The Captive Heart (Daughters of Caleb Bender, #2)

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The Captive Heart (Daughters of Caleb Bender #2)

4.32 of 5 stars 4.32 · rating details · 284 ratings · 64 reviews

More Danger, Adventure, Romance in Dale Cramer's Next Installment!
Bandit troubles intensify as Caleb Bender's family tries to settle into their new life in 1920s Paradise Valley. When El Pantera kidnaps Rachel and leaves her brother, Aaron, for dead, Jake Weaver and the Mexican native Domingo pursue the bandit leader to his mountain stronghold in a hopeless rescue attempt...more

Paperback, 352 pages

Published January 1st 2012 by Bethany House Publishers

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Feb 10, 2012 Lydia (Overweight Bookshelf) rated it 5 of 5 stars

Full review here: http://overweight-bookshelf.blogspot....

Amish genre books and I have a complicated relationship. I try to go in without any preconceived notions but ultimately walk away at the end feeling...apathetic? Underwhelmed? Meh? I keep trying over and over because I feel like I should love the genre that is consistently top selling in the Christian market, but when push comes to shove, all the stories feel and sound the same to me. There have been a few exceptions to this gut reaction,...more

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Dec 31, 2011 Louise rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction

Story Description:

Ravaged by disease, preyed upon by ruthless bandits, the Bender family’s second year in Mexico has taken a grievous turn. Faced with impossible choices, the expatriate Amish discover, more than ever before, what it means to live by faith and not by sight.

But it’s Miriam who must make the hardest choice as her heart takes her on a new and dangerous course. Domingo. “He is gentle,” his sister said, “until someone he loves is threatened.” Is Miriam that someone?

“Cualnezqui,” he of...more

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Jan 03, 2013 Debbie rated it 5 of 5 stars

"The Captive Heart" by Dale Cramer is another 5 star book. It is the second book in The Daughters of Caleb Bender series. More families comes to Paradise Valley and the daughters of Caleb Bender are having more babies and even Rachel and Jake Weaver are planing to marry and yes even Miriam is engaged but then illness comes and threatens death to little Amos and Ada. So Rachel and Aaron Bender take them to the dr. in Agua Nueva and they get well only to run into the bandits on the way home and Aa...more

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Sep 12, 2012 Mimi rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: young-adult

If you like Amish fiction or historical fiction, then you will like this book. It is the second in the series, and I have not read the first, but that wasn't a problem in understanding the book. It still had a clear beginning, middle, and end, and I was not lost.

The main family in this novel is the Bender family. They were originally from Ohio, but due to the treatment they received there as Amish, they moved down to Mexico. During this novel, other families join them, and they are building a co...more

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Aug 12, 2012 Laura rated it 5 of 5 stars

This is the first Amish-themed historical fiction book that I read and I loved it. Cramer managed to keep my interest throughout the story with real characters facing difficult and life-changing situations. Although the book cover and the synopsis would lead a reader to believe this is a just a romance, it's really more of a family saga taking place in the 1920s, and Miriam's struggle with her feelings for Domingo, a half-breed Mexican man who isn't Amish.

Miriam's parents, Caleb and Martha Bende...more This is the first Amish-themed historical fiction book that I read and I loved it. Cramer managed to keep my interest throughout the story with real characters facing difficult and life-changing situations. Although the book cover and the synopsis would lead a reader to believe this is a just a romance, it's really more of a family saga taking place in the 1920s, and Miriam's struggle with her feelings for Domingo, a half-breed Mexican man who isn't Amish.

Miriam's parents, Caleb and Martha Bender moved their ten children and their families to Paradise Valley in Mexico to pioneer a new Amish colony. But life is difficult because of the bandits that roam the mountain range and disease that hits the small colony. The Amish people are gentle and will not resort to violence to protect themselves. They rely on their faith and this theme, along with that of God's forgiveness is strong and well-suited to the story without overwhelming the reader.

The characters are well-rounded with strong traits and flaws that made me care about them and their outcome. I loved Miriam's strength and her relationship with her younger sister, Rachel. She wasn't afraid to do what was right even if it was unconventional. Domingo was courageous, as was his sister Kyra, and true to himself. He respected Caleb, who he worked for, and he was a man of principle. He was kind, yet could be fierce to protect those he loved. And the author succeeded in making him a sexy man in an Amish novel!

The author deftly drew me right into their conflicts, and I was transported to the dusty and dangerous mountain range of Mexico where there was plenty of action with the bad guys. None of it was predictable and I read this book quickly to see how it would all turn out. There was a scene that left me in tears. The ending was realistic and left me searching more works from this author, which I now want to read. (This is the second book in the Daughters of Caleb Bender series.) I have to mention one last thing that endeared me to this author's writing. He includes a character who is mentally disabled, portrays her realistically (I've worked with this population) and gives her a role that made me cheer.

