Stones in the Road [Paperback]

A young Amish boy ventures from Pennsylvania to California in this richly imagined historical novel from the author of An Unseemly Wife.

1867. Growing up among the Pennsylvania Amish, eleven-year-old Joshua knows that his father is a respected church deacon who has the ear of God. But he’s also seen his father’s weakness for drink, and borne the brunt of his violent rages. In the aftermath of a disastrous fire, Joshua fears his father’s reprimand enough to run away from home. Having never experienced the ways of the English, Joshua now embarks on a decade-long journey to California, where he’s heard it’s always summer.

His mother, Miriam, is forced to take on the unusual role of head of the family when her husband is unable to recover physically, emotionally, or spiritually from the fire. As mother and son each find themselves in uncharted territory, they must draw on strength and forgiveness from within. Urged by everyone to accept her son’s death, Miriam never gives up hope of seeing Joshua again. But even as her prayers are answered so many years later, Joshua’s reunion will require him to face his father once again…

READERS GUIDE INCLUDED
 Praise for Stones in the Road

“Complex characters, vividly rendered details, and a storyline filled with page-turning plot twists combine to create a compelling read.  The reader will be riveted as both mother and son, separated by a tragic event, search for wholeness, redemption, and forgiveness as they face their own demons.  The novel celebrates the enduring strength of family bonds even as it explores their darker side.  A powerful and perceptive novel, Stones in the Road is a true odyssey of the heart.”—Amy Belding Brown,l#@