4.5 stars. ( )

Herb of Grace by Adina Senft is a sweet and lovely novel. Sarah Yoder is a widow with two sons, Simon and Caleb. Her husband, Michael, has been gone for five years. Sarah sells herbs at the local Amish market in town as well as to Ruth Lehman, an herbal healer. Ruth suggests that Sarah learn how to be a Dokterfraa (herbal healer) as a way to earn money. Sarah is good with herbs and Ruth thinks that she will be a natural. Sarah is not sure if she will have the time and decides to pray about the situation.

Henry Byler left the Amish community over twenty years ago. He has just inherited his Aunt Sadie’s farm. He has returned but is not sure about staying. Caleb introduces himself to Henry as soon as he arrives in the hopes of finding work. Caleb is very outgoing and straightforward. Caleb finds out that Henry is a potter and shows Henry around the Amish market.

Henry then meets Sarah who asks him about some little pots for her herbs. Slowly they start getting to know each other, but despite the attraction they can only be friends. Sarah is a member of the Old Order Amish community and Henry is not (nor does he have any intention of joining). Sarah suppresses her feelings for Henry and tries to keep things friendly between them.

Sarah is having trouble with her son, Simon. Simon wants to go to Colorado, but Sarah thinks he is too young to go off. Simon is only seventeen and Sarah relies on him. Priscilla Mast likes Simon and keeps trying to get him to notice her. Will Simon obey his mother or will his desire to travel get the best of him?

Will Sarah become a Dokterfraa? What will Henry decide to do? Will Henry’s pottery be well received? Read Herb of Grace (I also discovered that herb of grace is a folk name for rue) to find out the answers. I really enjoyed this story and did not want it to end. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series, Keys of Heaven. I give Herb of Grace 5 out of 5 stars. Herb of Grace is such a beautiful book to read. ( )

Title: Herb of Grace (A Healing Grace Novel #1)
Author: Adina Senft
Website: http://adinasenft.com/
Pages: 320
Year: 2014
Publisher: Faithwords
Many Amish novels tend to skewer the Amish community, making them appear surrealistic instead of human beings. However, Adina Senft writes very realistically, showing them as people who though live differently deal with issues common to mankind. The author shows how faith might be lived out in various situations such as teenagers running away, working a job that is honest, and the support of family along with community.
For me, this work was a first for me and I enjoyed reading the story that centered on a small community widow, wondering if God is leading her to be an herbalist and waiting for God’s will to be revealed. The moment I opened the book I was lost in another world that consumed my attention from start to finish. A major theme in the book is faith lived by being still, listening for God’s voice, praying and choosing to forgive.
Audiences will be absolutely engaged in the story, enjoying the tension in some of the relationships that are prominent in the small community. All will be reminded to talk to God no matter what action the body is doing, and at times, responding with tears or joy. The sequel to Herb of Grace has been released and is titled, Keys of Heaven. To understand the flow of the story, reading the books in order is highly recommended.
My rating is 5 stars.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255. “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
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