Customer Reviews

Forgiven (Sisters of the Heart, Book 3)

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

In the middle of the night, Jonathan Lundy's barn is engulfed in flames as he rushes to rescue all his animals and save his sister Winnie. Winnie ends up in the hospital for a short period of time with burns on her legs and a broken foot. Since her brother was busy trying to clean up the disaster, he asked Samuel Miller to take her and visit her regularly since he lived and worked near the hospital. Samuel left the Amish community before being baptised to continue his education and is now a college professor of agriculture. He likes his job but has always felt like he did not fit in with the English. A budding friendship develops while visiting Winnie in the hospital that make him question everything about his English life. Will Winnie and Samuel join in either the English or Amish world? Will Winnie finally find the love that she has been looking for?

This is the last book in the series of Sisters of the Heart. I throughly enjoyed it! I originally read Grace first and I decided to read the whole series from the beginning. I love how each book revolved around a different person's relationship and how they all became "Sisters of the Heart." I love Shelley Shepard Gray's writing style and her character development makes you feel like you are there with them. I will be reading more from her in the future.

I've been a big fan of the books in the Sisters of the Heart series since I picked up book one. For some reason, they read differently from other Amish books. It's fresh and light, yet takes into account realistic views of both the Amish and English world. I think what I like best is that there are those who do get a taste of the outside world but their decision to choose the Amish lifestyle is not forced or fake. I've read other books where the choice seemed to put the Amish world as a paradise or utopia as opposed to the sinful worldliness of mainstream America. These books put a refreshing spin on that topic and I applaud them for it.

In this story the focus is on Winnie, the sister of Jonathan and sister in law of Katie. From the last book in the series, we learn that she has just gotten over a failed courtship and is attempting to move on. Unfortunately she's been severely limited due to being injured from a fire at Jonathan's farm. Therefore Sam, a university professor who left the Amish years ago, comes to her rescue and offers to take care of her while she's ailing. I really liked Sam and it was fun seeing him in both of his conflicting worlds. He fits comfortably in both, which is a nice change from seeing an Amish person so out of place in the English world. I really liked the chemistry between the two of them and it was realistic enough to understand how if affected Sam's final decision. I was also pleased with the conditions of his decision as it was realistic, again with small details that other books fail to mention.

There are two other story lines that are taking place in addition to Winnie's and Sam's relationship. Jonathan is trying to find out who set fire to his barn and struggles with forgiving that person. It's understandable about his anger because his entire family could have been killed and the guilty party still won't fess up to the crime. Also taking place in the background is the upcoming wedding between Anna and Henry. I really liked seeing this even take place as it ties together the entire series and brings it around full circle. I really have enjoyed reading this series and I think it's one of the best Amish series that's out there currently. I'm going to be looking forward to the next series by Shelley when it comes out later this year.

In the final book in the Sisters of the Heart Series we get to see what Winnie Lundy's fate will be now that she and Malcolm (from Ohio) are not going to work out. Winnie knows what she wants, which is to live as a mother and wife to someone who shares her belief in the Lord and her values. What she doesn't count on is being trapped in a hospital for days after a horrific fire takes the barn at her brother's house, and almost her life along with it.

Samuel Miller never took the final commitment to the Amish Church of his family as he learned to have a higher education and loved to teach others. He left the community and attended a local college where he eventually became a well known agricultural professor. But Samuel knows something is still missing in his life. He thinks he might have found it when he starts to spend time with Winnie, who he knows from his childhood and who is at a local hospital. Samuel is called in when she is first brought in as he knows the ways of both worlds, and then he volunteers to sit with Winnie out of kindness, and eventually both find that it is the highlight of their days. But with the two living in such different worlds will the budding attraction go anywhere?

Along with the budding romance you will also get to look into the lives of Winnie's brother John (from book 2) and see what happens when he is left wondering who set fire to his barn, and why they aren't asking for forgiveness.

Forgiven is the third and final story in the Sister of the Heart series and I am sad to see this series end. Forgiven looks at a bit of a different aspect of the life among some of the Amish and what might happen if someone doesn't live up to the principles that is at the foundation of their beliefs. It also looks at one who has left the group before choosing a life among the Amish and what is really important to them after time goes by. Ms. Shepard Gray has allowed me a look into a culture that values a life and set of principles that many would like to live by but are unwilling to give up the latest toys to do it, or set aside the time that it would take for their devotion.

