Sunday, February 27, 2011

What The Heart Sees by Kathleen Fuller

What the Heart Sees: A Collection of Amish Romances

Paperback: 432 pages
Publisher: Thomas Nelson (March 8, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1595549196
ISBN-13: 978-1595549198





About the book from Amazon.com:
Together for the first time, three Amish romances from Kathleen Fuller.
"A Miracle for Miriam" from An Amish Christmas
Miriam fell for Seth, but he broke her heart. Years later, after he's nearly killed in an accident, Miriam sees him at a Christmas party and notices something is different about him-not just how he looks, but how he acts. When Seth pursues her, she must decide whether to guard her heart or accept his love.
"A Place of His Own" from An Amish Gathering
When Josiah left Paradise the first time, he didn't even say good-bye. Now he's back, ten years later, and he's changed. Why is he so distant and bitter? Where is the boy who used to be Amanda's best friend? Amanda is learning that there are things even a capable Amish girl can't fix. But can she stand there and watch him walk away...again?
"What the Heart Sees" from An Amish Love
A tragic accident rocks a peaceful Amish community, leaving Ellie Chupp blinded and Christopher Bender's future shattered. But they find love and forgiveness in a place they least expect.

My take on this book:

"What The Heart Sees" is a compilation of three short stories that have been previously published in other books. While I had read one of the stories in another collection it was nice to have this group of stories together in one book.
"A Miracle for Miriam" was previously published in An Amish Christmas. Miriam  was picked on in school by a boy and his friends who told her she was ugly, which affected how she viewed herself. She had longed for a husband, but her self esteem issues followed her into adulthood, making her wonder if she would ever find a mate. When Seth, the bully who taunted her in school shows up in town, and starts paying attention to her, will Miriam be able to forgive him?

"A Place of His Own" was previously published in "An Amish Gathering." At the age of twenty-four Amanda Graeber is plenty old enough to be thinking about a family of her own, but she hadn't met anyone she wanted to marry, so instead she helps her mother take care of her brothers and sisters.When Josiah Botranger left Paradise ten years ago he didn't even get to say goodbye to his best friend Mandy, but now he has returned to fix up their old house sell it and then leave, but perhaps he will instead find what he has been longing for in Paradise.

"What The Heart Sees" was taken from "An Amish Love". I had already read this story but reread it anyway and found that I liked it just as well as I did the first time. In this story everything seemed to change for Ellie Chupp five years ago in an accident where she lost her sight.Chris Miller left five years ago after loosing his fiancee in the same accident that cost Ellie her sight. Ellie wants to be Chris' friend but can he let go of the past?
Each of these stories give the reader a great glimpse as to what a fantastic storyteller Ms. Fuller is.She pulls you into each story with well developed characters and plots that move at a brisk pace. Each story has the reoccurring theme of men returning home to find forgiveness and love.
 There is a glossary for the Amish words that are peppered through out the stories. In addition there is a reading group guide and a few Amish recipes for readers to try. Fans of good clean romance with a nice inspirational thread woven in should pick up this book, its a great way to sample the work of one of todays leading Amish authors.

rating 5/5


Book provided by Booksneeze for their blogger review program.

3 comments:

  1. I can't wait to read this book, Brenda. I adored Kathleen Fuller's story in "An Amish Love" :)

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  2. Rachel it was a fantastic read, Kathleen is fast becoming one of my favorite amish writers!

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  3. Thank you Ms. Brenda for a very nice adult blog that does not revolve around anything but your joys of reading, so nice to see on the hop amongst all the over done MOMMY blogs. Yours is a very nice escape from all the mommies out there without their own identities.

    I Hoppin on over on Sunday morning from Az. and 3 PEas in a Pod Sunday Blog Hop, and look forward to hopping into you again sometime soon.

    Have a Hoppy Sunday and see you next week!


    Leila
    http://azsbsm.wordpress.com/
    Meet me on Sunday

    http://azfillerpack.wordpress.com/
    Blog Hop Round Up!

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