Read a “Bonnet Ripper”

by Joanne Mengel

A popular type of book getting checked out from the library is Amish fiction. Have you ever read one? Some readers refer to these as “bonnet rippers” as a play on the popular term of “bodice ripper” given classic romance novels. Although faith based, Amish fiction is a form of Christian Fiction and can be considered a type of Gentle Read as this type of book usually does not contain explicit language, violence or sexual activity. One unique aspect of these books is that many are written in a series with recurring characters and Amish settings - perfect for those who like to follow a family or community through various scenarios. Perhaps not for everyone, this genre explores real life issues and can help to remind us of the important things in life.

We are excited to announce that Suzanne Woods Fisher, a best-selling author known for her Amish book series, will join Fond du Lac Public Library on Saturday, March 6 to discuss her writing, talk about her most recent book, and interact with guests. The program will be held virtually via Zoom at 11 am. A question and answer period will follow the presentation. To register, visit fdlpl.org and select the March 6 event on the Calendar.

Here is a selection of some of our most popular Amish fiction authors and their series. 

The Inn at Eagle Hill series by Suzanne Woods Fisher listed in order:
                     

The Letters - When widow Rose Schrock turns her Amish farmhouse into a bed and breakfast, she expects there might be problems. The reaction of her cantankerous mother-in-law for one. Disapproval from the church for another. But what she doesn't expect is that the guests at the Inn at Eagle Hill will spill their problems into her life and into her heart. She also never expects the kind of help and support she gets from Galen King, the quiet and rugged horse trainer next door.
The Calling - Twenty-year-old Bethany Schrock is restless. Her love life has derailed, her faith hangs by a thread, and she is spending the incredibly hot summer days wading through a lifetime's accumulation of junk at the home of five ancient Amish sisters. When the sly old sisters and a guest at the Inn get Bethany involved in running the local soup kitchen and starting a community garden she finds a newfound purposefulness.
The Revealing - Naomi King--soft spoken, loyal, and easily overlooked--has a gift. She sees what others can't see. Intuition, she calls it. Others in Stoney Ridge don't know what to make of it and dismiss her hunches and inklings altogether. When a young woman arrives at the Inn at Eagle Hill with a shocking secret about Tobe Schrock, Naomi fears the worst. 

Courtship of Nellie Fisher series by Beverly Lewis listed in order:
                    
The Parting - An Amish Romeo and Juliet find themselves on opposite sides of a cultural evolution within their community. 
The Forbidden - Caleb Yoder's father has forbidden him to court Nellie Mae Fisher, but words alone cannot stop Caleb's devotion. Yet if he continues to pursue Nellie, he risks losing everything. Nellie too is torn. She longs to marry Caleb, but cannot ignore the gentle pull she feels toward the faith of her Old Order family.
The Longing - Although she still prays for Caleb, Nellie Mae Fisher has broken up with her beau, and now, her heart's greatest longing is for more knowledge of the Lord. Caleb must stay in Honeybrook as caretaker for his crippled father, but he hopes Nellie will return to the Old Order and to him.

Amish brides of Birch Creek series by Kathleen Fuller listed in order:
                     
The Teacher’s Bride - An Amish schoolteacher accepts his first job in the growing community of Birch Creek, but gets more than he bargained for when he meets a lively Amish woman with a questionable past.
The Farmer’s Bride - Bestselling and award-winning author Kathleen Fuller returns to the Amish community of Birch Creek in this charming tale of falling in love while pursuing the dreams of your heart.
The Innkeeper's Bride - An innkeeper who would find a new sense of purpose and a woman who would return home find their burgeoning romance threatened by secrets from the past.

Not all Amish fiction is romance. Here are a couple of authors that put a mystery spin in an Amish setting.

Appleseed Creek Mysteries series by Amanda Flower listed in order:
                 
A Plain Death - Chloe Humphrey moves with some uncertainty to Appleseed Creek to direct technology services at a nearby college. Her first acquaintance is Becky, an ex-Amish teenager looking for a new home. While driving Chloe's car, Becky collides with a buggy, killing an Amish bishop. But what looks like an accident is soon labeled murder when police discover the car's cut brake line. Now, Chloe must take on the role of amateur sleuth to discover who the real intended victim was before the murderer makes a second attempt. Becky's handsome Amish-turned-Mennonite brother, Timothy, a local carpenter, comes in handy along the way.
A Plain Scandal - The quiet Amish community of Appleseed Creek is shocked when an outbreak of crimes against these pious people soon escalates to murder.
A Plain Disappearance - It's Christmastime in Amish country, and Chloe Humphrey has begun settling into her life in Appleseed Creek. She's especially excited to see where her new relationship with Timothy Troyer will lead. Unfortunately, it leads to murder when the couple discovers the body of a teenager on their first date. 

Amish Village Mysteries series by Vanetta Chapman listed in order:
                     
Murder Simply Brewed - When the coffee shop manager is murdered in Middlebury's Amish Artisan Village, two women from different walks of life must join together to solve the mystery.
Murder Tightly Knit - In a town where Amish and Englisch mingle every day, a grisly murder leads to mutual suspicion. Can Amber and Hannah find the killer before fear unravels the community--and before he strikes again?
Murder Freshly Baked - In the Amish artisan village of Middlebury, Indiana, poetic notes warning of poisoned baked goods begin appearing. Village manager Amber decides to help the police find the culprit before he or she can strike. She enlists Hannah Troyer for another round of Amish-style detective work. Both women will have to draw on their faith to preserve the peaceful community they have built in Middlebury. 

I think we all need to try new things. Why not broaden your reading horizon and try out a “bonnet ripper”. You never know, it might become your favorite type of read!

Joanne Mengel works in the FDL Public Library Reference department.