"Unbreakable" (Road to Kingdom Book 2) by Nancy Mehl

5.0 out of 5 stars Dilemmas - Suspenseful & Romantic!, March 10, 2013

Book Description

Mennonite Romantic Suspense Sure to Thrill Readers

Gentle and unassuming Hope Kauffman has never been one to question or try to make changes. She quietly helps her father run Kingdom Quilts and has agreed to the betrothal her father arranged for her with the devout but shy Ebbie Miller.

Despite Hope's and other Kingdom residents' attempts to maintain the status quo, changes have already begun to stir in the small Mennonite town. The handsome and charismatic Jonathon Wiese is the leader of the move to reform, and when one of Kingdom's own is threatened by a mysterious outsider, Jonathon is one of the first to push for the town to arm itself. Hope's fiance, Ebbie, is at the forefront of those demanding the town stay true to its traditions of nonviolence.

When strange incidents around town result in outright attacks on several townspeople, Hope can't help but question what she's always been taught. As the town that's always stood so strong together is torn apart at the seams, Hope is caught between opposing sides, both represented by those she has come to care for. With tensions high and lives endangered by an unknown threat, Hope fears Kingdom can never survive in one piece.

Biography

Nancy Mehl lives in Wichita, Kansas with her husband Norman, and her very active puggle, Watson. She's authored thirteen books and is currently at work on a new romantic suspense series for Bethany House Publishing.

All of Nancy's novels have an added touch - something for your spirit as well as your soul. "I welcome the opportunity to share my faith through my writing," Nancy says. "It's a part of me and of everything I think or do. God is number one in my life. I wouldn't be writing at all if I didn't believe that this is what He's called me to do. I hope everyone who reads my books will walk away with the most important message I can give them: God is good, and He loves you more than you can imagine. He has a good plan especially for your life, and there is nothing you can't overcome with His help." She and her husband attend Believer's Tabernacle in Wichita.

You can find out more about Nancy by visiting her Web site at: www.nancymehl.com or her blog at: www.nancymehl.blogspot.com. You can also find her on FaceBook!

My Review ~

One road leads to the quiet Mennonite community of Kingdom where a peace-loving community resides, and the residents feel protected from the outside world. Communities surrounding Kingdom are being victimized by hate crimes against Christians. Churches have been set aflame and cars forced off the road. On a return trip to Kingdom from a nearby town, Hope Kauffman and her horse and buggy are forced off the road by a pickup truck. Jonathon Wiese, a recent member of the community, rescues Hope just as the truck is heading toward her a second time.

Confusion at her racing heart and the acute awareness of Jonathon’s presence cause Hope to question her reaction to Jonathon’s attention. Hope is betrothed to her long-time friend Ebbie Miller, a conservative Mennonite like Hope, her father, and the majority of their community.  Her conservative ways and lifelong convictions are shaken by the openness of Jonathon’s attraction to her, and her response to his actions. Her faith in God keeps her internal struggles at bay even while she grapples with her conservative roots and a more progressive perspective.

Additional incidents victimizing their small community have become alarming, and Jonathon and other residents take action to protect the town from further harm by keeping guard on the road leading into Kingdom. Conflicts develop between conservative, nonviolent members of the community and the small group who feel that more resistant action should be used to protect Kingdom from future harm.

Dual plots in this suspense-filled and romantic story are fast paced yet beautifully detailed. The realities of resistance and nonresistance are well defined and choosing sides in this story is not an option. Both sides of both plots are humanistic and relative. The spiritual quality throughout this story is strong and well utilized. Nancy Mehl has a beautifully descriptive and picturesque nature with words, enhancing the locale and human qualities of her characters. This is a wonderful sequel to “Inescapable,” but the book is also a stand-alone. This book has its own merits.