I dove into The Amish Widow’s Rescue while out camping. Two pages in, distraction came, four pages in more distraction, and again they tried six pages in. What could possibly be pulling this book worm away from a good book? The distraction came in the form of darling little boys wanting to show me how high their kite could fly or one of their special beach treasures. However, there was no way that by page twelve anything could distract me. I was riveted. Author Rachel Good created an engaging story from the moment the book began and didn’t loose me even as I closed the book, in fact Good left me wanting more. It is the third book in the series but I read it as a stand alone novel. It can totally be read on it’s own but the story was so great I’ll be snagging the others in the series to read as well.
I love that both Elijah and Grace have moments of confidence and knowing how they feel or what the “next right step” should be and in the next breath can feel lost, unsure, or question what to do next. I appreciate that they both have strong faith; but that as they experience the world they come to different conclusions, grow, and change. Watching Grace’s rescue unfold tapped into my love of a good “love story,” but also had moments where I was frustrated with characters, where life had brought them or to a place where I got hung up in the feelings of one character only to have the feelings of another change my mind.
Good did a fantastic job of weaving an interesting story, staying true to Amish culture and faith, but also incorporating the realities of living in a modern world. Sometimes these two worlds that actually do co-exist are hard to incorporate into one story or to do justice to each while laying them out alongside such an opposing reality. With such staggeringly different values, systems, and realities the “Englisch” and “Amish” worlds are so different and yet do co-exist, Good did a fantastic job of exploring how one impacts the other and diving into how each effects it’s inhabitants. I hope you’ll grab a copy of The Amish Widow’s Rescue, it’s a quick, engaging read that also challenged me in my faith and life.
Thanks to Celebrate Lit Bloggers for my copy of the book. All opinions shared here are my own.
About the Book
Book: The Amish Widow’s Rescue
Author: Rachel J Good
Genre: Amish Romance
Release Date: May 28, 2019
The perfect family awaits…if only he’ll risk his heart.
Pregnant and recently widowed, Grace Fisher is determined to provide for her family on her own. Thankfully, her jam business is popular in her Amish community. But it’s difficult keeping up with her work, her farm chores, and her two mischievous children. Especially now that they’ve taken to idolizing their neighbor Elijah. While the handsome farmer is kind and generous, he seems intent on holding Grace and her little ones at a distance…
Elijah Beiler has always admired his neighbor Grace. So standing by while she struggles to support her family isn’t an option. Offering to take over her farm duties, Elijah is determined to help while remaining detached. He knows all too well that love only leads to heartbreak. Yet the more time he spends with Grace and her children, the harder he finds it to leave each day. But can Elijah overcome past hurts and open his heart to this ready-made family?
”A beautiful story of forgiveness and second chances.” -Shelley Shepard Gray, New York Timesbestselling author, on The Amish Teacher’s Gift
Click here to purchase your copy.
About the Author
Rachel J. Good writes life-changing, heart-tugging novels of faith, hope, and forgiveness. The bestselling author of several Amish romance series, she grew up near Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, the setting for many of her stories. Striving to be as authentic as possible, she spends time with her Amish friends, doing chores on their farms and attending family events. Rachel has more than 40 books in print or forthcoming for both children and adults under several pen names. Find out more about Rachel and her books at her website and by signing up for her newsletter.
Rachel’s Amish series include Sisters & Friends (Charisma House & Harlequin), Love & Promises (Hachette/Grand Central), Hearts of Amish Country (Annie’s Book Club), and the forthcoming Unexpected Amish Blessings and Surprised by Love series (Kensington). She also has several anthologies in print as well as the Amish Quilts Coloring Book.
More from Rachel
The story idea for The Amish Widow’s Secret came to me after I’d just finished reading stories to my Amish friend’s children to give her a little break. She was expecting a new baby, and while we sat in their kitchen enjoying a snack, her husband came in.
The tenderness in his eyes as they talked made my eyes well with tears. It was obvious how much they loved each other, and they both supported each other. A perfect companionship. Not everyone gets to experience that bond, that caring.
It made me wonder what she’d do without him, and the seeds of a story was born. I decided to explore how a widow would cope with a pregnancy and two children alone. In the Amish community, of course, no one is ever left on their own. Everyone chips in to help.
So, what if the handsome and reclusive bachelor next door felt obligated to help, but wanted to avoid getting involved? Would he eventually soften his heart toward children and love?
As I wrote, I wondered if Elijah Beiler could get over a previous heartbreak. He needed to face his past before he moved forward, so I gave him that opportunity. A surprise visit and unwelcome news force Elijah to rethink everything he believes about parenting and love. And about the person who destroyed his world. He also needs to face the bitterness he’s been harboring.
Sometimes learning more about the circumstances or reasons of the person who has hurt us causes us to see the whole situation in a new light, making it easier to let go of the hurt. That’s what happens to Elijah.
I hope his journey will encourage readers to consider the places in their lives where they’ve been holding onto pain and reevaluate those experiences in the light of God’s forgiveness and love. To write this story, I needed to do that too.
Blog Stops
Quiet Quilter, May 28
A Reader’s Brain, May 28
Maureen’s Musings, May 29
Through the Lens of Scripture, May 29
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 29
Among the Reads, May 30
The Avid Reader, May 30
janicesbookreviews, May 30
Emily Yager, May 31
Lighthouse Academy, May 31
Bigreadersite, June 1
THE BECCA FILES, June 1
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, June 1
Carla Loves To Read, June 2
Random Thoughts From a Bookworm, June 2
Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, June 3
D’S QUILTS & BOOKS, June 3
Vicky Sluiter, June 3
For Him and My Family, June 4
Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, June 4
Inspiration Clothesline, June 4
Miss Tina’s Amish Book Review, June 5
For the Love of Literature, June 5
Jeanette’s Thoughts, June 6
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, June 6
Retrospective Spines, June 7
Locks, Hooks and Books, June 7
Mary Hake, June 8
Inklings and notions, June 8
Pause for Tales, June 8
EmpowerMoms, June 9
Texas Book-aholic, June 9
Genesis 5020, June 10
Little Homeschool on the Prairie, June 10
Giveaway
To celebrate her tour, Rachel is giving away a grand prize of autographed copies of The Amish Midwife’s Secret and Big-City Amish, a copy of an Amish cookbook, and an authentic Amish headscarf!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter. https://promosimple.com/ps/e2ab/the-amish-widow-s-rescue-celebration-tour-giveaway
