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With All Her Heart–disabilities in the Amish world
With All Her Heart
by Kelly Irvin
Amish romances tend to follow the usual path of all gentle, clean romances. Romance is in the air for a couple or perhaps several. There is some type of conflict that will keep the couple apart. The problems are solved and the couples are united. That is, of course, a simplified summary and most have some serious issues that have to be resolved. In Kelly Irvin’s An Amish Calling trilogy, the author explores “the impact of the founder effect on Amish communities.” To try to obey Scripture, the Amish only marry within their faith. This small population of choices for marriage can result in rare, sometimes debilitating, diseases. Examples are Down Syndrome, spina bifida, and dwarfism. The Amish, or Plain folks as they call themselves, love “their children with physical and mental developmental disabilities with a fierceness that couldn’t be denied.” They are called “special,” integrated into family life, and ensured of care throughout their lives.
The main character in this story is Bonnie who has Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) which despite treatment causes her muscles to progressively weaken. For an Amish woman, her life goal is to marry and have children. Bonnie can physically give birth, but caring for a home and children is not something she can do on her own. Bonnie joins with two other women with disabilities to found Homespun Handicrafts to support themselves and others with disabilities who make items for sale in the store. Their Amish crafts are especially popular with English tourists.
Several other characters in the book have disabilities from a variety of causes, not just the founder effect. Elijah is very shy which is a problem for his auctioneer family. He is deathly afraid of having to “call an auction.” He would rather spend his time and talents creating toys and furniture for sale. His love for Bonnie, however, loosens his tongue and emboldens him.
The plot and characters in this story will grab your heart as the characters deal with real, unremitting problems. This book is a page turner, partly to see what will happen next, but just as much because of empathy for the characters. They struggle with the age old questions of “why me?” and faith and trust in God in a fallen world where bad things do happen to good people. There is even an important thread dealing with a widow and widower and their obligations to their children. All of these are good characters and the reader will want God’s best for them.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Rating: 5/5
Category: Christian, Romance, Religion
Notes: 1. This series has three novels that all deal with disabilities. The author, herself, has a disability and she says that “each book took me deeper into self-examination of my own life as a person living with disability and disease, while delving into how others perceive these issues—both Amish and non-Amish folks.” She tries to do this with sensitivity to the many issues encompassed in the book. This is the third book, but they can all be standalones. I read the first one and now this one. Do not be intimidated by the list of characters at the beginning. I used the glossary of Pennsylvania Dutch terms more than I did the list of characters.
2. There are discussion questions at the end of the book.
Publication: January 28, 2025—Zondervan
Memorable Lines:
The shop gave Plain folks like herself, with disabilities, a way to earn their keep when traditional Plain tasks couldn’t be accomplished. More importantly it gave them a sense of self-worth, a sense that they contributed just as their abled family members did.
“Everybody has disabilities. Some show. Some don’t. I think Gott allows them so we don’t get too uppity for our own gut. Like the verse says, so no one can boast. In our weakness Gott is strong.”
“Sometimes there are disabilities more limiting than the physical. They’re disabilities we create ourselves by doubting that we can have the full lives others around us have.”
The Good Luck Cafe
The Good Luck Cafe
by Annie Rains
Moira has been hurt—badly. So devastatingly, that she has never shared what happened to her and how she reacted with anyone. Even Gil, who rescued her, only knows part of the story. Now he is town mayor and one of the nicest people in town. Except he has not stopped the town council’s plans to demolish her mother’s coffee shop on the main street through town and replace it with a parking lot. Everyone agrees that it will be sad to lose Sweetie’s Bakeshop, but the driving and parking situation in town has become dangerous.
Gil has always been attracted to Moira, but she pushes him away because of her secret and her concern that her mother will lose the business she loves. Moira is a dispatcher for the town’s 911 emergency services, works from home, and loves her job. Gil has done a good job as mayor. He is also a great big brother to his brother Doug who has Down syndrome. Goldie, Gil’s golden retriever, adds fun to the story.
Around this basic plot, Annie Rains creates and develops some great characters in The Good Luck Cafe. There is a lot of tension over the parking lot controversy, the upcoming mayoral election, and the relationship of Moira and Gil. Denise, Gil’s high school nemesis, decides to stir up trouble. Also, Doug wants to move out on his own and solicits Gil’s help in persuading their parents to allow it while his mother wants Gil to convince Doug to continue to live at home.
All through the book you will find a heartwarming story and a clean romance. Both Moira and Gil have a support group of friends. Moira meets with her Book Club on Thursday nights and the associated men meet at the local tavern to enjoy each other’s company along with some friendly teasing. Most of them go way back as friends.
This is my second book in the Somerset Lake Series. If the next book were available, I would have followed up with an immediate read of it after The Good Luck Cafe. I will just have to be satisfied that there are two more books in the series that I can go back and pick up.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Rating: 5/5
Category: Romance
Notes: 1. #4 in the Somerset Lake Series, but can definitely be read as a standalone.
2. Although it is a clean and fun romance, it does address a few serious topics which I will not list because they would be spoilers.
3. I was simultaneously reading a book for my book club, but I read several chapters of this every day to keep the story going.
