Katie Stuckey and Jonas Weaver are both romantics. Seventeen-year-old Katie is starry-eyed, in love with the idea of being in love, and does not want to wait to marry Jonas until she is eighteen, despite her parents’ insistence. So much can happen in a year. Twenty-year-old Jonas is taken in by the romance of soldiering, especially in defense of anti-slavery, even though he knows war is at odds … odds with the teachings of the church. When his married brother’s name comes up in the draft list, he volunteers to take his brother’s place. But can the commitment Katie and Jonas have made to each other survive the separation?
From the talented pen of Jan Drexler comes this brand new Amish series set against the backdrop of the Civil War. She puts her characters to the test as they struggle to reconcile their convictions and desires while the national conflict threatens to undermine and engulf their community.
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The Sound of distant Thunder by Jan Drexler is a book I shall long remember. I have always enjoyed reading fiction books about our civil war. This book was a story about how the civil war effected the Amish people. The author made the story seem so real. I was drawn in as though I were there in Weaver Creek Ohio in 1862. This is the first full length novel I’ve read by the author and I can’t wait to read Book two in this series.
Jonas Weaver and Katie Stuckey are two young people in love. Neither are of age yet and for this reason Katie’s father refuses to allow her to marry Jonas till after her 18th birthday. That doesn’t stop Jonas from making plans to build their future house. But then along comes the Civil war! How does that involve the Amish since they don’t believe in wars or participating in them?
The Amish have long believed it is sinful to take part in wars or join the military. But then the State of Ohio begins the draft of men who had not volunteered to serve in the Northern Army. The draft board has given the Amish the option of paying a fee of $200. or hiring a substitute person to replace them. Unfortunately someone in the Weaver family is on the draft list. There seems to be no solution to this problem since the Amish church would shun the person should they join the army and fight in the war. To pay the fee to get off the draft list would be giving money to support the war efforts. To hire a substitute would be like hiring someone to kill another. Going to Canada would be cause for shunning. How will the Weaver family solve this crisis and remain in good standing in the church?
This is a good book for all readers of historical romance, Amish fiction and Christian Fiction. So far it’s been my best read of the year. I would have gladly given more than five stars in my rating of the book. I can’t recommend it enough and hope you will decide to read it.
I downloaded a Kindle ebook from the Amazon Prime Library. A positive review was not requested. All opinions expressed here are my own.
The Civil War threatens a peaceful Amish community when the military draft forces them to participate. Katie Stuckey is eager to marry her beau, Jonas Weaver. When he takes his brother’s place and leaves to serve in the Union Army, her faith and love face the test of separation. Jonas has asked his friend, Levi, to look out for Katie, and Levi steps in to offer his support. This novel brings out the horrors of war and the humanity of those involved. The author did a good job at portraying authentic situations and emotions. All opinions are my own.
Liked it very much!
I was pleasantly surprised with The Sound of Distant Thunder. I had not heard of Jan Drexler before, but decided to give this series a go. I did not even read the back cover, but dived right in. It was a shocker that this book was set during the Civil War.
Books that make me research history are wonderful in my opinion, and this book did just that. Jan Drexler is definitely one I will be adding to my Amish reading pile!
Beautiful sorry of faith and love
Good book.
I’m new to this authors’ books and this one caught my eye because of the Amish theme, the Ohio setting and that it takes place in the Civil War era. I really loved the Ohio setting as I live very close to where the events in this book take place and I felt so much closer to these characters because of it. Jonas and Katie are so young and so in love that my heart broke for both of them as Jonas left to fight in the war. The family setting and strong and unyielding faith of these characters is so very inspiring and reading about them made me understand the sacrifice Jonas so loving made for his brother. The storytelling is quite superb; I only stopped reading for snack and bathroom breaks! If you love heartwarming characters, a family driven story of faith and/or the Civil War era this beautifully written historical Amish fiction book is a must read. I read a complimentary copy of this book and all opinions expressed in my voluntary review are completely my own.