I am Dale Cramer's newest fan. If you like Christian historical fiction that is well-written, clean, with a great plot and memorable characters, you should try this author. Not to be missed.

Note: This book includes some scenes of violence with bandits who attack. It is not gratuitous or over the top.

Disclosure: This book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. I was not compensated in any other way, nor told how to rate or review this product. Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group.(less)

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Aug 03, 2012 Linda Rogde rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction, amish-fiction

For some time I've read books with an Amish setting. They typically provide a good story and a peek into the Plain People's unique way of living. This is the second book in the Paradise Valley: Daughters of Caleb Bender trilogy by Dale Cramer. The author's father was Old Order Amish and he has Amish relatives so he brings authenticity of his writings. In 1922, a group of Ohio Amish moved to Paradise Valley in Mexico to establish a community there. This was a period of unrest in Mexico with bandi...more

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May 24, 2012 Ibjoy1953 rated it 5 of 5 stars

My Review

Wow, Dale Cramer gives a different twist on Amish fiction in this series. In this second book of the series, more Ohio Amish join Caleb and his family at the newly Amish community in Mexico. As the Amish ways are, they all helped each other out in building houses and barns, and fields to plant food and ways of making money.

The one thing that is different for me with Amish fiction is the dangers this community of Amish people faced because of the new area they were in. They had to deal w...more

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Apr 02, 2012 Tammy rated it 5 of 5 stars

Caleb Bender and his family left Ohio to start an Amish colony in Mexico. They settled in Paradise Valley, where the land was good for farming. Other families from Ohio followed later. The Mexican government was unable to control the bandits that were harming people and their property. The Bender's were no exception. Several times, they encountered bandit El Pantera, an evil man that was determined to get what he wanted. Being Pacifists, Caleb and the rest of the colony do not fight back when th...more Caleb Bender and his family left Ohio to start an Amish colony in Mexico. They settled in Paradise Valley, where the land was good for farming. Other families from Ohio followed later. The Mexican government was unable to control the bandits that were harming people and their property. The Bender's were no exception. Several times, they encountered bandit El Pantera, an evil man that was determined to get what he wanted. Being Pacifists, Caleb and the rest of the colony do not fight back when the bandits began showing up. Domingo, a local Mexican, had no problem fighting and helped protect them.

Domingo was a hired hand of the Bender's. He was trying to understand the "Amish God". He learned how to read from Miriam, Caleb's second daughter. She taught school for the Amish children and any locals that wanted to attend. Miriam liked Domingo, but she wasn't sure if he truly cared for her. She had a recurring dream about him that haunted her. She knew she couldn't be with him so she started to court Micah Shrock.

Ada, Caleb's oldest daughter, was mentally handicapped. She was faced with a scary situation that she had to figure out alone. I like how Dale made Ada a main character. Not many books touch on mentally handicapped people. He did a good job of showing the world through Ada's eyes and thoughts

Rachel was Caleb's third born daughter. She was thrilled when Jake Weaver arrived with the newest members to the colony. She and Jake liked each other back in Ohio. They start courting after he got to Paradise Valley. Jake would do anything to show Rachel that he loved her and wanted to be married to her.

Aaron, one of Caleb's two sons, played an important role in the book also. His twin brother, Amos, died before they left Ohio. Aaron was devastated. When his sister had a boy, she named him Amos. Helping take care of Little Amos helped bring Aaron back to his old self.

This book is based on a true story. Life for the new colony was not easy with the bandits and fatal illness that seemed to overtake the area. Caleb and the colony suffered . We see how Caleb and his family overcame the odds against them, even though they didn't always win. Several characters in this book made decisions that affected their faith and had consequences that could change their lives forever. The Captive Heart has romance but it's not a sweet, sugary book. There is heartache and loss. Life was hard during this time period and Dale paints a good picture of the struggles. People were dying from Diphtheria. Safety of people and property were a big concern. The Captive Heart is filled with action and adventure, happiness and sadness, love and hate. Paradise Valley and it's surrounding are were described so well I could picture them as I read. I wasn't sure if I would like this book when I first stared reading it. Dale Cramer quickly pulled me into the characters lives and I couldn't wait to read about them. I look forward to reading the next book in the series to see how things turn out.

