Monday, December 1, 2008

Wanted-Shelley Shepard Gray

Wanted
Shelley Shepard Gray
Avon, Jan 6 2009, $12.95
ISBN: 9780061474460

Growing up in her parents’ owned Amish Brenneman Bed and Breakfast and recently watching her older brother fall in love with her outsider friend (see HIDDEN), twenty years old Katie Brennerman dreams of Jonathan Lundy. She has loved him forever even more so after she left the Amish community for a while, but did nothing except hide her regard as he was married with two kids. When his wife dies, a grieving Jonathan asks Katie to help care for his daughters. She accepts although she initially thought he might be proposing, but quickly realizes he is talking about a nanny position.

Still this gives Katie hope that one day Jonathan will return what has always been her one sided love. However, when Katie receives a letter that reminds her of her Rumspringa days of doing things her people forbid and still shames her, she fears how her beloved and her Amish family will react if the truth is revealed. She prays to God for guidance though she also knows her prayers to gain Jonathan’s love has gone unanswered.

The second Sisters of the Heart Amish romance is an engaging contemporary tale starring two fully developed flawed individuals and a strong support cast. The story line is driven by Katie who prays that Jonathan loves her back while also hiding from him and her family things she did that she is now abashed when she thinks of them. With plenty of good inspirational commentary interwoven into the fine plot, WANTED is a strong tale although the ending feels rushed and shortened.

Harriet Klausner

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