Category Archives: The Amish of Cedar Grove Series

November 20, 2019 · 11:58 pm

Review: The Hope by Patricia Davids

Title: The Hope by Patricia Davids
The Amish of Cedar Grove Series Book Two
Publisher: HQN Books
Genre: Contemporary, Amish, Romance
Length: 384 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

Home isn’t just a place…

Amish widow Ruth Mast wants nothing to do with the handsome man from her past who just returned to Cedar Grove. Ruth learned the hard way that Owen Mast’s restlessness always causes trouble. But when a little Amish girl appears on Owen’s porch, lost and afraid, Ruth has no choice but to help the man who only ever causes heartbreak…

All Owen wanted was to make amends with Ruth and her family. He never imagined that little Grace—or the strange mystery surrounding her—would bring him closer to Ruth. Or that a tender and unexpected attraction would quickly take hold of them both. But even a wandering heart can grow roots…when there is hope for love.

Review:

The Hope by Patricia Davids is a sweet, heartwarming Amish novel of family, love and healing. This latest release is the second installment in The Amish of Cedar Grove series and can be read as a standalone.

Widowed Ruth Mast is dreading her daughter Ella moving away with her new husband Zack. So her greatest fear is her seventeen year old son Faron will also leave the family farm. Needless to say, she is very upset to discover Faron is planning to spend the next month away from home.  Worried about the upcoming lambing season, Ruth is less than pleased to discover her first love, Owen Mast, will be helping her during her son’s absence. Owen broke her heart when he abruptly left town years earlier and she cannot trust he will not leave again.

Owen has many regrets about leaving Ruth, but he had no choice but to try to find his younger sister, Rebecca. Owen  and Rebecca lost the rest of their family in a tragic accident and they were raised separately.  He has never given up hope he will find her, but when he finally does locate Rebecca, he is disheartened by her reaction. Having recently received a rather cryptic letter from her, Owen has no choice but to leave Cedar Grove after his Uncle Ernest and Faron return home.

Ruth is determined to keep her distance from Owen. But  when they unexpectedly find themselves caring for three year old Grace, she cannot avoid spending time with him. Ruth is charmed by how tender Owen is with Grace, but she finds it difficult to trust he will keep his word.  She gradually begins to see Owen in a different light but will she find the courage to admit her unanticipated feelings for him?

The Hope is a charming second chance at love romance.  Ruth and Owen are beautifully developed, likable characters with easy to relate to flaws and strengths. Grace is a darling little girl who easily works her way into everyone’s hearts.  The mystery surrounding Grace’s identity is quite interesting. Although the romance between Ruth and Owen is understated, their love for one another is palpable.  Patricia Davids brings this captivating romance to a heartfelt conclusion. Old and new fans are sure to enjoy this latest addition The Amish of Cedar Grove series.

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Filed under Amish, Contemporary, HQN Books, Patricia Davids, Rated B+, Review, Romance, The Amish of Cedar Grove Series, The Hope

April 28, 2019 · 11:58 pm

Review: The Wish by Patricia Davids

Title: The Wish by Patricia Davids
The Amish of Cedar Grove Series Book One
Publisher: HQN Books
Genre: Contemporary, Amish, Romance
Length: 384 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

Second chances come at the most unexpected times…

Widow Laura Beth Yoder longs for a family of her own. So much so that she’s preparing to leave the sleepy Amish town she calls home to find love. But a terrible storm washes out the creek, forcing her to wade in and save the life of an Englisch man and his adorable infant son. As they recover at the farm, the baby brings sunshine and joy, while the handsome outsider is filled with shadows…and secrets.

Joshua King owes his life and his son’s to Laura Beth. Still, lingering at her farm is out of the question. He must fulfill a promise he made to his estranged wife on her deathbed: to deliver their son to his Amish in-laws. With his dark past, Joshua has no other choice. But his plans never took this sweet and surprising Amish widow into account. She just might be his second chance at happiness…and love.

Review:

The first installment in The Amish of Cedar Grove series, The Wish by Patricia Davids is a heartwarming novel of redemption, healing and love.

Widow Laura Beth Yoder loved her husband, but she is ready to remarry and hopefully have the family she has long dreamed of.  However, there is a serious lack of eligible men to marry in her small community in Kansas so she is making plans to move to Ohio. Laura Beth is hoping that expanding her pumpkin crop will provide her the funds she needs to make repairs to her farm so she can put it up for sale.  Her younger sister Sarah and her close friend Abigail Troyer are trying to convince her to stay in Kansas, but Laura Beth remains steadfast in her decision. Will the unexpected arrival of Englischer Joshua King and his four month old son, Caleb, lead her to rethink her plans?

Laura Beth is a resourceful woman with a strong faith. She desperately misses her husband, but she also dreams of having a family.  Laura Beth is certain she is making the right choice to move and she will do whatever she needs to do to make this happen. But when she rescues Joshua and Caleb during a storm, she is drawn to the clearly troubled man and she is captivated by his son.  Will learning about Joshua’s past change how she is beginning to feel about him?

Joshua is a man on a mission when he crosses paths with Laura Beth. He does not deviate from his plans but he does begin to wonder if he is making the right choice. Having never dealt with his dysfunctional childhood, Joshua continues to believe he is not deserving of love. He is also unable to forgive the person who so deeply wronged him. Will Laura Beth’s gentle encouragement change his mind about his plans for the future? Will Joshua go against a loved one’s wishes?

The Wish is an enthralling novel with a realistic plot and endearing characters. Laura Beth has a big heart but she is occasionally a bit misguided when it comes the people she cares about. Joshua’s back story is heart wrenching but watching him discover his worth is very uplifting. The romance between Joshua and Laura Beth is very understated and grows naturally out their friendship.  But with one huge obstacle standing in their way, is there any chance for a future together?

This first release in Patricia Davids’ The Amish of Cedar Grove series is an engaging story with an idyllic setting, appealing characters and an enjoyable storyline.  I absolutely loved and highly recommend this inspiring novel to fans of the genre.

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Filed under Amish, Contemporary, Harlequin, HQN Books, Patricia Davids, Rated B+, Review, Romance, The Amish of Cedar Grove Series, The Wish