A Promise of Forgiveness: An Uplifting Amish Romance

Naomi and Samuel’s story in A Promise of Forgiveness by Jo Ann Brown, book two in the Secrets of Bliss Valley series, is an emotional, tug at your heart strings, sweet Amish romance. In this sweet, heartwarming story we witness Naomi learning to trust her heart as well as Naomi and Samuel letting go of the past. Naomi Ropp is a recent widow with twin two-year-old mischievous boys, trying to recover from the betrayal of her now deceased, abusive husband. After a recent change in circumstances, Naomi is returnied to her father’s home in Bliss Valley, shocked to learn that her father has Samuel King working for him and living in the dawdi haus. Samuel and two of his friends were her tormentors when she was a teenager. If that isn’t enough, Naomi is confronted by a woman who tells her an bizarre tale about her parentage. Not knowing what to make of this information she decides to put it on the back burner for now. Then a newborn is found abandoned on the porch of the dawdi haus. Thankfully, Naomi is certified as a foster parent and able to take in the boppli. When another tragedy occurs, forcing Samuel and Naomi to work together to care for the members of her family, feelings grow between them; but Naomi still struggles trusting Samuel. Samuel must find a way to show Naomi that he has changed and is sorry for what happened in the past. Throughout, Naomi’s endurance and strength will be tested as well as her ability to forgive; especially forgive her former tormentors. Ms. Brown wrote a wonderfully sweet, uplifting and moving story with an abandoned baby, a busy buggy business, an impressive memory, a lost sister, abuse, bullies, and finding forgiveness. The story is a touching one, at times gut-wrenching, and brings forth lessons of forgiveness and redemption. I highly recommend A Promise of Forgiveness to other readers. I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

Naomi Ropp is a recent widow with twin two-year-old mischievous boys. After a recent change in circumstances, Naomi is returning to her father’s home in Bliss Valley. She is shocked to learn that her father has Samuel King working for him and living in the dawdi haus. Samuel and two of his friends were her tormentors when she was a teenager. Samuel started a rumor that sent her straight into the arms of her deceased husband. Still reeling from the fact that Samuel will be living and working nearby, Naomi is confronted by a woman who tells an extraordinary tale. She does not know what to make of the information she has been told and decides to put it on the back burner for now. Then a newborn is found on the porch of the dawdi haus. Thankfully, Naomi is certified as a foster parent and takes in the boppli. Another tragedy forces Samuel and Naomi to work together to care for the members of the family. Feelings begin to develop between them, but Naomi does not trust Samuel. Samuel must find a way to show Naomi that he has changed and is sorry for what happened in the past. Can Naomi forgive Samuel in order to have a bright future? A Promise of Forgiveness by Jo Ann Brown is the second novel in the Secrets of Bliss Valley series. It can be read as a standalone if you have not read A Wish for Home. I thought this touching story was well-written with developed, realistic characters. A Promise of Forgiveness is a multiplot novel. I liked how everything worked together into one complex tale. The story moves along at a good pace and the book held my attention. Bullying and verbal abuse are addressed in the book. Verbal abuse as well as bullying can be devastating to an individual and It can have long term effects. I like how the author addressed this topic. We get to see how Naomi, who remembers everything, deals with both of these topics. The smallest thing can bring it all to the forefront. It can be hard to forgive a person who has caused such lasting damage. I appreciated the epilogue that nicely wrapped up the story and left me smiling. A Promise of Forgiveness is an uplifting tale with an abandoned baby, busy buggy business, a poorly papa, a memorable memory, a lost sister, bad bullies, and finding forgiveness.