Threads of Grace (A Patch of Heaven Novel)

This is an Amish Fiction book but a little different than most that I have read.
When you first start off you get a bad feeling in your stomach as what you are going to read you are not going to like and you don't but Kelly did a great job of skipping over those bad years and brings us to a place where love can flourish. Grace and her son move after her husband dies, and this is Graces story (and her sons). Grace decides to get married to save her son from his uncle. How does Grace and her husband get a long, how does a son with special needs fit in, Painting? I think there are too many unnecessary characters in this book. I enjoyed the book and recommend it, remember this is the second one in the series and although you don't have to read the first one first I would suggest you read it as well.

Loved this book by Kelly Long. Grace experienced an awful marriage. Now a widow she and her autistic son have resettled in another community. When her past catches up with her she ends up married to Seth. He's an amazing hero and protects her when catastrophe threatens. Kelly Long's characters have perseverance and hope "in spades," something that I love! I listened to this book on audio. There is an element in the story that I've never seen in Kelly Long's books and although it was somewhat distracting at times it did not diminish my appreciation for the overall story and characterization. Don't miss this story!

Kelly Long wrote an engaging Amish romance a little different in content. This book kept me with it and I read it quickly. I was troubled in parts, happy in parts, confused in parts, and angry in parts. I learned a little more about Amish life from reading this book, and became angry at the treatment of women over all. Each author seems to portray the Amish life in a little bit different way. This group seemed a tad more liberal than other books I've read except for the actions of the main character, Grace. She was completely at the mercy of first her parents, then her first husband who was evil until she found true love. This is probably my favorite book by Kelly Long and I will be reading more!

For me, these Amish romance novels are a pure guilty pleasure for me. Hardly heavy reading, they provide a joyous and sweet escape of the fluffy variety. To my surprise, the first few chapters of this novel almost had me turning away from the story when I found the set-up a little too dramatic. Yet after that, I found myself sucked into the setting and lives of the characters... and an insightful awareness of human nature. Cutesy and sugary sweet, yes, that describes this book. But it was well-balanced with a consideration of the customs and changes of life. Long says it best when she scratches at that fourth wall with characters purchasing and describing Amish romance novels: a simple setting allows a good focus on problems.

Anywho, the tale is of Grace and Seth. Grace (and here was the almost too dramatic bit for me) was wedded off at 18 to save the family farm. The marriage was loveless and abusive. She is now 27 and a fresh widow with an autistic son, trying to escape her brother-in-law who wants to marry her for the inheritance. Seth is the most eligible bachelor around and steps in at the last minute to marry Grace and save her. There you go, the dramatic set-up. If it's up your alley, you will enjoy it. If it has you rolling your eyes... I still bet you will like this novel. The rest of the story describes their awkward early marriage as well as the themes of abuse, grace, and pursuing a dream at the potential price of community. The latter refers to Seth's secret love of art and painting--a no-no in the community.

Kelly Long writes with a simple and polished air, letting the story and characters speak for themselves. The story moves along at a refreshingly brisk pace, deftly alternating between perspectives. This had a bit more color and personality, so to speak, than some of the other novels of this genre, giving it a lively flavor.

I enjoyed this more than I initially expected I would. It's as sweet and charming as any other novel of its type, but with a little something extra.

The premise: a young woman is given in marriage, against her will, to an older, abusive man. The community turns a blind eye while he beats and humiliates her. When he dies, she is free to remarry--and must, or risk her son being taken by her husband's evil brother. Will she learn to trust and love her new husband?

I really enjoyed previous books by this author, so when I saw this one, I grabbed it. Unfortunately, it left me wanting. The story was too cliche, I've read the same basic plot in other Amish romance novels. There were a few interesting elements to try and freshen it up, but it wasn't enough. It also didn't paint a very pretty picture of life with the Amish. Grace's son is autistic, so she struggles to deal with him and the community's hostility towards his disability. They do nothing when her husband abuses her. They don't help her family, who is drowning in debt--and that's why she's married off to her first husband, because he offers to take her in exchange for paying the family's debts. They banish an Amish man because he dared to draw and paint. I realize that people are people, and there will always be a few rotten apples in the barrel, but this book made all Amish communities seem harsh and unforgiving. Perhaps that wasn't the author's intent, but it's how it came across.

