I was surprised by how much I liked this story. I'm not really a fan of "Amish" stories, but this one had a good suspense aspect that kept me intrigued! I liked the characters, although the romance wasn't a favorite of mine. It felt a little insta-love and I just wasn't a fan. Besides that, though, a solid Love Inspired Suspense story and I'm interested in continuing the series.

*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*

Wow, this is a suspense novel that you won't want to miss!!! It is the perfect book to curl up in a chair with and sip on hot coffee or tea while wrapped in your favorite blanket or sweater. Readers will anxiously read to see what Miriam will decide for her future. Will she want to become Amish when it would require such a drastic, remarkable change or would she rather leave, remain English, and risk it all?
I am rating this book 4 stars and highly recommend it to readers.
I received a digital version of this book from netgalley and Love Inspired Suspense in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are my own.

This is the first book I have read by Debby Giusti and it was quite the page turner! I love Amish fiction so the title caught my eye, but I also love mystery and suspense and this book was the best of both worlds.

Miriam is running from a killer, and ends up saved by an Amish man named Abram. Abram takes her in, and protects her, as the story unfolds. There are twists and turns, and you will end up staying up late to finish this story!

The little teaser at the beginning, before the book starts tells me there will be some suspense in this book. Who is Abram? Who is Miriam? Who or what is Serpent? What is Serpent involved in and who is with him on the fateful night for Miriam? What does Miriam do that allows her to get away? What happened to her sister Sarah and her mother? Who is Hannah? When Miriam cannot get ahold of Hannah, what happens? This book is full of suspense as Miriam does not know who she can trust. Where is Willkommen? Who is her aunt? What does she find out about her mother, her family, herself, and her savior? Can people put their pasts behind them and realize the good things that God has put into their lives? Read and find out.

I downloaded this title, along with two others, on 15 May 2017. For some reason, only one actually downloaded to my Kindle - the other two did not and I was unable to review them..and now they are archived. I contacted both Amazon and NetGalley about the situation. This looks like my type of novel, and I look forward to reading it soon.
Thanks so much for understanding!

Miriam Miller is being pursued by the person who killed her mother and abducted her sister, she sees a light on in a farm house and makes it there just in time. Several days before her family was stopped by flashing lights and instead of being helped, they were attacked by the man with a snake tattoo, and now Miriam is running for her life.

Abram Zook grants Miriam sanctuary, and his sister helps Miriam disguise herself by giving her a cape dress, and helping her to do her hair. Abram is a widower, he still blames himself for his wife's death in childbirth 3 years previous.

I liked that Abram is there to help Miriam on several occasions when "The Snake" comes snooping around, he tries to convince her to reach out for help, when she is scared and doesn't know who to trust. Abram grudgingly admires Miriam's determination to help her sister Sarah. He stands firm and defends Miriam even though he believes in peaceful problem solving.

I love how this story brings together two people who never would have met under normal circumstances. And Miriam comes to realize that she doesn't miss the material things in her former life. She sees how Abram and Emma live out their faith and is inspired by them. I'm hoping there's a sequel because there were some questions at the end of this book.

Emma is a great friend to Miriam, she sees how much Emma loves the little boy, Daniel, who delivers their milk every day, and she suspects that Emma loves Daniel's widowed father too.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and testimonials in Advertising."

AMISH REFUGE is the first book in the Amish Protectors series.

Abram Zook is an Amish widower who happens to answer the loud knocking on his door and finds a battered and soaking wet Miriam Miller, who falls into his arms. She tells him a man is after her who is going to kill her and she begs him for help. She explains that her car has been hijacked, her mother has been killed, and her sister has been kidnapped. Somehow Miriam managed to escape but the man she calls Serpent is hot on her trail and will kill her if he finds her. Abram pulls her into his house even though it is the middle of the night. AMISH REFUGE pulled me right in from the very first page and never let go!

AMISH REFUGE is filled with twists and turns and they will keep you on the edge of your seat trying to figure out what the heck is going on. Abram tells Miriam she must talk to his uncle who is the sheriff, but Miriam is very afraid as the men who pulled over her car were the police. How will she know who she can trust? Will she ever be free of the Serpent and be able to find her sister? Abram only wants to help Miriam but first she must accept his help and learn to trust him.

AMISH REFUGE is a wonderful start to what promises to be a very suspenseful series. I have never read Debby Giusti before but I’m excited to find her other books and read those as well. This story is filled with forgiveness for both Abram as well as Miriam. They both need to forgive themselves and move on from the past. Wether together or by themselves, they have to let go of the past or they will never be able to move ahead. Will Abram act on his feelings that are beginning to grow for Miriam or will Miriam run at the first chance she gets? You are going to have to read AMISH REFUGE to find out! No spoilers from me!!

