Gathering the Threads

Book description:  "Finally back in the Old Order Amish world she loves,
Will Ariana’s new perspectives draw her family closer together—
or completely rip them apart?

After months away in the Englisch world, Ariana Brenneman is overjoyed to be in the Old Order Amish home where she was raised. Yet her excitement is mixed with an unexpected apprehension as she reconciles all she’s learned from her biological parents with the uncompromising teachings of her Plain community. Although her childhood friend, ex-Amish Quill Schlabach, hopes to help her navigate her new role amongst her people, Ariana’s Daed doesn’t understand why his sweet daughter is suddenly questioning his authority. What will happen if she sows seeds of unrest and rebellion in the entire family?  

Meanwhile, Skylar Nash has finally found her place among the large Brenneman family, but Ariana’s arrival threatens to unravel Skylar’s new identity—and her sobriety. Both Ariana and Skylar must discover the true cords that bind a family and community together and grasp tight the One who holds their authentic identities close to His heart."

My review:   I was so excited to finally read the final installment of this series, The Amish of Summer Grove. I was certainly not disappointed, and was pleasantly surprised with the plot. While it did end the way the reader would expect, the path you take to get to the ending was not what I expected, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The characters became like family and it was fun to see them develop through the story. Gathering the Threads challenges the reader to examine the reasons behind the convictions you have. Definitely a thought provoking book. If you have not read the first two books in this series, I would recommend reading them first. Some series you can jump into in the middle, but in my opinion this series needs to be read in order. I have enjoyed all three and hate to see the series come to a close. I received a copy of this book for review purposes from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Beloved Hope

Book description:  " Flanagan survived the massacre at the Whitman Mission, but at terrible personal cost. Safe now in Oregon City, the gentle rhythm of tending her family's flock of sheep is slowly healing her mind and soul, but her precarious new peace is shattered when Hope is asked to testify against the Cayuse responsible for the massacre. She's not sure she can bear to relive the events of those horrific days, but neither can she risk her attackers being released if she doesn't tell her story.

As Hope struggles to make her choice, an Army lieutenant named Lance Kenner becomes an unexpected ray of light in her life. Perhaps she is still capable of love after all. But will Lance still want her if he learns the whole truth of what happened to her at the mission? Or are the secrets that lie in his own past more troubling?"

My review:  Tracie Peterson tackled some difficult issues in this book and did an outstanding job handling these issues. Hope's journey would have been challenging to write, but Mrs. Peterson was able to develop Hope's character as well as the story in a realistic way. I especially appreciated the historical references and how well actual events were able to be included in the story line. I think those references really helped the story come alive. Beloved Hope will invoke a myriad of feelings in the reader and cause some self introspection. This is a great read that I highly recommend! I received a copy of this book for review purposes from the publisher. All opinions are my own.