It wasn't all bad, though. The author knows how to write and tell a good story. Her characters are interesting, which is a refreshing change from some of the other books I've read lately. For that, I'll give the book a solid three stars, maybe three and a half. If you're new to Amish romances, I would start with Kelly Long's earlier novels. They're quite good. I just didn't care for this one overmuch.

My Take : This was a light enjoyable story that was a nice break from the long serious books I have recently listened to. I found the presentation of the autistic little boy in the Amish
Community very interesting. I thought that even though Seth was described as a flirt and womanizer that he took to marriage and instant fatherhood so much better than Grace did. Grace's first marriage made her very wary of giving her heart away. I enjoyed listening to these finding their way in their marriage.

I thought that the narrator did a fairly good job but her voice for the little boy was a bit whiny and a little annoying. Otherwise a good job.

Threads of Grace by Kelly Long is the third book in her Patch of Heaven series. I received a free copy of this book in return for a review. But since it is the third in the series I decided to check my library to see if I could read the other two before this one. I hate jumping into a story in the middle. Luckily my library had the second book, Lilly's Wedding Quilt , that I could borrow in an ebook format so I didn't even have to walk into my library in order to borrow it and get started. The first book wasn't available so I decided to just jump in at the second book and hope it filled what I needed to know from the first book, Sarah's Garden.

I read both books very quickly. I didn't feel like I was missing anything since I didn't get the first book but it would have only enhanced the story if I had had the back story a little more filled out. I am glad I read Lilly's story before Grace's. I think I would have felt like I was jumping into the middle of a story if I hadn't. Threads of Grace really does need more of details from Lilly's story. So this isn't really a stand alone book. It also had a lot of side stories which leads me to believe Kelly Long hasn't finished this series yet.

I liked Lilly's story more than Grace's. I don't know if it is because so much of the Threads of Grace book felt like a repeat of Lilly. They each marry a man before they really know them and have to figure out married life. Grace was married before and has a son which has its own issues but mostly it felt like more of the same. It was a nice story but nothing spectacular.

This book starts amazingly. The story line is so riveting - my eyes were glued to the pages! I have to give up for the author - this book is definitely unlike any other Amish fiction book I've read. Once I hit the middle of the book, it started to drag a little, but it picked back up again. The ending, particularly the bit about Silas' brother, was completely unpredictable. If you're a fan of Amish fiction, you would be doing yourself a disservice if you did not read this series. If you're not a fan of Amish fiction {yet}, I would say to start with this series. It'll leave you wanting more and more and more!

Grace Belier has escaped one awful marriage only to have be faced with another. When her neighbor offers to marry her and keep her from having to marry some one else she decides to take the chance. She hardly knows Seth, but he seems like a good man. Will she come to love him as she loves her? This was a light read. It was enjoyable. Some of the plot felt like it was a stretch. Would anybody really be able to take away her son because she had not remarried within six months of her husbands death? I like the theme about our past not having to rule our future. This is the third in a series, but it works as a stand alone.

YAY another Amish book YAY YAY, of course I totally loved it wooohooo. This one is about young Grace who was married off at a young age to save her family from going into major money problems with the Amish community that they live in. After years and years of an abusive relationship Grace now finds herself a widow with a young child with special needs. She up and moves to a new community with a very handsome yet annoying young man, Seth who is more than ready to court Grace. When threaten with the chance of loosing her child she married Seth in a second. will she find that her annoying husband is actual worth loving ?

