What do you think?
Rate this book
Little Valley #2
Ella's Wish
Ella Yoder has moved into her dream house. In the stillness of the great house, Ella ponders her options. How is she to survive on her own? How will she ever forget Aden? What is to become of her? Two would-be suitors soon make their intentions known, but Ella is unsure of her own feelings. As she agrees to take care of Preacher Stutzman's three motherless girls, Ella's heart is touched by their love for her. Could their affection be the answer to Ella's quest? Can God speak through the love of a child? Readers of Amish fiction will fall in love themselves with Ella Yoder and hope with her that she finds the love and happiness she seeks. About this series: Readers of Amish fiction will delight in this second book in a series about young Ella Yoder as she copes with the loss of her true love. Author Jerry Eicher's sales now top more than 100,000.
288 pages, Paperback
First published January 4, 2011
20 people are currently reading
482 people want to read
About the author
Jerry S. Eicher
70 books200 followersJerry Eicher’s bestselling Amish fiction (more than 210,000 in combined sales) includes The Adams County Trilogy, the Hannah’s Heart books, and the Little Valley Series. After a traditional Amish childhood, Jerry taught for two terms in Amish and Mennonite schools in Ohio and Illinois. Since then he’s been involved in church renewal, preaching, and teaching Bible studies. Jerry lives with his wife, Tina Eicher, and their four children in Virginia.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
January 6, 2013
This was nice. It was a good read. The characters are good. It has a good plot. Read the firdsst beforehand.
January 24, 2019
I READ THE FIRST BOOK IN THIS 3 PART IN THIS TRILOGY. IT WAS SAD BUT I LOVED IT. THIS WAS MY FIRST AMISH READ. I LOVED IT. LIKE THE WAY THEY LIVE (SIMPLE) AND OFF THE LAND AND HOW THEY SEEM TO LOVE EVERYONE AND THE DO NOT BOAST. AWESOME AUTHOR.
January 2, 2013
I am impressed! I loved 'Ella's Wish' by Jerry S. Eicher is Amish Fiction at the best. This is the second book of a series. I did not read the first book but this works very well as a standalone book. The author fills in enough of the details that you don’t feel lost.
Ella Yoder was engaged to Aden Wengard and thought they would get married and that was it. But he died before the wedding. Now she was blessed with a great big house, enough for three families but no husband. She moved in and thought that she would just stay single the rest of her life. She did need a way of supporting herself. She made arrangements for a young married couple to rent out the first floor and was sought out by Preacher Stutzman to babysit his three daughters. His wife had recently died and it would be imposing on his sister to have her take care of the children any more.
If this was a trite story, she would promptly fall in love with Preacher Stutzman. But no, Bishop Miller has decided that God has willed her to be his wife. Ella has nightmares about him, dreaming that she was marrying him and waking up trembling, and full of fear. Yet Preacher Stutzman gives fiery sermons and she is not attracted to him either. To top it all off, her brother, Eli has been seeing an Englisha girl and is risking being banned.
So, along with trying to support herself, she is thrown into a muddled mess and is most frightened of her brother being thrown out of the community.
The author writes Ella like he completely understands women. He somehow has gotten inside of a woman’s feelings and her mind! That is the main reason that I love this book. But it is not all, through this book; we learn a lot of about the Amish ways. When the grace is said at lunch, it is the men that say it. That struck me because that was the way it always was at my grandmother’s house. Also, you are not supposed to stand out in the community but to be an integral part of it. There were quite a bit of references about God’s will but it fit into the book so seamlessly.
I would recommend this book to all who love Amish Fiction.
Ella Yoder was engaged to Aden Wengard and thought they would get married and that was it. But he died before the wedding. Now she was blessed with a great big house, enough for three families but no husband. She moved in and thought that she would just stay single the rest of her life. She did need a way of supporting herself. She made arrangements for a young married couple to rent out the first floor and was sought out by Preacher Stutzman to babysit his three daughters. His wife had recently died and it would be imposing on his sister to have her take care of the children any more.
If this was a trite story, she would promptly fall in love with Preacher Stutzman. But no, Bishop Miller has decided that God has willed her to be his wife. Ella has nightmares about him, dreaming that she was marrying him and waking up trembling, and full of fear. Yet Preacher Stutzman gives fiery sermons and she is not attracted to him either. To top it all off, her brother, Eli has been seeing an Englisha girl and is risking being banned.
