Sarah's Gift

Pleasant Valley #4

by Marta Perry

An Amish midwife hopes to earn her community's trust and bring the joy of new life to Pleasant Valley in the third novel in this heartfelt series.

After years in a disappointing childless marriage, and now widowed at only twenty-six, Amish midwife Sarah Mast moves to Pleasant Valley for a fresh start. But unpleasant surprises beset Sarah when she joins her aging aunt’s dwindling midwife practice.  Signs of her aunt’s decline suggest that she may no longer be capable of the rigorous demands of her work. With Sarah’s last dollar now invested in the birthing center, can she help her aunt face the truth and run the center alone?

Aaron Miller, Sarah’s neighbor, counts himself among the skeptics until he witnesses the dedication and love she has for her patients. But when an English doctor files a complaint against Sarah, Aaron’s misgivings resurface—just as his own sister faces a birthing crisis.

In the midst of such tribulations, Sarah prays for the strength to defend her practice, care for her patients, and win the hearts of the community she has grown to love.

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

352 pages, Paperback

First published January 4, 2011

About the author

Marta Perry is a Pennsylvania-based author of over 35 novels, many of them inspirational romances. She uses her rural Pennsylvania life and her Pennsylvania Dutch heritage in writing her books, especially in her Pleasant Valley Amish series for Berkley Books and her new Amish-set suspense series for HQN Books.

Marta and her husband live in a centuries-old farmhouse in a quiet central Pennsylvania valley. They have three grown children and six beautiful grandchildren, and when she's not busy writing her next book, she's usually trying to keep up with her gardening, baking for church events, or visiting those beautiful grandkids.

Reviews

[Shirley Chapel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I so love the way Marta Perry can take readers from the pages of her books and draw them into the story as though they were really there with the characters. Just seems so real and Sarah's Gift wasn't an exception. Could barely put the book down.
I have wanted to read the author's Pleasant Valley series and last year I finally got the first three books read. I hope to make Marta Perry my feature writer this year and would like to continue on in this series plus branch out to more of her books also. I really enjoyed Sarah's Gift that focused on the practice of the midwife delivery of Amish and sometimes Englisch babies.
Sarah had a successful midwife practice in Ohio. After her husband's death she decides to join her aging Aunt Emma's midwife practice in Pleasant Valley PA. She arrives hoping for a fresh start but finds all is not well with her Aunt and her failing business. Not all people in Pleasant Valley seem to approve of Midwives delivering babies. Her neighbor Aaron Miller would be one of those who disapproves of the practice. Then a Doctor in town tries to put Sarah out of business as he tries to bring charges against her for practicing a midwife business without a license. Will Sarah lose the right to stay in business in Pleasant Valley ? She has made an investment of building on three birthing room at her Aunts house. Will she be out the money if the Doctor wins his case against her?
I thoroughly enjoyed this story. I found it to be very heart warming and captured my attention from page one to the last page of the epilogue. All readers of Amish Fiction and fans of Marta Perry would enjoy this book. It's Christian fiction at its best. I highly recommend it to those who haven't already read it.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good one from Marta Perry!!! I have read all the books in this series and suspect I will read all in series until she ends it. This was a pretty interesting book but it did take me longer to read than usual. I really understood aunt Emma's feelings of uselessness. I became Ill and couldnt do what I was used to doing as well and it takes quite some time to understand that although you cant do what you used to do, you can still be productive in other ways. Emma found this out and so did I.
Sarah is a very sweet character and I am elated she finally found love. Aaron took his time, but finally realized that Sarah was what he needed in his life. I would like to see the characters of Nathan and the little brother in upcoming books. Sarah did what she had to do and took the consequences. Sometimes we must follow our heart!

[Cynthia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am enjoying this series immensely. It is the same issue as with historical romances - I don't generally read romances, I disdain those books where within the first chapter you know who the love interest will be etc. but throw in some 'ain't so' and 'boppli', put the protagonists in those buggies and I am all about it. It is also nice to read books where people are truly looking to God for help and trying to do what would please Him.