Publication: March 14, 2023—Forever (Grand Central Publishing)
Memorable Lines:
When Doug was growing up, it had seemed like acquiring every new skill was a challenge. Doug never gave up though. He wasn’t a quitter. Gil had learned everything he knew about perseverance from his brother.
“Trust me, when you feel like you want to be alone you really need to be with the people who love you.”
“Relationships are hard, and they can be messy, but sometimes the things that complicate our lives are the things that make life worth living.”
The Brides of the Big Valley: Three Romances from a Unique Pennsylvania Amish Community
The Brides of the Big Valley: Three Romances from a Unique Pennsylvania Amish Community
by Wanda E. Brunstetter, Jean B. Brunstetter and Richelle B. Brunstetter
Three different Brunstetter authors have combined to create three equally good short Amish romances all set in Big Valley located in Mifflin County. The Amish situation that is unique in this area is that in the 1840’s the congregation broke into three groups based on beliefs, customs, and later the colors on the tops of their horse drawn buggies.
Deanna’s Determination by Wanda E. Brunstetter tells the story of Deanna Speicher, a young Amish widow with a sweet little boy who has Down syndrome. She lives with her father and contributes to their support by creating quilted goods to sell at the local flea market. Her deceased husband’s best friend, Elmer, is the romantic interest in this story until tragedy strikes again. Will Deanna and Elmer’s love survive the new crisis?
In Rose Mary’s Resolve, by Jean B. Brunstetter, we are introduced to a family that was mentioned in the first story, the Rennos, who own a furniture company. With older sister Linda getting married, Rose Mary is learning the ins and outs of the show room so she can help in the family business. Romance is in the air as Tom Yoder courts Rose Mary, but problems arise as Tom thinks of going Englisch and pressures Rose Mary on all of their decisions. Meanwhile Kevin literally drops out of the sky as he crash lands in the Renno field and develops an interest in Rose Mary and the Amish way. Will Rose Mary stay true to God and her family customs?
Leila’s Longing by Richelle Brunstetter is the story of Leila Fisher, a shy young lady who was bullied at school when she was younger and now carries the emotional scars of those experiences. She is a gifted artist, creating sketches and making greeting cards and selling them. Will her new friends Aden and his sister Sue and her new employee Mollie be able to help her emerge from her reclusiveness? Will anyone ever want to court her?
The Brides of the Big Valley is comprised of three novellas, gentle stories combined to make an interesting tale for a calm afternoon’s reading. The characters are likable and the plots are not overly predictable. God and faith are an important part of these tales.
I would like to extend my thanks to netgalley.com and to Barbour Publishing (Shiloh Run Press) for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
Rating: 4/5
Category: Christian Fiction, Romance
Publication: June 1, 2019— Barbour Publishing (Shiloh Run Press)
Memorable Lines:
I bet Rose Mary would say anything is possible with the Lord’s help. But can He truly help me through my relationship with Dad, by repairing the bridge across the chasm that exists between us?
She’d been too trusting of others when she was young, which caused her to be suspicious of disloyalty. No matter how nice she was to others, she didn’t receive kindness in return. That was why it was easier for her to not even try.
When life gets at its worst or drags us down, reading God’s Word provides guidance on good living.”
Back to McGuffey’s–over the years
Back to McGuffey’s
by Liz Flaherty
From Harlequin’s Heartwarming books comes Back to McGuffey’s by Liz Flaherty. This was my first in this genre of books, and it lived up to expectations. If you are interested in a steamy romance where the characters jump from shaking hands to bouncing in the bed, you will be disappointed. If, however, you want to focus on relationships and emotional needs, then Back to McGuffey’s fits the bill.
Kate Rafael is in her late thirties and hears her biological clock ticking. Ben McGuffey, having broken up with Kate, his longtime sweetheart, thirteen years earlier, still has feelings for her. Kate has lost both her house (to a fire) and her job. She is caught at a crossroads as she want to find a direction she can be passionate about. By the end of the book you will feel like you know the McGuffey family intimately, maybe wishing you could be a part of the Irish-rooted clan and their pub.
The characters are well-developed and interesting. I especially enjoyed the side story of Jayson, a young man with Down syndrome being cared for by his sister and the impact he has on others in the book. Another character whose story is gradually revealed is Mrs. Hylton-Wise, a harsh woman, secretive about her past.
I liked the book and was prepared to rate it as a four star book. I was so impressed, however, with the surprise ending that my rating jumped to five stars. After providing an adrenaline rush, the author wraps things up nicely for the McGuffeys and for the reader.
I would like to extend my thanks to blogger Laurie at cozynookbks.wordpress.com, author Liz Flaherty, and Harlequin for providing this book to me in a giveaway with no expectations at all.
Rating: 5/5
Category: Romance
Publication: 2014—Harlequin
Memorable Lines:
Kate joined her, feeling useless—this woman was crying and there was nothing she could do but listen to the splintery sound of heartbreak.
He was hard on one’s patience. But he was loving and kind and he felt things with every bit as much intensity as someone who didn’t have Down syndrome.
The question caught him unaware, a condition he thought he might as well get used to because it was happening all the time.
education pathways 