"A charming tale of challenges in love, lost opportunities, and faith!"
Reviewed by Audrey Lawrence
Posted May 11, 2018
Amish | Inspirational Romance
Jennie Troyer has always handed over her problems to God
and trusts in his protective care, even with all she
experienced in her marriage and the death of her husband
in a farming accident. She knows life would be so much
easier if she remarries, but she would rather put up with
her hardships than experience marriage again. Why are
people so anxious to have her move on? For his part, Nathan Walker, so enjoys stopping by
Jennie's farm, enjoying a delicious home cooked meal,
playing games with the children and enjoying the warmth
and friendliness of Jennie's smile. Is he willing to give
up his job and Mennonite faith to become Amish? Could
Jenny give up her home and faith for him? Meanwhile, shy Leo Graber could have won Jenny's heart in
the past, but he didn't ask her and Atlee had quickly
made his move. Leo's heart is filled with kindness but
words do not come easy to him. Could he ever find the
words to ask her again for a second chance? BENEATH THE SUMMER SUN is the second book in Every
Amish
Seasons, a new series by the highly regarded
Kelly Irvin, author of The Amish of Bee County novels
and
other books. I found BENEATH THE SUMMER SUN to be quite
complete as a stand alone Amish romance and I am sure
Irvin fans will delight in this latest heart and sun
warming story about a widow with seven children who is
rightfully worried about what marriage might bring. Irwin has crafted a tender story about a widow being able
to trust again and the choices she would need to make
between two men, one skilled with words and one with few
words. I particularly appreciated the way Irvin
integrates in tough issues such as mental and physical
abuse, teenage rebellion, and the children's experiences of
loss and misunderstanding along with the ongoing effects
they have on them and others. With a background in journalism and public relations,
Irvin's writing style is clear and flows so well, one
just wants to read on and find out who, if any man, wins
Jennie's heart and hand. I also found the discussion
questions at the end of the book to be very thoughtful
and I wished for a good discussion on them. Irvin has
also threaded interesting dialogues on the religious split
between the Amish and Mennischt on the issue of shunning
or Meidung through the plotline in BENEATH THE SUMMER
SUN. Fans who enjoy Christian or Amish fiction, as well as
those who believe in the power of love and God's plans
for people, are sure to enjoy the interactions between the
characters as they seek to find lost love and faith in
God's plan. Check out what awaits you in BENEATH THE
SUMMER SUN and look forward to see what Irvin has in
store for you in the next season in this series!
SUMMARY
It’s been four years since Jennie’s husband died in a
farming accident. Long enough that the elders in her
Amish community think it’s time to marry again for the
sake of her seven children. What they don’t know is that
grief isn’t holding her back from a new relationship.
Fear is. A terrible secret in her past keeps her from
moving forward. Mennonite book salesman Nathan Walker stops by Jennie’s
farm whenever he’s in the area. Despite years of
conversation and dinners together, she never seems to
relax around him. He knows he should move on, but
something about her keeps drawing him back. Meanwhile, Leo Graber nurtures a decades-long love for
Jennie, but guilt plagues him—guilt for letting Jennie
marry someone else and guilt for his father’s death on a
hunting trip many years ago. How could anyone love him
again—and how could he ever take a chance to love in
return? In this second book in the Every Amish Season series,
three hearts try to discern God’s plan for the future—and
find peace beneath the summer sun.
ExcerptJennie stopped breathing. Her lungs protested. She didn’t
want to move, not even to let them expand and contract.
Silly snake facts spouted by her son Micah when he wanted
to make her shiver presented themselves. Snakes can’t sweat
so they avoid the afternoon sun. They take naps during the
day and come out when it’s cooler and dark. This one would
likely stretch at least four feet long, not including its
rattle. Its skin glowed brown and golden with a darker
stripe down the back. Jennie’s mouth went dry. Her stomach chose that moment to
heave. The hot dog did not want to stay down. Purple spots
dotted her vision.
“Cottonmouth?” Nathan whispered. He stood motionless at her
side. “Poisonous?” “Rattler.” She tried to speak without moving her mouth.
“Rare here, but you see them. Obviously.” “Don’t move.” His voice barely audible, he took one step,
stopped. “I’ll grab Francis and we can hightail it out of
here.” “Nee. You’ll startle him and he’ll holler.” Her fear of
snakes might be big, but her fear of one of her children
being hurt was greater. She searched the ground. Not a
single rock big enough to dispatch the viper. “Don’t.
Move.” Leo could help. If anyone could help it would be Leo. He’d
know what to do. He was a man who never flinched. He’d been through the
worst. Since that terrible day, he’d taken everything in
silent stride. She turned slowly, carefully, tiptoeing at first,
ridiculous as it must look, and then ran. Her sneakers sank into the rich, dark soil, impeding her
progress. The scent of sweat and grass and dirt assailed
her nose. She needed to run, faster, faster. Gott, help me.
I know we’re not on the best of terms, but please, Gott,
help me. Leo had the reins in his hands when she reached the fence.
She slammed to a halt. “Help. Snake. Rattler. Francis.” He dropped the reins and reached behind the buggy seat. A
long, lean, deadly looking brown rifle emerged. Rifle in hand, he hurtled over the fence like a boy half
his age. His straw hat plummeted to the ground. His legs
were much longer than Jennie’s, but fear and adrenaline
that tasted like metal on her tongue propelled her in his
wake. Leo slowed, slowed some more, halted, then stepped forward
with a balance and ease that spoke of a much smaller man.
He raised the rifle, took aim, and sent the snake on its
way in an explosion of sound that made Jennie jump even
though she knew it was coming. The acrid smell of gunpowder
filled the air and burned her nose. With a blood-curdling scream Francis rolled over, hopped to
his feet, and ran straight into Jennie’s open arms. She
scooped him up and hugged him hard, despite the urge to
take him to the woodshed for a “talk.” “Danki.” She spoke the single trembling word to Leo but let
her gaze encompass Nathan. He was willing to do more. He
simply hadn’t known what to do. “Francis thanks you too.” A spark of something indefinable in his amber eyes, Leo
nodded and set off across the field, his rifle slung over
his shoulder, his gait loose and easy. Taking it in silent
stride, just the way she knew he would.
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