Category Archives: Love and Promises Series

November 25, 2018 · 11:57 pm

Review: The Amish Midwife’s Secret by Rachel J. Good

Title: The Amish Midwife’s Secret by Rachel J. Good
Love and Promises Series Book Two
Publisher: Forever
Genre: Contemporary, Christian, Romance
Length: 385 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

An Amish midwife and an Englisch doctor must embrace their differences to rescue a baby in need in this uplifting romance that will “capture your heart and leave you smiling” (Amy Lillard).

Kyle Miller never planned on becoming a country doctor. But when he’s offered a medical practice in his sleepy hometown, Kyle knows he must return… and face the painful past he left behind. Except the Amish community isn’t quite ready for Kyle. Especially the pretty midwife who refuses to compromise her traditions with his modern medicine…

The more Leah Stoltzfus works with the handsome Englisch doctor, the more she finds herself caught between the expectations of her family and her own hopes for the future. It will take one surprising revelation and one helpless baby in need of love to show Leah and Kyle that their bond may be greater than their differences… if Leah can find the courage to follow her heart.

Review:

The Amish Midwife’s Secret by Rachel J. Good is an incredibly heartwarming novel of forgiveness, new beginnings and love. This second installment in the Love and Promises series can be read as a standalone but I also recommend the previous book, The Amish Teacher’s Gift, as well.

Dr. Kyle Miller is surprised by an out of the blue phone call from a doctor who lives in his hometown of Lancaster, PA. He is also shocked by Dr. Hess’s proposal for Kyle to move back to Lancaster and take over his practice so he can retire.  Since Kyle has worked very hard to forget about his past, he has no intention of accepting Dr. Hess’s generous offer.  However, as he is trying to work up the courage to turn the doctor down, Kyle instead finds himself agreeing to spend a few days working with Dr. Hess in his practice. Will Kyle change his mind once he goes back to the place that still haunts him? Or will the trip convince him he is right to say no to Dr. Hess?

Leah Stoltzfus is in training to become a midwife despite the fact that she won’t be able to get her certification. She is also rather overwhelmed by her other responsibilities which include working fulltime in the family’s holistic store and caring for her Mamm. Leah is involved in a courtship with an Amish young man whose expectations about married life are a source on contention.

Leah is a caring and compassionate young woman who always puts other people’s needs ahead of her own.  She is also an obedient young women so it comes as shock when she finds herself at cross purposes with Kyle during their initial meeting. As a member of the medical community, Kyle is upset by some of the decisions she makes for her patients.

Despite their differences and much to their dismay, Kyle and Leah share a mutual attraction for one another. Leah is appalled at her interest in another  man since her courtship with Ben means they are expected to marry. Kyle carries plenty of guilt and heartache from his teenage romance with an Amish young woman. Not only  has he avoided any type of romantic entanglement since, he absolutely refuses to even contemplate becoming involved with another Amish woman.  As Leah and Kyle spend time together at Dr. Hess’s medical practice, will they be able to continue to ignore their deepening feelings?

The Amish Midwife’s Secret is a heartfelt journey of self-forgiveness, faith and love. Kyle is a wonderful man whose inability to move on from a heartrending incident in his past continues to guide his life choices in the present.  Leah treasures her faith but some of her dreams are at odds with the tenets of her religion. The romance between Kyle and Leah is endearing but can they overcome the seemingly insurmountable differences between them? 

Rachel J. Good’s newest addition to the her delightful Love and Promises series is heartwarming, thought-provoking and ultimately, uplifting. I thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend this charming Amish romance to fans of the genre.

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Filed under Christian, Contemporary, Forever, Love and Promises Series, Rachel J Good, Rated B+, Review, Romance, The Amish Midwife's Secret

April 23, 2018 · 11:58 pm

Review: The Amish Teacher’s Gift by Rachel J. Good

Title: The Amish Teacher’s Gift by Rachel J. Good
Love and Promises Series Book One
Publisher: Forever
Genre: Contemporary, Amish/Inspirational, Romance
Length: 384 pages
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

A Teacher’s Love

Widower Josiah Yoder wants to be a good father. But it’s not easy with a deaf young son who doesn’t understand why his mamm isn’t coming home. At a loss, Josiah enrolls Nathan in a special-needs school and is relieved to see his son immediately comforted by his new teacher, a woman whose sweet charm and gentle smile just might be the balm they both need.

With seven siblings to care for, Ada Rupp wasn’t sure she wanted to take on teaching, too. But the moment she holds Nathan in her arms, she realizes she’ll do all she can to help this lost little boy. Plus, it gives her a chance to spend more time with Josiah. Falling for a man in mourning may be against the rules, but his quiet strength is the support Ada never knew she needed. And, together, they could have the loving family she’d always hoped for.

Review:

The first installment in the Love and Promises series, The Amish Teacher’s Gift by Rachel J. Good is a heartfelt romance between an Amish schoolteacher and one of her student’s father.

Widower Josiah Yoder dearly loves his six year old son, Nathan, and he is heartbroken by the boy’s obvious distress following his beloved Mamm’s death.  He is also quite bewildered by the young boy’s volatile and violent reaction to Josiah’s presence.  The problem is compounded by his inability to communicate with his deaf son, so he is very open to sending Nathan to the newly formed school for special needs.

Nineteen year old Ada Rupp is excited but concerned about her new position as a schoolteacher at the special needs school. Despite her youth, she is very well suited to the job since she has been caring for her seven younger siblings for much of her life. Ada is a gentle soul with infinite patience and a great deal of responsibility resting on her more than able young shoulders.

Ada is immediately infatuated with Josiah but she knows a relationship between them is impossible. Trying to focus on the charges in her care, her life becomes soon becomes entangled with Josiah and Nathan as she attempts to understand the reason behind Nathan’s extreme reaction to his father. Since she takes her job very seriously, Ada not only attempts to ensure the young boy is not in physical danger but she also continues trying to help father and son bridge the gulf between them.

Josiah is equally enamored of Ada but he knows he cannot yet act on his growing feelings for her. Instead, he tries to focus on improving his relationship with Nathan. He also finds himself in a difficult situation at work when the construction owner challenges him on his adherence to the tenets of his faith. This lack of understanding about the Amish faith leads to some very prickly interactions and leaves Josiah worried about his future with the company.

Josiah and Ada both experience a great deal of inner turmoil over their inability to act on the growing feelings for one another. There are many misunderstandings between them since they only communicate well on matters pertaining to Nathan.  Some of their interactions become a bit repetitious as they continue to experience the same thoughts and feelings each time they are together. Later in the story, an  added complication is the Bishop’s wife Betty’s obvious animosity toward both of them as she jumps to erroneous conclusions about the nature of their relationship.

The Amish Teacher’s Gift stands out from other Amish novels due to special needs aspect of the storyline.  Rachel J. Good’s research into the various teaching methods for special needs students is absolutely impeccable and provides added depth and authenticity to the plot. The relationship between Josiah and Ada is sweet despite a little unnecessary angst and drama. This engaging beginning to the delightful  Love and Promises series will leave readers eagerly awaiting the next installment.

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Filed under Amish, Contemporary, Forever, Inspirational, Love and Promises Series, Rachel J Good, Rated B, Review, Romance, The Amish Teacher's Gift