So, along with trying to support herself, she is thrown into a muddled mess and is most frightened of her brother being thrown out of the community.
The author writes Ella like he completely understands women. He somehow has gotten inside of a woman’s feelings and her mind! That is the main reason that I love this book. But it is not all, through this book; we learn a lot of about the Amish ways. When the grace is said at lunch, it is the men that say it. That struck me because that was the way it always was at my grandmother’s house. Also, you are not supposed to stand out in the community but to be an integral part of it. There were quite a bit of references about God’s will but it fit into the book so seamlessly.
I would recommend this book to all who love Amish Fiction.
April 13, 2011
Ella's Wish
Jerry S. Eicher
Little Valley Series
Book 2
Harvest House Publishers
2011
Fiction/Christian/Amish
Reviewed by Cindy Loven
Ella's house is now finished and she has moved into it. But what will she do to provide a living for herself? This is not a normal position for a young Amish woman, because generally they live with their families, or move from their parents after marriage to live with their husband. But Ella is not the normal young Amish woman. After the death of her beloved Aden, she is not sure she will ever love again, although there are plenty of opportunities being presented to her, she is unable to move forward in this part of her life.
Preacher Stutzman offers her a job taking care of his three young daughters after the sudden death of his wife, this along with renting out the first floor of her home to a newlywed couple will help provide her living. Adding in a small quilt shop in her basement, should be enough to provide for her. What Ella has not bargained for is the deep feelings she is developing for Preacher Stutzman's little girls. Nor did she bargain for the young Bishop who is pursuing her. She knew he was interested, but he is taking liberties, trying to keep her from taking care of the little girls. This will not do at all, she has to put her foot down.
A great story, with a twist from the normal Amish story. An independent young Amish woman with definite thoughts of how things are supposed to be or not be. I love Ella, she is so real to me, I would love to have her as a friend. This book is a continuation of the story of Ella, from the first book A Wedding Quilt for Ella. This book does stand alone, but there are references to the previous story, so having read it does help understand everything in this book. Discussion questions included. 274 pages US $11.99 4 stars
This book was provided for review purposes only by Harvest House Publishers, no payment was received for this review.
Jerry S. Eicher
Little Valley Series
Book 2
Harvest House Publishers
2011
Fiction/Christian/Amish
Reviewed by Cindy Loven
Ella's house is now finished and she has moved into it. But what will she do to provide a living for herself? This is not a normal position for a young Amish woman, because generally they live with their families, or move from their parents after marriage to live with their husband. But Ella is not the normal young Amish woman. After the death of her beloved Aden, she is not sure she will ever love again, although there are plenty of opportunities being presented to her, she is unable to move forward in this part of her life.
Preacher Stutzman offers her a job taking care of his three young daughters after the sudden death of his wife, this along with renting out the first floor of her home to a newlywed couple will help provide her living. Adding in a small quilt shop in her basement, should be enough to provide for her. What Ella has not bargained for is the deep feelings she is developing for Preacher Stutzman's little girls. Nor did she bargain for the young Bishop who is pursuing her. She knew he was interested, but he is taking liberties, trying to keep her from taking care of the little girls. This will not do at all, she has to put her foot down.
A great story, with a twist from the normal Amish story. An independent young Amish woman with definite thoughts of how things are supposed to be or not be. I love Ella, she is so real to me, I would love to have her as a friend. This book is a continuation of the story of Ella, from the first book A Wedding Quilt for Ella. This book does stand alone, but there are references to the previous story, so having read it does help understand everything in this book. Discussion questions included. 274 pages US $11.99 4 stars
This book was provided for review purposes only by Harvest House Publishers, no payment was received for this review.
August 15, 2012
Ella Yoder is now living in her new big empty house that was built for her from theh money left to her by her love Aden who suddenly passed away. To help fill the house, and get some extra income, Ella allows a recently married couple to share the house with her. Also, Preacher Stutzman needs help caring for his three young girls since he is a new widower. Ella agrees to have them stay with her during the week. Since she is home caring for the Stutzman girls, she decides to open a quilt shop in the basement where she takes orders from Englishers for new quilts. What more could Ella ask for in her life? Will Ella find love with the young bishop? With Preacher Stutzman? What will become of the girls who Ella loves dearly?
