A Simply Enchanted Life

Holding a Tender Heart by Jerry S. Eicher

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Suggested Age: 10+
Genre: Christian,Amish Fiction

It is always a pleasure, getting to read a book by Mr. Eicher. You can tell that Eicher is mindful of God in his writings and that is an aspect that I appreciate.

I appreciate the strong family ties and attention to detail in his books. I feel that he pays close attention to descriptive imagery that brings the characters alive to the readers.

NOT your typical Amish book. This story is about an Englisha girl that wishes to be Amish and her Amish friend that desires to be an Englisha.

Debbie has everything a girl could ask for, a handsome boyfriend, fancy clothes, a college degree and a brand new job. For Debbie, she finds it all so overwhelming—the traffic, the hustle and bustle, the tv dinners and lack of family time.

Debbie desires the simple life of her Amish friends, the Beilers. Having grown up nearby, she has frequented their home on multiple occasions and holds their friendship and their lifestyle dear and when her mother makes it known that she wants Debbie to move out—she inquires about renting room from the them. With the understanding that she wishes to convert in due time, Bishop Beiler grants her request and allows her to move into their home.

Debbie is quickly accepted as part of the family and becomes privy to a set of struggles that each of the Beiler girls are facing.

Verna finds the nerve to stand up to her father and has let a young man bring her home from a singing. Things seem to be going well until he’s accused of a terrible crime that may drive them apart.

Lois is determined to leave the Amish faith and become an Englisha. She wants to drive a car, go to college, watch television and experience all that the world has to offer.

Ida is interested in a fellow who has his eyes set on Debbie or any other girl in the community—except for Ida. Of course, this is a problem for the middle Beiler sister and I really felt badly for her.

In this book we realize that no matter your religion or your way of life that we all have problems to overcome and many times we all have feelings of insecurity. We may even have made mistakes that will haunt us for a lifetime but with Christ’s help and the love and support of family—we can learn to forgive ourselves and move forward with life.

This is definitely a 5 star book. I suggest that if you like Amish fiction to give this author's books a try. I will admit that a male author scared me off at first but now I’m a true fan! Don’t make the mistake I did—give Mr. Eicher’s book a try and I promise you’ll be hooked!
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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.
I received this book free from the Author and Harvest House Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own