To say that I have been anticipating this book is an understatement. I have been anxious to read Seth Wyse and Grace Beiler's story ever since I read "Lily's Wedding Quilt" and met Seth's brother Jacob. While I enjoyed this story, I still think my favorite story in this series has to be Jacob and Lily's story, but Seth and Grace also gave me a nice love story that was totally unique in several aspects.

Grace Beiler moved to Pine Creek with her young son Abel, after the death of her husband Silas. The reason she married Silas was unique in itself for an Amish story, but his treatment of Grace broke my heart.Grace has noticed her next door neighbor Seth Wyse, but she is older and her heart is so badly damaged she is sure she will never love again. When she has an accident while gardening, Seth starts coming over to help out. Out of the blue Tobias Beiler, Silas' brother shows up with startling news that could change her life yet again, if she fails to marry within six months of her husbands death. Seth overhears the conversation between Tobias and Grace and steps in offering to marry her. The only thing Grace can do is accept. How can a marriage between the two work out when Grace's heart and trust might be damaged beyond repair. Does Seth have what it takes to help heal Grace's broken heart and spirit?

I really liked this story, and thought the author handled the tough issue of spousal abuse among the Amish in a good way. She also handles the subject of Autism in such a way that I actually learned a bit while reading the story. I also enjoyed the fact that she allowed us to get glimpses of Jacob and Lily from the previous book in the series. The thing that sort of fell flat for me was the story line with Tobias, I kept thinking it might turn into something more. There was also the appearance of Grace's sister Violet, that has me hoping that we might get her story in the next book in this series. Overall, I did enjoy this story, and will certainly read the next book in the series.

A complimentary copy of this book was provided in exchange for an honest review.

Kelly Long continues A Patch of Heaven series with this third book. She continues the story, this time with Grace Beiler and Seth Wyse. Grace has a son, Abel. Abel has autism and Mrs. Long writes about his and his family's struggles so sensitively. I am a kindergarten assistant and I have an autistic child in my classroom this year. Abel has the same characteristics as that of my student. It amazed me as to how much I could relate to Abel's part in this story. I read many different kinds of books and I am enjoying these novels very much. I look forward to the next book in this series.

I really enjoyed this Amish romance. I'm not sure how accurate a representation of Amish life this book portrays but it is a moving story.

The book is about widowed Grace Beiler and it is also about God's grace in our lives. Grace was married young to a brutal man to pay off her family's farm debts and to buy medicine for her mother. The marriage produced an autistic son, Abel.

After her husband dies in an accident, Grace Grace and Abel move to Pine Creek and and Grace immediately catches the eye of eligible bachelor Seth Wyse, who falls for her when he first sees her.

There are trials and tribulations in the story but God's grace and Seth and his family's unconditional love help heal a broken woman and allow her to reach her full potential as a wife, mother and friend.

The other reviewers have covered the plot numerous times, so I won't go into that. I'll just say that these are not your typical, written too perfectly characters. These are all too human characters that anyone could relate to in some way or another. I really enjoyed it.

This is the first of this series that I have read, and you don't have to read the previous installments to pick this one up and follow right along.

Overall, I'd highly recommend this Amish romance.

Great Amish romance novel, and quite good for a summertime beach trip... If you have a little while and just want some nice light reading with a little bit of Amish romance this is a good book for you. The author did a good job with foreshadowing, the story kept my interest, I liked the characters and before I knew it, the story was done... I would read other books by this author. I would definitely recommend "Threads of Grace" as a good summertime read!

Kelly Long has written a wonderful story of how love can be our saving grace. When Grace was only eighteen she is married off to a bitter and possessive older man. Nine years later, she is free when her cruel husband dies in an accident. She and her young troubled son find their way into a marriage to a younger man to escape her ex-brother-in-law. Can Seth help his new damaged wife and her son overcome their past and learn to trust and find love? Find out in "Threads of Grace."

This is a wonderful book. After a wonderful upbringing, our main character Grace gets trapped in a nightmare marriage that lasts several years. Finally her older and very cruel husband dies, and she is able to take her son to freedom.

