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Paradise Valley Audiobook
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(4.00) - 840 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
Multiple Christy Award winner Dale Cramer launches a compelling trilogy with Paradise Valley. When Amish fathers are imprisoned in 1920s Ohio for failing to send their children to public school, their kids are snatched from the family, herded into group homes, and trained in "worldly ways." Such outrages prompt Caleb Bender to move his family to Paradise Valley, Mexico. "Cramer's ability . sets this Amish novel apart from the rest ."-Booklist
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"Paradise Valley by Dale Cramer is the first book in the Daughters of Caleb Bender series. When Caleb Bender and four other Amish men are arrested in 1922 Ohio for failing to send their children to school, he decides that he needs to do something to keep his children safe from the Enlgisch influence. After seeing a flyer for land for sale in Mexico, he uproots his entire family as an advance crew to see if the land is truly farmable and the area safe for the rest of the community to move to as well. He brings along with him married daughter Mary and her husband, newly married daughter Emma and husband Levi, as well as teenage sons Harvey and Aaron, teenage daughters Miriam and Rachel, and younger daughters, Leah and Barbara. Rachel is heartbroken at having to leave, just when she has discovered that neighbor and lifelong friend Jake Weaver is the one for her. Based on the true story of the author's great-grandparents, Cramer effortlessly brings to life the unusual story about a family starting all over again in a new land filled with bandits and fear. Dale Cramer is in a rare level of authors for me: I anxiously await each of his books. It doesn't matter what he's writing: profound allegory? Amish drama? sweet family story? Doesn't matter. His writing is always spot-on to the genre, wonderfully literary and smart, complex multi-layered plots, and characters that are fully-fleshed. With such a large cast of characters in this book, not all of the characters are as fully realized here, but the story is compelling and readers will find themselves waiting anxiously (just as I do) for the next book in the series."
— Clockstein (4 out of 5 stars)
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Cramer’s ability … sets this Amish novel apart from the rest …”—Booklist
Paradise Valley Listener Reviews
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" This book kind of snuck up on me. It was given to me at a book exchange and I'd started it twice but then set it down to linger. Finally read more than the first 5 chapters and then didn't put it down until I finished at 1 a.m.! I really enjoyed it. I'm sure there will be another continuing volume and I look forward to it. I also think I would have been very happy as an Amish girl. "
— Lisa, 2/18/2014 -
" From the moment I picked up this book I was sucked into and couldn't put it down until it was finished. This was my first time reading an Amish written romance and I have to say I can't wait until I can read the rest of the books in this series. "
— Karen, 2/17/2014 -
" A wonderful book... I thoroughly enjoyed reading it!!! "
— Debbie, 2/15/2014 -
" This is an interesting premise. In 1920s, An Amish community from Ohio who has been forced to send their children to public school protests, then moves to Mexico to live, work, and farm. They learn Spanish,mix with the locals, and are harassed by dangerous bandits. The most surprising part of the book is that is based on true events! Can't wait to read book #2 to see what their outcome is. "
— Jarosik18, 2/1/2014 -
" I like historical fiction and I like amish fiction....so I really thought I would love this, since I have loved other Cramer books....but no! It was not so. It was just okay for me. I guess my expectations were a little high for this book and I ended up a little disappointed. "
— Donna, 1/19/2014 -
" Written by a Georgia author and descendant of the man who lead a group of Amish to Mexico in the 20's to escape the federal government forcing the Amish children to attend school with the non-Amish children. "
— Abby, 1/5/2014 -
" The characters were too dry and did not hold my intrest. "
— Jennifer, 12/6/2013 -
" After reading The Shunning, I was happy to find another book on the Amish. I really enjoyed this book. "
— Jill, 11/28/2013 -
" This story was historically based, according to the author's note at the end, though the characters were fictional. I enjoyed it, and I think I might see if there are any sequels. "
— Karie, 11/17/2013 -
" I absolutely love Dale's writing. This book will touch your heart. I highly recommend his work! "
— Kelly, 10/30/2013 -
" Way more interesting than I expected. "
— Nikki, 10/26/2013 -
" Who knew the Amish went to Mexico? Not me. I've read quite a few Amish books lately, but this one stands out by far. I was disappointed that I'll have to wait a bit to get my hands on the next one in the series. "
— Sara, 5/18/2013 -
" amish historical fiction set in mexico and written by a guy? hmm. more adventure than the average, that's for sure. "
— joy, 3/17/2013 -
" Loved this book & can't wait to read the next in the series. It was an entertaining historical fiction book about a group of Amish people moving to Mexico so they can continue to raise their children the way they feel is best. "
— Jennifer, 2/21/2013 -
" If you like the "Old West" and stories of the Amish, then this is the book for you. "
— Cris-Annette, 2/10/2013 -
" Not your typical "Amish" Christian novel. Historical fiction about a group who left Ohio for Mexico in the 1920s because of persecution. Not preachy. Very interesting. "
— Cheron, 6/11/2012 -
" Not a bad book. A little short on action and detail, but entertaining enough. It would be a good young adult book since it's pretty PG. "
— Lauren, 3/3/2012 -
" Very good book. I wish it would have continued on. "
— Debby, 11/8/2011 -
" Who knew the Amish went to Mexico? Not me. I've read quite a few Amish books lately, but this one stands out by far. I was disappointed that I'll have to wait a bit to get my hands on the next one in the series. "
— Sara, 10/30/2011 -
" i love amish fiction, and this did not disappoint! i could not put it down and loved every minute of it. this is my first book by dale cramer and i plan to read more! looking forward to the next tale! <br/> "
— Melanie, 10/13/2011 -
" Really enjoyed this very different tale of an Amish family that moved to Mexio to escape some unacceptance of their faith. <br/> <br/>A gentle romance but with lots of movement in the story as the family starts over again in a very different land. "
— Christine, 7/20/2011 -
" I was surprised to find that a man had written this book, and I'm anxiously awaiting the 2nd in the series. It is so well written, I really didn't want it to end. <br/> "
— Jettiep, 7/18/2011 -
" Excellent book- I can't wait for the next book in the series. "
— Shannon, 6/18/2011 -
" Much more descriptive than the previous Amish novels that I've read. I like this author and will more of his books. "
— Diana, 6/16/2011
About Robin Miles
Robin Miles, named a Golden Voice by AudioFile magazine, has twice won the prestigious Audie Award for Best Narration, an Audie Award for directing, and many Earphones Awards. Her film and television acting credits include The Last Days of Disco, Primary Colors, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, Law & Order, New York Undercover, National Geographic’s Tales from the Wild, All My Children, and One Life to Live. She regularly gives seminars to members of SAG and AFTRA actors’ unions, and in 2005 she started Narration Arts Workshop in New York City, offering audiobook recording classes and coaching. She holds a BA degree in theater studies from Yale University, an MFA in acting from the Yale School of Drama, and a certificate from the British American Drama Academy in England.