A Hope for Hannah

Hannah's Heart #2

by Jerry S. Eicher

Growing more popular with each new novel (over 100,000 copies in combined sales), author Jerry Eicher continues the Hannah series with this intriguing glimpse into a young Amish couple’s early marriage.

Hannah Byler is now married. She and Jake live in a small Amish community near Montana’s Cabinet Mountains, and the rough log cabin is far from everything Hannah holds dear. Anxious about her new role as wife and soon-to-be mother, Hannah understands she must learn to control her anxious heart if her marriage is to survive.

Just as the young couple settles into their new routine, Jake loses his timber job and answers the call to ministry. With winter pressing in and money scarce, Jake and Hannah discover hardships can either drive them apart or draw them closer. Determined to find hope despite fearful conditions, they struggle to survive in this harsh land and bear their responsibilities with grace.

Genres: Amish, Romance, Christian, Amish Fiction, Christian Fiction, Fiction

274 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 1, 2010

About the author

Jerry 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.

Reviews

[Donna Bowers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Be Patient the miracles on its way!

I love how even though tragedy stroke, the risk of losing their log cabin , having to barely have food, and many more problems arising Hannah and Jake held on to each other and preserved. Though they were human with lots of worrying along with a lot of tears finally when it looked like all hope was lost God took over and good things started to call into place. The story is so good it makes you feel like your apart of it! I love it and would highly recommend it to anyone. I can hardly wait to start book 3!

[Jennifer Robb · Rating 3 out of 5]

A friend (MH) sent me this book in a box of books. I'll probably pass it on to another friend for her mother to read.

Oh my, though, how much I tired of Hannah's refrain of wanting to go back to Indiana! It was nice to see her grow up a little and grow into what God has planned for them. I did, at one point, wonder how much more the author planned to throw at this couple: several job losses, a miscarriage, injuries, a bear that destroys their springhouse and eats most of their food stores, winter storms.

I do realize that different Amish communities have different rules, but some of the rules for this one seemed a bit out of place.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

An Amish story set in the early 1900’s Montana. The story was sad, a hard life, where the husband refuses to move back east where he could get a job and stays in Montana out of work, where they have to worry about having enough to eat. The husband is picked to be a preacher and worries Hannah about how it will change their lives.

[Gail · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the middle of 3 books. They are best if read in order but this could have been read as a stand alone. Hannah and Jake's life in Montana becomes more difficult as he loses his job and is elected a Minister in their Amish church as Winter begins.

[Nat Kidder · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heartfelt story of an effeminate bride who is torn between her husband's desire to open a new Amish frontier in remote Montana versus her comfy (by Amish standards) community in Indiana.

Good story line and nice development of both the main characters makes this a solid Plain tale.

[Margaret Nelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book better than the first one in the series. Hannah grows up a little, and isn't as naive or self-focused. There's good stuff about the beginnings of a marriage and learning to trust God and each other.

[ANNETTE · Rating 4 out of 5]

I do like Jerry Eicher books. They are easy to read .
This story seemed to explode with excitement.
Hannah & Jack take on several trails and adventures.They were learning to TRUST GOD and love each other .

[Maria Pierron · Rating 1 out of 5]

I can't believe this book has such good reviews.

Jake is a terrible person.

Hannah is pathetic.

Why was it so dramatic and upsetting to everyone that Jake was made preacher?

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I give this book 3 stars for a good story. It was a nice read, though it didn't grip me as much as I had hoped. A Hope for Hannah is the first Amish book that I've read, and I enjoyed reading about their culture and lifestyle. Hannah seemed so young for a bride, and I was happy for her as new, exciting changes and additions came into her life, and sad for her when heartache visited her cute, little, log cabin.

The way they handle their church was a little odd, I must admit. I don't understand how they would force someone to be a pastor, if the man didn't feel called to be one. But, each to their own, I suppose!

Besides that, I enjoyed learning about Hannah's lifestyle. I really liked her mother - she had such a light-heartened outlook on life that immediately endeared her to me. I love it when a person just seems to speak nothing but encouragement - and catching it in a book is even better! Kathy is someone I wouldn't mind knowing in person!

So, all in all, I enjoyed my short visit to Hannah's log cabin near Montana's Cabinet Mountains!

I reviewed this book for FIRST Wild Card. Thanks to Karri James of Harvest House Publishers for sending me a review copy!

[Diane U · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jake and Hannah Byler are now married and live in a remote cabin in Montana. Hannah is lonely and misses Indiana and her parents. When things start going bad for them, she tries to talk Jake into moving to Indiana. He feels that he is meant to be there and is not ready to give up. Then something happens that makes him realize that they belong there. As a new minister, Jake accepts his new responsibility although Hannah is not ready to be a minister's wife and deal with the burdens associated with it. As a couple, they are hit with several challenges along the way. With their faith and perservance, everything happens for a reason.

I enjoyed the continued story about Hannah from A Dream for Hannah. I did feel that the story was little slower in this book, it was still well written and the characters were well developed.

I am looking forward to downloading his next series, A Wedding Quilt for Ella, which is due to come out on February 1, 2011. I have it pre-ordered so I will have it right away. I will be reading that after I read my book club book for this month.

[Diane Holm · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes, when dreams come true, they fall short of expitations.

This second book is an improvement over "A Dream for Hannah". The struggles of newly married and expectant parents Hannah and Jake Byler seem to multiply at every turn. With a cold Montana winter closing in, Hannah faces both physicial and mental challenges that are over whelming.

There is deeper character development and the story line is more consistant. The descriptions were clear and believeable. The dialogue seemed a bit wordy in places but in the long run, the necessary points were brought out.

I felt the story had good teach potential for the growing, impetuous heart. The need for honesty, communication and trust between couples was emphisized as a vital ingredient for a successful marriage.

When Hannah's world is crashing down around her, the future looks bleak. Will things get worse before they get better? A good read for the growing young heart.

[Theresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

"A Hope for Hanna" was an interesting read, but, to me, it was not as enjoyable as the first. I found Hannah hadn't really matured, and her seemingly unending whining was annoying. She seemed more worldly (in attitude) than Amish in this book, not being as submissive or faithful as I would expect. I wanted her to have grown more in both attitude and faith.

The storyline is interesting, and I really enjoyed the insight of the ways of the Amish church. Mr. Eicher does a wonderful job with his descriptions and how he brings things to life. He makes one feel like part of the proceedings.

Although Hannah's whining was grating on me, as the story continues, the trials she faces forces her to grow. I'm hoping there is another book in the series. I would like to see where Hannah goes with what she learned.

[Cheryl Baranski · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book continues the story of Hannah.
Hannah is now married to Jake Byler.
They live in a little cabin in the mountains
of Montana. Jake loses his job with the logging
company. Jake must find work to support the
two of them. How will they deal with this.
Will their love and faith be enough to survive?
Another hit by Jerry Eicher!
5 stars!

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

While Jerry Eicher isn't one of the best authors of Amish fiction I've read,some of his novels like this one are sweet and interesting. His characters can be a bit flat,but the plots tend to be pleasant.

[Margaret Chind]

*Thanks to Harvest House Publishers for providing a copy for review through FIRST Wild Card Tours.*

-- Look for a preview come September

[Debbie West · Rating 5 out of 5]

onto book 3 love this series

[Barbara Barber]

Another good book by Jerry Eicher. So far I have enjoyed his books.

[Louise E. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story.