Miriam's Secret by Jerry Eicher is book one in the Land
of Promise series.
Miriam inherits a HUGE fortune along with the family farm
from Mr. Bland,
the elderly gentleman she had been caring for in his home.
Mr Bland has
always made Miriam feel special not just the hired help.
When Mr. Bland
dies unexpectedly it is a blow to Miriam, not just because
of the loss of a
job, but because of a loss of a close friendship. She has
come to think of
Mr. Bland as a second father to her. His sister Rose is
grateful for all she
has done for her brother. She tells Miriam that he cared
deeply for her and
the service she provided was far above what they had hoped
for. She tells
others about the farm but keeps a secret of the even
greater fortune she
has inherited.
Well to say that this changes Miriam's life and future is
an understatement.
What is an Amish woman to do with such a gift? Who does
she tell? Will
the money corrupt her? Will men seek her hand in marriage
because of the
fortune? What was God thinking? Her family has always
prayed that they
would have enough money to survive. There are ten children
in their family
and all of this money sure would help. How can she tell
anyone what Mr.
Bland has left her? MIRIAM'S SECRET is a big one!
When Miriam decides to leave town and go to Oklahoma and
visit with her
Aunt and Uncle to be the helper when her aunt has their
first baby, she
takes her sister, Shirley along with her. Shirley has been
dating an
Englisch boy and promises her parents to give him up but
doesn't. Miriam
thinks going far away for a while may help both of them.
She knows that
Jonas will never come back to the Amish faith and Miriam
is worried that
Shirley will leave it for him and all of his wealth.
I have never read a novel by Jerry Eicher before but I am
sure glad I took a
chance on MIRIAM'S SECRET. I read this book in two days,
probably
would have been one day but I had a headache one night,
and I can't wait
for the next installment. There were no dull moments in
this book, and it
was an enjoyable story. I did become frustrated at times
with the
characters lack of communication, however they finally
overcome that,
much to my delight and relief. The plot moves quickly
with the reader
learning more and more about the characters and with
little surprises here
and there. It is well plotted and I loved MIRIAM'S SECRET
from page one.
Sweet, romantic at times and with an interesting look into
the Amish
community.
Bestselling author Jerry S. Eicher (more than 600,000
books sold) brings
new characters and surprising challenges to lovers of
Amish fiction in the
Land of Promise series.
In this first book, Miriam Yoder has a secret. Her
compassionate care for
Amos Bland during his last days resulted in her receiving
a large
inheritance. When Ivan Mast indicates his intentions at
romance, Miriam
suspects he’s discovered her hidden wealth and has plans
that aren’t
inspired by his love for her.
Seeking a fresh start where no one knows her, Miriam
accepts a teaching
position in faraway Oklahoma where she meets Wayne Yutzy,
a local
greenhouse employee. His interest in her seems genuine and
when he
proposes, Miriam accepts. Happiness surely awaits the
newly engaged
couple….or does it?
Book one in the Land of Promise series