The Amish Midwife - By Mindy Starns Clark Page 0,146

adoption, meaning that they, a family member, or a close friend was adopted, adopted a child, or relinquished a child for adoption. Many other Americans have an indirect connection. Do you have a connection with adoption? If so, what is it? Has this story changed the way you view adoption?

4. Lexie has a long-standing fantasy about her birth family. How did her fantasy help her through the years of not knowing the truth about her past? Have you ever held onto a childhood fantasy or known someone who has? What were the benefits? What was the harm?

5. How does Lexie’s Mennonite community in Oregon compare to the Amish community she encounters in Pennsylvania? What does she find attractive about the Amish? What do you find attractive about the Amish?

6. Who is Marta trying to protect by not being forthright with Lexie? Why does Marta think it’s better to leave the past alone? What does Marta have to lose if the truth is discovered?

7. The Amish practice of “letting be” is at odds with the individualism central to most modern cultures. When do you think Christians should “let things be” and when do you think they should be more proactive?

8. James tells Lexie there is no shame for her in her story. Is there an area in your life that you have experienced false shame? How did you overcome it?

9. Lexie finds comfort in Psalm 139:16. Is there a particular verse that has brought you comfort? What is it and why?

10. Lexie is intrigued with both the word “kinship” and its concept. Have you found kinship in any unexpected places? What impact has it had on your life?

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

The Amish Midwife is Mindy Starns Clark’s fifteenth book with Harvest House Publishers. Previous novels include the bestselling Whispers of the Bayou, Shadows of Lancaster County, Under the Cajun Moon, and Secrets of Harmony Grove, as well as the well-loved Million Dollar Mysteries.

Mindy lives with her husband, John, and two adult daughters near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania.

Leslie Gould, a former magazine editor, is the author of numerous novels, including Beyond the Blue and Garden of Dreams. The Amish Midwife is her first book with Harvest House.

Leslie received her master of fine arts degree from Portland State University and lives in Oregon with her husband, Peter, and their four children.

For a detailed “Family Tree Companion Guide to The Amish Midwife,” visit Mindy’s and Leslie’s websites at www.mindystarnsclark.com and www.lesliegould.com.

A POCKET GUIDE TO AMISH LIFE

by Mindy Starns Clark

“I cannot imagine being any happier than I am now.”

—An Amish Man

As Amish fiction continues to appeal to a huge audience, A Pocket Guide to Amish Life gives you a glimpse into an obscure, fascinating world—what the Amish believe and how they live. Full of fun and fresh facts about the people who abide by this often-misunderstood faith and unique culture, this handy-sized guide covers a wide variety of topics, such as:

• beliefs and values

• clothing and transportation

• courtship and marriage

• shunning and discipline

• teens and rumspringa

• children and the elderly

• education and work

Presented in an easy-to-follow and engaging style, this pocket guide to the Amish is a great resource for anyone interested in Amish life.

SHADOWS OF LANCASTER COUNTY

by Mindy Starns Clark

What Shadows Darken the Quiet Valleys of Amish Country?

Anna Bailey thought she left the tragedies of the past behind when she took on a new identity and moved from Pennsylvania to California. But now that her brother has vanished and his wife is crying out for help, Anna knows she has no choice but to come out of hiding, go home, and find him. Back in Lancaster County, Anna follows the high-tech trail her brother left behind, a trail that leads from the simple world of Amish farming to the cutting edge of DNA research and gene therapy.

During the course of her pursuit, Anna soon realizes that she has something others want, something worth killing for. In a world where nothing is as it seems, Anna seeks to protect herself, find her brother, and keep a rein on her heart despite the sudden reappearance of Reed Thornton, the only man she has ever loved.

Following up on her extremely popular gothic thriller, Whispers of the Bayou, Mindy Starns Clark offers another suspenseful standalone mystery, one full of Amish simplicity, dark shadows, and the light of God’s amazing grace.

SECRETS OF HARMONY GROVE

by Mindy Starns Clark

What Secrets Lurk Deep Inside Harmony Grove?

