The Captive Heart by Dale Cramer

Since it has been almost a year since I read "Paradise Valley", Book 1 in The Daughters of Caleb Bender Series, I was anxiously waiting for Book 2. This book was worth the wait! 

Miriam Bender is trying to adjust to a new land, new people, new threatsagainst her people in Mexico and the last thing she wants is to have feelings for one who is forbidden. But that is what is happening. Her heart says one thing and her loyalty to family and her Amish upbringing say something else. Who will she choose, Domingo or Micah? It may take a while to find out. There is so much action in this book you can't put it down. I honestly thought I would have trouble keeping everyone straight but Mr. Cramer has a way of keeping the reader from being confused while keeping the story flowing. When members of her family are attacked on the road by El Pantera and his gang of bandits Miriam's whole family is affected by the events that follow. This book has everything. It has love of God and family, dedication, humor, happiness, sadness and pain and fear. All of which make this Book 2 not to be missed. 

If you have read book 1 then you will be delighted with book 2 and if this is the first book you pick up you will want to go back and read book 1. I cannot wait for book 3 and hope it doesn't take a year to get here. I highly recommend this book!