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The Amish of Apple Grove #2
A Plain and Simple Heart
A Plain and Simple Heart, an exciting new Amish-meets-Wild West adventure from bestselling authors Lori Copeland and Virginia Smith, weaves an entertaining and romantic tale for devoted fans and new readers.
1884—Several years earlier, young Rebecca Switzer lost her heart to Jesse Montgomery, a rugged but dissolute cowboy on a dusty cattle trail near the Amish settlement of Apple Grove. Now she is grown up, and when she hears one day that he has been spotted nearby, her desire is plain and simple: She must see him.
Sheriff Colin Maddox is counting the days until he can leave law enforcement and follow his dream of starting a church. When a lovely woman, new to town and looking travel weary and a bit lost, gets caught up in the middle of a temperance riot, she is arrested along with the leaders. He can hardly believe she is what she claims—a Plain and simple woman. Nor can he believe how quickly he loses his heart to her. Can Colin convince her to forget Jesse and give him a chance?
317 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 1, 2012
161 people are currently reading
437 people want to read
About the author
Lori Copeland
195 books531 followersLori Copeland was born on 12 June 1941. She had a relatively late start in writing, breaking into publishing in 1982 when she was already forty years old. Over the next dozen years, her romance novels achieved much success, as was evidenced by her winning the Romantic Times Reviewer's Choice Award, The Holt Medallion, and Walden Books' Best Seller award. She has been inducted into the Missouri Writers Hall of Fame.
Despite her success in more mainstream romantic fiction, in 1995, she decided to switch focus. Her subsequent books have been in the relatively new subgenre of Christian romance. She has also collaborated with authors Angela Elwell Hunt or Virginia Smith on a series of Christian romance novels.
Lori and her husband of over forty years, Lance, live in Springfield, Missouri, surrounded by the beautiful Ozarks. They have three grown sons, three daughter-in-laws, and six wonderful grandchildren, and two great-granddaughters. She and her husband are very involved in their church, and active in supporting mission work in Mali, West Africa.
Despite her success in more mainstream romantic fiction, in 1995, she decided to switch focus. Her subsequent books have been in the relatively new subgenre of Christian romance. She has also collaborated with authors Angela Elwell Hunt or Virginia Smith on a series of Christian romance novels.
Lori and her husband of over forty years, Lance, live in Springfield, Missouri, surrounded by the beautiful Ozarks. They have three grown sons, three daughter-in-laws, and six wonderful grandchildren, and two great-granddaughters. She and her husband are very involved in their church, and active in supporting mission work in Mali, West Africa.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
finished-reading-it
August 3, 2018Added 8/3/18.
I read this book around July 2018. It was entertaining but not compelling. Some amusing parts. (Innocent Amish girl, Rebecca, lands in jail.
I read this book around July 2018. It was entertaining but not compelling. Some amusing parts. (Innocent Amish girl, Rebecca, lands in jail.
October 30, 2020
Excellent sequel in a great series. I loved it!!
September 16, 2012
Rebecca Switzer has a crush on Englischer Jesse Montgomery, but knows that her father will never permit another daughter to marry a non-Amish man. At seventeen, Rebecca hasn’t seen the cattle drover for four years, yet she still harbours a fantasy that he will return to Apple Grove, Kansas, join the Amish and marry her. She finds out the Jesse is living in Lawrence, Texas, so enlists the help of her sister and brother-in-law to travel alone to Lawrence, announce her love to Jesse and bring him back to Apple Grove.
This first impression of Rebecca is not good. She is wilful and naïve, not a good combination at any age but particularly not for a teenager who fancies herself in love with a virtual stranger than she hasn’t seen or heard from in years, especially one with a reputation for drinking and women. Her justification for this very un-Amish behaviour is that as she is on rumspringa, not yet baptised into the church, and therefore should be permitted an adventure before adopting a lifetime of obedience to the Ordnung.
Unfortunately for Rebecca, when she arrives in Lawrence, she finds herself arrested with the women of the local temperance movement, and jailed for ninety days under the supervision of town Sheriff Colin Maddox. We then get introduced to Amos Beiler, a widow with three children who is interested in marrying Rebecca, who, at thirteen years her senior, is closer in age to his daughter than to him. I think that's a bit creepy. It is creepy in real life (Michael Douglas, Rod Stewart, Paul McCartney) and it's creepy in fiction.