This book begins with you stomach in your throat and continues that way through the book. A mother and her adult daughters traveling through Northern Georgia and what seems like a routine traffic stop, changes their lives forever.
Somehow Miriam Miller escapes her captors, and thus finds a beacon of hope when she ends up at an Amish home. Loved how her arrival at the Zook home does seem to change their lives also.
What I didn’t like about the story was there wasn’t any closure as far as her Miriam’s sister Sarah. Where is she and the missing Amish girl that was mentioned, will these questions be answered in the future books?
The story is a quick read, but danger seems to lurk around every corner and quickly becomes a compelling page-turner.
I received this book through Net Galley and Harlequin Publishing, and was not required to give a positive review.

One of the scariest, most intense starts to a story I have read in a while, that had my heart rate up. The tension level stays elevated, the fear is tangible and concrete in the tale all the way to the end.
I have not read many Amish stories, and the culture and religion fascinated my mind. I enjoyed the tidbits of the information shared, as well as the strong faith Abram had in God, his belief on God's guidance in his life.
Abram Zook is a great complex hero. His past mistakes are weighing heavily on his mind and the battles to do the right thing, to forgive himself, to swallow his pride, to accept his growing feelings towards Miriam Miller were his constant companions. He is protective, kind-hearted man, who wants to follow the old traditions, to honor his family, and keep his faith.
Miriam Miller had barely escaped a great danger. She had witnessed the murder of her mother, her sisters are missing, and even before the danger they got in, her whole life seemed to be in trouble and upheaval. Miriam had good intentions, she didn't want to put anyone else in danger while not sure who to trust. But she didn't take any advice and made grave mistakes, putting people around her in even more trouble. Her stubbornness not to hear anyone else, not to think things through before acting was frustrating, say the least.
I liked the story, both the suspense and the romance side of it had fascinating elements and events. The growing feelings between Miriam and Abram develop fast but are believable and satisfying.
I wish there would have been a bit more about the investigation, that the crimes committed would have come to more of a conclusion. I understand this is part of the series, and there isn't a cliffhanger per se, yet I was left wondering about what, why, how, who - just many unwrapped or unexplained elements in the crimes and investigation. So I am conflicted with this story because I really enjoyed it, the characters were intriguing and their faith in God was unwavering. The danger and fear in the air were toe-curling and crimes committed were savage. But all the questions left open in my mind at the end is what took the score down, as well as the stubborn and foolish actions of Miriam when facing dangerous situations.
~ Three Spoons with a teaspoon on the side

Amish Refuge starts out with a chilling bang when a young woman barely escapes a ruthless attack from a nefarious villain she calls Serpent—but somewhere along the way the suspense fizzled out for me. Englisher, Miriam Miller, is rescued by Amish farmer, Abram Zook, when she runs into the woods to hide from her vicious kidnapper. Forced to hide out on Abram's farm with his sister, Emma, Miriam begins to fall for the protective widower. However, there appears to be insurmountable odds standing in her way of love...the fact that Abram can't seem to get over his late wife and Miriam is not Amish.

There were a few things in this novel that didn't line up for me as far as the Amish are concerned. Abram prays aloud which I don't think the Amish do, and he never went to church services...not once, nor had fellowship with the Bishop or other church members. However, that didn't ruin the sweet story of forgiveness, love, and forbidden romance between two people from different walks of life with a whole lot of baggage. As I mentioned earlier, the suspense died down for me as the kidnapper continually speeds down the roads in his black sedan and that got repetitious. Not everything was tied up with a nice little bow at the conclusion, and I anxiously await the next book in the series to see how everything turns out for...well, you'll see. :)

This is not my usual genre, but I read widely and am open to all types of books. This one was a slog to finish. The justaposition of Amish life and suspense plot felt very forced. The 'conversion' of Miriam to Amish is severely over-simplified both in act and in intent. But for readers who want pseudo-Amish fluff combined with a bit of stereotyped suspense, this will no doubt appeal. Just don't expect it to be realistic in any way.

This was a great story. It is a quick read.full of action. At times Miriam being jealous of a dead woman tended to get a bit repetitive but did not hurt the story, seemed like it was a bit of filler, which was really not needed in the story. Also I would of liked a better ending, where we go to trial and whether or not the sister was found.

The main characters are Miriam Miller. Her mother sister and herself are headed to Georgia from Tennessee to find her mother's sister. A woman Miriam never knew existed until recently when her mother begged to find her. Her mother is suffering from dementia. On the they are pulled over by the Police. The Police end up killing the mother and kidnapping Miriam and her sister. They are held and drugged in a cabin in the woods. Miriam ends up escaping after her sister is taken away. As she is running away she is followed by the officer with a Snake tattoo on his neck. She ends up wrecking her car and escapes on foot. She sees a light in a window of a cabin and runs to it. This is when she meets the leading Man Abram and his sister Emma. The take her into their home and try to protect her. Abram has lost his wife and child during childbirth 3 years before but has not gotten past his grief. Abram is Amish and Miriam really does not have a religion. They grow to care for each other. Can Miriam survive the snake man and can she and Abram get beyond their pasts and religious differences?