The Miting is a emotionally moving, tension filled novel set in an Old Order Amish community and the local English town.

Dee Yoder, the author, is a mentor at MAP- Mission to Amish People. Her experiences volunteering with youth who are leaving the Amish life provide true-to-live ideas for her writing.

This is the story of Leah, an Amish girl whose one rebellion is a hunger for the word of God. She would love to have the Bible in English, available to read in morning devotions or a group study. Under the control of a very strict Bishop, all those desires are forbidden.

Leah will hear the Bible in German, and all interpretations will be made my the Bishop.

Leah is everygirl, in a sense. She's glad to have her family and it hurts her when they disagree, she's torn between loving her home and wanting just a little bit more, she makes friends quickly, and she hopes that someone will love her.

Leah's friends look into the English world and see freedom: modern dating practices, access to contraband substances, and space for risky behavior.

Leah also sees freedom- to know God. Her hunger for Him is growing by leaps and bounds. The chapter when Leah first encounters a NIV Bible was sweet reading for me. That was my first Bible, a 1984 NIV. I understood Leah's delight as she drank up the Words that so clearly speak of eternal life.

Yes, you could read this book for an Amish drama. There are all the classic ingredients- a shunning, a buggy ride courtship, a friend who goes English. But there's something very authentic and uncontrived about this Amish novel. It's a story about people, who happen to be Amish. The Amish world is not a haven of complete peace and all that is good, nor is it a collection of narrow minded bigots. They're just men women and children, made to seek the Lord.

Dee Yoder describes the Plain life with tenderness, and not sugar-coating. Leah did have tight family bonds. There was a simplicity and natural rhythm to her hard working, good-earth based life. There was industry and wholesome virtue in her Amish community. There was also vice: ugliness and abuse and exploitation. I can see why she wanted to stay, and I can she why she wanted to go.

One thing in specific jumped out at me as I read... a lesson I think we Christians can learn from the Amish. The Amish religion encompasses every area of life. There politics or lack there of, their dress, their lifestyle choices, they're all wrapped up in the religion. When the children grow and begin questioning the buggies and the long dark dresses, they think they're questioning God. When they leave the farm and the Ordung, they're told they're leaving God. May we not do the same. When our kids question our conservatism, or abandon our stance on a non-Gospel issue, or get tattooed or bare their knees in Church or maybe dare to worship in old jean shorts, or try out communal living or Catholicism or whatever, may we not act like they've abandoned Christ. May we not wrap Christ up in so many layers of human choices that to get free of the oppression they think they've got to leave Him.

The Miting hits all the high and low notes of Leah's experiences. Slowly, she learns that whether she abides with the Amish or ventures into the English, God is her one constant.

Thank you Kregel for my review copy!

Leah is a seventeen year old Amish girl who has a desire to deepen her relationship with God, thing is as an Old Order Amish she has rules she must follow and truthfully questioning those rules is forbidden, that doesn't stop her for thirsting for God's word, and seeking answers. How will her family and the elders of her strict community handle this?

The Miting by Dee Yoder isn't your typical Amish fiction, sure there is a young girl looking to find her place,trying to figure out where she belongs, there is a bit of romance along with family drama but there is also a true look at the Old Order Amish lifestyle and the strictness of that life. Leah was a young girl that was very easy to connect with, and the things she wanted were very simple, she wanted to read her Bible, but the questions that brought about caused a rift, and the consequences she faces are harsh. Ms. Yoder did a wonderful job of allowing me to glimpse the Amish lifestyle. From the rules the community followed to the shunning that took place it was easy to be drawn in and become emotionally invested in the character of Leah. I think anyone who enjoys Amish fiction will find this book a must read, but it is also perfect for anyone who wants to learn a bit about the Amish. An emotionally stirring story that lingered long after I finished reading it.

A complimentary copy of this book was provided for review.

The Miting by Dee Yoder is the most enlightening Amish novel that I have ever read. Leah Raber is torn between her Amish beliefs and her desire to read the Bible which is forbidden by the Old Order Amish Church. She has no desire to go through rumspringen as many of the Amish teenagers do, she only wants to be free to read her Bible, to understand her relationship with God, and to attend a Bible study conducted by an ex-Amish couple. She does not understand how so many of the Amish "rules" are not in the Bible so she asks questions and this causes her family and the bishop to call her rebellious. Leah's best friend Martha is also Amish but her family and the church do not prevent her from being abused by a family member. This and all the other unanswered questions cause Leah to finally leave the Amish life. She adapts well to the Englisher world but she is suffering greatly from homesickness. She finally goes back to her family but the miting/shunning is extremely severe and very painful but if she will give up reading the Bible, the miting will be lifted. Leah also wonders if everything that is happening to her will prevent her from having a lasting relationship with Jacob Yoder.