The story was well-written and I really liked Colin and the other Lawrence townsfolk. I just found it difficult to like Rebecca, and it’s really hard to like a book when, as a reader, you don’t like or can’t related to the main character. Overall, I found the temperance subplot much more interesting than the main romance plot, which was a more than a little unbelievable, both in terms of timing and a lack of romantic tension.
I read A Plain and Simple Heart because I wondered if an Amish romance would be better for being set in a time where the technological differences between the Amish and the Englisch were not so obvious. It wasn't. The writing was good, but it had the same vapid heroine as many of the contemporary equivalents. Maybe she reminds me of myself at that age; maybe she is a sign of what I hope my own daughter won't become; maybe she just makes me think of Bella from Twilight. Either way, I just couldn't relate to Rebecca.
This book is the second in The Amish of Apple Grove series, but can easily be read as a stand-alone. I think the first book dealt with the romance between Emma (Rebecca’s sister) and Luke. They seem to be nice characters, from what little we saw of them in A Plain and Simple Heart, so that may be worth reading. But unless you are a fan of teenage romance or Amish fiction, I wouldn’t recommend A Plain and Simple Heart.
Thanks to Harvest House and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.
This first impression of Rebecca is not good. She is wilful and naïve, not a good combination at any age but particularly not for a teenager who fancies herself in love with a virtual stranger than she hasn’t seen or heard from in years, especially one with a reputation for drinking and women. Her justification for this very un-Amish behaviour is that as she is on rumspringa, not yet baptised into the church, and therefore should be permitted an adventure before adopting a lifetime of obedience to the Ordnung.
Unfortunately for Rebecca, when she arrives in Lawrence, she finds herself arrested with the women of the local temperance movement, and jailed for ninety days under the supervision of town Sheriff Colin Maddox. We then get introduced to Amos Beiler, a widow with three children who is interested in marrying Rebecca, who, at thirteen years her senior, is closer in age to his daughter than to him. I think that's a bit creepy. It is creepy in real life (Michael Douglas, Rod Stewart, Paul McCartney) and it's creepy in fiction.
The story was well-written and I really liked Colin and the other Lawrence townsfolk. I just found it difficult to like Rebecca, and it’s really hard to like a book when, as a reader, you don’t like or can’t related to the main character. Overall, I found the temperance subplot much more interesting than the main romance plot, which was a more than a little unbelievable, both in terms of timing and a lack of romantic tension.
I read A Plain and Simple Heart because I wondered if an Amish romance would be better for being set in a time where the technological differences between the Amish and the Englisch were not so obvious. It wasn't. The writing was good, but it had the same vapid heroine as many of the contemporary equivalents. Maybe she reminds me of myself at that age; maybe she is a sign of what I hope my own daughter won't become; maybe she just makes me think of Bella from Twilight. Either way, I just couldn't relate to Rebecca.
This book is the second in The Amish of Apple Grove series, but can easily be read as a stand-alone. I think the first book dealt with the romance between Emma (Rebecca’s sister) and Luke. They seem to be nice characters, from what little we saw of them in A Plain and Simple Heart, so that may be worth reading. But unless you are a fan of teenage romance or Amish fiction, I wouldn’t recommend A Plain and Simple Heart.
Thanks to Harvest House and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.
September 11, 2019
1884-Several years earlier, young Rebecca Switzer lost her heart to Jesse Montgomery, a rugged but dissolute cowboy on a dusty cattle trail near the Amish settlement of Apple Grove. Now she is grown up, and when she hears one day that he has been spotted nearby, her desire is plain and simple: She must see him.
Sheriff Colin Maddox is counting the days until he can leave law enforcement and follow his dream of starting a church. When a lovely woman, new to town and looking travel weary and a bit lost, gets caught up in the middle of a temperance riot, she is arrested along with the leaders. He can hardly believe she is what she claims?a Plain and simple woman. Nor can he believe how quickly he loses his heart to her. Can Colin convince her to forget Jesse and give him a chance?
