Book Review: The Promise Of An Angel

Author: Ruth Reid
Title: The Promise Of An Angel
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Publish Date: May 31, 2011
Buy: Amazon
Book Blurb: Interrupting the ordered routine of the Mecosta County Amish settlement, an angelic visitor awakens Judith to a new faith.

All Judith Fischer ever wanted is to marry within her community and raise a family. She longs for the day when her parents will allow Levi Plank to officially court her.

But on the day Judith suspects Levi will ask her parent's permission, her younger brother Samuel has an accident under her charge. Rushing to Samuel's aid, Judith spies a strange man helping him; a man she later believes was an angel.

When she shares her conviction with her family and close friends, she is shocked to find that no one believes her, including Levi. In the days following the accident, the angel visits Judith with information that may guide her down the path of faith, should she choose to follow.

As her community slowly distances themselves, only one person is willing to stand up for her―the bishop's son, Andrew Lapp. But can he convince the settlement to listen to her? With a show of faith that flies in the face of her conservative upbringing, can Judith hold strong to the promise that there are even greater things in store for those who believe in God's miracles?

Review: This is a different twist to the typical Amish novel.  Angels aren't usually part of Amish novels and it gave the story a different focus.

There are some things that are predictable. A jealous sister, religious strife, two suitors....and the Amish woman torn apart by all of it. The angel really adds some spice, even though this story would have been just as powerful if it had been written as typical Amish fiction.

The issues surrounding Samuel's injury are enough to tug at the hardest heart.

Tobias, the angel, helped steer Judith and Andrew down their chosen path, allowing them to find it in their hearts to forgive and love, though in Judith's case, the forgiveness had to be a hard thing. She suffered much betrayal from her sister, Martha. It couldn't be easy for her to give forgiveness.

That's where the book is a bit farfetched. If someone had done the things that Martha and Levi had done, I can't imagine anyone forgiving them so easily, and that includes parents. These two, were definitely not nice.

Most Amish novels read like Harlequins. If you've read one, you've read them all, but they are addictive and they are good for an afternoon of light reading. This one is no different, and it was an easy fun book to spend the day with.

The Promise Of An Angel is part of a new series called "Heaven On Earth." The next book is out in 2012, and I look forward to reading it.

Rating: 3 flowers