Forgiven (Sisters of the Heart, Book 3) (Sisters of the Heart, 3)

This is the last book of the series. I enjoyed this story. It kept my interest, loved all the story lines, and didn't want it to end. Just a really sweet book. I am anxious to read the next series by Shelley Shepard Gray - and have already preordered the first book. Well worth the purchase.

This is a very good book and I would recommend to anyone who enjoys reading about amish.

I've been a big fan of the books in the Sisters of the Heart series since I picked up book one. For some reason, they read differently from other Amish books. It's fresh and light, yet takes into account realistic views of both the Amish and English world. I think what I like best is that there are those who do get a taste of the outside world but their decision to choose the Amish lifestyle is not forced or fake. I've read other books where the choice seemed to put the Amish world as a paradise or utopia as opposed to the sinful worldliness of mainstream America. These books put a refreshing spin on that topic and I applaud them for it. In this story the focus is on Winnie, the sister of Jonathan and sister in law of Katie. From the last book in the series, we learn that she has just gotten over a failed courtship and is attempting to move on. Unfortunately she's been severely limited due to being injured from a fire at Jonathan's farm. Therefore Sam, a university professor who left the Amish years ago, comes to her rescue and offers to take care of her while she's ailing. I really liked Sam and it was fun seeing him in both of his conflicting worlds. He fits comfortably in both, which is a nice change from seeing an Amish person so out of place in the English world. I really liked the chemistry between the two of them and it was realistic enough to understand how if affected Sam's final decision. I was also pleased with the conditions of his decision as it was realistic, again with small details that other books fail to mention. There are two other story lines that are taking place in addition to Winnie's and Sam's relationship. Jonathan is trying to find out who set fire to his barn and struggles with forgiving that person. It's understandable about his anger because his entire family could have been killed and the guilty party still won't fess up to the crime. Also taking place in the background is the upcoming wedding between Anna and Henry. I really liked seeing this even take place as it ties together the entire series and brings it around full circle. I really have enjoyed reading this series and I think it's one of the best Amish series that's out there currently. I'm going to be looking forward to the next series by Shelley when it comes out later this year.

A sudden fire destroys the Lundy barn, leaving Winnie in the hospital with injuries. A chance encounter with Englisher Samuel Miller, a former member of the Amish community, brings friendship to Winnie while separated from her family and community of faith. Samuel left the community when he was young to pursue a university education and honor the natural gifts given to him by God. As their friendship deepens, Winnie and Samuel must face the challenges to their love and faith, particularly as each lives in such a different world. When the fire inspectors discover that a stray cigarette started the fire, her brother Jonathan knows he should forgive and yet he feels he needs to know who started the fire and why. Can he figure out the answer but more importantly, how will God act in the lives of those who dare to forgive and those who dare ask to be forgiven? In FORGIVEN, the third in the Sisters of the Heart inspirational romances, Shelley Shepard Gray creates a multidimensional story of forgiveness within a Christian community. Gossip and honest searching to live a faithful life, teenage adolescence and fear all provide tensions as one act might divide the community. Jonathan may appear stubborn as the community urges him to just forgive and put the whole event behind him, but the author looks into the heart of a man who has been wronged and his need to understand. Shelley Shepard Gray goes beyond a stereotypical or simplistic tale of easy redemption to look into her characters' hearts. Following God's way, Jonathan is also a man who looks inside himself, not just blindly obedient but a man who internalizes God's message. As the story unfolds, the reader feels both a sense of community and a sense of individuality as her characters live out their lives. In FORGIVEN, the characters come alive. Under the author's pen, each character becomes an individual. At moments Winnie just sparkles right off the page into the heart with her delightful sense of humor and connection to one of Samuel's students. The reader feels the gifts within Samuel that made him leave the community for an education. As Winnie and Samuel get to know one another, the reader easily feels the chemistry of the heart that draws them together and the conflict which threatens their romance. Shelley Shepard Gray ties these two stories, the romance and the fire together in an inspirational romance that focuses on community (and being outside the community of faith). Some modern Christian women readers may feel a slight disappointment in the resolution of the romance. Although the romance aspect is wonderfully done, the author does such an excellent job at making her characters individuals and showing God's work in their individual plans, that some readers may be left wondering how, other than the romance itself, God is working to challenge the innate gifts within Winnie. The ending makes sense, especially on a thematic level, but I could not help but want to know mo

I read Shelley's first novel in the Sisters of the Heart Series and couldn't wait for more! The second was enjoyed just as much as the first, and now I've just finished reading "Forgiven", the third book of the series. Her characters are true, warm, and interesting and I felt as though I knew them as soon as I started reading. The only problem with Shelley's books are that they're so captivating that I read them way too fast and the joy of reading is over too quickly. But the people in her story stay in thought and memory and I feel as though I've made many new friends. Don't miss any of Shelley Shepard Gray's books! I'm eagerly awaiting her next book, "Winter's Awakening" due in Jan. 2010. Jean Matteson Wakefield, RI