I really disliked the lead female character. It's her way or no way. She keeps saying 'Gottes wille' but it is actually her will. The book didn't hold my interest, maybe because I disliked the lead character so much. I bought this book only because I already had book 2 and I wanted to read the series in order. ( )

In "Wonderful Lonesome", author Olivia Newport beautifully crafts a somber story about a struggling Amish settlement in Colorado in 1914. I found myself fascinated by the heartbreaking reality of the history, especially knowing that the author based the story on accounts of similar settlements in the area. No matter how determined you are to succeed, sometimes drought and hail and illness and coyotes win out. And when you have no minister to guide you and therefore no church for regular worship and refreshment, discouragement becomes your most powerful enemy. Knowing that a Mennonite preacher is right there, ready and willing to minister to your settlement, might have brought some relief were it not for the bitter spiritual divide that many didn't even realize existed. When the truth comes out, will it be the death knell to an already wheezing settlement?

While this book was indeed beautifully written, I felt the mood was just so heavy. I realize that life is heavy at times, but when reading a novel we have come to expect a certain level of resolution of that heaviness. Even if just in the spirit of the characters. Yet I felt it ended just a bit too soon - just before we would have received a lifting of some of the heaviness. Maybe I just wanted an epilogue lol. I also never felt that connected to Abby, her tendency toward legalism and dogged optimism a bit off-putting at times. However, Willem and his equal determination to do what he knew was right - no matter what or who it cost him - won my heart! Rudy... puzzled me. ( )

The book is about a struggling settlement in Colorado. Amish families have come there in hopes of a good life. But the harsh winter, howling winds and lack of rain has discouraged many families. Abbie and her family have strong beliefs and keep praying for a minister. Abbie knows with a minister among the group, the community will thrive.
Hope starts to vanish as the long drought devours farmland and hopes of a wealthy and prosperous community diminish. It seems that Abbie is the only one determined that God will provide. She has hopes of marrying Willem but soon discovers something that will pull them apart. Her strong Amish beliefs will be tested when a man joins the settlement. He is a Mennonite pastor who will change the settlement and bring division.
Abbie's father is not persuaded to follow the Mennonite ways and is fiercely against his family partaking in their beliefs. Abbie has her hands full helping her mom on the farm, while helping her best friend Ruthanna care for her sick husband. Ruthanna is pregnant and is unable to do much to keep the farm running. Abbie seeks out help for her friend. She knows that she can count on Willem and her friend Rudy to lend a hand but she is surprised by who steps up to help .
The story is rich in Amish culture and is beautifully written with tenderness and hope in God. Abbie is a strong determined young woman who will fight for what she believes the Lord has called the settlement to become. There are struggles, loss, disappointment, forgiveness , and a hope of a new beginning in this masterfully written story . I loved the characters and how the author stayed true to the culture . She has given us a story of depth and courage for those who stand on convictions. This is the first book in the series "Amish Turns of Time." I will eagerly be waiting for the next book in this series. ( )

Intriguing, compelling view of Amish...

Wonderful Lonesome stands alone in a field full of Amish books. The emphasis, tone, and setting are all quite unique. A small group of Amish have settled on the Colorado plains, but natural disasters and lack of an organized church district start to pull "the People" apart. Young Abbie Weaver believes the group can survive if they all work hard enough, don't give up, and establish a church district. When Abbie stops Rudy Stutzman from returning east, a love triangle forms between dependable, sure Rudy, Abbie, and exciting but Mennonite-friendly Willem Peters.

Olivia Newport has chronicled her characters in such a way that I was riveted to my Kindle to discover the full story of these struggling settlers. Drought, sickness, coyotes, church cover-up, distrust of Mennonites, and forgiveness are just some of the events and issues faced that made for a great read! I was happy to see Ms. Newport included a historical note at the end telling about the colony upon which the story was based.

I was originally given an audio copy of this book from bookfun.org in exchange for my honest review. ( )

A Different Amish Fiction Read! Don’t Miss It!

Wonderful Lonesome isn’t the first book that I have read from this author. While I have enjoyed the books I have read, this is my favorite one so far.

I want to explain why I loved it so much. The story isn’t like any other Amish fiction books that I have read. It is a new and refreshing take on Amish living.

The main character Abbie Weaver has a hard road to travel. Having relocated with her family and several other families to the Colorado Plains, coming from Ohio, she is learning life is hard. Harder than all the people had expected it to be. This was their chance to start over; to purchase land cheaper. A chance to perhaps pass it on to their children some day.

Abbie has big dreams of establishing an Amish church community. It isn’t happening soon enough for her. The weather isn’t co-operating, losses are great, depression is taking hold of families trying to make a go of bad situations. Is it too much? Can the people hang on and survive the brutal obstacles coming their way? What is God’s will in all their lives?

The characters are wonderful loveable people. I found myself rooting for them. Every loss and disappointment became my loss and disappointment. I rejoiced in any victory that came their way, even though there were few.

Author Olivia Newport painted an excellent picture of just how hard life was in the year 1914. How could I not weep with the Amish people and how could I not weep for them?

The details and descriptions of the land and the daily living of these families was awesome. When an author writes a book that places me right there with the characters, feeling what they are feeling, experiencing what they are experiencing, is a great read in my opinion.

I highly recommend this book to everyone reading this review. It is a book you will pick up often to find out what happens next.

I can’t wait to read the next book in this series, Meek and Mild. Look for it in February 2015.

My thanks to Barbour Publishing and to author Olivia Newport for allowing me to read and review this book. The opinions expressed are mine alone. ( )