| Title | : | An Unbroken Heart (Amish of Birch Creek #2) |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | 0718033183 |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9780718033187 |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Paperback |
| Number of Pages | : | 304 |
| Publication | : | First published March 15, 2016 |
One minute, Joanna Schrock was arguing with her parents, and the next, her parents’ lives were claimed in a hit-and-run buggy accident. Her body is broken, but her heart is in even deeper pain— after all, how do you cope with your parents’ deaths when your last words were spoken in anger?
After an extended stint in a physical rehabilitation center, Joanna re-enters her Amish life. But nothing is the same—not even her feelings for Andrew Beiler.
Joanna has loved Andrew since the age of twelve, and her feelings have not changed throughout the years. She is thrilled when Andrew wants to get married, but she wonders whether it’s love he’s feeling, or pity. As the couple’s wedding date approaches, Joanna isn’t overcome with the deep joy she was hoping to feel; instead, she’s wracked with anxiety and guilt.
Joanna hears God whispering to her, Be strong and courageous, but she’s afraid that courage looks a lot like walking away from her dreams and into the plan of her Heavenly Father.
If Joanna takes the first step toward healing, will it cost her everything she’s ever wanted? Or could God be changing the desires of her heart?
An Unbroken Heart (Amish of Birch Creek #2) Reviews
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I really admired Joanna Schrock. She has amazingly bounced back from a lot of events in her life.
I enjoyed this book so much but of course I say this about almost every book I've read. There were a few that I've had trouble getting into. I like the stories that revolve around our Lord and Savior so much because without Him we'd be nothing. He is the truth, the life and the way. We must enter through Him in order to get to the Kingdom of Heaven. I'm believing this is the message that the author is wanting to say to us.
I rejoiced and grieved with Joanna because of what happened. when she finally realizes that it takes trust and finally some much needed healing after her buggy accident that killed her parents. Take each day and fully appreciate what you have because you never know what will happen or when your life will end.
Andrew was going through some tough times as well. I thought him rather pushy with Joanna. I believed that if God wants them together then it should be in His own time. They weren't ready and they didn't know how to show their love. I completely understand Andrew's motivation but they really needed to grow up some and let Joanna find some things out on her own.
I also admired Andrew's mother who kept some secrets of her own. I was glad that she finally to her children so that they can go on with their lives. I believe that because she did this Andrew was finally able to except what happened to his father and it also helped him to grow up and be the man I figured he could be.
Cameron had a lot going on in his life too. I think it takes a man to confess on what he did was wrong. It's wrong to run away from certain circumstances in life. I'm so very happy that he did right by his daughter. It also takes a man to think about someone other than himself.
I loved this book and will recommend it to anyone who loves to wile away the hours reading Christian fiction. I was definitely kept on the edge of my seat waiting to see what would happen with each page turn.
I gave this book 5 stars for the reason I stated above.
I received this book from Book Look bloggers in exchange for an honest review -
As this story opens we find an impetuous Joanna Shrock as she proposes to the young fellow she has had a crush on since she was a student in Amish school.
While she is telling her parents as they travel by their buggy, her mother tries to persuade her that she is not yet ready for marriage, when the unthinkable happens. When Joanna wakes from her nightmare, only to find she wasn’t dreaming, she suffers from the accident, but most of all from the loss of her parents.
Andrew was shocked when Joanna asked him to marry him to marry her, but when he almost lost her he decides he wants go through with the marriage.
Now Joanna is having a hard time, she is hurting both physically and mentally, and we wonder if she really is ready for the wedding to go on. In the last book we met sister Sadie, and followed her romance with Arden, and they are now married, will Joanna be able to find the same happiness, will she even allow herself to move on?
We also meet the man responsible for the devastation that has touched these young women’s lives, and when you put a face on someone, will we still think of him as a monster? Would you be willing to forgive someone like him, and when you hear his story and hear about his life, things become even harder. Throughout all of this hardship, God is working with everyone; he is there for them to lean on and if they will listen, follow the way he wants them to go.
There is one more sister in this family, and so I am hoping that there is another awesome book.
