C Is for Courting

Shepard Gray (B Is for Bonnet) returns to the quiet community of Walden, Ohio, for this touching entry in the Amish ABCs series. Levelheaded Beth Schrock, formerly a high-powered real estate agent, is staying with her Amish grandparents in Walden after getting pregnant following a drunken night with an old friend. Restless and eager to take her mind off things, she volunteers at a local candle-making factory run by John “Junior” Lambright. Though the chemistry between the two is instant, the situation’s anything but easy—rumors about the pair fly around town, plus Beth blames herself for her pregnancy and thinks Junior would be making a mistake by getting involved with her. Meanwhile, in a story line continued from the previous books, Beth’s older brother, Martin, has decided the Amish life isn’t for him but isn’t willing to give up on his love for devout Patti Coblentz. Despite a few minor plot holes, Shepard Gray unfurls a layered narrative that probes love, obligation, and forgiveness against the backdrop of culture clashes between Amish and Englisch. Series fans will be satisfied. (Nov.)