| Title | : | Plain Pursuit (Daughters of the Promise, #2) |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | 1595547193 |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9781595547194 |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Paperback |
| Number of Pages | : | 354 |
| Publication | : | First published April 24, 2009 |
Carley Marek experiences culture shock when she visits her friend Lillian’s family on their farm deep in Amish country. She’ll get an article out of the visit—and maybe some of Lillian’s newfound peace will somehow rub off on her.
Just when Carley is getting used to the quiet nature of the Plain community, Lillian and Samuel’s son falls ill. But the local doctor who can offer the most help has been shunned by the community and forbidden to intervene.
As David’s condition deteriorates, Dr. Noah determines to do whatever it takes to save the boy’s life. Carley is caught in the middle—drawn to Noah, wanting to be helpful in the crisis—and confused by all their talk about a God she neither knows nor trusts. Carley must decide what in life is worth pursuing . . . and what to do when she’s pursued by a love she never expected.
Plain Pursuit (Daughters of the Promise, #2) Reviews
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I thoroughly enjoyed reading Plain Pursuit. Not having read Plain Perfect (although it's on my list)I was happy to discover that this book, although part of a series, stands alone. Wiseman does a particularly great job of dealing with shunning, a controversial Amish practice that seems cruel and unnecessary to outsiders, but is a part of the Amish faith. The characters of Noah and Carley are well drawn, and the secondary characters are interesting and vital to the story, but don't overwhelm the major players. If you're a fan of Amish fiction, don't miss Plain Pursuit!
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Amish romance has hit the Christian culture like the Twilight series has hit the secular world—like a nuclear bomb. Authors like Beverly Lewis have colored the Amish in a rosy glow, and Beth Wiseman is no different.
When you first open the book, she lists a few Pennsylvania Dutch words and their definitions. I work with a family whose roots are from Pennsylvania Dutch country and find the language quaint. The story comes from the points of view of Carley (a woman who lost her mother and has an overprotective brother), Lillian (formerly a city-girl who fell in love with an Amish farmer, Samuel, and became baptized into the Amish religion), and Noah (the shunned brother of Samuel). Carley is still struggling with the unexpected death of her mother. The accident stole her mother and her ability to have children.
From the first page to the last page, Beth Wiseman weaves an intricate tale of romance, struggles with past bitterness, and a family’s internal struggle with honoring their vows to the Amish Ordnung. A shunning is when a person has been baptized into the Amish religion and chose to leave after the fact. It seems black and white. A promise is truly sacred in God’s eyes, but Noah had a calling from God. He tries to explain this to Samuel, but Samuel is caught between his own promise to shun and his own bitterness over Noah’s betrayal (of which you will have to read the book and find out what Noah did to betray the Amish).
As you get involved in the lives of Noah, Lillian, Samuel, David and Carley, you will weep in sorrow, sing for joy, and learn about the Amish lifestyle. It is simple. It is hard work. I can see why so many people are fascinated by the Amish. Will Noah and Carley have a ‘happily-ever-after,’ or will Carley submit to her own fears?
When you reach the end of the book, there is a list of reader questions, like, “The Amish believe that shunning is a way to keep the church pure. It is not intended to be a punishment, but an opportunity for the person shunned to right his or her ways in the eyes of God. Do you feel this is a fair and acceptable practice? Or do you believe it is cruel? Should exceptions be made in certain cases? Have you ever been shunned by someone you love? Have you ever shunned?” This question is very powerful. Shunning, in my opinion, is emotional blackmail to force a person to return to a way of life he or she disagrees with instead of respecting healthy boundaries. At the end of the book you will also find recipes. Beth Wiseman writes in Acknowledgments, “To my Old Order Amish friend in Lancaster County, thank you for allowing me to share your fabulous recipes…”
Read the book. It is available through many bookstore outlets and Amazon.com. You will reluctantly close the book after the last page is read and wish to hear more about Carley and Noah. They become like old friends. Settle into your favorite quilt, sip a cup of your favorite tea, and start reading. Escape from our present reality and listen to this tale of love and redemption so lovingly crafted.
This book was provided for me to review by Thomas Nelson Publishers.
