For years Marie Bachmann thought of herself as the “good” daughter. She was the most loving to their mother, the most dedicated to their Amish way of life. But when a Mennonite farmhand, Gordon Martin, shows interest in her she can’t help but be flattered–until her mother sends her off to Florida. While there, Marie begins spending time with bad-boy Eli Jacob, the bishop’s son from back home.… home.
When Gordon shows up in Florida to volunteer in a homeless shelter, her life becomes even more complicated. At the same time her aunt begins telling her of a Civil War-era ancestor and the woman’s uncommon bravery . . . a story that begins to work at Marie’s heart.
Marie hopes returning home may simplify life, but Eli soon follows. As Marie grapples with whether she should court Eli or leave the church for Gordon, the story of Annie Bachmann shines a light on what God has for Marie’s future.
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A Simple Singing by Leslie Gould is the second novel in The Sisters of Lancaster County series. It is December of 2013 and Marie just watched her sister, Jessica marry Silas. Marie Bachman is one for the following the rules and fully expects to be courted by a good Amish man, to settle down on a nearby farm and have a large family. When Bishop Jacobs son, Elijah visits from Florida, it seems like providence. Gordon Martin, their farmhand, likes to sing while he works which reminds Marie of her father who taught her to sing while they worked in the barn. Gordon has a kind nature and a generous heart, but he is a Mennonite. Mrs. Bachman informs Marie that she will be going to Pinecraft, Florida with her Aunt Suz for a vacation. Marie is surprised at how the Englisch, Amish and Mennonite mingle in the community. She enjoys attending services in a church, the opportunity to sing with others, and to spend time with Elijah. Their second week in Pinecraft, Gordon arrives on a mission trip and Marie gets to know him better. While on the trip, Aunt Suz tells Marie the story of their ancestor, Annie Bachmann and the struggles she faced during the Civil War. Back at home, Marie wrestles with her conscience on her life choices. As Aunt Suz finishes telling her the story of Annie, it helps Marie make a decision about her future.
A Simple Singing may be the second book in The Sisters of Lancaster County series, but it can be read alone. I thought the novel was well-written with two interesting, interconnected stories. It did take me a little while to get into the book. Once I did, though, I was engaged. I was happy to see the pacing improve (it starts out a little slow). There are smooth transitions as it switches from Marie to Annie. I actually enjoyed Annie’s story more than Marie’s. I found it more captivating and wish it had been a book on its own. Gordon volunteers at homeless shelters in Lancaster County and in Florida. Ms. Gould handles the subject adroitly as she does the issue of slavery in Annie’s timeline. It was lovely to watch Marie grow as an individual throughout the story. The author is a descriptive writer which helps brings the book to life for me because I can visualize the scenes thanks to her writing. Christian themes present in A Simple Singing are prayer, having faith, and the importance of following the path God has laid out for you (not your own). Ms. Gould did her research for the Civil War scenes especially the Battle of Gettysburg. I like how she included President Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address. I found A Simple Singing to be a heartwarming Amish novel and I am eager to read Liesel’s story in A Faithful Gathering.
“A SIMPLE SINGING” BY Leslie Gould is the second book in The Sisters of Lancaster County series.
A SIMPLE SINGING” is the story of an Amish woman coming to terms with herself and her faith. It’s a story of choices and listening to your heart.
“A SIMPLE SIGNING” is the story of Marie Bachmann who has always lived by the Amish rule to the letter and being the “good” daughter. She’s always dreamed of marrying an Amish man well respected in the community with a farm close to her family farm and her Mamm and maybe just maybe one that would share her love of singing.
Gordon Martin works on her folk’s farm. He’s dependable, hard-working, has a love of his fellow man. Although a good friend, he’s Mennonite not Amish. On the other hand, her Mamm and Bishop Jacobs would love to see her married to the Bishop’s son, Elijah.
In hopes that Marie’s influence would settle Elijah’s worldly ways and bring him back to join the church, settle down and take over farming his Daed’s farm, Marie is sent off with her Aenti Suz to Pinecraft, Florida where Elijah just happens to be working. Excited to spend time with Elijah, who she feels is her future spouse, and fearful to leave the farm, leave Marie with a mix of emotions. She finds out that Gordon too will be traveling to Pinecraft during her time there for some mission work.
It’s during their journey to Pinecraft that Aenti Suz starts to share the story of one of their Civil War ancestors, Anne Buchmann. It’s through this story that Marie begins to realize that there is more to being faithful than the length of a hemline or following the Amish rule to the letter. She also realizes that servitude and selflessness are also a big part of it. She does a lot of looking at herself and seeing how she has fallen short.
It’s while spending time with both Elijah and Gorton that she see the heart of both men. Has all the time she has been francizing about dream life with Elijah been just that a fantasy? What would become of her dream life if it was with a faithful but Mennonite man?
I highly recommend “A SIMPLE SINGING”. It can definitely be read as a standalone book. However, if like me, once you see who well it’s written and the wonderful story it tells, you will be definitely be looking not only for the other book in this series and anticipating the next book in the series, but also checking out this author’s other books.
