Abigail's New Hope by Mary Ellis

Ah Dear Readers,

This is an enjoyable book, and a  bit different from your normal Amish book. Not the kind of different that is a mystery, but different because it is open. It is free, it is very pleasant like a good "Hallmark" film. Abigail is an Amish mid-wife. Her joy and job is delivering babies. Her Amish community is more in touch with the modern world, while yet staying true to their strong Amish roots. In fact, life in this book is just almost good enough to want to be Amish. (But I wouldn't be happy with out Internet to read books and communicate with!) 

Abigail winds up saving the life of a baby, but the mother dies. Before she knows what has hit her, she winds up in an English jail! An Amish wife and mother, a mid-wife, in JAIL! Accused of several crimes, Abigail is in deep prayer, scripture, and soul searching. Meanwhile her sister is living with her husband to take care of her kinner (children) and while Catherine is there she finds Abigail's husband, Daniel's cousin Isaiah. Isaiah is not dumb or simple minded like people have thought, he just needs some teaching and soon Catherine finds herself falling in love with this unique man. 

While Abigail is in jail, God is still moving. God is using this to grow Abigail, and for forgiveness and growth to occur, for lives to be changed in positive ways, and God to be shown powerful. 

I really enjoyed Mary Ellis's close ties with the Amish community. They show so beautifully in this book. I feel that I have been there, and blessed for it! I love the details, and I loved the depth and passion in this book! 

Abigail's New Hope was touching, and it also dealt with how we cope with grief. 

Carol 

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Abigail's New Hope Harvest House Publishers (April 1, 2011) by Mary Ellis
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

A word from the author: I grew up close to the eastern Ohio Amish community of Geauga County, where my parents often took me to farmers’ markets and woodworking fairs. My husband and I now live within the largest population of Amish in the country–a four-county area in central Ohio. We love to take weekend getaways to purchase farm produce and other goodies, stay with Amish families in bed and breakfasts, attend country auctions and enjoy the simpler way of life.

This is my first series of novels set in the Amish community.

I would love to hear from readers of Christian novels. Please leave me a post at my blogsite.

ABOUT THE BOOK

As an Amish midwife, Abigail Graber loves bringing babies into the world. But when a difficult delivery takes a devastating turn, Abigail is faced with some hard choices. Despite her best efforts, the young mother dies—but the baby is saved.

When a heartless judge confines Abigail to the county jail for her mistakes, her sister Catherine comes to care for her children while Daniel works his fields. Catherine meets Daniel’s reclusive cousin, Isaiah, who’s deaf and thought to be simple minded by his community. She endeavors to teach him to communicate and discovers he possesses unexpected gifts and talents.

While Abigail searches for forgiveness, Catherine changes lives and, in return, finds love, something long elusive in her life. And Isaiah discovers God, who cares nothing about our handicaps or limitations in His sustaining love.

An inspirational tale of overcoming grief, maintaining faith, and finding hope in an ever-changing world.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Abigail's New Hope, go HERE.

Watch the book trailer: