The Amish Midwife (The Women of Lancaster County, #1)

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The Amish Midwife (Women of Lancaster County #1)

by Mindy Starns Clark, Leslie Gould (Goodreads Author)

4.1 of 5 stars 4.10 · rating details · 992 ratings · 120 reviews

A dusty carved box containing two locks of hair and a century-old letter regarding property in Switzerland, and a burning desire to learn about her biological family lead nurse-midwife Lexie Jaeger from her home in Oregon to the heart of Pennsylvania Amish country. There she meets Marta Bayer, a mysterious lay-midwife who desperately needs help after an Amish client and he...more

Paperback, 324 pages

Published February 1st 2011 by Harvest House Publishers (first published January 15th 2011)

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May 28, 2012 Diana rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: owned-books

The Amish Midwife is a book about adoption. And the Amish. And the Mennonites. It's not really about midwifery.

Lexie (how could I forget her name, it's only said about 600 times in this book (view spoiler)) is a nurse-midwife from Oregon whose father has just died. He gave her a box from her birth family and that sets her off on a wild goose chase through Lancaster County looking for clues about her heritage. The p...more The Amish Midwife is a book about adoption. And the Amish. And the Mennonites. It's not really about midwifery.

Lexie (how could I forget her name, it's only said about 600 times in this book (view spoiler)) is a nurse-midwife from Oregon whose father has just died. He gave her a box from her birth family and that sets her off on a wild goose chase through Lancaster County looking for clues about her heritage. The people she runs into are all secretive and rude to her, but she puts up with it on the off chance she'll be able to glean some information from them.

Spoiler alert: she isn't able to. Not really. (view spoiler)Then the main character gets to confront the families with these facts, without actually making any headway towards convincing them to tell her what she wants to know.

The other plot (which felt so much like an afterthought throughout the book I nearly forgot it myself) was that the Mennonite midwife Marta (who is a midwife FOR the Amish, and the Mennonite, and the Englisch population) has been charged with Involuntary Manslaughter because of the death of one of her clients and her baby. This conveniently gives the main character a chance to fly out to Lancaster to spend some time with her & try to uncover the family secrets, while becoming an Amish midwife herself.

I was expecting more midwifing from a book with this title. She could have been any occupation and filled in the blanks just as easily. Instead, the author uses the chance to scare readers off homebirth and disparage CPMs in favor of CNMs.

Still, I found enough of the story compelling enough to keep reading, although I spent most of the book hoping it was going to get better. This book is classified as "Christian Fiction". I'd go so far as to say it's fiction about religious people that is completely inoffensive. Her boyfriends in the book are chaste and gentlemenly. (view spoiler)Very predictable, but completely inoffensive.(less)

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Feb 04, 2012 Paula-O rated it 4 of 5 stars

My first to read story by Mindy Starns Clark & Leslie Gould called "The Amish Midwife" in The Women of Lancaster County books.
I really liked the mystery involved in this story, Alexandra knew she had been adopted but never learned the story behind it until she was grown and her adoptive parents were both deceased and she was told of a beautiful carved box with papers and 2 locks of hair inside upon her dads deathbed. The paperwork involved property in Switzerland. "Lexie" has always had tho...more

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Sep 24, 2011 Kav rated it 5 of 5 stars

In a word: riveting. A brilliant collaboration. The authors have created a tense, complex story that will leave you gasping in surprise right through to the very end. I lost myself in Lexie's world. Felt her pain and confusion, her desperate need to discover the truth in a community embroiled in secrets.

And Lexie isn't the only character I could identify with. Every one is crafted skillfully with careful detail -- all with opposing viewpoints and varying goals that build tension and suspense.

But...more

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Jun 14, 2011 Charity rated it 5 of 5 stars

Up today is a review of an Amish book titled, The Amish Midwife. This is a mystery/Amish book written by Mindy Starns Clark. Mindy is a well-known author for writing suspense books and this time she takes it to a new level introducing us to the Amish.

