Book Reviews

I have been reading a series of books from an author who’s work I fell in love with a long time ago when I read one of her books called One Last Wish. The author of the books that I read is Lurlene McDaniel. The first book I finished not too long ago was Angels Watching Over Me, followed by Lifted Up by Angels, with the final book that I read Saturday entitled Until Angels Close My Eyes.
This series of books is about an English girl named Leah who falls for an Amish boy named Ethan. The story begins with Leah being admitted into the hospital for a broken finger. The doctors want to run some more tests because they feel like there is some underlying cause for why her finger broke. While there, she meets and is captivated by a little girl named Rebekah as well as her Amish family. Rebekah has been admitted because of a spider bite and becomes very ill. Because they are roommates, Leah gets to see and spend a lot of time with the family, especially since her mother is gone on a honeymoon.
Throughout the story, Leah learns more and more about the mysterious way of life for Ethan’s family, and learns that miracles can happen when you learn to believe and trust in God. Leah is especially captivated by Ethan and his sincerity and does in fact fall for him. These stories are based on faith, hope, and love. Leah ends up being diagnosed with cancer and must learn to have a lot of faith. In the end of the first story, Leah is visited by an angel, or so she and everyone else believes, and is miraculously cured of her illness. Rebekah is treated and her Amish family is able to return home. Before doing so, Ethan and Leah become really close and Leah continues to write him and his family once they have parted ways.
The second book in this series deals with Leah and Ethan stepping out on their own. Leah wants to rent an apartment and have a summer job which brings her closer to Ethan because he touched her heart in such a way when she was in the hospital. Ethan is to that point in his life in which he can try new things. Living closer to Ethan and his family, Leah gets too spend a lot of time around the family which includes her hospital roomy Rebekah.
The faith of Ethan and Leah is really tested in this book because of the hardships that face their relationship since Ethan is able to try English things. Also, Rebekah is killed in an accident which further tries the love of the two. I believe that this is the first book that I have ever cried when reading. I love the way this author makes me feel when reading her works because I feel like I am the main character, and when I don’t feel like that, I feel like I am right there in the scene with everything happening.
The main questioned to be answered in this storyline is whether or not Ethan and Leah will be together, or will Ethan be overcome with family obligations. In the end of this book, it leaves you wanting more because Ethan promises Leah that they will be together no matter what and you keep asking yourself if this is so because he is Amish and she is English!
Finally, I got to finish reading the final book and was absolutely intrigued. Once again, the faith of the two is tested, but this time with Leah’s stepfather whom she has learned to call her father. He is diagnosed with cancer. In an attempt for Ethan and Leah to be together, Ethan comes to live with Leah and her family during this difficult time since her stepfather is ill. Again, Ethan is allowed the opportunity to experience life in a non-Amish fashion. This book is filled with many surprises that leave you with some insight as to why certain decisions were made. At the end, I kind of wished a different choice was made, but then I was left with an understanding of why things have to be done that way.
I absolutely loved this series and I will probably read it again. It gave me hope and courage and I wanted to put my faith in God as well. I have never cried when reading a book, but this series made me cry and I felt as if I was watching the movie of it! I would recommend this for easy, enjoyable reading! It is probably more suitable for females than males though since it is sort of a “chick-flick” type deal and is rather emotional.