Every Good Gift by Kelly Irvin

 Every Good Gift

Book Summary

During the most difficult season of her life, how could she know whether their meeting was a gift from God—or another temptation?

Maisy never expected that a Plain girl like her could have her heart stolen by an Englisch boy. But when her rumspringa ends and Maisy realizes she’s pregnant, the reality of their choices—and their differences—sets in.

Maisy knows she will never leave her faith to marry her baby’s father. But she also knows the road to acceptance as an unwed mother in an Amish community will be long and hard. To protect her family from the scandal, she goes to live with her cousin in Haven, Kansas, where she will have some solitude to figure out what kind of future she might have.

In Haven Maisy begins to find her way—thanks in no small part to Joshua Lapp, a Plain man who’s made it clear he isn’t bothered by her situation or ashamed to be seen with her, despite the bishop’s warnings. But Joshua has struggled with his faith ever since the death of his twin brother, leaving Maisy to wonder: How can two people who are so lost ever help each other discover Gott’s plans for their future? 

My Thoughts

Every Good Gift by Kelly Irvin is the third novel in the Amish Blessings series.  It can be read as a standalone for those new to the series.  I was eager to read this story (I moved it ahead of other books on my TBR list).  I like Kelly Irvin’s writing style.  It is friendly and engaging.  I was easily drawn into the story.  Maisy Glick is on her rumspringa and has an English boyfriend.  When Maisy discovers she is pregnant, she makes a decision.   Maisy does not want her family to be embarrassed by her actions.  She departs for Haven, Kansas to stay with her cousin.  Joshua Lapp is at the bus station sending his family off on their trip.  He sees an exhausted Maisy and offers her transportation to her cousin’s farm.  Joshua is not a baptized member of the church despite being in his early twenties.  Joshua misses his twin brother who died when they were twelve.  He is angry at God and does not understand how God can allow a child to die.  Joshua befriends Maisy despite warnings from the bishop.   Maisy has some tough decisions to make.  What does God have in store for these two lost souls?  

Every Good Gift is a touching story.  I thought the characters were realistic and relatable.  The author did a wonderful job of describing the emotions the characters were feeling.  Maisy and Joshua learn some valuable life lessons.  Maisy needs to find a way to forgive herself so she can move forward while Joshua needs to let go of his grief and anger towards God.  I like that we are reminded that “Every one of us has sinned and fallen short of the glory of Gott.”  We only have to seek forgiveness and He will give it.   I was sorry when Every Good Gift came to an end.  I enjoyed getting to know the characters and going on their journey with them.   I like that we get to catch up with the characters from Love’s Dwelling and The Warmth of Sunshine.  Every Good Gift is a story about love, compassion, faith, family, forgiveness, and hope.  

Every Good Gift is available from Amazon*.  The first two books in the Amish Blessings series are Love's Dwelling and The Warmth of Sunshine.  You can find Kelly Irvin's other novels here.  Kelly Irvin has The Heart's Bidding coming out on August 1.  It is the debut of the Amish Calling series.  Thank you for stopping by today.  On Tuesday, February 14 I will share my thoughts on The Beekeeper's Bride by Mollie Cox Bryan.  It is the first novel in The Shenandoah Heart series.  I hope that you have an enjoyable weekend.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader 

*This post contains affiliate links.  As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

The Warmth of Sunshine by Kelly Irvin

 The Warmth of Sunshine

Book Summary

Abigail’s Amish life has always followed a certain path . . . until an Englisch woman disrupts all she’s known to be true.

Growing up Amish, Abigail Bontrager often felt like a square peg in a round hole. Her pie crusts always turned out tough. Her stitches always ran crooked. She was clumsy. Not ideal for an aspiring Amish wife and mother, but her faith and love of her family, which are so much more important, are solid. Plus, her relationship with the attractive and kindhearted Owen Kurtz is moving in the right direction.

Owen is part dreamer, part entrepreneur. His friendship with Abigail has gradually blossomed into a sweet and loving courtship. Inspired by the hope of a future with the girl of his dreams, he decides to take the next step in building a business of his own—in the promising new industry of growing sunflowers.

When an outsider claiming to be Abigail’s birth mother abruptly enters her life, Abigail’s world comes crashing down. Confused and upset, she is determined to discover who she really is. Her journey of discovery leads to the possibilities of a new life waiting for her in the Englisch world. But is this new life really worth giving up everything and everyone she’s known? How can Abigail and Owen follow their hearts—and God’s plan—when these new paths now lead them into the unknown?

In this second book in the Amish Blessings series, bestselling and award-winning romance novelist Kelly Irvin shares an inspiring story of following your heart while trusting God to lead you into your future.

My Thoughts

The Warmth of Sunshine by Kelly Irvin is a touching Amish tale.  Abigail Bontrager has her life turned upside down when she learns that she was adopted.  Her birth mother, Heather shows up at the family farm wanting to get to know Abigail. Abigail is confused and no longer knows who she is.  Abigail decides to visit her birth mother and siblings in Abilene to see if it can provide clarity.  Abigail hopes that God will lead her down the right path.  I thought The Warmth of Sunshine was well-written with developed characters.  I like Kelly Irvin’s engaging writing style.  I was drawn into the story and just wanted to keep reading.  I cannot imagine what Abigail was feeling after discovering that she was adopted.  She has always felt like she did not fit in since she struggles to accomplish the normal female tasks (cooking, baking, etc.).    Abigail’s cookies could break a tooth.  I thought the author did a wonderful job at portraying Abigail’s emotional and her mental state after this revelation.  