The Daughters of Caleb Bender Series
#1 Paradise Valley
#2 The Captive Heart
#3 TBA

I received a free copy of this book from Bethany House for my honest review.
(less)

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Mar 09, 2012 Sarah rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012

I really wonder what leads so many authors to write "forbidden love" romances about people in small religious sects? It seems like a cheap way to stir up some extra relational drama. Should "love" triumph over "religion"? Seems to me like in this kind of situation neither term is being properly defined and applied...
Where are the scenes where Miriam consults with her parents about how she's feeling? I missed the part where she takes her emotional and spiritual conflicts to the appropriate autho...more

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Mar 07, 2012 Cindy rated it 4 of 5 stars

We join this story after the Caleb Bender family have been in Paradise Valley in Mexico for a year. Arriving in 1922, this story begins in 1923 with the arrival of a couple more families, who are there to help set up the new Amish colony in Mexico. The land is fertile, the Lord has blessed the efforts of Caleb's family and all their work is rewarded with good crops, and the beginnings of a lovely farm.

However the country of Mexico is in turmoil, bandits roam the country taking what they want.Wh...more

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Feb 17, 2012 Edna Tollison rated it 5 of 5 stars

This is the second book in "The Daughters of Caleb Bender" series where an Amish man in 1920 moves his family to rural Mexico in hopes of escaping religious persecution in Ohio where the family encounters more difficulties and loss. Paradise Valley is nestled between the mountain range of Sierra Madre Oriental. Caleb's the second daughter Miriam, is struggling with her feelings for Domingo, a Nahua who has helped the family settle in to Paradise Valley, but in order to please her family she allo...more

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Feb 11, 2012 Kav rated it 5 of 5 stars

The Wild West meets the Amish? Wait a minute does that mean this is a Western or an Amish romance? Actually -- it's both and definitely unlike any other Amish book I've read. For one, it's laced with a sinister undercurrent not to mention gritty prose that left me shuddering. If you're familiar with Westerns, you'll know that there's nothing worse than ruthless bandits and the kind they have in Paradise Valley are definitely more ruthless than most. Their evil is such a stark contrast to the pea...more

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Jan 23, 2012 Janet Sketchley rated it 5 of 5 stars

Caleb Bender is a man of integrity and courage, and most of all a man of faith. Book one of the Daughters of Caleb Bender series followed the family as they fled religious persecution in Ohio and struggled to establish a new home in a fertile Mexican valley.

The Captive Heart is the second in the series, as more Amish families have followed the Benders to the new settlement. Caleb’s daughters Rachel and Miriam continue to be key characters. Rachel has been united with her beloved Jake and Miriam...more Caleb Bender is a man of integrity and courage, and most of all a man of faith. Book one of the Daughters of Caleb Bender series followed the family as they fled religious persecution in Ohio and struggled to establish a new home in a fertile Mexican valley.

The Captive Heart is the second in the series, as more Amish families have followed the Benders to the new settlement. Caleb’s daughters Rachel and Miriam continue to be key characters. Rachel has been united with her beloved Jake and Miriam is conflicted over her feelings for her father’s Mexican farm hand/protector, Domingo. Especially when she prays for guidance and dreams of his death.

In Paradise Valley, Miriam convinced Rachel not to return alone to Ohio to join Jake, saying family mattered more than personal happiness. Now she takes her own advice and resolves to “get over” Domingo and find a nice Amish boy to marry. But her heart has another agenda.

Romance is only one of the plot threads, and the novel has a lot more action than much Amish fiction. There are bandits, kidnapping and illness. It’s frontier life in the 1920’s, and it’s skilfully told in true Dale Cramer style.

Faced with violence and death, Caleb and his family hold true to their commitment to not fight. Jake defies a bandit’s threats with “I fear hell more than I fear you… If you choose to murder this man in cold blood, it is between you and Gott. I will not throw away my own soul.” (p. 203)

As a non-Amish person accustomed to the philosophy of self-defence and protection of others, I found it difficult to relate to this, but these characters are as scared and hurt as anyone else would be. They simply manage to keep God in first place according to their understanding. I suspect we could all benefit from entrusting more of our needs to God and being less quick to act in our own defence.

Dale Cramer is descended from members of the actual Paradise Valley colony of Amish settlers in Mexico, although the Daughters of Caleb Bender series is fictional.

[Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group](less)

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Jan 12, 2012 Dorothy rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: amish-fiction

After I devoured Paradise Valley by Dale Cramer, I didn't hesitate to purchase Captive Heart because, well, I wanted more. I fell in love with the characters and their story. Having just read and loved the first book, I was really thrilled to find the second one, which was released recently. I sat back and was ready to devour and savor this book.