Mindy Clark is an author I am familiar with as I have read a couple of her other books. She is a very talented writer and I always come away feeling like I didn't waste my time. This book was no different! It is the first book in the series so I was...more Up today is a review of an Amish book titled, The Amish Midwife. This is a mystery/Amish book written by Mindy Starns Clark. Mindy is a well-known author for writing suspense books and this time she takes it to a new level introducing us to the Amish.

Mindy Clark is an author I am familiar with as I have read a couple of her other books. She is a very talented writer and I always come away feeling like I didn't waste my time. This book was no different! It is the first book in the series so I wasn't missing anything. But opening the book at the first chapter, I felt like I was stepping into the middle of the story. It was a great opening and mystery was evident in the first couple pages:) Just my type of book!

I don't want to give out too much information but I want to let you know how much I loved this book. So if I am a bit vague, that is the reason why:) Lexie's father is dying and she has been told that she was adopted when she was little. Right before her "father" dies, he tells her about a chest that she needs to investigate.

In this chest she finds information that pertains to her birth family. The man she is dating, James, tells her she needs to go searching. And thus begins her journey to find her family and also her beginning to the future.

There was one statement I really loved in this book. Lexie has called James and tells him that she is in the middle of finding things out and that her mother might have rejected her in the past and would only do so again if she found her. The answer he comes back with just really jumped out at me. I don't want to give the specific quote but he says that there are worse things than being rejected. And she says like? He responds with, "Not being loved." Lexie thinks these are the same things, but I believe, like James, that they aren't. What a lesson here to be learned!

One of my favorite characters throughout the book was Zed. Him and Ella kept me entertained during the story and his knowledge was amazing. Marta kind of got on my nerves with her hiding secrets and not telling Lexie what she knew. Lexie gets kind of close to a young doctor as she is away from James and I was hoping things wouldn't get muddled with the three of them. I really liked James and his spirituality and gentle manners with Lexie. He was a real gem:) And I am not going to tell you what happens with them as it would spoil things for those who have not read this book yet.

So, there you have my thoughts on this book. Mindy kept me turning pages into the night trying to find out what had happened in the past. She did an excellent job throwing out hints and clues but then taking another twist, just when I thought I had it figured out:) This is somewhat Amish but has to deal a lot with other things as well. If you like a mystery that has many twists and turns and keeps you guessing until the end, this is a book for you! It can be found at the publisher, Harvest House, or on Amazon.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher for review purposes. I did not receive any monetary compensation. All thoughts are 100% mine. (less)

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May 29, 2011 Christina rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011-reads, amish, library-book

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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May 08, 2011 Cathy rated it 5 of 5 stars

Nurse-midwife Alexandria Jaeger (Lexie) has just returned home to bury her adoptive father, the only father she's ever known. All of her life, she has wanted "her story." Where did she come from? Why was she given up? Now it seemed that story was within her grasp. A deathbed conversation and gift from her father give her clues to her beginnings.

After the funeral, Lexie travels from Oregon to Pennsylvania Amish country to search out answers. While assisting a fellow midwife with Amish deliveries...more

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Feb 28, 2011 Laura rated it 5 of 5 stars

Title: THE AMISH MIDWIFE
Author: Mindy Starns Clark & Leslie Gould
Publisher: Harvest House Publishers
February 2011
ISBN: 978-0-7369-3798-6
Genre: Inspirational/women’s fiction/Amish

Lexie Jaeger is a nurse midwife. When her adoptive father dies, Lexie is left with a burning desire to know her biological family. When the midwife that mentored Lexie recommends that she help out a lay-midwife in Pennsylvania, Lexie is hesitant at first, but agrees when she learns that Marta Bayer, a Mennonite, migh...more Title: THE AMISH MIDWIFE
Author: Mindy Starns Clark & Leslie Gould
Publisher: Harvest House Publishers
February 2011
ISBN: 978-0-7369-3798-6
Genre: Inspirational/women’s fiction/Amish

Lexie Jaeger is a nurse midwife. When her adoptive father dies, Lexie is left with a burning desire to know her biological family. When the midwife that mentored Lexie recommends that she help out a lay-midwife in Pennsylvania, Lexie is hesitant at first, but agrees when she learns that Marta Bayer, a Mennonite, might be related to her.

