The Rescued
Keepers of the Promise, Book# 2
By Marta Perry
ISBN: 9780425271421
Author’s website: www.martaperry.com
Brought to you by OBS reviewer Scott
Review
In modern day central Pennsylvania, Judith Wegler tries to heal the growing rift between her husband, Isaac, and his teenage brother Joseph—whom Judith and Isaac have raised as their own. Isaac’s hurtful silence about this tragic past has robbed Judith of any certainty of her husband’s love. When Judith’s grandmother gifts her with an antique study table, she discovers a hidden packet of letters that changes her life forever.
In the letters, dated 1953, the widow Mattie Lapp fights against the county’s attempts to force Amish children to attend a consolidated public school, even if it means arrest and imprisonment. Mattie knows she can’t face this challenge alone, and turns to her late husband’s cousin Adam for help, but she’s terrified at the prospect of relying on someone else.
Now, as the two women’s stories converge, both must learn to stand up for their beliefs and to love again, even when it means risking their hearts
This story follows the stories of two Amish Families the Weglers and the Lapps. The Weglers live in modern day Pennsylvania and is the story of Judith, Issac, his brother Joseph, and Judith’s 3 children. Judith’s husband Isaac was victim of a horrible house fire that killed his parents and siblings. He only was able to save baby Joseph whom he has raised with Judith’s help. Never talking about the night of the fire is driving a wedge between the couple and with Joseph turning 16 is putting Judith in between the two brothers.
On the Lapps side, though, Mattie, is a widow in the early 50”s and the government has decreed the Amish send their children to a consolidated public school; the consequences of which mean fines and imprisonment. Mattie knows what she must do but has to do so by herself. In the background is Adam her late husband’s cousin who has been a rock during these troubling times. He has expressed his feelings for her but she is scared when she knows she has to turn to him for help.
Back in the modern era, Isaac wants Joseph to take over the farm and Joseph wants to fix engines. Judith wonders if Isaac only picked her for a wife because she would make a good mother. As the tension builds Judith is given a desk from her grandmother for the house and in the desk she finds letters. As she reads these letters she bonds more and more with Mattie.
The weaving of the two plots was skillfully done, and the writing was vibrant and tasteful. The characters were three-dimensional with a lot of depth put into them. For lovers of Marta Perry, Amish fiction, or a fascinating cultural insight into the Amish lifestyle then this is right up your alley. It is a short read and closes on a happy note. Who could ask for a better story?
