A Collision of Worlds: My Review of An Uncommon Grace by Serena Miller
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| An Uncommon Grace by Serena B. Miller Copyright 2012 Howard Books ISBN: 97814151660302 |
Grace Connor, a military nurse formerly stationed in Afghanistan, hopes that moving to a farm in rural Ohio will help her recover from the ravages of war.
Levi Troyer finds his pacifist beliefs challenged when he discovers his stepfather has been killed and his mother wounded by an unknown intruder. Levi and Grace are thrown together when she comes to his family’s rescue and saves his mother’s life. A deep attraction develops—even though a relationship between them is strictly forbidden.
Levi belongs to the most conservative and isolated of all Amish sects—the Swartzentruber Amish. Even before meeting Grace, Levi had begun to question some of their teachings. He has considered leaving, but knows he will be banned forever from contact with his younger siblings and widowed mother—who need him to survive. He is torn between his love for Grace and his responsibility to his family.
Grace considers leaving her beloved farm and reenlisting rather than continuing to live near the man she loves but cannot have. Levi must confront the Bann if he pursues Grace. And a murderer must be caught. When lifelong allegiances are tested, can love and justice prevail?
My Thoughts:
Having read Serena's historical fiction, The Measure of Katie Calloway, I was interested to see what this author would do with contemporary/Amish fiction and I have to admit that I liked it! While it wasn't the best book I've ever read I found it to be a rather compulsive read and I couldn't stop flipping the pages. When reading this type of book, like all romances, things got rather predictable and I kind of did see the end coming but the characters themselves were very interesting.
You learn something new everyday when you read (which is why I recommend that you all do it). I can definitely say I picked up some tidbits about the Amish that I never knew before including that the Swartzentruber sect is one of the most conservative Amish groups. I don't know about you but I couldn't imagine taking a bath just once a week! I didn't know people still did that in this day and age. I have to say that would definitely make for some interesting neighbors and would affect how "close" you got to a person in all senses of the word.
The author definitely paints a vivid picture of life on a conservative Amish farm as well as life for a modern military nurse suffering from PTSD and physical injuries from her life overseas. Grace Connor felt a pull to return to her career as a military nurse but once she got home to those she loved, things changed. This story wasn't just about Grace and her neighbors but the changes she had to face stateside and within her own family. I especially enjoyed the story of Grace's younger sister, Becky and her friend Owen. I definitely hope we can read more about Becky in the future books of this series. An Uncommon Grace was a good book and I hope the author gives us a little more time with the Troyers and the Conners.
~3.5 stars~
To learn more about the author visit her WEBSITE
*I received my complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for posting my honest thoughts on the book for this review.*
I loved The Measure of Katie Calloway, and I'm so thankful I picked this one up to read, too! Serena's sneaking closer and closer to a place on my favorite author list...her books are great! :o)
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