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Thomas Nelson, and was not required to give a positive review. -
Everytime I read a book from this author, I know it is going to be an unforgettable story that is filled with love, forgiveness and a story that is mesmerizing. I love how the author develops the characters with a soft and gentle spirit about them.
Joanna is in the buggy with her parents discussing her desire to marry Andrew. The feelings were a bit strained between her and her parents over the marriage. Her mother was explaining why she thought Joanna was not ready for marriage when suddenly a car hits their buggy. Joanna's life is suddenly turned upside down. She finds herself with a broken pelvis and cuts on her face . She is in for a long recovery and as she also has to deal with the loss of her parents.
As she recovers in the rehabilitation center she feels hopeless, empty inside and alone in the world. Her self worth became very low the longer her recovery took. Andrew is very upset with all Joanna is going through. He doesn't want to lose her and knows that she is the one he wants to spend the rest of his life with. He proposes to her and she accepts it with a bit of uncertainty. She knew she should be overjoyed, but the feelings are mixed .
As her wedding day arrives , will she follow through and marry Andrew? Is Joanna struggling with her parents death? Can she find hope in God to show her how precious she is? The author does a great job of showing the emotions, and struggles that Joanna goes through. I'm sure we have all felt unhappy with ourselves at one time. Joanna must learn that God sees her as a beautiful young woman with no scars. In her journey with God, she will learn to be strong and find courage to overcome her emotional feelings. It is hard to deal with losing someone when the last words exchanged were in anger. Can Joanna forgive herself for the angry words she said just before the accident? The book is an emotional journey that will keep readers glued to the story. It is another great story by a very gifted author.
I received a copy of this book from The Fiction Guild for an honest review. -
"An argument. A crash. In an instant, Joanna's world is changed forever."
This statement, appearing on the back cover , immediately grabbed my attention. That, along with the most beautiful cover, told me that this was going to be an excellent read. Kathleen Fuller, a favorite author, has never let me down and this book was no disappointment! If anything, I think it was her best book yet!!!
The story grabs your attention from the first chapter, giving you a bit of background and enticing you to read more and more and more and.......
Joanna, the main character, was in the midst of an argument with her parents and in the next moment , her parents were taken from her forever in a hit and run accident. Her body is broken but even worse , her heart is in deeper pain. Her very last words to her beloved mother and father were said in anger.
Due to injuries suffered in the accident, Joanna is forced to live for an extended time in a rehabilitation centre. The most intense problems she must deal with begin when she re-enters her Amish life. Nothing is the same!! Her life, her family, her relationship with Andrew Beiler have all been affected by this tragedy.
Joanna has loved Andrew since a young age of twelve . These feelings grew as she turned into a young lady. She is thrilled when Andrew wants to marry her , but questions whether it is really love he is feeling or pity. As the wedding date comes closer and closer, Joanna is not experiencing the joy and excitement that most brides feel. Instead, she is overcome with anxiety and guilt.
As a faithful Christian, Joanna hears the faint whispering of her God. "Be strong and courageous" but she is afraid that courage for her, may be walking away from her dreams and into the plan of her Heavenly Father.
What is God's plan for this dear young Amish woman??? Will God's plan take away everything that she has dreamed and hoped for??? Could God be changing the desires of her heart?????
I have enjoyed every one of this author's books but this one especially so as it appealed to a very deep sense of my emotions. The characters are described so thoroughly and realistically that I could feel every hurt, pain, disappointment , worry as well as moments of happiness. For me , the criteria for a good book is one in which I can closely identify with at least one of the characters. This novel was a real winner !! I had such empathy for both Joanna and Andrew. They both had such dedication to their faith and it seemed as if God's plans had gone awry. Why would a loving God do this to a wonderful couple?? My feeling were so intense that at times, I wanted to step into the story and give Joanna a big hug and tell her that everything would be alright. However, deep down, I worried that maybe it wouldn't be!!!
The plot moved at a fast pace with just enough twists and turns to keep the reader engaged. Just when I relaxed and thought everything would work out, another complication would arise. The world passed me by as I read this book from beginning to end with only time out to eat and sleep. I must admit, the sleep was less than usual, as I just HAD to find out what would happen next in this story.