A Simple Singing by Leslie Gould is the second offering in The Sisters of Lancaster series and it just might be even better than the first one that I really liked too. It is another wonderfully inspirational book by one of my favorite authors of Amish stories. This particular series follows three Bachmann sisters and A Simple Singing is about Marie. Marie is the ‘good’ sister, a rule follower–even to the extent of measuring hems and bonnet lengths, the sister with a tad of a judgmental spirit and yet one who truly desires to follow God and to understand Him, a young woman who has music in her soul and just wants her dream of a perfect future as an Amish farmwife to come true. Following her journey to love is a treat as the author has added plenty of tension to the story with Marie being presented with two young men who are involved in her life. I love the characters in Gould’s stories. She portrays them realistically and the reader is easily drawn into their lives. Another treat with this book is a second story embedded into Marie’s and it takes the readers back to the Civil War where readers meet Marie’s great-great-great aunt. Annie’s story is just as compelling as Marie’s and the author does a marvelous job of stopping at just the right point in one story to pick up in the other. Gould gives interesting historical background on the Civil War time period, with a glimpse of the horrors of war and slavery and nursing during that time. Being an RN and grandmother to a young Civil War drummer boy reenactor, I really enjoyed reading Annie’s story. Strong themes of family and faith are woven throughout the book as the author portrays vibrant and realistic characters who deal with the nonresistant lifestyle of the Amish, learning what it means to care for those who are suffering and understanding the true meaning of grace, God’s grace and love exhibited through individuals serving others. The author has expertly written a captivating story that will remind readers that God is in the hard times of our lives, molding us, making us stronger and we can trust Him to give us the desires of our hearts as we learn to delight in Him alone.
I received a complimentary copy of the book from the author. I was not required to write a review and the opinions are my own.
I really did enjoy reading this second book in the Sister of Lancaster County. This book focused on the middle daughter Marie, and featured two stories. One is current, and the other is during the Civil War. I love history so this was definitely a plus for me. I love the writing style of Ms. Gould as well. I just wish there was just a bit more romance. Overall, this is a wonderful story and I highly recommend to all Amish fiction readers.
*I was given a copy of this book by the publisher, and was under no obligation to leave a review. This is my honest opinion.
A Simple Singing by Author Leslie Could is an awesome book. I probably could not write one word that someone else hasn’t already written, so I will try to explain what this book means to me. This plot is intense with superb writing. I was awed by the characters seeming so real and how the author makes the transition between era’s without you feeling anything was lost of any part of the book. To me, this is by far one of this author’s greatest books. A Simple Singing is Book Two in The Sisters of Lancaster County series. I encourage you to read this novel.
I received a copy from the publisher, but was not required to review it. This review is one hundred percent my opinion.
I love this book. It’s different and very easy to follow. Leslie Gould always gives us a great story.
This was a dual timeline novel with connections on both ends. (Marie 2013 and Annie 1863) They both lived in the same town and the same house but were separated by 150 years. Annie was Marie’s great great great aunt and Marie learned a lot not only about Annie but about herself from hearing Annie’s story from her Aunt Suz.
I didn’t warm up to Marie at the beginning. She was self righteous and always pointing out others sins without examining her own life. She was strict Amish through and through. She had her life planned out which included Elijah, an Amish man that hadn’t settled down and joined the church. Her vision was to marry him, be a good wife while he farmed his parent’s land. She just hadn’t consulted God, one of her downfalls.
Annie was living through the Civil War and although Amish, she was called on to leave her home and family and help nurse wounded soldiers. A big step for her and very hard at the beginning. Interestingly they both had expected matches for marriage, and also close male friends from other religions. I loved reading about their thoughts and observing how slowly God was working on their hearts.
I enjoyed reading the history included. President Abraham Lincoln giving his Gettysburg address, the skirmishes between the North and South, and bits and pieces about the Underground Railroad. The family ties, the romances and the telling of everyday life all added to the beauty of the story. It will remain with me for a long time.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author/publisher but was not required to write a review. All opinions are my own.
Wonderful
I received a copy of this book from the author, I was not required to give a favorable review. This is the second in this series and such a wonderful read. It gives a bit of history of the family and the tough choices that each woman in their time had to make. I have read many books by Leslie and am never surprised that she draws you into each of the characters and how they deal with the choices they have to make in their lives. It was interesting to see the thoughts of someone raised in such strong Amish belief to have to find her direction after so much time.
What a great read from beginning to end, the author has us spanning decades, from current to civil war era.
We are shown from one century to the next how things are different and yet the same. People in need, slavery, injury from war, homeless, the list can go on, and what do you do, follow your faith and help or stay in your own little world?
In the past book, we saw what was going on with the farm in Lancaster, and in this book, we learn how the farm stayed in the family. The author also shows us how in this family the way that the Amish and Mennonites are connected.
So many decisions that have to be made that will completely change the way these people live, and you won’t know until the end how everything works out.
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Bethany House, and was not required to give a positive review.