Marta is less than enthusiastic about Lexie’s arrival. She does everything she can to convince Lexie to leave, but fact is, Marta needs her. She is under investigation for the death of a mother and child, and is unable to practice. So Lexie takes over Marta’s patient load, even though Marta makes it clear that she isn’t welcomed or wanted. In return, Lexie asks for information, but Marta is extremely reluctant to give any, but finally she contributes a piece of the puzzle, leaving Lexie more confused than ever.

The Amish community Lexie is serving encourages her to let it be. They are worried about what might come to be if the secrets are freed. But Lexie is stubborn, and determined to unearth the secrets at all costs. This determination could only serve to tear her newfound family apart...

THE AMISH MIDWIFE is the first non-mystery I’ve read by Mindy Starns Clark. I’ve long loved her mysteries, and at first, when I picked up this book, I didn’t recognize her voice. But I soon became engrossed in this story, and couldn’t put it down.

I’m not adopted, so in that way I couldn’t relate to Lexie, but I did care for her. I couldn’t understand at first by Marta was treating her the way she did, when she obviously needed Lexie, and I was glad that others in the community accepted her without questions, even if they weren’t willing to divulge the information she wanted. I had to keep reading to find out what the secrets were and the decisions that Lexie would make regarding where her home would be. This is a truly great book. Discussion questions are included at the end of the book. $13.99. 330 pages.
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Feb 26, 2011 Cindy rated it 5 of 5 stars

Lexie Jaeger has known all her life that she was adopted, but now her father has passed, and on his deathbed, he gave her a box, that held clues to her past. Having the letters in the box read to her, by a member of her Mennonite congregation, Lexie knows that she has to find out more about her past. Who are her birthparents?
Lexie's trip into her past brings her to the heart of Amish country in Pennsylvania. A local lay midwife, is in legal trouble, she has been charged with manslaughter of a b...more

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Jan 16, 2011 Maureen Timerman rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011-read

A deathbed confession... a dust carved box containing two locks of hair... a century-old letter about property in Switzerland...

Nurse-midwife Lexie Jaeger’s encounter with all three rekindles a burning desire to meet her biological family. Propelled on a personal journey of discovery, Lexie’s search for the truth takes her from her home in Oregon to the heart of Pennsylvania’s Amish country.

There she finds Marta Bayer, a mysterious lay-midwife who may hold the key to Lexie’s past. But Marta isn’...more

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May 22, 2011 Mandolin rated it 4 of 5 stars

Lexie's always known that she was adopted and struggled with the feelings of abandonment that accompanied that knowledge. Her early attempts to find her birth family long since abandoned, she believed that she had found peace with her lack of knowledge. When her dying father reveals a long-kept secret about her birth and shares an old dusty box carved with a picture of a castle in Switzerland and filled with a single letter and two locks of hair, however, she is compelled once again to seek out...more Lexie's always known that she was adopted and struggled with the feelings of abandonment that accompanied that knowledge. Her early attempts to find her birth family long since abandoned, she believed that she had found peace with her lack of knowledge. When her dying father reveals a long-kept secret about her birth and shares an old dusty box carved with a picture of a castle in Switzerland and filled with a single letter and two locks of hair, however, she is compelled once again to seek out her roots. Desperate to escape the sadness and loneliness she feels in Oregon, Lexie pursues her search for her story to Pennsylvania's Amish country, where she is enlisted to help another midwife, Marta Bayer, who might also hold the key to her past. Marta and the other Amish that seem to know Lexie's story refuse to speak, though, and she finds herself frustrated time and again with their stoic silence. Though she admires the Amish belief in demut, or "letting be," she can't help but grow angry at her inability to learn more about her past. Things grow complicated as she becomes more involved with the legal issues that Marta is facing after the death of a patient and grow even more so when she begins to fall for a local doctor. Lexie ultimately does find her story but learns some very important lessons along the way, including the importance of true forgiveness, the truth of free will and God's ability to use our poor choices for good, despite the pain that may accompany it, and, especially, the fact that family is much more than DNA.

