WANTED
by Shelley Shepard Gray
Katie Brenneman has always liked Jonathan Lundy, but Jonathan has never noticed her. Instead her married Sarah, had two children, and now, years after Sarah died, he’s still in love with her. When Jonathan’s sister, Winnie needs to go to Indiana, the only person they can think of to help with Jonathan’s daughters is Katie, but Katie’s parents refuse to even consider letting Katie live with Jonathan and help out.
Katie and Winnie both push for their way, and eventually, Katie’s parents reluctantly agree. Katie is thrilled with the opportunity to get to know Jonathan better. But even as she’s preparing to move, Katie receives a letter. She knows as soon as she sees it that her past has caught up with her. A past she’s ashamed of. And a past that could destroy all Katie’s chances for love.
WANTED is the second book in Ms. Gray’s Sisters of the Heart series, but it easily stands alone. Set in an Amish community, WANTED is sure to appeal to fans of Amish series, such as Beverly Lewis, Cindy Woodsmall, and Wanda Brunslettler, though Ms. Gray’s writing style is much different than any of the above authors.
I enjoyed getting to know Katie, Jonathan, and the secondary characters. At the beginning of the book, I didn’t care much for Katie, as she seemed a bit selfish, and unsympathetic to others, but as the story progresses, Katie grows and changes, becoming likeable. The story is gentle, a great book to read to escape life for awhile. Discussion questions are included at the end of the book, and a preview of Ms. Gray’s third book in this series, Forgiven. Don’t miss WANTED. It is a book sure to please those who like to read gentle romances. $12.99. 260 pages.
Margaret February 21, 2009
*This review is from reading an ARC.*
The first book in this Sisters of the Heart Series, Hidden (my review), was absolutely fabulous and a wonderful romance full of suspense. This second book is good, and I enjoyed the read and love the characters, but it was not very exciting to me. At least not in any comparison to the first book and other Amish books out there.
As a theme for this book, the idea of being “wanted” is nothing new to most people, and our Katie wanting to be wanted and going after that attention (in her past) in poorly advisable ways is not terribly surprising. What was surprising is how she talked about her past as if she had done something completely unforgivable. That comes just from the back of the book blurb with “Will Katie be able to forgive herself for her transgressions and allow herself to move forward in her life? Or will her inability to receive God’s love keep her from everything she’s ever wanted?” It was just a little over the top for me.
As a light hearted romance for practically any age to read, this is a good book with a good moral base behind it. Just for me, the way things were portrayed, I figured that something more exciting to repair from had existed.
I love the first book in this series, and I cannot wait for another and more from this author in the future. But this book was slightly boring to me. I’m sorry.
Reviewed by Margaret Chind
Melissa February 21, 2009
This book caught my eye because it is yet another author writing stories set amongst the Amish settlements of America. These folks live in a simplified manner compared to what we “Englischers” (as they refer to those in the outside world) are used to and consider necessary. Travel is primarily by horse and buggy despite all the automobiles surrounding them and if transportation over longer distances is needed there are usually locals with a vehicle willing to accommodate their “plain” neighbors.
Many of the teens in these communities feel a need to at least get a taste of the outside world by running around with “englisch” teens during their rumschpringe (or running around). Some of them are enticed into that world for longer or sometimes forever but many soon realize that they prefer the life they have known for over a decade already and soon join the church and their communities as a full member. Katie is one of the second type though like many of us she made mistakes during the time she was a part of that outside world that can and will haunt her until she makes peace with them and the people affected by them. She is lucky in that although the circumstances of the opportunity are not what anyone would wish she is given this opportunity by people she expected to never hear from or see again.
Katie wants to make amends but doesn’t want to give up her community and family or a man she loves though may never have the privilege to wed for a man who loves her but that she could never consider more than a friend. Will Katie’s faith pull her through the trials she is about to encounter and will forgiveness be granted for her hasty choices made in the midst of teen uncertainties and exploration? Will she ever experience her dearest dreams of a home and family with the only man she truly loves other than her God?
This author brings a hint of adventure and mystery to a story and setting that can often become austere and plainer than the society in it. Gray brings us characters that show the commonality amongst all cultures and societies while encouraging each person to embrace their differences of faith and community that we have the freedom to express and enjoy here in America. For an uplifting story of love, faith, cultural acceptance and even a hint of adventure as characters grow and discover themselves as God intended for them to be grab a copy of Shelley’s 2nd installment in the Sisters of the Heart series.
While this is not the first book, I did read it without having read the 1st and it can hold its own quite well as a standalone. Personally I prefer reading series in their entirety and in order so highly recommend grabbing a copy of Hidden while you are at it. I still need to get my hands on a copy of that book but look forward to reading it when I do as well as book 3 of this series, Forgiven, when it becomes available. (ISBN#9780061474460, 272pp, $12.99)
Melissa Meeks