The Preacher’s Daughter

The pleasing second of Johns’s Infamous Amish series (after The Preacher’s Son) continues the story of disgraced preacher Abe Yoder and his grown children, this time focusing on eldest daughter Elizabeth. Elizabeth Yoder is devastated after learning her father is being sent to prison for fraud. Her heart is further broken when her younger sister leaves the Amish life. Struggling to make sense of her family’s betrayals, Elizabeth goes to live with and help care for elderly widow Bridget Lantz. Bridget’s grandson, Solomon, is returning home following his own release from prison for being an accomplice to a robbery, and Bridget hopes Elizabeth will be able to help Solomon by offering him forgiveness and a fresh start—which Bridget believes Elizabeth also wants, since the community has unfairly judged her for her father’s crimes. Aftet Solomon moves into Bridget’s home, he and Elizabeth discover their mutual attraction. Elizabeth, however, wrestles with coming to terms with the complexities of life, realizing that people are not all good or bad, and that love isn’t perfect. Solomon, meanwhile, demonstrates that people can make poor choices but learn from them and grow in maturity and faith. This lovely tale will resonate with readers. (May)