beautiful and very nice story with great writing and wonderful characters! 
I would Highly recommend this book.

Jerry is one to never disappoint in his books. The book has amazing characters and great story line. Pick up this book and read.

Silvia's Rose is the first book in the Peace in the Valley series by Jerry S. Eicher. I was looking forward to this book so much but I have to admit, I struggled with it.

First off, Esther is a widowed lady who moves to a new community with hopes of kindling a romance with a man from her past. He too has lost a spouse and Esther feels that they'll hit it off.  Maybe I'm being practical here but who up and moves with a young child to be near a man who they're not even courting?

Secondly, Esther is so determined to force this relationship into working—and it does. Predictably and annoyingly so.  There was no spark there between these two characters.

Then we meet Joseph. His love for his deceased wife is endearing and I really liked his personality. But, it seems as if he too decided to force a relationship with a woman out of nothing.  Even though she wasn't likable and was rude to him about his disability.  Honestly, I cannot imagine loving someone who made fun of me for having a disability.  This part of the story bothered me greatly.  A person doesn't change overnight and I'm imagining her mocking him throughout their marriage. I just don't get this match up at all. Seriously people, don't marry someone who makes fun of you. You will be miserable.

The redeeming qualities of this story is Joseph's love for Sylvia.  I would have liked to have seen Joseph as the focus of this story and a much more suitable love interest for him.

Hopefully, the rest of the series picks up for me.  Despite characters that are traditional to a fault, I usually enjoy Jerry's writings. This one just wasn't a hit for me.

A complimentary copy of this book was provided by Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review, and have not been compensated for this. All opinions are my own.

Silvia’s Rose by Jerry S. Eicher is the first novel in Peace in the Valley series.  Esther Stoltzfus has moved with her daughter, Diana new a new home in the valley.  It is a chance for them to start fresh after the death of her husband, Lonnie.  Esther feels God has led her to the area to marry Isaiah Mast.  Isaiah is a widower and a minister that Esther knew as a teen back in Lancaster County.  Esther feels that Isaiah would be the perfect husband for her and it seems that many people in the area agree.  Esther is known for being no-nonsense, practical, and organized (good qualities for a minister’s wife).  Then she meets Joseph Zook who lives across the street and owns a greenhouse.  Joseph is a widower who deeply loved his wife, Silvia.  He created a special rose (which he named Silvia’s Rose) which he is hoping will win an award.  Joseph’s beliefs in romance and love change Esther’s views.  Esther is not the only person influenced by Joseph’s stories.  Joseph knows he needs a wife and mother for his son, Ben.  However, he has found it difficult to move on from Silvia until Arlene King comes into his life.  Arlene does not buy into Joseph’s ideas of romance, but she yearns to be his wife.  Is there a possibility of a second chance at love for Joseph?  Will Isaiah be able to win Esther’s heart?  Find out how their stories end in Silvia’s Rose.

Silvia’s Rose is a sweet and simple Amish romance novel.  It is nicely written and easy to read.  Silvia’s Rose is a clean, wholesome story that is perfect for younger readers (young adults).  I do wonder if people in real life talk the way they do in this book.  They frequently mention God’s will, having faith, power of prayer, etc.  The religious aspect was a little heavy for my tastes.  I thought it needed a lighter touch.  My rating for Silvia’s Rose is 3 out of 5 stars. I found the main details to be repeated frequently.  The ending is predictable.  I kept hoping for a different conclusion (would have made it more interesting).  Silvia’s Rose is an inspirational story about a second chance at love, faith, power of prayer, friendship, and how God has a plan for each of us (if we are brave enough to follow His lead).  Silvia’s Rose is a charming, Christian romance.  It is the type of story I would have enjoyed when I was tween (I was an advanced reader).

