Her Restless Heart: Stitches in Time Book 1 - eBook
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I really liked this story.
Mary Katherine lives with her Grandmother, actually she feels like she was given a new lease on life when her Grandmother asked her Father if she could live with her and help in her shop in town. Mary Katherine's Daed never treated her right and ridiculed her about everything. There was no physical abuse but there was emotional abuse, not only to Mary Katherine but toward her Mother also. Weaving was Mary Katherine's favorite thing to do and since moving in with her Grandmother she was free to weave whenever she felt like it.
Jacob has known Mary Katherine since they attended school together. What she didn't know was that he loved her quietly, he never said or did anything to let her know. Love and marriage was the farthest thing from her mind though, she wanted nothing to do with any man, she thought all men were like her Daed. She was confused as to where she belonged in this world, she has an Englisch friend, Jamie, and sometimes feels like the Englisch world would be a lot better than being Amish.
When Daniel, another schoolmate, returns from Florida to sell the family farm, he shows an interest in Mary Katherine. Jacob doesn't like what he see's and starts to show an interest also. Mary Katherine doesn't realize that they are both vying for her attention.
When Mary Katherine's Mother has a heart attack she returns home to take care of her because she knows her Daed won't do anything for himself and her Mother will be doing the daily chores before she's completely recovered. She was right too! Her Daed had not changed at all during the time she'd been staying at her Grandmothers house, IF he ever talked to her, it was to cut her down. She finally had enough of his treatment and leaves, taking off walking to town on a rainy day.
What will happen to Mary Katherine? You'll have to read for yourself, no hint from me. I really did enjoy this book, I think it's the first book I've read that Barbara has written and I must say that I'm looking forward to finding some more by her. You will not be sorry if you purchase this one.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the NetGalley book review 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 CommissionâÂÂs 16 CFR, Part 255: âÂÂGuides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.âÂÂ
August 24, 2012
Her Restless Heart
This is the first book in the author's new series Stitches in Time. Mary Katherine is restless and hounded by others to join the Amish church. Raised by an overly strict father and a pushover mother, Mary Katherine has little confidence in herself, but begins to heal emotionally when she moves in with her grandmother Leah. She works in Leah's craft shop, along with her cousins Anna and Naomi. Each cousin has talent in various handcrafts, and Mary Kathrine's is weaving. Thanks to her father's criticism, Mary Katherine knows that words can hurt more than physical wounds, and the emotional pain takes much longer to heal.
I found myself pulling for Mary Katherine right away, and also drawn into Naomi and Anna's lives as well. Leah is the kind of grandmother that we all wish we could have, wise and compassionate, knowing when to push a bit and when to back off. In some ways, Leah reminds me of my grandmothers. I also enjoyed the cameos and short updates on characters from Barbara's Quilts of Lancaster County series. I can't wait for the next book in the series, scheduled to release this autumn. :-)
August 5, 2012
Best Amish Book!
I typically don't read the books that are set in Amish communities because I find them bland (sorry!), or I can't relate. But I loved this book. These characters had real feelings, struggles and flaws. Although it wasn't a terribly "deep" book and she could have done a better job with the father/daughter issues, the author did a good job mixing humor with drama. I'm looking forward to reading the next in the series!
June 18, 2012
Growing up in the Amish faith for many holds an easy future, one that many accept gracefully and happy. To be raised in the Amish world , work and then be married to a fellow Amish and attend faithfully the church and follow their ways of life. However, not all are convinced that this is the right way and are often swayed by the views and opinions of those living the worldly life in what the Amish call the "Englischer" way.
One thing that is quite common in many Amish novels is that the main character is swayed by decisions that need to be made and will feel torn between the two worlds. What makes the great ones stand out though is the author's writing style and whether they are able to capture the author in a way that other Amish fiction and similar stories may have failed.
One of my favourite Amish fiction writers is Barbara Cameron as her stories are easy to read and they are set at a pace that keeps the reader entertained and contain characters that are easy to relate to,
Her Restless Heart focuses on Mary-Katherine , she is stuck in a rut and in what way of life to choose - does she continue to follow the Amish way of life or as the tourists come in each week from the Englischer world , does her heart belong with them.
Mary-Katherine, unlike all the other girls too does not yet want to date but she can't get away from the commitments as local Amish follower Jacob has his sights set on Mary-Katherine and will do everything he can to get her to be his one true love. When a surprise visit from an old family and school friend Daniel - a now turned Englischer turns up in Lancaster County, Mary Katherine can't help but be drawn to him. As the story goes on we read as Mary-Katherine's heart becomes torn further apart, till the time comes when she needs to make a decision. Will Mary Katherine follow her Restless heart and be with Daniel in the Englischer world or will she realise that her heart is at home with Jacob in Lancaster County following the Amish way of life ?
June 8, 2012