Sheriff Colin Maddox is counting the days until he can leave law enforcement and follow his dream of starting a church. When a lovely woman, new to town and looking travel weary and a bit lost, gets caught up in the middle of a temperance riot, she is arrested along with the leaders. He can hardly believe she is what she claims?a Plain and simple woman. Nor can he believe how quickly he loses his heart to her. Can Colin convince her to forget Jesse and give him a chance?
December 10, 2019
Rebecca felt her first love for Jesse was it, when she finally heard he was near, she had to see him. What follows when a Plain and simple girl gets mixed in with a temperance moment. Will bring laughs to the reader.
Given ARC audio for my voluntary review and my honest opinion. The narration by Cecilia White was enjoyable.
Given ARC audio for my voluntary review and my honest opinion. The narration by Cecilia White was enjoyable.
June 14, 2022
Rebecca is an Amish woman who is in love with a cowboy she hasn’t seen for years. She decides to take off and find him, she lands in a town having a temperance protest and gets caught up in it and lands in jail. The sheriff had been hoping for a calm last two weeks of work so he can become a preacher. Between his female prisoner, outlaws and the woman’s protests he doesn’t get it.
August 3, 2022
Rumspringa
This book is about an unusual rumspringa where main character decides to go after a guy she believes she's in love with in a city she has never been before. Oh my what adventures await her arrival. From Temperance movement, saloons, Wanted gunmen, etc.. This book has it all.
This book is about an unusual rumspringa where main character decides to go after a guy she believes she's in love with in a city she has never been before. Oh my what adventures await her arrival. From Temperance movement, saloons, Wanted gunmen, etc.. This book has it all.
June 1, 2024
Rebecca believes she is in love with a cowboy she met four years earlier. Leaving her Amish community led to more than she anticipated with being caught up with a temperance protest and put in jail. What’s going to happen to Rebecca and the other characters?
This was a borrowed library book, thus a review was not required.
This was a borrowed library book, thus a review was not required.
May 6, 2023
When a young Amish woman and the law clash, there are some unexpecked developments. Somethimes first impressions change once you get to know another and you spend most of your wakeful hours with them. The Wild West setting and the Amish blending is very unique.
January 16, 2018
A good book.
August 15, 2018
I enjoyed Rebecca's story. I am sad for Jonas that both daughter's left, but it balanced out a little with Sassy/Sarah joining the Amish.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 15, 2018
bought the audiobook version.
February 24, 2020
An enjoyable story, it is typical Lorie Copeland.
May 17, 2020
A very spirited Amish gal turning English!
May 17, 2020
Excellent!
August 28, 2020
This Western Amish story takes us to the time of temperance marches and riots, along with lots of romance, bar maids and other some bad guys. Not your usual Amish romance, lots of history and laughs.
September 4, 2020
A nice cozy novel.
December 12, 2021
This series was enjoyable. The characters and story were well developed, just like in the other books.
January 12, 2023
Just okay.
July 15, 2024
Another good story by Lori Copeland
July 17, 2024
Another Amish adventure of love and trials between an Amish woman and the town sheriff. I really enjoyed the ease of reading this book and the predictable outcome.
January 17, 2020
Great book
February 17, 2014
Reviewed by Mollly
Book provided by the publisher for review
Review originally posted at Romancing the Book
Having read many of Lori Copeland’s previous books, I am always looking for a new one to read. I love her writing style and messages that she weaves into the stories. They are always full of heart and inspiration. So, when she teamed up with another talented author, Virginia Smith, to create an awesome new Amish series, The Amish Of Apple Grove, I jumped on the chance to read them. I fell in love with book 1, The Hearts Frontier, and anxiously awaited the chance to review book 2, A Plain And Simple Heart. That chance finally came, and I must tell you that I am not, in anyway disappointed with the results! The Switzer family and the wild west frontier collide once again, bringing readers an entertaining look at life on the western front, and the simple living of the Amish.
A Plain And Simple Heart is Rebecca Switzer’s story. We meet her in book 1, the younger sister of Emma Switzer. When she laid eyes on a hunky cowboy then, she fell in love, just like her big sister did. Trouble is, he’s rugged and won’t settle down. She’s plain and wants to win his heart. Finding a chance to do just that she sets out to find him. But, her plans go haywire when she’s arrested. And she just may learn that sometimes God’s plans are different than yours.
