TURNING HOME is the first book in the TOMPKIN’S MILL series. It’s an Amish romance that has God, family, and hard work at its core with several references to the Bible. The reader gets to know the residents of the small town of Tompkin’s Mill, Missouri, as well as a sense of the community.

Julia is an Englischer who left her home in Ohio and followed her police chief brother to Tompkin’s Mill initially for just a visit. She has secrets but is trying to live her life the way she wants to. She’s very religious but doesn’t feel a connection to the Christian church she belongs to. Julia gets a job at an Amish furniture store where she’ll greet customers, answer the phones, and do bookkeeping as well as update their website. She’s hired by the father but his son, Luke, who works with him, has doubts. Luke only returned to his Amish life and faith a year ago after living ten years as an Englischer.

There is definitely an attraction between Luke and Julia, and others see it too. The couple settles on friendship, but Julia’s always supportive when Luke most needs someone to help him think through a problem or concern. He has some secrets and surprises in his life as well. Although she flourishes in their small community and seems to be accepted through all her kind deeds and organizational skills when needed, she has to wonder if this is this the type of life she really wants.

The story is based around family, friends, and the Amish community. The plot flows nicely, and the characters have a depth to them. There is nice closure, especially with the epilogue that takes place three years later and gives me the happily ever after I look for.

Well worth the read!

This one didn't work out for me. It has nothing to do with the author or writing. I thought it was a historical novel for some reason, and while I understood it was an inspirational novel I didn't realize the Amish theme was so front and center. So, mainly my fault for not paying closer attention. It just wasn't my cup of tea. No rating.

What a compelling story! If all the books in this series are as good as this one, it’s going to be a wonderful series. These characters will tug at your heart and have you cheering for them to find their happily-ever-after. The storyline held my complete attention from beginning to end. This is the first book I’ve read from this author, but it will definitely not be my last. This is a very well-crafted story.

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

I was excited to see that Janice Kay Johnson was starting an Amish romance series with Berkley – I enjoyed some of her general market romances several years ago & was really looking forward to a romance by her that I could easily recommend to all of y’all. So delighted that everything that I loved about Johnson’s writing style & the way she writes romantic tension still shines in Turning Home!

Luke is such a layered, complex Amish hero. After living Englisch for a number of years, he’s returned to his home, his family, and his faith … something he’s not regretted until he begins falling in love with Julia Durant, the Englisch woman his father hired to manage their furniture store. Julia herself is a multi-dimensional character, a woman whose confidence was shaken after a brutal assault and who is searching for a deeper relationship with God than she sees modeled in the ‘church people’ she encounters in her new community. I really enjoyed this juxtaposition that we don’t usually see in Amish romance – a redeemed prodigal hero with a past in the Englisch world, and an Englisch woman who craves the kind of faith that the Amish live out. This allowed the reader to get a unique perspective on Amish life while also being able to put ourselves in both Luke & Julia’s shoes because of their strong ties to the world we’re most familiar with.

Bottom Line: Turning Home by Janice Kay Johnson is everything I was hoping for & more! It’s not as predictable as many Amish romances can be, with several intriguing twists that beckon you to settle further into this entertaining read. Luke & Julia’s story is supported by a delightful & layered group of secondary characters who set the stage nicely for further books in the series too (so excited that Miriam’s story is next!). Johnson’s writing style is smooth & engaging, keeping you invested in the plot & these characters from beginning to end. A must-read for fans of Cindy Woodsmall and Shelley Shepard Gray. I can’t wait for this series to continue!

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)

Thanks go to the publisher and Net-Galley for a complimentary copy of Turning Home by Janice Kay Johnson for the purpose of reading and reviewing prior to publication. My opinions are my own, and no one has influenced them.

Turning Home is a lovely romance between a broken Englischer and an Amish man who has returned to his roots. They meet when she comes to work for his family’s furniture making business as the bookkeeper. This is the first book I have read by Ms. Johnson, and I enjoyed her writing style. It’s clear she has researched the Amish faith and their lifestyle.

Julia Durant’s character has dark secrets in her past that have her searching for security, and she longed for the safety and acceptance of the Amish community. When she meets the hero, she feels safe with him. As their friendship grows into more, she believes she can never be in a romantic relationship because of her violent assault, so Luke is safe. An Amish man newly returned to the fold, he would never turn to her.

Luke Bowman is our hero, and he has a great many characteristics that make him a great one. He’s experienced the Englischer life and knows he wants what his Amish upbringing offers. When he begins to have strong feeling for Julia, he cannot allow those emotions to grow. He would never leave his family again.

The romance between Julia and Luke blossoms from their daily contact at work. They both feel the powerful connection, and both must do much soul-searching. Julia is drawn to the Amish faith, but isn’t sure if she can commit to such a vastly different way of life, and Luke has vowed he can never leave his faith again. I truly wanted this pair to find a way to be together.

