The Book of James: An Amish Man Torn Between Two Worlds

by Janice Dembosky

When Emma Nafziger delivers her third son into the Amish community of Holmes County, Ohio, she hears Midwife Ruth exclaim, “Ach! This child will be special. He is born with the caul over his head, marked by Gott for special things!”As Young James Nafziger grows, the midwife’s prophecy appears to be coming true. His parents are both amazed and frightened by their son’s gift of what they call “second sight.” He senses both danger and sickness and has a keen instinct for helping the afflicted. At age thirteen, he is already becoming known as a healer in his Amish community.James’ desire to serve the Amish people as a healer is complicated when his thirst for more education takes him into the world of der Englischer where he is beguiled by April Adams, the adopted daughter of James’ outsider-cousin, Hannah. He becomes a man torn between love of two worlds, and his two-pronged story is central to The Book of James.The people surrounding James become fodder for author Janice Dembosky’s signature multiple-plot stories: the heart-rending story of James’ sister Barbara who is led astray at a rumschpringe party, Lizzy Yoder’s tragedy, an English woman’s desire to seduce James, the struggle of Ida Yoder and Isaac Goodman to forget one another—all become stories-within-the-story that take the reader through Dembosky’s typical twists and turns of plot with unpredictable results.As with the three previous books in what has now become The Bond Woman Amish Series, The Book of James (Book 4) promises to hold the reader spell-bound.

378 pages, Paperback

Published June 27, 2019

About the author

Janice Dembosky lives with her husband, Everett, on their farm in rural Pennsylvania. Their three children are adults with families of their own, and Janice has retired from her profession as an English teacher. In between (and even during) traveling adventures, she enjoys her favorite pastime -- writing. She has published magazine articles, but The Bond Woman is her first novel. She explains, "My mother was terminally ill and complained to me that she had always hoped that I would publish a book before she died. To appease her, I began writing The Bond Woman, reading her chapters each time I came to sit with her on weekends. She found the story fascinating but did not hesitate to offer suggestions, many of which I carried out. This is why I call her my first encourager and editor. After my mother died, I put the manuscript away and didn't resurrect it until the time for grieving and honing my creative writing skills through coursework had passed. I dedicate this, my first novel, to my mother, Anna R. Socol Bonacci." Janice is already working on a sequel to The Bond Woman.

Reviews

[Maryvonne G. Schroyer]

Amish Man's Dilemma

Having read all the author's previous works, I expected a fantastic story, realistic dialogue and accurate research about Amish culture. I got that and emotional engagement in the story. I have the book a five star rating because It was on of the best books I've read in some time and because I wanted the author to continue James' story soon. The only thing that could have made the book better was to have this story continue on right then. Can't wait for the author's next books. Mary, New Florence, PA

[Merry]

The Best in the Series

I've rarely given any book 5 stars, but The Book of James earned it. I could feel James's torment as he struggled to come to terms with his gifts, his birthright, and his calling. This book further defined what it means to be Amish and the expectations that come from being part of that sect. I loved that characters from the previous books were included, even if some of that provided dramatic sadness. Oh, Chapter 73. A well-written gem of a book. Congrats, Ms Dembosky. What's next?