Synopses & Reviews
As an Amish wife and mother struggles to hold her family together, a story from the past teaches her how to face her daily challenges with strength and love . . . In modern day central Pennsylvania, Judith Wegler tries to heal the growing rift between her husband, Isaac, and his teenage brother Josephand#151;whom Judith and Isaac have raised as their own ever since both brothers lost their parents and siblings in a horrific fire. Meanwhile, Isaacand#8217;s hurtful silence about this tragic past has robbed Judith of any certainty of her husbandand#8217;s love.
But when Judithand#8217;s grandmother gifts her with an antique study table, she discovers a hidden packet of letters that changes her life . . .
In 1953, widow Mattie Lapp fights against the countyand#8217;s attempts to force Amish children to attend a consolidated public school, even if it means arrest and imprisonment. Mattie knows she canand#8217;t face this challenge alone, and turns to her late husbandand#8217;s cousin Adam for help, but sheand#8217;s terrified at the prospect of relying on someone else.
Now, as the two womenand#8217;s stories converge, both must learn to stand up for their beliefs and to love again, even when it means risking their hearts . . .
Review
Praise for The Forgiven, the first book in the Keepers of the Promise series and#8220;A born storyteller, Marta Perry skillfully weaves the past and present in this heart-stirring tale of love and forgiveness.and#8221;and#8212;Susan Meissner, Author of A Fall of Marigolds and Secrets of a Charmed Life
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and#8220;Aand#160;tender novel of second chances, endearing characters, and a can't-put-it-down story.and#8221; and#8211;Suzanna Woods Fisher, author of The Revealing
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and#8220;A gently-drawn portrait of two lives renewed by the power of loveand#8230;readers will come to care deeply about Rebecca and Matthew, as I did, and will look forward to the next book in this series.and#8221;and#8212;Robin Lee Hatcher, author of A Promise Keptand#160;and Love Without End
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and#8220;With exquisite grace and unflinching honestyand#8230;this story touched my heart and held me captive until the last pageand#8230;.and#8221;and#8212;Lenora Worth, Author of Bayou Sweetheart
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and#8220;Loved it!and#160;and#160; As usual, Ms. Perry's story-telling is tender, touching, and full of gentle wisdomand#8230; This is going to be a terrific new series, and I'm confident readers of Amish fiction will love it.and#8221;and#8212;New York Times bestselling author Linda Goodnight, author of The Buchanons series
and#8220;Five Stars! Marta Perryand#8217;s tender family saga of love and faith will touch your heart.and#8221; and#8211;Emma Miller, author of Plain Murder
Synopsis
In the final Keepers of the Promise novel, a young Amish woman must make a difficult choice, just as her grandmother did years ago... Central Pennsylvania, current day. Restless and adventurous, Amish Barbie Lapp has been stepping out among the Englisch. Minister Benuel Kauffman doesn't approve of her choices, but he can't deny the positive influence Barbie has on his wayward teenage sister. As Barbie is drawn to the kindness beneath Benuel's gruff exterior, the mementos she finds in a dower chest given to her by her grandmother, Elizabeth, provide the insight she needs to decide whether to fully embrace the Amish way of life or leave it behind for forever.
Lancaster County, 1960. As working farms for the Amish become more scarce, Elizabeth Lapp's husband, Reuben, tries to persuade her that they would be better off moving north. But the prospect of leaving her close-knit community of family and friends frightens Elizabeth. Can she muster enough love and faith to leap into a new life?
Two women from one family, separated by decades, both find that the ultimate adventure takes place in the heart.
About the Author
A lifetime spent in rural Pennsylvania and her own Pennsylvania Dutch roots ledand#160;
Marta Perryand#160;to write about the Plain People who add to the rich heritage of her home state. She is the author of more than fifty inspirational romance novels, including the Keepers of the Promise series and the Pleasant Valley series.and#160;She lives with her husband in a century-old farmhouse in central Pennsylvania.