A Widow's Hope (The Miller Family Series) [Paperback]

Mary Ellis (Author)

Book Description

Series: The Miller Family Series | Publication Date: March 1, 2009

A bright new voice shares a tender love story set in the rolling green fields of Ohio Amish country.

After the death of her husband, Hannah Brown is determined to make a new life with her sister’s family. But when she sells her farm in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, and moves with her sheep to Ohio, the wool unexpectedly starts to fly. Her deacon brother–in–law finds just about everything about Hannah vexing. When his widower brother shows interest in the young and beautiful widow, the deacon turns to prayer for guidance.

Hannah thought she could never love again, until she meets the strong, gentle farmer. Unfortunately, Seth Miller’s only interest is in Hannah’s sheep. He is content in his bachelor state and slow to recognize his daughter’s need for a new mother. Yet God offers Seth the perfect solution to their problems if he could only open his heart again...and love.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The popularity of Christian novels set in the Amish culture knows no bounds, so Ellis's tale should be a sure-fire hit for eager readers. Hannah Brown, childless and widowed after six years of marriage, seeks and needs a change. She sells her farm to her brother, puts her sheep on a truck and heads from Pennsylvania to Ohio to live with her beloved sister. Hannah's transition, however, is anything but smooth. Her brother-in-law, Simon, doesn't seem to like her, her sheep cause trouble, and her equilibrium is shattered thanks to handsome widower Seth Miller and his daughter, Phoebe. This is a gentle tale of renewed hope that puts readers in the middle of Amish life, and genre fans will certainly love it. Ellis offers a bit of originality in that Hannah owns a herd of sheep, but the book as a whole is more of the same in the huge, warm kitchen of Amish fiction. (Mar. 1)
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Product Details

• Paperback: 300 pages
• Publisher: Harvest House Publishers (March 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0736927328
• ISBN-13: 978-0736927321
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #168,413 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Mary Ellis grew up close to the eastern Ohio Amish community, Geauga County, where her parents often took her to farmer's markets and woodworking fairs. She loved their peaceful, agrarian lifestyle, their respect for the land, and their strong sense of Christian community.

She and her husband now live close to the largest population of Amish in the country--a four-county area in central Ohio. They often take weekend trips to purchase produce, meet Amish families, and enjoy a simpler way of life.

Mary enjoys reading, traveling, gardening, bicycling and swimming. But her favorite pasttime is snorkeling, which she seldom gets to do living in Ohio. She is a former middle school teacher and a former saleswoman for the world's best chocolate company. Now she writes full-time and wonders why her house is still dusty and her garden has so many weeds. The third of the Miller Family series, The Way to a Man's Heart, will be released in July.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I have read every book of Amish fiction I could find. I am a huge fan of the genre. This is by far the best Amish fiction I ha, May 1, 2009

By 

Debra Gaynor "ReviewYourBook.com" - See all my reviews
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This review is from: A Widow's Hope (The Miller Family Series) (Paperback)

I have read every book of Amish fiction I could find. I am a huge fan of the genre. This is by far the best Amish fiction I have read.
Hannah is a young widow. Seth is a young widower. Both are more than a little stubborn. Though Hannah moves in with her sister and her husband, the Deacon, will she soften around the edges enough to allow love to happen? Not if the Deacon has anything to do with it. He never has liked the audacious woman. He definitely does not want his brother, Seth, to fall in love with her. Just when the seeds of love are planted, she decides to move back home with her brother. Will she follow her head or her heart? Will Seth finally admit his feelings for her? Can the Deacon accept her for who she is--a tomboy and business woman with a big heart who can't cook well?
There is depth to the plot and characters. Though, you feel you know where the plot is going, there is always a dash of doubt. Will the story line take a turn? I empathized with the characters--except for Simon. I wanted to read this straight through. Unfortunately, life got in the way. I read that this is going to be turned into a series! Do not pass up this masterfully written book!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Refreshing new amish fiction writer!, April 21, 2009

By 

Theresa H Warren (NC,USA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: A Widow's Hope (The Miller Family Series) (Paperback)

A Widow's Hope is a very entertaining story of Amish life, loss, love, and family. I enjoyed every page, and hated to reach the end of the book. Mrs. Ellis is a talented writer, and hopefully there will be many more books on the Miller family, as I will be buying them as soon as they are released!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hopeful for More, April 18, 2009

By 

Suzanne J. Sellner (Houston, TX) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: A Widow's Hope (The Miller Family Series) (Paperback)

While I've read many an excellent Amish book, this one is refreshingly different with adventures and information involving caring for sheep. In addition, a broad range of human emotions and situations that transcend cultures and even a health condition add realism to the story line. Mary Ellis is a skilled writer maintaining suspense and interest through the entire novel. I look forward to the next book in the series. Most inspiring is the way the Holy Spirit softens hearts to respond in Christ-like ways to the characters' human failings and foibles.