I never got the chance to read the first two books in the ‘A Heaven on Earth’ series, but I will definitely pick them up now after reading An Angel by Her Side the 3rd book in the series. Katie Bender and Seth Stutzman are the main characters in the book. Katie has faced allot of heartbreak and tragedy in her short time on this earth, that she felt she never would never recover from, she is also a schoolteacher in the Amish community of Hope Falls.

The day began like any other day for Katie as she was grading papers and the children worked at their desks quietly, than strong winds began to come through the windows and blow her and the children’s papers around so she worked hard at trying to get the windows shut. As they all looked out the windows the children mentioned to Katie that the sky just did not look right, and Katie watched as the sky turned a color unlike she had never seen.

Then a tornado came through and destroyed their community including the schoolhouse in which she worked. Seth arrives in town just days before the tornado hit the small Amish community to offer healing and support to his brother-in-law who is struggling since the recent death of his wife. Katie and Seth end up working side by side to restore their small community when a stranger comes to town that no one knows. In addition, unknown to anyone, he is actually an Angel there to help Katie restore her faith while he watches over Seth as well.

This is a very heartwarming story that you will not want to miss reading. It will make you look at your own heartbreak and faith in a different way; at least it did this for me. I would recommend this book to everyone. ( )

It was very difficult to put this book down in order to go to work or to bed. I was right there with the characters, not watching but participating in their lives. The only problem is, I found the ending very abrupt. ( )

A different Amish story, and yet a lot about living your life as Amish. The separation of their Community, and yet the being there for those who are not members.
We experience a lot of good and evil. Katie Bender has suffered a lot of loss in her young life. She has resigned herself to being a teacher, instead of a wife and mother. Then the a tornado destroys her school, along with a lot of their Community.
Seth Stutzman is visiting Hope Falls, he is trying to help his brother-in-law Amos. Seth builds bee hives, but he is also dealing with his demons. Amos is actually shunning his community, and is so bitter.
We find their are evil forces involved, whispering in their ears! Makes you realize where some of those thoughts you personally don't want come from! Especially if you love the Lord.
This book paints these pictures in your mind so that you actually feel like you are part of the battles. We look for Elias, the mighty angel. How lucky they are to have him, he seems to be there when needed.
Will the evil Razzen win? I vote for Elias, but will those hear him and pray?
Loved this book, if you enjoy reading Amish stories, this is a must read.

I received this book through the Thomas Nelson Booksneeze reviewer program, and was not required to give a positive review. ( )