I love Amish romance novels. For some reason, it’s a genre that just is a great read for me. They read fast and sweet and just help me relax and have a nice quiet moment to myself.
This Amish fiction work is a bit different from most though as it involves the Civil War. Amish are pacifists and don’t participate in wars so that might just sound like a contradiction in itself. But just because the Amish don’t fight in the war doesn’t mean that it doesn’t affect their lives.
The Civil War is a time period I have studied a lot and I really enjoy reading books that take place in this time frame.
Of course, when I opened my blind tour package and saw this book I was intrigued. What could a young Amish couple in love and the Civil War have in common? How would they mold together? Would Jonas leave the faith? What about Katie? She has something she’s running from.
I really enjoyed this book! The author is amazing and knows how to create characters that will appeal to your heart. You become invested in the book and have to find out how it ends.
Though this is not a suspense book there are elements that keep you hanging and you just have to keep reading. It was very hard to put this book down, but alas my kids did need to be fed and clothed and unforunately I can’t just sit and read all the time as much as I’d love to!
This book has some bad characters and some good characters. Not that they’re not all well written, but that there are some that you really just don’t like. And then there are the ones who you’re not too sure about.
Levi was one of those characters for me. You learn early on he struggles with pride and that he has his eye on Katie even though everyone thinks he’s going to court a different girl. Even though he knows Katie and Jonas have an understanding. This immediately makes me raise an eyebrow at him. He’s on my list!
You have to read this book. I don’t want to give anything away but you have got to read and see what happens to Katie and Jonas. Their families are forever intertwined and I really loved getting to know them.
Now I’m off to find the next book in this series. It’s a must-read for me!
I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from JustRead Publicity Tours. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.
I was part of a Blind Book Tour and received “The Sound of Distant Thunder” by author Jan Drexler. The sweetness of young love, the conflict and sorrow of the War Between the States, the wisdom of married couples mixed with faith, family and freedom drew me in from page one.
Katie Stuckey is in love with the idea of being in love and does not want to wait till she turns 18 to get married although her dad feels she is too young. She wants to honor her parents and have their blessing. Katie has a fear that a was put on her by a previous school teacher that whomever she gets close to will meet their demise.
Jonas Weaver who Katie has her eye on does not want to follow the teachings of the church especially for the abolitionist cause. Jonas brother, Samuel who is married comes up in the draft list and Jonas volunteers to take his place. The Amish are a peaceful people and do not believe in war, they were granted permission to pay $200 per man if drafted, rather than go fight. Or they can hire someone to go in their place.
He and Katie are in love, can they stay committed to one another while Jonas is off fighting the Civil War? Or does Levi who Jonas asked to look after Katie have feelings for her? Jonas has no idea of Levi’s feelings for his wife.
I am looking forward to Book Two in the series, “The Amish of Weaver’s Creek and to find out what happens. I enjoy reading about the Amish, their struggles of faith, love and hope and see how they work through everything together.
I received a copy of the book from the publisher, Revell, in exchange for my honest opinion.
*My Thoughts*
Wow! Jan really is no holds barred in this new series. A fascinating timeline of the Civil war in an Amish setting, the unusual plot alone captures attention.
Anytime an author tries to introduce a subject not normally used, there is usually controversy. Jan did a fabulous job balancing subjects not normally talked about in Amish fiction. Though it started out a bit slow for me, I was quickly drawn into the story. An intriguing story and a great cast of characters leave me wondering what will happen in the next book of the Amish of Weaver’s Creek series!
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*My Rating*
I give The Sound of Distant Thunder by Jan Drexler…
4 stars!
*I received this book free of charge from the author.
Not your typical Amish story, The Sound of Distant Thunder introduces us to Jonas, who volunteers to go to war during the Civil War period. I’ve never read of Amish during that period, nor an Amish man willing to go to war for his convictions. Interesting concepts!