Unlike other Amish fiction, this one reads more similar to a historical fiction rather than a romance fiction. It certainly has romance; the author does...more After I devoured Paradise Valley by Dale Cramer, I didn't hesitate to purchase Captive Heart because, well, I wanted more. I fell in love with the characters and their story. Having just read and loved the first book, I was really thrilled to find the second one, which was released recently. I sat back and was ready to devour and savor this book.

Unlike other Amish fiction, this one reads more similar to a historical fiction rather than a romance fiction. It certainly has romance; the author doesn't fail on that end one bit. He does such a splendid job of developing the setting and events of this time period in Mexico that it draws one's attention away, periodically, from the romance to the historical aspects. My love for Amish fiction and for historical novels comes together in this book and in Paradise Valley.

This is the continuing story of Caleb Bender and his family who left their home, friends, and family to begin a new Amish settlement in the early 1920s Mexico. More families have joined them, babies are born, and love is renewed. The families have learned to build homes from handmade clay bricks. They've discovered the advantages of mild winters. And, new friends have been made. All is going well, for awhile.

The gun-wielding bandits are still riding about the area, tormenting the families. The pacifist Amish farmers not only have to endure the thievery but they have to find ways to protect their families from harm. Thankfully, they have a new friend, a native, who helps them, but there is only so much he can do. The families endure joy of being reunited with loved ones, but they also have to endure sadness and disease, kidnapping and fear.

Characters from the first book are further developed. We learn more about Miriam this time and her struggles between a new love and family. Jake and Rachel have new troubles to overcome. Caleb, the father, still remains strong and faithful. One real treat, though, is more focus on Ada. I'm so glad that the author did more with her character. Let's not forget the Mexican who, in the night, pointed the way for Ada.

If one enjoys Amish fiction, this, along with Paradise Valley are definitely "must reads". They are both wonderful reads, interesting and exciting, heartwarming and romantic, wholesome and inspiring, and so much more.

For those who aren't fans of Amish fiction, this book along with Paradise Valley are excellent historical fiction novels. They are clean and exciting while painting a fascinating picture of early 1920s Mexico.

The author did not fail in this novel either. I cried. I'm not a huge crybaby when it comes to Amish novels, but this one got me.

There was a moment when I was tempted to rate this only four stars. I'm not happy that the book ended with cliffhangers. Adding cliffhangers is a way to capture the audience, but it doesn't mean that I like them. Certainly, "happily ever after" endings are wonderful, but I don't necessarily demand them. Some portion of a cliffhanger is enough to keep me interested and lure me to a new book. This one, however, had me asking a bit more questions than I normally prefer. I truly hope that Dale Cramer does produce another novel in the series, soon, real soon, not kidding.(less)

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Jan 10, 2012 Clockstein Lockstein rated it 5 of 5 stars

The Captive Heart by Dale Cramer is the second book in The Daughters of Caleb Bender series about an Amish man in 1920 who moves his family to rural Mexico in hopes of escaping religious persecution in the United States only to encounter difficulties and loss he never could have imagined. Miriam, his second eldest daughter is still struggling with her feelings for Domingo, a Nahua who has helped the family settle in to Paradise Valley, but in order to please her family she allows Micah to court...more

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Jan 09, 2012 Kathleen (Kat) Smith rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: amish-historical-romance-fiction, chick-literature, christian-fiction, christian-historical-fiction, christian-western-romance, historical-fiction, romance-fiction

The latest novel, The Captive Heart is the second book in the Daughters of Caleb Bender series by Dale Cramer and could easily be read as a stand alone book as well. The first chapter is dedicated to an overview of just how the Bender family arrived in Mexico after leaving Ohio. They were facing a lot of persecution from the local government and school board for being Amish and adopting the Amish ways of life in regards to the education and raising of their children. Faced with jail time unless...more The latest novel, The Captive Heart is the second book in the Daughters of Caleb Bender series by Dale Cramer and could easily be read as a stand alone book as well. The first chapter is dedicated to an overview of just how the Bender family arrived in Mexico after leaving Ohio. They were facing a lot of persecution from the local government and school board for being Amish and adopting the Amish ways of life in regards to the education and raising of their children. Faced with jail time unless they were willing to change, the Bender family opted to move to Mexico for a new chance at living the life they have come to love without any interference from outsiders. The land was also cheap to purchase and ripe for a new start.

Now in the midst of the Mexican Revolution, the Bender family is having to deal with renegade bandits who will rob the family, kill their livestock and take the women because no one has stopped them up to this point. With the exception of Domingo, a Mexican farm hand her father has hired, the Amish community is at a loss for how to deal with this situation since the family does not believe in violence or even carrying weapons except for hunting.

