Written by Beverly Lewis
Published at Bethany House
About the Book
Joanna Kurtz has made several trips to the altar, but never as a bride. The young Amishwoman is a closet writer whose stories aren't her only secret.
Eben Troyer hopes to make Joanna his bride--if he can ever leave his parents' farm in Shipshewana, Indiana. Yet Eben's hopes to build a life with Joanna hinge on his brother's return from the English world....
My Thoughts
I received the book on Sept 13th – yes yesterday – and I devoured it throughout the afternoon and evening. By the time I was reading to sleep at 930pm I had finished the reading. I don’t think I recall reading a book so fast for a long time. I guess it helped that my husband was able to get a ticket to go see Ravi Zacharias last night as I was able to pursue the reading.
As I reflect on the story, I can’t help to remember the movie 27 Dresses in which the main character was a bridesmaid of numerous wedding but not a bride herself – until the end of the movie that is. This story is similar in some ways though it is happening in an Amish community.
Joanne Kurtz has been a bridesmaid a certain number of time but she herself has not found the man with whom she wants to spend her life with. Nevertheless, she doesn’t despair and pursue writing in her notebook – an activity that she keeps secrest from everybody else. One day out of the blue she meet someone who lives in Indiana. And their long distance relationship starts… Nowadays in our electronic world a long distance relationship could also include facebook and Skype but in the Amish world it is fed with letters and occasional phone calls. Personally, I find it romantic to send a real letter to someone you love. I recall when I was dating my husband that he would write often via emails. I still have these emails from him from our dating days – as well as the special cards… I cherish them and read them every once in a while.
However, the relationship gets complicated at some point and the two will go on their separate ways. It is heartbreaking to read about their attempts to go on through life with each other. But ultimately God is in control and somehow they will realize that they are meant for each other and take necessary steps to be with each other (not without some an amusing situation though).
I am not a huge fan of romances but the Amish kind is particular in itself because there is mystery surrounding the characters sometimes and the settings will always bring you in a place where I would love to experience – life of the Amish. Though for this particular book, I did found it didn’t contain as much mystery as previous titles from Beverly Amish. Either her writings have changed or my reading taste are changing. I don’t know. I have enjoyed the story but I find that there wasn’t enough mystery surrounding the characters. If you love Amish novels, you will enjoy reading The Bridesmaid.
The Bridesmaid is available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group, even at amazon.ca.
Disclaimer: The book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. for review purposes. I was not monetarily compensated for this review. Please note that the review was not influenced by the Sponsor in any way. All opinions expressed here are only my own.
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