Review + Kindle Fire GIVEAWAY: Grace's Forgiveness

Grace’s Forgiveness
By Molly Jebber
Keepsake Pocket Quilt, #2
Zebra, 2016


Summary

A handsome newcomer with secrets shows a yearning Amish woman a chance at happiness—but their love will need all their courage to keep . . .

Grace Blauch is skilled at midwifery—and crafting quilts that help others pass on messages of enduring family love. But a disfiguring birthmark keeps the young Amish woman from a husband and home of her own—until Mark King arrives from another community. His helpfulness and independent nature earn Grace’s respect. And he finds her outspoken ways and determination to do right irresistibly appealing. Soon Grace is planning a wedding quilt of her very own . . . until her father discovers that Mark’s shunned brother is hiding somewhere in town . . .

Grace can well understand why Mark took such a risk once she hears his wrenching reasons. But she fears even prayer will not convince her father to restore his blessing on their union. She wills herself to face the end of her dreams, but sudden danger and an impossible act of generosity will show her that abiding hope can inspire the most precious of miracles . . .

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Molly Jebber is an educational, motivational, and Women’s Christian Connection speaker. She was raised in a small town in the Midwest, and insists if you had blinked twice, you would’ve missed it. She loves God, her family and friends, sunshine, swimming and traveling to the Amish communities.

Creating historical Amish characters and throwing them into difficult situations and joyous times has been challenging and fun for her. The greatest reward she’s experienced in becoming an author is meeting wonderful people from all over the world who’ve been encouraging and supportive. Connect with Molly online at mollyjebber.com.


My thoughts

Grace’s Forgiveness is a sweet, pleasant read, one that fans of Amish fiction will enjoy. Yet in its simplicity, Grace’s Forgiveness deals with shunning, one of the most difficult, hard-to-understand practices of Amish life. Although Grace was introduced in the previous book, Change of Heart, this story stands alone.

The characters seem so true to life that they feel like friends, and I’ve been looking forward to Grace’s story. With elements like midwifery, furniture making, and barn raising, Molly brings the Amish lifestyle to life. But one thing I especially like about this series is the way Molly incorporates some serious issues, like shunning and marrying outside the Amish faith.

Jacob's Ladder quilt

For a people who are supposedly so loving and accepting, their attitude toward Grace because of a birthmark on her face just seemed cruel – and I loved that Mark looked past that disfigurement when he first met her. What a good lesson for all of us! I'm unashamedly a fan of Amish fiction and appreciate the life values we can learn from them. However, the practice of shunning someone who leaves the Amish faith after being baptized – thinking of them as literally dead – that’s something I’ll never be able to understand. Both Grace and Mark had friends or a family member in this situation, and Molly did a good job bringing out the emotion and personal struggles.

I also loved the pocket quilt theme, for in a time where so much communication is done through social media, the idea of a personal note tucked in the pocket for the recipient to find is very appealing. The writing sometimes seems a little stiff or formal, but that didn’t take away from my enjoyment of this sweet story. I suspect that we will see more from two secondary characters, and I look forward to that.

Grace’s Forgiveness is a good book to sit back and relax with. Recommended to all who enjoy Amish fiction.

Thank you to Kensington Publishing and Celebrate Lit for providing an electronic copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

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