Forgiven (Sisters of the Heart, Book 3)

By Shelley Shepard Gray

Tragedy strikes­—a brother and sister find themselves facing a situation that will shape the rest of their lives.

When a fire destroys the Lundys' barn, Winnie is injured trying to get the animals to safety. Confined to a hospital for weeks, out of touch with her loved ones who live too far away to visit by buggy, she must depend on Englisher Samuel Miller to keep her company. Though his family is part of Winnie's tight-knit Amish community, Samuel left years earlier to pursue a university education. Through conversations, and Samuel's dedication to her recovery, a friendship forms. But despite their growing attraction, Winnie knows it can never develop into something more as long as Samuel chooses to remain in the outside world.

When Winnie returns home, she finds her brother, Jonathan, struggling with his own dilemma. Cigarette butts were discovered in the debris of the barn and Jonathan is determined to find out who is responsible for destroying his property and putting his family at risk. But in a community founded on grace and forgiveness, will his unwillingness to move on eat away at the trust that is the foundation of their lives?

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Release date: Aug 11, 2009
• ISBN: 9780061936753

Shelley Shepard Gray

Shelley Shepard Gray is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, a finalist for the American Christian Fiction Writers prestigious Carol Award, and a two-time HOLT Medallion winner. She lives in southern Ohio, where she writes full-time, bakes too much, and can often be found walking her dachshunds on her town's bike trail.  Find Shelley on her website: ShelleyShepardGray.com; on Facebook: ShelleyShepardGray; Twitter: @ShelleySGray.

Reviews for Forgiven (Sisters of the Heart, Book 3)

[lindz2012 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I feel I fallen in loved the this family and it neighbors of this series. I have recommend it anyone this series. I have enjoyed this series and am getting ready to Grace.

[delphimo_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

In this Sisters of the Heart series, the barn of Jonathan Lundy burns and his sister, Winnie suffers burns and fractures. Jonathan must know who caused this accident, even though the Bishop of the community rules to forgive and forget. While Winnie mends in the hospital, Sam Miller visits her. Sam left the Amish community to pursue a career as a college professor. On a third level, Anna and Henry prepare for their wedding. Many stories converge to the final chapter. The main emphasis of this story rests on the shoulders of the men and the decisions they must make to follow the rules of the Amish community. The book shows that life is not always rosy, but with God's assistance life can be a blessing.

[mrsjason · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I've been a big fan of the books in the Sisters of the Heart series since I picked up book one. For some reason, they read differently from other Amish books. It's fresh and light, yet takes into account realistic views of both the Amish and English world. I think what I like best is that there are those who do get a taste of the outside world but their decision to choose the Amish lifestyle is not forced or fake. I've read other books where the choice seemed to put the Amish world as a paradise or utopia as opposed to the sinful worldliness of mainstream America. These books put a refreshing spin on that topic and I applaud them for it.In this story the focus is on Winnie, the sister of Jonathan and sister in law of Katie. From the last book in the series, we learn that she has just gotten over a failed courtship and is attempting to move on. Unfortunately she's been severely limited due to being injured from a fire at Jonathan's farm. Therefore Sam, a university professor who left the Amish years ago, comes to her rescue and offers to take care of her while she's ailing. I really liked Sam and it was fun seeing him in both of his conflicting worlds. He fits comfortably in both, which is a nice change from seeing an Amish person so out of place in the English world. I really liked the chemistry between the two of them and it was realistic enough to understand how if affected Sam's final decision. I was also pleased with the conditions of his decision as it was realistic, again with small details that other books fail to mention.There are two other story lines that are taking place in addition to Winnie's and Sam's relationship. Jonathan is trying to find out who set fire to his barn and struggles with forgiving that person. It's understandable about his anger because his entire family could have been killed and the guilty party still won't fess up to the crime. Also taking place in the background is the upcoming wedding between Anna and Henry. I really liked seeing this even take place as it ties together the entire series and brings it around full circle. I really have enjoyed reading this series and I think it's one of the best Amish series that's out there currently. I'm going to be looking forward to the next series by Shelley when it comes out later this year.

[wearylibrarian · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The Lundy barn is destroyed by fire and Jonathan's sister, Winnie, is injured trying to save the animals. Jonathan discovers cigarette butts in the rubble and is determined to find who started the fire and bring them to justice. He cannot bring himself to forgive whoever started the fire, even though his religion says he should.Samuel Miller, who left the Amish community to earn a college degree, has returned and Winnie quickly falls in love. Both know that nothing can come of that love unless Samuel returns to his Amish faith...or Winnie joins the English world.A great read that will keep you guessing.

[judyg54 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This is the 3rd book in the Sisters of the Heart series. This story follows up on Winnie Lundy (who you will read about in books 1 and 2). The book starts with a fire that destroys the Lundy's barn. Winnie is hurt in the fire and finds herself in the hospital. An Englisher, Samuel Miller, keeps her company while she recuperates. Sam was Amish but because of his desire to learn, left the Amish community and became a professor in the English world. As Sam and WInnie get to know one another there is a great struggle in both their hearts. Could Winnie ever leave her Amish world and could Sam ever come back to the Amish community and leave the English? One of them makes the ultimate sacrifice.I appreciated this series and how all the characters from each book were tied into the story. I liked how this author portrayed the Amish and how they interacted with the Englishers. In this story it was good to read of the struggles that run through Winnie and Sam's mind as they decide what they would be giving up and what they would be gaining if they made the decision to leave what they have known for years and step into a new way of living. Well done Shelley Shepard Gray! Although all 3 books in the series were good, my personal favorite was book 1.