Wow!! Many thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this beautiful story that made me want to cry and mad at the same time!!!
Why is it that other people want to steal your joy and make fun of what you love doing in life?
Some people are just not happy in life and want to take others down with them and won't stop at nothing until they do!!
I cried because of the beautiful love that was shown in this book. Jerry wrote his heart out on this one.
I enjoyed this book very much and I read it one day because I just had to see what would happen next!!
I was able to tune everything out and I *think * my mouth fell open at some point in the story but not sure since I was so into this beautiful story!!
I received this book for free. In no way required to review this book and all opinions are my own

If this book were a show, the title character would not appear in the show at all.  She is a memory of Joseph's and has died before the book begins. 

Jerry Eicher writes Amish fiction of extremely high quality.  He has worked this story out so that the reader cannot figure out exactly how it is going to end. 

Esther's husband, Lonnie, has died, and she moves with her daughter to the South Lancaster County community.  She's hoping to catch the attention of Isaiah, a man her radar has honed in on for a long time.

Arlene is Dorrine's cousin and is seeking a husband.  She feels Joseph is just the man for her, if she can change him to her liking. 

Joseph takes some things that his late wife, Silvia, taught him about hybridizing plants and is working on a rose just to commemorate the memory of his love for her. 

These are the stars of this particular show, with some minor characters who like to throw wrenches into the works.

The book is a great read with interesting people, events, and settings.  It is meant to be savored, each word taken in and pondered.  This is a five star book, two thumbs up, and a rose created just for you.

My thanks to Harvest House Publishers for allowing me to read and review this book.

Silvia's Rose is book one in the Peace in the Valley series. In this book, we are introduced to Esther Stoltzfus. She is a widow of a minister with a young daughter. She moves from Lancaster to an Amish community in Adirondack Valley of Michigan to start over and to pursue a relationship with their community's minister, Isaiah Mast. They knew each other and she feels the Lord leading her to him. She hopes to continue to serve the Lord through his ministry.

Isaiah Mast is also a widow and is very interested in Esther. He sees her as practical in her approach to their relationship and that suits him just fine. Esther has an outgoing personality and she is asked to befriend a man in their community, Joseph Zook. When Esther meets Joseph, he shares with her that he is also a widow and he speaks with love and passion about his wife. He also loves roses and works to cultivate a new rose in memory of his late wife. Joseph is misunderstood by some in his community. They don't understand his love of roses and the passion in which he speaks of his late wife. As Esther and Joseph talk, they speak of love. Esther realizes she wants to have a loving relationship with Isaiah. She does not just want a practical relationship any longer. Soon both Esther and Isaiah are bit by the romantic bug. 

Isaiah begins to bring Esther flowers and they speak of love. This causes Isaiah to be made fun of by the members of his community that don't understand romance. They feel it is an English behavior. 

Meanwhile, Joseph is also considering a relationship but can he marry someone who wants him to become something he is not and does not understand him. 

Silvia's Rose is a book that highlights how important romance is in a marriage and how it sustains. The very people who looked down upon Isaiah for bringing Esther flowers secretly wish their spouse would bring them flowers. So it is a total change in the way marriage is viewed in the Amish community.

In Mr. Eicher’s first book in his Peace in the Valley series, “Silvia’s Rose”, you meet several Amish that live in the valley where some have come from Lancaster County (my favorite place to escape to).  Esther Stoltzfus and her daughter, Diana, are two characters throughout this book that you get to meet.  I especially love the little spitfire Diana is.  She is so full of energy and life and learning that she just is a joy to read about.  The love she has for her mom, Isaiah Mast, and Joseph Zook is just overwhelming.  Arlene King, who works at Joseph’s greenhouse, is a hoot too.  Her “mouth” reminded me of my own at times – just saying whatever came out without thinking first.  Also, to learn more about Silvia tied a lot of the plot into place.  Mr. Eicher made this story interesting by adding her English side into the story and how she came into Joseph’s life.  Her love of roses is passed along to Joseph, and it all tied into the love that flows through his story.  The story shows you how important it is to have faith in God and faith in yourself during times of trouble.  It also shows you how love wins out in the end.  One of the things I really enjoyed about Mr. Eicher’s story is the sense of humor seen throughout the book.  He has the Amish ribbing each other which I have seen in real life, and it’s nice to have a story make you laugh as you read along.  Don’t get me wrong – you will shed a few tears too, but it’s just nice to laugh nowadays.