Sheriff Colin Maddox is a sweet character! I fell in love with him instantly. He was the perfect character to try and steal Rebecca’s heart! When he first sets eyes on her, he’s shocked to learn that she’s Amish….and being arrested. Even worse, she has her sites set on the rugged, handsome cowboy Jesse Montgomery. The more he’s around Miss Emma, though, the more he looses his heart. All he wants to do now is convince the plain and simple hearted woman that he would suit her more perfectly than Jesse. But, will she see what God has in store for them?
I loved reading this one every bit as much as book 1. These books are filled with humorous moments, sweet Amish hearts, and handsome cowboys. Through the writing style of Ms. Copeland and Ms. Smith, readers are taken on an inspiring ride of learning to trust in God to show the way, and that sometimes love can be found in the most unexpected ways. I definitely recommend this book with the highest of praises! It’s a fun twist on Amish life and adds lots of adventure the wild west! I can’t wait until April of 2013….that’s when Emma and Rebecca’s friend Katie Miller gets her chance at a story in A Cowboy At Heart!
Book provided by the publisher for review
Review originally posted at Romancing the Book
Having read many of Lori Copeland’s previous books, I am always looking for a new one to read. I love her writing style and messages that she weaves into the stories. They are always full of heart and inspiration. So, when she teamed up with another talented author, Virginia Smith, to create an awesome new Amish series, The Amish Of Apple Grove, I jumped on the chance to read them. I fell in love with book 1, The Hearts Frontier, and anxiously awaited the chance to review book 2, A Plain And Simple Heart. That chance finally came, and I must tell you that I am not, in anyway disappointed with the results! The Switzer family and the wild west frontier collide once again, bringing readers an entertaining look at life on the western front, and the simple living of the Amish.
A Plain And Simple Heart is Rebecca Switzer’s story. We meet her in book 1, the younger sister of Emma Switzer. When she laid eyes on a hunky cowboy then, she fell in love, just like her big sister did. Trouble is, he’s rugged and won’t settle down. She’s plain and wants to win his heart. Finding a chance to do just that she sets out to find him. But, her plans go haywire when she’s arrested. And she just may learn that sometimes God’s plans are different than yours.
Sheriff Colin Maddox is a sweet character! I fell in love with him instantly. He was the perfect character to try and steal Rebecca’s heart! When he first sets eyes on her, he’s shocked to learn that she’s Amish….and being arrested. Even worse, she has her sites set on the rugged, handsome cowboy Jesse Montgomery. The more he’s around Miss Emma, though, the more he looses his heart. All he wants to do now is convince the plain and simple hearted woman that he would suit her more perfectly than Jesse. But, will she see what God has in store for them?
I loved reading this one every bit as much as book 1. These books are filled with humorous moments, sweet Amish hearts, and handsome cowboys. Through the writing style of Ms. Copeland and Ms. Smith, readers are taken on an inspiring ride of learning to trust in God to show the way, and that sometimes love can be found in the most unexpected ways. I definitely recommend this book with the highest of praises! It’s a fun twist on Amish life and adds lots of adventure the wild west! I can’t wait until April of 2013….that’s when Emma and Rebecca’s friend Katie Miller gets her chance at a story in A Cowboy At Heart!
December 30, 2013
Title: A PLAIN AND SIMPLE HEART
Authors: Lori Copeland and Virginia Smith
Publisher: Harvest House
September 2012
ISBN: 978-0736947558
Genre: Historical / Amish
Chasing down your one true love is not as easy as it looks
A Plain and Simple Heart, an exciting new Amish-meets-Wild West adventure from bestselling authors Lori Copeland and Virginia Smith, weaves an entertaining and romantic tale for devoted fans and new readers.
1884--Several years earlier, young Rebecca Switzer lost her heart to Jesse Montgomery, a rugged but dissolute cowboy on a dusty cattle trail near the Amish settlement of Apple Grove. Now she is grown up, and when she hears one day that he has been spotted nearby, her desire is plain and simple: She must see him.
Sheriff Colin Maddox is counting the days until he can leave law enforcement and follow his dream of starting a church. When a lovely woman, new to town and looking travel weary and a bit lost, gets caught up in the middle of a temperance riot, she is arrested along with the leaders. He can hardly believe she is what she claims--a Plain and simple woman. Nor can he believe how quickly he loses his heart to her. Can Colin convince her to forget Jesse and give him a chance?