Philadelphia advertising executive Sienna Collins learns she is under investigation by the federal government for crimes she knows nothing about. Suspecting the matter has something to do with one of her investments, the Harmony Grove Bed & Breakfast in Lancaster County, she heads there only to find her ex-boyfriend dead and the manager of the B and B unconscious. As Sienna’s life and livelihood spin wildly out of control, she begins to doubt everyone around her, even the handsome detective assigned to the case.

As Sienna searches for the truth and tries to clear her name, she is forced to depend on the faith of her childhood, the wisdom of the Amish, and the insight of the man she has recently begun dating. She’ll need all the help she can get, because the secrets she uncovers in Harmony Grove are threatening not just her bed-and-breakfast, but also her credibility, her beliefs, and ultimately her life.

Following up on her bestselling Amish romantic suspense, Shadows of Lancaster County, Mindy Starns Clark returns to Pennsylvania to offer another exciting standalone novel, one full of mystery, hidden dangers, and the life-giving truth of God’s forgiveness and grace.

THE WAY TO A MAN’S HEART

by Mary Ellis

Can a Loving Amish Woman

Be a Refuge for a Wounded Soul?

Leah Miller, a talented young woman in the kitchen, is living her dream come true as she invests in a newly restored diner that caters mostly to locals. Jonah Byler is a dairy farmer with a secret. Having just moved to the area, can he persuade this quiet young woman to leave her adoring fans and cook only for him? Once she discovers what he has been hiding from others, can Leah trust Jonah with her heart?

Working at the diner introduces Leah to both Amish and English patrons. Though maturing into womanhood, Rumschpringe holds little appeal to the gentle, shy girl who has never been the center of attention before. When three Amish men vie for her attention, competing with Jonah, Leah must find a way to understand the confusing new emotions swirling around her.

A captivating story that lovingly looks at how faith in God and connection with family can fill every open, waiting heart to overflowing.

THE HOMESTYLE AMISH KITCHEN COOKBOOK

by Georgia Varozza

Let a Little Plain Cooking

Warm Up Your Life

Who doesn’t want simplicity in the kitchen?

Most of these delicious, easy-to-make dishes are simplicity itself. The Amish are a productive and busy people. They work hard in the home and on their farms, and they need good, filling food that doesn’t require a lot of preparation and time. A few basic ingredients, some savory and sweet spices, and a little love make many of these meals a cook’s delight. And if you want something a bit more complex and impressive, those recipes are here for you too.

Along with fascinating tidbits about the Amish way of life, you will find directions for lovely, old-fashioned food such as

• Scrapple

• Honey Oatmeal Bread

• Coffee Beef Stew

• Potato Rivvel Soup

• Snitz and Knepp

• Shoo-Fly Pie

Everything from breakfast to dessert is covered in this celebration of comfort food and family. Hundreds of irresistible options will help you bring the simple life to your own home and kitchen.

Table of Contents

Cover

Title Page

Copyright Page

Dedication

Contents

Acknowledgments

Prologue

One

Two

Three

Four

Five

Six

Seven

Eight

Nine

Ten

Eleven

Twelve

Thirteen

Fourteen

Fifteen

Sixteen

Seventeen

Eighteen

Nineteen

Twenty

Twenty-One

Twenty-Two

Twenty-Three

Twenty-Four

Twenty-Five

Twenty-Six

Twenty-Seven

Twenty-Eight

Twenty-Nine

Thirty

Thirty-One

Thirty-Two

Discussion Questions

About the Authors

Other Books by Harvest House Publishers

AmishReader.com

Table of Contents

Cover

Title Page

Copyright Page

Dedication

Contents

Acknowledgments

Prologue

One

Two

Three

Four

Five

Six

Seven

Eight

Nine

Ten

Eleven

Twelve

Thirteen

Fourteen

Fifteen

Sixteen

Seventeen

Eighteen

Nineteen

Twenty

Twenty-One

Twenty-Two

Twenty-Three

Twenty-Four

Twenty-Five

Twenty-Six

Twenty-Seven

Twenty-Eight

Twenty-Nine

Thirty

Thirty-One

Thirty-Two

Discussion Questions

About the Authors

Other Books by Harvest House Publishers

AmishReader.com