Wonderful Lonesome, which released September 2014, is a free download right now (Amazon and Christianbook.com) until January 19. It’s the first of a set of historical novels called Amish Turns of Time. The second book, Meek and Mild, is just weeks away from release. The stories are independent with separate sets of characters, but if you like to start at the beginning, this is a good chance to snag Wonderful Lonesome.
Here’s what some readers have said:
“Wonderful Lonesome stands alone in a field full of Amish books.”
“This whole story fascinated me on so many levels. The historical facts for one — the author based the settlement on actual Amish endeavors in the area at the same time and she deals with a lot of ‘big’ questions. The conflict that stems from those concerns — both personal and as a group — compelled me to keep reading.”
“If you love to read Amish, but would love for something that is unique and not like your ordinary Amish story, this book is for you.”
“Wonderful Lonesome is a beautiful story about hope, love and faith.”
“I loved this book and the unique glimpse into an Amish community that is very different from other Amish fiction I have read.”
Look for Meek and Mild on February 1. Here’s the recap:
The leadership in an Old Order Amish community requires shunning friends and family whose only offense is to embrace the new Protestant practice of Sunday school among the Mennonites, but teaching Bible stories to children is one of Clara Kuhn’s great joys. Clara’s on the verge of saying yes to Andrew Raber’s marriage proposal, but now he is flagrantly refusing to submit to the bishop’s authority by owning a car. When the lot falls to Moses Beachy to become the new bishop, the community waits for him to take bold steps toward change. Clara and Andrew step together into a more progressive Amish faith as the Beachy Amish take form.