Nikole Hahn
http://www.thehahnhuntinglodge.com
(Note: If you are going to leave a comment regarding my review, please go to my webpage under MY JOURNAL and leave the comment under the actual review. Thank you. I hardly check good reads). -
I must admit that I’ve not read many Amish stories. Based on what I have read, I’ve not become a huge fan of Amish stories. And I’ve wondered at the immense popularity of the Amish books. Until now.
I just finished reading Plain Pursuit by Beth Wiseman. In her writing of the Amish country, Beth transforms the reader into a member of the Amish community. Her knowledge of the Amish ways is vast and she weaves that knowledge throughout this book. But Plain Pursuit is much more than just a fiction book based on the Amish community. It is a love story between two friends. It is a love story between a man, shunned from the Amish community, and an Englisch (that’s not a typo) woman. Englisch is a non-Amish person. And I know that because Ms. Wiseman graciously included a glossary of Amish terms in the front of the book. Most importantly, it is a love story between God and His children. A love story of redemption and reconciliation.
Here is the book cover summary:
Carley Marek experiences culture shock when she visits her friend Lillian’s family on their farm deep in Amish country. She’ll get an article out of the visit-and maybe some of Lillian’s newfound peace will somehow rub off on her.
Just when Carley is getting used to the quiet nature of the Plain community, Lillian and Samuel’s son falls ill. But the local doctor who can offer the most help has been shunned by the community and forbidden to intervene.
As David’s condition deteriorates, Dr. Noah determines to do whatever it takes to save the boy’s life. Carley is caught in the middle—drawn to Noah, wanting to be helpful in the crisis—and confused by all their talk about a God she neither knows nor trusts.
Carley must decide what is life is worth pursuing…and what to do when she’s pursued by a love she never expected.
This book is obviously written from a heart full of love for God and for the Amish people. It is a book that holds the readers’ attention to the end and when the last page is read and the book is closed, the readers are left with that “feel good” feeling.
Plain Pursuit – a “must” read – perfect to read on a freezing winter evening in front of the fireplace with a cup of hot chocolate. Enjoy!!
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Beth Wiseman produces consistently good Amish romantic fiction. This is the second of her full-length novels that I've read, although I've also read a couple of her novellas, and I've yet to be disappointed. I felt that this one was a bit slow to start and I got irritated by how stubborn Samuel could be, particularly as I loved his character in the previous book and felt he'd kind of morphed into the generic Amish male stereotype. Samuel's mood eventually relaxed and the shunning disputes were somewhat alleviated throughout the book, which enabled me to enjoy this book a lot more. I actually got a bit teary-eyed in a few places (a bit embarrassing when you're having your morning cup of tea in the cafeteria at work!) and towards the end I was grinning ridiculously (while on the bus heading back from work, I tried not to make eye-contact with the woman next to me in case she thought I was raving mad). While I did have some reservations at first I ended up being really touched by this book. I particularly liked the fact that while this book features Amish characters and a romance, this isn't the typical "English woman meets Amish man and converts to marry him" plot. Carley and Noah were both Englishers who happened to have friends and relatives in the Amish community and therefore spent a lot of time with them. I also loved the introduction of Dana and Jenna to the story, and the chance to catch up with Lillian's family. I'll admit that I still feel that some issues weren't entirely covered up - why should Lillian always follow her husband's requests even if she doesn't feel comfortable with them or doesn't agree with his views? Is it okay to bend the rules and disobey the Bishop? What should you do when you believe the Christian thing to do isn't what the Bishop is ordering? - but I hope that maybe these are covered in more depth in later books. Another 9/10 from Beth Wiseman. I was planning to keep #3 in the series until later but I think I'll start it now as I'm on a definite Amish kick!
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This book shows God's uncontional love and restoration to people. From the beginning you won't be able to put the book down. You will just keep reading.
Carly has problems dealing with an accident that took her Mother's life and caused it so she cannot have children. Her boyfriend dumped her and her work is affected due to all she is dealing with.
So her boss forces her to take a vacation for a month which turns into a longer period.
Carly goes to Pa. to visit a friend who married into the Amish Community. She is surprised by the peace she finds there and how her faith is strengthened.