I thought this was a nice continuance of the story. I liked how you could not help but fall in love with Ella and especially with those three young Stutzman girls. I am looking forward to reading the last book in this series, Ella Finds Love Again, to see how things work out for Ella.
I thought this was a nice continuance of the story. I liked how you could not help but fall in love with Ella and especially with those three young Stutzman girls. I am looking forward to reading the last book in this series, Ella Finds Love Again, to see how things work out for Ella.
December 24, 2011
This second novel in Jerry Eicher’s Little Valley Series continues the quest of Ella Yoder to find fulfillment, if not happiness, in her life as a single Amish woman. Due to a sudden illness, she lost the only man she had ever loved and cannot imagine ever finding love again. Despite being pursued by two highly respected Amish leaders, Ella cannot seem to forget her first love, and wonders if she is to remain single. Somewhat outspoken and unconventional for a young, single Amish woman, she leaves her parents’ home and moves to another house, rents out part to a married couple, and then begins to care for three young daughters of a widower. Falling in love with the children, she wonders if that love will grow to include the father. She aches for what might have been. But even worse for Ella, she really doesn’t know what to hope for. Will she ever know her own mind? This book is more interesting than the first one in the trilogy, and perhaps the concluding book will be better still.
July 24, 2012
This is the 2nd book in the Little Valley series.
Ella Yoder, a young Amish woman, is now settling into her new home, but she needs some income. She decides to rent out the first floor of her large house to a newly married couple, and she starts a quilt shop in her basement. When the widowed preacher Ivan Stutzman needs someone to care for his 3 young girls while he is working, he offers to pay Ella to do that. Ella agrees, and she loves the girls. Ivan soon realizes that he loves Ella too, but she is still mourning the loss of her fiance Aden, and does not have any romantic feelings for Ivan. She is also still being courted by Bishop Miller, the man her parents are hoping she will marry.
While trying to sort out her feelings and figure out the right thing to do, she is also dealing with a family problem; a younger brother who has been seeing an "English" girl against the family wishes.
I enjoyed this book much more than the first one. I found the story to be very realistic in how people deal with grief and try to move on.
Ella Yoder, a young Amish woman, is now settling into her new home, but she needs some income. She decides to rent out the first floor of her large house to a newly married couple, and she starts a quilt shop in her basement. When the widowed preacher Ivan Stutzman needs someone to care for his 3 young girls while he is working, he offers to pay Ella to do that. Ella agrees, and she loves the girls. Ivan soon realizes that he loves Ella too, but she is still mourning the loss of her fiance Aden, and does not have any romantic feelings for Ivan. She is also still being courted by Bishop Miller, the man her parents are hoping she will marry.
While trying to sort out her feelings and figure out the right thing to do, she is also dealing with a family problem; a younger brother who has been seeing an "English" girl against the family wishes.
I enjoyed this book much more than the first one. I found the story to be very realistic in how people deal with grief and try to move on.
March 26, 2012
I enjoyed this story. It is the second of three books in Jerry S. Eicher's Lehigh Valley series.
Ella is faced with a real dilemma since the death of her fiance, Aden. Now she has two men wanting to court her, but she does not feel a strong attraction to either one of them. One is a bishop and seems like a good man, but she is more attracted to the other one, a widower with three young children. At the end of the book, she finally chooses between the two men, but she still has reservations.
Since the title of the third book is Ella Finds Love Again, I must assume that this will finally disclose Ella's choice and the end of the story.
This is a good series; I recommend it.
Ella is faced with a real dilemma since the death of her fiance, Aden. Now she has two men wanting to court her, but she does not feel a strong attraction to either one of them. One is a bishop and seems like a good man, but she is more attracted to the other one, a widower with three young children. At the end of the book, she finally chooses between the two men, but she still has reservations.
Since the title of the third book is Ella Finds Love Again, I must assume that this will finally disclose Ella's choice and the end of the story.
This is a good series; I recommend it.
April 18, 2011
Loved the book. Humorous in parts. Jerry makes you want to read more and read to find out what happens next.
