Simple Choices

Harmony #3

by Nancy Mehl

Set your GPS for the small town of Harmony, Kansas, where a city girl becomes embroiled in mystery and romance. Graphic designer Gracie Temple is engaged to Sam Goodrich. As she returns from chaperoning her protégé, Hannah Mueller, during summer art classes in the city, Gracie is eager to finish her wedding plans and marry the man of her dreams. But unexpected events threaten to disrupt the peaceful lives of those in Harmony—and Gracie’s wedding. Hannah goes missing, and Gracie’s happy plans become a mess of suspicion and fear. Will Gracie ever find contentment and marital bliss in Harmony?

Genres: Amish, Christian Fiction, Romance, Christian, Amish Fiction, Fiction, Cozy Mystery

320 pages, Paperback

First published May 17, 2011

About the author

Nancy Mehl is the bestselling author of over 50 books. She’s won the Daphne Du Maurier Award, as well as an ACFW Mystery Book of the Year Award and a Carol award. She was also a finalist for the prestigious Christy award. Her short story, Chasing Shadows, was in the USA Today bestselling Summer of Suspense anthology. Learn more about her at www.nancymehl.com and on her blog, the Suspense Sisters: www.suspensesisters.blogspot.com.

Reviews

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the third and final book in The Harmony Series. This book begins with Gracie trying to convince Hannah to get her things packed so they can return to Harmony. Gracie talked Hannah's parents into letting Hannah go to Wichita for an art workshop for six weeks. Now Gracie is wondering if that was a mistake. Hannah has changed so much in the time she spent in Wichita. Hannah isn't happy about the situation but finally gets packed and her and Gracie return to Harmony. Gracie is worried about how Hannah's parents will take the change that has happened to Hannah. Shortly after returning home, Hannah turns up missing. Did she run away? Was she kidnapped? In the mean time Gracie has a wedding to prepare for. Her parents are coming for the wedding along with her Grandpa who has Alzheimers.

There are twists and turns in this story and it is full of suspense. All our favorite characters from the previous two books are portrayed in this book as well. Alas, there are a few new ones that keep you on the edge of your seat wondering..could they be involved with Hannah's disappearance?

You will laugh, you will cry, you will be anxious, you will be unable to put this book down! I won't give it away but the last couple of chapters please have some kleenex on hand. Trust me, you will need it.

This book is more than just a good read. It is full of God's love, forgiveness, and it has taught me to let go and let God. Thank you Nancy Mehl for the Christian author that you are. You truly are using your talent for the Lord! I highly respect you for that. I can't wait to read more of your books!

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting Christian mystery novel with a love story intertwined with it. I liked the characters and the overall story line. All of the twists and turns of the plot were exciting all while keeping the slower pace of a novel set mainly among the Mennonites. I wish this were not the last book of this series because I would love to read more about Grace and Sam and the fun little town of Harmony.

[Billie Rayborn · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW!

Nancy's books never disappoint, but this one has to be the best I've read this far. The lessons on God's love and following His direction and learning to live His love and forgiveness wrapped in the most beautiful love stories I've ever read won't leave me for a long time if ever! I wholeheartedly recommend this book!

[Martha Stenseng · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely, human, spiritual, suspenseful and humorous!

So well written with believable characters saying and doing believable things. Many great life lessons and insight into the way God works. Would love to visit Harmony!

[Ola · Rating 5 out of 5]

A suspense love story

This was a great ending in a trilogy of suspense love stories. The characters are real and seen like friends I’d like to know.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Liked this one the best of the three books!

[Heather Ratliff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full of mystery- she kept me guessing the whole book.

[Katy Lovejoy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not the worst ending to a series by far

[Charity · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, this is the third book in a series I have come to really enjoy. I was sent this book for review and I have to say, this is one of my favorite Mennonite series! Simple Choices by Nancy Mehl is about a young lady, Grace, who is engaged to Sam. There is mystery along with a beautiful story line. This is a set of books that has made it through my reviewing and onto my bookshelf:) This doesn't often happen so you know they are special!

