Synopses & Reviews
Returning to Pleasant Valley is giving Hannah Conroy a much-needed chance at a new life. But now she must discover her true place in the world … Unexpected tragedy has left Hannah without her soldier husband and a home for her baby son, Jamie. Seeking refuge, she comes to live with her aunt in Pleasant Valley, a place she hasn’t seen since childhood, when her parents left the Mennonite faith. Working in her aunt’s bakery is a way for Hannah to get back on her feet, but she isn’t sure if she can live by tradition—or if she and Jamie should stay for good. She finds an unexpected, sympathetic listener in furniture maker William Brand. His stutter makes him feel like a permanent outsider in his Amish community, and he understands her loneliness. Hannah is irresistibly drawn to the shy, caring William, and her education in speech therapy makes it natural for her to want to help him speak more easily. But how can she encourage his attention when she might someday leave Pleasant Valley, and when her father-in-law, a military officer, is scheming to take Jamie away from her? As William seeks the courage to stand up for the woman who believes in him, Hannah must decide where her true home lies—in the free, ever-changing world she knows, or in the simpler, loving community she’s found…
Review
Review
"What a joy it is to read Marta Perry's novels!"
Review
Praise for the Pleasant Valley novels
andquot;Sure to appeal to fans of Beverly Lewis.andquot;--Library Journal
andquot;Such relationships and losses are the stuff of any novel--indeed, any life. But a large part of the pleasure of this book is in watching Rachel be Amish...andquot;--The Philadelphia Inquirer
andquot;A sweet, entertaining romance.andquot;--Romantic Times
Review
Praise for the Pleasant Valley novels
andquot;Sure to appeal to fans of Beverly Lewis.andquot;--Library Journal
andquot;Such relationships and losses are the stuff of any novel--indeed, any life. But a large part of the pleasure of this book is in watching Rachel be Amish...andquot;--The Philadelphia Inquirer
andquot;A sweet, entertaining romance.andquot;--Romantic Times
Review
Praise for Naomi King:
“Naomi King writes with a heartwarming honesty.”—Emma Miller, Author of Redeeming Grace
“A fresh new voice...Kings lyrical style shines in a tender tale of how love and forgiveness heal broken hearts and restore a family and a community.”—Marta Perry, author of the Pleasant Valley series
“A talented author who writes from her heart.”—RT Book Reviews
Synopsis
Marta Perry returns with a brand-new inspirational Pleasant Valley novel. After spending three years in the English world, Anna Beiler returns to the Pleasant Valley Amish with a baby girl, which will surely cause a stir since Anna is unmarried. What they don't know is that the baby is adopted, and Anna desperately needs to protect it from its violent father...
Anna finds it reassuring to reconnect with family and old friends. But she hasn't fully faced the consequences of her irresponsible youth. And now she may be endangering her family. If she wants to stay, she must seek forgiveness from the community whose blessing she took for granted, and experience the true change of heart required to make a new beginning.
Synopsis
Christmas is a time for new beginnings. But when a dutiful Amish woman's life is turned upside down, she may have to risk her heart to get everything she's always wanted in this charming Pleasant Valley novel. Since her mother's death, Naomi Esch has been devoted to caring for her father and siblings, sacrificing any hope of finding love or having a home of her own. Still, working at the local bakery and expanding her beekeeping business give Naomi a satisfying sense of purpose. Then, in the weeks before Christmas, her father announces his plans to remarry. He and his new wife need the house for themselves, leaving Naomi in need of a plan.
But opportunities soon come her way. A friend finds Naomi a place to stay, and widower Nathan King offers his sprawling farmland to Naomi to continue her business--on the condition that she helps take care of his children. The setup is so perfect that the community assumes a wedding will inevitably follow. But Naomi has vowed never to marry without love. And to Nathan she's merely convenient help. Now, for those in Pleasant Valley, uniting these two stubborn souls may take a Christmas miracle.
Synopsis
Can an Amish midwife earn her community's trust and bring the joy of new babies to Pleasant Valley? Amish midwife Sarah Mast moves to Pleasant Valley for a fresh start. But her aging aunt can no longer run the birthing center, leaving most of the responsibility to Sarah. Among those skeptical of Sarah's ability is neighbor Aaron Miller, who seems drawn to Sarah but pulls away when his own sister requests her services. And when a criminal complaint is filed against Sarah, she must pray for strength to defend her practice and win acceptance from the community she loves.
Synopsis
The first of three Amish-set novels in which a woman?s faith must guide her through challenging times. All of Pleasant Valley seems to think the newcomer from Lancaster County is the perfect match for Teacher Leah. After all, so few new families come to their separate Amish community, and fewer still unmarried men. Daniel Glick is a widower with three young children to look after?clearly he?s in need of a wife.
Daniel?s past haunts him. Though he cannot miss the beauty in Leah?s bright eyes and patient ways, he also sees a reminder of his pain-filled marriage. Leah, too, has a burden to bear. Years ago, she was engaged to Johnny Kile, and she was heartbroken when he decided to leave the Amish community. Since then she has immersed herself in teaching, forgetting any hopes of having her own family. When Johnny returns, seeking reconciliation, Leah must decide between two pathways, either of which will completely change her life.