Definitely a five star book!! This book is high on my list of recommended books to be read! It will appeal to lovers of Amish fiction as well as all others who enjoy a book in which they can escape their own reality for a short time.
This book was provided by the author in exchange for a fair and honest review. -
An Unbroken Heart is Kathleen Fuller's second book in her Birch Creek series although it can be read as a standalone novel. It follows the life of Joanna Schrock and her family. Joanna is tired of being pushed around. She remembers her days of being bullied on the school yard vividly. Her sisters tell her she needs to stand up for herself but that's easier said than done. It's not that she doesn't want to, it's that she doesn't feel she has it in her to speak up.
All of her life Joanna had been somewhat of a mouse. Often the victim of bullying when she was younger, Joanna never let it sour her sweet demeanor. She had a crush on Andrew Beiler ever since he rescued her from a school yard bully when she was twelve. True to her nature though, she doesn't reveal her feelings, she's just hoping he catches on soon. He makes her feel safe and loved.
She's finally caught Andrew's eye and she's super excited to be his girlfriend. If only he wouldn't treat her with kid gloves. She wants him to hold her hand, say he loves her. Anything but this awkwardness between them. She finally takes her sisters' advice to stand up for herself and proposes to Andrew. Enough with being meek and mild, she knows what she wants; Andrew!! But does Andrew want her?
After the singing with Andrew, Joanna still feels empowered. She's finally fessing up to her parents how she feels about Andrew. How she feels her parents baby her more than her sisters. They have been trying to marry Sadie off for a long time now, but Joanna mention marriage and they flip their lid! She's had enough and she is telling them so when tragedy strikes, a buggy accident. Is this the price of standing up for yourself?
I thoroughly enjoyed An Unbroken Heart even though I haven't read the first one. I sympathized with Joanna. She had been through so much between the bullying, family issues, and her own struggles. Most women would have given up, but not Joanna. Underneath that quiet demeanor is a heart of a warrior. She has the power to overcome all that's in her way if she will just take a leap of faith and believe in herself. She needs to see herself the way God sees her. She is fearfully and wonderfully made. She needs to believe in herself. She also needs to believe in others. Some people do pity you when bad things befall, but most genuinely want to help. Not because of pity or because they're looking for something in return but simply because they love you.
An Unbroken Heart has all the elements of a wonderful story: intrigue, love, loss, tragedy and triumph. I recommend this story to anyone, even if you're not a fan of Amish fiction. This story will get its hooks into you and won't let go. The only down side is you may find yourself loving the characters so much you'll want to take up residence in Birch Creek. -
This book is second in a series called the "Amish of Birch Creek" written by Kathleen Fuller. I did not read the first book but An Unbroken Heart can stand alone without having previously reading book one. I really enjoyed reading this story and put it down once. Kathleen Fuller makes the reader feel the emotions of love, fear, pain, and questions of self-worth and happiness. The main characters in this book are Joanna Schrock and Andrew Beiler.
Joanna was arguing with her parents about wanting to marry Andrew while they were traveling in their buggy on the way to the apple orchard. Her mother was telling her that she was not yet ready for marriage. When a car hit their buggy, the collision caused her to lose both of her parents. Joanna herself suffered a broken pelvis and lacerations on her face which would take a long time to heal. Joanna had loved Andrew since she was twelve years old, since he had stood up for her when she was being bullied at school. Over the years, as they were dating her feelings for Andrew grew stronger and Joanna had shocked Andrew by proposing to him.
In the rehabilitation center, Joanna suffered both physically with the pain from the accident and mentally, having learned that she had lost both parents. She felt so empty, alone and guilty. Andrew was upset about the accident and worried that he might be losing Joanna, so visited her and proposed. He could not picture his life without Joanna by his side. She accepted the proposal without the deep joy she had hoped for, and the plans began for their wedding. On the day of her wedding Joanna was unable to walk down the aisle. She then told Andrew she could not marry him as she knew she wasn't ready. God was talking to Joanna, telling her to be strong and courageous. Should she listen to God?
