Book title: Gladden the Heart
Author: Olivia Newport
Release date: July 1, 2017
Genre: Historical Amish
“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?
LORI'S TRAVEL'S
TODAY WE TRAVEL WITH OLIVIA NEWPORT TO 1847 PENN ST WHEN THE REVIVAL'S STARTED HAPPENING
I enjoyed this book very much!! I love reading the history of the Amish and how they came fo this country just like the English did for various reasons..
I think what drew me to this particular book was at a time when the revival meetings started. I have attended a few rivals myself and I love them.
I liked how they all came together to help the one in need.
I didn't like however how some ppl treated an individual just because he was "different".
I think Gladden the Heart means to accept Jesus in your heart no matter who does the preaching.
Whoever accepts Jesus will have eternal life and joy will shine through to whomever will meet up with you.
I also love the friendship between Amish and English even tho the Amish want to set themselves from the world.
Some ppl are just set in their ways no matter how much we try to help or change them.
Veronica Susanna's mother was afraid of the influence that the preaching that went on.
Im glad for Susanna's father who was sturdy and firm in his decision making and on whom to trust.
I like nosy Timothy too. If I had a brother I'd want him to be just like Timothy.
There were some things in the book that made me smile and laugh too.
I also held my breath in certain places. I didn't want anything to happento my favorite person!
If I had an uncle I'd want to be just like Noah. I thought Noah was cool for an Amish man.
Olivia will be added to my list of favorite authors because I enjoy her stories
I wanted to add that I loved the little authors note. at the end of the book. I think it's good to know how the author gets ideas ffor their stories and knowing there. is truth mixed in with fiction. This is why I love fiction.
I received this book for free. No Compensations were received and all words are my own.
About the Author
Olivia Newport’s novels twist through time to discover where faith and passions meet. She chases joy in Colorado at the foot of the Rockies, where daylilies grow as tall as she is. Her books include the Avenue of Dreams series set in 1890s Chicago; the Valley of Choice series, which intertwines contemporary and historical Amish stories; the historical Amish Turns of Time series; and Hidden Falls, a warm, contemporary, small-town novel.Guest Post from Olivia Newport
Sleepy Sundays
Now don’t laugh, but my guess is that if you looked around your church on any given Sunday morning, you’d see somebody sleeping. It might be an infant or toddler whose nap time collides with the worship time resting in a parent’s arms, or it might be a senior citizen who has perfected the art of dozing in an upright position.
What you don’t expect is that the person sleeping will be the preacher.
I’ve always been interested in church history. I even read a magazine called Christian History on a regular basis and consider it pleasure reading. In my ambling through church history, I came across a notation about “sleeping preachers” in the nineteenth century in various denominations, including the Amish. The accounts suggested that individuals who were not ministers would fall unconscious, wake up to preach for lengthy periods, sleep again, and have no recollection of their actions.
Could this possibly be true? Or a giant hoax? What’s a genuine spiritual experience, and what do we do when don’t agree on how to answer that question? Let’s face it, even now, 150 years later, we still don’t quite know what to do with our varying traditions when we don’t agree on how to answer that question.
I knew I had the makings of a story. Gladden the Heart travels back to 1847 and wrestles with these questions. When a divided community faces a life-or-death situation, they must respond to a crisis that challenges them to look past their differences. But can strong-held opinions be softened by the truths that shape their lives?
Gladden the Heart is the fifth story in Olivia Newport’s Amish Turns of Time series of historical Amish novels. Olivia chases joy in Colorado at the foot of the Rockies, where daylilies grow as tall as she is.
Blog Stops
July 4: Cafinated Reads
July 5: Book by Book
July 6: Genesis 5020
July 6: A Baker’s Perspective
July 7: Reading Is My SuperPower
July 7: Connie’s History Classroom
July 8: Daysong Reflections
July 9: God’s Little Bookworm
July 9: Inklings and Notions
July 10: A Reader’s Brain
July 10: Zerina Blossom’s Books
July 11: Bibliophile Reviews
July 11: Red Headed Book Lady
July 12: Karen Sue Hadley
July 12: Blogging With Carol
July 13: The Fizzy Pop Collection
July 14: Have A Wonderful Day
July 14: cherylbbookblog
July 15: Bigreadersite
July 15: Carpe Diem
July 16: Splashes of Joy
July 16: The Power of Words
July 17: His Grace is Sufficient
July 17: Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations
Giveaway
To celebrate her tour, Olivia is giving away a Grand Prize that consists of:
All five books in the Amish Turns of Time series (http://www.olivianewport.com/amish-turns-of-time/)
PLUS
Bonus: All three books in the Valley of Choice series (http://www.olivianewport.com/valley-of-choice/)
PLUS
$25 Amazon Gift Card!! Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries! https://promosimple.com/ps/bc59
All five books in the Amish Turns of Time series (http://www.olivianewport.com/amish-turns-of-time/)
PLUS
Bonus: All three books in the Valley of Choice series (http://www.olivianewport.com/valley-of-choice/)
PLUS
$25 Amazon Gift Card!! Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries! https://promosimple.com/ps/bc59
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