or he will force the issue but she'd rather live with the Englisch than pick someone she already knows. She and her father are trying to best each other at their own game.

When Sarah's path crosses with Jacob at the cemetery where she's visiting her mom's grave and pouring her heart out she comes up with a plan to divert her father's attention on her being single. She and her father seem to always want to one up each other, but it's not working out how either of them have planned, or is it? Jacob, having lost his parents five years before, understands her grief.

A sweet story especially when the characters are on the same page moving forward. There was even some romance. I loved the ending but am happy to know this is just the beginning of a new series by Ms. Price. I look forward to reading more!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a special delight. I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was a little different than most of her books but just as good, if not more so. I found myself ‘wishing’ for a life like Sarah’s!
It started off with Sarah’s struggles and emotions dealing with her father’s strong personality and outspoken wants/ demands. It quickly moved into a new opportunity for her to brighten her emotions and life… meeting a new person. Jacob was a very caring man who also needed a special someone in his life but had never found one. Surprise! They met in a cemetery… Read it. I don’t want to add any spoilers. Instead I prefer to entice you. This author is one of the best fiction writers and her books are easy to read. She truly cares about the presentation of her work as well as the content so there are not like many books nowadays that you have to overlook typos (which I feel distract from the content if there are many.)

I did receive an advance readers copy, requesting an honest review and you have just read mine. Find relax time… and read this book… enjoy.

[J. Gilmour · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advance reader copy of Sarah (The Amish of Morrissey County Prequel) by the author.

Sarah is a young Amish woman who wants to leave her Amish community to experience the English world. She wants to get away from her father's strict rules and expectations. She wants to marry for love, not to marry a man that her father chooses for her.

Jacob Renno lost both of his parents. He misses them very much. He shows concern for Sarah when she shares her problem with him. They develop a relationship and agree to see each other. After spending more time with Jacob, she decides that she wants to marry him. She does not want to leave the Amish community. She feels a sense of peace with Jacob that she has not felt with anyone else.

I enjoyed how the plot developed and the outcome of the story.

[Megann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sarah is miserable. Her mother and supporter has passed and her father, who is the bishop, has decided that she has to marry her neighbor Ivan. Unfortunately, he is just like her father, and she can't tolerate either of them.
While at her mother's grave God has her prince charming (Jacob) arrives and starts talking with her. He agrees to pretend to be interested in her in order for her father to decide that Ivan is not the right choice, and that Sarah should be able to pick her own husband.
But God has other ideas and through a series of events he sees that Jacob and Sarah start to have real feelings for each other. Will her father believe in their love or continue with Ivan as her suiter?.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Phyllis Rundell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a sweet and heart rendering story of Sarah, a young Amish woman who feels stifled by her father's position as bishop and his demands she marry a man he has chosen despite the fact that she does not love him. She has thoughts of running away and leaving the Amish way of living. Then she meets Jacob, an unmarried Amish man, who listens to her problems and offers to help her. As they meet, feelings begin to grow between them and then the dilemma becomes will her father ever accept the fact that she does not want to marry the man he has chosen for her? Will her father ever accept Jacob? Will Jacob and Sarah have their own HEA? Be sure and read this prequel to the series; I know you will enjoy it as much as I did.

[Evelyn Foreman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having lost her mother, Sarah had entered adulthood with just her father, the bishop, and a very strict one at that! Determined to see her married, he constantly pressured her, going even as far as setting her up with Ivan, a nextdoor neighbor. But after meeting Jacob, Sarah had different ideas and tried hard to convince her father, hoping to succeed in changing his mind. But would it work? You’ll want to read and see the ending for yourself! A well written book and my first by this author, however definitely not my last! I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Joy Wolfe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a heartwarming story! Sara Kauffman is the Bishop’s daughter and has lived obediently by his rules. Her mother has passed away, and her father is determined to marry her off before she becomes an old maid. Sara wants to marry for love…not be forced to marry someone for the sake of being married. Should she leave Morrissey County and follow the English ways or be obedient to her father and live in a loveless marriage? I highly recommend this short story. It will keep you reading until the end to Sara finds the true happiness she desires.

[Jenni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sarah had lived by her fathers rules but when her mother pases and her father the Bishop wants her to marry a man she doesn't love, will she finaly up and leave the only home she's knows? Jacob is a farmer, a confirmed bachelor happy with his life, but finds it a bit lonely. When Sarah and Jacob meet is this the start of something freeing for the both of them? Well written amish romance, thebstory holds your attention as the characters draw you in.

[MaryEllen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my voluntary review of a copy I received from Booksprout.co.
Good story

The story is well written and I enjoyed the dialogue.
The couple fall in love in a few hours based on not noticing their own grief while in each other's company, which seems to be a first for each of them.
The bishop was not shown to be harsh, but he sure was stubborn! I guess he got his way, but the way he planned.

