Book Description:
It’s 1971, and Betsie Troyer’s peaceful and predictable life is about to become anything but.
When
their parents flee the Amish, nineteen-year-old Betsie and her
seventeen-year-old sister Sadie are distraught. Under the dubious
guidance of a doting aunt, the girls struggle to keep the secret,
praying their parents will return before anyone learns the truth—a truth
that may end all hopes of Betsie’s marriage to Charley Yoder.
Worse still, Betsie must learn a trade while she boards with a dysfunctional Englisher family: Sheila, a twelve-year-old desperately searching for a friend and in dire need of her mother; the free-spirited mother, who runs off to "find herself" on the stage; the angry father whose structured life crumbles; and Michael, a troubled college dropout nearly killed in the Kent State Massacre.
Thrust into the English world, Betsie must grapple with the realities of war and miniskirts, pot parties and police brutality, protests and desertion. Can she help the Sullivan family and find peace in her new surroundings, or must she forget the bargain she made and seek refuge back in Plain City with protective and reliable Charley?
My Thoughts:
The Bargain is the first novel in Stephanie Reed's newest series, Plain City Peace. The Bargain is the first I have read by Stephanie Reed and I really enjoyed it. Betsie Troyer and her family have lived in their community, Plain City, their whole lives. One day, her parents inform her and her sister Sadie that they are leaving the Amish community and faith to be Christians. They ask the girls to come with them but both girls don't want to leave their faith or community. Betsie and Sadie are forced to keep this a secret, even from their Aunt who has come to stay with them. The girls are hoping that their parents will come back before anyone finds out what they have done. In the mean time Betsie is boarding with an English family. Her cousin bought this family's leather working business but got drafted in the war, asking Betsie to learn the business so when he returns she can teach him. Betsie finds herself in the middle of the Sullivan's family mess. The family is nothing like she had every experienced. The mom is a free spirit who focuses all her energy on being an actress. The house is a mess and Betsie feels that God brought her to this family to help. When Mom leaves to pursue her acting, Betsie becomes a very important force in the Sullivan Family. She finds a kinship with Shelia Sullivan, a 12 yr old girl who needs Betsie and Michael Sullivan, a college drop out involved in the Kent State Massacre.
As those who read my blog know, I LOVE Amish fiction and historical fiction. The Bargain is both. The Bargain explores life for both the Amish and English during 1971, the war, and its affects on both cultures. Stephanie Reed writes with authority on the Amish, Vietnam War, leather working, and the events taking place during the 1970's. This novel grabbed me from the description and I couldn't put it down. I found myself immersed in this world Stephanie Reed created with fact and fiction. The characters are flawed and real, their lives messy and not wrapped up in 300+ pages. I truly cannot wait to read the rest of this series. I highly recommend this novel to anyone who enjoys Amish and Historical Christian Fiction, you will not be disappointed. I give this novel 4.5 Stars!
Worse still, Betsie must learn a trade while she boards with a dysfunctional Englisher family: Sheila, a twelve-year-old desperately searching for a friend and in dire need of her mother; the free-spirited mother, who runs off to "find herself" on the stage; the angry father whose structured life crumbles; and Michael, a troubled college dropout nearly killed in the Kent State Massacre.
Thrust into the English world, Betsie must grapple with the realities of war and miniskirts, pot parties and police brutality, protests and desertion. Can she help the Sullivan family and find peace in her new surroundings, or must she forget the bargain she made and seek refuge back in Plain City with protective and reliable Charley?
My Thoughts:
The Bargain is the first novel in Stephanie Reed's newest series, Plain City Peace. The Bargain is the first I have read by Stephanie Reed and I really enjoyed it. Betsie Troyer and her family have lived in their community, Plain City, their whole lives. One day, her parents inform her and her sister Sadie that they are leaving the Amish community and faith to be Christians. They ask the girls to come with them but both girls don't want to leave their faith or community. Betsie and Sadie are forced to keep this a secret, even from their Aunt who has come to stay with them. The girls are hoping that their parents will come back before anyone finds out what they have done. In the mean time Betsie is boarding with an English family. Her cousin bought this family's leather working business but got drafted in the war, asking Betsie to learn the business so when he returns she can teach him. Betsie finds herself in the middle of the Sullivan's family mess. The family is nothing like she had every experienced. The mom is a free spirit who focuses all her energy on being an actress. The house is a mess and Betsie feels that God brought her to this family to help. When Mom leaves to pursue her acting, Betsie becomes a very important force in the Sullivan Family. She finds a kinship with Shelia Sullivan, a 12 yr old girl who needs Betsie and Michael Sullivan, a college drop out involved in the Kent State Massacre.
As those who read my blog know, I LOVE Amish fiction and historical fiction. The Bargain is both. The Bargain explores life for both the Amish and English during 1971, the war, and its affects on both cultures. Stephanie Reed writes with authority on the Amish, Vietnam War, leather working, and the events taking place during the 1970's. This novel grabbed me from the description and I couldn't put it down. I found myself immersed in this world Stephanie Reed created with fact and fiction. The characters are flawed and real, their lives messy and not wrapped up in 300+ pages. I truly cannot wait to read the rest of this series. I highly recommend this novel to anyone who enjoys Amish and Historical Christian Fiction, you will not be disappointed. I give this novel 4.5 Stars!
Please check out this fantastic contest!!
Stephanie L. Reed is celebrating the release of The Bargain, the first book in her new series, Plain City Peace, with a Kindle Fire 'Bargain Bundle' giveaway!
One winner will receive a 'Bargain Bundle':
- A Kindle Fire
- The Bargain by Stephanie Reed
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