A Simple Winter by Rosalind Lauer

A Novel with Thoughts and Ponderings

A SIMPLE WINTER

Author:Rosalind Lauer ISBN: 9780345526717 10/2011 INSPIRATIONAL Publisher: BALLANTINE

A Simple Winter by Rosalind Lauer
THE PROMISE OF A HOME,
THE HEARTBREAK OF AN IMPOSSIBLE LOVE

As a budding journalist with a major newspaper, Remy McCallister is eager to prove herself. While investigating an unsolved crime, Remy winds up in the tightly woven Amish community of Lancaster County, the last place she would ever expect to find herself. The story leads her to Adam King and his ten younger siblings, who are trying to sustain their warm, loving home in the wake of the murder of their parents. Although Remy tries to remain professional, she is captivated by the Kings. With her own mother gone and her father disengaged from their relationship, Remy longs for a home and a family just like that of these good, simple people.

Suddenly patriarch of his large family, Adam struggles to do the right thing for his siblings, his community, and his God. He neither wants nor needs the complications that spirited Remy brings. But as much as he tries to push her away, even as he counts all the ways this lovely outsider cannot possibly remain in his world—or in his heart—the wondrous light she shines upon his troubled soul cannot be denied. Adam can only pray for the strength and the faith to get this Englisher girl out of their lives for good.

Snowbound with the Kings, Remy experiences the wonder and the chores of a simple winter among the Plain People, as well as the friendship of their warm community. When her peaceful interlude ends, does she dare to reveal a killer in their midst, knowing that she may lose the love of this special family and this remarkable man?

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

Rosalind Lauer's A SIMPLE WINTER mixes interpersonal relationship issues, family machinations, an unsolved mystery and romance, into one nicely wrapped package. There is a lot going on in this story, but it never feels overwhelming, and there is never any threat of losing the plot's threads.

Remy and Adam meet on a train. Each is going home for family obligations; she to deal with a medical issue at the behest of her controlling father, and he to care for his younger siblings after the death of his parents. Both have strong feelings pulling them in opposite directions, but they bow to what is expected—and serve their families before they serve themselves. Time passes, and Remy needs to show herself as an independent woman, something her father does not take all that well. She goes to Pennsylvania, is welcomed into Adam's family and proceeds to investigate a murder. She pretty much invades under shady circumstances, and while he's busy trying to keep his family and the Amish community off his back, she falls under the spell of the simple life. And, of course, under the magic of the man.

This is just a really tender, sweet story with undertones of mystery—both on the level and concealed. I couldn't help but think about the mysteries that bring people together, especially two personalities and backgrounds as diverse as this pair's. Still, this talented author blends everything perfectly, and A SIMPLE WINTER left me wonderfully satisfied.

Kay James

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