The Amish Heart of Ice Mountain

On the one hand, Long’s third Ice Mountain romance (after An Amish Man of Ice Mountain) relies heavily on stereotypes of present-day Amish life and an overly idealistic notion of religious community. On the other hand, the core story is a fascinating tale of redemption and growth. Healer Sarah Mast is forced by her emotionally distant and demanding father to marry Edward King, a man she once loved but no longer admires. Edward was an honorable man, but some time away from their small Pennsylvania settlement turned him into a mean alcoholic. It takes some time and more than a little drama for Edward and Sarah to suss out their issues and begin building a life. The rose-colored view of the main characters can be overwhelming and unrealistic at times, but this is somewhat tempered by an interesting, unusual story and some touches of self-referential humor. Long reintroduces familiar faces while also bringing some new personalities into the picture. Agent: Natasha Kern, Natasha Kern Literary Agency. (Nov.)