Book Review (and a Giveaway!): The Amish Teacher’s Gift by Rachel J. Good

SERIES: Love and Promises #1
GENRE: Inspirational Contemporary Romance, Amish
PUBLISHER: Forever
RELEASE DATE: April 24, 2018
PAGES: 384

Widower Josiah Yoder wants to be a good father. But it’s not easy with a deaf young son who doesn’t understand why his mamm isn’t coming home. At a loss, Josiah enrolls Nathan in a special-needs school and is relieved to see his son immediately comforted by his new teacher, a woman whose sweet charm and gentle smile just might be the balm they both need.

With seven siblings to care for, Ada Rupp wasn’t sure she wanted to take on teaching, too. But the moment she holds Nathan in her arms, she realizes she’ll do all she can to help this lost little boy. Plus, it gives her a chance to spend more time with Josiah. Falling for a man in mourning may be against the rules, but his quiet strength is the support Ada never knew she needed. And, together, they could have the loving family she’d always hoped for.

The Amish Teacher’s Gift by Rachel J. Good is an inspiring story of relying on God amid the deepest challenges of life, as well as a tender romance you’ll be rooting for from the very beginning!

Readers will instantly bond with the children in this story – from Ada’s special-needs students to her own siblings – and their hearts will touch yours. It’s clear that the author has spent a lot of time researching the issues that Ada would encounter as a special-needs Amish schoolteacher – as well as the resources and strategies that she implements. Watching the children’s transformations is incredibly heartwarming, and I appreciated that even as Ada achieved great success with her students they weren’t magically fixed and ‘all better’. Instead, the author retained those things that made each child special – from their unique needs to their individual personalities.

The romance between Josiah and Ada is one of instant chemistry that sets off sparks whenever they share the page, especially as their friendship continues to deepen. Because this aspect of their stories is set against the framework of all the other layers to their individual stories, it is also emotionally multi-dimensional. Josiah and Ada are both extremely likable characters, and your hearts will ache for what they’ve been through and what keeps them apart.

Bottom Line: The Amish Teacher’s Gift is well-written and full of heart. The author’s sensitivity to the students’ needs, seen through Ada’s eyes, sets a tender tone to the story, and readers will rejoice with Ada at the successes and ache with her at the setbacks. Her relationship with Josiah is based on chemistry and friendship, and it left me swooning more than once! But the star of this novel is, hands-down, Nathan. His journey was my favorite and, considering how much y’all know I love romance, that’s saying a lot. I can’t wait for you to meet him!

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the publisher. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.)

My Rating: 4 stars / Love it!

KissingBook Level: 3 / May forget to breathe on occasion

Rachel J. Good grew up near Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, the setting for her Amish novels. Striving to be as authentic as possible, she spends time with her Amish friends, doing chores on their farm and attending family events. Rachel loves to travel and visit many different Amish communities.

Rachel is the author of several Amish series in print or forthcoming – Sisters & Friends series, Love & Promises series, and two books in the Hearts of Amish Country series – as well as the Amish Quilts Coloring Books and the contemporary novella, Angels Unaware, part of the Hope Chapel series. In addition, she has stories in the anthologies Springs of Love and Love’s Thankful Heart.

She’d love to have you visit her website, or connect with her on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter, and Bookbub. Rachel also enjoys meeting readers and will be doing talks and booksignings around the country this year. To find out more about Rachel and her books, you can sign up for her newsletter: http://bit.ly/1qwci4Q

Heart-Tugging Research

Sometimes as an author, stories call to you and beg you to write them. This story first tugged at my heart after I spent time with an Amish friend’s special needs child. I thought about writing a book to show how the Amish treat each child as a gift from God. After meeting a hearing-impaired teen girl with Down’s syndrome and seeing how she was encouraged to live up to her potential, the idea grew stronger. This girl later became Martha in the book.

Then at an auction, I watched a young Down’s syndrome boy help the auctioneer by delivering the goods to the bidders. His straw hat tilted a little crookedly, but with a broad smile on his face, he carefully matched items with the correct bidder. He looked so proud of himself and proud to be able to do such an important job. I sat there at the auction and jotted notes for the novel.

Once I knew the topic of the novel, I began my research by visiting Amish schools for special needs, attending auctions to support them, and touring the Community Care Center, where Amish and Mennonite children and adults with special needs get amazing help. The young man in the wheelchair who showed us around was an awesome guide. We peeked into an exercise room, a therapy room, a craft room, several classrooms, a cafeteria, and my favorite—a multi-sensory environment. This room with dark walls lit only by a small row of twinkling Christmas lights had a ball pit (with the plastic balls like some fast food restaurants have in their play areas), a plush recliner, blankets, headphones, and a hammock. Autistic children at the center found this room a great calming atmosphere. I knew this room had to have a place in the book.

I visited a teacher who taught autistic children and learned a lot about programs, therapies, and teaching techniques. After learning the cutting edge techniques she used, I was surprised to realize that the Amish had adopted quite a few of them for their classrooms. I chose a hearing-impaired boy for the hero’s son because I had a nephew with hearing problems, so I could incorporate some of the struggles he had into the story.

I wanted this series to be about the healing power of love, so each book will deal with a different type of healing. When something touches my heart like this, I always pray it will touch the readers’ hearts too.

To celebrate her tour, Rachel is giving away a grand prize package of a tote, an autographed copy of The Amish Teacher’s Gift, and an autographed copy of Hearts Reunited!!

Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries!

[promosimple id=”cee3″]

This giveaway is hosted by Celebrate Lit, not RimSP
Follow along with the tour for more chances to win!

What about you? What interests you most about this book?