The Waiting

The Waiting is the second book in the Lancaster County Secrets Series written by Margaret Brownley, which looks at the life of Jorie King during the Vietnam War. The fact that Jorie and all of her friends and family are Amish did not keep her fiancée Ben from being drafted into the Army and traveling to Vietnam as a contentious objector who was still near, if not in, battles. As Jorie waited for Ben to return home, she began teaching school and helping the young children in her community with their task of passing their 8th grade exams. During this time, Jorie learns that Ben will not be returning home, as he was killed in Vietnam. An unlikely relationship begins to grow between Jorie and Ben’s brother, Caleb. Their relationship faces some turmoil, and they must decide if they belong together.

Although I’ve read numerous books about people who are Amish, I can honestly say this was the only one of its kind. I felt as if Jorie and all of the others in her community were “real” people, not just “perfect” people. The book shows that no matter who you are, or how you were raised, there is no one above making mistakes and having difficult relationships with others. For this reason, I think the book especially resonated with me.

I cannot wait to read the rest of the books in this series and find out more about the others in the community and how God will shape their futures.

“Available October 2010 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”

The House on Malcolm Street

In The House on Malcolm Street, Leah Breckenridge has faced more tragedies in her young life than would seem fair. Her brother, mother, husband, and infant son all died within a short span of time, and she is left to care for her young daughter with no income to provide for her family. Without the option of living with her father, because of their strained relationship, she moves away from the life she had known to live with her husband’s aunt Marigold who she never met. During her time at this new home, she meets another person who is also dealing with tragedy in his own way, and they must both learn how to deal with their grief and find comfort in God.

Leah tries to deal with her grief by throwing herself into working at Aunt Marigold’s boardinghouse by harvesting food for the family. She begins to make friends with the local residents of the town, and through those new friendships and the reconciliation of her past relationships, she begins the process of moving on from her grief.

I really enjoyed this book, and found myself empathizing with Leah and the others in the story who are all trying to reconcile their hurt and feelings of grief with the fact that God loves them and cares for them even though there were tragedies in their life. I also enjoyed reading about the faith of Leah’s daughter. At the age of six, she has the greatest belief that God will provide for her. Her faith is the kind that all should strive for.

“Available September 2010 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”