A Little Bit of Charm | Mary Ellis Marathon

 

Today I’m reviewing A Little Bit of Charm, the third book in the New Beginnings series, by Mary Ellis.

Here is a brief synopsis:

After the death of her parents and then watching both of her older sisters find happiness in homes of their own with husbands who adore them, Rachel King yearns for a new beginning.

Her cousin Sarah lives near a thoroughbred stable in Kentucky, and working around beautiful horses is Rachel’s dream come true.

She leaves Lancaster County to find a job at Twelve Elms Stables and believes God has answered her prayers.

And then she meets Jake, an attractive and charming Englisch man. At first she refuses to go out with him, but he eventually convinces her to give him a chance.

When Amish men who also wish to date Rachel start encountering strange mishaps, she wonders if Jake is really who he seems to be.

What does a young woman do when her heart is pulled in two directions?

 

A dream come true… a loss like no other… is the price of happiness worth the cost? – Tweet this!

 

MY THOUGHTS:

Oh, how I hate to see this series end…

After getting to know Amy and Nora, now we get to know Rachel. After losing their parents in a house fire, they’ve each grown and matured – and their journeys have taken them from Lancaster to Harmony, Maine… Paradise, Missouri… and Charm, Kentucky.

I’m hoping Mary will write another sequel with Beth, the youngest King daughter – it would also be a great time to catch us up on what’s happening with Amy, Nora and Rachel, too.

Mary Ellis did such a fabulous job creating four unique individuals – and how each finds their faith, friends, and husbands. I’m not sure I would have thought of sending them to such different locations, but it certainly worked out perfectly for each one.

Amy may have not willingly chosen the colder climate, but she’s happy in Maine; Nora is much happier in Paradise, with a climate much like the one she grew up knowing; Rachel is determined to settle in Kentucky, and is very happy in Charm.

I’ve said it before, but it bears repeating… I find myself wishing I could live amongst these families. But I can visit Amish and Mennonite friends in nearby communities and that’s even better than reading about them. My grandchildren often urge us to plan a visit – they enjoy their visits so much, they hate to leave.

Mary Ellis’ books remind us that, while the Amish aren’t perfect (as Nora would be quick to point out), they are trusting, caring, encouraging, supportive – something I’ve missed for much of my life. I appreciate being reminded that we are all loved by God. It doesn’t seem to matter to Him if we’re Amish, Mennonite or Christian (or on a different path).

If you enjoy reading Amish fiction, please don’t miss this wonderful series!

 

What does a young woman do when her heart puts her faith in jeopardy? – Tweet this!

 

And don’t forget to click below to find out how you can enter Mary’s GIVEAWAY contest!

Mary Ellis Marathon | Giveaway!

God bless you!

 

Copyright © 2013-2015 DJ Mynatt

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Love Comes to Paradise | Mary Ellis Marathon

 

Today I’m reviewing Love Comes to Paradise, the second book in the New Beginnings series, by Mary Ellis.

Here is a brief synopsis:

Love Comes to Paradise is the second book in bestselling author Mary Ellis’s New Beginnings series.

It’s about fresh starts…and how faith in God and His perfect plans provide the peace and joy all long for.

Nora King believes she is a woman in love. When Elam Detweiler leaves the ultraconservative Amish district of Harmony, Maine, and moves to Paradise, Missouri, Nora follows soon after. But does she love the man or the independence and freethinking he represents?

Although she finds good work in her new town, Nora can’t seem to capture Elam’s Englisch-leaning heart, no matter how hard she tries.

And then, unexpectedly, Lewis Miller comes from Harmony to offer Nora what every woman needs-a lifetime of unconditional love.

As Lewis attempts to claim her heart, Elam’s interest piques. Will Nora come to her senses before Elam’s thoughtless choices ruin her reputation beyond repair?

 

A new home… a new friend… a catastrophe… – Tweet this!

