Rumspringa's Hope by Beth Shriver

 

Torn between the affections of two men, will Emma's time away from home help her choose?

Although promised to the widowed neighbor Zeb, Emma is considering leaving her Amish community to watch over her younger brother Mark when he leaves for Philadelphia to explore the outside world during his Rumspringa.

There, she reconnects with her former beau Caleb, who protects the Amish teens, introducing them to his life evangelizing and helping the homeless. Unbeknownst to Emma, Caleb is glad for the opportunity to spend time with her and hopes to win her back.

Struck by the power of evangelism and outreach, Emma begins to feel a draw to Caleb's way of life. When she doesn’t return home when she promised, Zeb goes to the city to find her, forcing Emma to choose in which of their two worlds she really belongs.

SERIES DESCRIPTION: Three young Amish women face overwhelming obstacles and must struggle to find out who they are and what they believe. Although each is dealing with her own unique situation, they all must discover how to follow their dreams and stay true to themselves, whether their journeys take them away from--or back to--their Amish communities.

http://www.bethshriverwriter.com/ 

About The Author

Beth received a degree in social work and psychology from the University of Nebraska. She worked as a caseworker for Boulder County Department of Social Services before starting a family. Beth and her husband, two children, along with two cats and a beagle live in Texas after moving from their first home in Colorado. She freelances for the local papers in her area and writes columns, devotionals for magazines, and novels in a variety of genres in both fiction and nonfiction.

Beth’s Favorite Quote

“I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else.”
C. S. Lewis

Beth’s Favorite Bible Verse

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God, and the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:6-7


My Review

Rumspringa’s Hope is just that, going into the English world, but not joining them, but trying to bring God’s Word and Love to them. I felt that Emma’s brother Jack was out of control, and not living his Amish faith, what to do? Emma finds out her brother is going to go on his rumspringa and going to Philadelphia, PA, and decides she will go and keep an eye on him, and maybe share some faith with people.
While the Amish religion does not per say proselytize, Emma seems to want to do what her friend Caleb has been doing. Before she leaves for the city it appears that she has established an understanding with Zeb, and her parents seem to have blessed a union between them.
Come along with this group of young Amish people, both male and female, and see what happens to them and observe their experiences in the city. There are some really big surprises, and you will wonder if life will ever be the same for any of them. Coming from rather sheltered lives to the harsh reality of every day live in tough areas, had to be a real reality check for them. Can they ever come back to their peaceful existence, or will they be caught up in the modern world forever? There is also the chance they will enter into the world of drugs and danger, and can they get out of there?
I really was engrossed in this story, and was really surprised how some things turned out, that you will never see coming. If you enjoy Amish stories, this one is a great read, and a real page-turner. Enjoy!

I received this book through Booketeria, and was not required to give a positive review.