cover image The Innkeeper’s Bride

The Innkeeper’s Bride

Kathleen Fuller. Zondervan, $15.99 trade paper (320p) ISBN 978-0-310-35516-8

Fuller (The Farmer’s Bride) begins the Amish Brides of Birch Creek series with this stirring tale of wit, hope, and delight. Selah Ropp returns to Birch Creek after a stint living in rural New York and moves in with her brother and his new wife, but she is filled with a quiet resolve to live a pious, fulfilled, healthy life in her own home. The first step is finding a job; and there just happens to be an opening with Levi Stoll and his family at their almost-open B and B. Suffering from depression, Selah is wary of making friends—and especially of trusting herself around men after being disappointed in the past. Reticent Levi, meanwhile, has a loving family and a strong faith—but his faith is tested when he unexpectedly has to take over the family business from his father. When two elderly Amish matchmakers set their sights on the pair, the meandering narrative clicks into gear. Readers who enjoy Wanda Brunstetter will love this. Agent: Natasha Kern, Natasha Kern Agency (Jan.)