In the new community, the Amish woman works with her son--who had an autism-like disability from abuse by his father--and lives with much fear.

In time, she meets a fine man who loves her deeply, and she begins to heal. Her upbringing surely has a great deal with her ability to heal. The fine man who loves her also loves her son, and they live in a very supportive community.

There are some great surprises in this book, especially as it approaches the end. Very uplifting. Highly recomended!

I struggled to put down this suspenseful novel. The heroine's ability to both survive and conquer is inspiring. She is a tough independent woman in the midst of an extremely traditional environment. This dichotomy makes for a constantly interesting story.

As my mother would say, it "ends well," meaning that it ends both happily and with closure, without being trite or overly saccharine.

"Threads of Grace" by Kelly Long

"This book is about the riveting story of a young Amish girl, Grace. Grace's parents are deeply in debt and make a decision that will change Grace's life forever. Throughout the book, she is faced with struggles, consequences, and threats as a result of that decision. Years later, she moves to a new community, to "start over" again and build a new life, but the trouble follows her. All through the story, she is shown the Lords love and grace toward His children & He leads her to building new relationships & places trustworthy people in her life.

It was a riveting story and the first I have read by this author. But it won't be the last. The author kept my attention and there were many unexpected twists in the plot ~ all to enhance the story. I would love to read a sequel to this story and keep the characters going. I did not want the book to end!"

This book has a different flavor that any other Amish romance book I've encountered. The language seems very modern and then just a touch of Amish vocab added. I liked the book and it's one of the few books dealing with abuse and special needs children that doesn't trigger or activate my emotional buttons. Clearly the conversation between the librarian and Grace's widowed friend Alice reflects the author and publisher's view of fiction facilitating gentle healing. Expect a happy ending and more to come in this series. Deals with autism, abuse, loss of loved ones.

This book has characters that are easy to relate to. It also gracefully deals with autism. I'm glad to see that the painting was added to arts and crafts. Painting really doesn't differ much from quilting, in my opinion. This is the first book I have read by this author. I hope to be able to read the rest of the books in this series.

A very nice romance story set in the Amish community. This book has all the elements you'd expect from a romance novel and was very well written. Highly recommended if you are a fan of romance novels.

To say that I have been anticipating this book is an understatement. I have been anxious to read Seth Wyse and Grace Beiler's story ever since I read "Lily's Wedding Quilt" and met Seth's brother Jacob. While I enjoyed this story, I still think my favorite story in this series has to be Jacob and Lily's story, but Seth and Grace also gave me a nice love story that was totally unique in several aspects.

Grace Beiler moved to Pine Creek with her young son Abel, after the death of her husband Silas. The reason she married Silas was unique in itself for an Amish story, but his treatment of Grace broke my heart.Grace has noticed her next door neighbor Seth Wyse, but she is older and her heart is so badly damaged she is sure she will never love again. When she has an accident while gardening, Seth starts coming over to help out. Out of the blue Tobias Beiler, Silas' brother shows up with startling news that could change her life yet again, if she fails to marry within six months of her husbands death. Seth overhears the conversation between Tobias and Grace and steps in offering to marry her. The only thing Grace can do is accept. How can a marriage between the two work out when Grace's heart and trust might be damaged beyond repair. Does Seth have what it takes to help heal Grace's broken heart and spirit?

I really liked this story, and thought the author handled the tough issue of spousal abuse among the Amish in a good way. She also handles the subject of Autism in such a way that I actually learned a bit while reading the story. I also enjoyed the fact that she allowed us to get glimpses of Jacob and Lily from the previous book in the series. The thing that sort of fell flat for me was the story line with Tobias, I kept thinking it might turn into something more. There was also the appearance of Grace's sister Violet, that has me hoping that we might get her story in the next book in this series. Overall, I did enjoy this story, and will certainly read the next book in the series.

A complimentary copy of this book was provided in exchange for an honest review.