TITLE: Taken for English (Valley of Choice #3)
AUTHOR: Olivia Newport
GENRE: Christian Romance
PUBLISHED: February 1, 2014
RATING: ★★★★
PURCHASE LINKS: Amazon Kobo Books Barnes & Noble
MOBILISM LINK: Taken
Description:
Annie joined the Amish church based on prayerful conviction, not romantic dreams. And yet, she’d hoped to share her new life with Rufus. But he’s obviously in no hurry. Family history clearly shows it’s never been easy living a plain life in the English world. Will the changes and challenges Annie now faces as a young Amish woman test her newfound faith in good ways or bad? And how long will Rufus test her patience?
Review:
I started this book thinking it was the first in the series. I was wrong, but that is usually the case with me not fully checking before I start a new series. Starting in the middle of the series, though, it was not hard to pick up on missing info from the first two books. The author provides enough background details to let readers know what happened but not so much as to overwhelm anyone.
Most people I know place the Amish in a different religious category. They seem to think the Amish are close to being sinless. This is not true. The Amish are not any different than anyone else: They are sinners, and some are set in their ways and not interested in changing. We see this type of behavior all the time in racism, marriage, friendship - most anything in our lives. Growing up and having Amish neighbors most people would think reading about them in a novel would offer little interest. Each different sect of Amish believes and follows a little different set of rules - for example, while one set may not allow females to speak with English males other do not follow this rule - so surprises are in store even for the most knowledgeable readers.
The story opens on a Sunday morning with the Amish at church. A few members hear a siren in the background but ignore it, while Annalise (Annie) is being baptized into the Amish faith. After the baptismal is over, Annalise’s beau is walking toward her to congratulate her he overhears tidbits of conversation not meant for him...
“You have to be born Amish,” they said.
I really wonder what type of person Karl is; he is supposed to be a contractor. At one time he has no use for Amish, especially an Amish cabinetmaker. Being someone who has purchased cabinets, furniture, and remodeling completed by Amish I know first-hand the great detail put into each piece. The Amish might not show pride but it is shown in all their work. To me it is more of the Amish having a lack of trust in English people than how the author stated below...
A year ago, the hotheaded construction contractor had no use for an Amish cabinetmaker. Rufus had stayed out of his way long enough to gain Karl’s trust.
Taken for English is a wonderful story about the Amish and a brief glimpse into their life. The author placed a story inside a story. One set in modern times and the other historical. I did not know the historical story was supposed to be a book Annalise was reading until the end. With the abrupt changes it was hard to get into at first. The second story starts out in May 1892. I enjoyed each story but I felt they would have been better if they were separate not together jumping back and forth. Readers did not know what century they were going to start at the end of one chapter.
All parents try to do what is best for their child, no matter the age. When a parent refuses to listen to anything the child wants / desires then I really wonder if the parent has the child’s best interest at heart. To refuse to even listen to the child shows the parent is not concerned, especially when the parent states they know what is best. Sometimes what a parent wants is not what is best for the child. Eva Deitwaller proves that she is not concerned with the best for her child.
Annie tried to look sympathetic. “You must be concerned about her.”
“She’s a headstrong child. Always has been.”
“But…where is she staying? You must be wondering if she is safe.”
“No need to tell me what I must be wondering.”
Annie’s right forefinger began to tap. “I’m sure if the two of you sat down and talked about your differences, you could find a way through them.”
“Just what do you know of our differences?”
Annie moistened her lips. “I know Leah was…unenthusiastic about the move to Colorado.”
“We’re her parents. We know what’s best for her.”
Annie’s tongue formed sounds faster than she could stop it now. “Leah has been gone more than a week. Isn’t it best for her to be somewhere safe, with people who care for her, who will listen to her?”
Even under Eva Deitwaller’s long dress, Annie saw her shoes move to shoulder width apart. One hand went to a hip.
“I’ll thank you not to come in here with your English ways,” Mrs. Deitwaller said. “You’re barely baptized.”
Annie’s spine straightened. “I gave a lot of thought and prayer to my baptism.”
Ruth is struggling between two worlds. She left before being baptized into the Amish church. She wanted to pursue her dream. She came back to her home town for an internship. While there her former beau, Elijah, is having a hard time accepting that she might not come back.
I can understand the Amish wanting to protect their lifestyle, their plain, simple ways of living. However, when a child or someone who has been baptized decided to leave the church they are shunned by family. Elijah has loved Ruth for so long. He is tired of waiting for her to come back to the church. In his family's eyes he does the unthinkable...
“Okay.” Annie followed Elijah’s lead. “Should we look for your hat first?”
“My hat?”
She pointed to his bare head, uncharacteristic for an Amish man.
“My hat is not lost. I did not put it on this morning.”
For Elijah to not wear a hat in public is a statement to all, especially to other Amish. He has publically spoken that he is no longer an Amish man. He is walking away from all he believes. He is willing to be shunned and never speak to his parents again for the one person he loves above himself.
This book has the added bonus of a nice mystery twist. Someone is setting fires to buildings. The person whom Annalise suspects is very hard to find. Annalise is trying to help Leah. She feels there is something pulling her to help this lost young lady. Leah’s actions are similar to a rebellious teenager, but she knows what she wants. She is trying to follow her heart - sadly her parents, especially her mother, is not interested in what she wants...
“Do you really think it’s possible Leah set that first fire?”
Thankfully Annalise is determined to not give up on Leah and goes out of her way to find this young female. When Annalise finds Leah again it is thru a kitten Leah has taken in. Annalise is trying to talk Leah into taking the kitten back but Leah wants Annalise to keep it. Readers can hear the desperation in Leah’s voice...
“He’s the best kitten anyone could hope to have.” Leah leaned a few inches in the direction of Annie and the cat.
My favorite part of the book was reading Gottes wille, which translates as God’s will. The Amish believe that when anything happens it is entirely God’s will. Hearing the Amish speak, and speak in this manner, is unique and refreshing.
I recommend this book to any who enjoy reading a nice clean Christian romance. This is perfect reading for a young teenager that is looking for something more without all the sex and foul language.