I've never been disappointed by Mindy Starns Clark book. This one, like her previous novels, has just the right blend of suspense, emotion and morality to be a wonderful, compelling read. I found myself having feelings of angst right along with Lexie, drawn into her story by the excellent characters and well-devised plot. The Amish background is perfect - the characters come off as neither too holy nor too backward, as they are often portrayed. I certainly look forward to more books in this series and will really enjoy learning more about these people and their culture.
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May 30, 2012 Shirley Schwartz rated it 4 of 5 stars

This book was in a genre that I usually don't read, but I quite enjoyed the story. The book has a keen insight into the Amish lifestyle, and into the people from that very intriguing sect. The book centres around Lexie, an adopted Mennonite girl who has lived in Oregon with her Plain living mother and father. After her father dies, Lexie finds she wants to find out more about her birth mother and family, and tracks her history back to Lancaster County, right smack in the middle of Amish country....more

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Jul 16, 2011 Loretta rated it 1 of 5 stars

Normally I love Mindy Starns Clark and was excited to see another book by her. Wow, what a disappointment. The start was achingly slow and gave me absolutely nothing to inspire me to keep reading. It is incredibly rare for me to not finish a book, that I couldn't finish one by an author I typically love says a lot.

I will also admit that I hate seeing a good author sell out to the Amish fiction genre. Maybe I tire of it because I grew up around the Amish so to me they aren't quaint and fantastic...more

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May 08, 2013 D. Hodges rated it 4 of 5 stars

Poor Lexie is about to lose her father who finally admits to a secret. Lexie is adopted and the clues to her past are in a small wooden box. Her father tells her where to locate the box but dies before telling her too much about this box and the secrets behind it. Lexie heads out on the adventure of a lifetime and solves the mystery behind her adoption. Just when you think that things cannot get any more complicated they too and it takes the help of her boyfriend to straighten things out with he...more

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Feb 05, 2012 Cassandra rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: christian-fiction

3.5 stars

There was something about this book that wouldn't let me set it down. The setting wasn't anything unusual for the genre. The plot wasn't that unique. But I couldn't stop reading. For once, I wasn't able to predict the ending from the very beginning, a nice change from the vast majority of Christian fiction.

My one complaint with the novel involves the main character. I couldn't figure out why she was so incredibly stubborn about finding out who her birth parents were. Multiple people ha...more

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Jul 18, 2012 Connie Kuntz rated it 5 of 5 stars

I thought this was going to be a book about midwifery the way The Baby Catcher and the Spiritual Midwifery books were about midwifery. I was expecting birth story after birth story that promoted the intensity, integrity and ease of childbirth. I was wrong. While all that is interwoven into the story, it's mostly a book about faith and listening and community.

Lexie is a 26 year old midwife from Portland. I loved her. Instead of detailing the births, she has an artistic way of counting the delive...more I thought this was going to be a book about midwifery the way The Baby Catcher and the Spiritual Midwifery books were about midwifery. I was expecting birth story after birth story that promoted the intensity, integrity and ease of childbirth. I was wrong. While all that is interwoven into the story, it's mostly a book about faith and listening and community.

