Review of The Riverhaven Years Book 1: Rachel’s Secret by BJ Hoff

About the Book:

Bestselling author BJ Hoff promises to delight her many faithful readers with her compelling new series, The Riverhaven Years. With the first book, Rachel’s Secret, Hoff introduces a new community of unforgettable characters and adds the elements readers have come to expect from her novels: a tender love story, the faith journeys of people we grow to know and love, and enough suspense to keep the pages turning quickly.

When the wounded Irish American riverboat captain, Jeremiah Gant, bursts into the rural Amish setting of Riverhaven, he brings chaos and conflict to the community–especially for young widow, Rachel Brenneman. The unwelcome “outsider” needs a safe place to recuperate before continuing his secret role as an Underground Railroad conductor. Neither he nor Rachel is prepared for the forbidden love that threatens to endanger a man’s mission, a woman’s heart, and a way of life for an entire people.

About the Author:
BJ Hoff’s bestselling historical novels continue to cross the boundaries of religion, language, and culture to capture a worldwide reading audience. Her books include such popular titles as Song of Erin and American Anthem and bestselling series such as The Riverhaven Years, The Mountain Song Legacy, and The Emerald Ballad. Hoff’s stories, although set in the past, are always relevant to the present. Whether her characters move about in small country towns or metropolitan areas, reside in Amish settlements or in coal company houses, she creates communities where people can form relationships, raise families, pursue their faith, and experience the mountains and valleys of life. BJ and her husband make their home in Ohio.

My Review:
This was my first book by this author,and I absolutely LOVED it! It is excellent in it’s ability to hold the reader until the end. I did not want to put this book down! Every page brought a new twist, and I couldn’t wait to get to the end to see what happens. It is the perfect blend of history, Amish, suspense, romance and God. It is filled with wonderful tension from beginning to end. It is detailed in describing the struggles that the Amish had long ago, as well as, that of the times of the Underground Railroad and all those who helped with it. The Amish of long ago already had struggles of living in America, but when you add the twist of an Amish and Englisher who both believe in the Lord, but who also development forbidden feelings for each other, it makes for one of the best Amish historical novels I have ever read. I can’t wait to find out what happens in When Grace Abides, book 2 of the BJ Hoff’s The Riverhaven Years. This book deserves more than  5 stars, but, alas, I can only give it 1-5 stars and therefore, my opinion of this book is that it is a highly recommened, 5 star, two thumbs up, book!

*This book was provided for review by Harvest House Publisher*