The Roll of the Drums

~Synopsis~

"Ruby Weaver's curly red hair isn't the only thing that sets her apart from her Amish community in 1863. Twenty-eight and single, Ruby doesn't believe a woman needs to be married in order to be happy. Her ailing friend Lovinia Fischer, however, has other ideas and wants Ruby to promise to marry her husband after she dies. Never imagining she'd have to fulfill that vow, Ruby agrees. And she's not the only one. Lovinia has extracted a similar promise from her husband, Gideon.

With both Ruby and Gideon reluctant to keep their promises, a compromise must be reached. Ruby will spend her days with Gideon's family--helping to raise the children and keep the house--but her nights will be spent at her sister's neighboring house. But this arrangement raises eyebrows in their conservative Amish community, and it soon becomes clear that Ruby must make a decision--marry Gideon or turn her back on her friend, the children she's grown to love . . . and their father."

~Review~

I have never read any of Jan Drexler's books, but when I heard this was was set around an Amish community during the Civil War, I knew it would be an interesting read. The Amish are very peaceful people and I wanted to know how the author would blend the Amish with war, and she did a fantastic job.

The characters were all very imperfect, like we as real people are, and Drexler had no problem addressing that. Hidden sin and its affect on your life plays a huge roll in this book. I believe everyone's resolve to their secrets was done very well and realistically. 

I think if I had to come up with any complaint it would be how quickly Ruby and Gideon were supposed to fall in love and get married after the passing of his wife. Granted, I know this is how things are done in the Amish community and even at that point in history, but it was sometimes hard to accept their budding feelings for each other. I would be mentally screaming at Gideon, "What about Lovinia!?". That is probably just a personal preference for me though, since the author kept it very realistic given the circumstances. 

All in all, this was a wonderful read that I would recommend to anyone who loves a good Amish love story. Now on to anticipating the next book in the series so we can continue getting to know the Amish of Weaver's Creek. 

*I received this book for free as part of the Baker Publishing Group Blogger Review Program, but my opinions are all my own.