You’ve probably seen them at your favorite bookstore. Rows of books featuring mostly Amish women in Plain clothing and bonnets on a cover that depicts a much simpler way of life. Over the past ten years or more, Amish fiction, set in different Amish communities around the country, has been gaining traction among readers of all ages who enjoy reading about the Plain ways of the Amish. Whether it’s contemporary romance or something with a bit of an edge, the Amish genre has it all.

Like Texas author Kelly Irvin’s The Amish of Bee County series, which starts with The Beekeeper’s Son. This story will tug at your heartstrings and make you want to read the rest of the series.

Phineas King knows better than to expect anything but shock and pity wherever he shows his face. Horribly scarred from the van accident that claimed his mother’s life, he chooses to keep his distance from everyone, focusing his time and energy on the bees his family raises. If no one sees him, no one can judge him. So why does he start finding excuses to seek out Deborah Lantz, the beautiful new arrival in town?

Deborah can’t get out of Bee County, Texas, soon enough. Once her mother and younger siblings are settled, she is on the first bus out of this dusty town.

As both Deborah and Phineas try to come to terms with lives that haven’t turned out the way they imagined, they discover that perhaps Gott’s plans for them are more extraordinary than they could have dreamed. But they need to let go of their own past sorrows and disappointments to find the joy and beauty that lies just ahead for them both.

Kelly Irvin is the author of more than thirty Amish romance and romantic suspense stories.

The Kansas native is a graduate of the University of Kansas School of Journalism. She has been writing nonfiction professionally for more than thirty years, including ten years as a newspaper reporter. She retired in 2016 after working twenty-two years in public relations for the City of San Antonio Parks and Recreation Department. She is a member of ACFW and Alamo City Christian Fiction Writers. In her spare time, she blogs, reads fiction, and loves her family. You can find out more about Kelly at http://www.kellyirvin.com 

If you’re a fan of edgier suspense novels, then look no further than Linda Castillo’s award-winning Kate Burkholder series. Be sure to start with book one, Sworn to Silence, which is now the subject of the Lifetime original movie, An Amish Murder.

A KILLER IS PREYING ON SACRED GROUND....

In the sleepy rural town of Painters Mill, Ohio, the Amish and “English” residents have lived side by side for two centuries. But sixteen years ago, a series of brutal murders shattered the peaceful farming community. In the aftermath of the violence, the town was left with a sense of fragility, a loss of innocence. Kate Burkholder, a young Amish girl, survived the terror of the Slaughterhouse Killer but came away from its brutality with the realization that she no longer belonged with the Amish.

Now, a wealth of experience later, Kate has been asked to return to Painters Mill as chief of police. Her Amish roots and big city law enforcement background make her the perfect candidate. She’s certain she’s come to terms with her past—until the first body is discovered in a snowy field. Kate vows to stop the killer before he strikes again. But to do so, she must betray both her family and her Amish past—and expose a dark secret that could destroy her.

Linda Castillo is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author. She was nominated for the Mystery Writers of America’s Sue Grafton Memorial Award. Her work has appeared on numerous bestsellers lists and earned a spot on the Boston Globe’s shortlist for best crime novel.

Linda lives on a ranch in Texas with her husband, three Appaloosas, and two feisty but loveable Blue Heelers.

She loves hearing from readers. Learn all about Linda’s books here: https://www.lindacastillo.com/  

If you haven’t checked out the Amish fiction genre yet, I highly recommend you start with these two amazing Texas authors. You won’t be disappointed. 

All the best…