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Liked It “I loved this book!” see full review » see other reviews » |
Didn’t Like It “Cheesy simplicity. But I still did enjoy reading about the Amish way of life. So as much as I did think this was lame, I will be reading more of her Sisters of the Heart series. I like the Amish lifestyle.” see full review » see other reviews » |
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“I loved this book! ”
K. C wrote this review Monday, August 31 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“Cheesy simplicity. But I still did enjoy reading about the Amish way of life. So as much as I did think this was lame, I will be reading more of her Sisters of the Heart series. I like the Amish lifestyle.”
Navem wrote this review Friday, July 24 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Cute and sweet! Good reading!!!!”
Callula B wrote this review Friday, June 19 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Anna Metzgers life was in shambles. Her fiance Rob Peterson was violent but no one would believe her, especially not his brother-in-law policeman. When it was almost too late, her parents saw through Robs perfect performance, but Anna had already left to hide in Amish country with an old friend Katie Brenneman at their bed & breakfast. Anna knew way too much about Robs campaign finances & corruption to just be dismissed. She went from glistening diamond jewelry & gorgeous gowns purchased by Rob to simple Amish clothing & never felt happier until she realized strangers were asking questions.
Brookings Public Library wrote this review Tuesday, March 24 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
FICTION GRAY ”
“A promising series from a new christian author! Anna retreats to the one place she knows her abuse boyfriend won't look: an Amish B & B. This book tackles some really difficult issues: abusive relationships, parent-child relationships, and the search for a meaningful life, and yet this author makes this book a pleasure to read. Can't wait for the next installment of this saga!”
West Fargo P wrote this review Thursday, January 29 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Hidden by Shelley Shepard Gray is the first book in the Sisters of the Heart series. Anna flees her abusive, powerful boyfriend Rob by going to Ohio's Amish country where her Amish friend Katie lives. Katie's family takes Anna in, and she adopts their clothing and ways in order to hide in their B&B. But Katie's older brother Henry takes an instant dislike to Anna with her fashionable clothing and makeup for bringing possible danger to his family's doorstep. Anna quickly falls in love with the Amish way of life: no constant noise, working together, simple clothing, and time to think and focus on God, and her search for the self that has been hidden is really the most powerful part of the book. Anna's relationship with her parents is very sad and all too realistic. The home she finds with the Amish allows her to become more and rather than remain hidden, for the first time, she finds her true identity. Gray's book is a wonderful story of faith and romance.”
clockstein wrote this review Wednesday, July 2 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“About the book:
MichelleSutton wrote this review Monday, June 30 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
Hidden is a remarkable story about the unlikely love between a modern girl on the run and an Amish boy from the family who shelters her.
When Anna decides it's time to leave her abusive boyfriend, she doesn't know where to turn. Rob is a successful and respected person in her community. He has completely won over her parents with his good looks and prestigious position at a top law firm. Only Anna has seen his dark side. But when Rob hurts Anna yet again, she realizes that she must finally help herself.
Desperate, she runs to the one place she's always felt completely safe, the Amish Brenneman Bed and Breakfast, where years ago she and her mother once stayed, and where Anna met life-long friend Katie Brenneman. When Anna shows up years later unexpectedly, the family welcomes her in, with few questions asked, and allows her to stay, dressed as the Amish in Plain clothes, and help around the inn.
But Katie's older brother Henry doesn't take too kindly to the intrusion. Anna wonders if it's because he's already had his heart broken. To Henry's shame, from the moment he sees Anna, he feels a strong attraction. To cover his infatuation, he tries to ignore her, knowing no good would ever come from keeping an eye on a fancy woman like her. But as he sees that Anna has a good heart and is not the selfish, spoiled woman he imagined her to be, he feels his heart pointing towards her.
Anna comes to realize that she's found a home and true love in the last place she'd expected. How can she deny the life she left behind? And will her chance for happiness be stolen away by the man who can't seem to let her go?
My review:
Hidden was an adventure that went beyond it's pretty cover. A cross between a movie like Sleeping with the Enemy, and a novel like Deb Raney's Remember to Forget, Hidden is somewhere in the middle in regards to tension, but with a bit of the Amish culture mixed in. I enjoyed this story and read it in just two days. I loved the premise of hiding out in the Amish community. And the hero was incredibly heroic even though he wasn't all that likeable at first. Then again, neither was the heroine. However, she changed through the course of the story and I couldn't help feeling connected to her. While my parents didn't smother and baby me like hers did, I could certainly relate to her feeling like she had to fight for her independence. The coolest part of the story was experiencing with Anna the drastic change in her life from our modern culture with all of its hassles and conveniences to the Amish life, which in many ways seemed so much better despite all she had to give up in the process of fitting in. This story almost makes you want to convert and become one of the Plain people. After all, they seemed more spiritual because they didn't have the insane busyness that we've grown accustomed to. Plus, they worked hard and labored physically, so they were strong and not soft or weak. In short, Hidden never bored me and the plot never dragged, so it was worth my while. I can't wait for the sequel.
Hidden was published by Avon Inspire and released in May 2008.”
“Fabulous, that's the first thing I must say about this book, but I'll come back to that. I do not know the correct terminology, yet I will try. There is just something about the covers of Avon Inpire books, I have loved every one that I have seen and this is my favorite so far. There is just something about the flat finish, instead of a glossy print that I just adore. Not to mention the road with the Amish sky ahead and the image of the blonde girl with green eyes. (A little curious as to why she did not have the curly hair of our character though...) Now, about the actual story. Anna's live is an interesting one. A girl searching to belong and often as most looking in the wrong places for excitement and affection. (The evil in the book reminds me of the evil in that movie Enough. But this is not a story of how to beat up your evil counterpart. This is a story about strength and growth.)This book is a story about the heart, and about doing things that are right. It brings in the idea of political evil and abuse, but everything bad brought in by the author is handled tactfully and revealed in a respectable manner. This is a fabulous book, and a wonderful romance.”
cherryblossommj wrote this review Thursday, June 26 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“HIDDEN the first in the Sisters of the Heart series, follows Anna Metzger as she leaves her controlling boyfriend and flees to an Amish community to stay with an old friend. Anna thought Rob Peterson had it all. He’s handsome, charismatic, and an up-and-coming politician. He seems too good to be true. But when Anna discovers he is misappropriating his campaign contributions and experiences his violent behavior first hand, she realizes she has to get out from under his manipulative control. Feeling as if there is no where she can go without Rob finding her, she decides to head to Amish country and hide out among the Plain. There, she is greeted warming by Katie, her old friend. The Brenneman’s accept Anna with open arms, all but Henry, Katie’s older brother. Henry does not like the Englisher and feels she is a disruption to their simple way of life. Or is he stilling stinging from the abandonment of the young woman he was going to marry? The story continues as Anna learns the ways of the Amish. And though she and Henry get off to a frigid start, they both soon realize that they have developing feelings for each other. Anna struggles with the idea of leaving the Englisher way of life permanently. She feels accepted among the Amish community, something she has never felt before. As Anna struggles with thoughts of her future, Rob is doing everything in his power to hunt down Anna and take her back as one of his possessions.
tamaratilley wrote this review Tuesday, June 17 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
HIDDEN was a very pleasant read. Though I tend to lean towards books with more action, HIDDEN kept my interest. The story moves along at a slow but enjoyable pace. Shelley Shepard Gray’s style reminds me a lot of Lori Wick, especially her Big Sky Dreams series. A sweet story that is completely suitable for the YA reader.♥”
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