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    Gladden the Heart
    Gladden the Heart
    Gladden the Heart
    Ebook380 pages9 hours

    Gladden the Heart

    By Olivia Newport

    4/5

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    About this ebook

    “When you have experienced the Holy Ghost as I have, you would see that it is difficult to turn back.”
     
    When the lively fervor of nineteenth century revivalism endangers the staid customs of the Amish community in the lush but rugged Kishacoquillas Valley of central Pennsylvania in 1847, the Amish church must deal with a divisive question: What is a genuine spiritual experience?

    The question turns personal when Susanna’s beloved cousin Noah begins preaching while under trances and even though he is not a minister he gives long sermons that attract increasing attention. Curious, she helps to keep Noah safe during his trances. At the same time Adam, Susanna's intended, feels pressure from the bishop to speak out against the ways of revivalism.

    Susanna and Adam are pushed to opposite sides of a controversy that threatens their traditional Amish faith..  Now they must grapple with whether love is possible...even if they come to different conclusions.
               
    When Noah goes missing at a time of day when he often preaches while asleep, circumstances thrust community members with divergent opinions into a crisis that demands they recognize the humanity they share regardless of beliefs.  But can strong-held opinions be softened by the truths that shape their lives? 

    More in the Amish Turns of Time Series:
    Wonderful Lonesome
    Meek and Mild
    Brightest and Best
    Hope in the Land



     
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherBarbour Publishing
    Release dateJul 1, 2017
    ISBN9781683221128
    Gladden the Heart
    Author

    Olivia Newport

    Olivia Newport is a notable author in the world of Amish literature. Her novels twist through time to find where faith and passions meet. She currently resides with her husband at the foot of the Rockies in stunning Colorado.

