The Amish of Shepherd’s Hill Book 1
Bethany House Publishers
March 2025
Green Pastures by Patricia Johns focuses on the relationship and bond between three Amish sisters: Tabitha, Amanda, and Rose. They are compelled to uphold the commitment they made to the Amish traditions but realize life can get in the way. Each sister must navigate through different aspects of being Amish yet rely on each other, their father, and their community to help them through.
“In this story there is a close-knit community. The good part is that during hard times someone is never alone. The bad side is that everyone has an opinion that they are willing to share. One of the female leads is Tabitha and she is having a hard time getting back into the community. The middle sister, Amanda, wants to marry, ignoring all the expectations from the community that says the man needs to be the pursuer. The youngest sister, Rose, is trying to hide her marriage situation from the nosy community because she wants to keep up appearances.”
Tabitha, the oldest, left the community during rumspringa, but has now returned after a ten-year absence. During that time, she became a veterinarian, married an Englisher, and got a divorce. Because of her circumstances the bishop allows her to continue her work as a vet. She now faces the challenge of being accepted back into the community and reintegrating into Amish society.
“She was in the “English” world for ten years but now wants to come back to the Amish community. She does not have a lot in common with the other women since she has a career, an education, has been divorced, and not a housewife. She is naïve in some ways, calm, humble, a rebel, determined, resilient, direct, bold, trustworthy, and honest. She feels like an outcast, is scared, but with a very good heart. I hope I made it clear in the book that Tabitha could not save her marriage. She was in a situation where her husband was blatantly cheating on her and not giving up the other woman. There was no scenario where she could remain in the marriage. It is not just a one size fits all for marriage. She is bitter toward her ex-husband Michael. He was very negative about her and her former Amish community.”
Amanda, the middle sister, is considered a spinster, and has become an outcast of sorts since she defended Tabitha. She now wishes for a husband and a home. She is a rebel of sorts, deciding to go against the Amish custom of waiting for a man to pursue her. She does just that with Menno Weaver after she hears he is looking for a wife even though he has a checkered and troubled past.
“She feels, because of Tabitha, no one courted her and feels hopeless about marriage. She is hardworking, prickly, sensitive, levelheaded, and loyal. She was also outcasted because she defended Tabitha within the Amish community. She is not meek like most Amish girls, very brave. She does not fit into the stereotype of what an Amish woman is supposed to be. Amanda is more like Tabitha than she likes to think.”
Rose, the youngest sister, seems to have it all, beauty and romance. Yet, her marriage to Aaron becomes complicated and they struggle to stay together. “She is the opposite of Amanda and Tabitha. She is meek and pretty where the system works for her.”
This story is about resilience as the three sisters join forces to support each other. It is obvious the author writes character-based stories that allow readers into their hearts and minds. As the plot unfolds readers fall in love with each sister.
