After a devastating wildfire sweeps through her town, Nora Beachy was shown a different way to practice her faith. But pursuing her new practice of faith could cost her everything she holds dear, including the man she loves. Will Nora continue practicing her faith the new? Or will Nora go back to the old traditional way of practicing faith in her Amish community?

I loved "Peace in the Valley" by Kelly Irvin and the ending was not what I was predicting. But I was glad Kelly went with her ending, hands down, way better than mine.

Kelly draws her readers into the setting of her book as if they're an extra unknown character witnessing the main characters every movements and thoughts. Kelly provokes her readers' thoughts during "Peace in the Valley" by challenging her readers to examine their own lives, customs, and faith, just as she has her main character, Nora Beachy, doing in the book.

I look forward to reading materials written by Kelly Irvin in the future.

I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley, no monetary exchange, only agreement was that I write an honest review of my own words. This is my review in my own words.

Peace in the Valley continues to follow the disruption of the Amish community as they escape from the wildfires that threaten to completely destroy their homes and businesses. We follow Nora and Levi and how they struggle to accept each other and their different practices of worship.

I've been reading the Amish of Big Sky Country series and this is book #3. Although characters from other books are mentioned, you could read these in any order. They are all set at the same time - a fire in the Glacier National Park area of West Kootenai.

Displaced by the fire, 20-something Nora Beachy goes to stay with her grandparents, away from her Amish family. The grandparents have embraced an evangelical worship style that is unlike Nora's traditional Amish upbringing. The experiences and interactions and great discussions with folks from the modern community challenge Nora's religious background. Her almost-fiancee, Isaac, is greatly distressed by Nora's foray into the new community. He struggles about how to solve the problem of Nora as he holds her accountable to her baptism vows.

I greatly enjoyed the drama of this book. I don't know for sure how much of the worship style struggle Nora experiences is based on fact, but I can imagine it happening for those of the Amish tradition.

"Peace in the Valley" presents a quite different take on the usual Amish romance novel. The plot hinges on conflict between two very different Amish settlements, resulting in disruptions of families and potential heartbreak for the family members.

Nora and her sister Jeannie relocate to reside with relatives when wildfire forces Nora and her family to evacuate from their home in Montana. Although they move in with their grandparents, Nora and Jeannie are faced with a very different view of Amish religious beliefs, leading them to question the faith with which they have grown up. Traditions and foundational ways of worship are re-examined through the eyes of their grandparents and other relatives and friends, and hard choices must be made by the young ladies and their families.

The characters in this story are portrayed as realistic, flawed human beings. The plot moves along well and the conflicts between characters and their beliefs are thoughtfully examined. Stark contrasts are drawn between the two different Amish communities and their differing values and beliefs. The overt Christian message forms an integral part of the novel's themes. Readers who enjoy a clean read without strong language or descriptions of intimacy will find this an intriguing departure from the usual Amish novels.

I received this book from the publisher and from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

I have loved Kelly Irvin's series, Amish of Big Sky Country. I believe the third installment, Peace in the Valley, is my favorite. Five stars.

The author is a word artist and I couldn’t stop reading once I started. The plot was very good and I loved the characters. I thought that the problems the characters dealt with was very realistic.
Many thanks to Zondervan and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Nora Beachy is Amish and lives in West Kootenai, Montana. Well, she lived there until they had to evacuate due to raging fires that threatened their community. On top of this crisis, is the questioning that Nora is having about her beau, Levi. Why is Levi holding back on getting married? All questions and no answers as Nora is now faced with leaving the area and therefore, leaving Levi behind! She will be going to grandparents to stay.....the outcasts.....they are Charismatic worshippers. And the chips are starting to fall around Nora as she questions her faith and upbringing. Kelly Irvin has a way with a story and this is another that is sure to please. Sit back, grab a warm afghan, a warm drink and enjoy!!

The Amish Big Sky Series are centered around a wildfire in Montana. Four friends, one English the rest Plain have come across different circumstances that tested their faith and tested their love for another.