An illness brings Samuel and Lillian to the hospital seeking help for their son. But Samuel is shocked to find his brother the doctor there and he is being shunned so he cannot have anything to do with him.
But Noah won't give up and uses Carly to try to reach the family to get help for their son. Now so much happens during all this that begins a restoration and healing and God's unconditional love.
It is a must read book. -
Carley Marek is forced to take a vacation by her boss, so she heads for Pennsylvania Dutch country and her Amish reformed friend. Entering the tranquil countryside and community of the Amish soon proves to be anything, but relaxing. From a shunning no one wants to forgive to a dying child in need of a kidney transplant, Carley is about to discover what she never expected to find.
I hate clichéd Amish stories and there are so many out there. But, I am so thrilled to share with you a simply wonderful story. A tale fresh with new perspective on the Amish culture. I am a huge stickler when it comes to getting facts right on the Amish, but Beth Wiseman does a marvelous job on accuracy. It was like a breath of fresh air and a story I loved from page one to the end. There was one moment that must have been a typo when it came to changing character perspective, but aside from that it was a great read. The ending will even make you cry (in a very good way!) 5/5 stars! -
Beth Wiseman continues her Daughters of the Promise series with “Plain Pursuit,” in which she tackles the painful subject of shunning as well as catastrophic illness. This she does with a well thought-out storyline that weaves these two threads together in a romantic tale about love and old hurts and disappointments, as well as the second chances that come with understanding and forgiveness.
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What an amazing story! I loved how we got to see the characters from the first book in this series again. It was great to see them grow. I really loved Carley and Noah and I was so happy with the ending of the book!!
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This enjoyable story is about Carly, a reporter who lost her mother 6 months prior to a car accident where she also lost her chance at motherhood. Unable to concentrate on her job as a reporter, her boss sends her on a month long vacation which Carly attempts to shun. She decides to travel to Lancaster and spend time with her best friend, Lilian, who became Amish when she marries Samuel, an Amish single father. While there, Carly becomes more than involved when the family experiences a crisis. She begins to make a difference when she realizes doctor Noah is Samuel’s brother whose been shunned and more than ignored despite the difference he makes in the life of Samuel’s sick son. A touching story with complications and examples of love and redemption.
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A Daughter's of Promise Novel
Beth Wiseman
2009
Thomas Nelson
Fiction/Christian/Amish
Reveiwed by Cindy Loven
Carley's dear friend Lillian has moved to Amish country. Not only that, she has converted to the Amish religion. Arriving for a visit, and a forced vacation by her boss, Carley is going to use this visit to write an article for her newspaper, but also to catch up with Lillian.
Things quickly change though, as at the very beginning of her visit, Lillian's stepson David, falls and cuts his chin, using her rental car Carley drives them to the hospital. There a doctor who seems to know Lillian's husband Samuel treats David, and disturbs Samuel. Something just is not right about the whole story, and Carley can sense as does Lillian. Samuel, however is not sharing or telling anything.
Life in the Stoltzfus family is fixing to change drastically. The doctor who knew Samuel is his brother who was shunned for leaving the Ordnung and becoming a doctor, but the big change is that David is sick, very sick. In fact his life is in danger, he will die without a kidney transplant. Of all the family, the only who is a match is the the doctor, Noah Stoltzfus. Samuel is full of mixed feelings, he loves his brother, even though he is shunned, but Samuel must follow the shunning, and even though it allows Noah to donate the kidney, it doesn't allow them to be in contact with Noah. How is this all going to work out??
Carley, facing her own demons, concerning hospitals, death and infertility, finds she is quickly falling for the shunned doctor. She realizes how important family is to him, and knowing she will never have children returns home to her job in Texas.
Will she recover from her broken heart? Will David live? Will Dr. Noah Stoltzfus donate his kidney to a family member who cannot even talk to him according to the Amish Ordnung? Where will all of this bring Carley faith in God?
