Review: Rosemary Opens Her Heart by Naomi King

Book Details:
Rosemary Opens Her Heart
By Naomi King
Genre: Christian Fiction
Published November 2012, New American Library
Paperback, 279 pages
ISBN: 9780451237972

Synopsis:

          Another spring reminds the Amish of Cedar Creek, Missouri, that for everything there is a season.
Zanna Lambright is finally marrying Jonny Ropp, and friends and family have come from far and wide to celebrate. Among them is young widow Rosemary Yutzy, mother of toddler Katie, whose husband was tragically killed last fall. With a willing heart Rosemary has taken over care of her in-law’s family and continued to run a baked goods business from home, but privately she still mourns her lost Joe...and is unprepared for the changes that are coming...
Rosemary’s father-in-law wants to merge his lamb-raising business with Matt Lambright’s—a move that will require the Yutzys to relocate from their nearby town to Cedar Creek. Moreover, it will bring Rosemary into constant contact with Matt, who is making no secret of his romantic interest in her. The challenges of contemplating a future unlike any she expected are overwhelming for Rosemary. And although Matt is strong and kind, his courtship is so persistent, she often wants to run the other way. As Rosemary struggles to see beyond her immediate joys and sorrows, will she embrace the outpouring of welcome and support from the people of Cedar Creek...and accept this new chance to open her heart to a more abundant life?

When the question of Abby's maidel status was not fully answered for in the first book in the "Home at Cedar Creek" series, I looked forward to the next book by Naomi King, and she did not disappoint. Abby and James picked up quite easily early on in the book, and their close age and maturity allowed them to fit together like it was always meant to be, even if their relationship does not take center stage in this sequel.
Rosemary is the new character that has been introduced, a young widow and mother from another town whom Matt Lambright immediately and eagerly takes a romantic interest in. Matt's pursuit of her is both sweet and entertaining, though I can't help feeling a bit sorry for Emma, James' sister, who has had an interest in Matt for some time. As a widow, Rosemary is understandably weary of any man attempting to replace her late Joe Yutzy in both her heart and her young daughter's heart, but her own family's gentle encouragement and support influence her in the right direction.
In addition to the budding relationships, the need for a new preacher in Cedar Creek also creates some havoc for the town of Cedar Creek, but opens the door for a minor character to answer to a higher calling.
I find the Amish lifestyles fascinating everytime I read books like this, for their simplicity and spirituality, as well as their appreciation for family and good food. Thank you Naomi King for another wonderful read!

The Cover: This is a lovely cover that highlights the main character of this book in the series well.

First Line: "Matt Lambright slipped out of the stream of nearly two hundred wedding guests who were filing out of the house and into the front yard after his aunt Zanna's marriage to Jonny Ropp."

*I received this book free of charge from the publisher for review purposes.*