[Rhonda Sledge · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a quick read to introduce the characters of the series. There was conflict between Sarah and her father as well as with the neighbor her father wanted her to marry. The relationship between Sarah and Jacob seemed to bloom rather quickly. I can't imagine declaring my love and announcing that I want to marry someone after only meeting a couple of times but I assume that's because I'm not Amish.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Ruby Hanson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sarah knew what or who she was waiting for.

jhrh72@windstream.net! Sarah was so distraught over her losses that she wasn't sure where she belonged. But, as soon as she met the one that God had sent her she was ready to submit to His will for her life. Isn't that how we all feel at times? Like we aren't sure if we are doing what God had for us to do and accomplish for His glory. I really enjoyed reading this short story, and can't wait for the next one that I can read!!

[Debra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Morrissey County will draw you into its folds and keep you in the Amish community that resides there. Sarah is a character that will capture your heart and you will not put this book down until your are finished. Sit back, relax, light a candle and enjoy your trip to Morrissey County....just remember to come home!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Linnea · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a free book but this is my true feelings about this story! This was a new type of story that I loved from the first chapter. It is about Sarah and her struggles with the loss of her mother.
And an insight on the Amish ways. The second Chapter the man's story begins. Only to meet each other. Both have lost something that had great meaning to them. It is a unique and well written story. Kept me interested to the end.

[Malgorzata · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sarah, the daughter of Amish Bishop, despite having 20 years, still doesn't have a husband and doesn't seem to look for one. Her father wants to marry her to their neighbour's son but Sarah is against it. She was thinking about joining Englischer. And then one day she meet Jacob Renno who become her friend. Would he be able to persuade Sarah to stay in Amish community? Grab this lovely book and find out

[Van · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book, yes it brings one into the County where these people are living. Bringing to life even the farm grounds and the building, even the buggies they use. Thank you so much for such realness in your writings. Growing up in the state of Ohio country not far from Amish i do so enjoy reading their ways. We outside of their communities do also believe in God and look to him each day for the way to live. Again thank you.

[Trina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Have not read anything before featuring the Amish, so found this interesting. Loved that the female chooses who she will marry. As it was such a quick read there was not a lot of descriptions. Would be interested to read more set in this location.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sophie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this prequel. Sarah and Jacob were wonderful characters. They felt so real. I loved how they had a friendship where they supported each other and it led to love. I admired their faith in gd. I did not a first like Sarah's father but he is likable in the end.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Pamela Mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sarah is a lovely and inspirational romance and a beautiful start to the Amish of Morrissey County series and I enjoyed every minute of this quick read. I loved the sweet and tender romance between Sarah who is the Bishop's daughter and farmer Jacob Renno. Ms. Price never disappoints whatsoever and anyone who enjoys Amish romance should plan to read this book

[Ron Curl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sarah, by Sylvia Price is a prequel to her new series on the Amish of Morrissey County. It is a great introduction to what I look forward to as a series. As a romance that starts with their meeting in a cemetery Sarah and Jacob discover that they have a lot in common. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

[Shirley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book tells us about Sarah, the bishops daughter and Jacob, an older bachelor who are missing something in their lives. They meet in an unusual place. The story tells about the trials they meet. I really enjoyed reading this book and look forward to reading more about the people of Morrissey County.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Donna Bagby · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story of Sarah, a young unmarried adult Amish woman, who has not one by two dilemmas. One is a restless and indecisive spirit and the other is being the Bishop's daugther. (Need I say more?).
The story was predictable for me although it still had me guessing as to all Sarah would have to go through to be content.
Recommend to all who enjoy Amish/Mennonite stories.

[Maureen Coutts · Rating 4 out of 5]

The right husband for Sarah

This is very moving story of a young woman struggling with her need to obey her father who wants her to marry the neighbors son. Sarah is still mourning her mother and does not want to marry someone so very wrong for her but there's no one else, until she meets Jacob.

[Marta Aldrighetti · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sarah, bishop Kauffman daughter, is curios about English life, customs.
"Sarah yearned for a life unbound and unbridled by rules and hierarchy, and the weight of expectations".
nice prequel, I'm looking forward to read the full serie!

[Julie Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a romantic and inspiring story. Definitely left me wanting more and will go back and read more from this author.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Mary A. Lopp · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading the story about Sarah. I like the Amish books. Sarah was a young girl and her mother had died. While at the cemetery she met a young man but her dad was wanting her to marry the neighbor boy. I recommend this book.

[Rita Dail · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sarah

This was a sweet story of two people finding each other to form a marriage relationship after knowing each other for a week. The bishop was sort of mean and lacked understanding to be a bishop.