Hidden (Sisters of the Heart, Book 1) (Paperback)

~ (Author)
Key Phrases: Shelley Shepard Gray, Rob Peterson, Anna Metzger (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

When Anna decides it's time to leave her abusive boyfriend, she doesn't know where to turn. Rob has completely won over her parents, and the entire community, with his good looks and smooth charm. Only Anna has seen his dark side.

Desperate, she runs to the only place she's ever felt completely safe—the Amish Brenneman Bed and Breakfast, where Anna met life-long friend Katie Brenneman. The family welcomes her in, and with few questions asked allows her to stay, dressed in Plain clothing, and help around the inn.

Katie's older brother Henry is the only one who doesn't take too kindly to the intrusion. He tries to ignore Anna, knowing no good would ever come from caring for an Englisher like her. But as he gets to know Anna, he discovers her good heart and is surprised with her readiness to accept their lifestyle.

The more time Anna spends with the Amish, the more she feels she's found a true home. But how can she deny the life she left behind? And will her chance for happiness be stolen away by the man from her past?

From the Back Cover

Anna’s boyfriend Rob is a successful and powerful person in the community who has completely won over her parents with his good looks and prestigious position at a top law firm. But when Rob hurts Anna yet again, she realizes that she must finally help herself.
Desperate, she runs to the one place she’s always felt completely safe, the Brenneman Bed and Breakfast, where years ago she and her mother once stayed, and where Anna met life-long friend Katie.When Anna shows up unexpectedly, the family welcomes her in, with few questions asked, and allow her to stay, dressed as the Amish, and help around the inn.
But Katie’s older brother Henry doesn’t take too kindly to the intrusion. Anna wonders if it’s because he’s already had his heart broken. After courting steadily, Rachel Baar left him for an English man, dispelling Henry’s dreams of a future with her.
To Henry’s shame, from the moment he sees Anna, he feels a strong attraction. To cover his infatuation, he tries to ignore her, knowing no good would ever come from keeping an eye on a fancy woman like her. But as he sees that Anna has a good heart and is not the selfish, spoiled woman he imagined her to be, he feels his heart melting towards her.
Anna comes to realize that she’s found a home and true love in the last place she’d expected. But will her chance for happiness be stolen away by the man who can’t seem to let her go?

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Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Avon Inspire; Later Printing edition (May 27, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0061474452
• ISBN-13: 978-0061474453
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (29 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #12,303 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hidden , August 7, 2008

By	M. Nix "Joyfully Reviewed" - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Anna has finally seen her abusive boyfriend for what he is, an overgrown bully, and she knows that she will have to go into hiding to escape him. Since Ron has completely bamboozled her family and support system she knows of only one place to run. She runs to the place where she has always felt completely safe - the Brenneman's Bed and Breakfast. Anna does not have much trouble fitting into the Brenneman's simple way of life as Amish plain folk, and it actually seems to help her to decide what she really wants out of life. Anna is glad she and Katie have stayed friends since the quilting class she took years ago. Now if only Katie's brother Henry would just stop jumping to conclusions about her.

The longer she stays the more she figures out what she wants in life. And the more that Henry learns where he might have misjudged her. Will Anna decide what is best for her or will Ron catch up with her? And will her parents abide by her decisions?

Hidden was a sweet and thoughtful story surrounding not just the simple lifestyle of the Amish. It deals with an individual's real path in life and also deals with actions of abuse, and how someone might get in too deep to see what is happening. I found I was drawn into this story from the beginning and when it ended I was hoping the next book in the series was already out, I'm not that lucky and am now left impatiently waiting for it to be printed. But, that is ok as it will allow me to share my thoughts on Hidden. I think Ms. Shepard Gray did a fine job in telling the story of Anna and what is really important in her life and where she is the most comfortable. It also shows the strength of a community that many see as too simple. I thoroughly enjoyed Hidden and hope you will also.

Tanya
reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars 1st book kicks off series right, July 2, 2008

By	Christina Lockstein "http://christysbookblog.... (Oconto Falls, WI USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

Hidden by Shelley Shepard Gray is the first book in the Sisters of the Heart series. Anna flees her abusive, powerful boyfriend Rob by going to Ohio's Amish country where her Amish friend Katie lives. Katie's family takes Anna in, and she adopts their clothing and ways in order to hide in their B&B. But Katie's older brother Henry takes an instant dislike to Anna with her fashionable clothing and makeup for bringing possible danger to his family's doorstep. Anna quickly falls in love with the Amish way of life: no constant noise, working together, simple clothing, and time to think and focus on God, and her search for the self that has been hidden is really the most powerful part of the book. Anna's relationship with her parents is very sad and all too realistic. The home she finds with the Amish allows her to become more and rather than remain hidden, for the first time, she finds her true identity. Gray's book is a wonderful story of faith and romance.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars HIDDEN * ( SISTERS OF THE HEART, August 17, 2008

By	June C. Thompson "amish follower" (wisconsin) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Amazon Verified Purchase

THIS AGAIN IS ONE OF THE BOOKS YOU CAN;T PUT DOWN ONCE YOU START READING IT. THIS GAL IS AN AWESOME AUTHOR AND I WILL BUY ANY MORE OF HER BOOKS SHE PUTS OUT. VERY PLEASED AND I READ LOTS OF BOOKS AND COLLECT ALL OF THE AMISH BOOKS I CAN GET MY HANDS ON. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK
JUNE [e-mail]