Book Review: The Amish Bride Of Ice Mountain

Author: Kelly Long
Title: The Amish Bride Of Ice Mountain
Publisher: Kensington Books
Publish Date: Nov 14, 2014
Buy: Amazon

Review Copy Provided By: Net Galley
Book Blurb: 

The Amish Bride

Like most Mountain Amish girls, Mary King has always dreamed of her wedding day. But she never imagined that a sudden, irresistible kiss would result in marriage to the handsome Englischer professor studying her unique community. Or that doing the truly honorable thing means keeping their relationship chaste so both she and Dr. Jude Lyons can someday go their separate ways.

But when Mary accompanies her husband-in-name-only to Atlanta to meet his wealthy, overbearing family, she's tempted more than ever by Jude's kindness, humor--and vulnerability. And when a wrenching misunderstanding causes her to return heartbroken to her remote Appalachian home, she's certain she's lost the real love they have found...and the shared future she's come to want so much. But a crisis of more than faith will work surprising miracles--and show Mary that love is strong enough to make the impossible come true.

Review: The Amish Bride Of Ice Mountain isn't your typical Amish fiction. This book deals with real issues and even intimacy between a man and his wife. Because most Amish fiction falls under "Christian fiction" you don't get much beyond a kiss in those books.

Don't get me wrong, there's no hot and heavy Amish sex scenes going on here, but Kelly does allow you to see that Amish people have romantic/and sensual feelings too.

It wasn't always an easy read, because the Amish in this community aren't like the Amish you read about from places like Lancaster, PA or Sugarcreek, OH. These people are mountain people and some of their ideas are very backwards. Mary and Jude are married because he had the audacity to kiss her.

Mary was really a unique character. She embodied innocence in most things,except her feelings for Jude.

The story itself is full of family drama for both characters, from a near rape to strange family issues with both mother and father and ex girlfriends.

That in itself should prove to you that this isn't your typical Amish setting. So if you are looking for a book where everything is peachy keen, then you might want to look elsewhere. Some might describe this book as edgy, but I don't really think so. In more ways it is real or at least the blinders are taken away. Not all Amish people are nice and Long portrays that well with the scene with Isaac, even though things change at the end.

Some things are wrapped up to easily for me though. I felt that some drama could have been cut back or more explanations given. I found this to really be the case with Josh's father Ted, and even his ex, Carol. I would have also enjoyed getting to know Mary and Jude's families a bit better.

I did love the Ice Mountain setting, which is a real place in PA, and one that I hope to visit at some point in my life.

This was an enjoyable read for those that want a little more from their Amish fiction. I look forward to reading Joseph's story next.

Rating: 4 flowers