[Joan Lovemore-hope · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am reading all books in the series, one after the other but I am finding that the characters and their connections are starting to be a bit hazy. A family tree or similar diagram showing connections would be a valuable addition to the book.

[Victoria · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pleasant little book about an Amish midwife. How she is accepted into a new community and how she has a run in with a Doctor who doesn't think that there should be midwives. And of course she finds love.

[Trish · Rating 5 out of 5]

These books are very predictable but I enjoy them. I like getting to know each character and I find Amish communities fascinating.

[Jolan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sarah’s Gift

Sarah Mast, a midwife and widow, has come to Pleasant Valley to help her aunt with her business of delivering babies. Childless herself, she gained much pleasure in her gift of delivering other mothers’ babies. Thinking she would never marry again, she wanted to start a new life in a new place and thought this would be a perfect place since her aunt had trained her in midwifery in this community. But the local Dr. thinks delivering babies is a medical procedure and wants no competition from the two midwifes. His aim is to close the business down and file a lawsuit against Sarah. Read this mesmerizing story to find out if Sarah will stay in her new home. Marta Perry has an excellent way of using interior monologue to let us know how each character is feeling and perceiving each situation.

[Cherese Akhavein · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sarah’s Gift by Marta Perry is Book 4 in the Pleasant Valley Series
New Life can be described in many forms but in this story you will read how Marta Perry crafts together a wonderful story where Sarah Mast has a gift to help expecting women bring their babies into their families as well as brings new life into her life as well.
Aaron Miller has always thought what he believed was how it was, but could it possibly be different? And how can he learn to let his brother grow up when he has the responsibility for him and has since he was born.
This is a story that will show you that it’s possible to stand true to what you believe, hold your faith, and always believe that even in the darkest of times your community, family and most of all God will stand by you.
With each book I read in this series I like it all that much better. This next book is , Katies’s Way

[Mary Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book I’ve read by this author. What I found most refreshing, was the prevalent themes of God, kindness, simplicity in living life, and the strong community of the Amish. Although a work of fiction, we could gain a great deal to acquire some of their characteristics and lifestyle. This could be my own ignorance, but I found portions of the Amish life in this book as too modernized. However, this story left me feeling that life is good if we choose to believe God is the Master of our lives. I found this book in the sale rack of a Christian bookstore. I plan to return and look for more. I might even try one of the recipes listed in the back of the book. Well done Marta Perry!

[Gail · Rating 5 out of 5]

This would make a great movie!

Wow! This is the fourth book in the series and they’re all so good. But I think this one affected me the most. At the end of the book, the last several chapters I found myself crying. It’s just so beautiful and so truthful of what women’s rights and women’s choices should be about and not the things so many people make them. It really should be made into a movie. I can picture it in my head. I don’t wanna give away any spoilers so I won’t go into details of why I loved it so much. It’s definitely a standalone book, but the experience of reading it was enhanced by reading the other three, for sure, and for certain.

[Di Schlenk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent book in this series.
Returning to Pleasant Valley after the death of her husband young midwife Sarah joins her Aunt’s midwifery practice. After a mild stroke Sarah needs to decide whether to continue or fold. A doctor vehemently opposes the non licensed midwives and takes legal action.
Lots of twists and turns in this book. A great read.

[Twila · Rating 4 out of 5]

I feel as though I know these families because their personal tensions, religious differences, and old-meets-new struggles brought them to life. This was a welcome change from the drugs, alcohol, and serial dating of some novels.

[betty copley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a feel good story

I love reading her books, as they are so calming and full of love. Yes, there is angst in the book also, but that is how life really is. Ready to read another one.

[Mark · Rating 1 out of 5]

An easy read, but without surprise or depth.

