Marta Perry

When I chose The Wedding Quilt Bride by Marta Perry to kick off my Amish August series, I assumed that the book would be based on the typical idyllic Amish romance, but I was wrong! This book has a depth that I wasn't expecting, but quickly captured my heart, and seen as this is also the first book I have read by Marta Perry, but it quickly made me a fan for life.

Rebecca Mast had returned to Lost Creek with her son Lige (Elijah) after her husband died, but Rebecca was not the same young show more women she was when she left Lost Creek, she was determined to do everything on her own, without anyone making choices for her or her son, even if they are well-meaning, like her old childhood friend Daniel King.

But as you continue to read The Wedding Quilt Bride you'll learn all about Rebecca and Daniel's childhood friendship with the little flashbacks the author includes, which manages to make the story more full, you also learn about Rebecca and Lige's life in Ohio and see those who have gone through so much, learn to trust again.

The Wedding Quilt Bride is a wonderful story about finding your voice, your self-confidence, and trust in others. I found it was very well written and the story well paced, with depth and accuracy, which is why I give it 5 stars. show less

It's more of a story about "outsiders" within an Amish/Mennonite community. Both main characters have familial ties to the Amish but for various reasons choose to live a more contemporary lifestyle than the Amish do. Fiona is a midwife, who expects much of her practice to eventually be from the Amish community. Ted is a lawman. Fiona's mother was Amish, but she left the community during her rumpschpringa to marry a non-Amish man. She never contacted her family and died giving birth to Fiona. show more Ted grew up Amish but left before joining the church.

I liked that there was some good information on the "shunning" process within the Amish community. Shunning isn't used for those who aren't members of the Amish church. Fiona assumed her mother was shunned by her relatives--instead it was that her mother never communicated with them so they didn't know what had happened to her. Though, honestly, at one point, it did seem like her mother's relatives were giving her a type of shunning (at the auction).

I couldn't quite figure out Fiona. She seems to try to hide or not be noticed. I don't know if that stemmed from her years in the foster care system or her years with her father, second wife, and their family. I can understand not wanting to get an innocent person in trouble, but she almost seems like she doesn't want to stop the vandalism that's happening around her new hometown.

I think I'd have given up on Ted long before she did--but love can do strange things to a person. show less

Amish Secrets by Marta Perry is the third book in the River Haven series. It can be read as a standalone for those new to the series or if you missed a book. I do wish that we could have seen or received updates on the characters from the previous two books. I thought Amish Secrets was well-written with developed characters. I liked the storyline that contained mystery, suspense, and romance. The characters were developed and realistic. I enjoyed the feisty Geraldine Withers. She needed to show more be to put up with her family. Holly, Geraldine’s great-niece, added lightness and humor to the story. I believe she will grow up to be like Geraldine. The mystery was interesting. There were a variety of suspects who could be behind the misdeeds. I did feel that there some unanswered questions at the end that I would have liked resolve, but I did enjoy reading Amish Secrets. I stayed up late to finish because I wanted to see if I correctly identified the evildoer. Amish Secrets has a good ending. Amish Secrets is an intriguing and suspenseful tale with irregular incidents, a troubled tween, an unfriendly family, missing memories, and romantic reflections. show less

A Springtime Heart by Marta Perry is the 2nd A Promise Glen Novel. It can be read as a standalone. I thought A Springtime Heart was well-written with realistic characters and a lovely setting. I enjoyed returning to Promise Glen, Pennsylvania. I was happy to see Sarah Yoder Raber from A Christmas Home in this story. We get a chance to see how she is doing since she married and became a mother to Noah Raber’s twin boys. I liked the characters in this story. I thought they were realistic show more with their own insecurities and foibles. There is humor sprinkled throughout mostly from the children’s antics. There are side stories in A Springtime Heart that add complexity and depth to the book. Dorcas’ sister-in-law, Betsy is a new mother living with her in-laws. She has a Martha Stewart type mother (who seems to do everything and does it well) which has caused Betsy’s insecurities. Someone is out to shut down the Orchard Hill Amish school and Dorcas wants to find a way to stop it. She loves teaching and does not want the community to lose its school. Gossip is spreading fast through their community. The latest tidbit could cost Dorcas her job and reputation. There is also a slowly blossoming romance if only one of the parties will stay in town. I enjoyed reading A Springtime Heart. It is a sweet and charming Amish story. I hope we get more books set in Promise Glen. A Springtime Heart is a pleasant Amish tale with growing gossip, shadowy secrets, blooming blossoms, required repairs, a thorny romance, and springtime zeal. show less