Lexie is a 26 year old midwife from Portland. I loved her. Instead of detailing the births, she has an artistic way of counting the deliveries. I felt happy when I read that a nurse midwife (or midwife) doesn't need to have children to be a midwife--just needs to be sympathetic. Lexie is definitely sympathetic. She wasn't angst-ridden or over-the-top horny or compelled to insult the world around her. Instead, she's professional, careful and observant. When someone disses her, she takes it in with grace and keeps moving. She doesn't grab a bunch of girlfriends and go to the bar and bitch about life's inequities. She...moves on and keeps listening.

Here's a little bit about the story: Lexie's adoptive father just died. Her adoptive mother died several years ago. She has a good life, but she she feels emotionally and spiritually dry, and wants to know about her biological past. She has a good, supportive boyfriend, but even that relationship seems to be drying up. Lexie is offered a job in Philadelphia, but makes a stop in Amish country in Pennsylvania to search for her biological parents. Her life is changed and enhanced thanks, in part, to her understanding of medicine, legalities, culture, and her sense of curiosity (which, since I'm here, should be considered the 6th sense. The 6th sense should be the 7th sense.)

The imagery in this book is beautiful. We've all seen the Amish countrysides, the buggies, the barns, the clothes. This book takes you right into your own memories of the Amish culture and clarifies them. It's neat. You will learn the difference between Mennonites and the Amish. You will learn why people aren't educated past 8th grade. You will learn about shunning and silence and so much more. If you read this book and didn't find yourself at least slightly craving to live the rest of your life as an Amish midwife, then you were clearly stoned when you read this book.

I loved this book. It was wonderful to read about a thoughtful heroine, not a drama queen. I enjoyed that her suitors weren't over-the-top bad guys but were just men who didn't quite understand her heart. I loved the story about faith. (I'm referring to her courter more here than I am James. I think the relationship with James is intelligently, realistically and beautifully written.) I was especially moved when she was (barely) praying and she told God, "I've missed you."

This is a powerful book about grace, faith and listening. I am always working on improving those qualities in myself and I think this book will help. The Amish Midwife definitely opened my mind and inspired me.

My one poo poo about the book: the ad for Coach purse not-so-skillfully placed at least three places in the book. Boooooo!

Signed,
Amish Midwife Wannabe

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Sep 15, 2011 Rosanne rated it 5 of 5 stars

The Amish Midwife was a pleasant surprise. I expected a nice book with a nice little story something enjoyable to read. What I found was the story of a personal journey taken by Lexie a child that was adopted by a family in Oregon. Now at the time of her Dad's passing, Lexie is even more interested in finding her "story".

She goes to Lancaster in search of her story but what she finds is more than family. She discovers the meaning of family, the importance of faith and the power of love. While I...more

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Mar 09, 2011 Cafelilybookreviews rated it 4 of 5 stars

There seems to be no shortage of Amish fiction these days, and for those who love this genre that's a good (gut) thing! I really enjoyed reading The Amish Midwife and found it very interesting.

While it does touch on Amish and Mennonite culture, it also includes mystery, suspense, romance, and so much more. I thought it was a fantastic combination of many subjects and very well written. The characters are interesting and believable and overall this is a great read. Everything tied together very...more

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Apr 19, 2013 Davidnsharon Lunt added it

I'm nearly done reading this book. I have to say that it has been an enjoyable read. I usually avoid any book with "Amish" in the title, but I worked with a home-birth midwife for about 18 months and I couldn't resist reading this one. It was an interesting enough story that it kept my interest with it's twists and turns. No over sexual references, which I really don't like reading anyway. I was pleasantly surprised to see God referred to in a positive way and respect shown for both the Amish an...more

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Jan 19, 2013 Lydia rated it 4 of 5 stars

I did love this book. It drew me right in and kept my attention (something books haven't done to me much this past month). While called The Amish Midwife and detailing a few births, the focus is really the mystery behind an adopted girl's geneology. I enjoyed the story and while I disagree with why/how she was given away, the author did answer those questions. After getting into it and coming to love the characters suddenly everything got "answered" at once...a little too suddenly for me...thoug...more

