Customer Reviews

The Protector: Families of Honor, Book Two

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

As a fan of Shelley Shepard Gray from her very first book ... I will say that I loved this one as well. I have read every single one of her books and never been disappointed ... I do remember searching for other books by her after reading her first book and being so terribly disappointed after I couldn't find any others ... now she has written so many wonderful books for others to love.

This particular book is about a young woman by the name of Ella, who is very unsure of herself ... she has always had a crush on a young man by the name of Loyal from the time he they were young. She cannot believe it when he starts to pay attention to her after he purchases her farm from her after parents have passed away. This lack of confidence is first also fed by a woman who she has considered a friend for years by the name of Dorothy.

This book has many ups and downs .... excellent as always and another one that I had trouble stopping ... found myself reading it way after I was supposed to be sleeping ...LOL! Obviously liked it ... Great book look forward to Book 3 in this series due out in August!

At school very tall Ella Hostetler dreamed that one day cute Loyal Weaver would court her though he never looked twice at the girl with glasses. When Ella's father died, she took over running the farm as her mom was too ill to do so. None of the neighbors offered to help the mother and daughter and they never asked anyone. When her mom died, Ella decided to rid herself of her other beloved burden though she loved her mom and their farm.

Her friend Dorothy obtains a library position for Ella while Loyal buys her family farm. Loyal invites Ella to visit the farm to see what he has been doing to it. She wonders if he might be interested in her the Amish gangly wallflower who spent her youth helping her parents, which increases her self esteem even as Dorothy offers counter arguments.

The second Family of Honor tale is an engaging Amish community novel that Ella keeps focused as a unique intriguing protagonist who struggles with a lack of confidence when it comes to relationships and social interactions. The support cast is three dimensional especially the leads of The Caregiver return (with the health issue), Loyal supported by his extended family, and fascinating Dorothy; the latter is some ways steals the show (no giveaways). Readers will enjoy Ella finds her groove, maybe.

Harriet Klausner

The Protector by Shelley Shepard Gray is the second book in the Families of Honor series. Ella earned the nickname of "Plain Ella" in school. She was known for being so quiet as to be almost forgotten, as opposed to popular Loyal Weaver who was friends with everyone and the object of girls' interest for his smile and shiny blond hair. Now life seems to be passing Ella by; she has spent the last several years caring for her ill mother after the death of her father, and now the family farm is being sold at auction: to Loyal! Ella is determined to make the best of this tragic situation, taking her dream job at the library and living in Dorothy Zook's, a single older woman, duplex. Loyal has wanted to get out from elder brother Calvin's shadow for years, and Ella's farm has given him the perfect opportunity to do so, despite Calvin's doubts. Loyal's guilt over buying Ella's home encourages him to seek her out and ask her opinion on his updates to the place, but he soon finds himself drawn to Ella's gentle, loving nature and radiant smile that transforms her from plain into the most beautiful woman he's ever seen. Meanwhile, Mattie is still struggling with breast cancer and all that it has robbed her of: courting, dreams of a family, a normal life; and her best friend Graham is now dating a new girl that has Mattie re-evaluating her feelings for him. There are a plethora of Amish series on the market today, but Gray is one of the few authors I follow. Her characters are always very real and the stories compelling. The Fatal Attraction twist in this one was a bit over the top, but Gray carries it well. I enjoy the interplay between the many subplots in this series, and I look forward to the resolution of Mattie's story in the next book. Gray is one of the best writers doing bonnet fiction today.

Every woman craves the attention and protection of the man who will love her and keep her safe. Yet ever since she was a child, Ella has accepted the fact that no one wants to be her friend. She believes it's due to her tall stature, the fact she has to wear glasses so she can see, and her plain, old brown hair. No one has ever wanted to be friends with Ella, except her best friend Corrine. So Ella has resolved to stay alone, and take care of her parents. She knows no one will ever fall in love with her.

Fate steps into her life when her father passes away and she has to care for her ailing mother. When she too passes away, Ella is forced to auction off her families belongings and farm just to be able to live with no other family. What's worse is that the boy she had a crush on in her childhood, Loyal Weaver, is now the man who is buying up all her belongings as well as the home she thought she would always live in.

Now she lives in a small apartment in town with her friend, Dorothy, who has agreed to provide her with a place to stay and a job. After all since no one will ever fall in love with Ella, she doesn't think the arrangement isn't too bad. It seems to work out for the best until Ella begins to spend too much time with Loyal and Corrine and not enough time with her. All of a sudden, Ella begins to question her safety the more time she spends with Dorothy. Will she ever find love or will she be left all alone just like she has always believed.

In the sequel to Shelley Shepard Gray's Families of Honor series, The Protector, picks up right where the Caregiver left off. This is a wonderful transition into the second book and I completely enjoyed this one as much as the first one. This time we get to know more about Ella Hostetler's life growing up in the Amish community alone without her family to support and guide her. Living a life as a woman alone, it makes her choices more difficult, not knowing if there are what is best for her. We also get to experience what is must feel like to be treated like an outsider within your own community through Ella's eyes and just how God will chose to answer her prayers.

I received this book compliments of Christian Fiction Blog Alliance for my honest review and LOVED it. Now I can't wait for the continuation in this series with The Survivor coming out in the fall of 2011. This book rates a 5 out of 5 stars for a great Amish romance story that will leave the reader wanting more!

