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Thursday, May 10, 2012

The Brush of Angel's WIngs



By Ruth Reid

 

Description

He doesn't plan to stay Amish. She doesn't have a plan.  Then an angel draws their hearts toward God . . . and each other.
A buggy-racing champion, a hardworking field-hand, and a terrible cook, Rachel Hartzler does not fit her Amish community's standards for an eligible bride. Hurt by their rejection and still grieving the loss of her brother, Rachel is ready for change. She's not, however, ready for Jordan Engles. Rachel's father hired him to help tend the fields so Rachel can learn to cook and sew, thus increasing her chances of finding a husband. She can't understand why her father doesn't want her help and blames Jordan for trying to replace her beloved brother.  Jordan plans for his time on the Michigan farm to be short. Before his mother passed away, he promised her he'd give her Amish roots a chance. Upon her death, uncertain about what else to do, he came to stay with his Uncle Isaac in Hope Falls. He's curious why his mother left the community she obviously loved. But it doesn't take Jordan long to conclude that the strict lifestyle and the three hour church services are not for him.  But there isn't just human interaction at play. Nathaniel, an angel of God, sees the potential in Jordan and Rachel's hearts from heaven's perspective. His goal is to shepherd them toward the path of healing and love.  When tragedy strikes, then strikes again, this angelic being is sent to guide them toward the healing and abundant life promised in God's Word - if only they will listen.
 

Review 
I have read a lot of Amish fiction novels but have never read one with angels and demons as part of the story.  I'm not really sure how I feel about author's inclusion of Nathaniel the angel or Tangus the demon because they reminded me of those comics that show the red devil on one shoulder and the beautiful angel on the other - both vying for you to do what they say.  We all know that there are angels and demons but we do not really know how they function in today's world.  Aside from this issue, I found the story to be very interesting and one we all can relate to in some way.  All Amish fiction stories are very similar but each one has something that is unique that keeps you interested if you like that genre of story - which I do!  Jordan and Rachel were very believable characters and their story was wonderful.  There were tragedies and difficulties to overcome but the writer was able to show the simplicity of life and how Faith overcomes all things.  It was a good reminder for all Christians (or anyone) that God is always there, we should pray without ceasing, we should learn forgiveness (even of ourselves) and we should live in unity and love.  I give this book 4 out of 5 stars.  
 
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

1 comment:

  1. Hi there!
    I was over at BookSneeze trying to pick out an Amish novel and I looked at this one. What caught my eye was your mentioning about the comics of the devil on one shoulder and an angel on the other!
    I SWEAR this IS the God's HONEST truth! I attended Catholic School from the 1st grade through the 4th grade. THIS "IS" WHAT WE WERE TAUGHT!!! To think of an Angel on one shoulder, and the Devil on the other. The Devil will ALWAYS be telling you to do wrong, but the Angel will 'whisper' the 'good thoughts' into your head an you should follow those GOOD THOUGHTS, children!
    LOLOLOL!!!! From the sounds of it, I would assume this author perhaps is Catholic??? She is trying to be original by brining in the "Angels and Demons" aspect of religion!
    I am going to PASS on this book based upon your review, THANK YOU FOR WRITING IT!!!!! I am SOOO glad I didn't get suckered into reading an Amish story based upon Catholic teachings!!! Oh, this makes me laugh - in a good way!
    Personally, I will NOT read ANY book that has Demons in it. I feel they are a negative influence and it attracts that negativity. I keep that at arms length! This is NOT from a Catholic perspective, either. It is just using common sense. There are SO many DARK books out there, I am really disappointed that an author would HAVE to bring Angels and Demons to the Amish genre. What a shame!
    Also, this is NOT the Amish faith!!! She is SOOOO OFF!
    I am going to write her name down so I DON'T read her books! From the sounds of it, she 'wants in' on the Amish genre of writing, but can't pull it off because she does NOT KNOW the Amish faith behind it.
    I know a LOT of Amish stories are cookie-cutters of the SAME thing, but I would MUCH rather stick with that than to move towards something this author has written which is wrong.
    Thank you, again, for your honest review! You SAVED ME from reading something that I would have HATED!!!! As SOON as a 'demon' would have moved in, that would have been the END of my reading the book right there!
    I PRAY that other people who read this author's books does NOT 'assume' this IS the Amish faith!!! I pray they don't.
    It takes ONE bad author to screw things up! I pray this does NOT happen! I think we are ALL SAFER to stick with the 'tried and true' Amish authors!
    Thank you!!!
    Laurie Carlson
    laurieisreading at gmail dot that 'c' word!
    http://www.lauriehere.blogspot.com

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