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The hope of spring! The hope of a new life! Lena Graber is a relieved widow, not grieved. She relishes the peace, except when her mother-in-law torments her with debt. Fearful of losing her farm, Lena reaches out to Jacob King, who plows up the fields and plants winter wheat. Come spring, it should bring in a good profit.Jacob King has loved Lena since he was old enough to like girls. Now that Lena is free to remarry, she considers Jacob’s marriage proposal. But she needs time away to think and lives with her aunt and uncle in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania for the winter. The Amish in Pennsylvania are vastly different than the strictest of strict Amish sect Lena is used to in New York. As Lena finds liberty in Pennsylvania to wear colors other than black and blue, be a passenger in a car, have trusted English friends, and other luxuries forbidden back home, will this divide her from Jacob? All winter, like the dead seeds of wheat grow and swell under the earth, so does Lena. As the desire to remarry grows, God is molding a man who will love her unconditionally…Best-selling author, Karen Anna Vogel, has been a trusted English friend to many Amish in Pennsylvania and New York for over thirty years. She hopes to portray their culture accurately in her many books, sharing inspiration and lessons learned.

192 pages, Paperback

Published April 20, 2017

373 people are currently reading
125 people want to read

About the author

Karen Anna Vogel

93 books104 followers

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5 stars
220 (63%)
4 stars
70 (20%)
3 stars
41 (11%)
2 stars
6 (1%)
1 star
7 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
Profile Image for Meghan.
21 reviews4 followers
May 16, 2017
Redemption

The story was really interesting to me because of the tension between the two different types of Amish. I love the story of Lena and how she went from a horrible marriage to a blessed one. From a man the didn't love her one to that did. But more importantly she realize God's deep love for her. We all make mistakes like Lena whether it's trusting the wrong people or falling in love with the wrong people. Lena shows us if we trust God and follow him, God can redeem any of our mistakes that we've made and lead us to the right people. Definitely recommend reading.
316 reviews3 followers
September 30, 2021
All the Amish groups are not the same

Lena and her husband, Samson, had a bad marriage. He was mean and abused her, very controlling. There was a fire in their barn and Samson and all the animals were killed. Samson's mother blamed Lena for his death and she was horrible to her. Lena went to Pennsylvania to stay with her aunt to get away from this lady and all her lies. Turns out Lena was pregnant, now she has to decide to remain in Pennsylvania or return to New York and all the stress she had there. Great book to read and learn more about the Amish life.
637 reviews4 followers
September 24, 2021
Lena is a released widow; Samson is dead and she is left with a son, a debt on her farm and a mother-in-law who can't seem to say a nice word. Deciding to go to PA to visit her aunt & uncle who raised her, Lena starts to come out if her shell. Being Amish, she is conflicted with some of the Amish practices she sees. Can she heal from her bad marriage and can Jacob, her first love, win her trust & love?
480 reviews
August 27, 2018
Unhappy Book

This book was sort of confusing to me. It wasn’t a family friendly Amish book. It wasn’t a happy read.
148 reviews
October 10, 2020
Lena is a widow now. Samson is gone.

Being alone to raise her son will take strength. But God will show her the way. Even if outsiders think the worst she knows she has not done anything wrong people are talking about her. She worries she may not be strong enough to save the farm. She needs help soon.
314 reviews
September 22, 2017
Good Read

I really enjoyed reading this book showing different ways of the Amish instead of just seeing them in one way I enjoyed all the characters in this book this is the first book that I have read from this Author I will be reading more from this author.
395 reviews2 followers
July 21, 2021
Second time around and finding true love.

Amish stories are a great way to learn more about some of the differences between the Amish groups. Having some Amish in our area, they have always interested me. They quilted one quilt top for me and did a beautiful job.
30 reviews
October 17, 2021
Relief then real love

Lena struggled in an abusive marriage but felt she was at fault. When her circumstances changed and she found love and compassion after her abusive husband died she knew she had not done wrong.
Well written I highly recommend this book.
704 reviews
February 6, 2023
Book 1

I loved this story about the Amish. It revealed how the different districts observe very different rules. Some very strict and others more lenient. Looking forward to the next book.
827 reviews3 followers
April 26, 2023
Touching!

Two people facing hardship, with unsupportive family take a time out. Learning of the rules of a less strict Amish sect caused much strife and required them to decide if they wanted a change. Highly recommend.
184 reviews1 follower
July 18, 2023
worth the wait

I’d forgotten I had this book, so when I pulled it up I started reading, it was well worth the wait. It was refreshing seeing Lena gain strength and confidence in herself, so beautiful that Jacob waited for his love.
Profile Image for lisa bell.
6 reviews
July 19, 2017
As always uplifting and inspiring.

Another God inspired work of literature. Amazing how love , prayer and communicating your feelings can be a blessing of growth.
Profile Image for Sandy Larivee .
318 reviews6 followers
July 24, 2017
Very different Amish ok for me, but enjoyable. Learning about the different Amish cultures was nice.
Profile Image for Lynda.
1,224 reviews35 followers
October 20, 2019
Really liked this book

Looking forward to reading the others in this series. All are available on Kindle Unlimited. I do recommend this book.
Profile Image for Mary Ann Kierych.
120 reviews1 follower
October 2, 2020
Love reading Amish stories

This was a different story line than I’ve ever read before. Thought if was very good. Look forward to reading the next book.
11 reviews
April 19, 2021
I like this book

I like this book. It wasn't a bad book. Left it Clift hanger.... I hate when they do that. Ugh...
Profile Image for Tracy Flint 1.
32 reviews2 followers
February 10, 2023
love is found again

You never know what goes on behind closed doors.
How can she grieve a man so strict and mean ?
Great read, a good page turner,
Profile Image for Gee  Dixon.
207 reviews5 followers
April 29, 2017
Karen Anna Vogel does it again. She writes this heartfelt novel that will draw you in. For me, it seems like I am one of the characters when I read her novels.

Lena Grabner is a young widow to a husband she really did not mourn over. As her life moves forward, Jacob, a friend for many years and a man that wants her to know he has loved her unconditionally for years. Lena loves Jacob but holds back on trusting.

This a novel you will not want to put down.
Profile Image for Pamela Pavkov.
1,263 reviews23 followers
July 9, 2017
Winter Wheat is an amazing, heartwarming novella written by Karen Anna Vogel in her At Home in Pennsylvania Country. Even tho this is a novella it has all the wonderful characteristics of a novel. The characters are all very likeable.

I was taken with Lena from the start of the book. She has experienced some of the worst things marriage can offer but with her strong determination she grows into a very loving woman and mother. When Lena's childhood beau is introduced I found myself cheering him on. Lena however has alot of distrust with men and keeps shoving him away. Can Jacob hold up under all the refusals? Will her follow her to another state to prove his love?

There are a couple of under lying storylines taking place in this wonderful story. I learn alot about the differences between different Amish gmays. Amazing how they can be alike but yet so different.

There is the hint of a couple of mysteries in this story too! I found myself gasping when they came to light. The author adds them just at the right time.

I was not given a complimentary copy of this amazing book to read and review. All opinions and statements are strictly my own. I have rated this book with five stars for meeting my expectations of a wonderful story. I highly recommend this book to all those who love the Amish genre with romance.

CONGRATULATIONS to Karen Anna Vogel for providing her readers with another amazing story. Now on to the next boom by this author.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews

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