Nora's family escaped the wildfire only to have her family split up. She has gone to her grandparents house with her sister's family who is recovering from the birth of her child. Her parents have their reservations as her grandparents have left the Plain life and now seek a deeper walk with Jesus. A charismatic church that allows them to sing, dance, and study God's word. The Christianeese sayings that confuse Nora but also put a longing in her heart. Nora not only has left behind her parents and other siblings, she has left a special friend Levi and the plans they had for a wedding. Everything she knew back home is now confusing. Why is driving a car bad? Why can't they play instruments? Her cousin Tammy along with her grandfather are concerned about Nora's and her sister's salvation. Is wanting a deeper relationship with Jesus bad? When Levi hears the different choices Nora is now making, he vows he won't lose her to another conversion.

Nora's journey of faith weeds out feelings versus traditions. Why traditions can make a faith stronger and how our emotions can even weaken our faith. I appreciated the journey of faith that did not judge but discerned with great wisdom the lifestyle of faith.

A special thank you to Zondervan and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.

A thought-provoking read. I felt it really drove home 1 Corinthians 15:33 ESV Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.” I am not saying Nora's extended family was bad company but rather they were able to convince her to do things she would not normally do. We are all like that in some manner. 

It was enjoyable to read about the Amish in a different setting other than Pennsylvania, Ohio, or Indiana. 

Peace in the Valley is book three and the last of the Amish of Big Sky series and can be read as a standalone with no issues. I have not read the first two in the series but plan on doing so.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher, Harper Collins (Zondervan), through NetGalley. Any and all opinions expressed in the above review are entirely my own.

Book 3 wraps up the Amish of Big Sky Country series, but you could read it as a standalone.

As Christians we all struggle with our faith and beliefs at some point and that’s not a bad thing. It helps us to understand why we believe what we believe. We find answers and grow along the way, and that’s what Nora did.

I have to admit that I struggled some with this book. Nora’s parents are very controlling, yet the extended family that she stays with is very pushy in their beliefs. I didn’t care for the character of Wyatt at all. He was strange. However the characters were well written and had depth. Irvin did a really good job of describing places and situations. At the beginning you could almost smell the smoke from the fire, and feel the frenzy caused by it.

The epilogue was well written and wrapped the series up neatly. If you enjoy Amish fiction that is different than most then give this one a try.

I received a complimentary copy of this book but was not required to leave a review.

Peace in the Valley by Kelly Irvin the final novel in Amish of Big Sky Country series. We return to West Kootenai, Montana where fires are decimating the West Kootenai National Forest. The people in the town built their homes close to the mountains and always knew that this could happen. Nora Beachy’s family evacuates to nearby Rexford where the smoke is still present in the air. Sadie, the youngest child of Nora’s sister, was born early with underdeveloped lungs and the smoke is bad for her. It is decided to send Jeannie (Nora’s sister) along with her husband and children to their grandparents’ home in Libby with Nora to assist (poor Jeannie is just worn out with three kids under five). Nora’s parents, though, are worried about the Eagle Valley Amish influencing Nora with their different way of worshipping and their more worldly choices. Nora is twenty years old and a baptized member of the community. She is looking forward to marrying her beau, Levi Raber when they have saved enough to purchase the home they have their eyes on. Peace in the Valley is a story about temptation, judging others, trust, family, and faith. I thought the story was well-written and it can be read as a standalone. We see Nora seeing a different way of life and worship. The Amish in Libby have more freedoms. They can dress differently, play musical instruments, and drive cars. Nora finds her faith and beliefs challenged from the moment she arrives. Temptation can be hard to resist especially when it is things you have always wanted to do. She wonders what is so wrong about playing an instrument or studying the Bible. I find that the story followed an expected path and there is repetition of the same details. It is a story laden with scripture quotes and talk about faith. I could understand why Nora struggled especially with regard to Levi. I do know that I would make a lousy Amish wife because I could not “bow to my husband’s wishes”. My favorite line is, “God has a plan for us.” I liked the epilogue that wrapped up the series.

