Something Old (The Plain City Bridesmaids) [Paperback]

Dianne Christner (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 2011 | Series: The Plain City Bridesmaids (Book 1)

Travel to Plain City, Ohio, to witness the Mennonite and English culture clash. As Katy Yoder accepts a new job and struggles to define her place in the world, childhood friends and a past romance get in the way. Even when her friends try to help her change her judgmental attitude, Katy is certain that seeing things as black and white is the only way to please God. But as love softens her heart, slowly shades of gray seep into her world, and she discovers the right answer isn’t always the easiest one.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Christner has written a novel about the Mennonites that is rich in detail without being overbearing.  The characters are well written and believable.  The main female character is unsympathetic at times, but redeems herself in the end.

(Patsy Glans RT Book Reviews 20110624)

Fans of contemporary Inspirational fiction will enjoy Something Old. The characters are well-developed and for the most part, likable and sympathetic. Dianne Christner delivers many valuable lessons of faith that transcend specific religious boundaries. Katy’s love story and journey make for a truly delightful read.

(Kathy Branfield The Readers Roundtable Inspirational Moments 20110713)

Book Description

While others accuse Katy Yoder of being judgmental, she is certain that seeing things as black and white is the only way to please God. When old flame, Jake Byler, returns, shades of gray seep into her world as she discovers the right answer isn’t always the easiest one.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Barbour Books; Original edition (August 1, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1616262311
• ISBN-13: 978-1616262310
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.4 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #839,918 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Dianne Christner lives in Phoenix, Arizona. Her Mennonite background brings authenticity to her new contemporary series about the plain people. Before this, she had several historical fictions published. Dianne is a member of Romance Writers of America, American Christian Fiction Writers, Christian Writers of the West, and National Association of Professional Women. She invites you to visit her website and blog.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars I enjoyed this story more than I expected to. November 26, 2011

By Michelle Sutton

Format:Paperback

I was pleasantly surprised at the many deep spiritual themes in this book. The most compelling had to do with the consequences of festering anger and unforgiveness. It truly made Katy difficult, unattractive, and I daresay, downright ugly at times. In contrast, forgiveness and grace changed her countenance as well. The ordinary becomes beautiful when gratitude and grace result in living at peace with men.

The story did a great job at illustrating how the outside of the cup can be clean (I found it ironic that Katy was a cleaning lady,) but the inside can still be full of dead man's bones. And while the heroine was a Christian and did sincerely love God, she'd let the structure and boundaries of her Mennonite faith determine how she lived her life rather than reflecting God's love onto others. In short, the symbol became more important than the meaning behind it.

But I loved how Katy often softened around Jake, and how she wanted to forgive him, but that stinkin' pride kept getting in the way. But when they kissed, wow! Sparks flew and the room got a bit warmer. I have to say I loved that this wasn't a one kiss at the end type story. That gets bonus points from me. There was realistic tension, desire, and passion between them that made for some great scenes.

Jake was the consummate hero. There was nothing not to love about him. I was actually glad at one point when he said he was tired of the fighting and maybe it wasn't meant to be. Good for him. I was getting ticked at Katy and her back and forth emotions myself, all of which were propelled by anger. That is such the antithesis to Christ's love, whether the anger is deserved or not. I loved how God used the foolish things to confound the wise, in other words, how God used the person that Katy believed was so worldly that she couldn't be a good person, to show her how to be honest with herself and others. I loved that!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Good, but different than most amish fiction November 18, 2011

By jennifer barnes

Format:Paperback

The book was good overall, but the style was definitely different than most of the amish fiction I normally read.

Katy is 19 and loses a cleaning job and takes on a nanny job for two "english" kids, but finds that too many aspects conflict with her mennonite beliefs. She struggles with the gray areas of her religion and is very judgemental, not just of the "english" but also her friends and people within her community. As a young girl, Katy and her girlfriends, Lil and Megan attend a summer camp,and make a promise when they are old enough, but before they marry, to live together as roommates. Katy's dad allows her to move, but she must agree to 3 dates with David, a man from her community. Jake, her old love left for the english world years ago, but suddenly returns wanting to win back and prove his love for Katy, but finds she is dating another man. Lil, Jake's cousin and Katy's best friend works to try to push them back together in "chance" meetings, but his english ex girlfriend shows up and Katy finds it hard to forgive and trust again.

The plot was good, but very juvenile, more for middle school to highschool. The characters were well established and I developed an attachment to them, but it took a quarter of the book to get there. Book two is coming out next year and I'm excited to read more about the people of this community.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars More of a YA Feel October 21, 2011

By weatherlover1

Format:Kindle Edition

3.5 Stars

Katy is a conservative Mennonite and she takes it very seriously. Her goal is to move out of her parents home and into an apartment with her friends Lil and Megan. They have been friends since childhood and this has been their dream to share a home together. Katy is a housekeep and loves to clean and keep things neat. The only thing missing in her life is love. Her old flame Jake left her a few years back as he fell of the wagon and distance himself for his faith and Katy. One of the stipulations put on her by her father in order for her to live away from home is she has to go on three dates with a young man named David. On the first date her old flame Jake returns and claims he is a changed man and is returning to the church and wants a 2nd chance with her. Katy still has feeling for Jake but is bitter because he dated another girl while they where apart and she feels betrayed.

Jake has come home to start a new. He has been in love with Katy since he is 10 and want to make up for being a jerk and leaving Katy. Can Katy over come her judgment of Jake and the outside world and find true love or will she not be able to let the past go?

This was a well written book. I grew up in a modern Mennonite church so I was looking forward to reading this book. I read a lot of Amish fiction books where the characters are 19 or 20 just like Katy and have never felt they where YA(young adult) books but this one felt that way to me. As much as I liked Katy I also felt she was very immature and self centered. I understand she was raised with a lot of the values like her Amish cousins but very few of the Amish fiction books I read feel so judgmental. Katy came across as having the view point of outsiders that they where all nonbelievers. I felt her over the top attitude took away some of my excitement for this book.

I really liked Jake. Yes he made some mistakes but he has returned with his faith renewed. I could not help but feel sorry for him a little as Katy was acting so badly towards him. I also wondered where her parents where during most of the book. In the beginning they made a big deal about her moving out yet we heard nothing from them after that which considering how close family's tend to be in the Mennonite faith I found that kind of odd. Over all I liked the book and look forward to the others in the series due out next year.