A PLAIN AND SIMPLE HEART is book two in the Amish of Apple Grove series by talented duo Copeland and Smith. The first book in the series is The Heart’s Frontier and fans will want to read that book even though the books do stand alone.
A PLAIN AND SIMPLE HEART started out with a bang and didn’t stop packing a punch. Rebecca may be Amish but her rumspringe gives her experiences that most Amish never dream of. This was a lighthearted story, the Amish meets the wild west. I am looking forward to reading the third book in this series, A Cowboy at Heart. 5 stars. $13.99. 32o pages.
Authors: Lori Copeland and Virginia Smith
Publisher: Harvest House
September 2012
ISBN: 978-0736947558
Genre: Historical / Amish
Chasing down your one true love is not as easy as it looks
A Plain and Simple Heart, an exciting new Amish-meets-Wild West adventure from bestselling authors Lori Copeland and Virginia Smith, weaves an entertaining and romantic tale for devoted fans and new readers.
1884--Several years earlier, young Rebecca Switzer lost her heart to Jesse Montgomery, a rugged but dissolute cowboy on a dusty cattle trail near the Amish settlement of Apple Grove. Now she is grown up, and when she hears one day that he has been spotted nearby, her desire is plain and simple: She must see him.
Sheriff Colin Maddox is counting the days until he can leave law enforcement and follow his dream of starting a church. When a lovely woman, new to town and looking travel weary and a bit lost, gets caught up in the middle of a temperance riot, she is arrested along with the leaders. He can hardly believe she is what she claims--a Plain and simple woman. Nor can he believe how quickly he loses his heart to her. Can Colin convince her to forget Jesse and give him a chance?
A PLAIN AND SIMPLE HEART is book two in the Amish of Apple Grove series by talented duo Copeland and Smith. The first book in the series is The Heart’s Frontier and fans will want to read that book even though the books do stand alone.
A PLAIN AND SIMPLE HEART started out with a bang and didn’t stop packing a punch. Rebecca may be Amish but her rumspringe gives her experiences that most Amish never dream of. This was a lighthearted story, the Amish meets the wild west. I am looking forward to reading the third book in this series, A Cowboy at Heart. 5 stars. $13.99. 32o pages.
July 31, 2012
Convinced she is of age to marry, Rebecca has her heart set on English cowboy Jesse, who still has some growing up to do. Although it has been four years since she has seen him she is determined to find him and win his heart.
Colin Maddox, sheriff finds that keeping peace and fairness in the small town of Lawrence, Kansas to be a challenging feat indeed.
When Rebecca arrives in Lawrence she is mistaken for another. Will she be convincing of her true identity? Can she find the one whose name has circled her heart or will another pierce it instead?
Romance, plenty of humorous moments, suspense, courtroom drama, fiesty outlaws and just plain old fun is what the reader can expect to find within the pages of this extremely hard to put down book. I loved the town of Lawrence, the descriptive scenery, easy to follow dialogue and smooth flowing plot with absolutely no dull parts, kept the story moving. I connected with the characters right away, well developed and believable. I really cannot name a fav character since all of them qualify for top spot. I was highly entertained by this faith inspiring novel. Although part of a series this book can be a stand alone novel as well. I highly recommend this book to others, you will not be disappointed! Thanks to Harvest House Publishers and Netgalley for the ARC for my review. 5 Stars!!!
Colin Maddox, sheriff finds that keeping peace and fairness in the small town of Lawrence, Kansas to be a challenging feat indeed.
When Rebecca arrives in Lawrence she is mistaken for another. Will she be convincing of her true identity? Can she find the one whose name has circled her heart or will another pierce it instead?
Romance, plenty of humorous moments, suspense, courtroom drama, fiesty outlaws and just plain old fun is what the reader can expect to find within the pages of this extremely hard to put down book. I loved the town of Lawrence, the descriptive scenery, easy to follow dialogue and smooth flowing plot with absolutely no dull parts, kept the story moving. I connected with the characters right away, well developed and believable. I really cannot name a fav character since all of them qualify for top spot. I was highly entertained by this faith inspiring novel. Although part of a series this book can be a stand alone novel as well. I highly recommend this book to others, you will not be disappointed! Thanks to Harvest House Publishers and Netgalley for the ARC for my review. 5 Stars!!!