However when the renegade group of bandit lead by El Pantera insist on provoking the Amish community to the point of kidnapping one of the women, they wonder if God will really be the answer to their prayers and protect them. Will Miriam find a way to fall in love with Domingo despite the fact he isn't an Amish man or will God have other plans for her?

I received the book, The Captive Heart by Dale Cramer compliments of Christian Fiction Blog Alliance for my honest review and was so excited to discover that this was the next book following Paradise Valley! This was a bonus for me and the excitement that is unfolding in each chapter keeps the reader flipping pages as fast as they can read just to see what will happen next. I could not put it down until I finished the final page in under four hours, and for me, that makes this an exceptional novel well worth 5 out of 5 stars.(less)

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Jan 05, 2012 LeAnne rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: adult-fiction, christian-fiction, historical-fiction

In this second volume of the Daughter's of Caleb Bender series, the fledgling Amish colony in Mexico is beset by brutal bandits and a deadly epidemic. Jake risks his soul to shows his love for Rachel, and her sister Miriam is torn by the forbidden feelings she has for Domingo, their Mexican hired hand. Domingo is drawn to Caleb Bender's deep faith, but respects the fences that faith puts between him, an unbeliever, and the young woman he has loved from the moment he saw her. Or at least, he trie...more

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Dec 30, 2011 Camille Eide rated it 5 of 5 stars

My Review of The Captive Heart by W. Dale Cramer (Bethany House, 2012)
A Stunning One-of-a-kind Saga

The Captive Heart continues the story begun in Paradise Valley (2011), in which Amishman Caleb Bender and his family move from Ohio to Mexico in the 1920s to avoid religious persecution. But the troubles they and other settlers face in the beautifully fertile yet rugged new land prove to be a far greater challenge. In the turbulent aftermath of the Mexican Revolution, the cultural climate is unstab...more My Review of The Captive Heart by W. Dale Cramer (Bethany House, 2012)
A Stunning One-of-a-kind Saga

The Captive Heart continues the story begun in Paradise Valley (2011), in which Amishman Caleb Bender and his family move from Ohio to Mexico in the 1920s to avoid religious persecution. But the troubles they and other settlers face in the beautifully fertile yet rugged new land prove to be a far greater challenge. In the turbulent aftermath of the Mexican Revolution, the cultural climate is unstable. Increasing trouble with roaming bandits causes Caleb to doubt not only the success and happiness of his beloved family in this new land, but his wisdom in bringing them and other families here.

Fresh descriptions throughout paint a vibrant, beautiful setting against the rugged Mexican landscape. In each book, the girls’ unique stories are artfully woven together with the overarching story of Caleb Bender, the father whose desire to honor and trust “Gott” leads him on a journey that shakes his faith and tests his quiet, noble strength. A pacifist by faith, this father faces the unthinkable: threats against the lives of those he loves. How will he respond? How many must be harmed, even lost before it ends? Must he rethink what he has always believed about the value of a man’s life versus a man’s soul?

I loved meeting the characters in Paradise Valley and getting to know them better in this second of the three book series. Miriam takes the lead with her forbidden yet growing love for Domingo, the half-breed Mexican native who works for Caleb. A man of strength and wisdom, Domingo declares that the religion of the Amish “makes no sense,” and that there are many “fences” that forbid a relationship with Miriam, the one he calls “Cualnezqui” or Beautiful One.

Domingo is wonderful character whose honesty, strength and nobility I found intriguing. His desire to understand this Christian “religion” was borne of the troubling fact that it “makes no sense.” The simple truth of the gospel is displayed in the lives of many characters, not so much because of their unusual ways, but by the consistent grace and strength evident in their lives. The daughters each possess a unique, distinct voice, each one displaying their own strength of faith and quiet beauty. One daughter voices simply yet powerfully what it means to be a child of God. I appreciated her simple message that it is not about how we practice our faith or what disciplines it takes to conquer our sinful human nature, but that it is a matter of constant surrender to God.

Knowing Cramer has both a family history and intimate ties to the Amish community makes the stories and characters that much more fascinating. The backdrop and setting for this series is based on actual events that occurred in his family in the 1920s, making this story especially intriguing. Cramer does a fabulous job weaving a story filled with distinct characters with goals, fears and triumphs we can all can relate to. Despite differences of era, culture, setting, and religious traditions, the characters in this series depict universal joys and pains that resonate with everyone.

You don’t have to be a fan of Amish or “bonnet fiction” to be captivated by Cramer’s Amish works. My husband saw me reading The Captive Heart and teased, “So is there any action in that book?” To which I replied, “Yes, tons!” I’ve decided this series creates a new fiction genre: Amish Action.