( received complimentary copy in exchange for review )

While still a newbie to reading the Amish genre, this was a new found favorite of mine. This book was third in a series .. I personally do not mind reading books out of series order, but others may want to read them in order. After my time spent with this book, I certainly look forward to catching up via the other two books in the series.

loved the dimension Kelly Irwin took this book. It did not just concentrate on the daily goings and comings of the Amish people but on how the outside world affects them and how they respond to it. Even when a family member deflects from the Amish faith, how it is dealt with. This book was educative to me among other things.
There was no dull moment reading this book. It is not your typical Amish book. It was a thrill from the first page on.

I recieved a copy of this book from Netgalley and this is my honest.

Kelly Irvin has given us a wonderful new story Peace in the Valley (Amish of Big Sky Country Book 
3)which will be available on August 4, 2020.

This is a wonderful story about Nora Beachy and the effects of a devastating wildfire that swept her home town, of West Kootenai.

Nora and Levi Raber plan to marry and buy a home, but all this is put on hold as families have to flee the wildfire.

Nora, her sister, and brother-in-law are forced to flee to Libby to stay with her grandparents. There they are all faced with the decision to embrace a new way of worshiping or to return to her family, her love, and the traditional Amish life and worship.

Kelly leads us on an adventure of Nora's decision making and the pros and cons of her choice.

I highly recommend this book. Order yours today.

I was gifted this book by the publisher, Harper Collins through NetGalley and was not required to give a positive review.

This book continues to follow the disruption of the Amish community as they escape from the wildfires that threaten to completely destroy their homes and businesses.

It’s also a compelling story about two Amish families whose practice of worship is expressed in very different ways. This seems to be causing a major rift between the two families, and Nora is feeling the strain that this has created among those she dearly loves. As she evaluates what she truly believes, she wonders about many aspects of her life, including her relationship with to Levi. The author did a good job leading us through Nora’s journey of knowing her own heart.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

I received a copy from netgalley.
I loved each one of these books from netgalley but this one is my favorite!!!. I loved the characters and the cover and the title to the book. I can't wait to read more of her books.

Peace in the Valley by Kelly Irvin to be published 8/4/2020 is an excellent 5 star book!

About a threatening and devastating wildfire in a young Amish Womans home town.

Nora must make a choice which could cost her the love of her family.

Highly recommend this 5 star book.

The third in the series finds the Amish community of West Kootenai fleeing from the raging fire. When Nora Beachy leaves to stay with her grandparents and help with her sister's baby her faith is tested. Nora has never questioned her Amish faith or the ridged rules but since her extended family is pushing their more charismatic religion her faith is challenged. This was definitely a different type Amish novel. I found Nora's immediate family and her fiance to be overbearing and her extended family very pushy. Wyatt was portrayed as almost God-like part of the time which was disturbing. I'd never heard of charismatic Amish so it was not a realistic to me as other Amish communities. I like this author's novels but this one was just okay.

A thought provoking conclusion to the series set around a Montana wildfire that scatters the Amish Kootenai community. The last book held some interesting discussions about their faith and the struggles within relationships when faced with adversity.
"Our suffering always leads to something more. Something good. Gott has a plan."

Nora's searching for answers to questions that surface when she is exposed to a different style of worship, leads to great upheaval in her relationships. Trust issues and miscommunication result between her and Levi, and family seems to complicate matters further. I could relate to her struggles about wanting a "closer walk with Jesus" and getting contradictory advice from others. She grows into a stronger person as a result of her experiences and choices. I admired the way she handled herself, maintaining respect for others, but finding her own answers through prayer and earnestly seeking the truth on her own. A lot of young people struggle with many of the same things these characters do. It would be a good read for a young adult believer in Christ.
A nice wrap up to a good series. Recommend!

This is book three of Amish of Big Sky Country, it can be read as a stand alone. But to get the most out of the book I recommend you read Mountains of Grace (book one) and A Long Bridge Home (book two) as the characters from both books continue in this one. It is well written and once you start reading it you don't want to stop. This book is full of emotions and will keep you turning the pages to see what happens next. Thank you Harper Collins-Zondervan via NetGalley for the ARC copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.