In this second book in the series Jesse and Emma are married and a new issue has arisen. While most of the children are beginning to accept Katie and her mom. Mabel, the oldest at age sixteen had taken care of things
including her father, after her mother’s death. She feels like she is being pushed out. She is mean and nasty to Katie and Emma. I hated the things she said and did to Katie and Emma, but I could understand somewhat why she felt the way she did. Even though Jesse and Emma are discouraging a relationship between Ben and Katie, she is sure they will get married one day. She is also still going to group activities with her Mennonite friends. They invite her to go to Europe to study her Amish roots. She can’t afford it until someone mysteriously pays her way. Katie goes and not only does she learn so much about the Amish in Europe, we are taken on this historic trip. Jerry has done an excellent job of sharing this historical information with the readers in a way that makes it interesting and not boring. While in Europe Katie learns that Ben has been arrested. I recommend you read this book to see if this family can find peace in all areas of their lives.
I received a copy to facilitate my review. The opinions expressed here are my own. ( )

Does Katie Find Love?

Katie Raber has been through so much in her young life being overly sheltered by her Mamm. While growing up there were a lot of things Katie was not allowed to do. She was kept close to her Mamm's side.

With the marriage of her Mamm to Jesse Mast, Katie's life starts to change. She is finally coming out of her shell. She has her dear Mennonite friends to thank for that.

While things have changed for Katie and her Mamm, life is still not easy. Mabel, Jesse's daughter, is making life unbearable for her and her Mamm too. How will Katie ever become friends with someone who is so hateful?

Katie has a crush on Ben Stoll and longs for Ben to notice her. She has daydreamed about him for quite some time. What can she do to get him to talk to her? Katie's Mamm most certainly doesn't want Katie to court Ben because of her fear of past experiences in her own life. Is Mamm's fears reasonable? Katie doesn't think so!

Katie is excited when a wonderful opportunity comes her way. She is invited to go along with her Mennonite friends to Europe to visit the birthplace of her Amish faith. Oh how she would love to go. Katie is sure Jesse and her Mamm would never let her go.

This book is a little different from other Amish fiction books I have read. I loved that it had some unexpected twists mixed in.

As I have come to expect in this author's books he speaks of faith in God, God's love, and forgiving others. Prayer and scripture are common in his books too. For this I am thankful for good Christian authors.

I wish to thank Harvest House and Jerry Eicher for sending me this book to read and review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own. ( )