Amish Refuge (Amish Protectors #1) by Debby Giusti

Amish Refuge (Amish Protectors #1) Reviews

• 
  SheLove2Read

  3.5 stars
  
  Note: I received this paperback free from the author as part of a gift bag given out at a readers conference. This in no way shapes my review of the book.
  
  Excellent storytelling by Ms. Giusti. I'm a fan of Amish romance so this was right up my alley as something to read to wind down from a long, busy weekend. I didn't love Miriam because I felt, as with a lot of heroines, she was a bit of a know-it-all, not trusting others who may have had her best interests in mind. A few times she placed herself in troublesome situations because she refused to listen and wait. Jumping into a situation blind is never the answer! Of course, the author most likely wrote Miriam this way on purpose, in which case she did a fine job of making me feel strong emotions (aggravation). Abram and his sister were both well written characters, and you could feel the struggle each had in their respective situations. I would love to see the sister have a short story or novella to finish her arc.
  
  So while I can't give it 5 stars, the fault is my own and not of the author.
• 
  Susan

  Amish Refuge
  
  Debby Giusti
  
  Received from Netgalley
  
  
  AMISH REFUGE is the first book in the Amish Protectors series.
  
  
  Abram Zook is an Amish widower who happens to answer the loud knocking on his door and finds a battered and soaking wet Miriam Miller, who falls into his arms. She tells him a man is after her who is going to kill her and she begs him for help. She explains that her car has been hijacked, her mother has been killed, and her sister has been kidnapped. Somehow Miriam managed to escape but the man she calls Serpent is hot on her trail and will kill her if he finds her. Abram pulls her into his house even though it is the middle of the night. AMISH REFUGE pulled me right in from the very first page and never let go!
  
  
  AMISH REFUGE is filled with twists and turns and they will keep you on the edge of your seat trying to figure out what the heck is going on. Abram tells Miriam she must talk to his uncle who is the sheriff, but Miriam is very afraid as the men who pulled over her car were the police. How will she know who she can trust? Will she ever be free of the Serpent and be able to find her sister? Abram only wants to help Miriam but first she must accept his help and learn to trust him.
  
  
  AMISH REFUGE is a wonderful start to what promises to be a very suspenseful series. I have never read Debby Giusti before but I'm excited to find her other books and read those as well. This story is filled with forgiveness for both Abram as well as Miriam. They both need to forgive themselves and move on from the past. Wether together or by themselves, they have to let go of the past or they will never be able to move ahead. Will Abram act on his feelings that are beginning to grow for Miriam or will Miriam run at the first chance she gets? You are going to have to read AMISH REFUGE to find out! No spoilers from me!!
  
• 
  Melanie

  I was surprised by how much I liked this story. I'm not really a fan of "Amish" stories, but this one had a good suspense aspect that kept me intrigued! I liked the characters, although the romance wasn't a favorite of mine. It felt a little insta-love and I just wasn't a fan. Besides that, though, a solid Love Inspired Suspense story and I'm interested in continuing the series.
  
  *Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*
  
• 
  Maureen Timerman

  This book begins with you stomach in your throat and continues that way through the book. A mother and her adult daughters traveling through Northern Georgia and what seems like a routine traffic stop, changes their lives forever.
  Somehow Miriam Miller escapes her captors, and thus finds a beacon of hope when she ends up at an Amish home. Loved how her arrival at the Zook home does seem to change their lives also.
  What I didn’t like about the story was there wasn’t any closure as far as her Miriam’s sister Sarah. Where is she and the missing Amish girl that was mentioned, will these questions be answered in the future books?
  The story is a quick read, but danger seems to lurk around every corner and quickly becomes a compelling page-turner.
  I received this book through Net Galley and Harlequin Publishing, and was not required to give a positive review.
  
• 
  Marilyn

  Wow, oh wow! Amish Refuge was action packed and engaging from the opening line till the very end. I could not stop reading until I knew what was going to happen to Miriam Miller and why her attacker was after her. The vibrant descriptive words had me captured and right in the midst of the action, whether it was in a speeding car, hearing the river or the quietness of Abram Zook’s Amish farm. Miriam’s struggles from her earlier life gave way to not trusting others, but she was thankful when Abram’s home had a light in the midst of the night. Abram opened his home to the distressed Miriam, an Englisher, not knowing she had an attacker after her. Will Abram and his sister be safe when Miriam is discovered on his farm? Who, what, why and how everything happened and came to a head will keep the readers turning the pages in this Love Inspired Suspense.
  
  Debby Giusti creative flow of words, vivid scenes, deep dialogue and continuous action made this book a 5 star read. I look forward to reading more by this author, especially book two in Giusti’s Amish Protectors series. I must know what transpires with the hero and heroine along with other major characters. I loved the underlying message of God’s love and individuals finding forgiveness and forgiving themselves so they could move forward in life and discover inner peace.
  
  I received a copy of Amish Refuge from the publisher when I attended the Christian Fiction Readers Retreat 2017. I was not required to write a review, but elected to share my honest opinion of Plain Refuge by Debby Giusti.
  
• 
  Diane Burke

  Warning!
  
  Don't,t start this book before bed. The suspense keeps you turning the pages. The characters are so real you root for them from beginning to end. And the theme of forgiveness and its importance in our lives is a lesson for us all.
• 
  Danielle

  Title: Amish Refuge
  Author: Debby Giusti
  Series: Amish Protectors, 1
  Format: ebook
  Length: 504 pages
  Rating: 1 star
  
  Synopsis:
  HIDDEN IN PLAIN SIGHT
  Miriam Miller barely escapes the ruthless attacker that killed her mother and kidnapped her sister. Running deeper into the woods, she's running out of hope....until she falls into the arms of an unlikely bodyguard—a peaceful Amish farmer. Something about Abram Zook inspires her trust, but even in bucolic Willkommen, Georgia, Miriam faces danger. Both from the men pursuing her and from her growing feelings for the caring—though guarded—widower who protects her. Because if she falls for Abram she’ll have to embrace his Amish faith as her own—or lose him. With each minute, her abductor creeps closer, pushing Miriam to an inevitable choice: stay and risk her heart....or leave and risk her life.
  
  Favourite character: Emma
  Least favourite character: Miriam
  
  Mini-review:
  Well, this was terrible. Honestly horrible. It's sexist, there are like ten chapters dedicated just to Miriam's brooding, the only thing differentiating the Amish from the Englisch is the fact that the Amish don't use contractions, (Miriam = can't, Abram = cannot; Miriam = I'm, Abram = I am; etc.)
  I have so many things I want to rant about, and yet I have no clue where to start. The romance kind of felt forced, like on his part it's insta-love but then he spends the rest of the book comparing her to his dead wife. She spends most of the book comparing herself to his dead wife. They never communicate, so every major plot point involving only the two of them is due to miscommunication, which I hate.
  I'm kind of livid, because I bought book three so I have to suffer through two more of these books, because I'm not wasting my money, no matter how terrible the book is.
  
  Fan-cast:
  Miriam Miller - Blake Lively
  Abram Zook - Adam Driver
• 
  Pamela Pavkov

  Amish Refuge is the first action packed story written by Debby Giusti in her Amish Protectors series. This story grabbed my interest from the first page and kept me reading until the end. The characters are very well developed and really tell an intriguing story. The author has done an amazing job starting out her series with this story and I am anxious to read the next book.
  
  When an unexpected stranger knocks on Abram Zook:s door in the middle of the night seeking refuge he is more than willing to help. Miriam Miller has been attacked and hunted down by a man with a serpent tattoo on his neck. After several attempts to abduct Miriam, Abram now realizes how much he needs and wants to protect her. There is danger at every turn and Miriam wants to know who killed her dear mother and abducted her younger sister Sarah. When Miriam finally can make contact by voice mail to her estranged sister, Hannah, she thinks she is home free and safe but is she? Adam wants nothing more than for Miriam to return to Willkommen, Georgia so he can tell her how he feels. This story takes a dramatic turn at the end which will leave the reader wanting the next story.
  
  I was not given a complimentary copy of this book to read and review. I was not approached to post a favorable response. All opinions are my own and are honest. I have rated this story with five stars for meeting my expectations of a wonderful story that I can highly recommend to others.
  
  Congratulations to Debby Giusti on a fantastic start to this exciting series. I know her readers will truly enjoy this story
• 
  Dana Busenbark

  The little teaser at the beginning, before the book starts tells me there will be some suspense in this book. Who is Abram? Who is Miriam? Who or what is Serpent? What is Serpent involved in and who is with him on the fateful night for Miriam? What does Miriam do that allows her to get away? What happened to her sister Sarah and her mother? Who is Hannah? When Miriam cannot get ahold of Hannah, what happens? This book is full of suspense as Miriam does not know who she can trust. Where is Willkommen? Who is her aunt? What does she find out about her mother, her family, herself, and her savior? Can people put their pasts behind them and realize the good things that God has put into their lives? Read and find out.
  
  RECEIVED THIS BOOK AS A GIFT FOR A FAIR/HONEST REVIEW and REVIEWER FOR Bloggin' With M. Brennan.
• 
  ANNETTE

  Wow!! Action packed with suspense that keeps going until the end.
• 
  Pam

  Amish Refuge is by Debbie Giusti. It is a love inspired suspense and Amish so has no explicit sex scenes nor language. This makes for easy and great reading.
  Miriam Miller was taking her Mother to try to find her Mother’s sister in an Amish community. Her sister Sarah was with them. They got lost in the mountains and were happy to find the police to help them. However, it backfired! Their Mother was killed and Miriam and Sarah were kidnapped and held in a rustic cabin. When Sarah was taken away, Miriam managed to escape. However, where can she go and who can she trust?
  Very suspenseful and very good.
  
• 
  Connie Lynch

  Debby Giusti is a new author to my Amish reading journey and I must confess I was not sure I would enjoy the mystery romance. However Debby has proven me wrong! I picked up the book and did not want to put it down to go to work. Miriam Miller finds herself and her mother and sister in the Georgia Mountains when the are kidnapped by a bad man posing as a policeman and working with corrupt law enforcement. She escapes and finds herself in the home of an Amish man, Abram and his sister Emma. Abram has had a few tragic events in his life. He offers shelter and protection to Miriam as the Serpent continues to stalk Miriam. Soon it if apparent that this Englisher lady and Amish man have growing feeling that they both try to avoid. If you like bit of suspense and a good romance you have picked up the right book. Debby Guisti
• 
  Glenda Parker

  This is the first book in the Amish Protectors Series. I love Debby's work, I enjoy Amish stories, and have a real heart for human trafficking so this book is a special treat for me. The book is well written, action packed, and frightening in the facts that this really is going on in our nation. You are going to love this book. It is awesome.
  Miriam Miller was bring her mother and her sister to the mountain town Willkommen to find her mother's sister. They are on a deserted mountain road when a police care pulls them over. The police officer (a man with a snake tattoo wrapped around his neck) pulls Miriam out of the car. Her mother is shot and her sister is taken and they are tied up in a mountain cabin for days. Miriam sees her sister taken from the cabin so Miriam escapes; she must find out if her mother is alive and where they have taken her sister. She found the keys of her car and takes off, Serpent chases her. She wrecks her car and runs through the woods. Seeing a light in a farm house she heads for it but collapses on the doorstep in the arms of an Amish farmer.
  Widower Abram Zook hears something outside; he opens the door to have a beautiful woman fall into his arms. Her body is bruised and bleeding, he and his sister must help her and keep her safe.
  The next morning the police have found her car and in the trunk of her car is the body of her dead mother. The police are looking for Miriam as a suspect in her murder. Abram knows this woman isn't a killer but a victim. He failed his wife he must not fail Miriam.
  A struggle of good and evil as these two go on a journey of forgiveness. God has a plan for these two, a plan for a hope and future. God has a plan for you too. Just surrender your heart to Him and watch Him turn your life away.
• 
  Wendy

  BACK OF THE BOOK BLURB
  
  HIDDEN IN PLAIN SIGHT
  
  Miriam Miller barely escapes the ruthless attacker that killed her mother and kidnapped her sister. Running deeper into the woods, she's running out of hope...until she falls into the arms of an unlikely bodyguard--a peaceful Amish farmer. Something about Abram Zook inspires her trust, but even in bucolic Willkommen, Georgia, Miriam faces danger. Both from the men pursuing her and from her growing feelings for the caring--though guarded--widower who protects her. Because if she falls for Abram she'll have to embrace his Amish faith as her own--or lose him. With each minute, her abductor creeps closer, pushing Miriam to an inevitable choice; stay and risk her heart...or leave and risk her life.
  
