cover image Hope in the Land

Hope in the Land

Olivia Newport. Shiloh Run, $14.99 paper (320p) ISBN 978-1-63409-655-3

In the fourth installment of Newport’s Amish Turns of Time series, Henry Edison finds a job in the Works Progress Administration and is assigned to Lancaster County to collect productivity data from the households of rural farms. It’s the Depression, and Henry has scant funds, an unreliable vehicle, and few places to sleep. Gloria Grabill quickly offers him food and lodging—and the assistance of her daughter, Polly. Polly, whose clumsiness has precluded her from farm chores, soon becomes an invaluable asset to Henry. Though Gloria shows remarkable hospitality to strangers, she has much more difficulty with Minerva Swain, her nemesis since grade school. Minerva’s husband and daughter are tight with the Grabill clan, so her presence at their farm seems to occur more often than either woman would like. The story is simple, with only a slight hint of mystery, which surrounds the Swain’s grown sons. The cast of characters is large, but each is smartly crafted. Without heavy religious tones, Newport keenly expresses the timeless value of forgiveness, generosity, and compassion. [em]Agent: Rachelle Gardner, Books & Such Literary Agency. (Apr.) [/em]