A heart gripping story, full of twists, turns and even a bit suspenseful. Beth Wiseman has written another wonderful Amish story that will thrill her readers. You will not want to miss this book. Recipes and discussion guide at the end of the book. 346 pages US $14.99 4 and half stars
This book was provided by Thomas Nelson for review purposes only. -
Carley Marek is still recovering both physically and mentally from a devastating car accident when her editor insists she take a month long vacation. Carley reluctantly agrees and goes to visit her friend Lillian who married an Amish man, became Amish herself, and happily lives in Amish country. Carley no sooner begins to find some peace in the simple way the Amish live when Lillian's son falls desperately ill. Carley finds new insight into the Amish ways when Lillian's husband Samuel is reluctant to let the only doctor who can help, Noah, do so. As Carley tries to help Lillian's family, she is increasingly drawn to Noah and begins to question her life so far and her relationship not only with Noah but with God.
With its Amish setting, "Plain Pursuit" is a unique, fresh romance novel. It is actually deeper than a typical romance novel as it focuses not just on the attraction between Carley and Noah, but gives good insight into the Amish way of life. While many aspects of Amish life are touched on, the one must crucial to the plot is that of "shunning" a part of Amish life that certainly had me thinking about the book long after I finished reading it and would make the book a perfect choice for a book club read because it no doubt would lead to many debates about certain Amish practices. Carley and Noah are both deep characters, especially for a romance novel. Carley is scarred in many ways from the car accident and struggling with her growing attraction to Noah while wondering if he would want to live with her physical flaws. Noah is a man who sacrificed much to become a doctor and is trying to make up for a foolish mistake he made while young. The romance perhaps could have been developed a bit more but the attraction between them is undeniable. While religion plays a very important part in the book, author Beth Wiseman never hits readers over the head with it - it's simply a major part of life for many of the characters.
"Plain Pursuit" is a nicely done romance novel. -
The story starts out very much like Beverly Lewis’s The Redemption of Sarah Cain. Down-on-her-luck-reporter, Carley Marek, is forced to take a vacation after a fatal car accident. Carley tries to turn her month long “vacation” to Lancaster Pa, into an article, that’s sure to bring her back on top, but the Amish family she is staying with, are skeptical she will write a fair article about Amish life. I had never read “Amish” fiction before I’d read Plain Pursuit. But I was pleasantly surprised about how much liked it. Of course it wasn’t “edgy” or “head-over-heels” romantic but, it had something that, just made you want to read more. The story starts out very much like Beverly Lewis’s The Redemption of Sarah Cain. And although this is a series, I didn’t feel I was missing much by not reading the first book in the Daughters of the Promise series, Plain Perfect. The characters were real, even when it came to the Amish family, Carley was staying with. They had charm and wit. I like how the romance between Noah and Carley was sweet and gentle at first. Noah never wanting to frighten Carley off, and on the next plane home. Carley, knowing she can never fully be what Noah wants in a wife. These things keep the two distant from each other, despite the attraction they feel. The story takes a turning point when Lilly’s , Carley newly converted Amish friend, stepson falls gravely ill, and the only one who can help save him, is being shunned by his “Amish” family, which she is not a part of. The emotions in Plain Pursuit aren’t dialed down, and show real fear and despair in a life or death situation and the frustrations of knowing there is a cure but pride is in the way. Plain Pursuit is a very relatable book that has a message we should hear (or read, in this case) from time to time. I would definlety recommend this book to anyone who loves a sweet romance combined with a little heartbreak and a message that can be applied to everyone.
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This series A Daughters of the Promise has 5 books, #2"Plain Pursuit" by Beth Wiseman
Each Daughters of the Promise Novel focuses on one woman's journey into an amish community where she discovers new meaning to the words Faith~Hope and Love~
This story is about Carley Marek who has lost the spark that made her a good journalist, so her boss tells her to take a vacation and find some rest and peace....
She has a friend Lillian that moved to Lancaster co Pa not long ago and she has promised her a visit and since she lives in an amish community Carley is sure she will be able to find a good story to write while there.
Lillian had married Samuel who had a son already and she loves him as much as she does her own child, they became close before she married and even closer afterwards. When he becomes ill and must visit a hospital they find out that Samuel has some secrets that had not come out before she married him. Dr Noah takes a special interest in David and knows Samuel. Lillian is confused....
Carley finds this man most interesting and in the midst of helping Lillian she finds out he once was amish and had been shunned. He agrees to talk with her for her story if she will help him get Samuel to talk to him.
