Plain Pursuit... Book Review

After reading An Amish Christmas (by Beth Wiseman, Kathleen Fuller and Barbara Cameron) I was excited to get a chance to review another Beth Wiseman book. This book is about a young woman named Carley. She lives in Texas and has had some traumatic things in her life. Not long ago she and her Mother were in a automobile accident. The accident claimed the life of her Mother and left Carley with a terrible secret. When her work begins to suffer she is forced into a long vacation. She heads to Paradise, PA to visit her longtime friend Lillian. Lillian married into the Amish faith and way of life a few years prior. Carley's visit comes at a critical time for Lillian and her family. Lillian's step-son David falls ill and this starts the family into a series of faith-challenging situations. First is the dilemma of running into Noah, David's shunned uncle, who is a doctor in the ER where David is being treated. Next comes the bad news of David's condition and that he needs a specialist and extensive treatment. Noah who misses his family and cares about the well being of his nephew, tries to stay involved in the case....even when the family tries to avoid him.
All this puts Carley in a rough spot, especially when feeling develop between her and Dr. Noah. She feels torn between staying loyal to her friend Lillian and Lillian's family and spending time with a man who she is falling for. Things get even more complicated when they realize that Dr. Noah may be the only one who can actually save David. With every twist and turn, Carley and Dr. Noah become closer and closer. But just as things start to fall into place, Carley's secret may end all her dreams of love.

This story had me hooked from the first chapter on. It is the first Amish book that I have ever read that dealt with the Amish practice of shunning. It was fascinating to read about a part of their lives that we rarely hear about. Seeing how shunning affects both sides made me feel sorry for the families that have gone through this situation.
OK, back to the book.....I loved it. The characters were real and I got caught up in wondering how the story would end up. I didn't want to put it down. I hope I get a chance to read another Beth Wiseman book very soon!

I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com http://BookSneeze.com 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 http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising