Genre: Amish Romance
Source: I received a copy to facilitate my review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
My Dearest Naomi –
Jerry and Tina Eicher
I absolutely love when stories are based on real
events. When younger, Jerry and Tina
were separated while he taught in a Mennonite school. They wrote to each other almost daily. This story is a set of letters that the two
main characters Eugene Mast, an Amish school teacher, and Naomi Miller write to
each other. They were engaged to be married.
Eugene finds himself separated from the woman he loves while he teaches
at a Mennonite school. The letters speak
of all kind of things, such as the everyday mundane chores. It doesn’t matter what your loved one is
doing. You want to know everything that went on in their day.
If you like reading letters or diaries you will enjoy
this book. If you are looking for a
straight up novel then this might not be for you. I am one who loves diaries and memories
written in a series of letters so I really enjoyed this book. As a teacher I enjoyed reading about Eugene’s
experiences teaching. The book also has
some wonderful poetry throughout. We also get a look at some of the differences
between the Amish and the Mennonite. I
believe a final reason I enjoyed this book is the same reason I enjoy Amish
Romance novels. There is none of the
mushy-gushy things most “romance” novels are made of. I have never liked them. They seem fake to me. To me this simple life through letters shows
true love.
My Amish Childhood –
Jerry Eicher
I often wondered about Jerry’s life. He was raised Amish,
yet he is so unlike so many I have come to know. He lived I an Amish community
in Canada. His parents decided to move them to Central America, the country of
Honduras. One thing we learn is that the
Amish community in Honduras wasn’t as rigid as a lot of Amish communities. I have learned by living just a few blocks up
the street from an Amish and Mennonite community in Sarasota, that they are
nothing like those in Ohio, Indiana, and Pennsylvania. There were a lot of
cultural differences for him to adjust to as well. When I read that his
neighbors considered stealing from each other okay, I was reminded of countries
like Brazil where cheating is often considered okay in the business world.
Jerry had an issue with stuttering and was bullied for it as
well. I found it quite humorous to find
out he got even in many ways and never really got caught. One thing I really enjoyed were the pictures
sprinkled throughout.
Susanna’s Christmas
Wish – Jerry Eicher
Life as a newlywed is tough
for all newly married people. For Susanna and Herman it is tougher because she
married Herman after the one man she truly loved, Matthew, left the Amish Community. To make life more difficult she tries to
convince both herself and her new husband that they truly do love each other.
Then there is the culture clash. Herman’s family doesn’t celebrate Christmas on
the 25th of December. Her
family had always celebrated on the date the English celebrated. In his culture
they celebrate it on the 6th of January. Since they are married he expects
her to adapt to his culture since they are now one. She goes to her sister’s
house to help with Thanksgiving and learns Matthew has returned. When they go
for Thanksgiving he is still there and that creates more stress. Matthew is stirring up trouble. Herman is so
insecure in his marriage and then his mother gets involved. What is Susanna to do except rely on her
faith in God to get her through this touch time, and to save her marriage. This is a wonderful novella. It is great no matter what time of year.
