When wildfires threaten her Montana home, Mercy Yoder finds herself torn between the Amish man who proposed without a declaration of love and the Englisch smoke jumper who can’t seem to stay away. Mercy Yoder loves her students and her life in the tiny village of West Kootenai, nestled at the foot of Montana’s most northern mountains. And she is in no rush to get married . . . much to the … the disappointment of her parents. In fact, she has turned down the one marriage proposal she’s received. Her beau, Caleb, has yet to tell her he loves her, stoking her fears that they simply aren’t right for each other.
When a devastating wildfire threatens to destroy her beloved community, Mercy and her family evacuate to the nearby town of Eureka. There she meets Spencer McDonald, an Englisch smoke jumper. Her conversations with him are unlike any she’s ever had with a man. She finds his directness and ability to express his feelings refreshing and completely different from Caleb, who is tightlipped about his past.
But what would her family and community say if Mercy chose a relationship with an Englischer? Is Mercy willing to give up all she has known and loved for someone who finally understands her? Or can Mercy find the love she has always longed for closer to home?
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I received an e-galley from Netgalley . Opinions are my own.
Mountains of Grace is the first novel in Amish of Big Sky Country series. The story is set in West Kootenai area of Montana where a devastating forest fire is sweeping through the area despite the efforts of fire firefighters. It was interesting to learn about smoke jumpers and their role. There is a large cast of characters in this novel (there is a helpful list at the front of the book), and I admit that I found it difficult to keep them all straight. It did become easier the further I progressed into the book (past the halfway mark). Caleb Hostetler has been courting Mercy Yoder for eight months when he proposed which took Mercy by surprise. Spencer McDonald, a smoke jumper, had a lousy childhood with an alcoholic mother who has recently changed her ways. Spencer had been dating a bank teller, Patty until the issue of religion came between them. Juliette Knowles comes from a Christian family, but she quit attending church after a youth event in high school. She wears revealing clothing and is plain spoken. Deputy Tim Trudeau has fallen for Juliette, but he cannot be unequally yoked. Family, friendship, relationships, forgiveness and faith are the central themes of Mountains of Grace. Individuals dealing with past trauma and how it is presently affecting their lives. They all must work towards forgiveness and healing with God’s help. The individuals are going through a rough time after being evacuated and then losing their homes, belongings, and way to make a living. Mountains of Grace is an emotional novel. The characters experience grief, loss, heartache, pain, and confusion which can be felt by the reader. I like Pastor Matt from First Church of God. He was there for his parishioners (and those who were not) when they needed him. He gave good advice and encouragement along with Pepsi. One of the phrases from the story that I liked was “Make plans and watch God laugh.” While religion is prevalent, it is not in your face or over-the-top. It was beautifully incorporated into the story. I did feel that the storylines in Mountains of Grace followed an expected path. I could tell you how it would end after learning each of the main characters stories. Of course, I have read dozens of Amish novels since I discovered them over twenty years ago. I did enjoy how things played out for our characters and the ending left me smiling. Mountains of Grace is a thoughtful novel with a destructive fire, a confused Caleb, spunky Juliette, faithful Tim, wounded Spencer, and a book loving schoolteacher named Mercy.
Kelly Irvin’s Mountains of Grace offers a beautiful and emotional journey into the Amish community. Readers will be captivated by a heartwarming tale of forgiveness and a finding a renewed faith in God. The story will capture the heart of those who love the Plain culture and an endearing romance. Once you open this book, you’ll be hooked until the last page.
I enjoy reading books about the Amish.
This is one of the best books I have read in a while. Not the run of the mill Amish book that is so predictable. You will love it.
This was a delightful story with many things happening to people who have been displaced from their homes due to a mountain Fire. In the end, they find peace in beginning again. Wonderful author to follow.
After a devastating wildfire that spares lives but destroys the homes of their neighbors both Amish and English characters face a crisis of faith that leaves them feeling frightened and unmoored in a time of anguish and need. For Amish school teacher Mercy Yoder losing the only home she has ever known on the heels of turning down an offer of marriage without love just compounds her feeling of disillusion. When she befriends a young English firefighter she quickly finds herself being scrutinized by Caleb, her parents and her church leaders leaving her feeling even more unsettled and alone. For injured and broken hearted Spencer McDonald, sitting on the sidelines and recovering at his mother’s house is the last place he wants to be. Feeling the need to escape the memories of another devastating fire and a childhood filled with pain he turns to Mercy for friendship while he struggles to understand and forgive. And for Juliette Knowles her painful past has led her far from the bubbly and carefree teen she used to be. She suffers both physically and emotionally becoming more and more estranged from her family, her God, and the man she loves because of something that happened years ago. The pain and confusion of the entire community is skillfully told through the lives of each of these compelling characters and their struggle to believe in God when bad things happen is both heartwarming and inspiring. I highly recommend this book to readers who love a skillfully written and emotionally compelling read. I read an early copy of this book from Zondervan Fiction through NetGalley and all opinions expressed in my voluntary review are completely my own.
The people of West Kooteni are being evacuated because of a out of control forest fire threatening their homes. Mercy is the Amish school teacher for the area . She is teaching when Caleb comes in and tells her they need to evacuate. Caleb is concerned with her taking to long get home and leave with her family and encourages her to leave with the children. Mercy and Caleb have broken up because Mercy rejected Caleb’s marriage proposal.
Juliette is also being stubborn about leaving with her family. Tim a local deputy that she has been seeing is trying his best to make sure she leaves her family. He wants things to work with her but she has turned away from God and isn’t willing to change that right now.
Spencer is a smoke jumper with issues of his own. He has family issues with his mom from his child hood. He gets hurt jumping and goes home to heal. What he doesn’t realize it will be more than his bodily injuries.
Amish and Englisch find a way to help each other in this time. The fire has Mercy and Juliette’s families without homes. All the community is there to help each other regardless of religious back grounds. Each person will find their way to heal and have happiness.
I enjoyed the stories behind each characters way of faith and each one finding their way back to each other and God.
I received this book as an ARC from the publisher for my honest review.
Great book
An amazing story !
I think that this book was just the change of pace I needed. Such a refreshing story line and some great characters that wouldn’t let me put the book down. Mercy and Caleb really have to learn the concept of communication, they learn that even when you are unsure of what reaction you might get you have to talk. They are a great example of everyday couples. We also see glimpses into how a communities deals with massive fires, I love Kelly Irvin’s descriptions of emotions here through all the different characters. This book can be read as a stand alone, however, I think that there will be more books in this series (Or at least I hope so !). I can not wait to read what comes after this one.
I volunteered to read this book from Zondervan Fiction in return for my honest opinion. The thoughts and opinions expressed within are my own.
The author gives us a story of nature when it consuming everything around this area of Montana in the form of fire, and we are there to see the devastating results.
We see all segments of society here and how they rally around those who have lost everything, and we quickly become involved in their lives.
Now we have both Amish and English sprinkled around here, and most have known each other all of their lives, and all are in the same state of loss.
We also hit some tough subjects head on, and find that God is needed and we need to hold on to Him.
I loved how things worked out here, and am glad that this is the first in this series.
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Zondervan, and was not required to give a positive review.