[Emily Ste · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series rocks!
This one was a bit formulaic but still I loved it and always find ideas to jot in my journal. Number five is on hold at the library!

[Claudia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting, but didn't have the drive to be a page turner.

[Sue Perkinson Hawkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love these books & the recipes too

[caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Never interfere with a woman who’s on a mission.” FACTS, Aaron, facts.

[Holly Cole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Story of an Amish midwife

[Book Binge · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the fourth novel in the Pleasant Valley series and it is another fine offering by author Marta Perry. Drawing on her own first-hand knowledge of the Amish culture and ways, the story of Sarah is told with grace and sensitivity. The gentle persona that Sarah is comes through as the reader walks with her as she hopes and prays and even invests her savings to make the midwife practice successful and to give quality care to the expectant mothers who opt for care by the midwife rather than go to the local hospital to have their babies. Midwives have long been a part of the Amish community. In fact, there was a time when Amish women had little if anything to do with the "English" medical community. As Sarah found out, not all doctors accept and support the work of the Amish midwife. The doctor closest to Pleasant Valley certainly gave evidence that he would rather see the midwife practice closed. What most people don't know is that Amish midwives are very well trained, recognize difficulties and signs that the expectant mother needs care beyond the midwife's capabilities. Their success rate is quite phenomenal.

In Sarah's case, she had always wanted to practice with her aunt who had served the Pleasant Valley Amish community for years. It did not take long to recognize that Aunt Emma was in trouble--mood swings, vacant stares, and ultimately, an episode right in the middle of a delivery. Thankfully Sarah was able to step in and prevent disaster. Almost from the first, Sarah encountered resistance to her expanding her aunt's practice. Her neighbor, Aaron Miller, was totally opposed to her practice as Aaron's mother was the only mother Aunt Emma lost for decades. Little did Aaron realize that for years Aunt Emma and the few others who knew the truth of what happened that fateful night had kept the truth from him, thinking to protect his relationship with his now-dead father.

This novel is a wonderful glimpse into this aspect of Amish life and the surprising relationship many have with the "English" on a number of levels. As always, Ms Perry brings her characters to life so that the reader can so easily be a part of the story. It is a story of old hurt and wounds, of the unwillingness to forgive, anger over the loss of a mother, resentment that a young teen had to carry the responsibility for siblings, romantic attraction that takes a beating in the face of all those negative feeling. Aaron failed to realize that Sarah believed that her empathy with the mothers-to-be, her skill in time of crisis, her patience and desire to be of service was God's gift to be used for the community. There are several occasions in the story that Sarah's calm and sure presence made significant difference, especially for first-time parents.

I found this story to be very inspirational. Certainly everyone realizes that the Amish way of life is based on their faith and their manner of living is intended to reflect the strength of their faith. Even in real life the gentle strength of the Amish has been seen when crisis has intruded on their way of life. The biggest mistake most non-Amish people can make is to assume that their non-violent ways is an indication of their inept approach to living. If anything it is the opposite. We see this in Sarah's response to the complaint filed against her, in her willingness to brave any kind of difficulty if it will mean that she has an opportunity to carry on what she believes to be the Lord's work. The great sadness in Sarah's heart is that no matter the strength of her and Aaron's attraction, he just can't seem to accept her as she is and to support her work as a ministry to her community.

Readers will find much to like in this novel. Those who have read the first three novels will recognize some of the participants in this novel which moves those background stories along. Leah, Rachel, and Anna, all subjects of the first three novels are present to welcome Sarah to her now home. There is the whole matter of how a person responds to circumstances that are completely out of one's control. Sarah's response was based in her faith, her life of prayer, her conviction that ultimately God's will prevails. And whether or not the reader is a person of faith, there is still an admiration for the quality of her belief that supports her in a tough situation. Readers will once again encounter the strength of the community as they stand in the gap for one another. It is one of the Amish qualities that never seems to get sidetracked. This fourth novel is every bit as good as the first three, and that is just not always the case. Perry evidently has the moxie to make that happen. So I hope if you are just a little curious about these wonderful people and Sarah in particular, you will manage to read this book.

I give this novel a rating of 4.5 out of 5.

This review was originally posted on Book Binge by Judith.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent as usual!

Marta Perry has a gift which makes characters come to life. You don’t just feel you are reading about them. You feel like you know them. Can’t wait to read the next one!

[Judith · Rating 4 out of 5]

A delightful and insightful glimpse into the life of an Amish Community where a very young widow comes to live in order to expand her aunt's midwife ministry to their women. The aunt has a series of small strokes so Sarah is effectively left to handle the births, pre-natal care, etc. for the expectant mothers. There is opposition from the "English" doctor who doesn't believe in midwives and a court order forces Sarah to cease delivering babies until a hearing is held. There is also opposition from her nearest neighbor, a man whose mother was the only woman to die in childbirth for several decades. He blames Sarah's aunt and his attitude causes much upset between Sarah and Aaron, even though there is a true attraction. This is another wonderful Marta Perry book, written by someone who has been raised around the Amish culture and who deeply appreciates their integrity, their values, and the contribution they make to the American "mix."

[Dawn Leonard · Rating 5 out of 5]

his is the fourth book in Marta Perry's Pleasant Valley series about Sarah, a midwife. She comes to Pleasant Valley to help her Aunt Emma in her midwife practice. Little mystery to this book but a good story that was believable. Although this is part of the Pleasant Valley series, you can read one without reading the others. It was great to see the previous books' characters in this as well and to see what has happened in their lives since their story or the previous book. To understand all of the characters better, you should read the other books. I like how Marta Perry introduces the next book's character in the previous book.

[Carolyn E · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like all of the other books in the Pleasant Valley series, Sarah's Gift by Marta Perry is a wonderful story. This is book #4 in the series. I have just received the 5th book, Katie's Way, which I plan to read next.

[Tracy M · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the slower, drawn out words each character speaks it is only natural to adapt your reading of this book to that stead melodic tone.
I enjoyed this story as it had simple characters finding pleasure in easy, life affirming, family based living. It was even frustrating to have such close minded 'worldly' doctors harboring grudges on what woman are born to do naturally (baby birthing) for the sake of their own masculine ego. *shakes feminist fist*

[Larisha · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the fourth book in Marta Perry's Pleasant Valley series about Sarah, a midwife. She comes to Pleasant Valley to help her Aunt Emma in her midwife practice.

There was little mystery to this book, but a good story that was believable. Although this is part of the Pleasant Valley series, you can read one without reading the others. It was great to see the previous books' characters in this as well and to see what has happened in their lives since their story or the previous book.

[Tina Watson · Rating 5 out of 5]

3/23/11-? I'm not finished with the book yet, but I can tell you you did a GREAT Job with writing a great book from your research information you gathered.

Just finished (3/26/11) I was right Marta and her research team did an excellant job researching the information for the book and Marta did a fabulous job putting it into the book.

Cant wait for the next book to come out.

[April Suter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sarah moves in with her aunt to help her as a midwife. Sarah moved for a new begining since her husband is gone and she wants to get away from all the 'Poor Sarah' comments. Well written, easy to read, and this visit to Pleasant Valley is a good one. Find out what Sarah finds in her new community.
329 pages

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite Amish fiction books ever. It joins a few elite that I really truly love without any criticisms. The author's book Leah's Choice is another one of those few. It had one scene in the book that was so engaging that I slipped back to reread it several times because I had loved it so much, which is a rare thing for me to do.

[Colette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sarah Mast comes to pleasant valley to assist her aunt Emma in her midwife practice. Things do not go as planned and Sarah feels she may have made a mistake. Some of the people in the community are very opposed to the use of a mid-wife to assist in child birth including the community's doctor who eventually brings a law suit against her.