Christine Woinich
I found this story sweet and entertaining. Lydianne had her past that she was trying to keep secret as she tried to better her own life. Her enthusiasm for her new job as teacher made me smile. Jeremiah was a very accepting man, and I loved how he treated her. I enjoyed my return to Morning Star and recommend this book and the series. I received a copy of this story through Goddess Fish Promotions, and this is my unsolicited review.
Kristina Anderson
First Light in Morning Star by Charlotte Hubbard is the 2nd novel in The Maidels of Morning Star series. While it can be read as a standalone, I recommend reading Morning Star first (sets the stage for the whole series). I like Lydianne Christner as well as the other characters in this series. Lydianne is woman with a secret. She is afraid of what will happen if her past is exposed. I liked that this book is not a traditional romance. There are twists to surprise a reader. The story does start out a little slow, but the pacing increases as the book progresses. There is also repetition of information that did not enjoy (I got it the first time). I like that we get to catch up with some of the characters from the author’s Simple Gifts series and Seasons of the Heart series. We get to see Bishop Jeremiah Shetler as a man with feelings and desires of his own instead of just as the leader of the community. It is nice how the Faith elements of second chances, forgiveness, hope, and acceptance are woven into the story. God has a plan for each of us and we must have faith in Him. First Light in Morning Star is a sweet story with a lovely ending. I am eager for the story of Jeremiah’s nephew, Pete. I think it is time for him to settle down. First Light in Morning Star is a heartfelt Amish tale that features developed characters with real life problems.
Jeanie Dannheim
I thoroughly enjoyed and appreciated this Amish novel! It is the first book I have read by this author and I am very impressed! It is a faith-filled novel that emphasizes grace and forgiveness. The characters are fresh and delightful, especially Bishop Shetler, Lydianne, and the other young women who began the Morning Star Marketplace. Second in the series, it can be read as a standalone. Lydianne has worked for the furniture factory owned by Martin Flaud most of the time she lived in Morning Star. The opportunity has risen for her to interview for the position of schoolteacher in the new Amish school building, which she is very excited about. She has lived in Morning Star for a few years, but nobody knows much about her past. She is happy to be offered the position and has time to prepare for the fall term. If her Saturday duties at the Marketplace interfere with the position, she will turn over the bookkeeping and other tasks to the other young women. Lydianne has a secret from her Old Order Amish district, one that nobody can find out. She would be shunned if her past was revealed. She will not date anyone, and does not believe she should marry. Lydianne is an excellent teacher to her eight scholars, and after listening outside to some of the lessons, Bishop Jeremiah Shetler is impressed. He has been widowed for several years, and his mother is determined to get him remarried. Lydianne is the first woman he has considered asking out since his wife died of an aneurism, and he invited her to the upcoming family reunion. She panicked, turned him down, and requested that he not ask her to explain or invite her again. Glenn, the youngest board member who lost his wife during the summer, has a seven-year-old son in school. Billy Jay adores his new teacher even as he misses his mother. Glenn wants his life to get back to normal and thinks his son’s teacher would be just the person to wed. When he tries to get her attention and is turned down, he is less than happy and thinks it is because of Jeremiah. As often happens with secrets, Lydianne’s is discovered during a crisis, leaving her only three options. It was not bad enough that Jeremiah guessed the secret, but a student, then other church members, hear the speculation. She will either lose her teaching job and be shunned, leave town and find where she can support herself again, or marry Jeremiah, in which case she would still have to give up teaching. I love this novel! Lydianne, a young woman it is easy to have empathy for, is a thoughtful, loving young woman of faith whose life had not gone the way she planned. With God’s help, she started over again. She could have revealed her secret several years ago, but believed she had a good reason to not do so. The characters in this novel are well defined through conversations and actions, and I like Lydianne and appreciate her secret. I like Jeremiah, also, even though at times I think his ego may have gotten ahead of him. How he handles her revealed secret, his feelings for Lydianne, despite her secret and as he stays true to his faith, speaks volumes of him. I highly recommend this to those who appreciate well-written Amish fiction with good friends, faith, and romance. From a thankful heart: I received a copy of this from a Goodreads First contest, and this is my honest review.