Love has a way of sneaking up on people sometimes!

Title: A Love for Leah ( Amish of Pontotoc #2)

Author: Amy Lillard

Release Date: July, 2018

About the Book

For the Amish of Pontotoc, Mississippi, faith can open minds—and hearts—to create surprising bonds for a lifetime . . .

Independent-minded Leah Gingerich has always been outspoken. And even though she is now a progressive Mennonite, she's rediscovering the joys of family traditions back in her Amish hometown. Yet she can't help but clash with her handsome new Amish neighbor, Jamie Stoltzfus. He's too hard-headed and old-line to see that his traumatized young nephew, Peter, needs faith and help—or that a woman who stands up to him may be what he needs to heal . . .

After a devastating tragedy, Jamie moved to Pontotoc with his nephew for a fresh start. Holding fast to his beliefs is the only way he feels he can aid Peter—and himself. But somehow, Leah's freethinking ways and feisty challenges are sparking a happiness he's never felt before. Soon, Jamie can't imagine his life without her. But are their differences ultimately too great to overcome—or can love bridge their way to a future together?

My Thoughts

We return to Pontotoc, Mississippi in book two of the Amish of Pontotoc series by Amy Lillard. In A Love for Leah we return to the lives of the Gingerich sisters. 

Leah has returned to Pontotoc but she is not there to rejoin the church. She has joined the Mennonite church and really feels like she belongs.

Jamie, a single Amish man, has recently moved to Pontotoc with his nephew who has recently overcome a devastating house fire where he was the only survivor. I really admired this character. It is great to see a strong Christian lead that has a tender heart and a longing to follow God’s call.  I also loved little Peter and my heart broke for the trauma and turmoil that a young boy was going through.

I liked the interaction between Leah and Jamie. They are both strong characters that are not afraid to speak their mind and air their beliefs. It was interesting to really hear the differences between the two faiths laid out the way Leah did.

I loved how Amy continued to talk about faith throughout the novel. I especially liked how one character questioned their faith and if they had enough. It really hits home with readers as we have all questioned our faith and our patience to wait upon the Lord.

I really liked how Leah’s church got together to share the love of God by painting rocks and placing them around town. This new craze has sweep the country and it was refreshing to see how someone could use something so simple to spread God’s Word and love.

I did wish that there was a little more to the story. I wouldn’t have minded reading a longer novel to get a little more detail at the end. All in all, though, it was a great book that I felt could be a stand alone novel but would go better if you read the first book in the series, A Home for Hannah.

I received a copy of this novel from netgalley.com and Kensington Books in return for my honest review.

About the Author

I'm a wife, mother, and bona fide Southern belle. Published author, expert corn bread maker, and Squirrel Princess.

I live in Tulsa, though I was born in Mississippi. I moved to the Sooner State when I was seventeen and met my soul mate and best friend not long after. I've retained a little of my Mississippi accent though most people think I'm from Texas. (?) Rob and I have been married for over twenty years and have a son--a mom proclaimed prodigy, of course!

I love homemade tacos, nail polish, and romance novels--not necessarily in that order. I'm a big fan of country music, a staunch proponent of saving the Oxford comma, and I'm shamefully obsessed with all things Harry Potter.

I believe that God is love. I guess that's why I adore romances. 

I have always been intrigued with the Amish culture, their gentle ways and slower-paced lifestyle. (And I love, love, love the fact that they stay married for their lifetime.) But until recently I never thought to blend this interest with my penchant for romance. Okay, okay, I'm a bit old-fashioned and even enjoy the gender roles that are present in this culture. I love to cook and take care of my family. Yes, that's me June Cleaver with a laptop.

I dislike people trying to convince me to read the Twlight series (I'll get to it or I won't, either way I'm good with it), gratuitous violence, and strawberry ice cream. (I know I'm alone on this last one, and again, I'm good with it.)

Favorite movies--(besides HP) French Kiss, Maid of Honor, A Lot Like Love, Just Married, and Sweet Home Alabama. Oh, and Miss Congeniality, Sabrina (both versions) and a 1940's movie called Dear Ruth. If you haven't seen it, you should! A-dorable. Anything with Doris Day and most all of Marilyn's and Audrey's.