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Sep 06, 2012 Kyla added it

I don't usually read Amish inspirational fiction, but this was a Book club book, so I decided to give it a try. It was extremely well written. The twists, turns and surprises were not at all predictable to me and that is saying something huge!!! It didn't have a HUGE amount of *inspiration* in it, although faith and God were woven throughout the book as part of the Amish lifestyle and it did have some really good points about all the range of human reactions to God when bad things happen and alo...more

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May 07, 2012 Yetunde rated it 1 of 5 stars

I love to read fiction based on the Amish. The plot of this story was well crafted and sound however, the authors chose the wrong point of view; instead of using third person omniscient, they used the first person singular, which made the story drag and made the reader feel as confused and loss as Lexie, the main character.

I will give the next story a try, The Amish Nanny, perhaps this was just a dud and the next story is better.

I was sad to let this one go, but I just couldn't take another slow...more

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May 18, 2011 Rachel rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: adult-christian-fiction, adult-mystery

I really enjoy this author, and this was one of her best for me. The mystery wasn't sinister (like in several of her others) but I was still drawn in and really curious about how it was all going to sort out. I like that she explores Amish life some but it isn't all about Amish life. The main character, Lexie, was adopted as an infant. After her father dies, she decides to try and find her biological parents and the story behind her adoption. She ends up traveling across the country to help out...more

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Jun 02, 2012 Nicki Lewis rated it 3 of 5 stars

I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. The lead character, Lexie, was likable. The Amish and Mennonite history was interesting. The story kept moving. The mystery evolved gradually and then all questions were answered in the last ten pages of the book, with so many twists and turns it did evoke a bit of eye-rolling. The faith aspect did feel contrived to me, as did the relationship with James. However, overall, I did enjoy this and would recommend it as a quick read to folks who are lo...more

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Jan 31, 2013 Karen rated it 2 of 5 stars

This book is neither about the Amish nor midwives. That is just background to support the main story of a woman searching for her identity. I can only assume the author wanted to cash-in on the current popularity of Amish romance-type novels by using the setting as the title.
Lexie is a conniving woman who despite having been raised by loving parents, is desperate to find her birth mother after her father dies. Nothing wrong with that of course, but she goes about it like a storm-trooper.

Even th...more This book is neither about the Amish nor midwives. That is just background to support the main story of a woman searching for her identity. I can only assume the author wanted to cash-in on the current popularity of Amish romance-type novels by using the setting as the title.
Lexie is a conniving woman who despite having been raised by loving parents, is desperate to find her birth mother after her father dies. Nothing wrong with that of course, but she goes about it like a storm-trooper.

Even though she is told not to come, she shows up on her cousin's doorstep demanding information. Her cousin, Marta, has some good reasons why this is not the perfect time to start spilling family secrets and refuses to tell Lexie what she wants to know. She is under investigation because a mother and baby died under her watch and Lexie, a nurse midwife, ostensibly came to help out with the practice until Marta's suspension is lifted. Lexie is miffed because she can't bulldoze her cousin so she says she will trade help for information (and of course pay...you didn't think she would help her cousin for free did you?) Even though she feels a little squeamish about using Marta's children behind her back, she enlists them into into helping her find out about the secrets Marta is keeping. She even goes so far as to wonder whether Marta deserves her children's loyalty.

Though she was engaged before she came to Lancaster, PA, she told her fiance she wanted to "take a break" from the relationship. She keeps calling him for moral support, however, when the pain of not knowing who she is gets too much for her. In the meantime she's dating an obstetrician she met shortly after she arrived. She reflects that "it's so nice to date someone who doesn't have to worry about every penny."
Her former fiance, who has been working toward becoming a counselor, saves the day by coming from Oregon to stage a session where everyone in the family gets to tell their part of the secret story about Lexie's life and everyone makes nice....la de da. I can understand frustration on Lexie's part when the information is not forthcoming, but she comes off as borderline and way too entitled.

