The Rose of Lancaster County Series by Murray Pura

Rose Lantz is overjoyed with her life. Her Amish family has a lovely farm in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, she has a good friend in Lydia Beiler who loves to quilt with her, her faith in God is strong and her Amish community warm and supportive, and she is engaged to be married to a handsome young man. But she came to the American Colonies when she was 10 and can still remember the persecution the Amish people fled in Germany... moreRose Lantz is overjoyed with her life. Her Amish family has a lovely farm in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, she has a good friend in Lydia Beiler who loves to quilt with her, her faith in God is strong and her Amish community warm and supportive, and she is engaged to be married to a handsome young man. But she came to the American Colonies when she was 10 and can still remember the persecution the Amish people fled in Germany. So when Lydia is accused of witchcraft by those outside the Amish community she is quick to help her friend's lawyer and speak up on behalf of Lydia during the trial. But her passionate defence of Lydia draws attention to her and soon it is Rose who is facing charges of being a witch. The charges sound so convincing that friends and family turn away from her. Even her fiancé breaks off his engagement. Soon Rose is on her own to face her accusers with no one to help but God. And one brave young man she had never paid any attention to before. Murray Pura was born and raised in the Mennonite country of southern Manitoba. He began writing at an early age and his first story was published in a US Christian magazine when he was 16. Since that time Murray has published more than a dozen books and has been the recipient of a number of writing awards. His works include the Amish American novels A Bride's Flight From Virginia City, Montana; The Wings of Morning; and The Face of Heaven. A pastor for 25 years, Murray currently lives and writes in southern Alberta. less

Rose Lantz has always despised "the wild man" who lives alone in a cabin in the woods. Ethan Daniels is a frontiersman who spends half the year hunting and exploring the vast forests far west of Lancaster, Pennsylvania and she wants nothing to do with a person who seems incapable of putting down roots. But when Ethan comes to her rescue in a dangerous situation she finds she has to examine herself before God and change her opinion of the individual Native Americans call "Long Hunter"... moreRose Lantz has always despised "the wild man" who lives alone in a cabin in the woods. Ethan Daniels is a frontiersman who spends half the year hunting and exploring the vast forests far west of Lancaster, Pennsylvania and she wants nothing to do with a person who seems incapable of putting down roots. But when Ethan comes to her rescue in a dangerous situation she finds she has to examine herself before God and change her opinion of the individual Native Americans call "Long Hunter". To her shock, this examination of her heart brings her face-to-face with a passion she has never experienced before for any man on earth, including the young Amish farmer she has sworn to marry in two months time. Murray Andrew Pura was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, and has traveled extensively throughout Canada, the United States, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. Ordained as a Baptist minister in 1986, Pura has served five churches in Canada and headlined numerous speaking engagements in Canada and the United States. He has five books published, was a contributor to the Life With God Bible, has been a finalist for The Paraclete Fiction Award, The Dartmouth Book Award, and The John Spencer Hill Literary Award, and has been shortlisted for the prestigious 2010 Kobzar Literary Award of Canada. less

Once her best friend is arrested and jailed on a charge of witchcraft Rose Lantz's life begins to unravel like thread from a quilt. The jailhouse where Lydia Belier is imprisoned is cold and bleak, the sheriff harsh and bitter, and Rose is made to feel as unwelcome as possible for trying to bring her friend love and comfort. She is asked to prepare to stand as a witness on Lydia's behalf at the coming trial even though doing so will bring the wrath of the English community down upon her head... moreOnce her best friend is arrested and jailed on a charge of witchcraft Rose Lantz's life begins to unravel like thread from a quilt. The jailhouse where Lydia Belier is imprisoned is cold and bleak, the sheriff harsh and bitter, and Rose is made to feel as unwelcome as possible for trying to bring her friend love and comfort. She is asked to prepare to stand as a witness on Lydia's behalf at the coming trial even though doing so will bring the wrath of the English community down upon her head. On top of all that, her heart is torn over what to do about handsome and courageous Ethan Daniels who comes to the farm more and more frequently and who is very open about the feelings he has for her. And to make matters even more difficult and confusing than they already are, her fiancé Juerg returns from his fall hunt with a ultimatum that will break her heart and break her spirit whether she agrees to his demands or whether she does not. less

Rose's best friend Lyda Belier is on trial for witchcraft and murder. As law was practised in Colonial America, Lydia's defense attorney can do little but watch the prosecution bring up witness after witness claiming to have seen Lydia do everything from fly a broom, change into a black cat, and cast spells intended to murder her enemies. Lydia's only hope is that the judges will permit her lawyer to call a character witness who will speak to the goodness of Lydia's Christian life... moreRose's best friend Lyda Belier is on trial for witchcraft and murder. As law was practised in Colonial America, Lydia's defense attorney can do little but watch the prosecution bring up witness after witness claiming to have seen Lydia do everything from fly a broom, change into a black cat, and cast spells intended to murder her enemies. Lydia's only hope is that the judges will permit her lawyer to call a character witness who will speak to the goodness of Lydia's Christian life. Such permission is rarely given but if it is Rose will be the one who must testify. Can she find the right words, words that could save her friend's life? And with her fiancé Juerg turning his back on her will she find that Ethan Daniels also rejects her for running to defend a woman the people of Lancaster swear is the bride of Satan? less

The winter snows may be falling on Lancaster County but the cold does not have a chilling effect on Rose Lantz or Ethan Daniels - their love for one another, suddenly set free, blossoms from day to day. There are hay rides and sleigh rides and learning to snowshoe. There is a surprise birthday party, cooking meals together, Rose learning to shoot a Lancaster County long rifle... moreThe winter snows may be falling on Lancaster County but the cold does not have a chilling effect on Rose Lantz or Ethan Daniels - their love for one another, suddenly set free, blossoms from day to day. There are hay rides and sleigh rides and learning to snowshoe. There is a surprise birthday party, cooking meals together, Rose learning to shoot a Lancaster County long rifle. But all the time the young couple are going from joy to joy several English families are making plans to get revenge on Rose Lantz for what she said in court that set her friend at liberty. Another witch hunt is about to begin. less

It is the most dangerous day of Rose Lantz's life, the day most full of threat and hazard and harm. Yet it swiftly becomes one of the most wonderful days of her life, a day that shines with heroism, love, and blessing. At its close she is full of gratitude for what God has done. But in the midst of her joy life casts yet another shadow across her path. Rose's faith in God, as well as her love for Ethan, are both tested to the limit one more time.

Rose can't do anything about her church's decision to forbid her marriage to Ethan Daniels. But she can try and do something about another matter that upsets her - she can try and stop the hanging of Archibald Kendall, the man who did everything in his power to burn her at the stake. This makes no sense to anyone, not even to the members of her own church. In fact, Rose once again finds herself standing alone to face the wrath of the townspeople and the might of the British army... moreRose can't do anything about her church's decision to forbid her marriage to Ethan Daniels. But she can try and do something about another matter that upsets her - she can try and stop the hanging of Archibald Kendall, the man who did everything in his power to burn her at the stake. This makes no sense to anyone, not even to the members of her own church. In fact, Rose once again finds herself standing alone to face the wrath of the townspeople and the might of the British army. Alone, that is, except for God and the one man who has always believed in her through fire and storm. The dramatic conclusion to the acclaimed Colonial American series The Rose of Lancaster County. less