Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for Green Pastures by Patricia Johns, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
About the Book
Title: Green Pastures
Series: The Amish of Shepherd's Hill #1
Author: Patricia Johns
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers
Release Date: March 18, 2025
Genre: Amish Romance
Tabitha Schrock's return to Lancaster County shakes the foundations of her family and community. After her departure during rumspringa and a recent divorce, Tabitha faces the challenge of reintegrating into Amish society while pursuing her dream of working as a veterinarian. Meanwhile, her sister Amanda, whose own prospects were dimmed by Tabitha's leaving Shepherd's Hill, decides to seize her chance at love by pursuing a man with a shadowed past. And their youngest sister, Rose, despite her beauty and romantic hopes, faces the harsh realities of matrimony, grappling with the weight of vows made before Gott and her community.
As the sisters navigate the intricacies of love, faith, and tradition, they are bound by their commitment to uphold their Amish way of life. But as they strive to keep their promises, how much are they willing to sacrifice to remain true to themselves and their community?
Tabitha was home, an Amish woman in good standing once more. Most lapsed Amish who left the faith didn’t return, so Tabitha knew she was a reason for celebration. And even though this work of setting a broken bone was exactly the same as she’d done on Englischer farms in her last two years as a veterinarian, squatting here in her cape dress, her gray work apron smeared with dirt and mud, she felt like she’d shrugged off a blanket of constant low- level anxiety and she could finally breathe.
Her heart was in the lush green pastures, the simple Amish kitchens, the earnest belief in Gott’s goodness, and the low sound of a cappella singing on Service Sundays. Her faith had begun out here in Amish country, and exploring the outside world hadn’t brought any of the satisfaction that she’d hoped to find. Freedom had proved reckless, and home was a safe haven where rules protected them and the community pulled close together to take care of one another.
MY REVIEW:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
A moving and inspirational story about an Amish community filled with flawed, scarred individuals and families and their quest to move past their painful pasts to discover the blessings God has in store for them . . .
This story centers on the three sisters in the Schrock Family of Shepherd's Hill in Lancaster County. The oldest sister, Tabitha, is a licensed large-animal veterinarian who is returning to the family after ten years of living as an Englischer. She is divorced, so she is facing a life as a single woman as she will not be allowed to remarry according to the Amish ordnung. Tabitha's return to the family home has been an adjustment for everyone—especially Amanda.
Amanda, age twenty-seven is the middle sister. She still lives at the family home with her very strict widowed father. She is currently single, but has made a goal for herself to marry someone from the community when she finds him and falls in love. I thoroughly enjoyed this thread from the story because this strong-willed young woman has an untraditional approach to finding her future mate.
Rose is the youngest sister and has been married to a man from their community for two years. She works hard to keep a fine Amish home for him, but something seems to be missing in their relationship.
Reading about the veterinary work Tabitha does with the assistance of Amanda and Rose captured my interest because I'm a big fan of the 'All Creatures Great and Small' series by James Herriot. This is the first Amish fiction I've read where there was a female veterinarian.
Since I don't want to share any more of the wealth of hidden treasures in this book, I will end my review by saying that the faith thread woven throughout the story is strong and inspiring.
The book is completely clean in language and content. I received a copy of the book from the publisher through JustRead Publicity Tours. All of my thoughts and opinions shared here are solely my own.
PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Baker Publishing Group | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | ChristianBook | Bookshop | BookBub
About the Author
Patricia Johns is a Publishers Weekly bestselling author of more than 50 books. She writes Amish fiction with tight communities, outspoken heroines, and the handsome, rugged men who fall in love with them. She lives in Alberta, Canada, with her husband and son.
Connect with Patricia by visiting patriciajohns.com to follow her on social media and subscribe to email newsletter updates.
Tour Giveaway
(1) winner will receive a $50 Amazon Gift Card and a print copy of Green Pastures!
(1) additional winner will receive a print copy of Green Pastures!
Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight March 18, 2025 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on March 25, 2025. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.
Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.
Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!