I think that through all of the turmoil in Forgiven the love story that develops is one that is sweet and will make you smile. You can see if they are to be together one or the other will have to make some painful decisions. I hope some characters from the Sisters of the Heart series (such as Eli and Caleb) will be seen in other books by Ms. Shepard Gray, as I now want to know what happens to them, as they continue to follow their beliefs.


Tanya
Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

As with the last two books in this series I had a hard time putting the book down. I read at bedtime and I would find myself reading way into the night.

This is the last book of the series. I enjoyed this story. It kept my interest, loved all the story lines, and didn't want it to end. Just a really sweet book. I am anxious to read the next series by Shelley Shepard Gray - and have already preordered the first book. Well worth the purchase.

This is a very good book and I would recommend to anyone who enjoys reading about amish.

A sudden fire destroys the Lundy barn, leaving Winnie in the hospital with injuries. A chance encounter with Englisher Samuel Miller, a former member of the Amish community, brings friendship to Winnie while separated from her family and community of faith. Samuel left the community when he was young to pursue a university education and honor the natural gifts given to him by God. As their friendship deepens, Winnie and Samuel must face the challenges to their love and faith, particularly as each lives in such a different world. When the fire inspectors discover that a stray cigarette started the fire, her brother Jonathan knows he should forgive and yet he feels he needs to know who started the fire and why. Can he figure out the answer but more importantly, how will God act in the lives of those who dare to forgive and those who dare ask to be forgiven?

In FORGIVEN, the third in the Sisters of the Heart inspirational romances, Shelley Shepard Gray creates a multidimensional story of forgiveness within a Christian community. Gossip and honest searching to live a faithful life, teenage adolescence and fear all provide tensions as one act might divide the community. Jonathan may appear stubborn as the community urges him to just forgive and put the whole event behind him, but the author looks into the heart of a man who has been wronged and his need to understand. Shelley Shepard Gray goes beyond a stereotypical or simplistic tale of easy redemption to look into her characters' hearts. Following God's way, Jonathan is also a man who looks inside himself, not just blindly obedient but a man who internalizes God's message. As the story unfolds, the reader feels both a sense of community and a sense of individuality as her characters live out their lives.

In FORGIVEN, the characters come alive. Under the author's pen, each character becomes an individual. At moments Winnie just sparkles right off the page into the heart with her delightful sense of humor and connection to one of Samuel's students. The reader feels the gifts within Samuel that made him leave the community for an education. As Winnie and Samuel get to know one another, the reader easily feels the chemistry of the heart that draws them together and the conflict which threatens their romance. Shelley Shepard Gray ties these two stories, the romance and the fire together in an inspirational romance that focuses on community (and being outside the community of faith). Some modern Christian women readers may feel a slight disappointment in the resolution of the romance. Although the romance aspect is wonderfully done, the author does such an excellent job at making her characters individuals and showing God's work in their individual plans, that some readers may be left wondering how, other than the romance itself, God is working to challenge the innate gifts within Winnie. The ending makes sense, especially on a thematic level, but I could not help but want to know more about her because she was such a unique character. In short, a fourth Sisters of the Heart book in which readers see Winnie years later would be a wonderful addition to this series and one this reader would welcome. :-)

Shelley Shepard Gray's FORGIVEN is a must read for lovers of inspirational romance who love dynamic characters, a wonderful romance in which the hero and heroine bring out the best in one another, and a classic Christian message seen from many dimensions, dimensions which individualize and strengthen the key themes. Written in a light, easy to read style, but one in which the characters have much depth, FORGIVEN will appeal to young and adult readers alike who want more from their inspirational romance reading. Delightful!

COURTESY OF BOOK ILLUMINATIONS

"Forgiven" by Shelley Shephard Gray is the third book of her Sisters of the Heart series about the Amish community. When Jonathan's barn is burned down, his sister is badly hurt and he is filled with anger and a desire to find out who was smoking on his property that caused the fire. The other story line is romance that his sister, Winnie, finds as a result of the fire. It has an interesting twist and is an enjoyable read. Naturally, as the title gives away, Jonathan finds forgiveness in his heart for the one who started the fire.

As with most Christian fiction, this was predictable but a nice change of pace from the intense suspense novels. It certainly shows what it's like being Amish and has a good message about forgiveness. If you like a happy Amish story with Christian romance, you will enjoy this book too.

Just finished this book and was well pleased.. just like first 2 in series, the story keeps your attention and moves along.. had not read Shelly Gray before these 3 books but will be looking for her in future..

I love reading Amish fiction, I love the scripture references, their Godly lifestyles, the simplicity of their lives, etc. This is a good book, I enjoyed it very much. country home body.