My Amish Story is the story of the last few years of Amish life for the Graber family in the 1990s. It’s about the hurdles of breaking the barriers of centuries, of family circles being broken with no goodbyes, of heartbreak and estrangement, and of the transitions and adjustments to a new way of living. But it is also, and more so, a story of leaving the old and embracing the new, of walking in the blessing of freedom from bondage, and of leaving behind the fear of tomorrow. It is the story of a family living, loving, and laughing their way along the journey of life.

Bestselling fiction author Jerry S. Eicher (nearly half a million books sold) turns his pen to a moving memoir of his life growing up Amish. Jerry’s mother was nineteen years old and nine months married when he was born. She had received Grandfather Stoll’s permission for the wedding because she agreed to help out on the farm the following year. However, with Jerry on the way, those plans failed. Jerry recounts his first two years of school in the Amish community of Aylmer, Ontario and his parents’ decision to move to Honduras. Life in that beautiful Central American country is seen through an Amish boy’s eyes—and then the dark days when the community failed and the family returned to America, much to young Jerry’s regret. Jerry also tells of his struggle as a stutterer and his eventual conversion to Christ and the reasons for his departure from the childhood faith he knew. Here is a must-read for not just Jerry’s fiction fans, but also for readers curious about Amish life.

At age twenty, Saloma Miller left behind her Amish community in Burton, Ohio, and boarded a night train for Vermont, where she knew no one. In this poignant coming-of-age memoir, Saloma’s new life of freedom includes work as a waitress and plans to continue her education. Romance also blossoms with a Yankee toymaker. Soon, however, a vanload of people from her community, including the Amish bishop, arrive to take her back into the fold. Saloma’s freedom comes to an abrupt end when she goes back home to Ohio with them. Thus begins a years-long struggle of feeling torn between two worlds: will she remain Amish and embrace the sense of belonging and community her Amish life offers, or will she return to the newfound freedom she tasted in Vermont? Saloma settles into teaching in an Amish school and does her best to fit back into Amish ways, but a legacy of childhood abuse, struggles with an eating disorder, and questions of identity plague her. Her ties to the outside world remain, mostly through the quiet perseverance of the toymaker from Vermont. He keeps sending her cards, never giving up hope that their love could survive the strain of living in two different worlds. Bonnet Strings by Saloma Miller Furlong offers a universal story of overcoming adversity and a rare look inside an Amish community. Readers of Amish fiction and viewers of the PBS documentaries such as The Amish and The Amish: Shunned will find in it a true story: of woundedness and healing, of doubt and faith, and of the often competing desires for freedom and belonging.

Not sure which Spredemann series to begin reading first? Try each of the first-in-series books! The First-in-Series Amish Romance 8-Book Collection by USA TODAY Bestselling Author Jennifer Spredemann is an unputdownable, must-read collection that brings together unique, captivating love stories set in the peaceful Amish countryside, where faith, love, and heartache collide. With her signature blend of passionate, addictive storytelling, compelling characters, and knowledge of Amish culture, Jennifer Spredemann paints a vivid portrait that will have you feeling like you are a part of the close-knit Amish community. Clear your schedule because you will find yourself eagerly turning the pages, to discover how the stories will come to their memorable conclusions. If you adore clean, heart-touching romances that capture the essence of Amish life, then the First-in-Series Amish Romance 8-Book Collection is an absolute must-read. Prepare to be transported to a world where life is not always perfect and love can sometimes be messy, where faith and hope abound, and love is always the answer. These faith-filled love stories will leave you believing in the power of the God of love and second chances. This exciting collection includes: Joanna's Struggle (Amish Girls Series 1) Englisch on Purpose (Amish by Accident Trilogy 1) An Unforgivable Secret (Amish Secrets 1) Cindy's Story (Amish Fairy Tales 1) An Amish Reward (King Family Saga 1) The Trespasser (Amish Country Brides 1) Unlikely Santa (Unlikely Amish Christmas 1) A Forbidden Amish Courtship (Amish Courtship Series 1)

Fewer than one hundred outsiders have joined the Old-Order Amish--and stayed--since 1950. Marlene C. Miller is one of them. In this rare memoir, Marlene recounts her unhappy and abusive childhood, how she throws herself into cheerleading and marching band, and how she falls in love with Johnny, the gentle young Amish man who helps her lace her ice skates. Against the wishes of both sets of parents, Marlene and Johnny get married and begin a family. Follow the author on this unusual journey to find out how God’s love called her out of bitterness and depression and into the warm embrace of her new Amish community. Accompany her as she dons an Amish dress and prayer covering and gets baptized. Learn how she endures the strain of ten children, a hundred-acre farm, and accidents and tragedy, and find out how she comes close to walking away from it all. Turning Amish has proven to be anything but plain and simple for this former majorette. But nearly fifty years later, Marlene is still living out God’s call as an Old Order Amish woman.

