Captive Heart, The [Paperback]

At long last, the second book in The Daughters of Caleb Bender series has been released. The Captive Heart, Dale Cramer’s latest book, became available from Bethany House Publishers* at the first of 2012, and is sure to excite fans of it’s predecessor, entitled Paradise Valley. Apparently at least one more book will follow in the series as well, as The Captive Heart contains many loose ends, waiting to be tied up in a final story. Based on the events of a true story, The Captive Heart takes place in Mexico, where a new Amish settlement was founded by the Caleb Bender family a year previous to this story’s beginning.

A unique part of this novel is the author’s technique in allowing the reader to watch the story unfold through the eyes of not just one or even two, but several lifelike characters. Although Miriam Bender, a strong, loyal young woman, is the dominant heroine, her sisters, father, and others also add their views, forming a well thought-out (and surprisingly not confusing) novel. The tie that binds each central character together is their need to survive the one blight in their beautiful new home - the bandits led by El Pantera, a brutal, harsh, man, who seemingly has no conscience.

Conflict and hardship abound in Paradise Valley, both within and without. Miriam finds herself haunted by the love of a man forbidden to her, the only man she could ever be happy sharing her life with. At the same, the entire settlement lives in constant fear of being robbed, killed, or worse, by the infamous El Pantera and his bandits. After one of their people is killed, and another kidnapped, members of the fast growing, but strictly nonviolent Amish community, and one loyal, native friend, are forced into unthinkable choices to save their loved ones.

One of the main themes in The Captive Heart is the debate between the Amish way of non-violence, and the desire to protect your loved ones. This unsettled question compels readers to look at their own values. Often in the characters’ situations, they are forced to make choices that truly seem impossible. Similarly, another theme in the novel is that of God’s forgiveness... When a person makes a choice they know is wrong, however unforgivable it may seem, it is imperative to remember that God is love, and that He is ready to forgive us at any time.

The Captive Heart is an adventurous and generally wholesome Amish story. It is packed with drama and excitement, love and value, and characters we can learn with. The conflict is intense, (at times nail-bitingly so!) and both joy and sadness bring life to the novel. A few faults are present, however, largely in certain elements that, while probably necessary to the story plot, could have been explained with fewer details, which would have made a number of scenes significantly less uncomfortable. All in all, however, The Captive Heart was an interesting, adventurous sequel in which readers will learn more about the Bender family they came to know and love from the previous book in the series, Paradise Valley.

***Note: I received this book free of charge for review purposes, courtesy of Bethany House Publishers and Graf-Martin Communications. I would like to say thank you very much for sending it to me.

This is the first Amish-themed historical fiction book that I read and I loved it. Cramer managed to keep my interest throughout the story with real characters facing difficult and life-changing situations. Although the book cover and the synopsis would lead a reader to believe this is a just a romance, it's really more of a family saga taking place in the 1920s, and Miriam's struggle with her feelings for Domingo, a half-breed Mexican man who isn't Amish.

Miriam's parents, Caleb and Martha Bender moved their ten children and their families to Paradise Valley in Mexico to pioneer a new Amish colony. But life is difficult because of the bandits that roam the mountain range and disease that hits the small colony. The Amish people are gentle and will not resort to violence to protect themselves. They rely on their faith and this theme, along with that of God's forgiveness is strong and well-suited to the story without overwhelming the reader.

The characters are well-rounded with strong traits and flaws that made me care about them and their outcome. I loved Miriam's strength and her relationship with her younger sister, Rachel. She wasn't afraid to do what was right even if it was unconventional. Domingo was courageous, as was his sister Kyra, and true to himself. He respected Caleb, who he worked for, and he was a man of principle. He was kind, yet could be fierce to protect those he loved. And the author succeeded in making him a sexy man in an Amish novel!

The author deftly drew me right into their conflicts, and I was transported to the dusty and dangerous mountain range of Mexico where there was plenty of action with the bad guys. None of it was predictable and I read this book quickly to see how it would all turn out. There was a scene that left me in tears. The ending was realistic and left me searching more works from this author, which I now want to read. (This is the second book in the Daughters of Caleb Bender series.) I have to mention one last thing that endeared me to this author's writing. He includes a character who is mentally disabled, portrays her realistically (I've worked with this population) and gives her a role that made me cheer.

I am Dale Cramer's newest fan. If you like Christian historical fiction that is well-written, clean, with a great plot and memorable characters, you should try this author. Not to be missed.

Note: This book includes some scenes of violence with bandits who attack. It is not gratuitous or over the top.

Disclosure: This book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. I was not compensated in any other way, nor told how to rate or review this product. Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Dale Cramer's Amish fiction has a flavor all of its own. Too often, I am put off by this genre because of how the Amish way of life is romanticized. Cramer doesn't do that. The Captive Heart is the continuing story of an Amish community's struggle in a foreign and dangerous land. This novel is full of danger, bandits, disease, kidnapping and death. It is also a story of love and longing, and trying to understand the ways of God in the world of men. I appreciate Dale Cramer's style. There were times in this story that I felt distance from the characters. Maybe it was because there are so many characters to keep track of and care about. I didn't lose myself in this book like I would have liked, but I did enjoy it.

I recommend this book to readers of Amish fiction and fans of Dale Cramer.

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group.