I have read the two previous books in this series and so I knew exactly what had led up to this point. But even if you are stepping into the middle of the story, you will definitely be able to figure out what has been going on. There is a lot of mystery and excitement of an upcoming wedding. I have to say, one of my favorite parts in this book are the ones dealing with Gracie and Papa. This is her grandfather, not her father. He is dealing with Alzheimer's and is sometimes lucid and at other times he is back with his wife. But the points where him and Gracie are interacting were wonderful. But the part at the end was beautiful! I cried a little over it so make sure you have tissues handy!

The mystery part was pretty interesting. I had a good idea who the bad guy was but I wasn't positive. My favorite character is Gracie. Sam is my close second. His difficulty over coming to terms with his father, Pat, kept me urging and encouraging him. In a way I felt bad for Pat. And I wanted to slap Gracie a couple times for him:) Goes to show how well these characters crept into my life.

The young Mennonite girl who was thought to be kidnapped, Hannah, was a person I felt for. She wanted to be out on her own and she viewed Harmony as a little, backwards town. I have heard many young people who have grown up in this lifestyle say they felt oppressed. But at the same time, it was all in their view. Others from outside the small town, like Gracie, thought that Harmony was a great place and wonderful to settle down in. I guess it is all in the thinking:)

I read this book through in two days and had a hard time putting it down. I think the picture on the front is not a real good representation of what is inside. I loved the first two covers but this one just didn't have the pull for me that the other ones did. Sam looks pretty much like what I imagine him looking but Gracie does not look like what I imagine from the books. It was just me, but I didn't care for this cover.

This book was a well-written novel. Great ending to this series and I can't wait to see what Nancy has up her sleeve next! This is a series I will keep on my shelf. And for those of you who don't care for Amish books, this one is not like that! I don't care for Amish books myself but this is more Mennonite and it is not a lot of the book. I like the way the characters are shown as human and even the Mennonite pastor shows this! Great book and even greater series! This book can be found from the publisher, Barbour Publishing, or on Amazon. You won't want to miss this series!

I was sent a copy of this book for review purposes. I did not receive any monetary compensation. All thoughts are 100% mine.

[Abbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The 3rd and final book of the series opens with Gracie in Wichita with Hannah. Hannah does not want to go home to Harmony and Gracie fears Hannah’s parents will not be happy with the changes in Hannah. We are also 2 weeks away from Gracie and Sam’s wedding. Gracie’s mom and dad and her Grandpa who has Alzheimer’s are coming to Harmony for the wedding. Once back in Harmony Hannah’s parents are not happy with Gracie and soon Hannah turns up missing. The authorities believe Hannah ran away but Gracie does not think so and so begins the final mystery.

While they worry about Hannah, Gracie and Sam are also preparing for the big day. Gracie’s dad does not seem to like Sam which is making things go a little less smooth then they had hoped. Gracie is also getting to spend some time with her Grandpa as he is dealing with Alzheimer’s and every conversation she has with him is a gift. Will Hannah come home and will Sam and Gracie’s wedding go off with out a hitch? Read this final book to find out!

I have enjoyed this series so far and I was interested to see if the third and final book would be as good as the first two and and I was not disappointed. The topic of Hannah feeling trapped in Harmony and then coming home and disappearing made it very interesting. I really enjoyed the mystery in this book. I thought I knew how it was going to turn out, but the story would then take a different direction and I was not expecting the final outcome. The subplot with Gracie’s Grandpa and the family’s struggle to deal with Alzheimer’s was interesting and heartbreaking but the author did a great job of writing it. Over all I enjoyed the ending to the series but again I felt it was lacking Sam’s story and I felt it the most in this book.

Series Review: This was a good series. I was drawn in and felt the story lines of all three books where very good. I always worry about the middle book of a series because sometimes it’s the slowest but I did not feel that way with this book. I fell in love with all the characters and I even cried as I read the final chapter of the 3rd book I got that attached. The biggest draw back to this series is the lack of Sam telling his side of the story. Had he been a first person character I would have loved this series but this one issue only make it a good read instead of a great read for me. If you enjoy mystery, romance, humor and Christian values in your books I highly recommend this series!

http://abbiesreadingcorner.com/2011/0...

