JAN DREXLER – ANOINTED TO SERVE

“Softly Blows the Bugle” is about the Amish community at Weaver’s Creek, where the filial bonds of family ties and inspiring faith bind up the brokenhearted.

A widow, with bitter experiences of her marriage to a cruel husband, Elizabeth Kaufman is well nigh determined never to get married again, even if it meant not having her own family.

But Aaron Zook’s arrival changed everything in a way Elizabeth could have never imagined in her faintest dreams. Aaron was determined to leave the pain of the past behind him. His innate strength, determination, resilience and perseverance are legendary. Aaron was kind, helpful and concerned about others. In spite of the severity of his injuries in the war, Aaron navigated his way through life with only one leg and a pair of crutches.

However, even in a simple Amish community, life can get complicated. Aaron has to fight the battle to win the heart of the woman he loves. Meanwhile, Elizabeth embarks on a journey towards hope and love, as Jan Drexler peels away layer after layer of the protective coating around Elizabeth’s heart.

Many characters experience a reawakening of their faith, which is so inspiring, on a personal level. A powerful faith thread runs through the book. I highly recommend this book for fans of Amish, Christian, historical and post-Civil war fiction.

Mattie’s Pledge

by Jan Drexler

Revell, Baker Publishing Group.

Pub Date: 20 Sep 2016

ISBN 9780800726577. Price: $14.99

In a tender, poignant glimpse into the Amish Migration West from Pennsylvania, Jan Drexler presents the heartwarming story of Mattie’s Pledge. When heart, home and horizon threaten to pull Mattie in opposite directions, which will she choose? Mattie Schrock is used to having her life uprooted. When her father relocated with his family from one Amish community to the next, Mattie always settled well into their new surroundings. Now as the Schrocks plan to move west, Mattie hopes to connect with old friends like Jacob Yoder, who always held a special place in her heart, although they had grown into different people with different dreams and visions. Jacob longs to settle down, while Mattie envisions life beyond the western horizon. When an Englisher tempts her to search for adventure in the West, will her pledge to Jacob anchor her to heart and home?

Jan Drexler weaves a unique understanding of Amish traditions and beliefs into her writing. Mattie’s Pledge offers a revealing glimpse into Amish life in the 1840s, and into Mattie Schrock’s heart. In April of 1843, Mattie must make a choice about her life. Will she settle down in the Amish church or take off on a new adventure? Mattie’s Pledge is a historical romance with well-crafted, appealing characters and a good Christian theme. Jan Drexler weaves a beautiful storyline in her well-researched work. A compelling family story about difficult, exciting choices in life, Jan Drexler’s engaging Amish family share their joys and sorrows to embrace the adventure of life. Mattie’s unique adventure to the West begins with awesome descriptions of the journey in a Conestoga Wagon, traveling along twisting paths to achieve her goals. Moving from one community to another, Mattie Schrock knows how to adjust to different circumstances and situations. Yearning for new adventures and the chance to travel, Mattie has to decide between a new adventure in the West or the comfort of her own community based on a certain pledge.

With ancestry dating to the Amish immigrants in the 1700s, Jan Drexler’s special interest in this genre is well written and true to the Amish culture. Will the new land Mattie travels to give her a brand new beginning and a better life? Mattie struggles with her faith. The story deals with forgiveness in a very compassionate way. Mattie Schrock wants to move west to find her perfect destiny. She pledges not to leave her dearest friend, Jacob Yoder. But the pull is so strong to leave. Can Mattie keep her pledge? God is the main character. He alone knows the path to follow but Mattie ignores Him. The story was filled with hardship and adventure on their trek westward. MATTIE’S PLEDGE is a gripping story. Read it to find out why!