I guess I have to say that the book was interesting, if only in that I kept hoping for Lexie to redeem herself and start acting human. Since that didn't really happen I have to wonder; does the author feel that behavior is normal?(less)

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Jan 24, 2012 Twyla rated it 1 of 5 stars

I generally try to avoid people who are as self-centered, shallow, disrespectful, and blind as the protagonist of this book. If you have a shred of intelligence or love for your fellow man, you may feel the same. I don't think I've ever hated a protagonist so much since I read Frankenstein and hated the doctor who created the poor combination-man.

I kept saying to myself, "You've got to be kidding me."

It's an okay plot device for only the reader to understand what's happening when the protagonis...more

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Apr 18, 2011 April Suter rated it 5 of 5 stars

What a REALLY good book! I enjoyed unraveling, little by little, Lexie's heritage. It was not predictable, even at the end there was another WOW moment. At the beginning of the book Lexie loses her father and she decides now is the time to find her birth family. She has lost her daily walk with God and it is tough dealing with her job, her boyfriend and the Amish community that she thinks her birth family is a part of. It was also interesting learning about midwives, the joys and concerns.
321 p...more

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Apr 30, 2011 Michelle Robinson rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: could-not-finish

This book is well written, for its genre.

i find the main character incredibly hard to like.
I am sympathetic of the fact that she is searching for information concerning her birth family. However, it really bothers me that she is so willing to encourage the children of another major Marta to disobey thier mother, be dishonest and help her regardless of the cost to their character or relationships with thier Mom. Even thoygh she encourages the children to lie and omit pertinent facts that they tel...more

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Sep 19, 2011 Rachel Brand rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: amish, christian, borrowed-from-lynne, mindy-starns-clark, 2011, mystery-thriller, almost-favourites, leslie-gould

I loved this book! The start of a fantastic series. I've only read one book from Mindy previously (Secrets of Harmony Grove) and I'd found the mystery to be quite complex and a little too dark for my liking, so naturally I was intrigued to see what her joint series with Leslie Gould would entail. While the complex storyline and mystery aspect remained, I felt far more connected to the characters in this book. It was fascinating to learn a bit about the Anabaptist history of the Amish (which is d...more

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Jun 07, 2012 Sandy Harp rated it 4 of 5 stars

I found the sense of loss to the huge elephant-in-the-room. Unexpected pregnancies affect not just the parents but the entire social network. The authors definitely caught the grandmother's role in adoption. Does one stick to tradition and keep the family intact, thus keeping all blood in the web? Then again, does one focus on the mother and her future? Just which course is required in the event your daughter comes home carrying a precious one.
Simply couldn't put this book down.

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Oct 16, 2011 Ann rated it 5 of 5 stars

Loved this story. At first I was put off by the title, because it seems "Amish" is becoming over-used. But this was a great book.

Nurse-midwife Lexie Jaeger had always knows she was adopted, but her world rocks when on his deathbed her father gives her a carved box containing fragments of her history before her adoption.
With both of her adoptive parents dead, Lexie is spurred to seek her birth family. She leaves her Oregon home to travel to Amish country in Pennsylvania. What follows in The Am...more

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About Mindy Starns Clark

A former singer and stand-up comedian, Mindy lives with her husband and two teenage daughters near Valley Forge, PA. She enjoys speaking to churches, civic groups, and libraries across the country. Her unique blend of humor and insight make her an audience favorite.

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Books by Mindy Starns Clark

A Penny for Your Thoughts (The Million Dollar Mysteries, #1)

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BBCode	[url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8462639-the-amish-midwife?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book][img]http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1348773765l/8462639.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8462639-the-amish-midwife?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book]The Amish Midwife by Mindy Starns Clark[/url]

The Amish Midwife (Women of Lancaster County #1)

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