Abby Finds Her Calling by Naomi King

Bad enough that Zanna abandoned James Graber and disgraced her family on her wedding day: older sister Abby Lambright is the one Zanna returns to, to reveal she’s pregnant. As speculation whirls around Cedar Creek, Zanna confesses and is shunned, yet refuses to reveal the identity of her child’s father. She spends her time at Abby’s little house making rag rugs, until finally—when Adah Ropp insists on knowing who disgraced Zanna, the Lambright family, as well as James and the Graber family–Zanna reveals that Adah’s own son, rebellious Jonny Ropp, is to blame. She can’t possibly marry Jonny because he’s left his family rather than be baptized into the Amish faith—not that he’ll ever settle down and marry anyone.

ABBY FINDS HER CALLING as she guides her sister through some tough times while convincing her family—and even the bishop—that because Zanna truly loves this baby, she should keep it rather than giving it up for adoption. Meanwhile, because Abby has always been in love with James (who is oblivious to the torch she carries) she tries to soothe his emotional wounds as he watches the young woman he was to marry swell with Jonny Ropp’s child.

When disaster strikes, however, and the Ropp home burns to the ground in December, the folks in Cedar Creek put forgiveness into action . . . and even Jonny is changed by the power of this love! This time Zanna shows up for her wedding, with baby Harley charming all who meet him—and their ceremony sets the stage for the second book of the Home at Cedar Creek series, due out in October, 2012.

About the Author:

Drawing upon her experiences in Jamesport, the largest Old Order Amish community west of the Mississippi, longtime Missourian Naomi King writes of simpler times and a faith-based lifestyle in her new Home at Cedar Creek series. Like her series heroine, Abby Lambright, Naomi considers it her personal mission to be a listener—to heal broken hearts and wounded souls—and to share her hearth and home. Faith and family, farming and frugality are hallmarks of her lifestyle: like Abby, she made her wedding dress and the one her mom wore, too! She’s a deacon, a dedicated church musician and choir member, and when she’s not writing, she loves to travel, try new recipes, crochet, and sew. Naomi now lives in Minnesota with her husband and their border collie, Ramona.

To find out more about Naomi or her work please visit http://www.naomikingauthor.com.

My Thoughts:

I absolutely adored this book and I highly recommend it to everyone!  I am really getting into the Amish historical novels and this was a great way to kick off a new string of them for me.  This is the first novel in the Home at Cedar Creek series and I am definitely looking forward to more in the series and from this author.

The characters definitely make this novel - they are well-developed, fluid, and really draw readers in.  I loved following them through their trials and tribulations and while it was quite a different life than I am used to I found it refreshing and the author really does do a great job illustrating the beauty of the Amish way of like.  At times, I found myself envious of their way of life!

Naomi is a one-of-a-kind writer, one who draws you in and keeps you invested in the characters and their story.  I love how she incorporated the verses into the text and as a Christian I really appreciated these references.

I highly recommend this author and novel to you - you won't be disappointed and I am fast becoming a long-term fan!