When Ben and Barbara Girod married in 1973, they had no idea their new life together would be one of shared burdens and blessings, lovely dreams and bitter disappointments. Both products of a strict and conservative Amish upbringing, they sought to know Jesus, and they wanted more than the form and tradition of their Amish upbringing. In An Amish Journey to Forgiveness, author Ben Girod tells his remarkable and unusual story of Amish life, reflecting his painstaking social and spiritual journey over many decades. His responsibilities as a bishop and church leader were manifold as he dealt with the predominant and inherent traditions of the Old Order Amish church. A divine encounter with God brought peace and joy to their lives, but this was soon followed by misunderstanding and rejection by family, church members, and leaders, ultimately ending in excommunication from their respective district. Devastated, confused, and unable to understand why this was happening, they turned to the Lord in search of meaning and purpose. An Amish Journey to Forgiveness shares their story as they began to understand that God was allowing such persecution and suffering to draw them closer to Him. It shows how God used Girod to bring about an awareness of the need for healing and reconciliation throughout the body.

Four sweet stories about reuniting with the ones you love. Their True Home by Amy Clipston When Marlene Bawell moved from Bird-in-Hand ten years ago, she was in the deepest of mourning for her mother. Now her family has moved back so her father can seek employment after being laid off. To help save money, Marlene works at the hardware store owned by Rudy Swarey’s father. She knew Rudy growing up and had a secret crush on him, though he never seemed to notice her. But just as a friendship between them begins to blossom, her life is once again turned upside down. Will Marlene ever have a chance to find her own true home? A Reunion of Hearts by Beth Wiseman Ruth and Gideon Beiler experienced one of life’s most tragic events. Unable to get past their grief, the couple abandoned their Amish faith and went in different directions, though neither could bear to formally dissolve the marriage. When their loved ones reach out to them to come home for a family reunion, Ruth has reason to believe that Gideon won’t be there. Gideon also thinks that Ruth has declined the invitation. Family and friends are rooting for them to reunite, but will it all be enough for Ruth and Gideon to get past their grief and recapture a time when they were in love and had a bright future ahead of them? A Chance to Remember by Kathleen Fuller Cevilla Schlabach, Birch Creek’s resident octogenarian matchmaker, is surprised when Richard, a man from her Englisch past, arrives in Birch Creek for a visit. While he and Cevilla take several walks down memory lane, they wonder what the future holds for them at this stage of life—friendship, or the possibility of something else? Mended Hearts by Kelly Irvin At eighteen Hannah Kauffman made a terrible mistake. Her parents and members of her Jamesport Amish community say they’ve forgiven her. But she feels their eyes following her everywhere she goes with eighteen-month-old Evie. Thaddeus, Evie’s father, escaped this fate by running away from Jamesport. Now that Thaddeus is gone, Hannah’s old friend Phillip is stepping up to be by her side. He has waited patiently for Hannah to realize just how much he cares for her. But when Thaddeus returns after two years, Hannah can’t deny the love she feels for him. Does the fact that Phillip has waited patiently for her all this time mean that she owes him something? Can she trust either one of them? Can she trust herself? She has repented and been forgiven by the One who is most important—her heavenly Father. But is she willing to risk making more mistakes by opening herself up to love? Each story in this sweet, contemporary collection can be read as a standalone, but the stories are best enjoyed together. Book length: approximately 100,000 words. Includes discussion questions for book clubs

This murder witness is returning home… With a secret someone wants to bury. With a hit out on her life, Samantha Herndon escapes to the one place she knows she’ll be safe—her Amish grandmother’s empty home. But when a tornado flings her car into Micah King’s field, her plans for solitary refuge end. The Amish bachelor knows the Englischer is trouble, but he’s falling for her anyway. Can Micah keep Samantha alive…and convince her to stay? New York Times bestselling author Lenora Worth From Harlequin Love Inspired Suspense: Courage. Danger. Faith.

Sixteen-year-old Shannon McNamara has exciting plans for the summer, and she can't wait to get to them. Unbeknownst to her, however, her widowed and ailing mother has plans of her own--to relocate them both to the heart of Amish country in Ohio where she has relatives who can look after her. Shannon quickly learns that living a "simple" life is actually a lot of hard work. But when a hot young Amish guy named Ezra enters the picture, she's ready to get an Amish makeover and even consider making it a permanent change. But does Ezra share her attraction? Will Shannon really make the jump into this new way of life? And will it be for the right reasons? Teen favorite Melody Carlson brings fans another sweet story of worlds--and families--colliding, exploring themes important to teen girls through an engaging tale.

Love Inspired Suspense brings you three new titles! Enjoy these suspenseful romances of danger and faith. MISTAKEN IDENTITY Mission: Rescue by Shirlee McCoy When Trinity Miller’s attacked by a man who believes she’s Mason Gains’s girlfriend, the former army pilot turned reclusive prosthetic maker is forced from seclusion to rescue her. But the assailant won’t stop targeting her—unless Mason gives up information on one of his clients. PLAIN SANCTUARY by Alison Stone Running her new Amish community bed-and-breakfast, Heather Miller believes she’s finally safe from her violent ex-husband—until he escapes from prison to come after her. Now her only hope of survival is relying on US Marshal Zach Walker for protection. SECURITY DETAIL Secret Service Agents by Lisa Phillips A mobster is after former president’s daughter Kayla Harris, and she’s not sure why. But undercover Secret Service agent Conner Thorne’s determined to find out…and save her life.