Patricia Davids

The Amish Teacher’s Dilemma by Patricia Davids is a delightful story. I was hooked from the very beginning and did not want to put it down. Eva Coblentz cared for her grandparents until they passed away. She saw the ad looking for an Amish teacher for the newly constructed New Covenant Amish school. Eva feels fortunate that the position comes with housing and a place for her to store her vast collection of books. Willis Gingrich, the town’s blacksmith, has his business and house across show more from the school and he is now responsible for his three younger step-siblings. They are a handful, and Willis wonders if he is doing what is best for the children. Eva wants to assist the Gingrich’s become a family and a help the children deal with the loss of their parents. As time passes, Eva finds herself falling for Willis. Willis feels the same way, but he has a secret that makes him feel he is unworthy of Eva. Then Eva receives a letter from her older brother, Gene telling her to return home. Gene’s mother-in-law had a stroke and needs someone to take care of her. Eva does not want to give up the new life she has built in New Covenant. Will Eva stay or will she return to her old life? There are some great characters in The Amish Teacher’s Dilemma. Eva is thirty years old and getting to have her own life for the first time. She moved from Arthur, Illinois take the position in Maine. Eva has never taught before, but she loves to read which she wants to pass along to her students. She has lived with her older brother, Gene since she was fifteen. She took care of Gene’s household because his wife was busy with their children and Eva nursed their grandparents until they passed. Eva is a kind, compassionate woman who is looking forward to her new life. Willis Gingrich is a blacksmith who can make beautiful items with iron. His father and stepmother passed away leaving Willis to care for his three siblings (two boys and a girl). Willis is the strong, silent type who is does not like to ask for help. The three children are a handful (Harley, Otto and Maddie). Maddie was my favorite. She has an imaginary friend, Bubble who gets her into all types of situations. I laughed often while reading The Amish Teacher’s Dilemma. Maddie is a precocious child who will keep Willis and Eva on their toes. Danny, Eva’s younger brother, comes to visit. I like Danny and I hope he gets his own book (I like where his story was heading). I did not think it was fair of Gene to expect Eva to give up her new job and home to return to a life of drudgery. There were some important themes in the story which included the importance of prayer, pride can be your downfall, and the importance of learning to read. The author provided good information on dyslexia. It is a shame that students who struggle are picked on and criticized by students, teachers and parents. I liked the community of New Covenant where people came together to help those in need (Amish and English). The Amish Teacher’s Dilemma was an engaging story that ended much too soon for me. The Amish Teacher’s Dilemma is an appealing Amish tale with an inventive imaginary friend, a clever canine, a new school, a caring community, and a difficult decision. show less

“Shelter from the Storm” presents a deviation from the usual Amish fiction novels I have read. The author makes a difference by presenting a moral dilemma that I have not found in other Amish fiction.

The main character, Gemma, returns home to her parents in Maine after a time in Florida on her own. However, Gemma brings with her a secret; she is expecting a baby and is unmarried.

The plot begins with a snowstorm, in which Gemma and her companion Jesse, a friend from her past, become show more stranded in an abandoned cabin. After they are rescued and return to the community, the action moves forward quickly. Gemma has to deal not only with her parents and their disappointment of her actions. She is also faced with the censure of the Amish community. Due to complications with her pregnancy, Gemma fears for the safety of her unborn baby. The plot and suspense build throughout these situations, drawing the reader into the story. I encountered many heart-stopping moments in this novel, and was near to tears often during the roller coaster ride of infant health issues and family fears.

I appreciated the author’s ability to portray sensitive topics in a realistic way. The details about caring for a premature infant were described in a straightforward manner. This novel shows that all people make bad decisions, no one is perfect. People from all segments of society have problems to deal with. Sometimes, only faith will carry one through the difficulties of life. I highly recommend this novel to any reader who enjoys Amish fiction. show less

This had a well-constructed plot, engaging the reader from the get-go with the tough spot Katie’s in, basically alone in the world with a newborn, little experience with the outside world and her Amish community not entirely open to her return. There’s solid conflict for Katie over whether to come back to Amish life or not, and the father of her baby being an outsider adds another layer of interest.

