After a devastating wildfire sweeps through her town, one young Amish woman is shown a different way to practice her faith . . . but pursuing it could cost her everything she holds dear, including the man she loves. Nora Beachy loves her life. She works in the community store in West Kootenai, takes care of her family and courts with Levi Raber. She and Levi plan to marry, but Levi wants to wait … wants to wait until he has the money to buy them a house before he pops the question. Nora doesn’t want to wait. Is there something keeping Levi from marrying her?
Nora’s peaceful existence is swept away when wildfires threaten her family’s home. She’s forced to evacuate to Libby where she stays with family in an Amish community that embraces a charismatic style of worship rejected by her own parents and the Kootenai district elders. Nora’s drawn to the emotional, powerful style of worship, the musical instruments, and the more relaxed lifestyle. She knows she’s headed for a shunning if she doesn’t stop breaking the rules, but she can’t understand why both forms of worship aren’t lovely in God’s eyes.
Nora’s stuck in the middle. She loves her family and doesn’t want to lose them. She loves Levi. But she must make a decision: return to her traditional Amish life or embrace this new way of worshipping and living. Will she sacrifice her relationship with Levi and her family for a different kind of faith?
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Peace in the Valley by Kelly Irvin the final novel in Amish of Big Sky Country series. We return to West Kootenai, Montana where fires are decimating the West Kootenai National Forest. The people in the town built their homes close to the mountains and always knew that this could happen. Nora Beachy’s family evacuates to nearby Rexford where the smoke is still present in the air. Sadie, the youngest child of Nora’s sister, was born early with underdeveloped lungs and the smoke is bad for her. It is decided to send Jeannie (Nora’s sister) along with her husband and children to their grandparents’ home in Libby with Nora to assist (poor Jeannie is just worn out with three kids under five). Nora’s parents, though, are worried about the Eagle Valley Amish influencing Nora with their different way of worshipping and their more worldly choices. Nora is twenty years old and a baptized member of the community. She is looking forward to marrying her beau, Levi Raber when they have saved enough to purchase the home they have their eyes on. Peace in the Valley is a story about temptation, judging others, trust, family, and faith. I thought the story was well-written and it can be read as a standalone. We see Nora seeing a different way of life and worship. The Amish in Libby have more freedoms. They can dress differently, play musical instruments, and drive cars. Nora finds her faith and beliefs challenged from the moment she arrives. Temptation can be hard to resist especially when it is things you have always wanted to do. She wonders what is so wrong about playing an instrument or studying the Bible. I find that the story followed an expected path and there is repetition of the same details. It is a story laden with scripture quotes and talk about faith. I could understand why Nora struggled especially with regard to Levi. I do know that I would make a lousy Amish wife because I could not “bow to my husband’s wishes”. My favorite line is, “God has a plan for us.” I liked the epilogue that wrapped up the series.
A thought-provoking read. I felt it really drove home 1 Corinthians 15:33 ESV Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.” I am not saying Nora’s extended family was bad company but rather they were able to convince her to do things she would not normally do. We are all like that in some manner.
It was enjoyable to read about the Amish in a different setting other than Pennsylvania, Ohio, or Indiana.
Peace in the Valley is book three and the last of the Amish of Big Sky series and can be read as a standalone with no issues. I have not read the first two in the series but plan on doing so.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher, Harper Collins (Zondervan), through NetGalley. Any and all opinions expressed in the above review are entirely my own.
I found “Peace in the Valley” a very interesting and moving book. Each character is unique and show great emotions. The author wrote a superb storyline in this book. Highly Recommended for reading.
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book. This review is one hundred percent my opinion.
Book 3 wraps up the Amish of Big Sky Country series, but you could read it as a standalone.
As Christians we all struggle with our faith and beliefs at some point and that’s not a bad thing. It helps us to understand why we believe what we believe. We find answers and grow along the way, and that’s what Nora did.
I have to admit that I struggled some with this book. Nora’s parents are very controlling, yet the extended family that she stays with is very pushy in their beliefs. I didn’t care for the character of Wyatt at all. He was strange. However the characters were well written and had depth. Irvin did a really good job of describing places and situations. At the beginning you could almost smell the smoke from the fire, and feel the frenzy caused by it.
The epilogue was well written and wrapped the series up neatly. If you enjoy Amish fiction that is different than most then give this one a try.
I received a complimentary copy of this book but was not required to leave a review.
Peace in the Valley, the third novel in Kelly Irvin’s Amish of Sky Country series, is entertaining, heartwarming, and thought-provoking. It is every bit as enjoyable as Kelly’s previous Amish romances, but it challenges readers to examine their own lives, customs, and faith, just as main character, Nora Beachy, must do.
