I received a complimentary copy of this book from Litfuse Publicity Group and was under no obligation to post a review. No compensation was received for sharing this review and all opinions are my own.
Series: Amish Brides of Pinecraft #2
Published by HarperCollins on May 12th 2015
Source: Litfuse Publicity Group
Genres: Amish & Mennonite, Christian, Contemporary, Fiction, Romance
Pages: 288
Suggested Age:14+- I feel this book is teen safe however there's a mention of rape and murder that honestly didn't seem to fit the overall tone of the book. It wasn't detailed but the book is pretty light reading so it seems odd to have that in there when the overall theme isn't heavy reading.
A young Amish woman, yearning for freedom, crosses paths with a handsome Mennonite celebrity in a deeply moving tale of friendship and self-discovery—the second installment in the unforgettable New York Times bestselling author’s new Amish Brides of Pinecraft series.
Penny Troyer rarely disobeys her parents. In the years since her sister’s tragic death, they’ve wanted nothing more than to keep her safe…even if it means never leaving the house.
But tonight, she’s bending the rules because Michael Knoxx, the most famous member of The Knoxx Family Singers, a traveling Mennonite Evangelical family —is scheduled to speak. Penny has heard of Michael—how he lost part of his leg in a terrible accident and uses the experience to inspire others—and knows she must meet him. So, for the first time ever, Penny stands up to her parents and goes out on her own.
Though he speaks about living life to the fullest, Michael knows he needs to take his own advice. Life on the road is grueling and Michael wants to slow down, to rest…to perhaps meet someone who sees him as a man, not just a celebrity. So when a twist of fate allows him the chance to stay a little longer in Pinecraft, Michael knows God is showing him a new path, especially when he discovers how much he and Penny Troyer have in common.
But new friendships can’t stop time. Soon, Michael’s time in Pinecraft will be over and he’ll be back on the road. Her time with Michael has brought her happiness, but will she be able to follow her heart? Or will she be faced with the one thing she’s sure she’ll never have the courage to do?
This was a fantastic book in the Amish Brides of Pinecraft series by Shelley Shepard Gray. The characters are the type of characters that you can relate to. I will admit that Michael grated on my nerves just a little. I liked him by the end but he came off a bit arrogant at first.
I love how quickly these books read. They have a nice flow to them that keeps the reader engaged. Also, though this is the second book int he series, I felt that it could have easily been read as a stand-alone.
I feel like the author has done a wonderful job with describing the community of Pinecraft. I feel like I have a good handle on the location of homes and places. That helps me visualize things while I’m reading this series.
As I stated above, I felt the mention of rape near the front of the book was a bit out of place. That could have very well been left out of this story. It’s not that it bothers me but some people could be put off by that so I felt the need to mention it.
Overall, I give this book (and series) a five star rating. I can’t wait to read more by this author.
About Shelley Shepard Gray
Shelley Shepard Gray is a two-time New York Times bestseller, a two-time USA Today bestseller, a finalist for the American Christian Fiction Writers prestigious Carol Award, and a two-time Holt Medallion winner. She lives in Southern Ohio, where she writes full-time, bakes too much, and can often be found walking her dachshunds on her town’s bike trail.
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