Through the Autumn Air (An Every Amish Season Novel)

This is the first book by Kelly Irvin that I've read, but it won't be the last. I thoroughly enjoyed Through the Autumn Air. It was humorous, enlightening, inspirational, and uplifting.

The characters of Mary Katherine, Ezekiel, and the Englisher, Burke were so captivating and entertaining.

Mary Katherine, an Amish widow, had an adventurous streak that seemed to get her in trouble with the bishop. Her dream of owning a bookstore with an Englisher woman wasn't in line with Amish beliefs. His idea for her life was settling down and marrying, but she wasn't ready for that.

Ezekiel was a good man. He was supportive, loved his family, and had a humorous side.

Burke's character was full of surprises. A loner, with secrets of his own to hide, tries to embrace the Amish community.

The story was full of surprises all the way through. There was some suspense, love, and hope for second chances. A must-read for those who love Amish stories.

I won a copy from Goodreads and voluntarily choose to review it.

Through the Autumn Air was a sweet story. It was not my favorite of the series, yet I did enjoy it. I found myself frustrated with Mary Katherine’s son, Thomas, who was extremely stubborn and a bossy man toward his mother. The men in her district truly thought that they knew better than she did and that came through in the story. This made me like Ezekiel even more, because he saw Mary Katherine’s value as a person.

The interest and love that grew between Ezekiel and Mary Katherine was slow to develop, as they were both still very attached to their late spouses. These two had known each other their whole lives in the community, loved and married others, raised children, and only grew into love together later in life.

If you are looking for a hero and heroine in a story who are slightly older than the normal main characters that appear in books, this would definitely be a good choice.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

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I really enjoyed this book! Another great book in this series! The author does an excellent job of catching your attention and keeping it from the first few pages.
I loved the sweet romance in the book! Mary Katherine is such a fun and lively character! I enjoyed getting to know her in this book!
I received a complimentary copy of the book from the publisher! No positive review was required! My opinion is my own and is honest!

Through the Autumn Air is the third book in Kelly Irvin's series, Every Amish Season. As always, the author writes a marvelous love story. This tale is woven around the conflict of pursuing a dream versus what everybody else wants. Mary Katherine and Ezekiel's struggles are portrayed with integrity and a heaping portion of fun.

Being a part of The Fiction Guild's Elite Reader Program provides with books to read (which I love to do) and the only requirement is that I have to share a report after I've read the book. As far as I'm concerned, it's a winning arrangement for me and my mother, who loves anything written about the Amish.

Today's book is Through the Autumn Air by Kelly Irvin, and it's the third book in the series, Every Amish Season.  I've had the opportunity read the first book, Upon A Spring Breeze, and the second book, Beneath the Summer Sun by Kelly Irvin.  (The fourth book, With Winter's First Frost, is being released in January, 2019, so you'll need to hurry and read this one!!)

Mary Katherine is the mother of ten and it has been seven years since her husband, Moses died and she became a widow.  She's full of energy and always ready to step in and help her friends around her Amish community.  Her old school friend, Ezekiel Miller, offers Mary Katherine a position as a cook in his restaurant, The Purple Martin Café, named in honor of his late wife Lucy.   She knows she should accept, but she doesn't really want to spend her time working in a kitchen.  Mary Katherine's secret desire is to write and to own a bookstore with her English friend, but in the Amish community, the church elders want her to work in an Amish-owned store instead.   

Mary Katherine's oldest son is trying to convince her to move into his Dawdi house, but she is resistant.  An English stranger breaks into Mary Katherine's house and proceeds to make himself a sandwich one autumn night.  She doesn't call the sheriff, but instead she turns to Ezekiel for help.  both Mary Katherine and Ezekiel realize that the stranger, Burke, needs help, so Ezekiel offers Burke a job at his restaurant.

While this is book 3 of 4 in An Every Amish Season series, this book could be read as a stand-alone.  I loved reading a story dealing with more mature characters and the challenges they faced.  Ms. Irvin also added friendships between the Amish and the English that seemed very honest and were caring, respectful and realistic. 

I received a paperback copy of this book without cost from the publisher through The Fiction Guild, a Thomas Nelson/Zondervan Elite Reader book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

I so enjoyed this novel!! I also finished this book in one afternoon!!
I even snickered in some of the places.
Mary Katherine is very spunky and accident prone and sometimes both gets her into trouble!! I was truly worried for her because she reminds me of my husband!! He's just like her! Mary Katherine is a blessing to her community however, At least I think so. Mary Katherine made me laugh and cry at the same time.
Mary Katherine has a heart of gold!! She really reminds me of me because like her; I wear my heart on my sleeves. I'd help anyone although now I'm more careful since I learned this last lesson the hard way!!
Her Son got on my everlasting nerves though. I just wanted to give him a swift kick in the rear or knock his head together with someone else's because he just couldn't get it through his thick head that his mom wanted to do things her own way. I say if he cared he sure had a funny way of showing it!!
I also enjoyed this book because of the message it had to offer. I won't say what it is since I want y"all to read this wonderful funny book!! You'll see why I thought it was a laugh out loud and sometimes snorting book!!
I received this book from Netgalley. No compensations were received all opinions are my own

Kelly Irvin writes such great Amish stories and I always look forward to her books. I think this one is my new favorite of her stories. It was such fun following Mary Katherine and Ezekiel’s romance, especially as they are an older couple who finds love again after the loss of both their spouses. Mary Katherine is a delightful, strong character with a huge heart that added much fun to this book. There are also a couple of mysteries in this storyline that held my interest all the way through the book. This is a well-written and well-paced story. If you enjoy Amish fiction, you’ll love this book.

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

It was refreshing to read of characters who have lost their mates and are trying to move on in their 60’s. What does love look like? Is it only for teens and those twenty some ages? We can be lonely and left alone through death or circumstances beyond our control trying to navigate life in the best way we know how when a funny incident happens that brings two people together. I love how spunky and free spirited Mary Katherine is. Ezekiel is kindhearted and burying himself in work. The Englisher, Burke is so easy to identify with and his loss is heartbreaking. This story with leave you laughing, shedding a tear, and rejoicing when JOY comes in the morning. Add mysterious break ins and the loss of cherished mementos and you have a culmination of a wonderful story that keeps you turning the pages. An enjoyable fall read to cuddle up with and sip a cup of apple spice tea.
I received a complimentary copy from Thomas Nelson & Zondervan Fiction Guild. The honest review and opinions are my own and were not required.

This has been such an enjoyable story to read. Mary Katherine is a wonderful character who loves her ten children. She has been widowed for several years and some people in the community think its time for her to start courting again. I loved that the author made the main characters a bit older. It is refreshing to read about older people finding love again. I loved Mary Katherine's desire to open a bookstore. That has been a dream of mine for a long time.

Ezekiel is also widowed and owns the Purple Martin Cafe. He is always busy and has little time to socialize. Things may be changing because I feel that love is in the air. Will these two wonderful people find their way to each other?

My favorite character was Burke. He seemed down on his luck and was in need of a helping hand. I loved how Mary Katherine and Ezekiel take an interest in Burke. I'm not sure what I would do if I found a stranger in my home making a sandwich, but Mary Katherine is graceful as she offers him a place to sleep in the barn. Burke is a man of God but he has lost his way. What caused him to stray from God?

The story is a delight to read and I loved the mystery that the author included in the story. Someone is going around to Amish homes and stealing things. They aren't items of real value but the thought of someone breaking in makes the town uncomfortable. I loved how the author used people in the story to help them overcome heartbreak and loneliness. Burke is not from around the community but their hospitality was very encouraging. It reminds us not to judge and remember that people are out there in the world hurting. I loved the story and how nice it was to see people working together. The book is well written and fills readers with hope, fellowship and a feeling of belonging.

I received a copy of this book from The Fiction Guild. The review is my own opinion.