Title: The Bishop’s Son
Author: Kelly Irwin
Pages: 368
Year: 2015
Publisher: Zondervan
My rating is 3 stars.
The Amish of Bee County series began with the novel, The Beekeeper’s Son; here is the sequel to that story, The Bishop’s Son. Readers can look forward to the next novel in the series in 2016 titled, The Saddlemaker’s Son.
There are two young men interested in the main female character named Leila. Jesse, though a bishop’s son, hasn’t yet committed himself to the Amish life or church as he continues to enjoy his freedom. Will is committed to the Amish way wholeheartedly and is interested in Leila as well. Jesse wants to show Leila a different world than her Amish community, and Will wants her to remain close to the community even though she is interested in working outside the Amish village.
Kelly Irwin writes interesting novels though sometimes the ending is quite predictable. What brings tension into the story isn’t just two young men interested in one girl, but the fact that they are also cousins. The beliefs of the Amish and Christianity are brought to the story in an interesting way.
I think the relationship tension along with wrestling with one’s personal beliefs though interesting just didn’t capture my attention as much as I had hoped. The author writes a good novel; it just didn’t click with me. You might consider reading the first book, The Beekeeper’s Son, in order to understand the background of the lead characters. Kelly Irwin has written other novels as well so if these stories don’t draw you in like me consider looking into her other books.
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I love Amish stories and was thrilled when I received a copy of this book. I have read the author's previous book in this series, so I anxious to see how this story would flow. The story is about two young people that each face a decision that causes change in all areas of their life. Leila will find that two men have captured her heart. Who will she go with? Sometimes when we are in love, we don't see their flaws. We try to ignore them and subsequently our decision can have consequences that will be hard to overcome.

What if you were The Bishop's son and you felt your faith wavering ? Would you seek guidance or walk away? Jesse will make that difficult choice and many others . The story weaves through the trails of making hard decisions and waiting on God to direct their path. Do we wrestle with waiting for an answer from God? I won't tell you what the characters decide, but I will say that the author tackles difficult subjects with wisdom that keeps the reader glued to the story.

Take a journey to The Amish of Bee County as these young people make choices that may not be right, but they know that they have family, the community and their faith to guide them.

I received a copy of this book from The Fiction Guild group which I am a member of for an honest review. ( )

Wednesday, September 9, 2015
The Bishop's Son by Kelly Irvin, © 2015
Book 2 in the Amish of Bee County series

This story is going to give you a lot of food for thought, whether Amish or Englischer, you will not passively read Leila Lantz's story. Would you choose differently for her? Would you wonder if she chose from her heart, from a need to choose a decision, or from knowing God's exact plan for her?

So if you’re serious about living this new resurrection life with Christ, act like it. Pursue the things over which Christ presides. Don’t shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ—that’s where the action is. See things from his perspective. ~ Colossians 3:1, 2 (The Message)

I got tugged at, even near the end, wondering if Leila was going to change direction after she had professed her intention. A peace that passes all understanding, a surety that we belong to the One who has claimed us as His own.

How do we leave home to go home?

Leaving childhood behind, entering adulthood, making future plans that encompass more than herself, Leila Lantz has new beginnings. Helping her family, making a way for future links with other young women, Leila is given permission to take a job in town. She is an inspiration to one young father as he asks how to care for his daughter. With wise counsel and even a hand in a new perspective for him, Leila sets his life on a new course. A young couple, torn between honoring their family in finishing high school and caring for their young son, Leila is a true friend and a strong foundation in hope. Cousins Jesse and Will bid for her hand and her heart. Decisions they make wrap around her heart as she finds what is her true course.

Kelly Irvin is a strong writer. Both of these first two stories could be read as stand-alones but you will enjoy getting to meet the surrounding families as they meld their lives together. Mordecai King, his sister, Susan, and his son Phineas, are favorites in my view, and I hope to find them interspersed in book 3, The Saddle Maker's Son, releasing in June of 2016.

***Thank you to author Kelly Irvin and to Zondervan/HarperCollins for sending me a copy of The Bishop's Son to review. This review was written in my own words. No other compensation was received.*** ( )

I just finished The Bishop’s Son by Kelly Irvin. It is the second book in The Amish of Bee County series. Leila’s mother, Abigail Lantz and Mordecai King are getting married. They will now be moving to Mordecai’s farm and all living together in Bee County, Texas. Jesse Glick (twenty) is the bishop’s son and is experiencing his rumspringa (for a couple of years now). He is interested in Leila Lantz, but he has a secret he is not ready to share (and would not be fair to her). Will Glick is Jesse’s cousin and is also interested in Leila. Will is young but he knows that he is committing his life to the Amish faith and community. Jesse does ask out Leila and takes her to a movie in town. He also introduces her to two of his friends: Colton and Tiffany (Englischers and Christians). Leila is not sure about going to movies, driving in cars, or public displays of affection (she gets upset when Jesse tries to hold her hand). Will takes Leila on a buggy ride so they can get to know each other. Leila also wants to help her family earn some money. There is a job available in Beeville at Little Angels Day Care. Will Bishop Leroy Glick let her work in town (she has to get his permission) and can Leila stay away from outside influences? Which man will win Leila’s heart? What is Jesse hiding and how it will affect Leila (and the community)?

The Bishop’s Son is a novel of choices (religious and life). Is there a right way or wrong way to worship? I did not enjoy The Bishop’s Son as much as Kelly Irvin’s other novels. It is slow paced and preachy. We do get to catch up with the characters we liked from the first novel in Bee County, Texas and witness the wedding of Abigail and Mordecai. Kelly Irvin is a good writer, but this book was just not my cup of tea (this book left me upset and frustrated). I give The Bishop’s Son 3.5 out of 5 stars.

I received a complimentary copy of The Bishop’s Son from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. ( )