It has been almost a year since the Amish community of Pleasant Valley lost Ezra Brand to a tragic accident. Since then, his wife, Rachel, has struggled to raise their three children and run their dairy farm… Rachel’s friends and family have come forward to help — Rachel’s friend Leah, who is now married and expecting a child; Ezra’s brothers, who work on the farm; and Rachel’s parents, who are no strangers to grief after their only son, Johnny, left the Amish community. But their constant advice, however well-intentioned, puts undue pressure on Rachel. And when Gideon Zook — Ezra’s best friend, who survived the accident — asks her permission to build the greenhouse that Ezra had always promised her, she finds his presence too painful a reminder of the past. As spring turns to summer, and Rachel puts her heart into growing the flowers and plants that have always brought her joy, can she discover the courage to make her own choices…and embrace new beginnings?
Rachel's Garden (Pleasant Valley)
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About the Author
A lifetime spent in rural Pennsylvania and her own Pennsylvania Dutch roots led Marta Perry to write about the Plain People who add to the rich heritage of her home state. Marta is the author of over thirty inspirational romance novels. She and her husband live in a century-old farmhouse and try to keep up with twenty-five acres of fields and woods. Active in their church and community, they are the parents of three children and the proud grandparents of six beautiful grandchildren.
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I realized I wanted to be a writer at age eight, when I read my first Nancy Drew novel, The Secret of the Old Clock. Most little girl reach the end of that book wanting to be Nancy. I wanted to be the person who created the story!
The dream lay hidden for years while I became a teacher, married, had children...all the usual things. But eventually it re-surfaced, and I began to write, beginning with short children's stories for Sunday school take-home papers. It seemed a long time until that first acceptance, but eventually I began to sell. After some three hundred published short stories, I finally found the courage to work on the novel I'd always wanted to write.
Thirty-some published novels later, I still feel the same excitement every time I begin a new book--a mix of not believing I can do it combined with an overwhelming urge to see the story on the page.
A lifetime spent in rural Pennsylvania and my own Pennsylvania Dutch roots eventually led me to the books I'm writing now about the Amish. The Pleasant Valley Amish series from Berkley Books are longer, more complex emotional stories with Amish main characters, while my forthcoming HQN suspense novels are more adventure-filled books set in Pennsylvania Dutch country. I'm also writing a Love Inspired series, The Bodine Family, set on the South Carolina coast where we have a second home.
When I'm not writing, I'm busy with church activities, traveling, and spending time with my three children and six beautiful grandchildren.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Encouragement, Faith and Hope offered in book about Amish,
By squiresj (Wasola, Mo) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Rachel's Garden (Pleasant Valley) (Paperback)
Even within the Amish communities, there are struggles to deal with in life. Faith does not automatically solve everything. It takes time. Rachel deals with the death of her husband, raising his children and trying to run the Dairy Farm alone. Family pitches in but like all families they can be trying on you. Ezra's brothers help but also cause hardships upon Rachel in trying to force their decisions on her. Families seem to think they always know what is best for you. Rachel has to struggle with issues dealing with Gideon, Ezra's best friend, and Isaac and William, Ezra's brothers and yes, even her own parents. Rachel has to think about what is best for her and he children. She has dreams but she isn't always supported in those dreams.But like all parents eventually her parents come around and support her in her dreams. They are always there to help even when they disagree. Then Leah is her best friend and she feels at first like she loses her support to. But it was just her misunderstanding what Leah meant. Good friends always work through situations. Rachel is there to help Leah when her baby is born. Rachel and Gideon's relationship starts off with Gideon building a greenhouse for Rachel because it was to be Ezra's gift to her. But he wasn't prepared for his heart to open up to love again as he was still grieving the death of his wife and baby. Hardships hit the Amish as they do us (referred to as Englishers) and life is the same whether you are Amish or not. We all face situations where our faith is tested. I received this book at a time I was dealing with hurt from a lady in church, health situations, the loss of my Mother, etc. So it was very uplifting and encouraging. I highly recommend this book to inspire and encourage you every day in your walk through life.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Pleasant Amish romance,
This review is from: Rachel's Garden (Pleasant Valley) (Paperback)
In Pleasant Valley, Pennsylvania, Widow Rachel Brand has no time to grieve the death of her husband Ezra in an accident. Instead she has a farm to keep and three young children to raise by herself though she knows her Amish neighbors will offer help.Ezra's best friend Gideon Zook, who survived the accident, wants to honor his deceased buddy by completing a project he was going to do for his wife. Ezra intended to build a greenhouse for Rachel. However, her family pressures her to sell the farm instead of starting a nursery. However, questionable accidents leaves Gideon and Rachel to wonder if someone covets the land so much as to drive the widow away and to reconsider what happened to Ezra even as they fall in love. The second Pleasant Valley Amish romance (see Leah's Choice) is an interesting look at two people who lost their first cherished mates who are falling in love but are in denial about how they feel. The lead couples makes the tale as the ghosts of Ezra and Naomi stand in their way as Gideon is unable to move on; somewhat because he suffers from survivor guilt and somewhat from his disbelief that one can love twice. Fans will enjoy a trip to Lancaster County as Marta Perry provides a charming second chance at love romance. Harriet Klausner
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Suzie Housley, Midwest Book Review,
By Suzie Housley (Oak Ridge, Tn United States) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Rachel's Garden (Pleasant Valley) (Paperback)
It has been a year since Rachel Brand lost her husband Ezra. His untimely death was attributed to an accident. His memory still lingers fresh in her mind each time she looks into one of her three children's faces.Rachel is determined to do whatever it takes to save her dairy farm. She readily accepts help when her Amish friends offer her assistance. Gideon Zook was Ezra's best friend. He was with him the day that he died and his memory is still haunted by that horrific day. Gideon offers to fulfill a promise that Ezra had made to Rachel, to build a greenhouse. With a heavy heart she accepts and allows him to being building. Her family is against her starting a nursery; instead they insist she sale the farm. Gideon is plagued that he was able to survive the accident where as Ezra lost his life. Working at Rachel's farm he sees her for the beautiful woman that he has always known her to be. The daily interaction has both of them experiencing feelings they never thought possible. Will they be able to put the past behind them and focus on the future? There is one who is intent to see the young widow is driven to sale. With each hardship Rachel experiences they grow closer to seeing her lose her farm. Will this madman succeed in driving Rachel away from her land? Rachel's Garden - Pleasant Valley Book Two is second in the Pleasant Valley series. Once again Marta Perry has done an exceptional job in writing a riveting book that is assured to keep you glued to your seat. I look forward to the next installment in this highly addictive series. The simplistic life of the Amish lifestyle mixed in with an element of greed makes for one outstanding novel.
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