 

MY THOUGHTS:

I have a confession to make… it’s something I rarely ever do, but I honestly didn’t think I would enjoy myself as much unless I knew… so I did it. I read the last chapter – first.

Whew! They say confession is good for the soul, but I felt pretty silly after my daughter teased me for not waiting. I don’t care – once I knew it worked out the way I hoped it would, I started back at the beginning and thoroughly enjoyed every moment of it.

…not that I’m saying I enjoyed all the arguing, misunderstandings, hurtful words, and strange weather happenings! I didn’t… I surely didn’t.

But the story – woohoo! It’s definitely a winner!

Now that Amy is settled with John Detweiler, Nora has followed John’s on-the-fence brother Elam to Paradise, Missouri.

Don’t you just LOVE these places…
. . . Harmony (Maine)
. . . . Paradise (Missouri)
. . . . . Charm (Kentucky)

Mary Ellis does a remarkable job developing Nora’s character – thankfully, Nora appreciates her new friendship with Emily and Violet; she begins…

I hate spoiling stories for my readers, so I’m going to stop before I say something you’d rather not read (until after you’ve read the book).

Let me just assure you that Nora does some necessary growing up; allowing her to make better decisions and better choices.

There are a lot of rough and rocky times in store, but Mary Ellis held my attention to the very end! (and that’s saying quite a lot, since I had already read the end – please forgive me, readers. I’ll try to hold myself in check in the future).

If you enjoy Amish fiction, you must read this series!

 

Does Nora have a future to hope for? – Tweet this!

 

And don’t forget to click below to find out how you can enter Mary’s GIVEAWAY contest!

Mary Ellis Marathon | Giveaway!

God bless you!

 

Copyright © 2013-2015 DJ Mynatt

Living in Harmony | Mary Ellis Marathon

 

Today I’m reviewing Living in Harmony, the first book in the New Beginnings series, by Mary Ellis.

Here is a brief synopsis:

Living in Harmony is the first book in bestselling author Mary Ellis’s New Beginnings series. It’s about fresh starts and love…and how faith in God and His perfect plan for our lives provides us with the peace and joy we desire.

Amy King—young, engaged, and Amish—faces difficult challenges in her life when she suddenly loses both of her parents in a house fire.

Her fiancé, John Detweiler, persuades her and her sister Nora to leave Lancaster County and make a new beginning with him in Harmony, Maine, where he has relatives who can help the women in their time of need.

John’s brother Thomas and sister-in-law Sally readily open their home to the three newcomers. Wise beyond his years, Thomas, a minister in the district, refuses to marry Amy and John upon their arrival, suggesting instead a period of adjustment and counseling.

During this time Amy discovers an aunt who was shunned. She wishes to reconnect with her, but this puts a strain on her relationship with John.

Can John and Amy find a way to live in happily in Harmony before making a lifetime commitment to one another?

 

Don’t miss this endearing story of love and commitment! – Tweet this!

 

MY THOUGHTS:

Silly me — I was expecting a story similar to others I’ve read… I should have known better. Mary went a whole new direction with this series (and I’ve read more Amish fiction than anyone else I know).

In this first novel of the New Beginnings series, Amy King and her sister travel north with Amy’s soon-to-be husband, John Detweiler, after the death of her parents, to relocate in a new Amish community where John’s brother and his family is living.

Harmony, Maine sounds peaceful and content. No swarms of Englischers and easily affordable farm-land make it even more desirable. But one thing they weren’t counting on was a more strict Amish order. Amy and her sister are required to make many changes in their wardrobe — bright colors aren’t allowed, but they feel even more restricted when they learn that rumspringe, social outings and courting buggies are forbidden. How will Amy’s sister Nora find a husband?

John and Amy are also surprised that the bishop wants them to wait awhile before marrying; will all the changes draw them closer — or pull them apart?

See… I’m already involved with the characters — again. Mary creates such interesting characters and communities that I can see it all clearly in my mind. I especially liked getting to know Sally, John’s sister-in-law. She reminds me a lot of myself; trying so hard to fit in — and to bloom where she’s been planted.

