The Bachelor by Stephanie Reed

In this sequel to The Bargain, Betsie Troyer is back home in her Amish community where she knows she belongs, free from the confusing Englisher way of life. She and Charley Yoder have made promises to each other, and her life is back on track--until Gerald Sullivan shows up with his young daughter, asking for Betsie's help. He’s on his way to find his estranged wife, and begs Betsie to take young Sheila in. When she agrees, Betsie's carefully planned life is shaken up again. Sheila's newfound faith is troubling to Charley--and his attraction to another girl is beginning to be a problem. But how can Betsie confront him when she is still trying to confront her own feelings about Sheila's brother, Michael? Keeping the peace between the Amish man she's always loved, a twelve-year-old Englisher girl, and a draft-dodging hippie is more than she ever thought she’d have to deal with in her simple, orderly life. Still, Betsie is convinced she can keep things from falling apart completely. Then during her best friend's wedding, tragedy strikes and her world is upended. She has to make a decision: does she love Charley or Michael . . . or is she craving a deeper love that only God can give? The compelling second novel of the Plain City Peace series, The Bachelor deftly weaves together the strands of a solid, simpler time with the turmoil of an era of change, revealing the strengths of both in its powerful narrative.

My Take:  I enjoyed rejoining Betsie Troyer and her family in this book.  At the very beginning Betsie is thrown a curve ball when Gerald Sullivan shows up at her doorstep to beg her to watch Sheila while he goes off to try and win back his wife.  Betsie knows that she should say no but she can't turn away this poor girl.  Betsie also has a problem with Charlie Troyer . Is he truly the one for her or does her heart belong to englisher Michael?  There are a lot of twists and turns in this book.  This is the second book in a series and I would highly recommend that you read the first book The Bargain just so you will be up to speed on everything that is going on.

I received a review copy of this book from Kregel in exchange for my honest opinion.

The Bargain by Stephanie Reed plus Kindle giveaway

Book Info

About the book: Book one in the Plain City Peace series. It's 1971, and Betsie Troyer's peaceful and predictable life is about to become anything but. When their parents flee the Amish, nineteen-year-old Betsie and her seventeen-year-old sister Sadie are distraught. Under the dubious guidance of a doting aunt, the girls struggle to keep the secret, praying their parents will return before anyone learns the truth-a truth that may end all hopes of Betsie's marriage to Charley Yoder. Purchase a copy here: http://ow.ly/ptivJ About the Author: Stephanie Reed lives on the outskirts of Plain City, Ohio, site of a once-thriving Amish community. She gleans ideas for her novels from signs glimpsed along the byways of Ohio, as she did for her previous books, "Across the Wide River" and "The Light Across the River." Learn more at Stephanie's website: http://www.stephanielreed.com/ My Take:  This book takes a time of history that hasn't been examined much by many as it pertains to the Amish.  The 70's was an upheaval for everyone who lived through it.  It was enjoyable to see this era through the eyes of the Amish.  I enjoyed the intrigue and the relationships of the characters in this book.  Nice enjoyable read and if you like Amish books then you will find this one a refreshing addition.

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Across the Wide River by Stephanie Reed

Across the Wide River by Steohanie Reed


Freedom—
Some take it for granted.
Others consider it worth dying for.
Lowry Rankin knows all too well the cost of freedom; after all, his family’s red brick home is the first stop on the Underground Railroad north of the Ohio River.
He’s seen friends beaten for the color of their skin. He’s watched simple farmers make a difference. He’s even risked his own life transporting escaped slaves. But will Lowry be able to conquer his greatest fear when he’s called to speak out?

This book is a fictional account that is based on a real family that risked their lives to be part of the Underground Railroad.
I am always inspired when I read about everyday people doing extraordianry things and that is what people along the Underground Railroad did. 
This is a very short book , only 176 pages, but for such a short book it packs a punch.  I would encourge you to read it yourself.  I would encourage you to have your children read it. 

Here is a link to a short pdf excerpt of the book. 

This book is a great example to everyone about how with the Bible as your guide you can do wonderful things even if your an ordinary person.

I received a review copy of this book from Kregel Publications.