The loves, joys, fears, and sufferings of the characters in The Captive Heart are deeply emotive. The romantic threads of Miriam and Rachel as well as the ominous threats and dangers kept me hooked and reading non-stop. This series so far is a well-rounded, rewarding blend of romance, mystery and gripping action. It’s a blend I could easily see played out on the big screen. I eagerly look forward to the third and final book in the series and am already sad this beautiful saga will come to an end.

Note: I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher for an honest review.(less)

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Feb 15, 2012 Jessica rated it 3 of 5 stars

I don't read a lot of amish fiction, and have to admit that when I started this one, I had more stereotypes in my head than I thought. I grew up and live in an area with lots of Amish, and despite not knowing any personally, thought I had a good idea of them. As I was reading this book, I thought several times,"this is so unrealistic!" It wasn't til I finished the book and read the note from the author that I realized he probably knew what he was talking about! So, that said, I did enjoy the boo...more

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Jan 30, 2012 Trisha Turner rated it 5 of 5 stars

Read the Back:
The Epic Story of an Amish Community in Peril

Ravaged by disease, preyed upon by ruthless bandits, the Bender family's second year in Mexico has taken a grievous turn. Faced with impossible choices, the expatriate Amish discover, more than ever before, what it means to live by faith and not by sight

But it's Miriam who must make the hardest choice as her heart takes her on a new and dangerous course. Domingo. "He is gentle," his sister said, "until someone he loves is threatened." Is...more Read the Back:
The Epic Story of an Amish Community in Peril

Ravaged by disease, preyed upon by ruthless bandits, the Bender family's second year in Mexico has taken a grievous turn. Faced with impossible choices, the expatriate Amish discover, more than ever before, what it means to live by faith and not by sight

But it's Miriam who must make the hardest choice as her heart takes her on a new and dangerous course. Domingo. "He is gentle," his sister said, "until someone he loves is threatened." Is Miriam that someone?

"Cualnezqui," he often calls her--the Nahuatl word for Beautiful one. The chiseled native has proven himself a man of principle, grace and power, yet is he the pearl of great price for whom Miriam would sacrifice everything, or is he merely a friend? Tormented by conflicting emotions, she's haunted by vivid dreams: Dressed in the coarse cotton pants and shirt of a peasant, she stands on the precipice of a sun-washed ridge searching desperately for Domingo. Domingo the fierce. Domingo the protector.

Domingo the forbidden.

Inspired by Actual Events!

My Thoughts:
A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! This book is beautifully written and the author does an amazing job of both drawing the reader into the story and keeping them there. This is the 2nd book in the Daughter of Caleb Bender series (Paradise Valley being book #1). You do not, however, have to read the stories in order.

This book is definitely a tear jerker! You really can understand what the characters are enduring living in amongst bandits in Mexico all the while trying to build their community and prosper as a people.

What I love about this book is that it's a romantic story. The storyline between Miriam and Domingo keeps you guessing right up until the final chapter!

This story contains action, adventure, love, loss and through it all Faith. An amazing read by a very talented author. I recommend reading both of the Daughters of Caleb Bender books and I'm hoping there is another one after this so I can find out more about what happens in Paradise Valley!

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group.(less)

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Jun 12, 2012 Sarah rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: bethany-house, inspirational, christian-romance, amish-fiction, christian-fiction, romance, review-books

If you are looking for a book to renew your enjoyment of Amish fiction, then look no further than Dale Cramer’s, The Captive Heart. Filled with unexpected twists and turns this will have you flipping the pages long into the night, like it did me – I couldn’t go bed until I finished this book! While it does have romance in it, this isn’t the kind that makes you want to gag or throw the book out, it’s a romance that seems real more than faked or pushed and it doesn’t involve a lot of kissing or ha...more

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Feb 07, 2012 Bonnie (Words at Home Blog) rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012

View full review (Feb 7, 2012): http://www.handsandhome.ca/2012/02/th...

The Captive Heart is book #2 in the Daughters of Caleb Bender series and as I said in my review of book 1, this is an interesting take on Amish Fiction. Much of Amish fiction takes place within large and more well-known Amish settlements (Lancaster Pennsylvania, Ohio etc.) whereas this series is set during the 1920s Mexico in a new settlement called Paradise Valley. In The Captive Heart the Bender family is joined on their s...more View full review (Feb 7, 2012): http://www.handsandhome.ca/2012/02/th...

