Friday, May 18, 2012

Mommy's Summer Reading List -- An Uncommon Grace by Serena B. Miller (Review)

An Uncommon Grace: A Novel


Product Details: Fiction. Paperback: 352 pages

Publisher: Howard Books; (April 3, 2012)

ISBN-13: 978-1-4516-60302


 A moving and inspirational novel about the power of faith, family and above all, love, as a young Amish man must turn to his Englisch neighbor for help after a devastating tragedy.

Grace Connor, a military nurse formerly stationed in Afghanistan, hopes that moving to a farm in rural Ohio will help her recover from the ravages of war.

Levi Troyer finds his pacifist beliefs challenged when he discovers his stepfather has been killed and his mother wounded by an unknown intruder.

Levi and Grace are thrown together when she comes to his family's rescue and saves his mother's life. A deep attraction develops-even though a relationship between them is strictly forbidden. Levi belongs to the most conservative and isolated of all Amish sects-the Swartzentruber Amish.

Even before meeting Grace, Levi had begun to question some of their teachings. He has considered leaving, but knows he will be banned forever from contact with his younger siblings and widowed mother- who need him to survive. He is torn between his love for Grace and his responsibility to his family. Grace considers leaving her beloved farm and reenlisting rather than continuing to live near the man she loves but cannot have. Levi must confront the Bann if he pursues Grace. And a murderer must be caught. When lifelong allegiances are tested, can love and justice prevail?



------

My Thoughts:


This is the first Amish fiction novel I have read.  Before reading this book, I wasn't sure of what to expect.  I ended up picking up and then putting this book down on several occasions, promising myself I would return and read it.  Then, the other evening, I was cleaning the stack of books that had overtaken the end table and stumbled upon my advance review copy of Uncommon Grace.  I had totally forgot it was there.  I sat down and began reading a few pages.  Within ten minutes, I was through the first chapter, and looking at the clock to see if I could squeeze in a few more pages before I began the laundry for the night.


The author did an amazing job at telling this forbidden love story, and painting the pictures of the characters.  I felt like I knew a couple of them, based on her descriptions.  I ended up pushing the laundry until the next day, as I couldn't put the book down.  This was the first book I have read by Serena B. Miller, but will definitely not be the last.  I am not going to ruin the ending for you, but will tell you that this book is a real page turner. 


About the Author

Prior to writing books, Serena Miller wrote for many periodicals, including Woman’s World, Guideposts, Reader’s Digest, Christian Woman, and The Detroit Free Press Magazine. Serena, also the author of The Measure of Katie Calloway and Love Finds You in Sugarcreek, Ohio, has spent many years partnering with her husband in full-time ministry and presently lives on a farm in southern Ohio. Her official web site is www.serenabmiller.com.

Disclosure:  I was sent a copy of this book by the publisher in order to write up an honest review.  The views above are mine and mine alone.

No comments :

Post a Comment