In An Unbroken Heart, readers learn about Joanna’s sisters, Sadie and Abigail, and how they managed to run the family business after their parent’s death while at the same time handling Joanna’s recovery. It encourages readers to look at forgiveness in their own lives as Joanna’s met Cameron, the driver who caused the accident that killed her parents, and forgave him. As the characters become so real, you really want healing for those who are hurting, and you want to help them find their way back to God so they can be whole again - but it must be in line with God’s timing and not theirs.
I received a paperback copy of this book without cost from the publisher through The Fiction Guild, a Thomas Nelson/Zondervan book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. -
The first book by Kathleen Fuller that I read was, ironically, the first book in this series. I read it in a day or two while on vacation last year. I fell in love with her writing while reading that book and was anxiously awaiting the release of this book. Thankfully, as a member of The Fiction Guild, I was sent a copy of this book to review. Would this book be as good? Would the writing and the story just blow me away? Would I still be a fan of the author when finished reading this book? The answers: Yes. Yes! and YES!!
I love the way the author set this story up. I liked reading about Joanna and Andrew when they were young and then "fast forwarding" to the present and how their relationship progressed. In my opinion, this really pulls the reader into the story and makes them feel as if they really know the two main characters. Andrew was so kind and sweet to Joanna that I perhaps developed a bit of a crush on him. Many times during the story I wanted to reach into the pages and give him a hug. Not often do I feel that attached to a character. Even the secondary characters in this book are well-developed. The author knows her craft and creates believable and realistic characters.
There is so much emotion in this book, too. I found myself brought to tears one minute and laughing out loud the next. The author has a way of writing that makes you feel the emotions of the characters in a way that fully immerses you in the story. I truly enjoy the way she inserts bits of humor to lighten up what could be a thoroughly sad story.
The story is told at just the right pace to get you interested and keep you engaged in the story from beginning to end. Everything happens at just the right moment, too. Nothing is rushed or too slow. There is just the perfect amount of buildup for every major plot development.
I highly recommend this book. Even though it's the second book in the series it can be read as a standalone. I don't suggest that though because you will miss out on a wonderful read if you skip the first book. Please don't miss out on a great story. Grab this book (and the first in the series), a refreshing drink, and find a comfy spot to sit and read for awhile. Once you start reading this book you won't be putting it down!
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion which I have given. -
Just about all of us has had an argument with our parents? Or loved one?
Did an accident happen as a result of that argument?
Are you feeling guilty of the argument that resulted in an accident?
Do you blame yourself?
You are not alone. While most disagreements and arguments do not result in an accident, there are a few cases that both have happened as a result of each other. Feeling guilty is a natural feeling. How we handle the guilt we are feeling that may or may not hurt loved ones around us who are there for in the healing process.
Coming clean with your guilt will set you free.
Ask and you shall be forgiven.
Kathleen Fuller dug down real deep to describe and write the emotions of each character in "
An Unbroken Heart", so that us, readers, could feel those emotions being expressed by the characters. By Kathleen digging deep for those emotions, she turned "
An Unbroken Heart" into a powerful, inspirational book that is a must read!
I loved this book, the characters, and the message that
Kathleen Fuller wrote about in "
An Unbroken Heart".
"
An Unbroken Heart" is the second book in the Birch Creek series. It is highly recommended that readers read the first book in the series first, which was "A Reluctant Bride".
I look forward to reading more books in the future written by
Kathleen Fuller, including the next book in this series, "A Love Made New".
I received a free copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review. No money was exchanged. This is my honest review in my own words. -
BACK OF THE BOOK BLURB
One minute, Joanna Schrock was arguing with her parents and the next, her parents' lives were claimed in a hit-and-run buggy accident. Her body is broken but her heart is in even deeper pain--after all, how do you cope with your parents' deaths when your last words were spoken in anger?
After an extended stint in a physical rehabilitation center, Joanna re-enters her Amish life. But nothing is the same--not even her feelings for Andrew Beiler.
