I've read quite a bit of Amish fiction, and this book has some themes that seem common to Amish fiction: children in contention with strict parents, education that ends at grade 8, chafing against the rules and wanting to experience more of the world. The main character (Rachel) has an opportunity because she is the heiress to a worldly fortune. She plans to use it to study veterinary medicine. Her English (Non-Amish) relatives think they can hoodwink a backward girl to gain control of the money and use it to live in the way to which they've become accustomed. The executor/trustee of the inheritance scrambles to cover the fact that he's been drawing off the interest from the accounts, banking on the fact that an heir would not surface until he was long gone. It's a long series of crosses and double-crosses. ( )

The Amish Heiress by Patrick E. Craig is a good Amish fiction novel. It is the first book in The Paradise Chronicles. Rachel Hershberger is eighteen and has big dreams. She wants to go to Cornell University and become a veterinarian. She knows her father, Jonathan, will never agree to let her go. Ever since he returned four years ago, he has been very strict (he also has emotional issues and still has not regained his complete memories). Daniel King is Rachel’s friend, but he would like more from her. Rachel is not ready to marry nor does she wish to stay in Paradise, Pennsylvania. She has written to Cornell about her situation, and she is hoping to be accepted. Then she just has to find a way to pay for the schooling.

Rachel is a descendant of the St. Clair family. The St. Clair’s are an old family and they have set up a special trust. Augusta St. Clair, who married into the family, thought she would inherit the trust when she made her claim. Turns out that the only person who can inherit is a direct descendant of the first born son. The trustees are trying to find the daughter of Robert St. Clair who would be next in line if she has the mark of the key (a port wine birthmark over her heart). But then Augusta St. Clair is trying to find her as well, but Augusta has no intention of helping her.

Rachel, after a last argument with her father, contacts Augusta St. Clair. Rachel proves she is the St. Clair heir and leaves with Augusta. Rachel then marries Augusta’s grandson, Gerald quickly (she has to marry a St. Clair in order to inherit). Will Rachel come to regret her rash decisions? Augusta has her own agenda and will do whatever it takes to get what she desires. The Amish Heiress will keep you riveted until the very last page.

I give The Amish Heiress 5 out of 5 stars. It is not what I expected (which I liked). The book is well-written. The reader is drawn into the story and kept entranced until the end. There were some interesting twists and turns along the way. This is the first novel I have read by Patrick E. Craig but it will definitely not be my last.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. The review and opinions expressed are my own. ( )