Helpful Score: 6
Thanks to Thomas Nelson Publishing, I was able to read Sarah's Garden. It is a Christian Romance that tells the story of Sarah, an Amish girl who falls in love with the "Englisch" vet, Grant Williams. The story takes places in Pennslvania near the Allegheny Mountains where Sarah falls in love with the doctor and must choose between him and her family and follow the Lord.
Christian Romance is not my normal genre that I like to read, in fact, I'm not sure that I have ever even read a Christian Romance before in my life. However, I have to say that I was intrigued by the book cover. That old cliche about not judging a book by its cover does not apply to me because when I saw the book cover, I thought of the movie Witness from the 80s. Since I really liked that movie, I thought I'd give this book a chance since the plot was similiar in that an Amish woman and English man fall in love(end of similarities, btw).
That being said, to my surprise, I really liked this book! I almost finished reading it the same day that I got it in the mail. It's a simple story, a quick read and not too religious (I'm not a very religious person). I have to admit that I expected it to be corny, but it really wasn't. As I said, it's a nice, simple story without any over-the-top drama, which I enjoyed.
If you're interested in a Christian Romance novel centered on the Amish, give this quick read a try!
Christian Romance is not my normal genre that I like to read, in fact, I'm not sure that I have ever even read a Christian Romance before in my life. However, I have to say that I was intrigued by the book cover. That old cliche about not judging a book by its cover does not apply to me because when I saw the book cover, I thought of the movie Witness from the 80s. Since I really liked that movie, I thought I'd give this book a chance since the plot was similiar in that an Amish woman and English man fall in love(end of similarities, btw).
That being said, to my surprise, I really liked this book! I almost finished reading it the same day that I got it in the mail. It's a simple story, a quick read and not too religious (I'm not a very religious person). I have to admit that I expected it to be corny, but it really wasn't. As I said, it's a nice, simple story without any over-the-top drama, which I enjoyed.
If you're interested in a Christian Romance novel centered on the Amish, give this quick read a try!
Helpful Score: 3
I'm always excited to learn about new authors and while I'm not the world's biggest Amish fiction fan I do occasionally read it. When I saw that Amish fiction writer, Kelly Long had a full length novel releasing I jumped at the chance to review it. While not any different from any of the other Amish themed books that I've read it was still enjoyable.
The doctor, Grant Williams was a great hero. He was very likable, funny, and sweet. Sarah King, the female lead was also winsome; sweet and a little shy but still feisty. They were well rounded characters but the story wasn't much different from most of the other Amish fiction that I've read. I was a tiny bit bored with it by middle of the book.
For a first full-length novel it was still a nice story and I really did enjoy the interesting tidbits about veterinary medicine through Grant's character and gardening through Sarah's eyes. I never knew there were so many types of tomatoes! Wow! I'm sure that fans of the genre will like the story and it may also appeal to readers who enjoy a sweet romance. Sarah's Garden is available now and Book 2, Lilly's Wedding Quilt releases in April 2011!
The doctor, Grant Williams was a great hero. He was very likable, funny, and sweet. Sarah King, the female lead was also winsome; sweet and a little shy but still feisty. They were well rounded characters but the story wasn't much different from most of the other Amish fiction that I've read. I was a tiny bit bored with it by middle of the book.
For a first full-length novel it was still a nice story and I really did enjoy the interesting tidbits about veterinary medicine through Grant's character and gardening through Sarah's eyes. I never knew there were so many types of tomatoes! Wow! I'm sure that fans of the genre will like the story and it may also appeal to readers who enjoy a sweet romance. Sarah's Garden is available now and Book 2, Lilly's Wedding Quilt releases in April 2011!
Helpful Score: 2
There is nothing like a 13-week recovery to help distinguish in one's mind the difference between a good author and a bad one! I've always been an avid reader of both Christian and secular fiction, but after these last weeks, I'm thinking I am an expert. Sarah's Garden will top the lists one day. It's a great read and I highly recommend it!
