Bonnie is successful in her crafts shop but fears no man will see past her disability to her strong and loving heart. Elijah dreams of leaving the family business to focus on his carvings. Can they find a new path together?
Elijah Miller is a quiet and painfully shy man with a talent for carving the handmade toys and furniture that tourists in the Amish shops love. The large, boisterous Miller family is anything but shy. With a thriving auction business, they want him to do what he hates most: taking the stage and calling the auctions. He loves his family and wants to support them, but will they allow room for Elijah to follow his own dream?
Bonnie Yoder began the Homespun Handicrafts with her friends, Sophia and Carol. Each has a physical disability to overcome but together they prove that wheelchairs and rollators will not stop them from building a business and a craft community. Bonnie, with her chestnut curls and pretty face, yearns for a husband and family of her own but fears her spinal condition will keep any Amish man from choosing a life with her. Can a man like Elijah see past her walker to the woman behind it?
With the support of his beloved dog, Slowpoke, Elijah finds the courage to bring in samples of his handcrafted toys for Bonnie to consider for display in the shop. Through her advice, Elijah begins to see a possible new life doing what he loves best. Bonnie, in reconnecting with this old school friend, fears that the hope for a relationship that she feels may be another disappointment.
Can Elijah and Bonnie help each other find the lives they want and the love they desire?
My Thoughts
With All Her Heart by Kelly Irvin is a heartwarming story about love, acceptance, and faith. We get to learn about the disabilities that affect the Amish because of their limited gene pool. I felt for Bonnie who was struggling with her declining health. She did not want to give up her independence by switching from a rollator to a wheelchair. Bonnie has always wanted a husband and a family, but she did not see how it was feasible. Plus, Bonnie did not wish to be a burden to a husband. I liked the friendship that formed between Bonnie and Elijah. A friendship is a good basis for a romantic relationship.
Bonnie and Elijah were good for each other. Both Bonnie and Elijah must face their fears
and deal with their pride (there are different forms of pride). Like Bonnie, I have trouble asking for
help. There is also a romance between
Bonnie’s mother and a new widower.
Bonnie’s mother is resistant at first.
She does not appreciate her brother’s matchmaking. I especially enjoyed this storyline because
the characters are closer to my age. I
like how faith was woven into the story.
With All Her Heart is the third book (and final) book in the Amish
Calling series. While it can be read as
a standalone, I recommend reading the series in order. With All Her Heart is a touching tale with handcrafted
toys, a special shop, a helpful rollator, social anxiety disorder dilemma,
merry matchmakers, a crafty grandpa, and happy hearts.
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| Rollator with seat & cup holder |
With All Her Heart is available from Amazon. The first two books in the Amish Calling series is The Heart's Bidding and Matter's of the Heart. You can find Kelly Irvin's other books here. If you follow Kelly Irvin on Amazon, they will send you an email when she has a new book release. Thank you for joining me today. I will return on Thursday, January 30 with my thoughts on Order of Swans by Jude Deveraux. My mother and I made a decision regarding our home. A wonderful woman in our community took me around to look at other homes. There was one that I loved. The closet was three times the size of my current one. Everything was updated (I loved it). But (you knew there was one), my mother's room was smaller and so was her closet (which would not be fair to her). So, we are going to stay and get our current place fixed up. We have wonderful neighbors which is another bonus. I believe the cats and ducks are thrilled as well. I do not believe my new neighbor is going to be doing handsprings when she hears the news. She offered me moving boxes the other day (she is not a fan of the ducks and cats). What are you currently reading? I am embarking on Cold Case Murder Mystery by Nicole Helm. I hope that you have a delightful day. Take care and Happy Reading!
The Avid Reader
*I voluntarily read an advanced copy of this book. I am not required to leave a review. The comments and opinions expressed are strictly my own.
