When I found out I’d been chosen for the blog tour of Beth Wiseman’s new book, “The Wonder of Your Love (Land of Canaan #2),” I headed straight to the library to pick up book one of the series (see my previous review). And I’m glad I did. While it’s certainly possible to read this book before its predecessor, I wouldn’t really recommend it. There are several prominent plot lines, and while Wiseman does a beautiful job transitioning and weaving the threads together, I would have gotten lost among so many characters without the framework of the first book.
About the The Wonder of Your Love by Beth Wiseman:Katie Ann Stolzfus lives in the small Amish community of Canaan, Colorado. At forty she is widowed and raising her first child. But baby Jonas will never know his father, and Katie Ann wonders if her Heavenly Father hasn’t forgotten about her as well. Is it really God’s plan for her to be a single parent?
Eli Detweiler has come to Canaan for a wedding and a long vacation. Having raised six children following the death of his young wife, Eli is finally an empty-nester. He’s enjoying the slower pace of having no one to care for but himself.
When Katie Ann and Eli meet, there is an instant connection. Yet as strong as the attraction is, they both acknowledge that a romance would never work. He is done parenting, while she has just begun.
But as their friendship slowly blossoms into feelings that are as frightening as they are intoxicating, Katie Ann and Eli question if the plans they made for themselves are in line with God’s plans.
Can Katie Ann entrust her heart to another man, and rediscover the wonder of God’s love?
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
My review: Overall, this is a very sweet and enjoyable book. After meeting many of the characters in the previous book, I liked seeing how they’ve changed and grown. Especially Martha, who has a significant part in the first book but is a much more central character here in book two. I loved watching her grow in her faith and reach out to those around her. I would never have expected the Martha of book one to take in a teenage runaway!
Also in the first book, I’d been curious about Katie Ann and her relationship with her husband Ian. When he left her at the end of “Seek me with all your heart,” I was anxious to find out what happened to her and was so happy she found Eli. He’s a neat character, too; unlike many Amish men, he knows a lot about children having raised six on his own. I really like how Wiseman introduces several situations that one wouldn’t necessarily think of in an Amish society, both with Eli’s wanderlust and of course, Ian’s infidelity to Katie Ann.
The message of the book is strong and explored in numerous characters – mainly, the idea that what we have planned for our own lives is often not what God has in mind, and that many times we have to look past, or even give up, our plans in favor of God’s ultimate, perfect plan for each of our lives.
Order The Wonder of Your Love (A Land of Canaan Series) or any of Beth Wiseman’s other Amish fiction books at Amazon.com – most are around $10! Also by ordering through the links above, you’re helping support this blog, which is very much appreciated
Facebook Party! Beth is celebrating the release of Book 2 in the Land of Canaan series with a Fabulous Facebook party on November 1st. She’ll be giving away one of her OWN paintings, several mini prize packs and a sneak peak at the next book in this heartwarming series.
Click the button at right to RSVP for the party – then join us on November 1st for a book chat, Amish themed trivia contest, and more!
View all my reviews on Goodreads.com.
I received a copy of The Wonder of Your Love from Litfuse for review purposes. No compensation was received. I was not required to give a positive review; all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. FTC: 16 CFR, Part 255.
