Kathryn Cushman

After hearing that the library's Reader's Services Department had purchased more Amish romance eBooks, I had a good time searching them out to download. One of them was Almost Amish by Kathryn Cushman which I had already read, but luckily there were more in the series.

The Tomorrow's Promise series focuses on Christian-inspired tales of personal spiritual evolution through releasing some of your perceived control. I have only read two of the books in the series now, Almost Amish and Another Dawn, but I am looking forward to reading the others in the series.

While I do not identify as a Christian, I do admire the sense of ease that is expressed through Christian romances. While most romances manage to tie everything up in a little bow that leaves you closing a book with a sigh of contentment, Christian romances usually promote the belief that we are not alone in this world and that by naming your desires and requesting help from a source outside of yourself, you can be healed.

The first book that I read, Almost Amish, revolves around an unhappy mother that is tired by all of the whirlwind activities that revolve around her two children and husband. Feeling held down by the afterschool activities and expectations of perfection that her peer group instills in her, she takes up an offer to live an Amish lifestyle for a reality TV show to help her sister, a trying-to-succeed TV cook. After many ups and downs, her family discovers their true roots and learns what is really important to their family.

The book I just finished, Another Dawn, revolves around a single mother who must return to her hometown to help care for her father after a knee replacement. Bringing her 4-year-old son, this granola-loving, heath-conscience mother is quickly reminded of her lard-laden youth and the pain of familiar rejection she has always felt. To make an uncomfortable situation worse, her un-immunized son develops the measles which quickly spreads throughout the already unwelcoming community. This tales brings her full circle as she realizes how that running from her problems, and her family, is not the ways she wants to live. One of the most poignent moments is when she realizes she wants to grow up to be just like her son. Her admiration of his giving spirit and love truly changes her heart.

Yep, I'm a sucker for a heartwarming story. Especially if there are children involved.

Enough for now. I am off to continue reading my next Amish romance, An Amish Kitchen by Beth Wiseman.