Rosemary Opens Her Heart by Naomi King ~ review

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: NAL Trade (November 6, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0451237978
• ISBN-13: 978-0451237972

This book is also available as an e-book.

Click here to purchase a copy of "Rosemary Opens Her Heart."

Release Date: November 6, 2012 | Series: Home at Cedar Creek (Book 2)

Another spring reminds the Amish of Cedar Creek, Missouri,
that for everything there is a season.

Zanna Lambright is finally marrying Jonny Ropp, and friends and family have come from far and wide to celebrate. Among them is young widow Rosemary Yutzy, mother of toddler Katie, whose husband was tragically killed last fall. With a willing heart Rosemary has taken over care of her in-law’s family and continued to run a baked goods business from home, but privately she still mourns her lost Joe…and is unprepared for the changes that are coming…

Rosemary’s father-in-law wants to merge his lamb-raising business with Matt Lambright’s—a move that will require the Yutzys to relocate from their nearby town to Cedar Creek. Moreoever, it will bring Rosemary into constant contact with Matt, who is making no secret of his romantic interest in her. The challenges of contemplating a future unlike any she expected are overwhelming for Rosemary. And although Matt is strong and kind, his courtship is so persistent, she often wants to run the other way. As Rosemary struggles to see beyond her immediate joys and sorrows, will she embrace the outpouring of welcome and support from the people of Cedar Creek…and accept this new chance to open her heart to a more abundant life?

My take on this book:

After reading "Abby Finds Her Calling" the first book in the Home At Cedar Creek series I couldn't wait to read this one,and I must say I wasn't disappointed!

This book takes off right where the last one left off. It's the wedding of Zanna Lambright and Johnny Ropp. With many  in attendance including Zanna's jilted beau James Graber, thing is James realizes that now that Zanna is married it's time to move on with his life, and hopes that God will reveal his plan to him sometime soon. He is unsure though whether he will ever be ready to court again or perhaps it might be his fate to stay single.Abigail Lambright who is known as Abby to her friends is described as love and sunshine, a wonderful person to be around. She has decided though that she would rather remain a maidel rather than pretend to love a man just to get married. James has always considered Abby a good friend but could there be more in store for this couple?

At the age of twenty-two Matt Lambright has some money in the bank and an established flock of sheep and is ready to move past his rumspringa and settle down, if only he could find the perfect girl to settle down with. When he notices an Amish woman dressed in black he just can't keep his eyes off of her. That woman is Rosemary Yutzy, who is still mourning the loss of her husband Joe. A strong, determined woman, she wants to be the best mother she can be to her young daughter Katie, while helping to take care of her in-laws while running a small business. Matt feels drawn to Rosemary, but can she let go of the past to embrace a new future?

Even though this is the second book in the Home At Cedar Creek series it can easily be read as a stand alone work, although if you enjoy well written Amish fiction you won't want to miss a single book in this series. The author creates memorable characters that are so easy to like, which are struggling with real life issues that are easy to relate to. It is so hard to choose one favorite character, because they really all stood out. Rosemary was such a strong character, it was so easy to see why it was hard for her to move on from what she had hoped her life would be. I found myself swept away with this story, and was anxious to see what God had in store for each character. A great series with a positive inspirational feel, that easily transported me into the lives of the characters. Naomi King who also writes under the name of Charlotte  Hubbard knows how to create a memorable story that always leaves me wanting more. On a scale of one to five this series easily gets a six from me because it's just that good!

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ABOUT NAOMI KING

I’ve called Missouri home for most of my life, and most folks don’t realize that several Old Older Amish and Mennonite communities make their home here, as well. The rolling pastureland, woods, and small towns along county highways make a wonderful setting for Plain populations—and for stories about them, too! While Jamesport, Missouri is the largest Old Order Amish settlement west of the Mississippi River, other communities have also found the affordable farm land ideal for raising crops, livestock, and running the small family-owned businesses that support their families.

Like my heroine, Miriam Lantz, of my new Seasons of the Heart series, I love to feed people—to share my hearth and home. I bake bread and goodies and I love to try new recipes. I put up jars and jars of green beans, tomatoes, beets and other veggies every summer. All my adult life, I’ve been a deacon, a dedicated church musician and choir member, and we hosted a potluck group in our home for more than twenty years.

Like Abby Lambright, heroine of my new Home at Cedar Creek series, I consider it a personal mission to be a listener and a peacemaker—to heal broken hearts and wounded souls. Faith and family, farming and frugality matter to me: like Abby, I sew and enjoy fabric arts—I made my wedding dress and the one Mom wore, too, when I married into an Iowa farm family more than thirty-five years ago! When I’m not writing, I crochet and sew, and I love to travel.

I recently moved to Minnesota when my husband got a wonderful new job, so now he and I and our border collie, Ramona, are exploring our new state and making new friends.

To find out more about Naomi, please visit her at http://www.naomikingauthor.com/.

Visit her on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/NaomiC.King

On Goodreads at:http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5163868.Naomi_King