After her community in the awe-inspiring Montana mountains is suddenly consumed by a raging wildfire, one young Amish woman finds herself in a new town where she’s introduced to the Native culture of the Kootenai people. When the Mast family is forced to evacuate their home in the West Kootenai region of Montana, Christine chooses not to move with her family to her father’s childhood home in … home in Kansas. Instead, she wants to stay closer to home and to her beau, Andy Lambright, who has yet to ask for her hand in marriage and who seems to be holding tightly to secrets from his past.
Now, living with her aunt and uncle in St. Ignatius, Christine is on her own for the first time in her life. While working in her uncle’s store Christine meets Raymond Old Fox, whom she befriends, and he introduces her to his rich native culture with strong ties to the earth and nature. Despite the warnings of her aunt and uncle, Christine is inexplicably drawn to Raymond, and her mind is opened to a history and heritage far different from her own.
With her newly expanding horizons, Christine wonders if she can return to the domestic life that is expected of her. Her heart still longs to be with Andy, but she isn’t the same person she was before the fire, and she wonders if he can accept who she is becoming. Has too much distance grown between them? Or can they bridge the gap from past to present and find their way back together?
more
A Long Bridge Home by Kelly Irvin is the second novel in Amish of Big Sky Country. It can be read on its own for those new to the series. A Long Bridge Home is different from other Amish novels (in a good way). I like the setting of Montana with its beautiful mountains. I thought the story was well-written with developed, engaging characters. Christine Mast was content in her world until the fire made them flee. She has been waiting for Andy Lambright to propose (it has been a long courtship). When Christine learns that her family is relocating to Haven, Kansas, she does not wish to be that far away from Andy. Christine had no idea that living in St. Ignatius with her aunt and uncle would be lifechanging. She meets Raymond Old Fox. Raymond teaches her about his native heritage and culture. She is fascinated by their views and is eager to learn more (I found the information fascinating as well). I could certainly understand Christine’s thirst for knowledge even though her relatives did not. Christine finds herself in the position of making a difficult choice. I like seeing Christine grow as a person. While I wanted her to find happiness, I did not want to see her spirit broken (she was so happy learning and meeting new people). Andy has an issue from his past that he feels he needs to resolve before he can move forward with Christine. The problem is that Andy fails to share (communicate) with Christine. Forgiveness is one of the main themes in A Long Bridge Home. We learn the importance of forgiving others and ourselves. Prayer and trusting in God are two other topics addressed. A Long Bridge Home gives us a glimpse into the life of the Amish in Montana where a woman must decide which path to follow. There are discussion questions at the end along with an excerpt from Kelly Irvin’s Over the Line. A Long Bridge Home is an emotional story where love, a strong faith, close family, a loving God and good friends can help us overcome any difficult situation.
A LONG BRIDGE HOME by Kelly Irvin is the second book in the Amish of Big Sky Country series. It’s the wonderfully written story of Christine Mast and the adventures life takes her on.
Christine is firm in her Amish faith. She was baptized right after her rumspringa because she’s always known where she belonged. And her heart has always belonged to Andy Lambright. With the fire evacuation threats comes great upheaval for the whole community – Christine and Andy included.
Christine’s father had already decided to move his family before the fire. West Kootenai, Montana is the only home Christine has ever known. The thought of moving away has made her very sad. Maybe Andy will ask her to marry him and they can stay there. However, Andy feels before he can move forward that he must confront his past and make peace. When asked to come home due to his father’s health and then his cabin was burned down by the fire, he knows the time has come. However, he doesn’t want to lose Christine either. A compromise is struck when her parent’s agree to allow Christine to live with an aunt and uncle in St. Ignatius. Still not together, but at least not as far apart.
Andy gets back home and immediately has to face the reason he left – the woman that was to have been his wife, but instead married his brother. His father in not only in very bad health, but he has asked Andy to move back to help take some of the burden off his brothers. How can he move back and live with the situation that sent him running away? His life is in another town now with another woman that he wants to marry. Can he ask her to up and move away from the only home she has ever known?
