A Simply Enchanted Life

Katie's Forever Promise by Jerry S. Eicher

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Jerry Eicher has quickly made his way to my favorite authors list this year.

I was so excited to read this series but also a little sad to say goodbye to these characters.

I often have trouble relating to or enjoying books written by male authors as I feel they do not usually adequately appeal to my emotions but I feel that Eicher captures each character and breathes life into them on the pages.

I can’t wait to read more by this author. I will be picking up past and future titles!

Katie is trying to move on with her life following the news of Ben’s arrest. Part of trying to move on is venturing back out into the dating world—much to the disdain of her sister who has a crush on the same boy that has asked Katie out.

From the get go I was a bit concerned about Katie’s relationship with Norman. I was worried about Katie still having feelings for Ben and also about Norman’s controlling ways. I suppose I can say that I’m not a bit surprised how that situation ended but I still felt badly for how it ended.

I don’t want to ruin too much of the storyline for those of you that haven’t yet read the book but I appreciated that characters in this book had some serious flaws. So many authors try to make everyone peachy keen and perfect and it can become hard to relate. These characters were real. They had faults and problems just like everyone does and only through the guidance from the Lord were they able to overcome them.

I feel like this particular author provides a lot of insight, motivation and inspiration for a person to continue growing their relationship with the Lord. Katie and her family all offer sweet assurances about the importance of a relationship with Christ and places importance on His will above all others.

If you’re looking for a new Amish series to read and you’ve not yet read them. I would strongly suggest this series. It’s a delightful read that will make you keep reading until you’ve finished all three books.
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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

Katie's Journey to Love by Jerry S. Eicher

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Jerry Eicher is quickly becoming a favorite author of mine! Many times with male authors I feel like they miss the mark when they write about female characters but Eicher doesn’t fall into this trap. His characters are realistic and likeable. The situations and feelings he puts to paper come alive when you read them and make a very believable and intriguing story. I can't brag on this series enough! I'm absolutely loving Katie Raber!

Emma has married Jesse Mast and she and Katie are starting life anew in the Mast household. However, things aren’t going smoothly with all of Jesse’s children. Mable isn’t shy about expressing her beliefs that her dad should have married another woman. Mable is also pushing the boundaries on her personal freedoms and overall she’s just a bitter young girl trying to find her new role in the Mast house.

Coming October 1,2013!

Amidst the turmoil, Katie continues growing her relationship with the local Mennonite youth groups. At one of these meetings she happens to meet up (and form a relationship with) a young Amish man that she’s had her eyes on for quite some time. Emma doesn’t approve of the relationship—she doesn’t trust Ben Stoll. At first I thought maybe she was letting her own bitterness get in the way of Katie’s happiness but an interesting turn of events have me wondering if she was right. I’m left wondering how it will all turn out!

I cannot wait to read the next installment. I’m so curious and impatient to know how things are going to wrap up! If you’re looking for a new author or series to pick up then I strongly suggest Jerry Eicher and the Emma Raber’s Daughter series.
View all my reviews|Excerpt

Amazon|CBD|Barnes&Noble

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

Katie Opens Her Heart by Jerry S. Eicher

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Another fantastic book by Jerry Eicher! This is book one in the Emma Raber’s Daughter series. The next book, Katie’s Journey to Love is expected to release in Aril 2013. I will definitely be picking it up. I did think that this story started a little slow but it was well worth it because the drama and tension just kept rising as I was reading. I enjoy a book that doesn't show all the cards up front so to speak. This is the first fiction book that I have read by this author but now look forward to picking up the rest of his books while I wait for the next book about Katie.

Katie has always been known as “Emma Raber’s daughter” and she’s tired of not being recognized as her own person. In truth, Katie is tired of being a community outcast simply because her mother refuses to let her heart be opened to love. She is tired of being sheltered and kept from living her life and though she loves her mother dearly—she is determined to break free of her controlling thumb.

Things start to change when Jesse steps into Emma’s life. He is determined to win Emma’s heart and Katie is hoping that her mother will learn to love again. The only problem is that Emma has no intention of ever giving her heart to another man and further—his children pretty much hate her. They think she’s odd and they want nothing to do with her.

This is where things got really interesting in the story. While Jesse is trying to woo Emma—another widow lady in the community has her eyes set on him and she will stop at nothing to get him. I really despised Ruth but she made this story interesting. I couldn’t stop reading to see what this nasty manipulative woman would do next. I suppose that makes it sound like I love drama in a book but no romance worth reading about is free of drama!

Overall I thought this story was a definite 5 star plot. Drama, romance and a little rebellion makes for all the qualities that make a really good book. I was rooting for Emma and Jesse from the get go and I’m so excited to see how things turn out for Katie. I’m really hoping she finds a nice boy and has minimal heartbreak. I guess I’ll have to wait and see but I will be doing so very impatiently!!!
View all my reviews|Read an Excerpt



Amazon|CBD|Barnes&Noble

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