This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Harvest House Publishers (April 1, 2011)
by
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.
Learn more about Mary and her books on her Website.
Watch the book trailer:
MY REVIEW:
Abigail’s New Hope is another refreshing addition to the popular “bonnet” fiction category. This new release by Mary Ellis features Abigail Graber, an Amish midwife who is jailed after the death of a patient. Also highlighted are members of Abigail’s family as they struggle to cope without her and Nathan Fisher who must learn to care for his new motherless son.
Although Abigail is supposed to be the focus of this novel, I thought that the subplot involving her sister Catherine and Isaiah pretty much stole the show. Catherine’s sensitivity and understanding that Isaiah’s deafness was not a mental handicap paved the way for a unique romance. The interaction between Catherine, Isaiah, and Abigail’s children was charming.
Lest I forget Abigail, I did admire the way she relied on God throughout her imprisonment and instead of feeling sorry for herself, she reached out to her cellmate who was attracted to her calm faith. Abigail’s New Hope was a satisfying read and I will definitely be watching for the next installment of Mary Ellis’ Wayne County Series.