The Captive Heart is book #2 in the Daughters of Caleb Bender series and as I said in my review of book 1, this is an interesting take on Amish Fiction. Much of Amish fiction takes place within large and more well-known Amish settlements (Lancaster Pennsylvania, Ohio etc.) whereas this series is set during the 1920s Mexico in a new settlement called Paradise Valley. In The Captive Heart the Bender family is joined on their settlement with several other Amish families but they still face the threat of bandits and illnesses. Throughout the novel they face countless difficulties and must struggle to maintain their faith and stay true to their way of life.

Cramer’s ability to describe and portray the Amish way of life against such a markedly different cultural landscape was incredible. That being said there were sections of this novel that read more like a Western than what I have come to expect from Amish fiction, in but these same sections helped to illustrate the principle of passivism, non-violence and faith in God perhaps better than other novels simply because these beliefs are so vastly different from many that they encounter. The Bender family was incredibly strong in their faith and the commitment to their way of life and their beliefs truly were put to the test during this novel.

The love story between Miriam and Domingo was my favorite part of the novel and the struggle that Miriam faced between maintaining her faith and loving an outsider was what truly kept me reading this novel. The fear of the bann (or shunning) was still very much alive even in a settlement thousands of miles from home that did not have an ordained minister or bishop residing in it.

The Captive Heart was a story about faith in God, forbidden love, and the perils we often face when standing up for what we believe in. Because of the focus on the bandits and their role in The Bender’s lives, the novel strayed more than I would have liked from the Amish way of life, and this was a bit of a disappointment, but it was a gripping story none the less and I would highly recommend it to fans of Christian Fiction, not just lovers of Amish Fiction.

I received a review copy of The Captive Heart from the publisher (thank you!!!) in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

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Jan 11, 2012 Katie rated it 3 of 5 stars

First posted on my blog, Legacy of a Writer.

While The Captive Heart had more events and action packed within its pages than the first book in the series, I still wasn't crazy about the book. Mostly because I felt there were so many loose ends when the book ended. I understand an author wanting to leave some questions there, in anticipation of another book, but I personally felt it was too many. There wasn’t enough closer.

The book takes off much faster than the first, combining more adventure int...more

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Jun 29, 2012 Linda Martin rated it 4 of 5 stars

This is a different take on Amish fiction. It is based on Dale Cramer's ancestors and their try at a community in Mexico. You have to admire the incredible amount of hard work they must have done.

This book also gives a real life example of a theme of one of his previous books, Levi's Will, namely that the Amish benefit from the stable government of the US and our willingness to defend ourselves and enforce law and order. Because of the lack of an effective government in Mexico, the Amish communi...more

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Feb 17, 2012 Marnie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Recommended to Marnie by: self

Bethany House sent me a copy for review. They did not influence my review. This is book 2 of a series by Dale Cramer. Although I thought the first couple chapters moved a bit slow, boy did the book pick up speed! Our main character, Miriam, struggles greatly in following her Amish faith and remaining faithful to her family. Her sister, Rachel, encounters personal danger and also relies on her faith. The book is an excellent peek into the Amish faith of that particular order and explains, through...more

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Jul 27, 2012 Hope rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012, christian-fiction-amish

This is a new series for me and I didn't really want to start on book 2 but that is the one I stumbled across. LOL! It is an Amish Christian fiction book but not in the usual sense. It almost seemed like being Amish was.... well almost secondary to the story. It was a good read and I did enjoy the book, but it wasn't a stellar read. It is definitely not on the same par as Beverly Lewis but still a good read.

One of the things I greatly enjoyed is that this book isn't set in "Amish country" but in...more

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Jan 10, 2013 Bev Jackson rated it 5 of 5 stars

I loved this book. Dale Cramer is an excellent author. There's a lot goes on within the book from new settlers joining the Bender family in Mexico to kidnappings, killings, romance, and heartbreak. I was mesmerized by the beauty described within, but I would say the greatest impression made upon me was by the author's description of a simple minded woman trying to find her way back home with a toddler. A child-like mind, yet she was able to focus on getting the child back to its mother and she a...more

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Apr 29, 2013 Adetia rated it 4 of 5 stars

The Captive Heart continues upon the Paradise Valley story, featuring the growing settlement by the same name started by Caleb Bender and his family. Captive Heart brings us the tale of Miriam and Domingo, but so much more. The second year for the Bender family, and now the others who have gathered here with them, new challenges as their faith and commitment to the old life is tested. Cramer does an outstanding job of weaving the multiple storylines and developing the community before our eyes,...more

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Mar 20, 2013 Wendy rated it 4 of 5 stars

The second year in Mexico isn't going so good for the Bender family or the other Amish that have moved to Paradise Valley. El Pantera and his bandits are more of a threat since Pancho Villa is no longer alive. Even with the newest Amish arriving there is still no Bishop, no leader for them to make necessary decisions.