Synopsis
The next in a series of Amish-set novels in which a woman's close- knit community helps her through challenging times. It has been almost a year since the Amish community of Pleasant Valley lost Ezra Brand to tragedy. Now his wife Rachel struggles to raise their three children and run their farm.
Rachel's friends and family have come forward to help. But all of their constant advice, however well intentioned, puts undue pressure on Rachel. And when Gideon Zook, Ezra's best friend, asks her permission to build the greenhouse Ezra had always promised her, she finds his presence too painful a reminder of losing her husband.
As spring turns to summer, and Rachel puts her heart into growing the plants that have always brought her joy, can she discover the courage to embrace new beginnings?
Synopsis
A quilt shop brings Amish and Englisch together, and trouble follows...
After a thwarted romance, Katie Miller starts over by moving to Pleasant Valley and opening a quilt shop. Soon Amish and Englisch turn the store into a lively spot...to the consternation of Caleb Brand, who crafts furniture next door. Then Katie's sister joins her, to escape rumors of her wild rumspringa, and Katie feels the burden of responsibility for a restless teenager. Even worse, her efforts to bring more people to Main Street arouse resistance among local businesses. When acts of vandalism threaten Katie's shop, she turns to Caleb for comfort, and their friendship deepens. But will Caleb's secret past prevent him from embracing a future with Katie? Or will their fragile romance develop the strength to last a lifetime?
Synopsis
When a new life beckons, a dutiful Amish woman must decide what she owes her family...and what she owes herself...
Since her mother's death, Naomi Esch has been devoted to caring for her father and siblings, sacrificing any hope of finding love or having a home of her own. Still, working at the local bakery and expanding her beekeeping business gives Naomi a satisfying sense of purpose. Then, in the weeks before Christmas, her father announces his plans to immediately remarry. He and his new wife need the house for themselves, and suddenly Naomiandrsquo;s life is turned upside down.
But new opportunities soon come her way. A friend provides Naomi with a place to stay, and widower Nathan King offers his sprawling farmland to Naomi to continue her businessandmdash;on the condition that she helps take care of his children. The setup is so perfect that the community assumes a wedding will inevitably follow. But Naomi has vowed never to marry without love. And to Nathan sheandrsquo;s merely convenient help. Now, for those in Pleasant Valley, uniting these two stubborn souls may take a Christmas miracle.
Synopsis
The first of three Amish-set novels in which a woman?s faith must guide her through challenging times. All of Pleasant Valley seems to think the newcomer from Lancaster County is the perfect match for Teacher Leah. After all, so few new families come to their separate Amish community, and fewer still unmarried men. Daniel Glick is a widower with three young children to look after?clearly he?s in need of a wife.
Daniel?s past haunts him. Though he cannot miss the beauty in Leah?s bright eyes and patient ways, he also sees a reminder of his pain-filled marriage. Leah, too, has a burden to bear. Years ago, she was engaged to Johnny Kile, and she was heartbroken when he decided to leave the Amish community. Since then she has immersed herself in teaching, forgetting any hopes of having her own family. When Johnny returns, seeking reconciliation, Leah must decide between two pathways, either of which will completely change her life.
Synopsis
The Amish community of Cedar Creek is celebrating a wedding! When Amanda Lambright, widowed with three daughters, marries Wyman Brubaker, a widower with five children, she envisions joining their two households into one big happy family. But it isnt quite that easy.... Amanda Lambright loves Wyman Brubaker, and after four years as a single mother, she is grateful for his support and for this new chance at happiness as his wife. Shes confident that their children will get along just fine. But once Amandas clan moves into Wymans home, the tight quarters and Wymans reluctance to make changes to accommodate Amanda cause friction. The older kids are squabbling. The little ones are frequently in tears. Tiny Alice Ann isnt speaking at all. Amanda and Wyman cant find any privacy. And Amanda wonders if shell ever have a chance to pursue the pottery making that means so much to her.
Amanda believes that family lies at the center of any well-lived Amish life. Can she find the wisdom to guide the reluctant members of her new extended family toward the love that will bind them together?
Synopsis
Marta Perry returns with a brand-new inspirational Pleasant Valley novel. After spending three years in the English world, Anna Beiler returns to the Pleasant Valley Amish with a baby girl, which will surely cause a stir since Anna is unmarried. What they don't know is that the baby is adopted, and Anna desperately needs to protect it from its violent father...
Anna finds it reassuring to reconnect with family and old friends. But she hasn't fully faced the consequences of her irresponsible youth. And now she may be endangering her family. If she wants to stay, she must seek forgiveness from the community whose blessing she took for granted, and experience the true change of heart required to make a new beginning.
About the Author
A longtime resident of Jamesport, MO, home of the largest Old Order Amish community west of the Mississippi, Naomi King now lives in Minnesota with her husband and border collie. She is the author of other novels set in the Amish community of Cedar Creek: Abby Finds Her Calling and Rosemary Opens Her Heart.