Rachel's Garden

I loved this story, I have enjoyed all of the amish romance novels written by this author..

Rachel Brand is struggling to survive after the tragic death of her husband, Ezra. Now, Rachel and her three children are forced to make decisions they don't want to make. Should they sell Ezra's farm and move home with Rachel's parents? Or should she try to keep Ezra's dreams alive? Rachel's friends and family come forward to help. Ezra's brothers are maintaining his milk cow herd, and Ezra's best friend, Gideon Zook asks Rachel's permission to build the greenhouse that Ezra promised Rachel. But Gideon was involved in the same accident that claimed Ezra's life, and his presence is a reminder of all Rachel has lost. But without the income from the plants Rachel sells to the community, she may be forced to sell the farm and have no means of supporting her family. Or, would it be wiser to take her greenhouse and let Ezra's brother buy the farm? Can Rachel find the courage to make her own choices? RACHEL'S GARDEN is the second book in Ms. Perry's Pleasant Valley series, but it easily stands alone. Readers might find it helpful though to understand a bit about Rachel's brother, Johnny, and her friend, Leah, both of whom are in the first book. I enjoyed getting to know a bit more about the characters featured in the first book, Leah's Choice, and especially getting to know Rachel, Gideon, and Ezra's sweetheart younger brother, William. I hope that sometime in the future, Ms. Perry will have William as a hero in a book. A glossary of Amish terms, a preview of Ms. Perry's third book in the series Anna's Return, coming in June 2010 are included at the end of the book. Don't miss RACHEL'S GARDEN if you are looking for a good Amish book to read.

Even within the Amish communities, there are struggles to deal with in life. Faith does not automatically solve everything. It takes time. Rachel deals with the death of her husband, raising his children and trying to run the Dairy Farm alone. Family pitches in but like all families they can be trying on you. Ezra's brothers help but also cause hardships upon Rachel in trying to force their decisions on her. Families seem to think they always know what is best for you. Rachel has to struggle with issues dealing with Gideon, Ezra's best friend, and Isaac and William, Ezra's brothers and yes, even her own parents. Rachel has to think about what is best for her and he children. She has dreams but she isn't always supported in those dreams. But like all parents eventually her parents come around and support her in her dreams. They are always there to help even when they disagree. Then Leah is her best friend and she feels at first like she loses her support to. But it was just her misunderstanding what Leah meant. Good friends always work through situations. Rachel is there to help Leah when her baby is born. Rachel and Gideon's relationship starts off with Gideon building a greenhouse for Rachel because it was to be Ezra's gift to her. But he wasn't prepared for his heart to open up to love again as he was still grieving the death of his wife and baby. Hardships hit the Amish as they do us (referred to as Englishers) and life is the same whether you are Amish or not. We all face situations where our faith is tested. I received this book at a time I was dealing with hurt from a lady in church, health situations, the loss of my Mother, etc. So it was very uplifting and encouraging. I highly recommend this book to inspire and encourage you every day in your walk through life.

P. Kay G. - AZ I finished the first in the series, Leah's Choice, and immediately started on Rachel's Garden and finished it in two days. They are beautiful stories that give you alot to think about. I can hardly wait until June 2010 to start the third book, Anna's Return. If it is half as good as the previous two then I will be happy.

In Pleasant Valley, Pennsylvania, Widow Rachel Brand has no time to grieve the death of her husband Ezra in an accident. Instead she has a farm to keep and three young children to raise by herself though she knows her Amish neighbors will offer help. Ezra's best friend Gideon Zook, who survived the accident, wants to honor his deceased buddy by completing a project he was going to do for his wife. Ezra intended to build a greenhouse for Rachel. However, her family pressures her to sell the farm instead of starting a nursery. However, questionable accidents leaves Gideon and Rachel to wonder if someone covets the land so much as to drive the widow away and to reconsider what happened to Ezra even as they fall in love. The second Pleasant Valley Amish romance (see Leah's Choice) is an interesting look at two people who lost their first cherished mates who are falling in love but are in denial about how they feel. The lead couples makes the tale as the ghosts of Ezra and Naomi stand in their way as Gideon is unable to move on; somewhat because he suffers from survivor guilt and somewhat from his disbelief that one can love twice. Fans will enjoy a trip to Lancaster County as Marta Perry provides a charming second chance at love romance. Harriet Klausner