A beautifully written story filled with love, knowing who you are and embracing your family. It also reminds us that our days are in God's hands.
Abigail is torn between two familes: her biological parents and her adoptive parents. She tries to live with one foot in each but she must decide where she truly belongs. A definite must read! ( )

I really liked the storyline and thought the author did an amazing job of showing readers how we will sometimes be tested in our faith. I was taken by surprise when Abigail learns she was adopted twenty years ago. There are so many thoughts running through her mind as she tries to understand that her life is forever changed. What would you do if you suddenly found out that you were adopted? Abigail is in turmoil facing her biological mother while trying to hold her emotions in check. You can tell that she has this curiosity about this woman who says she gave birth to her. I think Abigail feels a little betrayed and lied to by her parents. It must have been hard for them to keep this secret for so long. The author lets us see Abigail struggling with what the right thing is to do. Should she go see this other family she never knew existed? How will it affect the only family she has ever known? Will it cause friction in her relationship with Owen?

Owen had this wandering spirit about him. He likes working with his father but he is restless and has this dream to farm. He can feel the soil in his hands and picture the crops as they grow. His heart is not fulfilled and he knows he must follow God’s direction. His talk with Abigail about her situation was hard but I thought he gave her wise advice. As much as he wants to tell her to stay, he has to let her go to find out where God wants her. Owen is very mature in his thinking but deep down there is pain and a yearning to have a family.

The mention of sunflowers in the story made me smile. My favorites flowers are daisies and sunflowers. When I would visit my granddad on his farm every summer I was surrounded by sunflowers. It felt like they were smiling at me as they stood tall and beautiful. I learned through the story that they are used for oil and birdseed. It doesn’t take much space to grow them and they are good for the land. I appreciate the author doing her research to give readers an idea of how to grow sunflowers and how they are profitable, Owen wants to have a sunflower crop but his dad doesn’t think it will be enough to support himself and a family.

This may seem strange to those who have read the book, but I really liked Eric who is Abigail’s biological dad. He has a good head on his shoulders and wanted to make sure Abigail knew he wanted to keep her and regrets their decision. If I was Abigail I would be feeling a little more secure knowing that I was wanted. When he tells her that they will slow down getting to know her I applauded him. As they discuss the past he says , “Or maybe we had to go through trials in order to find our way back to each other.” Well that stopped me in my tracks. Just think of all the trials you have been through. Did they lead you back to where you were meant to be?

The author showed me what it was like to believe in yourself and not be afraid to step out of your comfort zone. Abigail is an inspiration for all those who don’t feel like they fit in. We have to go through trials sometimes to discover where God wants us to be planted. I loved how the story takes us through second chances, patience, being content with who you are and forgiving even when it is hard.

“A faith not tested would be weak faith.”

I received a copy of this book from the author and publisher. The review is my own opinion. ( )

Author Kelly Irvin gives us a very different Amish story, a girl with now two families, birth parents and adopted parents. One set Amish, they raised her to be be the young women she is when we meet her, and now another set that want to pull her into their lives, and we are there to see how this turmoil resolves!

Can't imagine finding out or the first time at the age of twenty that you were adopted, yes, they should have told her sooner, but that chance goes away when the birth mother shows up at their door!

All the while reading this you wonder, she has values, but will she totally embrace the life of a non-Amish woman? So many new things, and she is encouraged to try so many different and unknown devices, clothes, lifestyles!

Will the new young man turn her head and make her stay, or the life she has know and they young man there make her return? We page turn for answers!

I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Zondervan, and was not required to give a positive review. ( )

The Warmth of Sunshine by Kelly Irvin is a touching Amish tale. Abigail Bontrager has her life turned upside down when she learns that she was adopted. Her birth mother, Heather shows up at the family farm wanting to get to know Abigail. Abigail is confused and no longer knows who she is. Abigail decides to visit her birth mother and siblings in Abilene to see if it can provide clarity. Abigail hopes that God will lead her down the right path. I thought The Warmth of Sunshine was well-written with developed characters. I like Kelly Irvin’s engaging writing style. I was drawn into the story and just wanted to keep reading. I cannot imagine what Abigail was feeling after discovering that she was adopted. She has always felt like she did not fit in since she struggles to accomplish the normal female tasks (cooking, baking, etc.). Abigail’s cookies could break a tooth. I thought the author did a wonderful job at portraying Abigail’s emotional and her mental state after this revelation. We also meet Owen who has been courting Abigail. He works for his father’s metal shed construction company, but Owen prefers farming. He wants to grow sunflowers as a cash crop on his father’s land, but Owen’s father is not keen on the idea. When Abigail departs for Abilene, Owen is left wondering if she will return to Haven. Owen’s father is also courting a local widow. It looks like he will be proposing soon which means a new stepmother and five new siblings. The story is told from Abigail and Owen’s point-of-view in alternating chapters. I found the pacing to be a little on the slow side as Abigail decides what to do and then visits her birth mother. There are good life lessons in the story. Everything happens for a reason. God has a plan that will unfold according to His schedule (not ours). The Warmth of Sunshine is a story about hope, love, family, friendship, and faith. It is the second book in the Amish Blessings series, but it can be read as a standalone. The Warmth of Sunshine is a poignant Amish tale with an unexpected announcement, baffling feelings, bewildering birth family, crop conundrum, displeased parents, and a gracious God. ( )