Naomi Schrock and her family decided to move west to Pleasant Plain. It is the 1840's so wagons are the mode of transportation; difficult and with danger always lurking around the bend. On their journey they came across a horrendous scene. A family's home had been utterly destroyed and the only survivor was a small boy, Davey. The family took him in and their daughter Naomi adopted him as her own. In this book they have arrived at their destination and have been there 3 years. At seven years of age Davey is a lively, high spirited boy that gives Naomi a run for her money!
The new Amish settlement is prospering and many other families are coming to make it their home also. One of those people was a widower Cap Stolzfus. Still grieving over the loss of his wife and baby he is resolved to make a fresh start. His farm is beside Naomi's parents. Davey meets Cap in one of times of exploration and they become fast friends. The young boy longing for a Dad and family decides to make believe Cap his father. As little ones will, he brings Naomi, her family, and Cap together as they become dear friends. Romance begins to blossom but both have doubts and concerns, not to mention their disagreement in how Davey should be raised.
An old acquaintance of Cap's arrives at the settlement wanting to become a second minister. He presents himself as a man of the cloth, but is a sheep in wolves clothing. Cap knows Shem Fischer will be trouble and that is exactly what he brings to the peaceful community, especially Naomi.
The book is very exciting and fast paced. Not your usual Amish novel with mild conflicts and struggles. I liked that it shows a different side of the Amish life especially during that era. Davey's antics and escapades were spot for a rambunctious boy that age. My heart went out to Naomi for trying to deal with his nonstop mischief. I liked it that the author fleshed out many characters with their own outlooks and experiences, but it was not hard to keep them straight. It added to the realism and entertainment of the story. I appreciated the fact that the characters lived out their faith and biblical principles no matter what hardships or problems they faced. A read alone book from the 1st two in the trilogy, but you definitely want to read the others!
I received this book from Revell Publications in exchange for an honest review. The opinions I stated are my own.
.
The new Amish settlement is prospering and many other families are coming to make it their home also. One of those people was a widower Cap Stolzfus. Still grieving over the loss of his wife and baby he is resolved to make a fresh start. His farm is beside Naomi's parents. Davey meets Cap in one of times of exploration and they become fast friends. The young boy longing for a Dad and family decides to make believe Cap his father. As little ones will, he brings Naomi, her family, and Cap together as they become dear friends. Romance begins to blossom but both have doubts and concerns, not to mention their disagreement in how Davey should be raised.
An old acquaintance of Cap's arrives at the settlement wanting to become a second minister. He presents himself as a man of the cloth, but is a sheep in wolves clothing. Cap knows Shem Fischer will be trouble and that is exactly what he brings to the peaceful community, especially Naomi.
The book is very exciting and fast paced. Not your usual Amish novel with mild conflicts and struggles. I liked that it shows a different side of the Amish life especially during that era. Davey's antics and escapades were spot for a rambunctious boy that age. My heart went out to Naomi for trying to deal with his nonstop mischief. I liked it that the author fleshed out many characters with their own outlooks and experiences, but it was not hard to keep them straight. It added to the realism and entertainment of the story. I appreciated the fact that the characters lived out their faith and biblical principles no matter what hardships or problems they faced. A read alone book from the 1st two in the trilogy, but you definitely want to read the others!
I received this book from Revell Publications in exchange for an honest review. The opinions I stated are my own.
.
Naomi's Hope by Jan Drexler is the third book in Journey to Pleasant Prairie series. It is April 1846 in LaGrange County, Indiana. Naomi Schrock is out looking for her adopted son, Davey and discovers him with their new neighbor, Cap Stoltzfus. Davey has taken an instant liking to Cap and wants to spend time with him. Cap moved to Indiana from Holmes County, Ohio to get away from the memories of his deceased wife and child. Cap is happy in the new community and enjoys spending time with young Davey, but then an old nemesis shows up. Shem Fischer, a bully from his childhood, moves to town. Shem came from Ontario, because he heard of the communities need for a minister. Cap distrusts Shem, but he keeps his own counsel. Shem soon starts showing his true colors when he spreads seeds of doubt and mistrust among the two different Amish districts of LaGrange County and the Clinton Township. Is there a chance of once again uniting these two factions? Naomi and Cap spend time with each other, and Naomi begins to hope of a future she never thought possible. But then Naomi's world crumbles around her when relatives come to claim Davey. How will this impact Naomi and Cap's relationship? Read Naomi's Hope to find out how the Journey to Pleasant Prairie trilogy ends.
Naomi's Hope contains good writing, but I found the pace of the novel to be slow. The story slowly unfolds, but then wraps up quickly at the end. After getting into Naomi's Hope, I could anticipate how the story would unfold and end. It is a lovely story, though, and that I found pleasurable to read. While Naomi's Hope is the third book in this series, it can be read alone. I appreciated the additional storyline of Naomi's struggle with faith. A struggle many people are familiar with and understand. I give Naomi's Hope 4 out of 5 stars. Some of the themes in the Naomi's Hope are love, forgiveness, loss, greed, and faith. I thought the characters were realistic and relatable. I also liked the setting and time period. The author did a remarkable job at portraying that region of Ohio and time. Personally, I did feel that the story could have used a little fine tuning that would have made for a better novel. Naomi's Hope is a novel worth reading, and I trust you will enjoy it as well.
Naomi's Hope contains good writing, but I found the pace of the novel to be slow. The story slowly unfolds, but then wraps up quickly at the end. After getting into Naomi's Hope, I could anticipate how the story would unfold and end. It is a lovely story, though, and that I found pleasurable to read. While Naomi's Hope is the third book in this series, it can be read alone. I appreciated the additional storyline of Naomi's struggle with faith. A struggle many people are familiar with and understand. I give Naomi's Hope 4 out of 5 stars. Some of the themes in the Naomi's Hope are love, forgiveness, loss, greed, and faith. I thought the characters were realistic and relatable. I also liked the setting and time period. The author did a remarkable job at portraying that region of Ohio and time. Personally, I did feel that the story could have used a little fine tuning that would have made for a better novel. Naomi's Hope is a novel worth reading, and I trust you will enjoy it as well.
