Desperate for a Ticket Out Bethany Weiss is ready to leave town. Tongues haven’t stopped clacking in Jamesport, MO, since her daed, the bishop, was admitted to a mental hospital after hurting their small Amish community. But her sharpest wounds Bethany hides from prying eyes, quietly biding her time until she can take a chance at a new life–away from Jamesport and away from God. Searching for a … from God.
Searching for a Home
Silas Beiler was kicked out of his own family’s home. Dogged by a rough childhood and a family who blames him for each new disaster, he begins hitchhiking across the country, sleeping in barns where he can, working for food when possible–headed for Pennsylvania, in the hope of some stability.
A Memory of Lemonade
When Bethany spies a man asleep in the hayloft, she first fears the return of an unwelcome suitor. But when it is Silas who turns and speaks, the memories flood back: a happy summer six years ago full of lemonade, long walks, and budding courtship. Now, however, those months of bliss seem naïve and idyllic. Will their old love overcome new pain? Or will hurt and rejection continue to haunt their path?
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THE AMISH WANDERER is another fabulous book set in Jamesport, MO by author Laura V. Hilton. It’s the story of Bethany Weiss and Silas Beiler – each with a troubled past full of hardships, pain and disappointments trying desperately to find love, peace and faith. It isn’t until they realize that God is and has always been there with them and that they turn control over to him trusting in faith that they can find true peace and happiness quite possibly with each other.
Bethany is the Bishop’s daughter and has always been under the microscope of society as such – never good enough, never complimented only reprimanded and sorely mistreated. After her Daed is sent off to the hospital with a brain tumor with a prison term likely afterwards, things in the Weiss household only got worse. She feels God has abandoned her allowing all sort of horrible things to happen from the mounting doctor and hospital bills of which they can’t pay, being forced to sell off livestock and belongings to just scrap by and the horrific attentions of Hen forced on her.
Silas is on the run. He knows what he’s running from – the rage, bad reputations and uncontrollable tempers that seem to run rampant in his family, but does he know where he’s running to? He thinks he’s headed to Pennsylvania to his Uncle’s for an education and a job. Is that the answer if his past hasn’t been dealt with? His plan was to just stop over in Jamesport for some rest, something to eat and to work long enough to restock some much needed supplies, like a new pair of shoes, for his trip. He didn’t figure to see the girl from his past – the girl he had briefly courted and who still had a hold on his heart. After seeing all the work that needed done on Bethany’s folk’s farm and being offered money to help with the repairs, it was like the answer to his prayers for his present needs. The attraction is strong and mutual between Silas and Bethany from the start. Silas fears he has nothing to offer Bethany but hurt and danger because of the past that he’s running from. Although he was once like Bethany thinking God had forsaken him, he is already on the way of understanding and accepting God’s unconditional love.
Can Silas keep Bethany safe? Can he prove to her that God loves her? Can he be the man she needs – the one to show her she is lovable and should be honored and treasured for the person she is? Can Bethany convince Silas to take her with him? Can she feel true love and leave the awful past and abuse behind her and walk into the arms of the man she really loves?
It’s through a misunderstanding that leads Silas and Bethany both leaving Jamesport, but going in opposite directions, both seeking the same thing – God’s steadfast love, forgiveness and faith that God can bring them both back to the same path.
THE AMISH WANDERER is more than an Amish love story. The author shows through her wonderful use of words that the Amish, like the rest of society, has struggles, fears and doubts. She doesn’t pull punches or sugar coat it. She keeps it very realistic which will have you smiling, crying and maybe even praying a little too. It’s through her use of scripture and storytelling that she delivers the message that God is always there with unconditional love for all of us if we will only trust in him praying to him for things to be done as to his will. It doesn’t mean life will be smooth sailing. After all, even a bed of roses has a few thorns, but God never abandons us.
Highly recommend THE AMISH WANDERER to anyone that loves a wonderful and touching story. It will show you the wonders of God’s love and the glory of faith. It is one that will having you reaching for other books by this awesome author.