Barbara Shelton’s Review of “Forever Amish” by Kate Lloyd

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Barbara J. Shelton

The story between the covers of Forever Amish caused me to lose sleep.  Not because it troubled me, only that I could not lay it on my bedside table and turn out the light.  Kate Lloyd certainly does not write a boring story, she is a master storyteller.  Even if I needed toothpicks to keep my eyes open, I intended to see what was on the next page…the next, and the next!

Now that I have rested…I see I might have rested from writing my review a bit too long.  A long list of great reviews have been published regarding Forever Amish,  leaving me uncertain of what more I could reveal to convince you to read this book.  More than one story is being told through Ms. Lloyd’s capably entertaining style of penning words together, characterizing the people and situations in vivid Technicolor that read like a movie in my head.   All emotions possible can be felt reading about Sally Bingham and the exploits to which she is subjected after receiving a seemingly sincere email from Lizzie Zook inquiring about buying a Welsh Corgi.  Sally breeds and shows Pembroke Welsh Corgi dogs and such a request from an Amish person piques her curiosity.

Sally decides a change in venue is what she needs to clear her mind and become decisive about several thorny issues she is miserably pondering.   Dad Ed’s health is failing.  Why did her mother abandon her as a baby?  Sally is engaged to Donald, a haughty man of substantial wealth but inattentive to her emotional concerns.  Sally has a growing apprehension Donald is not right for her.  Why has her dad never told her anything about her mom, is she still living?  She doubts herself and who she really is.  She has never met anyone from her dad’s or mom’s families. Sally feels inadequate and a failure.  She reserves a room in an Amish Bed & Breakfast near where she would meet Lizzie Zook, only to find the B&B closed because of an emergency.  Much to her chagrin, she ended up staying with the Zook family.

From this point on, Sally is in for big trouble.  Little does she realize her life is in for shocking changes, never to be the same.  Real life becomes a bad dream when Sally comes face to face with the querulous Zook family and cantankerous Reuban Zook.  Rhoda Zook is a sweetheart and perfect Amish wife.  Handsome bachelor Armin King is considered a good catch by the Amish eligible ladies.  Is it love at first sight between Sally and Armin?  The plot thickens.  Mystery begins to surround every character through suspicious actions and reactions.  Everyone holds secrets.  It becomes a conundrum – only God can solve.  “For nothing is secret that will not be revealed, nor anything hidden that will not be known and come to light.” (Luke 8:17).

Forever Amish is a definite stand-alone story, the third in a series of three.  I have not read Leaving Lancaster or Pennsylvania Patchwork as yet.  Being a new fan of Kate Lloyd, I will soon add them to my TBR stack.  If you enjoy a little suspense with a bit of romance, and a laugh or two, I guarantee you will enjoy this book.  You will recognize many of God’s promises being granted in this story filled with compassion, healing, family ties, forgiveness, and reunion.   “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, whohave been called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28)   And, I take liberty to add, for those that return or begin to follow the Lord in their own time.   Thank you Ms. Lloyd for this gift of love, and now if you don’t mind…. I will turn off the light and get some sleep.

Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book from Litfuse Publicity Group for an honest review.

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 2014

It’s the Last Thing She Expects to Find

Sally Bingham needs some time away to sort through the changes in her life and to rethink her upcoming marriage. Despite her ailing father’s hesitations, she takes off for a bed and breakfast in Lancaster County for a weekend away. But her best-laid plans leave her in a near collision with a bishop’s buggy and in the home of a mysterious Amish woman named Lizzie. Lizzie introduces her to a different perspective on life, a charming farmhand named Armin— and opens a Pandora’s box that will forever change Sally’s life.

Forever Amish

The latest book in the Legacy of Lancaster trilogy, Forever Amish introduces us to a young woman about to uncover a shocking secret and find an invitation to a new way of living. This is a story of forgiveness, legacies, and the ties that bind through generations.

A native of Baltimore, Kate Lloyd spends time with family and friends in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, the inspiration for the Legacy of Lancaster Trilogy. She is a member of the Lancaster Mennonite Historical Society and has done extensive research on the Amish. Kate and her husband live in Seattle. Learn more about Kate at katelloyd.net and facebook.com/katelloydbooks and on Twitter @KateLloydAuthor.

About the Author

Kate Lloyd

A native of Baltimore, Kate Lloyd spends time with family and friends in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, the inspiration for the Legacy of Lancaster Trilogy. She is a member of the Lancaster Mennonite Historical Society and has done extensive research on the Amish. Kate and her husband live in Seattle. Learn more about Kate at katelloyd.net and facebook.com/katelloydbooks and on Twitter @KateLloydAuthor.

Kate Lloyd is a novelist, a mother of two sons, and a passionate observer of human relationships.

A native of Baltimore, Kate spends time with family and friends in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, the inspiration for Leaving Lancaster. She is a member of the Lancaster County Mennonite Historical Society.

Kate and her husband live in the Pacific Northwest, the setting for Kate’s first novel, A Portrait of Marguerite. Kate studied painting and sculpture in college. She has worked a variety of jobs, including car salesman and restaurateur.

Eight Facts about Kate

When an automobile salesman, I preferred selling used-cars. Buyers either liked them or they didn’t. No wishy-washy: “Does it come in a four-door or different color?”

My favorite book is War and Peace.

I’m a dog person — I showed several breeds in the ring and used to pick up strays — but I’m a cat magnet. I’ve been told I have good cat etiquette. They even follow me on the street.

I eat gluten-free, so I must skip cake — unless it’s flourless — and consume the icing. Once, I made my mother-in-law’s signature brown-sugar frosting and ate the whole batch.

I add organic whole whipping cream to my bitter Italian morning coffee. Yummy!

My dad and I spent many a day in our waders fly-fishing on the Stillaguamish River together. I still love the smell of pipe tobacco and think of him often.

I like the old Miss Marple on PBS the best.

Yes, my hair really is this curly on its own, especially when it rains.

Barbara J. Shelton’s Links:

Blessed by Grace – http://barbjan10.wordpress.com/ 

Passing it Forward – http://barbjan10-barbjansblogblogspot.blogspot.com/

The Wordsmith Journal Magazine – http://www.thewordsmithjournalmagazine.com/sr-perspective.html

Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/AuthorsBloggersWritersReadersBooks/

Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/234447403432358/

Facebook Page – https://www.facebook.com/AuthorsBloggersWritersReadersAndBooks

Facebook Profile:  https://www.facebook.com/barbara.j.shelton

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