Reviewing: Beside Still Waters by Tricia Goyer

 ...publisher's notes....

Raised among the Amish of Indiana, 18-year-old Marianna Sommer plans to get baptized into the church, marry Aaron Zook, and set up life in the only community she has ever known. But when her older brother chooses the world’s path following his rumschpringe, and a younger sibling begins showing interest in Englisch ways, Marianna’s parents move the family to Montana.
Although she is also in her rumschpringe years and not obligated to move, Marianna makes the journey to dutifully help her mother who is expecting another child. Surprisingly, from strangers on the cross-country train ride to the less rigid stance of the new Montana community, many Englisch influences awaken within Marianna—and even her father—the desire to pursue a deeper kind of joy and love for God.
After an accident, Marianna tells her friend Ben a defining story about the Sommer family, and his response further illumines the active relationship God seeks with His followers. In due time, she learns the move from Indiana was not about losing anything, but finding out who God really is. Despite all the shake-ups, Marianna feels a sweet peace, like still waters, in her soul.

  
 ...my thoughts....

What a wonderful story!  Sometimes you find that one book that just captures your heart and Beside Still Waters is just such a book.  The characters are well developed and seem to come alive. I wasn't sure what to think when the story began with an unthinkable tragedy.  The story really begins when the family moves to Montana and leaves their stifling Amish community behind.  Our heroine Marianna longs to return and marry her childhood sweetheart.  Once she opens her heart to see God's plan for her she has some new decisions to make.  Tricia Goyer has a gift in helping things sort out nicely.  I can't wait to see what happens in Along Wooded Paths, next up in the Big Sky Series.