If you enjoy Amish fiction with compelling characters and a moving plot, then you will love Turning Home as much as I did. I look forward to the next book in this series, and other books by Ms. Johnson. Happy reading!

Turning Home by Janice Kay Johnson is the debut of Tompkin’s Mill series. I found Turning Home to be well-written with complex, realistic characters. Julia Durant needs a new beginning after a traumatic event. Her brother, Nick is the chief of police in Tompkin’s Mill, Missouri. Julia pays Nick a visit and finds herself drawn to the small town where Amish and Englischers coexist. Julia gets a job at Bowman & Sons Handcrafted Furniture runs by Eli Bowman and his son, Luke. Julia learns her new job quickly and begins making suggestions that have a big impact on the business. I loved the descriptions of the beautifully crafted furniture. Eli and Luke were not carpenters, they are craftsman. The apartment Julia rented sounded gorgeous with the hard wood floors as well as other historic details in the renovated schoolhouse (I wanted that apartment for myself). Turning Home is a touching story. The story moved at just the right pace. The chemistry was present between Luke and Julia, but it was mild which suited this story. It was wonderful the way the Bowman family embraced Julia. I liked seeing Julia expand her horizons. I liked seeing her change as the book progressed. I enjoyed how this tale played out. This is the first novel that I have read by Janice Kay Johnson, and it will not be my last.

At the heart of Turning Home, by Janice Kay Johnson, is Luke Bowman, who has recently returned to the Amish and baptized fully into their traditional Christian fellowship, and Julia Durant, a devout Christian woman carrying the weight of an assault many years ago.

Both characters are wonderfully written, their spiritual relationship with God first and foremost in their lives. We get to know them both as individuals as we see Julia become part of a Amish quilting circle and an important part of the Bowman furniture business, while Luke deals with family dynamics having returned home not too long ago. As Luke and Julia work together their feelings grow and with that the impossibility of a life together.

I enjoyed learning about the Amish, though a pronunciation guide for the Amish words would have been a great addition as I was frequently pulled from the story as I worked out (or not) how to say them. But, Johnson seems to capture the Amish setting amidst an Englischer town pretty well (I've lived close to towns like this a couple of times).

Overall, I enjoyed Turning Home and it's depiction of the Amish lifestyle and the conflict that can arise when an outsider falls in love with one of them. I loved seeing Luke and Julia fight their love for each other while turning to God for His love and guidance. The secondary characters were wonderful, giving Turning Home a cozy, family feeling. I look forward to the next book in the Tompkins Mill series.

What an awesome book, I was drawn in and the author didn't let me go. There are several stories surrounding the main plot, just like real life.
A horrible attack was terrifying and controlling her life, Julia Durant, moves closer to her brother, and takes a new job working for an Amish furniture making business.
We also meet Luke a man who walked one path, away from his faith, and is now back and staying on the straight and narrow. Yes, he is attracted to this struggling woman, but he cannot jeopardize what he has worked so hard to return to.
This story has a bit of everything, and it felt so real to me. I could see Julia struggling to belong, wanting a real relationship with God, and friends. She was searching for a deeper faith, and dealing with her trauma.
Luke is also struggling with a lie he told, and they mount up, but we get to see why, and I had to agree with him. There is a solution, but you need to keep turning those pages for answers.
I am really looking forward to the next book in this series, a new author for me, but one I will now follow!
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Berkley Books, and was not required to give a positive review.

I enjoyed this book from the very first page. If you are a fan of books about Amish people, then you will love this book. The main characters were delightful. The setting made the book feel cozy. And I couldn't wait to read about what happened next!

Julia Durant's visit to her brother Nick was more than a visit, it felt like she had come home. For the first time since a brutal attack, she wanted to stay and make a new start. Things fell into place with her new job and new friends. Turning Home is a wonderful story of healing hearts and new beginnings. It is the first book I have read by Janice Kay Johnson and I look forward to finding more of her books soon. The characters are complex yet easy to like. I liked the approach the author took in dealing with Julia's attack and how difficult it was for her to trust others again. Moving to a small town may have seemed a big step but for Julia, but she began to take risks she never would have thought about in the big city. She took a risk by getting a job in an Amish furniture business yet made a big impact on the business from her first day. It was all going so well but for Luke, the owner's son and partner who hadn't approved of her being hired. She would have to learn to work with him, because going home was not going to be an option. She was determined to stay in Tompkin's Mill.

Luke Bowman had only returned from the Englisch world in the last year. He still had much to prove about his desire to live among the people and he certainly didn't factor in anyone like Julia working in the family business. To make life even more uncertain for him, someone from his past comes along and puts everything all into perspective for him. The question is what he will do about the changes that come upon him and his family?

I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys inspirational, contemporary Amish fiction. I received an advanced reader copy from Berkley Publishing Group through NetGalley.com for an honest review. My thoughts about the book are my own.