Book Review~The Captive Heart

When I found out that I was going to be reviewing The Captive Heart by Dale Cramer, I realized it is the second book in The Daughters of Caleb Bender series.  So while I was waiting for my copy to arrive, I went to the library and checked out the first book in the series, Paradise Valley.  I was hooked!!  I flew through that book and couldn't wait for The Captive Heart to arrive!  When it did, I devoured it as well. 

I'll be honest, I had never read anything by Dale Cramer, or read any Amish book by a male author.  I just wasn't sure if I'd enjoy it.  Mr. Cramer is one of my new favorite Amish fiction writers now! His father was old-order Amish. You can read more about him and his books here.

Captive Hearts is based on actual events, about a group of old-order Amish who flee their homes to relocate in the mountains of Mexico, in order to keep their children from being forced to attend public school.  This was a very unsettled time in Mexico, and extremely dangerous for the gentle Amish people. The newcomers have many problems adjusting to their new lives.  The book was very well written, flowed wonderfully, and had just the right mix of danger, mystery, and romance.  I thoroughly enjoyed it, and I hope Mr. Cramer is planning another book in this series!

*I received Captive Hearts for free from Bethany House Publishing in exchange for my honest review.