The amish are people that help one another and when they find David has failing kidneys they are there for Lillian and Samuel, several are tested within the family for possible transplant, but only Dr Noah seems to be a match and this opens up a can of worms for sure between Samuel and Noah....Will they talk...Will Samuel listen and open his heart....You will enjoy reading Carley's story-I know I did. -
I have never read a book about the Amish before, let alone an Amish romance book. I picked this book out on a bit of a whim thinking I would try something a little different. I am so glad that I did. It is one of the best books I have read in a while. I did not read the first book in this series,
Plain Perfect Daughters of the Promise Book 1, but I don't think it makes a difference. This book has its own story to tell and whatever is told in the first book seems like it would be worth it on its own, too. I will put the first book on my list of books to read.
I was drawn into Carley's story. She is feeling lost and unsure of where to go in her life. When she is forced to take a vacation from work, she choose to go and visit her friend, Lillian, who has joined the Amish community. Carley enters a world of faith and community. The story revolves around forgiveness and acceptance of God's plan. We need to let go and listen to God and follow his plan for us.
This book is based very much around faith and God, but it never felt like it was overwhelming or preachy. It blends the idea of spirituality and faith into everyday lives and how we may have different lifestyles (Amish and non-Amish), but that does not mean we cannot still have faith and love for God and we a part of His community.
I finished this book feeling happy and filled with hope. -
I have to start by saying I just love Amish fiction; they are good wholesome stories that are just a delight to read - perfect when you just want to escape the troubles of life and our town has had a few too many of those in the last week.
Carley Marek has been told to take a month long vacation from work. It's not a choice; she can take the suggestion or be without work as a journalist. Carley decides to use the month to visit her friend Lillian who married into the Amish culture, community and lifestyle; while there she plans to write an article about the Amish.
As in most Amish fiction, there is a conflict between the Amish community and the outside world. In Plain Pursuit, it comes in the form of Lillian's brother-in-law that has been shunned by the community but now wants to be a part of his family's life even if just in a tangential manner. In addition, there are Carley's inner conflicts - dealing with the death of her mother, the loss of her fiance and other issues that you'll have to read to find out about. And not surprising, there is a love story - sweet, innocent and beautiful; the way love should be.
If you want a good love story, enjoy Amish fiction and want to escape from the realities of life - then Plain Pursuit is the book for you.
This book was provided to me by The BookSneeze Team in exchange for my honest opinion and review. -
Plain Pursuit tells the story of Carley Marek, a young woman healing from the grief, pain and mental stress of a car accident that stole her mother's life. Carley spends a month of mandatory vacation by going to visit with Englischer turned Amish friend Lillian (whose story is told in Wiseman's Plain Perfect).
The tale that unfolds from there is an enlightening, heartwarming tale of a Noah Stoltzfus who followed the call of God to become a Doctor and the shunning that ensued. Wrapped up in the tale of his rejection are the conflicting emotions of his immediate family and the illness of a nephew he has never been allowed to meet.
Wiseman does a beautiful job of going beyond the conventional Englisch perception of an Amish shunning. The reader comes away with a better understanding of the faith and community which exemplify the Amish way of life.
It was nice to pick up a book billed as Amish fiction and find a contemporary story that doesn’t focus on the long lost daughter of the one who was shunned. Likewise, Wiseman’s story was a nice departure from the predictable. I look forward to finding out if the rest of the Daughters of Promise series exhibit a similar style and feeling. Well done. -
Plain Pursuit by Beth Wiseman is the second book in the Daughters of the Promise series, following Plain Perfect. Lillian, from the first book, has settled into the Amish life with new husband Samuel, stepson David, and daughter Anna. When herEnglischer friend Carley needs a place to stay for a few weeks and find some peace, Lillian invites her to stay with her family. Carley's working on an article for her newspaper about the Amish lifestyle, but she runs into some roadblocks after meeting Dr. Noah. Noah treats David after a strange fall that leads to a serious diagnosis for the boy, but because of Noah's history with the Plain People, he can't continue to treat David. Carley's investigative instincts tell her that there's a story here, but finding it may put her friendship with Lillian at risk.Wiseman presents a well-rounded view of the Amish people, focusing in this book on shunning or meiding which can be difficult for non-Amish to understand. Noah and Carley are both forced to consider how their actions impact those around them.Wiseman's series is a terrific entry in the growing Amish genre, and readers will appreciate the recipes she includes in the back of each book.