Joanna has loved Andrew since the age of twelve, and her feelings have not changed throughout the years. She is thrilled when Andrew wants to get married, but she wonders whether it's love he's feeling, or pity. As the couple's wedding date approaches, Joanna isn't overcome with the deep joy she was hoping to feel; instead, she's wracked with anxiety and guilt. Joanna hears God whispering to her, Be strong and courageous, but she's afraid that courage looks a lot like walking away from her dreams and into the plan of her Heavenly Father.
If Joanna takes the first step toward healing, will it cost her everything she's ever wanted? Or could God be changing the desires of her heart?
MY REVIEW
Oh yes! Joanna's story is one I'd never want to live through myself but she handles it with courage and strength from deep within herself. You can see/feel her inner turmoil as you are yearning for her to share her feelings with someone other than herself. Kathleen does a wonderful job of pulling you into this story and wondering how you would handle yourself if you were in that position. This has been a great series, I would expect no less from Kathleen, and I'm looking forward to "A Love Made New" to come out in September. I can highly recommend this book to others.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” -
About the Book:
An argument. A crash. In an instant, Joanna’s world is changed forever.
One minute, Joanna Schrock was arguing with her parents, and the next, her parents’ lives were claimed in a hit-and-run buggy accident. Her body is broken, but her heart is in even deeper pain— after all, how do you cope with your parents’ deaths when your last words were spoken in anger?
After an extended stint in a physical rehabilitation center, Joanna re-enters her Amish life. But nothing is the same—not even her feelings for Andrew Beiler.
Joanna has loved Andrew since the age of twelve, and her feelings have not changed throughout the years. She is thrilled when Andrew wants to get married, but she wonders whether it’s love he’s feeling, or pity. As the couple’s wedding date approaches, Joanna isn’t overcome with the deep joy she was hoping to feel; instead, she’s wracked with anxiety and guilt.
Joanna hears God whispering to her, Be strong and courageous, but she’s afraid that courage looks a lot like walking away from her dreams and into the plan of her Heavenly Father.
If Joanna takes the first step toward healing, will it cost her everything she’s ever wanted? Or could God be changing the desires of her heart?
My Review:
In an her ever changing world poor Joanna Schrock has to deal with a lot. Her world was just flipped upside down in what seems to be an instant. She wakes to find her parents are gone and she was left injured because of a terrible accident. She is terrified to know what happens next.
Her now love interest isn't sure what to make of any of it and just as soon as it seems that he has gained a little bit of footing in the matter, the rug is pulled out from under him again with an impromptu proposal of marriage.
Joanna will have a lot to face in this addition to the series. It is not for the faint of heart either. She will have to deal with some pretty strong issues and she will be forced to deal with them.
The author has done a fantastic job in this go around. I cant wait to see what happens next!
**Disclosure** This book was sent to me free of charge for my honest review from the author. -
An Unbroken Heart by Kathleen Fuller is the second book in An Amish of Birch Creek series. Joanna Schrock was in a buggy accident with her parents. Her parents did not make it and Joanna has a long recovery ahead of her. Joanna is especially upset because she was arguing with her parents at the time of the accident (about wanting to marry Andrew Beiler). Joanna broke her pelvis and has a severe laceration on her cheek. It will be a long recovery. Andrew was so upset when he heard about the accident. When he visits Joanna in the rehabilitation center, he proposes. Andrew could not imagine his life without Joanna. Joanna accepts and it is full speed ahead to the wedding. Joanna has doubts, but she does not voice them aloud to anyone. Then when she starts to walk down the aisle, Joanna collapses. She tells Andrew that she cannot marry him. Joanna realizes that she was not ready and this helps her recovery. However, Joanna still loves Andrew. Will she be able to convince him of her love and get his forgiveness? What lessons will Joanna learn on her journey?
An Unbroken Heart was not as good as the first book in An Amish of Birch Creek. I was not fond of Joanna (her attitude got on my nerves after a short time). I found her to be extremely immature, full of self-doubts, and she had trouble communicating her thoughts and feelings (which leads to confusion and conflict). An Unbroken Heart can be read as a stand-alone novel (but the first novel is really good). An Unbroken Heart is an easy to read book (the author has a nice writing style) that can be finished in just a few hours (it contains 299 pages). An Unbroken Heart is a Christian novel, but it is not over-the-top (or in your face). The book does contain a good message about forgiveness. I give An Unbroken Heart 3.5 out of 5 stars. It was a middling novel (satisfactory or okay). I am, though, looking forward to the next book in An Amish of Birch Creek series which will tell Abigail’s story (the last sister).
