Really enjoyed this book. Easy to read. Very entertaining. Liked learning about the Amish. Loved the religious elements! ( )

This is an excellent book about the Swartzentruber Amish. Claire is an Army nurse stationed in Afghanistan. While she is trying to decide whether or not to sign up for another tour, word arrives that her grandmother is ill and she is needed at home. When she arrives, another tragedy occurs; her Swartzentruber neighbors are robbed. Abraham is dead and his pregnant wile if severely injured and near death. Levi rides to his closest neighbor for assistance and Claire rushes to the scene. Of course, the two fall in love.

This is one of the best Amish fiction books I have read. It is a great insight into the very closed society of the Swartzentruber Amish life style. ( )

When Grace Conner, a military nurse stationed in Afghanistan , receives word that her younger sister needs help at home, she returns to help. She also ends up helping a neighbor Levi with family problems and they soon realize they could easily fall for each other. However, he belongs to the Swartzentruber Amish and they both know that could never be. What prevails, love or justice??

What a really great informative story. We begin in Afghanistan with Grace Connor, a Nurse Practitioner, and was beginning to wonder what the Military had to do with an Amish Story.
She has to return home when her Grandmother has a heart attack, and help Becky, her High School, Sister.
She no sooner returns when the neighbors, members of the Swartzentruber Amish, have been shot. She goes to give help, but the father is already gone, and the Mom has been hit and is in labor. What a sad and hard turn of events for the Troyer family.
Levi who is the oldest son, becomes infatuated with Grace, and she likewise. A relationship that is doomed! This sect of Amish is so strict that that Claire is forbidden to have a relationship with her sister Rose, who has joined the Old Order Amish. You will be amazed at the facts we think we know about the Amish, but are so differed with the Swartzentrubers.
I Loved how God's hand is in the lives of these people, his Children. How the "Light" comes on! Don't miss this different and riveting story! Excellent!!

I received this book from the Publisher Simon and Schuster, Inc., and was not required to give a positive review. ( )

Grace Connor, a military nurse is debating whether to reenlist for another tour of duty when she gets an email from her seventeen year old sister Becky stating that she needs help with their grandmother Elizabeth back home in Ohio. Grace returns to her grandmothers farm, but finds that adjusting to regular life isn't so easy, but hopes a slower way of life will help. When their next door neighbor(who happens to be Amish) Levi Troyer shows up on their doorstep stating that there has been a shooting at his house Grace rushes to help, and while Levi's stepdad is dead, Grace is able to help save the life of Levi's mother an her unborn child. Levi and his family belong to the Swartzentruber sect one of the strictest there is, and Levi wonders about some of the rules his bishop dictates. A strong attraction to Grace has him evaluating his life even more but he knows if he follows his heart he will not only be lost to his family but will be destined for hell. Meanwhile Grace feels a deep attraction for Levi but knows it can never be. How can she continue to live on her grandmother's farm with him so close by? Will Grace and Levi follow their hearts or fight the attraction between them?

I can easily say this is one of the best Amish fiction novels I have ever read. Sure there is a bit of romance, but there is so many more layers to this story. First of all you have a shooting and murder take place within the first pages of the story. Second we get a very realistic look at the Swartzentruber way of life. Normally when I read an Amish novel the lifestyle is portrayed so idealistically that you feel as if they never have any problems, the lifestyle seems almost perfect. Not so with this story instead the author gives us an honest look at the harsh way of life this Amish Order lives. For most of the story my heart ached for Levi, I felt so sorry for him. The plot in this story moved along at a very brisk pace with plenty going on. There was a bit of mystery woven together with a bit of suspense to round out the story quite well.The author provided a few plot twists that made for a great ending. I for one couldn't put this story down, and because of this story found myself researching the Swartzentruber Amish. Overall a great Amish fiction story that wasn't your typical Amish fiction fare at all. I found the faith based messages woven into the story to be done very well, and actually loved the way that the author allowed Levi to describe his love for Grace, it was just wonderful! On a scale of one to five i would give this book a six because it's just that good!
I would say if your tired of reading the same old stories in Amish fiction then your going to want to read this one because the author provides a fresh, realistic perspective on the Amish storyline!

A complimentary e-copy of this book was provided by Netgalley for review purposes. ( )