A Joyful Break (Dreams of Plain Daughters, Book One)

A Joyful Break 

(Dreams of Plain Daughters, Book One) 

Paperback – ebook

October 2, 2012

by Diane Craver  (Author)

• Paperback: 280 pages
• Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform 
• ISBN-13: 978-1479372720

After her mother's untimely death, a twenty-year-old Amish woman has a difficult decision to make: Choose to break from her Plain community and her boyfriend to live in the English world permanently...or instead join the Amish church. 

Rachel Hershberger wants to get away from her Amish home in Fields Corner, Ohio. For a year she's been trying to fill her mother's shoes by taking care of her father and siblings. She quit her job at the bakery so she would have more time to clean and cook at home. Before her mother died, Rachel was positive she wanted to marry Samuel Weaver, but now she can't think about wedding plans. She blames her father for her mother's death. If they had installed a phone in their barn or a shanty, her mother might have received medical help in time to save her life. Her mother's death has made Rachel question if she should be baptized and join the church. She wonders if non-Amish women live longer and have less stress. Maybe her forty-four-year old mother would still be alive had she left the Amish lifestyle like her sister Carrie did. 

When her Aunt Carrie invites her to go to the beach, Rachel decides the time away will help her to decide whether to join the Amish church or to live in the English world. She is conflicted because she loves Samuel and her family. Instead of a relaxing time away, several disturbing events happen while Rachel's in Florida. A photographer snaps troublesome pictures of Rachel because of her famous senator uncle, and a handsome and charming college student falls in love with Rachel.

Marilyn's thoughts:  A Joyful Break is a beautiful story surrounding Amish and Englischer characters. I was drawn into this book from the beginning, even though I had read later books in this series. Rachel was realistic in how she felt after losing her mother and harboring feelings against her dad about not having a phone shanty. Going to the beach with her Aunt Carrie and cousins was a perfect break from caring for her dad and siblings. Rachel gained more insight into matters and realized her heart truly was with her loved ones and Samuel. Will a picture cause issues when she returned to Fields Corner? I appreciate Craver weaving the lives of the Amish and Englischer in her books with them being related. I look forward to reading more books by Diane Craver as they become available.

This was a direct purchase from Amazon for the kindle version. A review was not required but I have expressed my own thoughts.