Paperback, 304 pages
Expected publication: October 1st 2012 by Abingdon Press
Set in Paradise, PA and Pinecraft, FL, The Heart's Journey highlights Naomi's story. She's engaged to John but it seems as though her heart is not fully convinced this is the right move for her. She has doubts; sometimes he makes her uncomfortable with his constant checking up on her and his insistence that things be done his way. What Naomi first thought was charm now feels like manipulation. Cameron had John so well fleshed out, he even gave me the creeps! Run, Naomi, and don't look back would be my advice.
Naomi's grandmother, Leah, knows something is wrong and so she and Naomi head down to the Amish community of Pinecraft, FL to visit relatives. Their Englisch driver, Nick, is a friend but he begins to think he might like more than friendship. Much to Naomi's chagrin, she begins to feel something for Nick in return. Can this Amish girl and this Englisch man ever have a future together? What do they do about their different beliefs? You'll just have to read the book and see!
Cameron's books seem to have a lot more depth to them compared to some other Amish fiction I've read, exploring women's issues common to Amish and Englisch alike. In The Heart's Journey, Cameron incorporates into her story the theme of domestic abuse/violence and does it extremely well. The characters are very relatable and I liked both settings. The author also incorporates themes of family, the power of love and self esteem. I've read The Quilts of Lancaster County series and enjoyed all three books.
The Heart's Journey is book # 2 in the Stitches in Time series and can be read as a stand-alone. 4****
Barbara Camerson can be found at her website.
Disclosure: A review copy of the book was provided by Netgalley/Abingdon Press in exchange for my honest opinion.
I've never read any Amish fiction, but glad u enjoyed this one.
ReplyDeleteHi Kaye,
ReplyDeleteWelcome back to the blogging boards, I hope that everything is okay with you ... time and good friend are the only true healers ... you have both here.
I haven't read any Amish fiction, although I do have one or two recommendations already on my reading list, although none by this author.
I do want to read at least one or two Amish books, however I think that I might find them uncomfortable reading, so I am not sure that it will be a genre that I shall read regularly. The obedience and subservience of the women in the community is likely to annoy me after a while I think.
As Barbara is such a prolific author on the subject and has obviously researched her subject thoroughly, perhaps one of her books would be a good place to start, so thanks for recommending her to us.
Yvonne