We also meet Owen who has been courting Abigail.  He works for his father’s metal shed construction company, but Owen prefers farming.  He wants to grow sunflowers as a cash crop on his father’s land, but Owen’s father is not keen on the idea.  When Abigail departs for Abilene, Owen is left wondering if she will return to Haven.  Owen’s father is also courting a local widow.  It looks like he will be proposing soon which means a new stepmother and five new siblings.  The story is told from Abigail and Owen’s point-of-view in alternating chapters.  I found the pacing to be a little on the slow side as Abigail decides what to do and then visits her birth mother.  There are good life lessons in the story.  Everything happens for a reason.  God has a plan that will unfold according to His schedule (not ours). The Warmth of Sunshine is a story about hope, love, family, friendship, and faith.  It is the second book in the Amish Blessings series, but it can be read as a standalone.  The Warmth of Sunshine is a poignant Amish tale with an unexpected announcement, baffling feelings, bewildering birth family, crop conundrum, displeased parents, and a gracious God.

The Warmth of Sunshine is available from Amazon*.  The first book in the Amish Blessings series is Love's Dwelling.  Every Good Gift will be the third book in the Amish Blessings series and it will be out February 7, 2023. You can find Kelly Irvin's other novels here.  Thank you so much for visiting today.  I will be back tomorrow with Listen to Me by Tess Gerritsen.  It is 13th novel in the Rizzoli & Isles series.  I hope that you have cheery day.  Take care, stay cool (it is so hot), and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader 

*This post contains affiliate links.  As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Love's Dwelling by Kelly Irvin

 Love's Dwelling

Book Summary

Cassie Yoder loves her job as a housekeeper for elderly couple Job and Dinah Keim. Their only children, a son and daughter, left the Haven, Kansas, district and their faith more than twenty years earlier with no contact. Cassie feels for the Keims because her own parents’ infertility struggles left her an only child in a community where big families are a blessing.

When Child Protective Services shows up on the Keims’ doorstep with their five grandchildren, their quiet lives—and Cassie’s—are turned upside down. Mason, the oldest grandson at twenty-two, believes his siblings should be his responsibility and struggles with giving the Keims authority.

Moving in with the Keims, Cassie jumps in with both feet and is happy for the challenge of caring for these English-raised children.

Mason and Cassie strike up an uneasy alliance that turns into friendship, and then something more, but neither dares to admit it. Can an English man and an Amish woman find common ground and a home together? 

My Thoughts

Love’s Dwelling by Kelly Irvin is a poignant novel.  This is a book that I stayed up late reading (you should have seen me trying to read while I made dinner and did the dishes).  It is so much more than an Amish romance novel which I loved.  I thought Love’s Dwelling was well-written with developed characters. We go to Yoder, Kansas where Cassie Weaver works for Dinah and Job Keim as their housekeeper.  They are shocked when a social worker arrives with five young kids along with a man in his 20s.  It turns out that their daughter who left twenty-three years ago has passed away and left guardianship of her children to them.  Her oldest son, Mason Keim (22) does not want to lose contact with his half siblings.  Cassie offers to move in to help with the kids since Dinah has health issues.  Cassie quickly falls in love with the kids.  Mason finds Cassie easy to talk to and they become friends.  Mason wants to learn more about his heritage and how his siblings will be raised.  The more Mason learns, the more he finds it appealing.  But Mason is unsure if he could transition from his Englisch lifestyle.  He finds himself falling for Cassie, but, as Mason has been warned, love is not a reason to become Amish.  What path will Mason take?  Love’s Dwelling is an emotional novel as the Keim’s grandchildren adjust to their new life.  These kids have not had the easiest life and they have just lost their mother.   They are being taken away from everything that is familiar.  Little Jennie, the Keim’s youngest grandchild, is the show stealer.  She is a cutie.  Family, forgiveness, acceptance, and faith are the central themes of Love’s Dwelling.   Learning to deal with regrets is another issue addressed.  I like that the Amish do not force their beliefs on the kids or Mason.  They live by example.  You also get to see the differences between the Amish and the Englisch (besides the obvious).  The ending nicely wrapped up the story.   I am eager for the next book in the Amish Blessings series.  Love’s Dwelling is a touching Amish tale with grief-stricken grandchildren, a helpful housekeeper, debilitating diabetes, a searching sibling, grateful grandparents, and scrumptious cake. 

Love's Dwelling can be purchased from Amazon*.  You can find Kelly Irvin's other novels here.  Thank you so much for stopping by today and reading my review.  I will return on Monday with A Pumpkin Spice Killing by Lynn Cahoon.  It is the latest A Farm-to-Fork Mystery.  I hope you have a relaxing weekend.  Take care, be kind, and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader 

*This post contains affiliate links.  As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.