The Amish Bride of Ice Mountain

The Amish Bride of Ice Mountain by Kelly Long is a sweet Amish romance.  It is different from other Amish books on the market.  It is set in Ice Mountain, Pennsylvania where a group of Amish live without running water and indoor bathrooms (their moral compose is stuck in the 1800’s).  Jude Lyons is an associate professor from Atlanta that has spent the summer learning about the Amish of Ice Mountain.  He is planning to write a book.  Jude is engaged to Carol, but has grown close to Mary King.  Mary is only eighteen years old, but she is attracted to Jude.  One day Jude kisses Mary and unbeknownst to Jude, they are seen by Mary’s brother, Joseph.  Joseph reports the kissing incident to Abner King, their father.  Abner gets the Bishop and insists that Mary and Jude be married immediately (for kissing).  Jude is reluctant to marry.  He has a fiancé back home, but he is attracted to Mary.  Abner states that Jude can either marry his daughter or all his research notes will go up in flames.  Jude agrees to marry Mary.  Jude thinks that after a couple of months he can get an annulment and send Mary back to her family.  Jude does not know that annulment is not an option for the Amish.

Jude leaves the mountain the next day with his new bride.  They travel to his parent’s home in Atlanta, Georgia.  It is different from anything that Mary has ever seen.  Jude’s parents do not welcome them with open arms.  Jude’s father wants Jude to give up his Amish studies and teaching and join his firm.  He also seems to have a deep resentment towards Jude.  Jude’s mother is a socialite and likes to talk.  Unfortunately, Carol (Jude’s fiancé) is staying with them.  She is determined to get rid of Mary.  The one welcoming person is Jude’s grandfather.  He is a loving man who welcomes Mary into the family.

When Mary finds some of Jude’s notes about using her as a research project, Mary flees for home.  After a devastating loss and betrayal by his father, Jude goes to Ice Mountain.  He will have to decide what he wants in life.  Can he make his marriage to Mary work?

The Amish Bride of Ice Mountain is a lovely and sweet story (and currently on sale for $1.99 on Amazon).  The book is easy to read.  I give The Amish Bride of Ice Mountain 4.5 out of 5 stars.  There are some good points in the book, but it can be a little preachy at times.  It is overall a good book with some interesting characters (I like how Mary is naïve but insightful.  She can see the heart of a person).  I look forward to reading the next book in the series. 

The  next book in the series is The Amish Man of Ice Mountain.  It will be out on April 28, 2015!  

Thank you for reading my review!  Have a great evening and Happy Reading!

Kris