Friday, May 24, 2019

Review - The Bishop's Daughter

Author:  Patricia Johns
Genre:   Inspirational Romance 
Publisher:   Zebra
Format:  Kindle ARC
No. of Pages:  304
Date of Publication:  April 30, 2019
My Rating:  5 Stars

DESCRIPTION:
In this poignant, beautifully written novel, a faithful young Amish widow is reunited with her wayward first love . . . 

As a bishop's daughter and good Amish mother, widowed Sadie Hochstetler teaches her young son that God blesses those who try their best to please Him. But her brief marriage taught her that life is infinitely more complicated than that. Older, and serious, her late husband seemed a sensible choice--especially compared to Elijah Fisher, the spirited boy with whom she butted heads and hearts. Then Elijah abruptly left for the Englisher world, taking Sadie's beloved brother along with him--a double betrayal she still strives to forgive. Especially now that Elijah has returned . . .

Elijah plans to stay in the Amish community only as long as he's needed, helping his family and working for Sadie's ailing father. The outside world has changed him, leading him to question rules and restrictions that others take on faith. Once, he'd been head over heels in love with the bishop's daughter--a girl he was judged unworthy of courting. Nine years have changed so much between them. Yet something remains--a spark that, for all their differences, might light the way home again . . . 


MY THOUGHTS:

In this wonderful and incredibly sensitive story, Sadie Hochstetler is a widow. Sadie is also the daughter of the Bishop so much is required of her. As the mother of a young son, she works hard at teaching him to do his very best to please God. Sadie recognizes that in so doing, she may never find true happiness - she certainly never had it in her marriage, but at least she will be doing what is right.

Elijah Fisher was the boy she loved when she was a teenager. Her father highly disapproved at the time. At seventeen, Elijah left the Amish community for the Englisher world. He was gone for nine years, but now his father's business is suffering and he pleads with Elijah to help him. This puts a burden on both Sadie and Elijah. Their feelings are very strong with one another, but with Elijah no longer being Amish, and Sadie being a widow, there is no future for them.

Sadie's father is ill, and has hired Elijah to help care for his farm. This brings Sadie and Elijah around one another as they care for chores. One reason this is especially difficult for Sadie is that her brother Absolom left with Elijah all those years ago, and never returned to his family or his faith. So, Elijah becomes the tie between Sadie and her brother.

I am a woman of faith, albeit a different one, and I was very moved by the dynamics in this story. This was multi-layered as it not only dealt with the loss of faith Elijah experienced, and how the families were affected by such. The story also helped readers to see what Sadie went through during her marriage. She did all she could to be a good wife at the time, and must eventually come to terms with how this affected her and what the future could be like for her and her son. Then there is Absolom's girlfriend, Sharon, and what she was experiencing. Lastly, the way the families in the Amish faith are affected when members leave. This part of the story was handled in a responsible manner and made the story that much better.

This is the second book I have read by Patricia Johns and I truly enjoy her writing. I look forward to reading much more by this wonderful writer.

Many thanks to Zebra and to NetGalley for this ARC to review in exchange for my honest opinion.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

I am a Harlequin author who writes for the Love Inspired, Western/American Romance and Heartwarming lines. I have recently signed a book deal with Kensington Books for Amish romance, so in 2019, you’ll find me being published by both Harlequin and Kensington. You can find my books in any place that books are sold. I am represented by Rachel Beck of Holloway Literary.

I have my Hon. BA in English Literature from University of Toronto, and I live in Northern Canada where the weather dominates our small talk. Mr. Johns has the distinct challenge of being married to a writer, and our young son has yet to be impressed by seeing his mother’s books on a store shelf. 😉 It’s the perfect life for me.

Click on over to see my books, or check out my blog where I talk about writing, books, marriage, kids, and everything else that distracts me from my work. And leave a comment! I’d love to hear from you.


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