I have read many Amish novels but none has ever explained shunning so well. I knew what shunning was but it had never really registered with me how devastating it could be to the individual being shunned. I was surprised at the large number of things that the Amish are not allowed to do, many in my opinion seem ridiculous. Dee Yoder did an outstanding job in the development of this story. Every character in the story came to life and I felt as if I knew them. Many I loved and several I could barely tolerate. All the scenes were so realistic that many times I was in tears as I was reading, and if not in tears then sometimes fighting mad. There were a few twists and turns in the story but they added to the suspense of the story. Would Leah stay Amish or become English and will Jacob become part of her life? After reading this story, I have great respect for those who want to leave the Amish life for the freedom to read and study the Bible and to accept Christ as their Savior. I never realized how very hard that could be. I definitely hope that there will be a sequel for I want to know more about Leah and Jacob and would also like to know if Martha ever found happiness.

I very highly recommend this book to all who would like to know more about the Amish while reading a very enjoyable story that will touch the heart.

Kregel Publications provided me with a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

The Miting is Dee Yoder's first book and well it is SPECTACULAR. As my followers know I am a HUGE fan of Amish Fiction, it's one of my favorite genres, so when I saw this book I was drawn to it. This book is fiction but is based on true stories and experiences. Leah Raber is part of an Old Order Amish community in Ohio. She has been to the New Order communities and doesn't understand why her community cannot step into this new order. The rules and expectations leave Leah feeling confused and stifled. She wants so much to please her family but feels drawn to something else. Her best friend, Martha confides in Leah about an abuse situation and the bishops really don't do much about. Treating Martha like she is the problem so Martha tells Leah she is leaving the order to move in with her boyfriend, also Amish, Abe Troyer. Abe and Martha are doing wild things like drinking, smoking, drugs, driving, and being reckless. One day Leah is invited to a bible study at the home of an Ex-Amish couple, The Schrooks, feeling she wants to know more. She attends and finds herself drawn to Christianity and that it gives her peace. When her parents find out they are livid. Now Leah has to make a choice to turn away from Christianity or have to be put under the miting, which is basically shunned. Leah has to decide what she wants for her life.

The Miting is SPECTACULAR. As a HUGE fan of Amish Fiction and of debut books this book fit both bills and I am so glad I read it. Dee Yoder writes with such heart and expertise on all things Amish, both new and old order, the laws in Ohio, abuse within the communities, and help for the Amish looking to leave. As I read this book, I could really feel Dee's heart in the words. This book is not a typical Amish Fiction book. The issues addressed and the experiences are much different than the ones I have read in the past. This book really made a huge impression on me, especially how issues are handled in this Old Order Amish community. I could not put this book down. I enjoyed the characters in this book especially Leah. My heart felt for Leah in her struggle to find herself and make decisions. I truly felt like I was there watching this story unfold. I found myself crying in parts and holding my breath in others as Leah went through all of her trials and successes. I just can't do this book justice! I hope Dee Yoder is continuing with this series, as I would like to know whats in store for Leah and her life. The ending definitely leaves you wanting more, in a good way. For anyone interested in Amish Fiction, I HIGHLY recommend this book to them! You will NOT be disappointed. I cannot wait to read more for this spectacular author. I give this book 5+ Stars.

Received this book from Kregel Publications for no charge in exchange for my honest review

I really enjoy reading Amish fiction, and especially did this book. Not that I would want Amish people to have problems, but the idyllic life portrayed in many books is only showing one side of their lifestyle. This book actually addresses questions I have wondered if Amish youth might struggle with.

Seventeen year old Leah loves the life she leads, the closeness of family and community, and traditions. Her friend Martha was in her rumspringen and using that time to experience many sins the world had to offer. Her desire was to leave the Amish permanently. Leah on the other hand had no desire to explore the English world or leave her home. Her rumspringen was one of a spiritual nature.

The Old Order Amish she was a part of were very strict. Until reading this book I was not aware that the Bishop could set rules for the community he was over. Leah's Bishop was extremely strict. The only Bible they could read was the German one and she didn't understand it. Dark purple curtains were only allowed in windows, reflective triangles on buggies were sins, yet sexual abuse within a family was dealt with lightly. It wasn't that way in other Amish communities and Leah wanted to know the "why" behind all the rules.

After secretly attending a Bible Study at the home of an ex-Amish couple, Leah's eyes are open to the gospel of Christ and the way of salvation. She accepts Christ as her Savior. She realizes following the Ordnung and being a member of the church will not get her to Heaven. She hungers to learn more about God and read His Word. She tries to be open with her parents but they see desire to grow as rebellious and sinful.

The Bishop advises her family to treat her as if she were shunned to give her a wakeup call. Torn between the love of her family and following Christ she feels forced to leave her home. She moves in with the ex-Amish couple and becomes a part of the English world. While she finds it exciting at first she truly misses her family. How can she remain honest and not denounce her true salvation? Homesickness wins out. Leah returns believing God can work in her family's hearts and she live Amish yet still read her Bible and be true to her new faith.

Her homecoming is a painful shock. Her family still rejects her. The Bishop insists she must give up her Bible. I will not reveal the ending but I learned of the extreme and harsh measures the Amish will take to keep a member from disobeying. The ending is a special surprise!

The book was excellent. It truly made me think about situations all over the world where people are forced to choose between Christ and those they love the most. The story is a beautiful example sacrificing all to take a stand for Him.

I received this book free from Kregal Publishers. The opinions I have expressed are my own.