Listening to Love
Page 25
Out of all of the characters, who do you think is the most levelheaded when it comes to Lucas and Natalie’s blossoming relationship? Why?
What did you think about Moses? Did you like him from the beginning? Were you surprised by what he did to Cecelia? Did it soften the blow when he ended up giving her his house, even though he was behind on the mortgage? Was there anything endearing about his motives, or was he just a bad guy whom you didn’t like?
Cecelia and Helen don’t care for each other at the beginning of the book. By the end of the story, they are friends. What are some of the ways we see this friendship evolving?
What did you think about Isaac, Lucas’s father? He plays a small role in the story, but it’s an important one. Can you share some of the wisdom that Isaac shares with Helen and Lucas?
Which character did you relate to the most? Why?
If you could have rewritten any part of the book, what would you have changed? Why?
Acknowledgments
Each book I write continues to be a team effort, and I am grateful for all of the people on my team.
Sharon and Sam, it is a pleasure to dedicate this book to you. Southern Indiana has become a special place for me, a second home. It incorporates so many things that I love into one package—the two of you, CJ, and the rest of my Indiana family are a large part of that package (waving to Linda!). I’m also among an endearing group of Amish folks whom I enjoy writing about, stories that I hope entertain and glorify God. And I can’t forget our little cabin on the river, which gives me a peaceful place to write and enjoy all God has blessed me with.
To my husband, Patrick, thank you for being the kind of husband who can fend for himself when I’m traveling. Even though you don’t know how to cook, and things don’t run as smoothly when I’m not there, you never complain. Thank you for just being you. I love you with all of my heart—to the moon and back again.
I might have been remiss in the past and forgotten to thank my amazing street team—Wiseman’s Warriors. You gals ROCK, and I appreciate each and every one of you! And, of course, our fabulous Janet Murphy keeps on top of things and makes sure we all stay on task. Love and appreciate you, Janet!
To my team at HarperCollins Christian Fiction, thank you from the bottom of my heart for allowing me to be a part of this wonderful journey. Special thanks to my editors, Kimberly Carlton and Jodi Hughes.
Thank you to Natasha Kern, the best literary agent a gal could have. You also ROCK, Natasha. What a blessing you have been in my life. XO
As always, my heartfelt thank you is to God. I wanted to write one story that made a difference in one life. But You have blessed me with more stories than I’ll ever be able to write. However, I’m going to get as many out there as I can!
Glossary
ab im kopp: crazy, off in the head
ach: oh
boppli: baby
bruder: brother
daed: dad
danki: thank you
dochder: daughter
Englisch: those who are not Amish; the English language
fraa: wife
Gott: God
gut: good
haus: house
kapp: prayer covering worn by Amish women
kinner: children
lieb: love
maedel: girl
mamm: mom
mei: my
mudder: mother
nee: no
Ordnung, the: the written and unwritten rules of the Amish; the understood behavior by which the Amish are expected to live, passed down from generation to generation. Most Amish know the rules by heart.
rumschpringe: “running around”; the period of time when Amish youth experience life in the Englisch world before making the decision to be baptized and commit to Amish life
schweeger: brother-in-law
schweschder: sister
sohn: son
Wie bischt?: Hello; how are you?
ya: yes
About the Author
Photo by Emilie Hendryx
Bestselling and award-winning author Beth Wiseman has sold over two million books. She is the recipient of the coveted Holt Medallion, is a two-time Carol Award winner, and has won the Inspirational Reader’s Choice Award three times. Her books have been on various bestseller lists, including CBD, CBA, ECPA, and Publishers Weekly. Beth and her husband are empty nesters enjoying country life in south-central Texas.
* * *
Visit her online at BethWiseman.com
Facebook: AuthorBethWiseman
Twitter: @BethWiseman
Instagram: @bethwisemanauthor
Acclaim for Beth Wiseman
Listening to Love
“Listening to Love is vintage Beth Wiseman . . . clear your calendar because you’re going to want to read this one in a single setting.”
—Vannetta Chapman, author of the Shipshewana Amish Mystery series
Hearts in Harmony
“This is a sweet story, not only of romance, but of older generations and younger generations coming together in friendship. It’s a tear jerker as well as an uplifting story.”
—Parkersburg News & Sentinel
“Beth Wiseman has penned a poignant story of friendship, faith, and love that is sure to touch readers’ hearts.”
—Kathleen Fuller, author of the Middlefield Family novels
“Beth Wiseman’s Hearts in Harmony is a lyrical hymn. Mary and Levi are heartwarming, lovable characters who instantly feel like dear friends. Once readers open this book, they won’t put it down until they’ve reached the last page.”
