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"A Quilt for Jenna" by Patrick E. Craig

This is absolutely not your typical Amish novel.  Pastor, musician, author Patrick E. Craig is definitely a gifted word-smith and has woven a story that tells the struggles of disillusioned Amish - man and woman.  Of their struggles with their faith in God, their adherence to Amish community beliefs and requirements, and in the political landmines of the day.

The story is multilevel taking the reader from the quaint community of Amish believers in the 1940s, through the war years of World War II, and into the 1950s when the winter storm of the century threatens to bury the hopes of many.

Reuben is a young Amish man who simply believes that the constraints and requirements of their community are not Biblical and he can not see staying and trying to live up to them or by them.  Jerusha is a young woman of faith in God and faith in the leadership of the Amish community.  But the two of them are in love and yet can not come to terms with their differences.

Reuben enters the war as a soldier which is in absolute revolt to his Amish pacifist beliefs of non-violence.  He experiences all the horror and terror that is upfront and close battle, blood shed, and death. Broken, he returns to his roots - the Amish community - and asks for forgiveness for his part in the war and to be reinstated in the community.

Eventually Reuben and Jerusha marry and have a child whose death at age four totally breaks both of them.

Their journey through all of this is creatively woven in the story by Patrick Craig as we meander back and forth through years giving bits and pieces but ultimately tying it all together beautifully.

You will enjoy this read because of the multilevel, multifaceted story which deals with the sweet romance, the internal struggles of individuals with their faith, and the personal battles to do that which is right.  The World War II jungle battle scenes of Guadalcanal are not something you would normally find in a  novel about the Amish and will truly make this an "Amish book that men will enjoy."  I await Patrick Craig's next book in this series with great anticipation.

DISCLOSURE: I was provided a complimentary copy of A Quilt for Jenna by Patrick E. Craig by Harvest House Publishers on behalf of the author in exchange for my honest review. Opinions expressed are solely my own.

at 10:34:00 PM