The Hidden Life: An Amish novel of faith, love, and second chances

Book excerpt: Three Amish best friends. Three hurting hearts. One quilt that binds them together. Emma Stolzfus has never been courted or kissed, and now that she’s thirty, it has become her place as the family’s last unmarried daughter to look after her elderly mother. But in the dark hours while Mamm is asleep, Emma writes letters and essays for Amish periodicals, short stories for her nieces and nephews, and, secretly, a novel just for herself. After she enters the book in a writing contest, a New York literary agent takes an interest not only in her work, but in her as an Amish woman. Emma takes the train all the way to the city to meet him. When she returns, something about her is different—and the men of her Amish community suddenly notice the shy spinster in a way they never did before. But how can she settle for second best when her heart made its first choice long ago? She’s been in love for years with a man she can never have. Only her friends, Amelia and Carrie, know the truth Emma shares while they work together on their quilt. Only they will understand when an old tragedy comes to light that will either hurt or heal ... and reveal Emma’s hidden life. “Any book that can both entertain and leave me thinking is a book worth reading! Adina Senft is quickly becoming one of my favourite writers of Amish fiction.” —Christian Fiction Addiction on The Hidden Life The Hidden Life is the second novel in the Whinburg Township Amish series. Books 1-3 can be read as standalones, and have threads of family and friendship tying them together. No strong language, just a loving kiss and a guaranteed happily ever after. If you like books by Jennifer Spredemann, Jennifer Beckstrand, or Serena B. Miller, you’re in the right place. Enjoy! This is the second edition. First published by Hachette FaithWords in 2012.