Author Jan Drexler gives us a lot of details about her characters and the area where it is set. You will love the sweetness of Katie and the determination of Jonas. All of the characters are well developed and we see their point of view (pov) throughout the story.
The story will take you on a remarkable journey. It may begin a bit slow, but hang in there. If you enjoy Amish fiction and/or historical fiction, you’ll enjoy this book.
I received a complimentary copy of this book but was not required to leave a review.
I am not very familiar with this author so I was excited to read this book. It has some promising things in the book which kept me reading. I did have a very hard time connecting with the story at times though. I did like that it was set during the Civil War. It was interesting to read about the Amish during this time. Most books about Amish are not set during the Civil War.
Jonas is a good character with a few flaws. He is in love with the starry eyed Katie who only wants to be his wife. He on the other hand, has dreams of something else. Although Jonas shows signs of thinking of marriage I got the impression he was going to do something very seldom done by Amish.
He gets an opportunity to right a wrong by standing up for something he believes in. Slavery during this time was prevalent but Jonas does not condone it. I liked that he took his brother’s place in the service. It was very courageous and I hoped being there would help him decide what he wanted to do with his life. During his service I enjoyed reading about what he went through and how war can cause emotional scars.
Poor Katie is distraught when Jonas leaves and I could feel her desperation. Was she worried about Jonas or that they hadn’t married before he left? The best part of the story for me was the correspondence between Katie and Jonas as he is serving in the army.It reads like poetry and you can feel the depths of their passion for each other. Overall I have to say at the end of the book, I became a fan of the author. I love her writing style and ability to draw readers in with descriptions of Amish life and their commitment to each other.
I received a copy of this book from The Early Reviewers Program of Librarything. The review is my own opinion.
An old-order Amish community, making every effort to keep itself separate from the world, finds it cannot escape the distant rumblings of war. We view the Weaver’s Creek community mostly through the eyes of young Katie and Jonas, who hope to wed but are slowed by their youth and the worldly changes that intrude even upon those who would ignore them.
War is such a divisive subject in any era. In the United States, the Civil War was arguably one of our most contentious as it divided friends and families and our nation itself. Then add to that, the idea of an Amish man considering joining ranks of the volunteers, and the incredibility of the situation just skyrockets. Indeed, the Amish of Weaver’s Creek believe they can look the other way until conscription begins…and names on the list include Englischers and Amish alike.
What didn’t I like about the book? It made me think. I couldn’t find any easy answers. I wanted to vilify one character (and his choices) or the other. The black and white lines blurred into gray and blue… and red. Red for loss of life, loss of a way of life, loss of innocence and standing apart from the world.
A wise quote for today: “Labeling folks with ideas different from your own as “them” and calling yourself “us” is the surest way to create division.” Hm… I do believe many, many groups today could profit from this bit of wisdom.
What a heart-warming, yet heart-wrenching family-centered novel about one of the darkest times in our nation’s history.
I gratefully received a complimentary copy of this book from the author and the publisher. This in no way affects my opinions, for which I am solely responsible. I was not required to leave a positive review.
Seventeen year old Katie is in love with Jonas, and he with her. Her dad feels she’s too young to marry and wants her to wait until she’s eighteen, which she agreed to, as she wants to honor her parents and have their blessing on the marriage. Jonas has already begun clearing a spot for their home and has two walls put up.
Katie has a fear that she has had a curse put upon her by a previous school teacher. She fears any man who gets too close to her will meet with an untimely demise.
Jonas is twenty years old and is taken with the talk and news of the Civil War. The Amish are peaceful people and do not fight. Jonas is against slavery and hopes the war will free all slaves. Then, there’s news of a draft as more and more men are needed to fight. What will this mean for the Amish? They got granted permission to pay $200 per man, if drafted, rather than having to go fight. Or, they can hire someone to go in their place. Katie and Jonas’ community are good with this, for the most part. Jonas brother, Samuel, had ran off his mouth that he would not pay the fine if his name were to be drawn, as he felt the money would be going towards the war, which he opposes.
