A Simple Spring

Title: A SIMPLE SPRING

Author: Rosalind Lauer

Publisher: Ballantine Books

April 2012

ISBN: 978-0345526731

Genre: Amish

A CHANCE TO FOLLOW HER HEART,
A CHOICE THAT WILL LAST A LIFETIME

Although Sadie King is blessed with the voice of an angel, she never thought that following the song in her heart would take her far beyond the strict boundaries of her Amish faith and away from the only home she’s ever known. But during her rumspringa, one road leads to another, and suddenly she’s secretly performing with a band. Now she faces an impossible choice between the music in her heart and the traditions branded upon her soul.

Mike Trueherz is a dedicated young paramedic who finds a kindred spirit in Sadie. Torn between family duty and his desire to pursue a life beyond his father’s rural medical practice, he is inspired by Sadie’s honesty and courage.

While spring unfurls rich colors and bounty through the countryside of Lancaster County, Sadie and Mike must reconcile their families’ expectations with their own callings. Ultimately, their faith in each other and the God that has brought them together will give them the strength and the peace to take a chance—and to make the biggest decision of their lives.

A SIMPLE SPRING is the second book in Ms. Lauer’s Amish series, A Seasons of Lancaster. Readers will want to read the first book, A Simple Winter, first and then look for A Simple Autumn as the books all tie in together.

Sadie is struggling to find her place. It is time to join the church, yet to do so means giving up her music. She is doing things no Amish girl has done before, singing on the stage in bars. Plus she is dating an Englisch man, the leader of the band, although she knows she’ll never want to marry him. Mike is struggling with his choices as well. His parents are pressuring him into the medical field—a position he is born and bred to, but he just isn’t so sure that’s the right choice for him. When these two individuals meet and start becoming friends, it becomes complicated.

As other readers have said, this book is slow. Sadie makes some really bad, childish decisions. And she is argumentive—rebelling against her older brother. Totally realistic, but difficult to read sibling squabbles. I liked Mike. He reminded me a lot of my son. A totally sweet, caring man, that people automatically trust—a great trait for a doctor. Or any other career. If you like Amish fiction, the A SIMPLE SPRING is a good choice. $15.00. 400 pages.