Oh my goodness, dear readers.. Look at the beautiful Amish woman entering the cafe. It’s hard not to stare because it’s not every day I get to wait on someone from such a different culture. I am going to go take her a menu.
Good morning. Would you like to sit here by the door or over there by by our wall garden where there is more privacy.
[With a shy smile, she gestures toward the secluded area.]
Now that you are settled, here is a menu for our breakfast sweets and savories. There are all sorts of special teas on the back that we pair with our treats. Tell me, are you a book character?
Yes. I’m Priscilla from Temperance Johnson’s Lullaby by the River.
Oh my goodness! I’ve read and reviewed your book. It’s so nice to meet you in person! Can you tell our readers a bit about yourself?
Well… [blushes and wrings her hands nervously] I’m shy, quiet, hiding myself from the world. Wanting to show who I am but afraid of being judged.
What is your biggest challenge as a character?
Overcoming my trauma that just happened at the beginning of the novel. I struggle with not knowing what God wants me to do and if I can have a relationship with Him after getting pregnant outside of marriage.
Oh, I so hope you come to know how much God loves you — and that you realize that what happened is in no way your fault. What is your greatest desire, Priscilla?
To be loved and to get away from people’s expectations of me. If I do what my family and community want of me, I will live a lifetime of abuse with a terrible man for a husband.
Don’t worry! There will be someone to rescue you. Do you have a theme verse to help you through this hard time while you are waiting for your knight in shining armor?
Jesus wept. It is comforting to know that Jesus weeps with us when we cry our hearts out. Everyone in life has been through some pain and we often wonder where God is.
It is amazing to think that even though God knows that everything will work out for our good if we love Him — and He already knows that one day in eternity all the trials of earth will seem so miniscule compared to never-ending joy in His presence, Jesus still weeps for us, advocates for us, and the Holy Spirit even groans with us. It’s such a all-encompassing and near-to-us sort of love! What else would you like to tell me?
I would like to share that music has helped me heal so much. Music was something that helped me see God for who He is. I was taught God was judging and waiting for us to fail. But through faith and music, I learned God does really love me and He doesn’t want to judge me. “My Jesus” is my song and the theme of the story.
I love music so much too. That’s why often in my Facebook group, I share a morning song that my mother has messaged me. https://www.facebook.com/groups/wwwordsmithing This morning, the song Mom wanted me to share is “I Want to Thank You” by Karen Peck and New River. You would love it.
Well, as an Amish woman, I don’t really have access to a computer or Facebook. But maybe someday Danny Taylor will play it on his guitar and sing for me.
I am sure he will. He’s a special young man. I hope you will give him a chance…
Um. [Blushes and rings her hands again] It’s complicated. He’s leaving the faith.
Leaving the faith?
I mean he’s not going to stay Amish. So I’m not sure I should have anything to do with him. Even if he offers to help me escape.
I know from reading your story that you will make the right decision, but I don’t want to give anything away. You just pray on it, okay? Now, what is a tea flavor that represents you as a character?
I enjoy peppermint tea. It sort of clears my head and calms me down.
Ooo! We have a wonderful tea from the Republic of Tea — Peppermint paired with chocolate. https://www.republicoftea.com/peppermint-chocolate-red-tea/p/v09993/dpn/40315/ It’s also low in caffeine. We will make it into a latte with some whipped cream for you. Sound good?
Sounds good. Reminds me of Danny and all the sweet coffee combinations he liked to buy me back when he was courting me. If only… [sniffs as if holding back tears, but then straightens her shoulders as though trying to stay strong]
[Pats Priscilla’s hand gently] I promise you are going to okay. But we need to get that little one growing inside you fed. He or she deserves to be a healthy and happy baby — no matter how she came about. What is a breakfast pastry or dish that represents you, your region, or a theme in the novel?
I love hot chocolate for breakfast sometimes. So the tea you are making sounds delightful. I’m also a fan of breakfast soup. Hot broth seems to help me wake up in the morning.
It makes sense. I need hot tea and such to clear my airways and vocal chords in the morning. We have a wonderful recipe for a bacon and egg drop soup from Homemaker’s Habitat. https://www.homemakershabitat.com/homemakershabitat.com/2020/09/29/breakfast-soup/ I’m sure you will love it!
It will make me feel better. Maybe even clear my mind so I can decide what I am going to do about my situation.
[Gives Priscilla a hug] I’m so glad you are here. Just sit and relax and I will bring out your tea and breakfast soup shortly.
Readers, you will love Priscilla’s tale, which told by Temperance Johnson. Here is more about the tale:
An unique Amish love story.
A wounded woman with no way out…unless she marries her ex.
After unexpected abuse, quiet and happy Priscilla Yoder thinks her life can’t get worse. But then she finds out she’s pregnant, and her family and church insist she marry the man who hurt her. When a man she used to love, a man who wants to leave the Amish, offers to marry her, she doesn’t see a better option.
Danny Taylor, charming bad boy of his Amish community, is ready to leave the plain life. But when a woman he used to love finds herself in danger of marriage to an evil man, he can’t resist offering marriage to keep her safe. Only problem is, he didn’t expect to fall for his bride so fast. She’s softening his tough heart and showing him that there’s a good side to the Amish. As they grow closer, he realizes this gorgeous woman in pain has giant walls, and it will take both patience and faith if he wants to scale them.
Caring for Danny was never what Priscilla wanted. And she never expected his faith to bring her closer to God.
But when Danny’s past wounds resurface, and as Priscilla learns to hope again, can they trust God to make their relationship more than just a marriage of convenience?
Here is my review of Lullaby by the River:
The opening scene of Lullaby by the River is the antithesis of the title – the anguish of Priscilla, an Amish girl who is pregnant out of wedlock, with seemingly no one in her community willing to help her seek justice for her rapist.
Along comes the hero of the novel, Danny Taylor, the love of Priscilla’s life. He is the heartthrob “bad boy” she broke up with months ago when he let her know he planned to leave the Amish religion, with an explanation of wanting to follow God more than the church. Now Danny is offering to marry her so that she won’t be forced to marry the man who took advantage of her as they followed their community’s practice of bundling during courtship. What a position the author puts poor Priscilla in — if she stays Amish, she will be forced to marry a predator. But if she leaves the Amish faith with Danny, won’t she and her baby go to Hell?
This novel is certainly not the typical Amish tale in the Christian fiction genre. It explores the effects of both sexual and religious trauma and the fine line between legalism and true faith. It showcases a couple trying to learn how to have the husband and wife relationship that God designed – and how they fail but eventually get back up and try again.
I love how gospel-centered this lovely novel is. It’s a story with much depth and heartbreak. However, for those readers who like a happy ending, there is no need to fear. Little by little the peace of God melts away the fear and darkness in Priscilla’s heart like a lullaby. You will enjoy the courtship of Danny and Priscilla – even though it is a courtship that must take place after they are married.
Temperance Johnson’s love for God and for His people shines through her writing, as does her love of writing itself. Five stars!
You can purchase this wonderful novel here: https://www.amazon.com/Lullaby-River-Unique-Amish-Story/dp/B0DTV1H7GB
Temperance Johnson and I would love to answer questions about Priscilla and her Amish community. Please sure to comment with your questions and comments!
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