Leah Yoder is unique among Amish heroines I have read to
date. She went to South America to be a missionary with her
Mennonite husband, but when a fever struck, she was
widowed. Now returned to Delaware, she seeks the services
of The
Amish Matchmaker in the fourth book in this
series, A LOVE FOR LEAH.
Thomas Stutzman has walked with many single girls, enjoying
life. But his family wants to him to marry, and the young
teacher he asks refuses. He's a nice lad, but she's not in
love. Thomas may have to seek a matchmaker's advice, though
he never expected to need one. Sara Yoder is the nearest
matchmaker and she's got a good success rate, and she
wonders if her cousin Leah would suit. But Leah expects an
older man, maybe a widower with family, while Thomas has
his heart set on a merry lass his own age.
Leah even drives a car. Nothing fancy, just serviceable;
she converted to the Mennonite ways upon her marriage. She
has a store of memories of the Brazilian rainforest and
village, but that's past and now she's considering
returning to Amish traditions. I think this change to a
more medieval lifestyle would be hard on a woman used to
some conveniences. However Leah would have no social
security safety net so I understand her wanting to return
to her community. Sara decides to invite Leah to a social
evening she's holding, where lots of eligible young people
can mingle, including some from Virginia. This is the Amish
social network.
I particularly enjoyed the look at organic vegetable
farming, which we are told is a growing trend. Tending
fields with compost and beehives, then picking produce
without artificial chemicals, seems totally in line with
Amish principles. Thomas is considering this farming but
has to visit a going concern to learn. At the same time he
uses some heavy machinery for digging. I had another
chuckle when a couple are required to have a chaperone, but
the only person not engaged in work is a grandmother. So
Granny gets a day trip with ice-cream, which sounds like an
excellent idea. The whole community is portrayed which is
one of the great aspects of series books; the tale is
really well grounded. Emma Miller is clearly having fun
mixing and matching. I recommend A LOVE FOR LEAH for any
reader who wants a book without strife. Each of her
inspirational Amish romances reads better than the last.
The Widow's Second Chance
Widow Leah Yoder married for love once. Now that she's come
home to Seven Poplars, she wants a marriage of convenience
that will provide a longed-for family without dishonoring
the memory of her late husband. A steady, serious older man
would be ideal—someone completely unlike handsome,
fun-loving Thomas Stutzman. She and the aspiring organic
farmer agree to court to prove that this time, the
matchmaker has made a mistake! But as their friendship
deepens, will Leah settle for what she thought she needed,
or put fear aside for a second chance at happiness?
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