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This is the second volume in Beth Wiseman's Daughters of the Promise series, a beautiful series about faith and family. This Amish novel was well written with a sweet plot and great characters. This time around, I ended up reading this book after having read the third one because I own the first book and then an omnibus of books 3-5, so I had to wait for the library in order to read the second one, and although I knew there were parts of the overall story I was missing, switching the order of the second and third books didn't throw me off too much, so it worked out pretty well all things considered. Anyhow, because I felt more connected to the characters and their emotions while reading the books this time around, I enjoyed the series more and am glad I decided to reread these books.
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This was a wonderful book. Kept me wanting to read without keeping me up at night in suspense. That's why I love Amish Fiction.
**spoiler alert**
I really appreciate that Carley and Noah weren't magically made fertile, as is the case in countless other books that touch on infertility. No, they "adopted". And yes, it's expensive (not that it would matter to a rich Dr and his wife) and you wait a long time, but it's some people's only route to go. I hate it when books decide that infertile people get married and are magically fertile because they prayed about it. Yes, it's possible for God to make anyone fertile, but far more likely that he would call upon those people to adopt.
Way to go, Beth Wiseman. -
Author Beth Wiseman continues her series about the Amish in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. When Carley visits her friend Lillian, she notices plenty of changes - plain clothing, hard work, and a true sense of peace. Carley's faith had hit rocky ground when she was maimed and her mother died in a car accident, so she struggles to find her way back to God.
This book had a lot of information about how the Amish handle medical care, which I found fascinating. The tug of war between the discipline of shunning and the God's forgiveness is an interesting debate, too. Like Jan Karon's Mitford series, these characters are so real, I caught myself praying for them! -
This book in the series has finally explained the title of the series for me " a daughter of the promise" it's when a young women goes on a life journey to find herself in the promises of God. Each of the women in these series all has a struggle to over come in order to find her personal connection with God. In his book Carley a writer becomes an orphane in a terrible car accident that also leaves her barren. Just when she could not be any more lost God has a p,an for her life and it has a sexy examish doctor, friends, and a journey on understanding shunning in an Amish community. This book will tug at the heart strings but like most a too happily ever ending.
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Plain Pursuit is my favorite book — so far.
Carley wasn’t expecting her boss to send her on a month-long mandatory vacation. But when she travels to Lancaster County to visit her friend, she begins to find the peace she needed.
The story pulled me in immediately — and I didn’t stop reading until I reached the end. Such a wonderful story… and the ending, while I cannot reveal anything about it, is absolutely perfect!
I know Beth Wiseman is a talented writer, but she far surpassed my expectations with this series. I cannot wait to read the third story — PLAIN PROMISE.
Please don’t miss out on this amazing series… read it for yourself and see what I mean. -
I love Beth Wiseman. This is the second series that I've read from her, the first being her Daughters of Canaan series. The thing I love about Beth Wiseman is that she writes beautifully, the romance is romantic and not trashy, and her characters are rich and complex. This particular installment will have you experiencing a plethora of emotions as you read about Carley and Noah, as well as the Stoltzfus family and how they come to deal with a very difficult situation. I loved it and can't wait for the third book.
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The second in the Daughters of the Promise series by Beth Wiseman, this book was just as good if not better than the first! Wiseman's character development and reflections on God and faith really resonated with me, so much that once again I didn't want to let the characters go at the end. Although the plots of these books are somewhat predictable (as a lot of love stories are), I have enjoyed these novels nevertheless and will definitely read the remaining three. I'm so pleasantly surprised with these books. I love them!
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Wow. For me, this book was a real tear-jerker. I cried so much! I was really touched by this story, and I love it. I really liked how this book shows that God works out everything for our good and that if we will let Him, the results of our bad choices can be turned into something great. These characters will start to grow on you, and they certainly did with me. I was so into this book that I couldn’t put it down. Looking forward to the next books in this series!