    Read more from Olivia Newport

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    • 4/5
      This did not start out to be one of my favorite books by Olivia Newport but by a third of the way in I had to find out how this story would be resolved. I ended up really enjoying this book and had a hard time putting it down. I liked most of the characters in the story but had a hard time liking Susanna's mother. She had a hard time trusting what her daughter was doing in being so helpful. This book made one think a bit. I received this book from Barbour for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.
    • 4/5
      What a run of emotions this story has, and is it against the Amish faith, you will be wondering as you quickly turn the pages to get to the answers.The author has placed the setting of this book in 1847 Pennsylvania, the early times in this country, and a time when Amish lived pretty much as everyone else, except maybe for their clothing.I did some research and found that this “Spirit preaching” has actually happened, and this is what has happened in this book to Noah Kaufman. The story revolves around this preaching and how it is accepted by both Amish and English, and those who are close to Noah.There is a bit of romance, a bit of skepticism, and some are even thinking of moving away, as the Church is becoming too liberal.A book that is going to make you think, and how can this be happening, a bit unsettling for this small community.I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Barbour, and was not required to give a positive review.
    • 5/5
      After reading the book I decided that I wanted to truly understand what "Gladden the Heart " meant . So I grabbed a dictionary online and found it to mean "make the heart happy". I know it was pretty simple for most of you to figure out, but I wanted to check a resource for myself. The story is complicated in the sense that The Amish beliefs and The Methodist beliefs are quite different . The story is set in the 1800s where The Amish did not want their people exposed to the preachings of other demoninations. . I loved the history that the author provided in the two different beliefs in the story. It was fascinating to read how some if the characters loved The Methodist preaching which made their hear gladden. I was a bit surprised at Noah who would go into trances and start preaching. It was intriguing to read the sermons he gave and how drawn Amish people were to him. Maybe it was curiosity or maybe it was hunger for more of God's word. The bishop was not happy at all and felt he needed to step in and stop whatever Noah was doing. Was he under a spell? Did God fill him with the Holy Spirit and give him the words to preach?I did like Susanna and Adam's developing relationship but didn't feel like Adam was supporting Susanna with her Uncle Noah at times. It's funny how some people thought Noah was ill and needed prayer. It made me realize how we are like that today. What ever beliefs we have, we sometimes judge others beliefs. The story is very emotional at times but well written with scriptures that were very powerful. I kept thinking of the story in the Bible about how Jesus would go out and preach and people would mock him, laugh at him or throw stones at him. Noah must have felt the ones who doubted him and found their harsh words pierce his heart with rejection at times. I encourage readers to give this book a try with an open heart. I've seen some of the reviews and I know that not everyone liked the book. Is it perhaps because they judge a book because it doesn't line up to their beliefs? I applaud the author for writing a book that makes us think about what people go through while spreading the Word. I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.
    • 2/5
      Gladden the Heart by Olivia Newport is the fifth book in an Amish Turns of Time series. It is 1847 in Kishacoquillas Valley, Pennsylvania. Susanna Hooley lives on her family’s farm east of Lewistown, Pennsylvania. One Sunday after church, Susanna’s cousin Noah is not feeling well and then collapses. He then starts preaching and no one can get him to stop. Noah is a quiet man and who is not known for his sermons. After three hours of preaching, Noah collapses into a deep sleep. When Noah awakens, he has no remembrance of what occurred. Susanna goes over to Noah’s house the next day and discovers that his preaching is an everyday occurrence. Noah’s wife, Phoebe has been keeping it under wraps. Noah soon starts preaching almost every afternoon at the same time and his sermons are attracting attention. Bishop Shem Hertzberger is less than pleased. The revivalist movement has taken several Amish from their community, and Shem does not want to lose any other families. Reverend Charles Baxton, a traveling Methodist minister, listens Noah’s stirring sermons and requests that Noah travel with him. This controversy divides their Amish community. Susanna supports Noah, but her beau, Adam is on the side hullabaloo. But then one day Noah disappears while in one of his trance’s, and the whole community turns out to locate him. Will they be able to locate Noah? Is there a way to resolve the controversy and unite the community once again?While Gladden the Heart is part of a series, it is a stand-alone novel. I thought the concept behind Gladden the Heart is intriguing, I did enjoy the final product. “Sleeping preachers” is an interesting phenomenon, and it could have made a great story. Is it God’s will for this to happen to Noah? I actually did a little research in “sleeping preachers”. I just felt that the author could have done so much more with this subject. Why did the Amish believe Noah’s preaching was wrong? What was the main difference between the Amish faith and other religions at this time in history? I thought the pace was sluggish (actually, slugs move faster) and the writing was not up to Olivia Newport’s usual standard. The book was awkward and the characters flat. There are numerous Bible verses (scripture) and sermons contained within the story (after a while, I started skipping past them). I really struggled to finish this novel. I can tell when I am not enjoying a book. I start checking to see how much farther until the end and I start speed reading through boring parts. When I start hoping for a good murder to spice up the storyline (especially when I am reading an Amish novel that is not a mystery), then I know I do not like the book. The romance between Susanna and Adam failed to come to life. I never felt love between the couple. Susanna’s mother was an annoying character. Her fear (for the time period) was understandable. The characters lacked depth. There is also a repetition of information (it felt like padding). I am rating Gladden the Heart 2 out of 5 stars. I do not want to discourage readers from Olivia Newport’s novels. While Gladden the Heart was not for me, I have appreciated many of her other books (Valley of Choice series).
    • 4/5
      Gladden the Heart by Olivia Newport is a poignant look at the Amish history in mid-1800s Pennsylvania. The story begins with a tent revival meeting that has piqued the interest of a few of the Amish in the area, including Susannah. As the story continues readers are introduced to the different styles of religion and the question of what is real faith. Is it the response to a fire and brimstone message or is it one that comes from the quiet, solemnity of Amish tradition? And what in the world is this trance preaching that an Amish man is exhibiting? It is certainly more mysterious than the Amish prefer their spiritual matters to be. Susannah and her intended, Adam, struggle to come to terms with the changes that are going on around them in their families and in the community. Their relationship has become tangled. Can it be untangled and are they even willing to try? The characters are evocative and realistic, each with their own strengths and flaws. I liked the strong relationship of devotion and honesty portrayed between Susannah and her Methodist friend, Patsy. The plot has twists and turns, conflicts, action, and that spark of romance that keep the reader's interest. And threaded throughout is a reminder that even though change may be difficult and can often bring division if we hold too tightly to what we have always known, we might miss out on the glory that lies ahead and lose out on the faith that will bring gladness to the heart. I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review. This review is part of a CelebrateLit blog tour.

    Book preview

    Gladden the Heart - Olivia Newport

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