Mending Hearts (Tompkins Mill #2) by Janice Kay Johnson

 

Miriam Bowman was devastated when her fiance was killed in a logging incident. In the years since the tragedy, she finds it impossible to enter into a new relationship for fear of it coming to a disastrous end. So she works at her quilt shop in town and stays away from anything that would risk her heart. As least until David Miller comes back home to take a second chance at the Amish way of life.

David feels responsible for the logging incident that killed his friend and Miriam's betrothed, and his life has been corrupted by guilt. That guilt only worsens when he and Miriam begin to spend time together after his return, and they begin to have feelings for each other. David might just be the man Miriam has been afraid of finding, one she could fall in love with. And Miriam is the only one who can truly forgive David for his perceived misdeeds. In order to risk their hearts and find the love they've been missing, David and Miriam will have to open them to each other.

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About The Author

 anice Kay Johnson is the author of over a hundred books for children and adults. Her first four published romance novels were coauthored with her mother, also a writer who has since published mysteries and children's books on her own. These were "sweet" romance novels, the author hastens to add; she isn't sure they'd have felt comfortable coauthoring passionate love scenes!

Janice graduated from Whitman College with a B.A. in history and then received a master's degree in library science from the University of Washington. She was a branch librarian for a public library system until she began selling her own writing.

She has written six novels for young adults and one picture book for the read-aloud crowd. Rosamund was the outgrowth of all those hours spent reading to her own daughters, and of her passion for growing old roses. Two more of her favorite books were historical novels she wrote for Tor/Forge. The research was pure indulgence for someone who set out intending to be a historian!

Janice is divorced and has raised her two daughters in a small, rural town north of Seattle, Washington. She's an active volunteer and board member for Purrfect Pals, a no-kill cat shelter, and foster kittens often enliven a household that already includes a few more cats than she wants to admit to!

Janice loves writing books about both love and family — about the way generations connect and the power our earliest experiences have on us throughout life. Her Superromance novels are frequent finalists for Romance Writers of America RITA® awards. Along with her books for Harlequin, Janice has written the Cape Trouble series of romantic suspense novels, and is about to launch a new series, Desperation Creek, set in rural eastern Oregon.

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My Review

 

This is the second book in this series that I have read and enjoyed, there are some recurring characters, but this can be read alone.
We have a kind Amish man, David Miller, who is trying to work out of the guilt he feels after the death of his best friend and business partner. He even went so far as to leave his family and faith. Circumstances and the missing of his faith bring him back. Will he be accepted and forgiven?
We also meet Miriam Bowman, a young woman who wanted to marry Levi, David's business partner, and is now David's neighbor. Can she finally come to terms with Levi's death, and most of all live her faith and give forgiveness.
I loved being with these kind people, they are there for each other, and take care of their widows, as we see, even if they don't want help.
You find them always giving baskets of food, and their time to help one another. David is ready to help all those who need him, but can he help himself.
I was quickly absorbed in this story and community, and hope that we have more books coming!
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Berkley, and was not required to give a positive review.