Levi's Will by W. Dale Cramer

Levi's Will

If you have been reading my blog long you know I have a facination with Amish novels.  If one is offered to me for a review I typically snatch it up in a heartbeat.  I love the image of a simple life (likely because mine is far from simple in many ways).  I have to tell you that Levi's Will, however, is very different from the Amish novels I normally read.  It is a fictional book based on true events.

Levi is an Old Order Amish no nonsense kind of man.  He is devout in his beliefs and has few words for his children other than critical observations and silence.  Will is his second son.  In his younger years Will seems a little lost in the Amish community and falls into a situation with his girlfriend.  With Levi being angry and critical Will feels forced to run away.  After a time of wandering around he lands himself in the Army.  It is almost far fetched for an Amishman to be in the Army but nevertheless it is where Will winds up.  Through many trials, challenges and journeys Will eventually marries and starts a family.  He returns to Ohio to try to make amends with his Amish roots and feels as if he fails several times.  In the long run a lesson is learned by several people in this book. 

The plot does some time jumping but you will know at the beginning of each chapter what year you are reading about.  Once I got into the story I enjoyed the book very much.  If you like true stories or ones that are very close to true this book should be a new experience and worthwhile read for you.
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Contest ends 12/26 and is open to US only.

A copy of Levi's Will was provided for review by Bethany House Publishers.