[Camille · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple Choices by Nancy Mehl


And we're back in the small town of Harmony, Kansas for the third and final book in the Harmony series by Nancy Mehl.

Simple Choices finishes out the series in a beautiful way.

Just a heads up for my readers, if you have not read other books in the Harmony series, then SPOILER ALERT. I will try to give away as little as possible, but some things are unavoidable.

You can read my review of the first book by clicking here, and the second book by clicking here.

So, Gracie's wedding to Sam is growing closer and closer. Gracie has just returned home from chaperoning Hannah, a young Mennonite girl, who attended art school during the summer.

As Gracie gets excited planning her wedding to her dear love, Sam, a sudden tragedy strikes: Hannah has gone missing! While Hannah was not content with returning to Harmony, Gracie just cannot believe that Hannah would run away from her parents, she's just not that kind of girl. Yet, the police are insistent than she is just a runaway.

The weird thing: other girls who look similar to Hannah have gone missing from the same general area lately. Gracie suspects foul play, but the police just do not agree with her. Hannah's parents are unhappy with Gracie and things are just getting worse and worse and more and more complicated.

Will this tragedy destroy Gracie's wedding? Will the wedding even happen? Will Hannah be found? And if so, was there foul play involved, or did Hannah just run away?

Read Simple Choices to find out!

Let me just throw out quickly that I received a copy of this book for review purposes from NetGalley. I am under no obligation to write a positive review, just an honest one.

That being said, I really did enjoy this book! I loved the entire series and the conclusion was no disappointment.

I had no idea what had happened to Hannah and certainly was not able to guess ahead. Also, I just love the mix of Amish/Mennonite fiction with a mysterious twist!

Beautiful writing. A compelling story. Lovable characters. What's not to love?

If you have read the first two books, read the third. If you haven't read the series, pick it up today!

4 out of 5 stars, easily!

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple Choices by Nancy Mehl is a Great Choice to Read!


Gracie is quickly regretting her choice to bring Mennonite teenager Hannah to Wichita for six weeks of art classes. Hannah, dressed in tight jeans and a tank top, is throwing a temper tantrum that rivals any thrown by the typical American teenager. And is that mascara and jewelery Gracie spies? There is no way Hannah's parents are going to let her stay with Mr. Monahan and attend a specialized Art High School for her senior year. Getting her back to Harmony looking like her old self is going to be hard enough.

Soon after returning the newly reinvented teenager to her parents, Gracie is devastated to learn the teenager has gone missing. The police assume that Hannah has run away, but even though the teen has undergone some radical changes, Gracie knows she would never do that to her parents. And to make matters worse, three other teenagers that fit Hannah's description have recently gone missing as well. And on top of all this Gracie is trying to plan her wedding, and visit with her parents and ailing grandfather who have come to town for the wedding.

Plot twists and layers keep the reader's attention throughout this well written story. The true to life flaws and struggles faced by the Mennonite community in this book, make it more realistic than many works about sheltered societies. Although this is book three in a series the author does a good job of bringing the new reader up to date on what is going on without seeming to retell the previous story. I found this book to be a very enjoyable read. It is neither a light or heavy read and I believe most readers will thoroughly enjoy it. I confidently give it 4 stars.

This book was provided to me by Barbour Publishing, through NetGalley. All opinions rendered are my own.