As luck would have it, Samuel’s name was drawn in the draft. What is he do to now? He has a wife, children, and witnesses to what he had said should his name be drawn. If he goes to war, he faces being shunned if/when he should return home as they are non-violent people.
Jonas told Samuel he would, instead, go in his place. He assured him he would return and as someone who had yet to join the church, he wouldn’t face shunning. Samuel is very much against Jonas taking his place, but it happened anyway.
Jonas family and Katie are fearful for him and pray daily for his safety and return.
Before leaving, Jonas made his friend, Levi, promise to look after Katie for him while he’s away. Jonas has no idea that Levi secretly wants Katie for HIS wife. Jonas is happy to check in on Katie and even pick her up weekly to take her into town to check for letters from Jonas and mail letters of her own.
Suddenly, the letters stop coming. What can this mean? The postmistress assures them that letters from military can take much time, but surely, they are coming.
You just have to read this fascinating story to learn the rest.
I received a complimentary copy from Revell and Netgalley and was under no obligation to leave a positive review. All opinions are my own
The Sound of Distant Thunder by Jan Drexler is the first story in The Amish of Weaver’s Creek series. Katie Stuckey is seventeen years old in 1862 and lives with her family on their farm near Millersburg, Ohio. She is ready to marry Jonas Weaver, but her father wants her to wait until she is eighteen. Jonas begins work on their home in his spare time. The Civil War is raging on and Jonas is against slavery. He knows the stance of the church on fighting, but Jonas has yet to be baptized. Conscription is enacted and the names for their county are drawn. Jonas is spared, but his married brother, Samuel is on the list. Samuel has a choice of paying the $200 fee or get a substitute. Samuel does not wish to pay the fee because the funds would go to the war effort nor is he comfortable with having someone go in his place. Jonas takes matters into his own hands and goes in Samuel’s place. He leaves a letter for his family, Katie and his friend, Levi. He asks Levi to keep an eye on Katie for him while he is away. Can Jonas and Katie’s love survive the choice he made and the separation? Join them on their journey in The Sound of Distant Thunder.
The Sound of Distant Thunder takes us back to April of 1862 to an Amish settlement in Ohio. I felt the author captured the time period with the viewpoints of the characters and the description of their everyday lives as well as their homes, clothing, literature, conveyances, and methods of construction. It must have been a difficult time to be a pacifist with the Civil War going on around them. Conscription had them battling their conscience versus their church teachings. Jan Drexler did a wonderful job at capturing the differing thoughts and the inner conflict. I thought The Sound of Distant Thunder was a slow paced story (it plodded along like an old horse). The first half of the book is Jonas and others rehashing the same issues regarding war over and over. Jonas debating if he will stay at home or go off to fight. The pace improves slightly after Jonas goes off to war. Christian views are prevalent throughout the book. Prayer, faith and turning our worries over to God are some of the themes. We get to see how the various Amish settlements had differences and their attempts to find common ground. The Amish in the story are portrayed as hardworking and caring individuals. I did not feel like I was reading the first book in the series. The backstory on the main characters was lacking. I was confused by Katie and her fear. She has a fear that men who are attracted to her will die. It is not fully explained until late in the book. It seemed unreasonable because she was not afraid Jonas would die if they married. Wouldn’t she be afraid to marry the man she loves? The ending was abrupt and felt incomplete. I was left with several unanswered questions. The romance between Katie and Jonas is sweet and heartwarming in the midst of such brutality. I am giving The Sound of Distant Thunder 3 out of 5 stars.
If you have followed Jan Drexler’s writing you find this book a bit different. Set during the Civil War in 1862, this story is compelling because of the role the war will play within the Amish community. The Amish people do not fight, choosing pacifism instead. When Jonas chose to take his brother’s place in the Army, the war had a profound effect on him. He was a true believer and his faith was a light in his actions. HIs love for God, Katie and his family were as much a part of him whether he was home in the cornfields or along the battlefield in Fredericksburg.
