I’m happy to tell you that my new book, Anna’s Amish Fears Revealed, is available! You can officially purchase a print copy or the ebook to enjoy today.
Early reviewers had this to say…
I have really come to appreciate Tracy’s writing style as well and her eye for details that make you feel as if your reading about friends and yet knowing that some where down deep we can really relate to their path in life as if it’s own. I highly recommend this book as well as the whole series and pray you all find that bit of peace reading it. Cherese A.
I adored all the characters and it’s such a breath of fresh air to read something that is not only Christian but taught me about the recent changes within the Amish communities from following the strict orders of the Ordnung to a more Jesus-focused faith. It inspired me to involve Christ in more of my day-to-day activities and decisions. Kim C.
With each new book, I continue to be blessed by the way this author portrays The Message in such a way, the reader cannot help but be filled with hope and the desire to know the one true God. Evelyn. F
Enjoy a sneak peek….
A heaviness pressed down on Anna Byler’s chest, and she reached out to catch herself from falling. Her heart raced in anticipation all morning of having to go to Shetler’s Grocery. Her schwester, Rebecca, continued to push her out of the house. But in all reality, she felt the safest tending to the chickens or helping with chores.
The grocery shelf shook under her weight. Before she had a chance to slip to the floor gracefully, her arm caught a stack of cans, making a commotion clamored throughout the store.
A fuzziness floated before her eyes, and she squeezed them tight, praying it would pass quickly. An awful buzz echoed in her ears, and she leaned forward to put her head between her knees and prayed. Please, Lord, make it go away.
A tender voice and a warm hand on her back made her tip her head toward the calming call.
“What is it, Anna? Are you ill?”
Even if she wanted to answer Naomi Kauffman, she couldn’t form two audible words. The old woman called out. “Simon, where are you?”
Did she hear correctly? Had Naomi called for Simon? Oh, please, Lord, not Simon. He can’t see me like this.
She tried to stand up with a shuddering sigh, only to fall to her knees.
Mrs. Kauffman supported her arm. “No child, stay put. Simon is here. Let him help you.”
The aroma of pine shavings and diesel fuel swirled under her nose, revealing Simon’s closeness. After all their years apart, his job at Mast Lumber Mill did little but remind her of the plans they once had.
Their paths rarely crossed since he’d returned to Willow Springs. When he followed his dream instead of his heart three years ago, she’d all but written that part of her life off. But his touch only added to the panic creeping through her skin.
Anguish filled her until the weight crushed her lungs, preventing her from taking an easy breath. Try as she might, she pulled her arm from his grip, but it only caused her knees to buckle further. Simon placed his arms under her legs and around her waist and picked her up quickly.
The sudden rush forced her head to drop into his chest. She stopped fighting and let his strong arms cradle her body without any option but to allow him to carry her.
“Relax, Anna, I’ve got you.”
She didn’t have the strength to argue and thought, Relax? How dare he think I can relax in his arms after all he’s done?
Simon stopped near the cash register and put Anna in the chair Mr. Shetler had pulled out. Simon snapped his head toward the direction of the people who had hovered around them. “Someone! A glass of water.”
Simon fell to one knee, rested his hand under her arm, and leaned closer. “Did you have another panic attack?”
There weren’t many people outside her immediate family who knew she suffered from spells of anxiety. She’d hoped to keep it that way. When she lifted her face toward the crowd, her heart sank. She leaned onto Simon’s shoulder and begged, “Please make them go away.”
Simon stood and guided her toward the door. “She’s fine. Just a little overheated. A glass of water and she’ll be good as new.”
Naomi followed them outside and opened the passenger side door of Simon’s truck. After helping Anna to the leather seat, he thanked his mother.
Mrs. Kauffman leaned inside and handed Anna a cup of water. “Here, dear, drink this and let Simon turn on the air conditioner to cool you down.”
Naomi let her hand come to rest on her son’s forearm. “I won’t be but a few more minutes. Perhaps we should take her home?”
Tears blurred Anna’s vision. “I’ve made a scene. I’m so sorry.”
The older woman patted her arm. “Now, don’t think another thing of it. These things happen.”
Anna looked worried. “Naomi, if the People catch you speaking to me, you’ll get in trouble. You know I’m shunned, and you’re not allowed to talk to me.”
Mrs. Kauffman’s tender tone calmed her fears. “You let me worry about that. No one will tell me I can’t help someone who needs assistance. It will take more than this to ruffle my feathers.”
Simon shut the door and Anna closed her eyes against the sudden tears, leaned her head back on the seat and thought, Why does this continue to happen to me? And of all people, why did it have to be Simon? That part of her heart had long closed, and every time she was around him, all it did was stir up memories she had tried to bury.
She opened her eyes when Simon slid into the driver’s seat. If fear alone didn’t paralyze her, the picture hanging from his rearview mirror and the fishing lure she’d bought him made her gasp for air.
Bile settled in the back of her throat, forcing her to flee the truck. The hue of color from the changing seasons gave her no comfort as she ran across the road and through the field that led back to her schwester Rebecca’s house. Even the pounding of her heart couldn’t block out his cry.
“Anna…please! Let me explain.”