If you enjoy Amish fiction, you’ll definitely want to read this series!

 

A refreshing story of true love amidst heartache… – Tweet this!

 

And don’t forget to click below to find out how you can enter Mary’s GIVEAWAY contest!

Mary Ellis Marathon | Giveaway!

God bless you!

 

Copyright © 2013-2015 DJ Mynatt

The New Beginnings (series) | Mary Ellis Marathon

Introducing . . .

The New Beginnings

 Living in Harmony

 

Living in Harmony is the first book in bestselling author Mary Ellis’s New Beginnings series. It’s about fresh starts and love…and how faith in God and His perfect plan for our lives provides us with the peace and joy we desire.

Amy King—young, engaged, and Amish—faces difficult challenges in her life when she suddenly loses both of her parents in a house fire.

Her fiancé, John Detweiler, persuades her and her sister Nora to leave Lancaster County and make a new beginning with him in Harmony, Maine, where he has relatives who can help the women in their time of need.

John’s brother Thomas and sister-in-law Sally readily open their home to the three newcomers. Wise beyond his years, Thomas, a minister in the district, refuses to marry Amy and John upon their arrival, suggesting instead a period of adjustment and counseling.

During this time Amy discovers an aunt who was shunned. She wishes to reconnect with her, but this puts a strain on her relationship with John. Can John and Amy find a way to live in happily in Harmony before making a lifetime commitment to one another?

 

 

Love Comes to Paradise

 

Love Comes to Paradise is the second book in bestselling author Mary Ellis’s New Beginnings series. It’s about fresh starts…and how faith in God and His perfect plans provide the peace and joy all long for.

Nora King believes she is a woman in love. When Elam Detweiler leaves the ultraconservative Amish district of Harmony, Maine, and moves to Paradise, Missouri, Nora follows soon after.

But does she love the man or the independence and freethinking he represents? Although she finds good work in her new town, Nora can’t seem to capture Elam’s Englisch-leaning heart, no matter how hard she tries.

And then, unexpectedly, Lewis Miller comes from Harmony to offer Nora what every woman needs—a lifetime of unconditional love. As Lewis attempts to claim her heart, Elam’s interest piques. Will Nora come to her senses before Elam’s thoughtless choices ruin her reputation beyond repair?

 

 

 A Little Bit of Charm

 

A Little Bit of Charm, the third book in bestselling author Mary Ellis’s New Beginnings series, is about fresh starts…and how faith in God and His perfect plans provide the peace and joy all long for.

After the death of her parents and then watching both of her older sisters find happiness in homes of their own with husbands who adore them, Rachel King yearns for a new beginning.

Her cousin Sarah lives near a thoroughbred stable in Kentucky, and working around beautiful horses is Rachel’s dream come true. She leaves Lancaster County to find a job at Twelve Elms Stables and believes God has answered her prayers.

And then she meets Jake, an attractive and charming Englischman. At first she refuses to go out with him, but he eventually convinces her to give him a chance.

When Amish men who also wish to date Rachel start encountering strange mishaps, she wonders if Jake is really who he seems to be.

What does a young woman do when her heart is pulled in two directions?

 

 
 

Always in My Heart – a novella in the book:

An Amish Miracle

(Not part of the New Beginnings series)

 

 

 

Hope fears her past will continue to threaten her future.

Hope Bowman believes God is punishing her for giving up her firstborn son when she was a teenager. She’s hidden this past from her husband, who is thankful for their daughters but longs for a son. Hope prays desperately, but the son God sends isn’t a new pregnancy. It’s the fifteen-year-old boy she gave away years ago.

 

 

 

And don’t forget to click below to find out how you can enter Mary’s GIVEAWAY contest!

Mary Ellis Marathon | Giveaway!

God bless you!

 

Copyright © 2013-2015 DJ Mynatt.