—Amy Clipston, bestselling author of A Seat by the Hearth
Amish Celebrations
“Wiseman’s (Amish Secrets) collection of timeless stories of love and loss among the Plain People will delight fans of the author’s heartfelt story lines and flowing prose.”
—Library Journal
Home All Along
“Beth Wiseman’s novel will find a permanent home in every reader’s heart as she spins comfort and prose into a stellar read of grace.”
—Kelly Long, author of the Patch of Heaven series
Love Bears All Things
“Suggest to those seeking a more truthful, less saccharine portrayal of the trials of human life and the transformative growth and redemption that may occur as a result.”
—Library Journal
Her Brother’s Keeper
“Wiseman has created a series in which the readers have a chance to peel back all the layers of the Amish secrets.”
—RT Book Reviews, 41/2 stars and July 2015 Top Pick!
“Wiseman’s new launch is edgier, taking on the tough issues of mental illness and suicide. Amish fiction fans seeking something a bit more thought-provoking and challenging than the usual fare will find this series debut a solid choice.”
—Library Journal
The Land of Canaan Novels
“Wiseman’s voice is consistently compassionate and her words flow smoothly.”
—Publishers Weekly on Seek Me with All Your Heart
“Wiseman’s third Land of Canaan novel overflows with romance, broken promises, a modern knight in shining armor, and hope at the end of the rainbow.”
—RT Book Reviews
“In Seek Me with All Your Heart, Beth Wiseman offers readers a heartwarming story filled with complex characters and deep emotion. I instantly loved Emily, and eagerly turned each page, anxious to learn more about her past—and what future the Lord had in store for her.”
—Shelley Shepard Gray, bestselling author of the Seasons of Sugarcreek series
“Wiseman has done it again! Beautifully compelling, Seek Me with All Your Heart is a heartwarming story of faith, family, and renewal. Her characters and descriptions are captivating, bringing the story to life with the turn of every page.”
—Amy Clipston, bestselling author of A Gift of Grace
The Daughters of the Promise Novels
“Well-defined ch
aracters and story make for an enjoyable read.”
—RT Book Reviews on Plain Pursuit
“A touching, heartwarming story. Wiseman does a particularly great job of dealing with shunning, a controversial Amish practice that seems cruel and unnecessary to outsiders . . . If you’re a fan of Amish fiction, don’t miss Plain Pursuit!”
—Kathleen Fuller, author of the Middlefield Family novels
Other Books by Beth Wiseman
The Amish Journey Novels
Hearts in Harmony
A Beautiful Arrangement (available April 2020)
The Amish Secrets Novels
Her Brother’s Keeper
Love Bears All Things
Home All Along
The Land of Canaan Novels
Seek Me with All Your Heart
The Wonder of Your Love
His Love Endures Forever
The Daughters of the Promise Novels
Plain Perfect
Plain Pursuit
Plain Promise
Plain Paradise
Plain Proposal
Plain Peace
Other Novels
Need You Now
The House that Love Built
The Promise
Story Collections
An Amish Year
Amish Celebrations
Stories
A Choice to Forgive included in An Amish Christmas
A Change of Heart included in An Amish Gathering
Healing Hearts included in An Amish Love
A Perfect Plan included in An Amish Wedding
A Recipe for Hope included in An Amish Kitchen
Always Beautiful included in An Amish Miracle
Rooted in Love included in An Amish Garden
When Christmas Comes Again included in An Amish Second Christmas
In His Father’s Arms included in An Amish Cradle
A Cup Half Full included in An Amish Home
The Cedar Chest included in An Amish Heirloom
When Love Returns included in An Amish Homecoming
A Reunion of Hearts included in An Amish Reunion
Copyright
ZONDERVAN
Listening to Love
Copyright © 2019 by Elizabeth Wiseman Mackey
This title is also available as a Zondervan ebook.
This title is also available as a Zondervan audio book.
Requests for information should be addressed to:
Zondervan, 3900 Sparks Dr. SE, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49546
ISBN 978-0-310-35967-8 (library edition)
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Names: Wiseman, Beth, 1962- author.
Title: Listening to love / Beth Wiseman.
Description: Grand Rapids, Michigan : Zondervan, [2019] | Series: An Amish
journey novel ; 2
Identifiers: LCCN 2019013783| ISBN 9780529118714 (softcover) | ISBN
9780529118745 (epub)
Subjects: | GSAFD: Love stories. | Christian fiction.
Classification: LCC PS3623.I83 L57 2019 | DDC 813/.6--dc23 LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2019013783
Any Internet addresses (websites, blogs, etc.) and telephone numbers in this book are offered as a resource. They are not intended in any way to be or imply an endorsement by Zondervan, nor does Zondervan vouch for the content of these sites and numbers for the life of this book.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or any other—except for brief quotations in printed reviews, without the prior permission of the publisher.
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