Wildfires have driven Nora and her family from their Kootenai home. Nora accompanies her sister, brother-in-law, and their three young children to Libby where they stay with family members who have broken from the traditional Amish customs. The Libby Beachys’ charismatic style of worship with musical instruments, dancing, and evangelism along with their relaxed lifestyle (many members dress English, drive automobiles, and own phones) is considered sinful by Nora’s Kootenai community. Yet, Nora feels drawn to this different way of living and communicating with God. What is she to do? If she chooses the new ways, she must sacrifice her family and Levi Raber, the young man she planned to marry before the fires interrupted their lives.
Kelly Irvin has a delightful way of writing that draws readers in from the beginning. You will smell the smoke of the raging fires, hear the Libby worshippers’ songs and shouts of joy, and feel Nora’s struggle to decide what she believes and how she should live out her faith. All of us, at some point, are called to make heart wrenching, life-altering decisions. Peace in the Valley may remind you of your own faith struggles or it may spur you to examine your own beliefs and attitudes toward those who believe differently. Thank you, Kelly, for a remarkable novel filled with love, hope, and faith.
The third book in The Amish of Big Sky Country series, this novel explores the experiences of Nora Beachy and Levi Raber and their families impacted by the destructive fire that damaged their Montana home area. The series is best read in order, but each book can stand alone. I have enjoyed each one and appreciate the issues the author deals with in these fictional accounts. This story especially focuses on Nora’s faith being tested as she is exposed to a different style of worship and life by some who practice a more charismatic and vocal way. She longs for a deeper relationship with God and wonders if she has to leave the Amish faith she promised to follow in order to find a closer spiritual walk. She is torn between these different ways and teachings—and this could affect her relationship with the man she plans to marry. This story may make you ponder your own beliefs and spiritual life. I received a copy from the author/publisher. All opinions are my own.
This book continues to follow the disruption of the Amish community as they escape from the wildfires that threaten to completely destroy their homes and businesses.
It’s also a compelling story about two Amish families whose practice of worship is expressed in very different ways. This seems to be causing a major rift between the two families, and Nora is feeling the strain that this has created among those she dearly loves. As she evaluates what she truly believes, she wonders about many aspects of her life, including her relationship with to Levi. The author did a good job leading us through Nora’s journey of knowing her own heart.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
I loved the dimension Kelly Irwin took this book. It did not just concentrate on the daily goings and comings of the Amish people but on how the outside world affects them and how they respond to it. Even when a family member deflects from the Amish faith, how it is dealt with. This book was educative to me among other things.
There was no dull moment reading this book. It is not your typical Amish book. It was a thrill from the first page on.
I recieved a copy of this book from Netgalley and this is my honest.
I’ve enjoyed this series. I really hated to see it come to an end.
This is book 3 in the series. I’d recommend reading the other two first.
All the people that were in this book were wonderful except maybe a few but the one person who really got on my nerves was Tammy. Bossy and a troublemaker according to some.
But anyway I found this story enduring, delightful and lovable all a the same time.
I think my most favorite person was Nora I enjoyed her zest for life let’s just say. She really is a sweet girl and
I had to giggle at her at times. Her sister Jeannie came in a close second.
I love my Libby family, but I’m where I belong. And Gott is with me wherever go He hears me and sees me right here. ” He knows my heart.” “He knows what best for me. ” I’m at peace with my decision.”
This is my favorite quote in the book because it has so much truth in it.
Sometimes it just takes us awhile for us to see it but only if we choose to.
I thought Daeyl was an ol stick in the mud who didn’t know how to have fun in life. He needs to lighten up a little.
There really is no right “religion” The truth that will set you free is Jesus Christ. ” I am the way, truth and Life.” “Let no man come to the Father except by me” says the Lord.
I really don’t like it when someone tries to sway others over to their way of thinking. In a way, it’s being judgemental and I don’t like that.
Kelly Irvin is really at her best here. I adore her Amish novels. She has true writing talent and spreads the beautiful messages of our Lord through her stories.
I love how when it comes down to it Irvin shows us that the Amish really are more like us than they care to admit. They just want to be in the world and not of it.
In these days and times I think it would pay out in the long run if we learned or go back to some of the old ways.
I didn’t want to put this book down it was so good!
Yes, it did have it’s slow spots but what book doesn’t? It’s those slow passages that I learn from and I like that.
However you find this book I found it a joy to read. Amish is my favorite genere.
My thanks to Netgalley and Zondervan for a copy of this book. I was NOT required to write a positive review and all opinions are mine.
Ms. Irvin with her strong storytelling skills has penned an emotionally rich, inspiring tale championing resilience in times of adversity. It is the story of a family divided by faith. Divisive theology brings confusion, temptation, frustration, and dissension into the lives of Nora Beachy, her Amish family, and her “special friend” Levi. The novel’s characters are engaging and memorable. The plot flows at a fitting pace, and the prose is crisp and concise. Spiritual truths are consistently and effectively conveyed. Although this is the third book in the Amish of Big Sky Country series, it is the first one I have read. It works well as a stand-alone, and I will definitely go back and read the first two books of the series. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it especially for lovers of Amish fiction.
I received a copy of this book in e-book form from the publisher via netgalley but am under no obligation to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.