I'd read The Shepherd's Bride] and looked forward to finding out more about the Amish characters. Patricia Davids has a knack of bringing people to life in a modern setting while they choose to follow the rules of their rural community. THE AMISH NANNY includes alpacas, kept for their fine wool.

Ethan Gingerich has seen the lady he adored marry someone better off, and now he works quietly at hauling timber with his team of massive Belgian horses. His brother and sister- in-law have recently died and left him to care for their three young children. One little boy thought he could ride the neighbour's alpacas - not knowing that their backs are not strong. No harm was done, but Ethan can't watch the kinner every minute, and he isn't able to get any work done. Besides which, it's calving time.

Clara Barkman is assisting Ethan's neighbour Faith Lapp with spinning, having been helped by her sister Lizzie to run away from an unpleasant uncle and a marriage she didn't want. Clara's a pretty young maid who can't resist chatting to the children and helping them out of trouble in the stream. Farmland holds many dangers. Ethan asks Clara in front of her family if she will come to work for him as a nanny. She's considering doing teaching work in autumn and this seems like a good way to start. The children will be adequate chaperones.

The oldest boy, Micah, is stubborn and uncooperative, since Ethan has no idea what chores or disciplines are appropriate, and Micah silently blames God for the untimely death of his parents, though Clara takes time to understand this fact. For her part, Clara carries a fear of horses. Can she overcome these difficulties to make a happy home? And has she any business growing to admire the hard- working timber man?

I enjoyed seeing Ethan's strong team hauling trunks out of the woods, in an environmentally friendly manner. This is not a safe job to do alone, as we discover. While Clara's scenes are generally domestic, the farm setting and Fourth of July festival are enjoyable. Patricia Davids writes in a lovely descriptive manner so THE AMISH NANNY will suit those wanting a gentle romance with strongly described characters and a lively background.