I was inspired by Jonas. He was definitely a young man who wanted to marry young but he was willing to work hard to show was ready to marry Katie. Rather than get upset when Katie’s father asked them to wait a year, he decided to take that time to clear land and build the home they would settle in.
I wasn’t as sure about Katie. She was sure she was ready to marry at seventeen and it took Jonas to make her realize that the wait would make no difference, they would just be better prepared with their home. As the time passes and Jonas leaves for training, she began to change. She began to see how her actions could help others. She gained new understanding of her mother’s dark moods and did what she could to ease the pain of old memories. Her love for Jonas never faltered and she grew into a formidable young woman whose strength stood difficult times. In the course of the story my admiration for her grew.
I received a copy of this book with no obligation to review it. I am happy to recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Historical Christian Fiction.
The Sound of Distant Thunder started out fairly slowly for me. There were lots of interesting characters in this novel and for awhile I wondered if these characters were connected to any other books that the author has written. I don’t think they are, but the author did reference people and events from the past which made me question that.
I felt that the story sped up about halfway through the book and I became more engaged in what was going on. I think the author has established an interesting community and a cast of characters that I will want to return to in future books. While there was some conclusion by the end of the novel, I felt that the ending overall left a lot open and unfinished in order to lead into future books.
(3.5 stars)
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
What a journey you are about to begin as you begin this story, and how I loved being in this Amish settlement, but the times are scary, the Civil War has begun, and sides are divided here in Ohio.
There are several other happenings here, and we learn more about the Amish Faith and touch on what was going on in the 1860’s.
There is also a sweet love story budding and with all that is happening you will wonder if they will ever be able to marry.
I found this historical story quite interesting on many facets and look forward to the next book in this series.
I received this book through the Publisher Revell, and was not required to give a positive review.
What I liked: The characters! Jan Drexler created characters that become real people with real lives in my mind. I found myself caring about the community of Weaver’s Creek. I’ve read many Amish books over the years and admire their lifestyle and principles; their sense of community is strong and family ties are tight. What one family may go through, the whole community does and you can see this in the story. When the threat of the Civil War comes knocking on their back door, they must decide what the right thing to do is. Being Old Order Amish, fighting goes against their very beliefs and way of separating themselves from the world. I watched this play out in each of the characters; how they felt, thought and acted. Secondly, I loved watching the love story unfold between Jonas Weaver and Katie Stuckey. Already committed to each other and ready to marry once they join the church. I also saw Jonas struggle with both wanting to stay true to his roots and wanting to fight in the war to free slaves. Sometimes wanting to do the right thing or making the right choice never comes easy. Katie is ready to settle down and be a wife and someday a mother. She has a bright future in front of her but with Jonas’s increasing talk of wanting to join the army, she struggles too. There’s just a whole lot of other elements to keep the reader interested!
What I didn’t like: For me, the story started slow. The characters were introduced at a rapid fire pace and I had a hard time (at first) keeping them straight. But press on I did because I’ve read many great reviews on Drexler’s writing, and I’m glad I stuck it out! Lastly, I really dislike how this ended. There was not a satisfying enough conclusion to me. It brought up more questions than answers and had too many loose strings for my taste. Yes, it leads me to want to read the next book, of course! It’s just frustrating to me as a reader to get to the end of a great story and be left hanging on some important elements.
In conclusion: It’s a great story on how a person struggles with his or her own principles, beliefs and how these shape their lives. It’s also about how, even in those struggles and uncertainties, we need to leave things in God’s hand and trust Him to work things out in His own timing and way. A lesson each of the characters learn and great reminders to apply to our own lives. In spite of the things I didn’t like, I will be reading the rest of this series. Jan deeply involved me in her characters lives and there are questions yet to be answered!
*I received a complimentary copy from Revell and Netgalley and was under no obligation to leave a positive review. All opinions are my own. *