The Caregiver by Shelley Shepard Gray

Book Description: Two lives converge one stormy night on a train headed to Cleveland.

Lucy is traveling by herself via train to Jacob's Crossing to help care for her cousin Mattie, recently diagnosed with breast cancer. Trying to overcome the sudden death of her husband, she's glad to get away and focus on someone else for a while.

The only other Amish people on the train are Calvin Weaver and his little sister, Katie. When their train breaks down outside of Cleveland, Calvin and Lucy band together to face the outside world. But Calvin also carries the weight of past hurts. When an altercation brings both their wounds to light, they question whether they can trust each other.

Once in Jacob's Crossing, Lucy is occupied with caring for Mattie, while Calvin does his best to run his family's farm. But they can't stop thinking about those special hours spent together. Will the bond they formed last? And will Lucy and Calvin be able to put away the pain in their pasts to recognize the happiness that is suddenly in their grasp?

My Review:  Lucy Troyer has some deep dark secrets but when her cousin, Mattie, is diagnosed with breast cancer Lucy knows she must go help her.  Mattie had been there for Lucy when Lucy's husband passed away and helped her through the years of his abuse.

Mattie fears that the cancer is draining the life from her.  She's already lost one breast in this battle and with the chemotherapy she isn't sure she can continue.  She is counting on Lucy's visit and her next door neighbor, Graham, to help her through this harrowing time in her life.  

Lucy boards a train bound for Mattie's place when she meets Clavin Weaver and his young sister who are also on a train trip.  AH!  The train breaks down and Lucy finds that God has a much bigger plan for her life!

The romance between Calvin and Mattie is such a different romance than Lucy and Graham's romance.  Two love stories, Two cousins and One All Loving God who knows what is best for each of us!

This is, perhaps, one of the best Amish love stories I have read!  I loved the two women and their men.  And Graham's younger sister!  

*Kleenex Alert*  Have your Kleenexes close by for this is one of those sweet but heart rending reads that brings a totally different perspective to the Amish community.

This is also the first book in the Families of Honor series and can't wait to read them all. This book is available in paperback and eBook formats.

*This book was provided by Zondervan*

If you would like to read the first chapter of The Caregiver, go HERE.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Shelley Shepard Gray is the beloved author of the Sisters of the Heart series, including Hidden, Wanted, and Forgiven. Before writing, she was a teacher in both Texas and Colorado. She now writes full time and lives in southern Ohio with her husband and two children. When not writing, Shelley volunteers at church, reads, and enjoys walking her miniature dachshund on her town's scenic bike trail.