Anne Blackburne

I loved this story of The Heart of the Amish Series! It was a sweet story of Mary, who was in a serious and tragic accident causing her many surgeries, pain and the use of crutches. She meets the Mennonite doctor and the story continues. There are many ups and downs as Mary has pretty much resigned herself that she won't marry. And being a baptized Amish, a relationship with someone not of her faith would cause her to be shunned. Its a heartwarming story. I felt it was a very good read.
I received an arc copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.… (altro)

5 stars, Especially Drawn to This Book

MARY'S CALICO HOPE (HEART OF THE AMISH SERIES BOOK 5)
by Anne Blackburne

Mary despairs of ever finding someone to love and marry and have a family with. She was injured as a child, in a buggy accident and will always have to use crutches, her father also perished in the same buggy accident.

Mary's friend Lydia Coblentz had the last batch of kittens from her beloved cat. She gifts them to local Amish girls who need someone to love. Mary names her calico kitten Hope, Like Mary, Hope has a disability. Mary and Hope get along quite well.

Mary has a full life, living in the Dawdi Haus on her parent's farm. She has a job weaving baskets and also raises beautiful roosters to make trout lures from their feathers.

Mary meets Rueben King, who is a Mennonite doctor. He believes he can help Mary to be in less pain daily and have better mobility. Mary is scared of having another surgery on her back. She has had so many already. They are falling for each other, but Mary doesn't see how they could ever be together, since Rueben is a Mennonite and she has been baptized into the Amish faith.

I felt especially drawn to Mary and Hope's story, since I too have a spinal injury. I'm sure Mary has a much more productive life with her injury, than I will ever have. Her injury happened when she was a girl, so she has grown up with it. My accident happened as an adult and I've had to learn to deal with my limitations.

I like the insertions of Pennsylvania Dutch language that are in this series of books. It makes me feel as if I am learning a second language as I read them. I highly recommend these books.

I received a complimentary copy of #MarysCalicoHope from #BarbourFiction #BarbourBooks #BarbourPublishing #AnneBlackburne I was under no obligation to post a review.

#HeartOfTheAmishSeries #AmishFiction #Cats #DisabledWoman #NetGalley #InspyFiction #ChristianFiction #Inspirational #blessings #hope #strongfemaleprotagonist #standalonebook… (altro)

Mary’s Calico Hope, the fifth book in the multi-author The Heart of the Amish series, is a heartwarming story of courage, love, faith, and hope. I love this story that centers around Mary Yoder, a young Amish woman, and Reuben King, a young Mennonite doctor. The two are immediately attracted to each other, but the development of their relationship faces what seem to be insurmountable obstacles. The well-written story drew me in from the beginning and kept me absorbed all the way to the end. Richly drawn, true-to-life characters drive the story. The author effectively conveys the emotions of her characters making them come alive and easy to root for, and she paints a realistic picture of the Amish lifestyle. Faith flows naturally throughout the story with reminders of seeking and accepting God’s will. I highly recommend this book especially for fans of Amish romance. Note: Even though it is part of a series, this book can easily be read as a standalone.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing with no obligation to write a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.… (altro)

In Mary's Calico Hope, Anne Blackburne seamlessly weaves together themes of faith and uncertainty against the backdrop of Amish country life. Mary's internal struggle, torn with her feelings for Reuben and a decision of whether or not to undergo another surgery, reflects the complexities of human emotion and the quest for God’s guidance.

Throughout Mary's journey, Blackburne skillfully depicts the transformative power of prayer and the comfort found in surrendering to God's plan. Each decision Mary makes is guided by her unwavering faith.

As readers immerse themselves in the sweet narrative, they are reminded of the constant need for God's guidance in all aspects of life, not just during moments of crisis. Through Mary's example, Blackburne encourages us to trust in God's wisdom and embrace His guidance, even in the darkest of times.

Mary's Calico Hope is more than just a tale of faith; it's a delightful exploration of love and resilience in the face of adversity. It serves as a powerful reminder that, regardless of the challenges we encounter, God's presence, grace, and love are ever-present, offering strength, solace, and answers to those who seek Him.

I received a digital copy of Mary’s Calico Hope from Barbour Publishing via NetGalley. I am not required to write a positive review in any way or for any reason. My honest and unbiased opinions expressed in this book review are my own. My review focuses on the writing style, the pacing, and the story’s content, ensuring transparency and reliability.… (altro)