I received a complimentary copy of An Unbroken Heart from NetGalley and BookLook Bloggers in exchange for an honest review. -
An Unbroken Heart is Kathleen Fuller's second novel in the Amish of Birch Creek series. This time Sadie's sister, Joanna Schrock's story is told. Joanna is still on the mend after a tragic buggy accident that took the lives of both of her parents. Joanna is getting stronger each day but her heart is also in need of healing. She can't seem to forgive herself for the words spoken to her parents the day of the accident and blames herself for the wreck.
With her heart and body in need of healing Joanna is hesitant to believe that Andrew Beiler could ever truly love her, especially after he refused her proposal before the accident. Joanna struggles to hand over her heart to Andrew and finds herself drifting farther away from both him and her faith along the way. Andrew also struggles with the absence of his father and it has affected his relationship with Joanna. His internal reservations have hindered him in the past, but his love for Joanna stayed strong and was only strengthened after the wreck. Can Joanna and Andrew find the guidance, strength and hope that will not only bring them together but heal both of their hearts from hurt? Will they trust that God has only good things in store for them and that He can heal all of the broken places in their lives?
Kathleen Fuller has done a fantastic job of weaving together two stories of healing and second chances. She has crafted a story that pulls you in right from the start. Fuller also weaves in Cameron's story, a young man with a tough past and an even tougher situation on his hands since he fled the scene of the accident after unintentionally hitting the Schrock's buggy. I don't want to spoil the ending, but I will say that the themes of forgiveness and compassion came through so beautifully with Joanna and Cameron as well.
All in all I definitely recommend this book. It is woven together with precision and beauty, and is a heartwarming story of God's redemption.
Thank you to the Fiction Guild for sending me this book in exchange for my honest review! -
This review is also posted on
Book by Book.
An Unbroken Heart takes Kathleen Fuller’s fans and readers back to Birch Creek and the devastated Schrock family. While A Reluctant Bride focuses on Sadie Schrock, this second Amish of Birch Creek novel spends its pages on one of her younger sisters, Joanna - and her story is a fascinating (and at times, frustrating) one.
A car-buggy accident that kills both of her parents leaves Joanna Schrock injured, scarred, and looking at her life - especially her relationship with Andrew Beiler - a bit differently. As Joanna recovers and heals, she must deal with her insecurities and look to God for guidance, just as Andrew wrestles with the lingering effects of his family’s past. The growth each experiences tests and challenges the childhood friendship-turned-romance between these two (most notably, when they don’t actually communicate with each other), but certainly fills the plot with interesting and intriguing drama.
Overall, An Unbroken Heart follows up A Reluctant Bride with an enjoyable story that will not leave fans of Amish fiction dissatisfied. I loved this chance to revisit the familiar characters of Birch Creek and I definitely hope to read more from Kathleen Fuller in the future.
Thanks to BookLook Bloggers, I received a copy of An Unbroken Heart and the opportunity to honestly review it. I was not required to write a positive review, and all the opinions I have expressed are my own. (I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”) -
What would you do if you thought you were the cause of an accident that killed your parents. This is what Joanna deals with in this story. Joanna is in love with Andrew, whom she proposes to and he didn't answer her. She has an argument with her parents when they tell her that she should wait to think of marriage. At that moment her world is turned upside down by an accident that causes her to be thrown from the buggy and kills her parents. She recovers but cannot forget that she may have caused the accident. Her family tries to help her and Andrew asks to marry her in two weeks. Things don't go as planned and a young father comes into the scene. Can Joanna, Andrew and the young father find forgiveness in their hearts or will they let despair be forever in their hearts. Simply a wonderful book.
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I received this book free as a Giveaway.
