The Amish Heart of Ice Mountain

September 7, 2015
On the one hand, Long’s third Ice Mountain romance (after An Amish Man of Ice Mountain) relies heavily on stereotypes of present-day Amish life and an overly idealistic notion of religious community. On the other hand, the core story is a fascinating tale of redemption and growth. Healer Sarah Mast is forced by her emotionally distant and demanding father to marry Edward King, a man she once loved but no longer admires. Edward was an honorable man, but some time away from their small Pennsylvania settlement turned him into a mean alcoholic. It takes some time and more than a little drama for Edward and Sarah to suss out their issues and begin building a life. The rose-colored view of the main characters can be overwhelming and unrealistic at times, but this is somewhat tempered by an interesting, unusual story and some touches of self-referential humor. Long reintroduces familiar faces while also bringing some new personalities into the picture. Agent: Natasha Kern, Natasha Kern Literary Agency.