The Sound of Distant Thunder By Jan Drexler

Katie Stuckey and Jonas Weaver are both romantics. Seventeen-year-old Katie is starry-eyed, in love with the idea of being in love, and does not want to wait to marry Jonas until she is eighteen, despite her parents' insistence. So much can happen in a year. Twenty-year-old Jonas is taken in by the romance of soldiering, especially in defense of anti-slavery, even though he knows war is at odds with the teachings of the church. When his married brother's name comes up in the draft list, he volunteers to take his brother's place. But can the commitment Katie and Jonas have made to each other survive the separation?

From the talented pen of Jan Drexler comes this brand new Amish series set against the backdrop of the Civil War. She puts her characters to the test as they struggle to reconcile their convictions and desires while the national conflict threatens to undermine and engulf their community.

Pick up your copy here...
https://www.amazon.com/Sound-Distant-Thunder-Amish-Weavers/dp/0800729315/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1538566452&sr=8-1

Jan Drexler's husband of more than thirty-five years often says she's never happier than when she's in the kitchen cooking for someone, and he's right. With her Amish and Mennonite ancestry and mid-American roots, Jan has always enjoyed cooking from scratch and sharing the subsequent goodies with friends and family.

Jan and her family have lived all through the mid-west, from Indiana to Texas to Kentucky to South Dakota, with a few others in between. Born in Michigan, Jan still proudly carries her pocket map of Michigan on the end of her arm, like all true Michiganders, and will gladly give you a tour of her home state. But her current love is the Black Hills of South Dakota, where she can be found hiking the Hills at all times of the year and regularly visiting the "boys" at Mt. Rushmore.

Jan brings a unique understanding of the Amish culture to her writing, with ancestors who were among the first Amish immigrants to Pennsylvania. She has written several books for Love Inspired Historical as well as “The Journey to Pleasant Prairie” series from Revell.

Visit Jan at www.JanDrexler.com or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/JanDrexlerAuthor

My Thoughts...

For me this was a confusing read. I was thinking this is not the first book in the series, I have missed something somewhere.
But yes it is book one in the series The Amish of Weaver's Creek but it left me feeling really lost.
The characters were likeable for the most part. The Amish are depicted in such a way that you know Drexler knows about Amish living.
The story had some holes in it.
I gave this book 3 stars. I will read book two in the series to see if it fills in the holes.
  The Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are our own.

Naomi's Hope By Jan Drexler

Despite growing pains in her 1846 Amish community in Indiana, Naomi Schrock has settled into a comfortable life in her parents' home with her adopted son, Davey. Surrounded by family and friends, she tries not to think about the fact that she's not at the top of any man's list of potential wives. Yet when Cap Stoltzfus moves into the area and befriends Davey, Naomi finds herself caught between the plans she has made for her future and the tantalizing thought that Cap might be part of a life she never dared to hope for.

When a couple shows up claiming to be Davey's true family, Naomi and Cap must unite to make the decision that will determine the boy's future as well as their own. How can she relinquish him to these unknown relatives? And can God somehow bring wholeness to her heart?

Pick up your copy here...

https://www.amazon.com/Naomis-Hope-Journey-Pleasant-Prairie/dp/0800726650/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1498070303&sr=8-1&keywords=naomi%27s+hope+by+jan+drexler

Jan's husband of thirty years often says she's never happier than when she's in the kitchen cooking for someone, and he's right. With her Amish and Mennonite ancestry, mid-American roots and unending quest to be a stay-at-home wife and mother, Jan has always enjoyed cooking from scratch and sharing the subsequent goodies with friends and family.

Jan and her family have lived all through the mid-west, from Indiana to Texas to Kentucky to South Dakota, with a few others in between. Born in Michigan, Jan still proudly carries her pocket map of Michigan on the end of her arm, like all true Michiganders, and will gladly give you a tour of her home state. But her current love is the Black Hills of South Dakota, where she can be found hiking the Hills in all kinds of weather and regularly visiting the "boys" at Mt. Rushmore.

Having recently graduated from Homeschool Mom-hood (Summa cum Laude!), Jan devotes her time to the voices in her head who have been clamoring for attention during the last few decades. Instead of declining Latin nouns and reviewing rhetorical devices, her days are now spent at the computer where she gives her characters free rein.

Visit Jan at www.JanDrexler.com or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/JanDrexlerAuthor

My Thoughts...

This is the third book in the Journey to Pleasant Prairie but it can be read as a stand alone.

You are going to love Naomi and Davey. If you are a fan of Amish Romances then you are going to enjoy this one.

Real characters that feel like you know them. The novel its self was slow, But it ends really fast. Needed a little bit better editing of the story line.

I gave this book 4 stars and hope to read some more of Drexlers books in the future.

The Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.

Hannah's Choice By Jan Drexler GIVEWAY!

Hannah Yoder loves her quiet life on the banks of the Conestoga Creek. In 1842, this corner of Lancaster County is settled and peaceful--yet problems lurk beneath the placid façade. Hannah's father worries about the spread of liberal ideas from their Mennonite and Brethren neighbors. And Hannah blames herself for a tragedy that struck their home nine years ago. She strives to be the one person who can bind the threads of her family together in spite of her mother's ongoing depression and her sister's rejection of their family. But her world is threatening to unravel.When two young men seek her hand in marriage--one offering the home she craves and the other promising the adventure of following God's call west--Hannah must make a choice. Faithfully perform her duties to her family? Or defy her father and abandon her community?With a tender hand, Jan Drexler teases out the threads of a romance that will captivate readers in this brand-new Amish historical series.

Pick up your copy here...

http://www.amazon.com/Hannahs-Choice-Journey-Pleasant-Prairie/dp/0800726561/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1453784376&sr=1-1&keywords=hannah%27s+choice+jan+Drexler

Jan Drexler brings a unique understanding of Amish traditions and beliefs to her writing. Her ancestors were among the first Amish, Mennonite, and Brethren immigrants to Pennsylvania in the 1700s. Their experiences are the basis for her stories. Jan lives in South Dakota with her husband, their four adult children, two active dogs, and a cat. When she isn't writing, she enjoys hiking the Black Hills and the Badlands. She is the author of the Love Inspired novels The Prodigal Son Returns, A Mother for His Children, and A Home for His Family (September 2015).

This is one Historical book you should read even if you don't like to read Historicals.

Anyone dealing with depression will find a connection with this book. Its a pretty emotional read. But so well written you won't put it down.

I found the characters well rounded. The sister was one tough cookie.

This was the first book that I have read by Drexler, but it won't be my last.

You must read Hannah's story and share it with your friends. You won't be sorry. I can't wait to read book two in Journey to Pleasant Prairie series.

I gave this book 4 stars.

I was given a copy of this book by the publisher for my honest review.