Gladden the Heart (Amish Turns of Time, Book 5) by Olivia Newport

Book Description:  When the lively fervor of nineteenth century revivalism endangers the staid customs of the Amish community in the lush but rugged Kishacoquillas Valley of central Pennsylvania in 1847, the Amish church must deal with a divisive question: What is a genuine spiritual experience?

The question turns personal when Susanna’s beloved cousin Noah begins preaching while under trances and even though he is not a minister he gives long sermons that attract increasing attention. Curious, she helps to keep Noah safe during his trances. At the same time Adam, Susanna's intended, feels pressure from the bishop to speak out against the ways of revivalism.

Susanna and Adam are pushed to opposite sides of a controversy that threatens their traditional Amish faith..  Now they must grapple with whether love is possible...even if they come to different conclusions.

My Thoughts:  Olivia Newport is a brand new author for me.  So I was quite interested in reading this novel.  What I didn't realize ohs that this is the fifth book in Amish Turns of Time.  Each book is a sand alone even though it's about a community of Amish believers.

First of all this story is about the Amish and the second interesting part of the story is about the camp meetings that were popping up around the country in the late 1800's and early 1900's.  

I never thought about the Amish being interested in camp meetings because they have their own faith and meet for church at each other's houses.

This story also begs the question "What is really the spirit of God?"

Is this revivalism with the Holy Ghost a true work? Or is it a man made gimmick.

Such an interesting read!  

Olivia Newport truly hit on a subject that could cause controversy in any religious group but the Amish!  

The story of Susanna, Noah and Adam is all about a controversy that can break up couples and families.  

So what does God require and is He in the works of man?

*This book was provided for review by Barbour Publishing*

More in the Amish Turns of Time Series:
Wonderful Lonesome
Meek and Mild
Brightest and Best
Hope in the Land

• Series: Amish Turns of Time (Book 5)
• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Shiloh Run Press; Gld edition (July 1, 2017)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1683221109
• ISBN-13: 978-1683221104