Living in Harmony

Harmony, Maine. As wonderful as the name sounds, it hasn't been the ideal picture of a perfect life since moving here from Lancaster, Pennsylvania for Amy and Nora King. Since a tragic fire that claimed the lives of their parents, Amy and Nora have decided to head north with John Detweiler, Amy's fiance in search of a new opportunities and a future with another Amish community just being established.

However when they arrive, Amy and John soon learn that their plans to marry may have to wait until their Bishop in Maine declares that they have met all the requirements of this new more strict Amish Order. Since they have both been baptized since moving to Maine it makes it a little easier, but not much. In addition, Amy was hoping to get a job to help them save enough money to purchase land and a home but soon finds out that is forbidden. So they will need to stay with John's brother, Thomas and his wife, Sally a little bit longer. They also learn that there is no opportunities for singings, social outings or rides in a courting buggy because that, too is forbidden.

The hardest challenge is for Nora, who is twenty and was in the midst of her rumspringa in Lancaster, soon finds out there rumspringa is forbidden in the new community of Harmony. Not only that but she has to make all new clothes to wear because the bright colors of her dresses are forbidden. So she must now wear black, brown or a dark navy blue instead. She also learns that since there isn't any social gatherings her prospects of finding a husband in this new community are going to be pretty limited. She wonders if perhaps she shouldn't reconsider about moving back home to Lancaster to stay with her grandparents like her other two sisters. Is there a way to find true harmony in Harmony?



I received Living in Harmony be Mary Ellis compliments of Harvest House Publishers and Christian Fiction Blog Alliance for my honest review and found this to be a surprising twist to most Amish stories. Normally it's difficult for an English reader to understand the harsh restrictions placed on Amish people based on their religious beliefs but in this novel, it is the Amish from one community that soon realize how difficult it is sometimes to make changes and live by more strict requirements. I found this novel refreshing in that it offered that unique perspective and as the character of Amy King grows in her awareness of just what this move has meant to not only her sister, but to her as well, will she realize that perhaps John may not be the man she believed he was before leaving Lancaster. I rate this one a 5 out of 5 stars. For those of you that love Amish romantic fiction, you'll want to pick this one up. This is the first book in the New Beginnings Series and I can't wait for more!

For more information about Living in Harmony, Mary Ellis or where to pick up a copy of this book today, please click on the links below:

Living in Harmony by Mary Ellis

You can also check out more reviews on Living in Harmony from the book tour at Christian Fiction Blog Alliance.

You can also find Mary Ellis on Facebook by clicking here.

Abigail's New Hope

One thing that Abigail Graber never expected in all her years as an Amish midwife was to find police cars at her home. Thinking the worst when she arrived home, she was relived that it wasn't about her two children. Yet when the Sheriff explained that he was here to arrest Abigail for the recent death of Ruth Fisher who died in childbirth, while Abigail was delivering her baby.

To say she was more than shocked would be an understatement. Learning that the charges against her involve two felonies, she isn't sure what she will do. She writes a letter to her sister Catherine explaining the situation and asking if she can come to assist her husband, Daniel and care for the children.

Not sure how long that she will have to stay until Abigail goes to court, Catherine takes on the difficult responsibilities of caring for her niece and nephew as well as Daniel who is handling the situation with his wife as well as he can. What Catherine doesn't expect is to discover Daniel's reclusive cousin, Isaiah who is deaf. When she begins to reach out to him through discovering his world, she begins to see things through God's eyes and she changes in the process and finds love.

I received the book Abigail's New Hope by Mary Ellis compliments of Christian Fiction Blog Alliance for my honest review. I love this book in the ways it shares so many storied in one book. There is the persecution of Abigail and the walk of her faith in all areas of her life while being in jail. She ministers to those around her and even though her husband begins to question his own faith, Abigail's love for God comes shining through. This is the story of how much our own faith can be called in question and shows how God's presence will endure no matter what the cost.

This book is part of the Wayne County Series and I look forward to reading them all. This book was a breath of fresh air and taught me that our walk of faith may not be easy but is well worth it. I rate this book a 5 out of 5 stars. This book is available in paperback and eBook formats.

Here is even more incredible information about this book, the author and even a sneak peek.

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Abigail's New Hope Harvest House Publishers (April 1, 2011) by Mary Ellis
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

A word from the author:I grew up close to the eastern Ohio Amish community of Geauga County, where my parents often took me to farmers’ markets and woodworking fairs. My husband and I now live within the largest population of Amish in the country–a four-county area in central Ohio. We love to take weekend getaways to purchase farm produce and other goodies, stay with Amish families in bed and breakfasts, attend country auctions and enjoy the simpler way of life.

This is my first series of novels set in the Amish community.

I would love to hear from readers of Christian novels. Please leave me a post at my blogsite.

ABOUT THE BOOK

As an Amish midwife, Abigail Graber loves bringing babies into the world. But when a difficult delivery takes a devastating turn, Abigail is faced with some hard choices. Despite her best efforts, the young mother dies—but the baby is saved.

When a heartless judge confines Abigail to the county jail for her mistakes, her sister Catherine comes to care for her children while Daniel works his fields. Catherine meets Daniel’s reclusive cousin, Isaiah, who’s deaf and thought to be simple minded by his community. She endeavors to teach him to communicate and discovers he possesses unexpected gifts and talents.

While Abigail searches for forgiveness, Catherine changes lives and, in return, finds love, something long elusive in her life. And Isaiah discovers God, who cares nothing about our handicaps or limitations in His sustaining love.

An inspirational tale of overcoming grief, maintaining faith, and finding hope in an ever-changing world.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Abigail's New Hope, go HERE.