The Rose of Lancaster County - Volume 3 - The First Frost

 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. 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.        

    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 quit 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.

Rose's friend Lydia Beiler has striking good looks - raven black hair and brilliant blue eyes that make her look ethereal. Unfortunately, when things go wrong with their cattle and crops and families, English neighbors suspect witchcraft and immediately point the finger at Lydia because of her otherworldly beauty. When the Sheriff of Lancaster begins to ask questions, Lydia is consumed by fear. To calm her friend and fill her with hope, Rose decides to make a commitment that will assure her friend she will never be abandoned to face her accusers alone.       

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. 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?       

When a mob descends upon the farm of Rose Lantz only a handful of men are there to try and protect her and her family - the sheriff, his five deputies, and Ethan Daniels. Confronted with such danger and the threat to her life, Rose nevertheless finds herself more caught up in her feelings for Ethan as he stands defiantly against the rage and hatred of a hundred men. He is risking his life for her - not because he has to or because he is a soldier or deputy but because he loves her. Does she feel the same way? Is there a fire and a passion in her heart equal to that which she sees blazes in him?     

  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. 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.

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.       

  March and April are seasons of new life in Pennsylvania and Rose Lantz desperately needs that new life to heal the wounds in her soul. But along with the green leaves and bright flowers spring also brings an unwelcome guest to Lancaster County - Archibald Kendall, a witch finder from England tasked with finding out who is continuing to plague the townsfolk and farmers with witchcraft. As more and more fingers point at her, Rose turns to her best friends for support only to find that support is no longer there. She realizes she can only count on her family and Jakob Ammann and her faith in God to face the persecution her people knew only too well in Europe. In the end she needs a miracle - nothing less will save her.       

 In Amish Circle Letters, follow the journey of a series of letters that pass through the Fisher family. As Amish do not use computers or cell phones to communicate, Amish women will often write circle letters, letters that they send to a list of addresses of people that they would like to include in the correspondence. Since they do not have access to photocopiers, the first person on the list will receive the letter, read it, and respond. That person sends both the first letter and their response to the second name on the list. This continues until the entire package of letters goes full-circle, returning to the original sender.

In Volume 5 of the 10 part series, Lizzie's Letter, the family gathers for worship at Leah's home. Mary Ruth senses a break in Menno Yoder's hostility and hopes this signals the beginning of his healing so that she can return home while Melvin and little Katie find that they have a common interest: ponies. Steve finds a way to visit with Mimi Hostetler and finds himself embarrassed that he keeps having to borrow his daed's buggy to court her. Continue the journey of the circle letters through the eyes of Lizzie.        
 

In Amish Circle Letters, follow the journey of a series of letters that pass through the Fischer family. As Amish do not use computers or cell phones to communicate, Amish women will often write circle letters, letters that they send to a list of addresses of people that they would like to include in the correspondence. Since they do not have access to photocopiers, the first person on the list will receive the letter, read it, and respond. That person sends both the first letter and their response to the second name on the list. This continues until the entire package of letters goes full-circle, returning to the original sender.

In Volume 3 of the 10 part series, Leah's Letter, the community is trying to adjust to the lose of Menno Yoder's wife and Mary Ruth finds herself the unwilling housekeeper at his farm until he gets back on his feet. Unfortunately, Menno Yoder fights her presence, creating conflict for both of them. Meanwhile, after a strange phone call, Steve finds himself back at the hardware store where Mimi Hostetler works and Anna Fischer receives a surprise visit from their Englische friend, Eleanor Haile who has a special request that excites little Katie.