Today I finished an amazing story. Today I finished Katie Opens Her Heart by Jerry S. Eicher. I have read his books before and am always held hostage to his books.

This story again held me hostage. A story of love and grace. A story of opening your heart to what God would have for you. A story that could hit home for me on so many levels. I wanted to cry so many times. I wanted to scream for Emma to give in and feel love.

Even up until the last page I wondered how this story would end. Would love be found, would families unite. Would Katie feel welcomed? I wish I could tell you all the answers. I wish I could tell you all the things I learned like how to keep being there for one another even when you are hurt. How when one door is closed another one is open.

What an amazing love story. Not just between a man and a woman but between a mother and a daughter. I cannot wait to read the next book in the series.

I am thrilled to have another book that my teen daughter can read and not be embarrassed about. Thank you, Mr. Eicher for another great book.

Emma Raber has been widowed and secluded for many years, but she has remained strong in her faith and diligent raising her only daughter, Katie. Isolating herself and Katie from others in their Amish community, Emma is thought of as odd, and Katie has been labeled as Emma Raber's strange daughter. Katie is the love of Emma's life, and mother and daughter have been devoted to one another. When Katie's Mennonite coworker invites her to attend a birthday party Katie's Mamm becomes overwrought at the mere idea of Katie leaving her alone, especially to attend a Mennonite youth gathering. Emma has forbidden Katie from the normal activities of teen years, running around and exploring life with other youth. Emma's fears for Katie become overwhelming, and the quiet life led by Emma and Katie is now becoming complicated. They look to "Da Hah" for guidance in all circumstances.

Amish life is well depicted in this book, and the use of authentic Amish terms and conversation creates a credible backdrop for this narrative about a mother and daughter who arrive at a crossroad in their lives. Emma's fears are realistic regarding the probable adjustments that she foresees in her own life and that of her daughter. Those fears are grounded in the hearts of many mothers who anticipate the changes in life as a daughter reaches maturity. Jerry Eicher has written a complex story of human emotions that are both heartwarming and complicated. His insight into the hearts of his characters is straightforward, believable and sensitive. The author's traditional Amish childhood adds credibility through the details and relationships within the Amish community. This is a well-written, poignant story filled with action, wit and a strong underlying faith in God.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own, and no monetary compensation was received for this review.

Finish the first book and now I'm reading the second book.

Emma Raber has been a widow for many years and has one child Katie. Emma has only loved two men, one in her youth but when he married someone else she made a fool of herself then agreed to marry Ezra Raber even though she didn't love him. When Emma became pregnant she did fall in love with Ezra and they were a happy family until the day he died. After Ezra's death she became withdrawn and refuses to let anyone into her or Katie's life, she is now known as 'strange' Emma and Katie is known as 'plain Katie', Emma Raber's daughter. Katie doesn't have any Amish friends and was not allowed to participate in rumspringa. Katie works at Byler's Store with other Amish and some Mennonite's.

Jesse Mast has been a widower for about a year and has five children. He has been doing a good job but feels there is too much responsibility put on his oldest daughter Mabel and even his younger daughter Carolyn did more than she should have too. He gets the idea that he needs a wife and his children need a mamm.

Widow Ruth Troyer, who has no children, is teaching school this year and uses this to her advantage to get involved in Jesse's family life. The children like her but she has some work to get Jesse to be convinced that she would make a good frau for him and mamm for his children.

Katie has eyes for Ben Stoll, which Emma senses and sees Katie on the same path she was on in her youth so she refuses to let Katie court or even think about boys. When Katie is invited to the birthday party of a Mennonite boy she accepts and goes against her mamm's orders and goes anyway. She really enjoys herself and continues going to their activities. Now Emma has another problem, she feels like Katie is going to leave her Amish faith and become Mennonite.

Emma has to find help somewhere but who can she turn to? Ruth is inviting herself to Jesse's house more than he appreciates so what can he do about this situation? Katie is trying to push her mamm into Jesse's life, Jesse's children don't like Emma or Katie but they adore Ruth. Emma, Ruth and Jesse have known each other since their youth but have never been close friends, will everything turn out for each of them?

Jerry did a good job of keeping me reading, I think it took me about two days to finish this book, which is good for me, lol. I'm anxious to see what comes next in this series. I see there are two more books coming, Katie's Journey to Love due out in April and Katie's Forever Promise coming out in October. At least April isn't too far away.

I would gladly recommend this book for any reader of fiction and especially Amish fiction.

Thank you to Harvest House Publishers for providing this book for review. 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

Many of the Amish fiction novels are "feel-good" books, but I appreciate the way that Jerry Eicher makes his characters so real and so believable. I noticed that Emma and Katie both engage in a great deal of negative self-talk. I struggle with this myself and it can rob us of much joy and it certainly did that for Emma and Katie at times. This is a wonderful book and my main problem with it was that IT ENDED! I was left wanting more....wanting to know what happens next for Katie and Emma! I am ready for the second book in this series NOW!