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simple Choices
Nancy Mehl


One Simple Choice Changes Things Forever Freelance graphic designer Gracie Temple is trying to concentrate on her upcoming marriage to Sam Goodrich, the man of her dreams—until events make her simple life in Harmony, Kansas, a mess of complications and fear. Foremost there’s Hannah Mueller, daughter of the local Mennonite pastor and the girl Gracie sees as her protégé. Gracie promises Hannah’s parents that an art workshop in Wichita won’t adversely affect the shy Mennonite girl, but once there, Gracie wonders if she’s spoken too soon—especially when Hannah adopts the worldly clothing styles of the big city and threatens to remain in Wichita instead of returning to Harmony. Gracie manages to coax Hannah home, but soon after arriving, Hannah vanishes. While the county sheriff is convinced Hannah’s just another runaway, Gracie’s not so sure. As Gracie races against time to discover the truth of Hannah’s disappearance, her wedding plans—and her family—suffer under the strain. What simple choices will be made that not only affect Gracie’s life but the lives of everyone she loves in Harmony?
This was a great series. It was enjoyable to learn these characters. It took me a while to warm up to the male lead, although I did come to like Sam. Gracie is just as forthright and interesting as Nancy Mehl's other female leads. I enjoyed the mystery. While they start out going through the life in Harmony and the other characters that become so much a part of what makes the story so interesting and than the mystery intensifies. A rewarding mystery that is worth another trip to Harmony.
I would like to thank Net Galley and Barbour Publishing, Inc. for allowing me to read and review this book in return for a free copy and was never asked to write a favorable review by anyone.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

As with the other books in this series, I think the writing could improve. How? Using fewer adjectives would be a good start. Also, using words that are appropriate for the book, not trying to use high sounding language. BUT, I did like this book, and I loved the spiritual messages it contained. Like the others in the series, I would definitely recommend them...especially if you like hearing Holy Spirit speak through books. Mehl does an excellent job with this, and I was convicted in more than one area.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the 3rd book and final book in this series. It did not disappoint.

This was a great book to make you think about your christian life and how you should be living.

I loved how it came full circle with all the characters that were introduced, I didn't feel like there were too many that were brought in that were not needed, everyone had a good role and the character was developed. I didn't feel like this book was rushed or too long.

To me just a very well written book.

[Loraine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gracie Temple has a penchant for getting her nose where it doesn't belong when her young Mennonite friend, Hannah, disappears. Meanwhile she's trying to get ready for her wedding, help take care of her grandfather who has Alzheimer's and her dad who is recovering from a broken leg, and reconcile her fiance and his dad. This fiesty young lady with a full plate leads us through a story with twists and turns that is very entertaining.

[Pegg · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fitting ending to the trilogy! I've enjoyed my time in Harmony, Kansas. Nancy Mehl does a good job of bringing this town to life. "Simple Choices" adds some new adventure and wraps up a lot of loose ends from the two previous books. If you've read the first two, you don't want to miss this one!

[Janette Mapes · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story line was good. Characters were well thought out. Kept me reading. However, I did not like the ending. It was like the author just wanted to get the ending done already. All the suspense added up & then she just ended it. I found it anticlimatic. For this reason I only thought I could give it 3 and half stars.

[Michael crage · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a feel good type of book. Everything ended up good except for one thing which was an obvious set up for the next sequel. Family came together, a wedding happened. Of course as to be expected, here was a lot of preaching involved, but it did not spoil the story any as had happened in another book by her.

[Kristina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Disappointed with the end of this series. I was hoping it would be more like the first book. But still an enjoyable, easy read.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best book ever!!! I was going to cry when Papa ( her grandpa) died! It was sooo sweet and the suspense was killing me !!!

[Barbara Campbell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent! http://bookaholicconfessions.blogspot...

[Andrea]

Enjoyed this book. I liked reconnecting with Gracie and Sam. I thought I had it solved but I was wrong. I so enjoyed adding papa. The last scene between he and Gracie made me smile.

[Annissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

See comments on Book #1 for review.

[Emily · Rating 1 out of 5]

Boring, couldn't finish

[Elaine Curns · Rating 4 out of 5]

Home

I really liked this series but I think this third book was too long , seem to drag out the story , wasn't as good as the first 2

[Kathi Cooper · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an awesome Series, sad to see it end.

[Carla Conley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent mystery, love story and family story!

[Judy Zimbelman · Rating 4 out of 5]

this is a Christian mystery set in a Mennonite community in Kansas. as several families lives intersect and the old traditions conflict with modern times. I enjoyed the characters and the prayful resolutions to conflict