#2: The Bishop's Son

Leila Lantz is a young Amish woman who has recently moved to Texas from Tennessee after her fathers death. Her mother has just remarried, and her oldest sister has also married, and now expecting a child. Leila falls in love with Jesse Glick, the Amish Bishops son, but Jesse is hiding a secret that could pull Leila away from her family should she choose to let him pursue her. Jesse has claimed her heart, but is she able to give up everything for him?

Will, Jesses cousin, is also interested in Leila. He is a strong Amish man who desires to be baptized into the faith, and live the rest of his life simply with a wife and children. Will can give Leila the life she is used to and a secure future. But, Leila is unsure which man God has planned for her. Comfort and security vs. risk and reward.

I enjoyed this book for the most part. It was refreshing to see the other side of the cointhat sometimes the Englisch arent all bad, and that Amish life isnt always the utopia that some novels make it out to be. I also really liked the writingit was very descriptive. When I entered a scene, I knew what it looked like, smelled like, and what the characters were thinking about it. The only thing that wasnt overly satisfying was the ending. On one hand, the ending was good, and its what had to happen. But on the other hand, you knew at least one person was going to end up with a broken heart. I will be reading more novels by this author; her descriptive language really pulled me in.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Zondervan Publishers and BookLook Bloggers in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own and have not been influenced in any way.

This was such an interesting Amish fiction. I have always enjoyed Amish fiction, but this one was very different from anything I have read. I had never read a book where the plot of the story focused on the choices Amish young people must make while choosing to follow (or not follow) their faith.

This book is also a story of salvation and God's grace. The Bishop's Son is book two in the Amish of Bee County series. I have not read the first book and had no trouble following this book. It reads just fine as a stand alone.

I was very impressed by this book. I have always loved Amish fiction and this one didn't disappoint. I really enjoyed the plot of the story. It was different from any other Amish book I have read and I really liked the change. Leila and Jesse and Will all had different struggles they had to deal with and they each had their own way of dealing with them. I enjoyed how much Kelly used this book to speak of God's grace and the importance of sharing our faith with others. It's not something you would find in your normal Amish fiction but, it was one of the things I enjoyed most about the book. The writing is great and I was never bored while reading. I was interested all the way to the end.

This book was such a great read. I can't wait to read the next in the series.

I was blessed with this book from the Fiction Guild in exchange for my review. A positive review was not required.

The Amish of Bee County series began with the novel, The Beekeepers Son; here is the sequel to that story, The Bishops Son. Readers can look forward to the next novel in the series in 2016 titled, The Saddlemakers Son.

There are two young men interested in the main female character named Leila. Jesse, though a bishops son, hasnt yet committed himself to the Amish life or church as he continues to enjoy his freedom. Will is committed to the Amish way wholeheartedly and is interested in Leila as well. Jesse wants to show Leila a different world than her Amish community, and Will wants her to remain close to the community even though she is interested in working outside the Amish village.

Kelly Irwin writes interesting novels though sometimes the ending is quite predictable. What brings tension into the story isnt just two young men interested in one girl, but the fact that they are also cousins. The beliefs of the Amish and Christianity are brought to the story in an interesting way.

I think the relationship tension along with wrestling with ones personal beliefs though interesting just didnt capture my attention as much as I had hoped. The author writes a good novel; it just didnt click with me. You might consider reading the first book, The Beekeepers Son, in order to understand the background of the lead characters. Kelly Irwin has written other novels as well so if these stories dont draw you in like me consider looking into her other books.

This Amish novel quilts a story of sharp contrasts between following the strict, uncompromising church or seeking a more personal relationship with God and a more intimate knowledge of His Word. However, the book can't be simplified into that ongoing struggle. It involves individuals with desires, hurts, longings, and fears. Each character must decide how to best live out his or her faith. And, if one chooses to fellowship outside the Amish community, it can mean leaving family and all that is familiar. Jesse Glick, the bishop's son, and the girl he cares for, Leila Lantz, face these tough choices in the second installment of The Amish of Bee County series. The harsh southern Texas setting fits the difficult tale. This isn't one of your sweet Amish stories but a more serious one that tugs at the heart. It may also make readers consider the depths of their own faith.

The Bishops Son isnt your run-of-the-mill Amish love triangle book. Nor is it your standard dose of Amish fiction. Not only does the author set her story in an unusual place (Who knew there were Amish settlements in Texas?), with her thematic focus, Kelly Irvin takes chances. But it all seems to fit. You see, unlike the beautifully verdant and fertile pastures of Lancaster County, Bee County land is dry and unsuited to farming. This unforgiving landscape is like the untamed Wild West. Why is this a natural backdrop for The Bishops Son? Sit a spell and Ill tell you just a touch (without giving too much away).

Kelly Irvin covers some potentially controversial ground while relating Leila Lantzs story. As the plot progresses, Leila realizes that in order to choose between her two young Glick suitors, Jesse (the bishops son) and his cousin Will, shell need to ask herself some difficult questions that can only be answered by looking deep within her heart and examining not only her feelings, but her beliefs. If she chooses one, shell likely remain in her small Bee County district. Should she choose the other, her future is unknown and much more risky. About all Leila can be certain of is that she may need to leave everything her community, her family, the only life shes ever known behind.

Thematically, discussions of theological differences between the Amish faith and Evangelical Christianity take center stage. Irvin succeeds in making each viewpoint understood. In fact, I think this novel may shed more light on rumspringa (the Amish period of experimentation, questioning, and testing ones faith) and the practice of shunning than any I have previously read. I finished the book with a better understanding of each than I brought with me. Additionally, as I mentioned earlier, Irvin should be applauded for her choice of settings. The wild, untamed South Texas terrain is a strikingly suitable place to find a brave, rebellious young man who is ready to drop everything to go be a fisher of men.

Whether youll agree with all the assertions made and conclusions drawn in The Bishops Son, I cant say. I can, however, tell you that youll find between these pages a story that, though it may at first glance feel familiar, turns out to be its own kettle of fish. That, in my opinion, is never a bad thing.

Verdict: 4 of 5 Stars. Out-of-the-Box Amish Fiction Guaranteed to Spark Discussion.

With The Bishops Son, Kelly Irvin ventures into an unforgiving Texas landscape to tackle tough questions about faith. Ultimately, whether you agree with her premise or not, should you come along for the ride, youll find it impossible to remain a bystander. Therell be no sitting on the fence in this theological debate.

(Though The Bishops Son is the second book in the Amish of Bee County series, youll have no difficulty if you havent read the first title, The Beekeepers Son.)

*Disclosure of Material Connection: I would like to thank HarperCollins Christian Publishing and The Fiction Guild for providing me a copy of this title. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255: Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.