Miriam is getting older and finds herself falling in love with Domingo, which gives her no future since he is Mexican not Amish. Because of her age she agrees to marry Micah Shrock....more

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Nov 25, 2012 Laura rated it 5 of 5 stars

Title: THE CAPTIVE HEART
Author: Dale Cramer
Publisher: Bethany House
January 2012
ISBN: 978-1-4104-4759-3
Genre: Historical Amish

Caleb Bender’s family is still struggling to adjust to life in the Mexican wilderness. More Amish families have joined them, and babies are being born, but the bandits are still a threat, especially after a powerful man dies. Suddenly the most dangerous bandit in Mexico is threatening the Amish, stealing from them and injuring them.

When diphtheria strikes the Amish communi...more

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About Dale Cramer

About Dale

Dale Cramer was the second of four children born to a runaway Amishman turned soldier and a south Georgia sharecropper’s daughter. His formative years were divided between far-flung military bases, but he inherited his mother’s sense of place—

"I remember knee-deep snow in the Maryland woods, chasing horned toads in El Paso, playing soccer in Mainz, and the way German shopkeepers and hau...more About Dale

Dale Cramer was the second of four children born to a runaway Amishman turned soldier and a south Georgia sharecropper’s daughter. His formative years were divided between far-flung military bases, but he inherited his mother’s sense of place—

"I remember knee-deep snow in the Maryland woods, chasing horned toads in El Paso, playing soccer in Mainz, and the way German shopkeepers and hausfraus fussed over us kids. But when I picture that sun-rippled macadam road leading up to my granparents’ house in Georgia I can still feel the anticipation. That was home."

True to his Amish ancestry, Dale skipped college and went to work with his hands, earning a living as an electrician, but he had early acquired the habit of reading widely and voraciously. The thought was never far from his mind that someday he would like to write books. In 1975 he married his childhood friend, Pam Crowe, and in the early years of their marriage the two of them enjoyed traveling, camping, water skiing, scuba-diving, snow skiing and flying sailplanes. They eventually bought a piece of land and built a home out in the country south of Atlanta. In 1990 their first child, Ty, was born. Dusty arrived two years later. Unlike their parents (Pam was an Army brat as well) Ty and Dusty have lived in the same place all their lives.

At the age of forty, with two toddlers in the house, Dale began to ask deeper questions of himself. He’d attended church all his life but never felt a real sense of God’s presence. After months of study and meditation he began to feel that he was being called to do something, but he had no idea what it was. He finally came to understand that genuine commitment means no reservations, that the answer to the question ‘Will you do it?’ is not ‘What is it?’ The only acceptable response is ‘Yes—whatever the question, the answer is yes.’ That deeper level of commitment brought a very real sense of God’s presence and a sense of direction in Dale’s life, though he still did not know the direction.

After keeping the boys in daycare for a year Pam and Dale decided to make whatever sacrifices were necessary to provide a full-time home. The decision altered their lives in ways neither of them could have anticipated when Dale drew the short straw and became a stay-at-home dad—

"A baby is a lot like an old truck— it leaks and makes weird noises. Clean up the mess, top off the fluids, and the noises usually stop."

He took on small construction projects at night to help make ends meet— "and to preserve the remainder of my sanity," he says. While building an office in the basement of a communications consultant, a debate over labor/management relations turned into an article on mutualism which found its way into an international business magazine. It was Dale’s first published article, and he liked the feel of it. He bought books, studied technique, and began participating in an online writers’ forum, writing during the boys’ naps and after they went to bed at night. Before long he was publishing short stories in literary magazines and thinking about writing a book.

Three storylines vied for Dale’s attention when he finally decided to write a novel. His first two choices were commercially viable secular stories, and a distant third appeared to be some kind of Christian saga about a broken-down biker. The process of determining which novel to write was settled by a remarkable encounter with his youngest son, a lost set of keys, and God.* His sense of direction was suddenly clarified. In 1997, Dale began work on Sutter’s Cross, which was eventually published in 2003.

His second novel, Bad Ground (July 2004), while it is not autobiographical, contains a great deal of material drawn from his own experience as a construction electrician. The industrial setting is based on a real water treatment plant on the southside of Atlanta. One of the main characters, who has been (less)

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Books by Dale Cramer

Paradise Valley (Daughters of Caleb Bender, #1)

Though Mountains Fall (Daughters of Caleb Bender #3)

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The Captive Heart (Daughters of Caleb Bender #2)

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