I thought the romance was a well done example of how you can have a chaste scenario and show more still convey chemistry. I also appreciated that Elam waits for Katie to make up her own mind on her own terms, he’s not pressuring her back into their religion, he gives her the space to make her own decision.

I also liked that Elam and his mother step in to help Katie even though walking away from Amish life and having a baby out of wedlock do not align with their faith.

I realize it’s an aspect of their faith, still I did struggle with Elam, Katie, and others for how okay they are with shunning people for differing beliefs, shunning a woman for wanting more than an eighth grade education, etc., (this mentions a family that stays in touch with those who left the faith, for the most part though, shunning is the way here). I also didn’t love the notion in the title and in the story that Katie needs redemption when to me, her brother and her ex-boyfriend were far more in need of self-improvement for how they mistreated her.

Since I’m not a religious person, I go into novels like this aware that some content may not mesh well with my sensibilities, my issues with this novel were mostly just a me thing, I’m never going to be on board with icing someone out of your life because they dared to march to their own drum, fortunately though that was just a small part of this story and not the whole thing. show less

Good combination of a second chance romance with an enemies-to-lovers story. Gemma and Jesse have an awkward history. Eighteen months earlier Gemma had made a pest of herself, flirting with Jesse and following him everywhere. Envious of her married friends, she chose Jesse as the most likely candidate for her husband. Jesse wasn't interested. Eight years older than Gemma, with a difficult past, Jesse saw her as spoiled. When Gemma took the untraditional route of suggesting marriage to him, show more Jesse's response wasn't kind, and Gemma retaliated with harsh words of her own. She then left for Florida, looking for something different than her life in Maine. Now Gemma has returned to Maine with her tail between her legs. The man she thought she loved deserted her when he found out she was pregnant. She heads for home, hoping for understanding and acceptance from her parents, but fearing the worst.

I liked both Jesse and Gemma. Jesse hasn't had an easy life and has a chip on his shoulder because of it. Son of a single mother and a big man, he was bullied through most of his childhood. He tends to be something of a recluse, doesn't talk much, and is insecure about his intelligence. Jesse is also a good man with a kind heart. When he encounters Gemma, stranded and broke, he gets her a motel room and offers her a ride home. He hasn't forgotten the things she said, but he has other things on his mind - namely an auction for some land he wants. Gemma is a changed woman. The spoiled girl who left for Florida has been replaced by one who has learned some hard lessons. Jesse's help makes her remember how horrible she was to him and adds to the stress she feels. Her mind is consumed by thoughts of the future and decisions she has to make.

The trip home doesn't go as expected. A blizzard and a wrecked truck strand them in an isolated area as their driver goes for help. Things are awkward at first as the mistakes of the past come between them. I liked that Gemma made the first overtures by apologizing, though Jesse was a little slow to believe. As the danger of their situation increased, I loved how Jesse stayed cool and calm, eventually taking action to keep them safe. I liked how the forced togetherness gave them the opportunity to clear the air and begin to really get to know each other. I loved how Jesse appreciated Gemma's outspokenness and she his somewhat dry sense of humor. Their teasing was fun to see, especially the parts about tree bark and cattails. Rescue, when it came, brought surprise revelations and changes.

I ached for Gemma and her fears for her future. Her arrival home was painful as she confessed what had happened. Reactions were mixed and left her wondering about the right thing to do. Jesse had decisions to make, as well. He was surprised by his continuing concern for Gemma and confused about what to do. He surprised me with his reaction to her father's offer, and then his offer to Gemma. Both of them struggled with their feelings and their reluctance to tell the other about them. A medical emergency forced them each to face those feelings. Jesse melted my heart with his actions and his overwhelming feelings of love and protectiveness. Gemma's strength and determination were fantastic. I loved seeing how Hope brought them together and ached at how their insecurities preyed on their fears. It took the advice from good friends to help them past those final obstacles. I loved Jesse's big moment at the end. I would have liked an epilogue, but hopefully, they will make appearances in later books. show less