  MY REVIEW
  
  A woman with a mind of her own and the stubborness to do what she thinks best regardless of what she's told. BUT, is it in her best interest not to listen?!?!?!?! An engaging story that will keep you reading until the end. I really enjoy Debby's books and this is one of the reasons why.
• 
  Anne Rightler

  Amish Refuge by Debby Giusti is the first book in the Amish Protectors series and it will draw the reader in right from the start. Miriam is on the run from a vicious captor, who is from the police department. How can she trust anyone? Who will believe her when the police are likely involved in her capture? Abram is an Amish farmer who has built himself a world of grief and guilt that he is finding hard to leave. Will he be able to keep Miriam safe and why is he so drawn to this Englischer. I loved these characters and how the Amish community is always willing to help in time of need. Giusti does a great job depicting the setting and bringing out realistic and relatable situations and emotions. I am looking forward to reading the next books in the series. I won a copy of the book in a contest and was not required to write a review. The opinions are my own.
  
  
• 
  C Janet

  Good series
  
  This book 1 in the Amish Protector Series. I Wish they would put numbers on these books in the KIndle version!
  
  That said, I enjoyed this book. There was action from the very first page and this makes it a good read because you have to see how it ends.
  
  MIriam Miller escapes her and her sisters attacker and runs to a house in terror to get help. The owner of the house is Amish man widower Abram Zook takes her in and he and his sister take care of her. As her attacker continues to stalk Miriam, she is caught between fear and her growing feelings for her protector. I definitely like this series
  
• 
  Janice

  I read this on the Kindle
  
  I am only giving this 3 stars as while i enjoyed the book it left many questions on the crime side
  As for the Amish side it was nice but Miriam I felt acting rather stupid put not only her life but that of Abram & his sister Emma's life at risk
  
  I can't say what questions your left with as it would spoil the plot & while i would say if you like this type of book it a nice read for those who like to know how the story fully ends then may be you will be disappointed but overall not sorry i got it
• 
  Dawn

  Edge of your seat read. Couldn't wait to finish reading to find out what happens. I don't know what I would have done in Miriam's shoes. Being kidnapped along with her sister and seeing her mother shot and escaping and finding refuge at Abrams home. Her fear of the unknown and Serpent has her unable to trust. Abram still lives in the past and can not forgive himself. Will Serpent find Miriam, and will Miriam and Abram have a future.
  
  If you love a book that you can put down then this is the book for you.
• 
  Jackie Layton

  Debby Giusti and written another fabulous book for Love Inspired Suspense. You don't have to wait for the action to begin. Miriam Miller escapes her attacker and finds refuge with an Amish farmer, Abram Zook. The attacker continues to come after Miriam and Abram continues to protect her. There's not a dull moment, and I think you'll enjoy this story.
  
  I did win a copy of Amish Refuge through a blog contest, but it didn't change my opinion of the story.
• 
  Andi

  This is the first Amish romance story I've ever read and I'm thoroughly impressed with it! Debby did a great job keeping the book full of action and suspense that left you wanting to finish the story. I found the plot twists very intriguing and can't wait to read more!
  
  If you've never read a Love Inspired Suspense book, this is a must read!
• 
  Nancy

  I was privileged to be assigned this book as one of the judges in an author contest. While this genre is not especially exciting for me, I found the characters to be believable and the pace even. I enjoyed the book very much and gave it high scores in the contest.
• 
  Sandy Larivee

  Enjoyed the story. I do hope the next books addressed the lives of the people left hanging at the end of the book.
• 
  Fay Risner

  Amish Refuge kept me waiting for what might happen next. A good read with romance and crime combined.
• 
  Lynda

  Forgiveness is the theme.
  
  Forgiveness of one's self is Abram's problem.
  Forgiveness of a family member is Miriam's.
  A killer is on the loose. And Miriam is his target.
• 
  Ashley Christy

  Loved it!!!!