Miriam King loves her life in Pebble Creek, Wisconsin. She loves her teaching job at the local Amish school. At twenty six many wonder why she has not married. She is beautiful and adores her students. Gabriel Miller is a widow who decides to move to Pebble Creek. Gabe is determined to leave his past in Indiana and start a new life with his daughter Grace. Grace is an adorable little eight year old who has not spoken in three years. When Grace comes to Miriam's school, Miriam is determined to help her speak. Gabe moved to Pebble Creek to keep to himself and not take any help or handouts, but now that's all out the window because the feisty Miss Miriam with jet black hair and beautiful gray eyes demands his attention. He has guarded his heart well since the death of his wife, but feels a spark when he is around Miriam. Torn by his feelings for her and also realizing he is but a humble man with nothing to offer her, he pushes her towards Aden Schmucker. He feels Aden can provide an easy life for her. Miriam feels a connection to Gabe and is confused when he encourages her to give Aden a chance. She knows he feels something, so why is he rejecting her? How can she make him realize his heart is the one she longs for?

A Promise for Miriam is an endearing love story written by Vannetta Chapman, who has quickly become one of my favorite authors. This was such a heartwarming story. I found myself laughing, crying, and smiling, all the while feeling a sense of joy reading about these characters. I loved reading from Grace's point of view. It's very refreshing to see the world through a child's eyes. I am only covering the tip of the iceberg with this review because this book has so much more to offer than I can put into a few paragraphs. It's a book filled with honest and genuine characters that will make you feel right at home in Pebble Creek.

This book was provided to me from Harvest House Publishers via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

A Promise for Miriam by Vannetta Chapman

Book 1 of 3 in The Pebble Creek Amish (3 Book Series)

A Promise for Miriam, the first book in a brand-new romantic series from popular author Vannetta Chapman, introduces the Amish community of Pebble Creek and some of the kind, caring people there. As they face challenges to their community from the English world, they come together to reach out to their non-Amish neighbors while still preserving their cherished Plain ways.

Amish schoolteacher Miriam King loves her students. At 26, most women her age are married with children of their own, but she hasn't yet met anyone who can convince her to give up the Plain school that sits along the banks of Pebble Creek. Then newcomer Gabriel Miller steps into her life, bringing his daughter, an air of mystery, and challenges Miriam has never faced before.

Will Gabe be able to let go of the past that haunts him? He thinks he just wants to be left alone, but the loving and warm community he and his daughter have moved to has other plans for him. After a near tragedy is averted, he hesitantly returns offers of help and friendship, and he discovers he can make a difference to the people of Pebble Creekand maybe find love again.

This is Miriam King and Gabriel Miller's story.

Miriam King glanced over the schoolroom with satisfaction.

Lessons chalked on the board.

Pencils sharpened and in the cup.

Tablets, erasers, and chalk sat on each desk.

Even the woodstove was cooperating this morning. Thank the Lord for Efram Hochstetler, who stopped by early Mondays on his way to work and started the fire. If not for him, the inside of the windows would be covered with ice when she stepped in the room.

"Gudemariye," Miriam said, stepping forward and moving past her desk.

The man still didn't speak, but as she drew closer, he bent and said something to the girl.

When Miriam had halved the distance between them, he returned her greeting as his somber brown eyes assessed her.

The young girl next to him had dark-brown hair like her father. It had been combed neatly and pulled back into a braid, all tucked inside her kapp. What was striking about her wasn't her hair or her traditional Plain clothingit was her eyes. She had the most solemn, beautiful brown eyes Miriam had ever seen on a child.

They seemed to take in everything

Miriam noticed she clutched her father's hand tightly with one hand and held a lunch box with the other.

Gabriel Miller and his young daughter Grace move to this settlement of Amish from Indiana to Wisconsin following the death of his wife.

Both are old order Amish with similar guidelines and rules for their people.

Gabriel is a widower having lost his wife Hope three years ago.

His young eight year old daughter Grace is smart, artistic, and mute.

losing her mother she has not spoken in 3 years.

Grace quickly becomes attached to Miriam King.

I highly recommend reading.

A Promise for Miriam by Vannetta Chapman is a wonderful well written 5 star book.

I am looking forward to reading more books by Vannetta Chapman.

Indiana Amish Brides.

1. A Widow's Hope

2. Amish Christmas Memories

Amish Bishop Mystery

1. What the Bishop Saw

2. When the Bishop Needs an Alibi

3. Who the Bishop Knows

A Simple Amish Christmas by Vannetta Chapman

Christmas at Pebble Creek by Vannetta Chapman

Pebble Creek Amish

1. A Promise for Miriam

2. A Home for Lydia

3. A Wedding for Julia

3.5. Home to Pebble Creek

3.75. Christmas at Pebble Creek

A Promise for Miriam, by Vannetta Chapman, was a great introduction to the community of Pebble Creek, Wisconsin. Gabe and his daughter, Grace, moved there to be alone. Residents of Pebble Creek was not quit so willing to just let him be when he had purchased a farm that needed lots of repairs. Miriam was determined to find a way to help Grace settle into her new school. Grace was a challenge and would not talk or focus on assignments, but she was a gifted artist.

A Promise for Miriam is filled with hardship, bravery, faith, and romance that is sure to please. Vannetta Chapman has a talent for drawing her readers into the lives of the characters and their community that called out to come and visit. I look forward to reading A Home for Lydia and A Wedding for Julia that is included in this series.

Ouch!

From the first page, I knew I would find sadness, yet an enduring strength in the pages of A Promise For Miriam!

and the moment Grace was introduced, it was clear that there would be difficult times ahead, to say the least. But I was compelled to keep reading.

Miriam, bless her heart, snagged my attention right from the beginning a helpful, caring teacher, who wasnt looking for more than she had, but I knew she deserved much more and hoped she would find it.

Its difficult to review a story without revealing too much, so the reader will want to pick up the book and read it through to the end. So how do I find the words to tell you how much Im enjoying this series?

Well, its easy to want to read the whole series when each story is so interesting, so entertaining, seemingly written to hold my attention and make me feel as if Im in the room with the families.

When a committee is chosen to meet with the Englischers in town, I felt as if I were part of the group and I was getting riled that some snobbish rich man was doing things to make the Amish people look and feel ridiculous.

But enough of my feelings

A Promise for Miriam ( The Pebble Creek Amish #1 )

By: Vannetta Chapman

I have read several of Vannetta Chapman's book and I have loved all of them. She knows how to grab your attention and hold you till you finish. A Promise for Miriam is the first book in The Pebble Creek romance series. I did not have any problem following the story or the characters. Miriam King is an Amish school teacher and is contented with her life and her students. Miriam is twenty-six and she has not met any man that she would love enough to give up her teaching in Pebble Creek, Wisconsin . She loves her students. Gabriel Miller has lost his wife. He and his daughter, Grace, moves to Pebble Creek, he wants to be left alone. Gabriel carries Grace to school and meets her new teacher , Miriam. Grace has a problem, she does not talk. miriam wants to help her and don't know where to start. After a tragedy with Grace, Gabriel has no choice but to ask for help from his neighbors. I loved this story and meeting all of Pebble Creek. I found myself laughing at times and then other times I felt like crying. I can't wait to read the next book in the series.

I was given a copy of this book by the author for my honest review , and I have given it.