 

If you are looking for a new author to read or a new book to start, I highly recommend Jerry Eicher’s “Silvia’s Rose”.  I am now getting ready to start the second book in the series, “Phoebe’s Gift”, and will have my review up for that once finished.  I’m sure it will be just as good as this one.

For my Dutch review check my website. www.lookaroundthecorner.com Als je van de boeken van Beverly Lewis houd en Wanda E. Brunstetter dan vind je deze boeken zeker super kijk ook voor de andere delen van deze serie.

Phoebe's Gift en Mary's Home
Amazon

Great book.  If you love books about the Amish and their plain lifestyle, you will love this book.  Good clean romance.  I loved this story and I think you will as well.  I was given a cooy of this book by netgalley in 
 exchange for my honest opinion.

Amish books are always a relaxing escape for me! The quiet yet hardworking lifestyle is so appealing and wonderful to read about. This book was no different! Very enjoyable!

My thanks to Netgalley and Harvest House Publishers, for giving me the opportunity to read another great Amish novel.  This is my honest review.

There are very few books that has over 300 plus pages, where i can sit and read in one sitting.  Silvia's Rose is one such book that i couldn't put down until i turned the last page.  This was the first in the series 'Peace in the Valley' and what a wonderful read it was.  I am not going to write what the story is about, as i prefer one to read for themselves, but if you enjoy Amish fiction and love a good clean romance, then i do highly recommend.

This story is beautiful and just makes you take a step back and appreciate all you have in life. It also makes you sad and happy for these characters and how they had faith in God to direct them to the right path in their lifes journey.
This story is truly beautiful and you dont want to miss it.
I received an ARC for my honest unbiased review.

I really enjoyed this book. The story is awesome.  I loved other books!

My first read by this author. Loved the story and hope to read more books by jerry s eicher.

Silvia’s Rose, Peace in the Valley book 1, in Jerry Eicher’s new series offers a second chance at true love for Esther. Esther takes daughter Diana and moves to Adirondack Valley in Michigan after the death of her husband. There she meets two different men who have also felt the sting of loss. 
This is a sweet story about love and healing. Eicher does a good job with the characters which lets the reader become invested in their lives.  
I received an advance reader copy of this book from netgalley in return for my honest opinion of the book.

Is a second chance at true love really possible? After the death of her husband, down to earth Amish woman Esther Stoltzfus feels the need to start over in a new location. Her and her daughter,Diana move from Lancaster County to the Adirondack Valley of Michigan. There she meets handsome minister Isaiah Mast who also has suffered his own loss and seems to be the compliment to her family. Then she is introduced to Joseph Zook, her widowed neighbor down the road. Are either of the men right for her,and will all three of them eventually find the right mate for themselves?
A beautiful story about second chance love full of redemption,sweet romance and healing.
Pub Date 01 Aug 2017
Thank you to NetGalley and Harvest House Publishers for a review copy in exchange for my honest review.

A great book from a great set of authors.  The stories had me on the edge of my seat seeing how they ended up.  I did not want to put the book down at all.

This is the first book I've read by Jerry S. Eicher and it was wonderful. I loved that right from the beginning Esther knew what she wanted from life and had begun the journey she felt God had put her on. I really enjoyed that while she knew what she wanted from life it wasn't actually what God had intended. God's ways are not ours, but Esther was able to follow God's plan. The characters were enjoyable and believable.

Esther Stoltzfus  lost her husband. She moves with her daughter to another community for minister Isaiah Mast. He has lost his wife and she hopes for a marriage. Things happen when she meets Joseph Zook, her widowed neighbor. Joseph had married a English women who turned Amish . She and Joseph had a son.  Joseph was a farmer but also loved roses and had a rose named after his wife Silvia in a contest. Neighbors all thought Joseph strange. Joseph gets a second chance at love with Arlene King. Arlene does not like Joseph's love for his roses and finds it strange. Will they all find love again. Will they oepn there hearts for second chances. A beautiful story and different than other Amish books I have read.