The Wounded Heart by Adina Senft ~ review with giveaway

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: FaithWords (September 27, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0892968540
• ISBN-13: 978-0892968541
• Want to purchase a copy of this book, click here.

An e-copy was provided by the publisher.

About the book:

When a business offer turns into something more personal, Amelia is torn between what logic tells her is right, and the desire of her heart.


A widow with two small children, Amelia Beiler is struggling to make ends meet. She is running her late husband's business, but it's not what she was raised to do, which is run a home. When she gets an offer for the business from Eli Fischer, she's only too relieved to consider it-especially when it looks like Eli's interest might include more than just the shop. But when she begins to experience strange physical symptoms and is diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, it's difficult not to question God's will. If she pursues the treatment she believes in, she risks going under the bann. But how can she allow Eli to court her when she can't promise him a future?

My take on this book:

Amelia Beiler and her husband Enoch had been married for ten years when he was killed in a buggy accident, leaving her to care for her two sons Matthew and Elam. In addition to caring for the children she runs her husband's pallet making business which is four miles away. She longs just to stay home and be a mam to her children but the shop is there only means of support. She has been in mourning for eleven months, but still can't imagine ever finding love again. When an Englisher poses the question to her about selling her shop, rumors start that she might sell her business which brings Eli Fischer an Amisher to her shop inquiring about buying the business. About this time, Amelia starts experiencing numbness in her arm, and soon is diagnosed with a debilitating disease of MS. She has plenty of decisions to make, not just about the business but about her future, and Eli as well because he wants to start courting her. Because of her disease she feels as if she can't allow it, but he is determined to help her and her boys. How will things work out? Will Amelia get the medical treatment she needs, and could there be a second chance at love for her? Read this fantastic book and find out!

I read a lot of Amish fiction and I must say this book pulled me right in.The plot started out a bit slowly for me, but I think it was because I needed to get a feel for the characters I was being introduced to. Once the characters and their backgrounds were established the book moved along at a very brisk pace.

 While the main story revolves around Amelia and her struggles, we are also introduced to her friends Emma and Carrie. All three women are facing different issues in their lives but their friendships and love of quilting bind them together.I thought the character of Amelia was multi-layered. She is struggling with losing her husband, being a mother, a shop owner, and if that isn't enough she is faced with a debilitating disease. Her emotions seem very real, and I wasn't a bit surprised to see her question her faith,because that seemed like the most realistic thing any of us might do. A story that reminded me that faith, prayer, good friends, and a loving community can help us overcome any adversity that life throws our way!

 "The Wounded Heart" is a wonderful beginning for the authors new Amish Quilt Trilogy.A book that I would recommend not only to Amish fans but anyone looking for a nice read, with characters that have real life struggles. Adina Senft has a new fan here, I can't wait to see where she takes us next! 

About the author:

Adina Senft grew up in a plain house church, where she was often asked by outsiders if she was Amish (the answer was no), she made her own clothes, and she perfected the art of the French braid. She holds an M.F.A. in Writing Popular Fiction from Seton Hill University in Pennsylvania, where she teaches as adjunct faculty.

Writing as Shelley Bates, she was the winner of RWA's RITA Award for Best Inspirational Novel in 2005, a finalist for that award in 2006, and, writing as Shelley Adina, was a Christy Award finalist in 2009. Three of her books have shortlisted for the American Christian Fiction Writers' Carol Award for book of the year. Of her fiction, publisher and industry blogger W. Terry Whalin has said, "Readers will be lost in the vivid world that [she] paints with incredible detail and masterful storytelling."

A transplanted Canadian, Adina returns there annually to have her accent calibrated. Between books, she enjoys traveling with her husband, playing the piano and Celtic harp, and spoiling her flock of rescued chickens. These days, she makes period costumes and only puts up her hair for historical events and fun.

To learn more about this facinating author visit her website by clicking here.

Now On To The Giveaway!


Thanks to Sarah Reck @ Faithwords I have a copy of this book to giveaway to one of my blog readers. 

The rules are simple:


1. Only residents of the Us and Canada are eligible to win.


2 .No P.O. Boxes please.

3.Winners are subject to the one copy per household rule, which means if you win the same book in two different contests Faith Words is only going to send you one copy of the book.


4. Book will be sent directly from the publisher.

5. Just leave a comment with your email address so that I can contact you if you win. If you are or become a follower of my blog leave a separate comment for an additional entry. Winner will be chosen by Random.org and will have 48 hours to respond once I contact them or another winner will be chosen. Contest ends @ midnight Oct. 8th.

Thanks for entering and good luck!