For me, there are few Christian authors who can compete at the same level as Francine Rivers, Dee Henderson, Mary Connealy, and Karen Kingsbury, but Kelly Long now places in my list of top ten Christian authors. I'm not sure what some publishers want out of their authors, but so many of the Christian stories I've read contain one-dimensional characters who drip fake sweetness and temperaments and who lack believable challenges and personality quirks. The one-thread plot lines can be juvenile, and one is reduced to feeling like a juvenile when the authors continually repeat themselves in case you're too senile to remember what they just said. And too often, the stories elevate a particular flavor of church to such extent Pharisees would be proud. The publishers at Thomas Nelson obviously don't put out the average cookie cutter story. They clearly allowed this author room to weave together a compelling dilemma in a setting and place where much can be learned, and where all angles of a character's struggle between perceived right and wrong can be debated.
In reading Sarah's Garden, I most enjoyed the humming bird analogy, the high-road souvenir surrounding a minor character, and the author's accurate handling of the Amish setting and people, without the usual posturing. In the struggle presented, I chose sides. My side lost in the end, but I was surprised to find I wasn't disappointed. And lastly, Sarah's Garden passed the Martha Martha test. Was the book a complete waste of what could have been seemingly more productive hours, or did it provide inspiration, understanding, or a particularly precious reminder, like the stories told in church, small group, or Sunday School?
Kelly Long has something unique that is refreshing - a trust in the reader. I look forward to reading more of her work.
For me, there are few Christian authors who can compete at the same level as Francine Rivers, Dee Henderson, Mary Connealy, and Karen Kingsbury, but Kelly Long now places in my list of top ten Christian authors. I'm not sure what some publishers want out of their authors, but so many of the Christian stories I've read contain one-dimensional characters who drip fake sweetness and temperaments and who lack believable challenges and personality quirks. The one-thread plot lines can be juvenile, and one is reduced to feeling like a juvenile when the authors continually repeat themselves in case you're too senile to remember what they just said. And too often, the stories elevate a particular flavor of church to such extent Pharisees would be proud. The publishers at Thomas Nelson obviously don't put out the average cookie cutter story. They clearly allowed this author room to weave together a compelling dilemma in a setting and place where much can be learned, and where all angles of a character's struggle between perceived right and wrong can be debated.
In reading Sarah's Garden, I most enjoyed the humming bird analogy, the high-road souvenir surrounding a minor character, and the author's accurate handling of the Amish setting and people, without the usual posturing. In the struggle presented, I chose sides. My side lost in the end, but I was surprised to find I wasn't disappointed. And lastly, Sarah's Garden passed the Martha Martha test. Was the book a complete waste of what could have been seemingly more productive hours, or did it provide inspiration, understanding, or a particularly precious reminder, like the stories told in church, small group, or Sunday School?
Kelly Long has something unique that is refreshing - a trust in the reader. I look forward to reading more of her work.
Helpful Score: 1
In her fiction book Sarah's Garden (A Patch of Heaven Novel), Kelly Long brings her readers into the world of the Amish of the Pennsylvania Allegheny Mountains. Sarah King has a God given talent for nurturing the soil & plants that she grows. She meets her new neighbor, Grant Williams, who has moved to the Amish community to open a veterinary practice. From the moment they meet, they are drawn to each other. Sarah knows that if she acts on her feelings, she will have to give up her home, her family, & her community.
This is the first writing I've read by Kelly Long. She weaves the traditional Amish life into this love story. I had a hard time putting the book down because I was so eager to find out if Sarah & Grant would be able to have a life together. This book is the first in the Patch of Heaven series. I look forward to reading the next book in the series. Sadly, Lilly's Wedding Quilt is not scheduled for release until April, 2011. I give this book a 4 out of 5 stars.
This is the first writing I've read by Kelly Long. She weaves the traditional Amish life into this love story. I had a hard time putting the book down because I was so eager to find out if Sarah & Grant would be able to have a life together. This book is the first in the Patch of Heaven series. I look forward to reading the next book in the series. Sadly, Lilly's Wedding Quilt is not scheduled for release until April, 2011. I give this book a 4 out of 5 stars.
