Friday, February 15, 2013

"Unbreakable" by Nancy Mehl (Review & Giveaway)

About the book: Gentle and unassuming, Hope Kauffman has never been one to question the traditions of her Mennonite upbringing. She quietly helps her father run Kingdom Quilts and has agreed to the betrothal he arranged for her with the devout but shy Ebbie Miller.

Despite the attempts of Hope and other Kingdom residents to maintain the status quo, changes have already begun to stir in the small Mennonite town. The handsome and charismatic Jonathon Wiese is the leader of the move to reform, while Ebbie insists Kingdom must remain true to its foundation. When Hope's safety is threatened by a mysterious outsider, she can't help but question what she's always been taught about the Mennonite tradition of nonviolence.

As it swiftly becomes apparent the threat Hope faced is only the beginning, the town that's always stood so strong finds itself divided. With tensions high and their lives endangered by an unknown enemy, will Hope and the people of Kingdom allow fear and division to break them or will they draw on the strength of the God they serve?


My thoughts: Unbreakable is the second book in the Kingdom series about a small community of Mennonites.  One of the beliefs of Mennonite believers is that God would have them behave non-violent toward those who offend or harm them.  That is a key issue in Unbreakable.  The story opens with a single lady, Hope,  driving her horse and buggy along a deserted road and a red pickup truck runs her off the road.  It then turns around and is about to finish what it had begun when another truck arrives in time to save her from sure destruction.  She is Hope Kauffman of Kingdom and the man who has come to her rescue is Jonathan Wiese.  Hope was engaged to marry Ebenezer Miller (or Ebbie for short) but finds herself drawn toward Jonathan.

There is much discussion among the Mennonites regarding the on-going threats to churches and individuals in the Mennonite community and how they should protect themselves from this danger or how they should react should they encounter it.  Jonathan is ready to take up arms and protect the community and enlists others from outside the community.  However Ebber, who is the young Mennonite that Hope's family has plans and hopes she will marry, is an Elder in the church, and he is constant in his belief that the Mennonite non-violent belief and policy is the way they should react.

Nancy Mehl has well developed characters who are completely believable.  The story line is intriguing enough that you don't lose interest as you read.  The insight into the gentle, non-violent Mennonites is interesting and challenging as you, as an individual that is not Mennonite, examines your own closely held beliefs into how you would protect those you love and just how you would react.

I had already read book one in the Kingdom series but reading it is not prerequisite to understanding Unbreakable. Read my review of Nancy Mehl's other book, Inescapable.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ GIVEAWAY ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 
Litfuse has graciously agreed to provide a copy of the book for one of Chat With Vera's readers as a giveaway prize.  Just enter via the Rafflecopter links below.  (Please be patient as Rafflecopter is sometimes a bit slow to load.) This giveaway only open to USA addresses. Begins Feb. 15, 2013 - ENDS March 4 at 12:01 a.m. EST
a Rafflecopter giveaway

About the author:  Nancy Mehl, the author of 13 books, received an ACFW Carol Award in 2009 for her novel For Whom the Wedding Bell Tolls. She has a background in social work and is a member of ACFW and RWA. 

DISCLOSURE:   I was provided a complimentary copy of Unbreakable by Litfuse Publicity Group on behalf of the publisher, Bethany House a division of Baker Publishing Group and the author, Nancy Mehl in exchange for my honest review. Opinions are solely mine.

28 comments:

  1. No, I have never visited a Mennonite or Amish community but when traveling on the east coast we have seen them at amusement parks such as Hershey Park in Pennsylvania or Fun Spot in Indiana.

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  2. I have not read any of Nancy Mehls books but Unbreakable sounds interesting.

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  3. Sadly no I have not visited one. But we do have a small Mennonite community here in New Mexico.

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  4. Again sadly no. I have always wanted to get a review copy of INESCAPABLE (the first in this series) but I have been unable to do so. I'll have to save up I guess, but maybe I can win this one! :)

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  5. I have visited many times the areas in Pennsylvania (around Lancaster) and Ohio (Holmes and Wayne Counties), where Amish and Mennonites live. We also have a small group in East Tennessee. I frequently shop at a bulk food store run by Mennonites.
    may_dayzee (at) yahoo (dot) com

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  6. No, I haven't read any of Nancy's books, but this one sounds very intriguing.
    may_dayzee (at) yahoo (dot) com

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  7. The only official Amish community in Montana is about 70 miles from where I live, I haven't visited yet but plan to the summer.
    However, there are a group of Amish, rather liberal in their beliefs, that live here in town and operate a a grocery-type store and a log cabin building business. I really enjoy going out there to the store, the peace and friendliness that I find there is missing in so many Englisch stores.
    Jasmine A.
    montanamade(at)gmail(dot)com

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  8. Not yet, I just heard about Nancy Mehl from the advertising about Unbreakable. I'd really love to read this book and the first one as well.

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  9. I visited Lancaster in PA. It was quite a few years ago, so I don't remember much.

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  10. I read the first bk in this series and enjoyed it a lot!

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  11. I visited an Amish community in Washington IA.

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  12. I have not read any of her other books.

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  13. I have never had the chance to go to an Amish community, but, oh how I would love to.
    MAXIE mac252(at)me(dot)com

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  14. I have not read any of Nancy's books, but now have "The Harmony Series", so I can now.
    Hope I can win this one. MAXIE mac262(at)me(dot)com

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  15. No I have never visited an Amish community before.

    Katie
    johnsonk133[at]yahoo[dot]com

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  16. I have never read any of Nancy's books but I would love to read Unbreakable.

    Katie
    johnsonk133[at]yahoo[dot]com

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  17. I have visited Jamesport, MO among other Amish communities, I really enjoy the peacefulness.

    wfnren(at)aol(dot)com

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  18. I don't recall reading any books by Nancy yet, but this sounds good so I may be looking for some more by her.

    wfnren(at)aol(dot)com

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  19. I visited a Mennonite Community about an hour east of Springfield, Missouri. Really sweet people.

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  20. I have never heard of this author. But I would love to try her books.

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  21. Have not had the pleasure of reading her books yet, but am looking forward to it. There are many Amish communities in Northern Indiana. Yes I have visited.

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  22. We visit Lancaster, PA several times each year. Love the country drives, delicious food and the shopping. We like to take buggy rides, look at the beautiful quilts and stop at the roadside stands.

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  23. I read Unescapable and really enjoyed it. Would love to have a copy of the new book to add to my collection. Thank you.

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  24. I have never visited amish country but would so love to!
    http://ticsblog75.blogspot.com/
    Ticsblog75@gmail.com

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  25. I've never read any of her books, but would love to start. Thanks
    http://ticsblog75.blogspot.com/
    Ticsblog75@gmail.com

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  26. I've never visited, but would like to.

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  27. I have never read any of her books.

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