I enjoy Amish fiction as was excited at the opportunity to read Patricia Johns’ newest novel Through the Valley, the third book in The Amish of Shepherd’s Hill series. 

Through the Valley is a story about two Amish women who are not like traditional Amish women.  Miri Schrock would rather be out in the field and tending to the cows and the farm rather than be inside cooking, cleaning, and sewing.  She doesn’t have farm of her own, but is hopeful she will in the future.  For now, she will settle for boarding her three cows at the Yoder farm. 

Tabitha Schrock, years ago during her rumspringa, had left the Amish community to become a veterinarian.  She ended up marrying an Englisher, Michael.  Sadly, their marriage ended in divorce.  Tabitha never really felt at home with Englishers so she decided to return to her Amish people.  It would take time for her to earn respect and trust from the people in her community.  The one barrier she couldn’t break down was being a divorced woman.  Despite her longtime friendship with Jonas and a growing love between them, she knew she would never be allowed to remarry as long as her former husband was still alive.  She needed to move on with her life and she encouraged Jonas to move on, get married and have a family.

In recent months, Miri has been helping Tom Yoder whose health continued to decline.  She’s the one who has been tending to Tom’s daily needs as his grandsons, Moses and Benuel, are outside taking care of the farm.  As his time draws near, while working Miri still continues to chat with Tom and keep him updated on his cows.  When Miri lets Tom know that Tabith has arrived to check on some sick cows she is met with silence.  Tom Yoder has passed away. 

While Tom’s family knew that he was sick, his sudden passing was a surprise.  But that surprise would pale in comparison to reading of Tom’s will.  The farm had been in the Yoder family for many generations.  His grandsons anticipated that one or both of them would inherit the farm.  They already had plans on what they would like to do with the property. 

Those plans came to a halt upon hearing the reading of Tom’s will.  That jolt would be the cause of much rumor and speculation and threatened to divide families and their community.  Both Miri and Tabitha’s lives would be shaken up by recent developments in their lives.  Would they see the hand of God guiding them through the valley of the shadow of death?  Giving them much needed wisdom, guidance, and direction that they needed?   

What I love about Patricia Johns’ novels are how the characters are developed and grow through their interactions with one another and the circumstances that going on in their lives.  Both Miri and Tabitha wanted to do the right thing in what seemed like impossible situations.  I loved the support they had from family and friends, even when challenged to make hard decisions.  I appreciate that faith was an important part of the characters’ lives.  Patricia does a great job in weaving multiple storylines and characters together.  I like how the characters are carried over from early novels in the series.  I really enjoyed reading Through the Valley by Patricia Johns.  

I would like to thank Patricia Johns and Bethany House Publisher for the opportunity to read Through the Valley by Patricia Johns.  I was under no obligation to give a favorable review.