While away from her family and Andy, Christine is befriended by Raymond Old Fox, a Kootenai Indian. Although she knows it against her beliefs, she finds herself curious to find out more about the Native American culture and how their beliefs are different and the same. Her rebellion against her uncle’s wishes, ends up with her parent’s coming to pick her up. Can she convince them to go back to her hometown since their home was spared by the fire? With Andy’s trust issues, can she get him to believe in her and trust her? Having ventured from her core beliefs, can she find true happiness in the Amish way of life and now be ready to settle down with Andy?
Kelly Irvin does an amazing job of weaving two part of a remarkable story meshing them into one seamless and remarkable book. On one hand there is the romantic story of Christine and Andy with Andy’s baggage from a former love, the fire’s evacuation and Christine having to leave the only home she has ever known while dealing with the fact that she isn’t Andy’s first love. On the other hand, you have Christine, while strong in her faith, wishing to explore the world outside the Amish community trying to understand the beliefs of others and their way of life.
You can tell there was a great deal of research that went into writing this book to make everything authentic to both place, time, people and religion. It’s that attention to detail that make A LONG BRIDGE HOME such a great book to read. Once you start, you don’t want to put it down. I would highly recommend this book to anyone that loves a good, clean, Christian book, the Amish genre or a sweet romance. Never been disappointed by this author and I sure wasn’t in this book. Can’t wait for the next book in this series or the opportunity to read any other book by this author.
Another powerful, heart-touching tale by Kelly Irvin, set in Montana when the destructive forest fires swept through. It features both Amish and native characters and delves into the beliefs and practices of each culture as well as placing them in juxtaposition. Christine Mast wants to remain in the area where she grew up, but her father has other plans. Will she ever be able to marry the man she cares for or will circumstances drive them apart? The author did a marvelous job of unfolding the story and the dilemma Christine struggles with. How can young people honor their parents yet develop their own identities and lives? Forgiveness is also a significant theme in this story. I received a copy from the author. All opinions are my own.
You’d love this book if you love history. I got to learn some history of the Amish people, native Indians and their history.
The major characters of the book Andy, Christine and Raymond all had figuring out to do about their lives before they could add meaningfully to each other’s life. I love a love triangle story.
A fire disaster caused Christine to live her home, community and the man she loved. The journey away was not just a physical one but a spiritual and emotional one that strengthened her faith in God.
Andy was running and the whole secrecy was hurting any meaningful relationship he could have with Christine. I loved how the time apart strengthened their love.
One of the most captivating aspects of this book for me was the importance of raising up children in the way of the LORD, because no matter the temptation they would always come back home.
I received a copy of this book and this is my honest opinion.
Another wonderful book by this author. She’s just amazing!
I loved all the characters in this book. This sure is a can’t put down book for me. I stayed up all night to finish this book. And let me tell you, it’s worth the read!! Very much so!!
It’s really not your typical Amish book. This tends to be a little bit different.
I really enjoyed Catherine’s story I think much more than Mercy”s. I think it’s because she’s so much different than your normal Amish girl and for that I loved her story that much more. There were times that I rooted for her and there were times I wanted to cry for her. I didn’t want her spirit to be broken but yet at the same time I wanted her to be happy if that makes sense. I understood what being caught with your foot in two worlds. Sometimes curiosity can kill a cat so to speak meaning it can get you in serious trouble if you’re not careful.
Andy is struggling with life issues as well. There were times when I wanted to shake him and make him open his eyes to what was in front of him but I enjoyed reading that he had to learn these life lessons as well as Catherine.
Really in any sense fire is the true enemy. It can destroy, devour, and ruin people’s lives.
I loved how the author writes her scenes so vividly that I felt I could hear the roaring of the fire and even smell the acrid smoke. I can’t begin to imagine how scary that can be. It’s truly tragic for anyone in the path of one.
Raymond Old Fox is an interesting character as well. He too has been stuck between two worlds. I enjoyed reading about him and his heritage. To the Indians heritage means everything.
I enjoyed learning right along with Christine. Knowledge is power. It’s knowing how to use that power.
I’ve often felt that we can learn from our elders for they’ve been around a very long time. They have some amazing stories to tell that’s for sure! I know I loved my grandparents on my moms side stories. I never got to associate much with my dads parents. He whisked us away to Kentucky.
I just can’t tell you how much I enjoy reading this author’s books. She really is a good storyteller and I really look forward to more of her books.
My thanks to Netgalley for a copy of this book. NO compensations were received and all opinions are my own