I really enjoyed this story. I've never read this author's works before, but I'll definitely be picking up some of her other books. the story here was both sweet and realistic. The main character is easy to like and relate to. A well-told story! -
A touching read about a young Amish couple finding their way to each other amidst past tragedy and current challenging circumstances. It was also wonderful to see characters from previous books. Strong themes of forgiveness and unconditional love. Very enjoyable read that I recommend ;).
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WOW! This book is full of circumstances that most people can relate to. Fear, guilt, broken hearts, loss and love. May God heal you where you are broken. A inspiring read.
Blessings,
Karen Hadley -
Joanna Schrock has been pining away for Andrew Beiler since she was 12 years old. Now 20, Joanna is surprised but ecstatic to find herself actually dating Andrew... finally! In fact, one evening at a social gathering -- though she and Andrew have only been a couple for 2 months -- she decides to just go for it and ask Andrew to marry her. Stunned, Andrew asks for time to think it over. The next day, Joanna is riding in a buggy with her parents, trying to argue her case for being old enough to marry. Her parents think she is too innocent and naive of heart to be prepared just yet for what marriage will mean. In the heat of the discussion, Joanna's father does not see the oncoming vehicle until it is too late. Joanna's parents are killed on impact. Though Joanna survives, she does suffer a shattered pelvic bone, requiring intensive physical therapy to heal.
Realizing how close he came to losing her, Andrew comes to Joanna with his own marriage proposal. She accepts but soon after starts to question her decision. What if he's not asking out of love but pity? What if her full recovery takes months, years, or doesn't come at all? Can she allow herself to be THAT dependent on someone, when all her life she's been raised to carry her own through life? Joanna allows her sisters to go forward with the wedding plans, but as that monumental day approaches, she becomes less and less sure of her ability to follow through. She knows for certain that she loves Andrew -- always has, always will --- but is that enough?
It was just a few months back that I was sent a copy of A Reluctant Bride, the first book in this series, for review. Not so long ago, but then again, since it has been a few months I had forgotten a number of the primary characters within this community. So when I started in on An Unbroken Heart, I was a little confused because it sounded SO similar to the first book. Am I missing something? Did Fuller pull the trick of rehashing the same book from a different angle to get another book out there? Well, yes and no.
What Fuller does with this second book is place it around the same time frame as the first book, but now we see the events from Joanna's point of view. Reading An Unbroken Heart brought back to mind scenes from A Reluctant Bride, when Sadie (Joanna's older sister) tells Adan about needing time to visit her sister in the hospital. In this second book, we are given more details about the crash that took the lives of the Schrock sisters' parents, altering the order of their lives forever. We get more details about Joanna's home recovery after the wreck, which is where the bulk of her and Andrew's story plays out. The reader is also given small updates on the life of Sol, the troublemaker / troubled soul from Book 1. The story of the Schrock girls is broken up with periodic chapters looking into the life of the non-Amish man who caused the wreck. So while this book looks over the same events as Book 1, I found Joanna's perspective fresh enough to keep it from being a boring, lazy rehash. I appreciated that enough new details are introduced that it has a layering effect to the series as a whole, rather than leaving the reader with only a "yeah, we know!!" feeling at the end.
That being said, I don't think I liked this book quite as much as the first. I liked getting to know the sisters better in this book, their interactions brought a definite sweetness and warmth to the story. I also give props to Fuller for illustrating Joanna's healing process in a believable way, as far as showing the conflicting emotions that come with coming back home after a major injury, the struggle to find one's place again after a long stint away, the nightmares that can plague someone after trauma, etc. But I just didn't find Joanna's personal story quite as interesting as her sister Sadie's in the first book. I felt like there was a more nuanced relationship between Sadie and Adan, while Joanna and Andrew still seemed very child-like in their emotions. Though I will admit, this book does close on a pretty cute scene between J & A :-)
I also had a few hang-ups with the plot development. When it came to some of the characters and their individual problems, the resolutions to some of those problems struck me as just a little too convenient, coming about a little too quickly or easily to be believable. I was also a little confused by the introduction of the character Asa. Fuller writes him in but only barely gets into his backstory before the story closes so I was left wondering why he was there? All I can think is that the third book to this series is scheduled to be released this September, so maybe his story will unfold more there.
Note To Readers: This being the second book in Fuller's Amish of Birch Creek series -- while Fuller does write it in a way that one can read it as a stand-alone (in this book, she writes in enough details from the first book to generally catch you up to speed), I personally would recommend reading the first book. There are a number of little details from that first book that are quietly referenced in this one, so between the two the story will make much more sense when read in sequence ... that layering business I was talking about earlier ;-)
FTC Disclaimer: TNZ Fiction Guild kindly provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. The opinions above are entirely my own. -
Rating: 5 Stars!! (Wish i could rate it 10 Stars!!)
Review:
This was my first time reading a book in this series and i really enjoy this series so much so far!!
The Characters seem interesting and lovable. I love how Joanna's character transformed into a very loveable person.
The Setting was very well described and made it easy to picture the surrounding areas while reading.
Overall a good Amish Fiction Book and i can't wait to read Book 1 and 3 in this series in the future!! -
An Unbroken Heart #2 An Amish Birch Creek Novel***** by Kathleen Fuller
Joanna Schrock's world has been turned upside down—not just from her serious injuries requiring a long recovery but from the death of her parents in the hit-and-run buggy accident. Can she forgive herself for the argument she had with her parents moments before the accident?
Joanna has been in love with Andrew Beiler since she was 12 years old. Andrew almost lost her in the buggy accident and decides they need to marry soon and Joanna agrees. But is now a good time to marry when Joanna has not fully recovered from her injuries and is still mourning her parents deaths? No one seems to understand what she is feeling. And what of God's whisperings—”be strong and courageous”—what does God have in mind for her life?...what of Andrew?
There is another character in this story that is struggling with his own personal losses and grief—Cameron, the man who fled the scene of the accident. What should he do—run and try to hide with his infant daughter or turn himself in? Can he forgive himself for what he had done?
This is a heartwarming story that takes the reader on an emotional-roller-coaster ride along with the characters. I found myself caught up in their individual struggles, fears, pain, laughter, love, forgiveness and the path God has for each of them. The nurse in me wanted to comfort and care for Joanna until she was not only physically well but also emotionally. She started out almost weak but grew into a strong and courageous, godly woman as God had whispered to her. I was hoping Andrew would give her some time but could understand the scare he had when she was in the accident revealing his true feeling for her. He did some growing up too during all that happened between the two of them. And Cameron, I felt his grief and the fear of loosing his infant daughter—maybe forever—if he turned himself in. I cried when he held his daughter before leaving once his decision was made. An Unbroken Heart is a heartwarming story that touched my heart.
~I received a copy of this book from The Fiction Guild, this is my honest review~ -
This is book two in, An Amish of Birch Creek, but can also be read as a stand alone. I didn't get to read A Reluctant Bride, but would love to. An Unbroken Heart is a wonderful story of forgiveness in many different aspects. Like separate threads on a loom each persons story begins to weave together until it all comes together, creating a picture that is unique and wonderfully made. Joanna is a strong woman, but needs to discover that for herself after a buggy accident that changes her life. I cried over Cameron and how he finds Grace and Mercy from God and from Joanna. I look forward to book three in this series. Kathleen Fuller doesn't disappoint as she has penned another winner. The characters are easy to identify with and to think of long after you have finished.
I received a copy in exchange for an honest review from Thomas Nelson & Zondervan Fiction Guild, and I have done that. -
What a romantic tale…
“An argument. A crash. In an instant, Joanna’s world is changed forever.”
I knew the moment I read that description, I would have to read this book. And I was pretty sure, if it lived up to that line, that I would enjoy it!
Oh my! I loved this story . . . when Joanna proposes to Andrew, then calls it off before the wedding, I just knew they would both be miserable, unless they could work things out. And I’d like to say more, but it’s much better for you to read it for yourself.
I just hope I haven’t already given away too much. One thing I want — is to make certain you know how much I loved the story — and how much I want to encourage you to read it.
Kathy Fuller has written an amazing story of love, courage, and forgiveness. You’ll love Joanna and her relationship with Andrew. Be sure to get a copy and read it for yourself.
Happy Reading!
