The Amish Firefighter by Laura V. Hilton

Book Description:

A Beautiful Young Woman Banished from Home 

Abigail Stutzman thought it was bad enough being dropped at the nearest bus station and sent to live several states away with some relatives she'd never heard about, much less met. But now, just a week after her arrival in Jamesport, Missouri, she finds herself at the scene of a barn fire. An intentional barn fire. And all fingers are pointed at her. She's desperate to prove her innocence and protect her reputation, but nobody's making that easy to do. And God certainly doesn't seem willing to help. 

A Brave Firefighter with an Agenda of His Own 

Sam Miller is in the process of turning over a new leaf. Determined to atone for the follies of his past, he is a volunteer firefighter, an EMT, and a doctor–in–training. When local barn fires escalate, everyone suspects arson. And since the Miller family are among the victims, no one is more determined to see the perpetrators brought to justice than Sam. 

A Kindled Flame Neither One Could Have Anticipated 

When their paths first cross, at the site of a barn burning, the emotional intensity rivals the warmth of the flames. Soon, they must decide whether this fire is one they should feed or extinguish. And they'll discover that the truth can prove more dangerous than a blazing inferno. 

My Thoughts:

There's absolutely no denying it.  Once I pick up one of Laura V. Hilton's books, I cannot stop reading it until I've read the entire thing.  No matter how much I tell myself, "Just one chapter," it never happens, and The Amish Firefighter is definitely no exception to that rule.  It is a beautifully written can't put it down page turner with a perfectly woven mix of romance, mystery, humor, and inspiration.

Abigail Stutzman is a young woman who has been thrust into a new place, with family members she barely knows, and with no real explanation as to why. This question of why nudges at her constantly, to the point of even affecting her faith.  There are too many unanswered questions and too many people telling her, "It's not my story to tell."  Even though she doesn’t understand everything, Abigail attempts to find her place in her new home. Unfortunately she ends up befriending the wrong people and finds herself being falsely accused of setting a barn on fire, all the while claiming that she is innocent. 

However, Sam Miller doesn't see it that way. As a volunteer firefighter and EMT, Sam knows arson when he sees it. And from what he sees, he thinks Abigail definitely had a hand in starting the fire.  No matter how much Abigail claims her innocence, Sam is bound and determined to prove that she was involved in some way.  

As Sam takes on the task of discovering Abigail's involvement, he and Abigail find themselves more and more in each other's company. They discover that things aren't always what they appear to be on the surface, and this ultimately brings them to some discoveries about themselves and each other.  As Abigail and Sam venture through this journey, they also find out that these discoveries often involve very difficult answers which result in some very difficult, life impacting decisions, all of this while trying to discover who the real "feurezeug" is.

Laura V. Hilton has once again written a lovely story that will not only tug at your heartstrings, but will also have you doing some reflecting and discovering of your own.