Carrie Lighte

I scoured our library's catalog for needlework-related books and found this one. Lucy Knepp who is a quiet Amish maidel spends her time embroidering. She makes things intended for the Pennsylvania Amish tourist market. Her big side project is a piece she plans to donate to an auction fundraising event for the soup kitchen where she volunteers. Nick Burkholder, still on his rumspringa, needs an excuse to spend time away from home as he covers up the fire damage his brother caused at a cabin. Nick plans to renovate it before the family uses it at Christmas, but his parents do not need the added stress of knowing his brother caused such damage. Nick comes up with a plan where he will pretend to be dating Lucy. It works to both their advantage because it allows Lucy to tuck herself into a quiet corner of the library to stitch without interruption on the fundraiser while providing Nick a cover for being gone so much. Although they don't try to overdo their excuses, word gets around they are seeing each other. Only the two of them know it is a pretense. Inevitably the two find they really do care for each other and it's not a pretense, but some assumptions and lack of being completely honest with one another threaten the relationship. I enjoyed this predictable story because it had a bit of a twist to it. I found myself wishing I could see Lucy's embroidery!… (mer)

A Path to Forgiveness contains the re-release of Hiding Her Amish Secret by Carrie Lighte and A Widow’s Hope by Vannetta Chapman. I enjoyed both books. I find them well-written with engaging, realistic characters. Hiding Her Amish Secret by Carrie Lighte has Arleta Bontrager convinced that no man will want to marry her when they learn her shameful secret. During her rumspringa, Arleta had fallen in love with a man and planned to go Englisch. She got a small tattoo of a heart on her foot that includes his initials. The man soon dumped her and now Arleta is left with a permanent reminder. Arleta takes a job caring for Sovilla, Noah Lehman’s grandmother for the summer. The money she earns will pay for her to get the tattoo removed. Noah lost his parents and siblings in a fire. He feels guilty because he was out with his girlfriend that evening and ended up coming home late. If Noah had arrived home sooner, he feels he could have saved his loved ones. He now believes that he does not deserve to marry. Sovilla wants to see her grandson happily wed and decides to play matchmaker. It is a sweet story about two people who need to find forgiveness and move forward with their lives. There is repetition of certain details (the guilt over the tattoo, the fire, guilt over not being there for his family). I like the characters and the life lessons. They need to see that honesty is the best policy. A Widow’s Hope by Vannetta Chapman is the first novel in the Indiana Amish Brides series. Each book in the series can be read on its own. We get to follow Hannah King and Jacob Schrock in Goshen, Indiana. Hannah King lost her husband in a farming accident that also confined her four-year-old son to a wheelchair. Hannah has moved back in with her parents, but she does not like adding to their expenses. She knows that money is tight for her family and they are at risk of losing their farm. Hannah wants to find job to help save the family farm. She feels fortunate when Jacob offers her a position. Jacob is disfigured after arriving home one day to find the family home on fire. He struggled to save his parents. Jacob feels the scars are the cost of his failure to save them. Jacob is going to be audited by the IRS. He needs Hannah to make sense of his business paperwork. Neither Hannah nor Jacob is open to a relationship, but God may have different plans for them. I enjoyed this heartwarming, emotional story. I loved the characters and their stories. I like Vannetta Chapman’s writing style. I was pulled into the story. Reading one of the author’s stories is like visiting with friends. A Widow’s Hope is a story about family, faith, love, and forgiveness. I like that we get to see how the community pulls together to help those in need. The path to happiness and love is never easy, but it is worth it in the end. A Widow’s Hope is an emotional story that tugs on your heartstrings. A Path to Forgiveness was a delightful way to spend a rainy afternoon. A Path to Forgiveness contains two touching Amish novels with mouthwatering bumbleberry pie, a terrible tattoo, a horrible loss, a matchmaking groossmammi, pleasurable playhouse, a sorrowful widow, and a lasting love.… (mer)

This book is a compilation of 2 previously released books. The books are well written and enjoyable reading. In Carrie Lighte's book, Arleta is certain that marriage is not in the future for her. She has a secret that will cause no one to want her, she is certain. The story is also about Noah and he too, has a troubled heart due to what he feels he should have done differently preventing serious and tragic consequences. Both need to find a way forward.

I could hardly wait to read this book by Vannetta Chapman. It was really good. I enjoyed how two hurting people were able to help each other both physically and emotionally.

It also is a good example of the care and love of people who are in need. It's about family caring for one another and help from God as well as trust in Him.

I recommend this book! It was so good!… (mer)

I really enjoyed this sweet story of Anke and her non-Amish nephew. I loved Anke's loving character and her patience. She was a great example to everyone, even the difficult characters. It was sad how the community was not willing to welcome her nephew and made it very hard to have little Will feel a part of both the family and the community.
I enjoyed the character of Josiah and how he was the only one that was willing to help in the situation that Anke found herself in. I felt so strongly in favor of Anke and what she was doing to help her sister and nephew. She was a strong person in the book and you can't help but cheer her on.

Great family story. So glad I purchased this last month!… (mer)