The Decision

January 12, 2015
Brunstetter, an Amish-fiction specialist who has sold more than 8 million books, begins her new Prairie State Friends series with a novel that moves as slowly as a Amish buggy. Jonah Miller has been courting Elaine Schrock for nearly a year, but the unexpected death of her grandfather puts marriage plans on hold. Further delays occur when Elaine’s grandmother is diagnosed with both diabetes and dementia. When Elaine ends up refusing Jonah’s marriage proposal in order to devote herself fully to caring for her grandmother, he begins seeing Sara Stutzman, a widow with her own dramatic health issues. The plot plods; the language trudges; the ending jerks to a stop with obvious hints at Book 2. While Brunstetter’s serviceable story speaks to caregiving, duty, and friendship, readers may cringe at sentences such as “Immediately, Elaine’s two special friends gathered her into their arms, and they wept bitterly.” Fans of Amish fiction and Brunstetter will want to read her latest, but this one isn’t her best.

February 1, 2015

After his wedding is unexpectedly called off, Jonah Miller begins his life and buggy-making business anew with an Amish community in Illinois. When he meets Elaine Schrock, John believes that God has given him a second chance at love. However, his answered prayers turn into a cruel twist of fate when Elaine's grandfather dies and her grandmother is diagnosed with dementia. His soon-to-be bride calls off the engagement to abide by her grandfather's dying wish to care for her grandmother. A heartbroken Jonah feels that he will never again know love. But God has a plan for his children. VERDICT Drawing on the themes of the power of faith and prayer, best-selling author Brunstetter launches a new series with this wonderful yet angst-filled tale of love won and lost. The plot-driven story line and feel-good tone make up for the sometimes bittersweet situations in which the characters find themselves. Brunstetter's engaging prose style and appealing, well-drawn characters will not disappoint her fans and may garner new ones. A solid choice for readers of Beverly Lewis, Tracie Peterson, and Melody Carlson.

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