July 21, 2013
Both of these authors are favorites of mine, so of course I had to read the second installment in The Amish of Apple Grove series. I love Amish books and I love old west books, so how could I go wrong with all three? Of course I was not disappointed at all with my time spent reading this novel.
Oh, Rebecca! If ever there was trouble to find, she sure knew how to do it. This time she did it without even looking. Rebecca went on the hunt for the man she fell in love with when she was a young girl, Jesse Montgomery. Being the person that she is, Rebecca figures he will feel the same way about her and they will begin their life together.
Through a series of events, Rebecca meets Sheriff Colin Maddox. To find out exactly how she meets him you will have to read for yourself. Let's just say Rebecca gets to spend a little time with the sheriff where he works. Spending time with Colin begins to make her question her own feelings and wonder if she is doing the right thing.
I absolutely loved this book just as much as the first and would definitely recommend it to anyone who like me loves a good western and a good Amish story. The pairing of these two together worked perfectly and then you throw in two fabulous authors and you have the making of a book you won't soon forget. I personally loved it!
Oh, Rebecca! If ever there was trouble to find, she sure knew how to do it. This time she did it without even looking. Rebecca went on the hunt for the man she fell in love with when she was a young girl, Jesse Montgomery. Being the person that she is, Rebecca figures he will feel the same way about her and they will begin their life together.
Through a series of events, Rebecca meets Sheriff Colin Maddox. To find out exactly how she meets him you will have to read for yourself. Let's just say Rebecca gets to spend a little time with the sheriff where he works. Spending time with Colin begins to make her question her own feelings and wonder if she is doing the right thing.
I absolutely loved this book just as much as the first and would definitely recommend it to anyone who like me loves a good western and a good Amish story. The pairing of these two together worked perfectly and then you throw in two fabulous authors and you have the making of a book you won't soon forget. I personally loved it!
September 24, 2012
Rebecca has held a love Jesse every since meeting him during a cattle drive. The cowboys had helped her family when they were robbed. Rebecca is Amish. Yet her sister, Emma, married Luke the cowboy who was in charge of the cattle drive.
So Rebecca leaves at night to set out to find who she thinks is her true love. She is arrested and put in jail. Colin, the sheriff, has a time with this spit fire of a young woman taking over the jail.
Rebecca gets caught up in the Temperance Movement by accident. Yet through it all she makes friend with the Englishers.
Amos comes to bail her out of jail with money from the Amish Community. He cannot believe the outside world. He falls for Sassy - Sarah, who had worked in a Saloon. She returns to the Amish Community.
I could not put the book down. I read it in two days.
Rebecca's love for Jesse turns out to be the love for a friend. He is not what she thought he would be. She finds out he is not her true love.
Yet on this adventure she finds her true love.
I await the next book Lori and Virginia write together. God has gifted them both.
So Rebecca leaves at night to set out to find who she thinks is her true love. She is arrested and put in jail. Colin, the sheriff, has a time with this spit fire of a young woman taking over the jail.
Rebecca gets caught up in the Temperance Movement by accident. Yet through it all she makes friend with the Englishers.
Amos comes to bail her out of jail with money from the Amish Community. He cannot believe the outside world. He falls for Sassy - Sarah, who had worked in a Saloon. She returns to the Amish Community.
I could not put the book down. I read it in two days.
Rebecca's love for Jesse turns out to be the love for a friend. He is not what she thought he would be. She finds out he is not her true love.
Yet on this adventure she finds her true love.
I await the next book Lori and Virginia write together. God has gifted them both.
October 7, 2012
Spunky Amish? You bet!!!
1884—A young Amish girl sets out on rumspringa to track down the man she loves and give him her lovelorn heart. But love has ever been known to be unpredictable... What sweet, innocent Rebecca Switzer actually finds could be something quite different than what she had in mind.