I must say I was worried that there was going to be three possible suitors for Ella, but there was two, and was relived at her decission for maybe a future husband.
I did not care for the Bishop though. I did not care for the way he was talking to Ella.
Now, I cant wait to read "Ella Finds Love Again" and read what happens to end the story/series.
I must say I was worried that there was going to be three possible suitors for Ella, but there was two, and was relived at her decission for maybe a future husband.
I did not care for the Bishop though. I did not care for the way he was talking to Ella.
Now, I cant wait to read "Ella Finds Love Again" and read what happens to end the story/series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 4, 2012
I liked this second book is the series as well as the first. It's a light read, yet there are enough times where Ella has to really look inside herself and see what's truly there that it isn't a "fluff" read, yet it's not bogged down in morality, religion...there is a message here, but it's one you can take and adapt to your own situation. It made me stop and look inward myself. Can't wait to read the next one.
May 26, 2011
Ella has her wedding quilt finished, with help of her sister, Clara, and has moved into her home that her beloved Aden would have built. Within a short amount of time, three men express their interests but Ella is still in love with Aden and it is hard to move on. Which one of the men will tug at her heart? May have to see book 3 to get the final answer.
275 p.
275 p.
July 9, 2011
The 2nd in the series of (so far 3) the next book should more than likely be the final book. I have enjoyed reading this series and look forward to the next installment in the series.
August 9, 2011
Really enjoyed this one! It wasn't nearly as sad as the first book and it was just interesting to watch Ella move on some from Aden's death and watch her and Ronda become friends also.
Read
April 17, 2012Mary Helen read.
September 25, 2012
This series is the best that I've read by Jerry Eicher so far. The characters are a bit more rounded out than in other books he's written,and I really like the plots.
October 26, 2012
Second book in the series. Ella faces some of lifes challenges after she loses her fiancee. She has some new men that are interested in her but she isn't sure she wants to go that direction.
Read
April 12, 2013Great Story.
Read
December 2, 2012Felt like it left me hanging. I would have liked to see if love did come between Ella and Ivan.
April 25, 2013
1 girl so many decisions. She has to trust her heart. Can't wait to start book three in the series to see where her heart takes her.
February 24, 2014
loved it.
Read
December 2, 2014all over good book
August 3, 2011
I really enjoyed this book. I am anxious to read the next one in the series when it comes out.
April 15, 2018
Book 2 continues Ella Yoder's story. Ella has moved into her dream house and now has two suitors after her heart: the Bishop Miller and the Preacher Stutzman. Although she still hurts for Aden, she is being pressured to make a choice (life must move on). Meanwhile though, Ella is very resourceful: she has renters, has taken in the Stutzman girls to care for all week, and has started a business in her basement. ?? Will Ella finally be able to make a choice of the heart?
March 12, 2019
Choicei
In book two this series Ella chooses who she will court. Either the young Bishop who her parents feel she should definitely marry. Or the Widowed Preacher whose three little girls she takes care of and has come to love. There are many emotional moments In this story. I enjoyed the book though I felt that they could be less references to Dah Ha.
In book two this series Ella chooses who she will court. Either the young Bishop who her parents feel she should definitely marry. Or the Widowed Preacher whose three little girls she takes care of and has come to love. There are many emotional moments In this story. I enjoyed the book though I felt that they could be less references to Dah Ha.
August 6, 2018
Very nice read
This book the last of the series was written well. However the last chapters were repeated from the previous book. I never had a chance to read the entire ending
This book the last of the series was written well. However the last chapters were repeated from the previous book. I never had a chance to read the entire ending
January 29, 2019
Sweet, industrious Ella inspires some rather boorish behavior on the part of her local Amish clergy. A light read and more sentimental than the previous series entry.
January 21, 2021
While I enjoy these gentle faith-based stories, I do get a bit weary of the people so often trying to force girls into relationships with men they don't WANT.
November 22, 2024
very good book
July 5, 2016
This is book 2 in a series and it was even better than book 1. I loved it. This book had it all, romance, suspense and action. I cannot wait to get book 3! Can't seem to put the book down. Nicely written.
June 30, 2016
Very sweet story about a lost love and the process of healing a heart.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews