Diane Craver

A Joyful Break (Dreams of Plain Daughters, Book One) Diane Craver

Publisher Marketing: After her mother's untimely death, a twenty-year-old Amish woman has a difficult decision to make: Choose to break from her Plain community and her boyfriend to live in the English world permanently...or instead join the Amish church. Rachel Hershberger wants to get away from her Amish home in Fields Corner, Ohio. For a year she's been trying to fill her mother's shoes by taking care of her father and siblings. She quit her job at the bakery so she would have more time to clean and cook at home. Before her mother died, Rachel was positive she wanted to marry Samuel Weaver, but now she can't think about wedding plans. She blames her father for her mother's death. If they had installed a phone in their barn or a shanty, her mother might have received medical help in time to save her life. Her mother's death has made Rachel question if she should be baptized and join the church. She wonders if non-Amish women live longer and have less stress. Maybe her forty-four-year old mother would still be alive had she left the Amish lifestyle like her sister Carrie did. When her Aunt Carrie invites her to go to the beach, Rachel decides the time away will help her to decide whether to join the Amish church or to live in the English world. She is conflicted because she loves Samuel and her family. Instead of a relaxing time away, several disturbing events happen while Rachel's in Florida. A photographer snaps troublesome pictures of Rachel because of her famous senator uncle, and a handsome and charming college student falls in love with Rachel. Contributor Bio:  Craver, Diane As the youngest in the family, growing up on a farm in Findlay, Ohio, Diane often acted out characters from her own stories in the backyard. In high school she was the student sitting in class with a novel hidden in front of her propped up textbook. Her passion for reading novels had to be put on hold during her college years at Ohio State University due to working part-time on campus and being a full-time student. Before embarking on her writing career, Diane was a school teacher and play director. She enjoys her life with her husband, six children, daughter-in-law, son-in-law and three grandchildren in southwestern Ohio. Her husband of thirty-nine years is very supportive, as well as her awesome children. She writes Amish fiction, contemporary romance, historical fiction, inspirational mainstream and chick-lit mystery. Learn more about Diane Craver and her books at www.dianecraver.com. Join Diane's blog at www.dianecraver.com/blog.