Amish Promises by Leslie Gould

Journey Down a Quiet Lane in Lancaster County Where Love and Heartache and Friendship and Healing Meet
When Joel and Shani Beck arrive at their new home, they're looking for peace. Shani is thrilled to have Joel back from Iraq, but he needs time to heal, and the quiet of Lancaster seems just the place. They can't imagine any trouble with their Amish neighbors, the Lehmans, but things get off to a rocky start when their son is involved in an accident that injures one of the Lehman boys.

Eve Lehman has run her brother's household ever since the death of his wife, but Tim's a stern patriarch. Despite his protests, she's drawn to the new neighbor, Shani, and the two begin to form a strong friendship forged on faith and family. Things seem like they've quieted down until Joel's single and handsome army friend Charlie catches Eve's attention--a man unlike any Eve has ever met. Suddenly life for both families becomes more complicated than any of them could have ever imagined.


About The Author

Leslie Gould is the author of the bestselling Courtships of Lancaster County series and coauthor, with Mindy Starns Clark, of the #1 bestselling The Amish Midwife. She holds an MFA in creative writing from Portland State University and has taught fiction writing at Multnomah University as an adjunct professor. She resides with her family in Portland, Oregon.

My Review

Amish Promises is a story of living ones faith, even if it doesn’t bring a lot of happiness, and marrying another just to fulfill a desire for family, even without love. How many have been caught in this situation? For the main character in this book, Eve, she has made promises to always take care of deceased friends children, and because of her upbringing, she has vowed to never marry a man who is Amish. Because she is Amish this leaves her in never land.
I have always heard that the Amish don’t mind dealing with the English in business, but want their home life and their children to be kept separate and apart. In other words to socially unconnected.
This story deals with English neighbors and their interaction with their Amish neighbors. It also deals with war and PTSD, and the effects of this on the family and friends. Put this all together and we have an amazing read, one that will really have you thinking and wanting to have some input, but of course you can’t.
I thorough enjoyed this book, and it kept me turning the pages to find out what could possibly happen next, and their sure is a lot of action, whether it is a fire, ice storm, death, baby arriving, injury, etc. You won’t want to put this one down, the story is well written, and the characters have great depth. Enjoy!

I received this book through Bethany House Publisher’s Bloggers Tour, and was not required to give a positive review.