If you need a break from serious issues of the day, try this kindly Amish romance which is suitable for all ages. LIZZIE’S HEART refers to Lizzie Fisher, who lives in a reasonably open Amish community in Southern Maryland. We meet Lizzie running towards a derelict farmhouse on fire. She’s halted by a strange young man, who doesn’t delay her for long. Lizzie has to rescue some kittens.  

Stephen Zimmerman, as he turns out to be, isn’t acquainted with Lizzie because they socialise separately, even though they live in the same general area. Stephen’s family is Old Order Mennonite so their families would not be impressed if he started courting a lovely young lady like Lizzie, who really has nothing better to do at home than help her mother in the kitchen. That seems a thankless task because Mamm favours her sister Frannie, who is currently unhappy after her beau moved away. All in all, Lizzie would rather be out and about, caring for the kittens her mother distrusts, and going so far as to secretly practise her drawing skills. The Amish don’t approve of making illustrations, thinking it fancy and prideful. But Stephen immediately spots Lizzie’s talent; the same talent which makes her such a good quilter and weaver, just as he is a good cabinet maker.

I am a creative person so my heart really went out to poor Lizzie, allowed to make useful and lovely quilts, but not allowed to draw. As I’m also an animal lover I empathised with her wish to raise the orphaned kitties, we also meet some Golden Labrador dogs being raised for service dog training. This nice, light romantic read by Susan Lantz Simpson is set in the same area as the impressive book The Mending, which showed us an Amish heroine with a health issue and helped us understand her condition. LIZZIE’S HEART is set during fall when many are busy canning and bottling fruit and trying to get major work finished ahead of winter snow. To me, Maryland sounds like a lovely place to visit at any time of year, and I will certainly revisit the books of Susan Lantz Simpson whenever possible.