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| An Amish Family Christmas |
Reviewed by Marian Baay
~5 stars~*****
Naomi Bachman is grieving the passing of her parents and sister after a
tragic accident. Her brother Luke was wounded in the accident and lost the
control over his limbs and the ability to speak. Her husband Micah was gone on
a tour of duty in Afghanistan while the tragedy occurred. Sister-in-law Rebecca
is staying with Naomi and is doing her best to help and encourage her.
Naomi doesn’t know what to think of her husband. She doesn’t understand
why he left her to go to war and broke the rules of the Ordnung by enlisting.
When Micah comes home, he is shunned and not allowed to speak or eat
with other Amish. He is living under the same roof with his wife, but cannot speak
to her, touch her, nor eat with her. The shunning will be lifted as soon as he
repents of having gone to war, but Micah cannot repent because he felt it was
God who sent him there to do the work of a medic and save people’s lives.
Christmas is nearing and letters and postcards from grateful family
members of soldiers, whose lives Micah had saved, start to arrive. Naomi is
beginning to see another side of her husband by reading the letters and notes
and slowly she starts to understand some of the reasons why he enlisted. She
takes the mail to the bishop, hoping that he will also be touched by reading the
letters and will do something to stop the shunning. She prays that hearts and
rules will be changed.
When an accident occurs in their community, and Micah rushes to offer
his help, will it change the thinking of the Ministers of the Amish church, or
will it only make Micah’s predicament worse?
Such a captivating and moving story! Once I started reading it, I had a
hard time putting it down. I think the author beautifully portrayed that even
if we don’t always understand the things that are happening around us, that
doesn’t mean it’s not from God.
A wonderful novella for Christmas, or any time of the year!
**Thanks to the publisher for providing me with a review copy through
NetGalley.**
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Find Murray's books at Amazon, CBD, Barnes & Noble, and other bookstores.
I have heard SO many great things about this author and his books, but I haven't had the opportunity to get of his books soon! Sounds like I need to because the reviews are always GREAT!!!
ReplyDeletesusanlulu@yahoo.com
Yes, Mr. Pura writes great books. I hope you get a chance to read his work soon!!
DeleteSuch a wonderful review, Marian! I enjoyed this book thoroughly. What a precious and thought provoking story!
ReplyDeleteYes, it was, Diana!!!
DeleteSuch a wonderful review! He sounds like a great author
ReplyDeleteGod bless all of you
Chris Granville
Thanks for dropping by, Chris. Bless you!
DeleteMarian, a great review, thanks!! Loved this story as well having only just finished reading it. So difficult to imagine just how challenging and painful a shunning would be with a loved one..
ReplyDeleteGlad you also loved this story, Noela! It's very special, isn't it?
DeleteLove your review, Marian, two thumbs up!! Nice touch with the book trailer too :) This one is definitely on my wishlist, what a beautiful cover!
ReplyDeleteHugs and blessings Marian and OWG sisters!
Kara
Thanks, Kara! I hope you'll get the chance to read it soon!!
DeleteA lovely review thank you. Another book I must read.
ReplyDeleteThanks for dropping by, Mary. Yes, you must read this book. :)
DeleteGreat review Marian. Sounds pretty sad. What's the use of coming home if you can't talk to, eat with, touch his wife, etc. And doesn't say here, but in some of the first Amish books I read some communities the people had to turn their backs to the shunned one. Yikes! I like Murray's work tho and would love to win his book. So please drop my name in.
ReplyDeleteMaxie mac262(at)me(dot)com ( Hello to Murray and my OWG gals. )
Always good to see you stop by, Maxie. I hope you will have the chance to read this book soon.
DeleteLove the review. Sounds like an awesome book. Will be on my list to get. Thanks Marian.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the review. Sounds like an interesting book and and a very difficult situation.
ReplyDeletePattymh2000(at)Yahoo(dot)com
Sounds like a great book--you did a great job with the review! I would love the opportunity to read this book & a win would make it even better (if I'm not too late). ;-)
ReplyDeleteVicki
vmarney at hot mail...
Another great review, Marian! This sounds like a good read and is one of those which pulls at your heart strings. Hope to win!!! Blessings! Darlene
ReplyDeletespangldlady[at]gmail[dot]com
Another great review, Marian! This sounds like a good read and is one of those which pulls at your heart strings. Hope to win!!! Blessings! Darlene
ReplyDeletespangldlady[at]gmail[dot]com