I just love this series by Shelley Shephard Gray! This time our main story is Ella, who is selling her families' home and moving into town. An only child, with both parents gone, Ella decides to rent half of a duplex from her good friend Dorothy and take the job at the library. Ella has always felt like an outsider, not good enough for anyone.

We also get a few chapters from my favorite little spirited girl, Katie. Katie is my kind of girl, her love of reading really excites me as well! Mattie and Graham are in a bit, we build a foundation for the next book a bit in this one.

Loyal bought Ella's family farm and a lot of the possessions too. Loyal has never even acknowledged Ella, but suddenly he sees her in a new light. When he starts spending more and more time with her, Loyal finds out that maybe opposites attract or do they? You will have to read and find out their love story.

Oh yes, another good little love story brewing is the love triangle between the librarian, John and Mary the amish woman with the son! That is a really good one. I mean John left the order and went and lived with the English, but came back to be near family. So what is he really?

Shelley always delights and Hebrews 11:1 -- Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see -- one we should all keep in our hearts and minds...keep it in your mind when you read...

Ella Hostetler's mother has passed away, and now Ella is all alone on a farm she can no longer afford to take care of. She reluctantly holds an auction and sells off everything but the bare necessities, and notes that a neighbor, Loyal Weaver, buys the farm and most of the furniture and farm equipment. Ella is hurt that her memories are going for a song, but she's determined to move on in life.

Ella rents a duplex next door to her long time librarian friend, Dorothy, who also helps her get a job at the library. Ella loves her new job, but she's not so happy with Dorothy who is acting more and more possessive, and making disparaging comments about Ella's other friends.

When Loyal starts coming around to show Ella what he's done with the farm and the house, they develop a quick friendship. Ella's always had feelings for Loyal, yet she realizes that friendship is all they'll ever have...after all, Loyal's never paid attention to her before. Eventually, Ella is faced with a choice...protect her heart--or come out of her shell and risk everything...

THE PROTECTOR is book two of Ms. Gray's Families of Honor series, but it easily stands alone. I did read the first book in the series The Caregiver and both the hero and heroine make appearances in this book so readers might want to read that book first. Also, there are some continuing stories in this book with some of the secondary characters that are going from book to book.

Readers of Amish fiction will want to read THE PROTECTOR and any of Ms. Gray's other Amish books. They are full of characters that'll you'll love and cheer for. I wanted Ella to find happiness and the family she longed for, and wished she'd see Dorothy for what she was... Discussion questions are included at the end of the book. Giving it 4.5 stars.

Ella Hostetler was always enamored with Loyal Weaver, all through school she always dreamed of him, but he never noticed her, actually she felt as if no one really paid much attention to her. She wore glasses and always felt tall and gangly. After the death of her father, her mother became ill, and because Ella was an only child the responsibility of caring for her mother and taking care of the farm was sometimes overwhelming. The one person who checked on her regularly was Dorothy. So when Ella's mother dies, she decides to auction off the family farm. Her friend Dorothy helps her get a job at the library and rents her an apt. Turns out Loyal purchased the farm and is soon inviting Ella out to see the changes he has made. Could it be that after all these years Loyal is finally noticing Ella? As Ella's self confidence starts to bloom, Dorothy tries to put doubts in her mind. Will Ella finally have a chance at love?

This is the second book in the Family of Honor Series, and I must say I really enjoyed continuing to read about the characters from the first book. Ella really dealt with self esteem issues,but it was so nice to see her come out of her shell. The character of Dorothy was quite interesting. I think bitterness over what had happened to her when she was younger really warped her mind. I really don't think that I have ever read another Amish character quite like her.
I also enjoyed reading a bit more about Calvin and Lucy, and I love seeing things through young Katie's eyes.Her determination to get to the library and sign up for the summer reading program was so cute. The scenes that take place in the Kaffi Haus really had me wanting a donut!
I also like the continuing story of Maddie and her health issues. I really want her to find someone special of her own, although I feel as if she already has.
At the end of this book we get a brief teaser for "The Survivor," the next book in the series which is due out in August 2011, and I for one can't wait!
If your a fan of Amish fiction that isn't quite so predictable then you should definitely pick up this book. While it is the second book in the series it can easily be read as a stand alone work, but because the stories are so good I would suggest reading the first book in the series as well titled The Caregiver.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me an e-copy of this book for review.

Although this is a fiction book it was true to life. It shows the difficult times that people of faith and a God/others centered life can go through. It shows the faithfulness of God and that with His help we can overcome.

I love shelly Shepard Grays books. I now have 9 of them in my library and wait for any more she puts out. Some amish authors just hold you spell bound from cover to cover and she ranks way up there with the Beverly lewis and Wanda Brunstetter books. Excellent author and I recommend if you like amish fiction, get her books.

If you like Janette Oke and Wanda Brunstetter, you will love this book. It is the second in a series and while it could it could stand alone, it is much more interesting if you have read the first book in the series. If you like this style and subject, you will want to read the first book, The Caregiver.

Why do I keep saying "if you like..."? While I like Janette Oke and Wanda Brunstetter, there are many other authors I would choose before choosing a book by them. Nonetheless, I did find myself absorbed near the end of the book. After I read the first chapter of the next book, The Survivor, I could hardly wait to read it. So I leave you with a mixed review....while I wait impatiently for the next one.