Once again, Copeland and Smith have crafted a wonderful, heartwarming tale of young love that is NOT your typical Amish romance. What could possibly make an innocent young Amish woman set off on her own, under cover of night, in pursuit of a man who may or may not return her affection? What stretch of imagination could place that same young lady behind bars in a handsome cowboy sheriff's jailhouse? And what possible good could come of an Amish rumspringa gone so far off the intended path?
The first book in The Amish of Apple Grove series set a high standard for a rousingly different kind of Amish tale. A PLAIN & SIMPLE HEART raises the banner even higher, and does not—for even an instant—disappoint. Can't imagine what the authors will come up with next for Apple Grove, but this reader can't wait to find out. A highly recommended, joy of a read!
1884—A young Amish girl sets out on rumspringa to track down the man she loves and give him her lovelorn heart. But love has ever been known to be unpredictable... What sweet, innocent Rebecca Switzer actually finds could be something quite different than what she had in mind.
Once again, Copeland and Smith have crafted a wonderful, heartwarming tale of young love that is NOT your typical Amish romance. What could possibly make an innocent young Amish woman set off on her own, under cover of night, in pursuit of a man who may or may not return her affection? What stretch of imagination could place that same young lady behind bars in a handsome cowboy sheriff's jailhouse? And what possible good could come of an Amish rumspringa gone so far off the intended path?
The first book in The Amish of Apple Grove series set a high standard for a rousingly different kind of Amish tale. A PLAIN & SIMPLE HEART raises the banner even higher, and does not—for even an instant—disappoint. Can't imagine what the authors will come up with next for Apple Grove, but this reader can't wait to find out. A highly recommended, joy of a read!
October 2, 2012
This book is the second in the series called "Amish of Apple Grove." Really enjoyed this book for it quiet funny to see Rebecca get in a mess of things when she arrives in Lawrence, Kansas. She starts out day dreaming about her love for Jesse who she met four years earlier on a cattle trail drive. She hear of his aware about and heads for it.
Sheriff Maddox learns what it takes to keep peace in the small town. He just hoping things are peaceful during this time before the new sheriff arrives to take over. But things start to get quite interesting the mintue Rebecca arrives in Lawrence Kansas. Colin see her and judges she there for a protest of the night she arrived.
There are a few thing that are surprises throughout the book and believe me it a book to read. I do not want to giveaway any of the secrets of what happens to Rebecca or Colin for that matter. I do not want to tell you want happens to a few of the folks in the town. To find out it book to pick up. Another book to pick up is called "The Heart Frontier."
Sheriff Maddox learns what it takes to keep peace in the small town. He just hoping things are peaceful during this time before the new sheriff arrives to take over. But things start to get quite interesting the mintue Rebecca arrives in Lawrence Kansas. Colin see her and judges she there for a protest of the night she arrived.
There are a few thing that are surprises throughout the book and believe me it a book to read. I do not want to giveaway any of the secrets of what happens to Rebecca or Colin for that matter. I do not want to tell you want happens to a few of the folks in the town. To find out it book to pick up. Another book to pick up is called "The Heart Frontier."
September 4, 2012
The only off-putting part of this story for me is the cover because the characters as I grew to picture them look nothing like that. I simply loved this story, in many ways more than the first book. Rebecca's ability to get wrapped up in a big mess and yet hold her head high was endearing. The attention to detail in the city of Lawrence, Kansas and the use of historical figures added to the feel of the book. The plot moved along nicely, keeping my attention. It has great minor sub-characters to enhance the story.
I loved Colin Maddox's moral heart and found the romance of he and Rebecca so sweet. I was especially pleased that they finally found someone for Amos Bueller to love. I am not an Amish fiction fan. I think much of it is written by people who know nothing of Amish culture. That said, this book contains a pleasant mix of Amish culture and Christian faith that keeps the focus on making godly decisions and trusting Him for guidance. This is a great story both for adults and for teens. I recommend it highly.
I loved Colin Maddox's moral heart and found the romance of he and Rebecca so sweet. I was especially pleased that they finally found someone for Amos Bueller to love. I am not an Amish fiction fan. I think much of it is written by people who know nothing of Amish culture. That said, this book contains a pleasant mix of Amish culture and Christian faith that keeps the focus on making godly decisions and trusting Him for guidance. This is a great story both for adults and for teens. I recommend it highly.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews