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"I want you to promise you will always be my sister."
There were tears in Miriam's eyes as their foreheads touched and Rachel whispered, "No matter what. Always."
Now in its fourth year, the Amish settlement in Mexico is thriving. But as new settlers arrive, sons and daughters marry, babies are born, and crops grow thick, a storm looms on the horizon. And Caleb Bender knows--perhaps better than anyone--that the worst of storms don't come from the western skies.
They come on horseback.
When their very existence is threatened, the Amish turn to the Mexican government for help, only to discover that the rulers of men are fickle and security is an illusion. Tried by fire and riven by war, Caleb and Domingo come to understand that the kingdom of God is not to be found in land or buildings or gold or armies, but in the hearts of peaceful men trying to feed their families.
Watching helplessly as daughters Rachel, Miriam, and Emma are drawn inexorably toward their separate destinies, Caleb is forced to confront the most important decision of his life.
"Authentic characters and attention to detail recommend this third entry in a strong series (Paradise Valley; The Captive Heart), to readers of T. Davis Bunn and Gilbert Morris." -Library Journal
Anonymous
Posted May 11, 2013
APPEARANCE• Hair: Dark brown hair put up in a high ponytail held together by a light blue clasp; two strands on either side of her face held by the same two clasps. Skin: Tan; watertribe complexion. Eyes: Light piercing blue. Build: Tall, thin, and muscular. Extras: A wrap-around tatoo on her upper right arm (our left). CLOTHES• Light blue tank top with high collar and sleeves rimmed in white. Dark blue-grey baggy sweatpants and a light brown animal skin trimed in fur wrapped around her waist like a jacket. Wears a dark blue coat when cold. Has brown (slightly pointed) boots trimmed in white fur. Also has dark blue strips of cloth wrapped around her upper arms from wrist to elbow. PERSONALITY• Tough, stubborn, kind, strong, smart, goofy, brave, and immature. BENDING ELEMENTS• All four elements (air took a while, though). CRUSH• Mako. BOYFRIEND• Mako. EXTRA• The reincarnated avatar after Aang. HISTORY• Ask, and she will tell. FRIENDS• Mako, Bolin, Katara, Tenzin, Asami, Taro, Aang [and co.], Raven, etc. NOTE• If you want to talk to me or ask any questions (i don't know why you would, though), do it at result one. There's no freaking way I'm taking down this bio.
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted May 8, 2013
Ok?
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.A must read, but please read 1 & 2 in the series first.
There is much turmoil as time progresses for the Bender family and other Amish families that are living in Mexico. The bandits have chosen a time to attack the Amish and just as the last of them are entering the safety of Hacienda El Prado the federales finally show up to protect them also. Once the bandits are captured and/or killed everyone returns home. A Bishop finally arrives so people can be baptized and married, things are looking up.
After some time they find that the federales are just as bad, if not worse, than having bandits in the area. Now there is nothing they can do but give up their horses, food, hay, etc for little or no money or it will be taken from them anyway. Men get drunk, women are raped and men are beat up, all of this is after the fedearales arrive, things aren't going as well as they should be with the Bishop among them and officers of the law to protect them.
What will they do? They have lost family members in this land and if they return to America they'll never be able to visit their graves again. No one is buying land in Mexico, so the will all return broke if they decide to go. If you had to choose to leave loved ones behind and a beautiful land that has produced well for you or stay and feel like you were getting robbed by the government what would you do?
I felt that this book held my attention even more than the first two in the series and since I read before going to sleep, I found myself dreaming about things that were happening in this chapter of the Bender family's life. I definitely recommend this series, it's not your run of the mill Amish storyline.
Thank you to Bethany House for providing this book for review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255
sunshineJB
Posted March 23, 2013
A Series I Won't Soon Forget!
This conclusion to the series, The Daughters Of Caleb Bender, will stay with me for awhile. I feel like I need to just sit and let it all sink in. This book is a real page turner and was so full of emotion right down to the last page.
If you are looking for a feel good book where everything is predictable and blah...this isn't the book for you. If you are looking for a book that will take you through every emotion of your being...this is for you. I laughed, I cried, I felt anger rising in me as I read about some horrible injustice taking place. I admire the author as he did not hold back anything as he described several horrifying scenes in this book.
The family of Caleb Bender will go through many hardships and heartbreak while living in Mexico. You, as the reader, will go through their many hardships and heartbreak with them. Will love conquer all? Will this family be able to forgive others as well as each other? Will their trust and faith in God leave them?
If you haven't read Paradise Valley and The Captive Heart, the first two books in this series, I urge you to do so. This last book, Though Mountains Fall, will have more meaning to you.
Thank you Dale Cramer for a series I will not soon forget. I hope that someday you will write a follow-up book that will tell us what happened to the Bender family after this book. I for one would like to know!
Anonymous
Posted March 15, 2013
This story is definitely worth reading along with the other two in the series. The books are well written and can easily stand on their own. You will get more out of the overall plot if you start with the first one, Paradise Valley. The suspense, heart wrenching moments, and bright spots kept me hooked. I read a review that mentioned they were disappointed with the setting description. The story had enough description for the overall feel of the environment. The novel was focused on the characters and theme, which were fleshed out well. I look forward to reading more of Dale Cramer's books. He did an exceptional job with this series.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.ASimplyEnchantedLife
Posted February 12, 2013
I had never read anything by this author but I do love historical fiction and Amish fiction so I thought I would give this book a try. Though I had not read the first two books; I was not at all lost and was able to follow along perfectly as a standalone novel. This book was well written but I didn’t enjoy it as much as I thought I would. It has nothing to do with the author or the writing and more to do with the fact that I just didn’t find the setting to be all that interesting. Perhaps I should have realized it would have a western feel to it since it is set in Mexico but I guess I just wasn’t able to fall in love with the area in the book. I would definitely read other books by this author though so please don’t take my lackluster rating as a damper on any decisions to read books by this author.
About the story:
Caleb Bender has taken his family to Mexico so that they have the freedom to school their children and further separate themselves from the world. I believe at this time that the state was closing down the one-room Amish schoolhouses or that they were not allowed to privately school their children. Someone can correct me if I am wrong on this but around that time there was a settlement that formed in Mexico but it later failed due to the conditions of their government at the time.
In this story we certainly see the tumultuous times that were plaguing Mexico. There was confusion over the church and the ability to coexist with the newly elected president and this was evident in this story. The Amish are a peaceful people and the Benders wished only to be left alone by the bandits and also the law men who were often as corrupt as the bandits.
Things were not easy for the Benders and circumstances seem to force Caleb to return to Ohio with his friends and family. The Lord has a lesson to teach though and Caleb must listen and to learn that sometimes our failures in life also serve a purpose.
As I said earlier, I thought the story was well written, I just couldn’t fall in love with the characters. There was something missing, something soft, nothing major. I can’t quite put my finger on it. I really struggled knowing how to rate this book. One part of me wanted to give it a 5 star rating for being well written but in the end I had to take my feelings into consideration as well and I just didn’t connect with these particular characters. As I said though, I will not be ruling out this author. I will be picking up more of his works in the future. This one just wasn’t a good fit for me.
I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.cinnamon16
Posted February 11, 2013
Great book. I loved the setting of Mexico. I also loved the trials of trying to start over in another country.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted February 9, 2013
I had a very difficult time getting truly into this book. I had high hopes for it, considering it was based upon the Amish, however the setting, Mexico really through off my thought process. That in addition to the style of writing. It never really pulled me in.
Instead, I spent my time, once initially reading thoroughly the first few chapters, skimming the rest of the book. Just to get to the end.
I received a complimentary copy of this book THOUGH MOUNTAINS FALL by Bethany House.
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Deal_Sharing_Aunt
Posted February 7, 2013
I really enjoyed this book. It is inspired by actual events, and takes place in Mexico. There is a new Amish settlement, and it is thriving. Caleb Bender brought his family for a better life and to live the Amish way. Caleb has already lost 2 of his sons, he is not ready to lose any more of his children. However what Caleb did not plan on was Mexican outlaws coming to his settlement to burn it down. Caleb also did not plan on the only Bishop willing to come to Mexico seeing the devastation of the bandits. Caleb daughter also falls in love with a Mexican, which normally she would be shunned by the Amish for. Does Caleb lose another child to shunning? Will the Bandits succeed in ruining the settlement? New babies will be born, but what will become of their families? Does Caleb agree with how the Mexican Government punishes the law breakers?
I really like Amish romances, and this book has so much more than that. It has history and family dynamics. Interlaced is a beautiful love story of losing everything you hold dear to follow your heart. I also really enjoyed the father daughter plot line and how much love their is between a father and daughter. I also want to mention that I liked Caleb's wife! She reminded me of the mom in Pride and Prejudice and that made me laugh! I definitely recommend this book to anyone that likes to read stories about loving family dynamics, or anyone that likes to read about Mexican history.
I was given a copy to read from Bethany House for the purpose of this review, However all opinions are my own!
Anonymous
Posted February 3, 2013
I received a copy of THOUGH MOUNTAINS FALL by Dale Cramer from Bethany House. It is the third book in the Daughters of Caleb Bender series. Overall, I have very mixed feelings about the novel. I haven’t read any other books by Dale Cramer, and I’m not sure I’ll seek them out, although if one does fall into my hands, I’ll give it a try.
There were aspects of THOUGH MOUNTAINS FALL that I loved. For one thing, Dale Cramer based the series on his own ancestors. That is a huge plus for me. For another thing, it involves an Amish community in Mexico, something I’d never heard about before – definitely another plus. For those of you who follow my reading habits, you know Amish fiction is a favorite (there are many Amish families in my town, so I enjoy understanding their perspectives). I recommend this series to anyone else who enjoys learning about the Amish just because it takes place in Mexico, setting it apart from other Amish series.
There were some things I didn’t like: mainly, the writing style. Everyone has a different preference, and I just couldn’t get into the story. The characters were interesting, but there were too many adverbs and not enough descriptions to hold my interest. The characters also seemed to blend together as I read. No one had a distinct personality, at least in my opinion. I know other people will feel differently about those aspects, so nonetheless, I recommend this book. I will continue to read Amish books and this one will remain on my list of novels to discuss with other fans of Amish fiction.
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.tish-a
Posted February 3, 2013
A great ending to The Caleb's Benders Daughters Series. A great Amish trilogy I got a couple of this book to review from Bethany House with no obligations to write a good review. I loved it the third book had no disappointments. Its a great story of a group of Amish that started a settlement in the mountains of mexico. It shows all the struggles the family had with the different cultures. This was my first series to read of Dale Cramer and it will not be my last
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.GodBlessAmericaJB
Posted January 29, 2013
I was very surprised to see that Though Mountains Fall by Dale Cramer, Book 3 in the Daughters of Calab Bender series was set in Mexico. I have not read the two previous books in the series, but after reading this one will be reading those as well. This title can easily stand on its own though. The other two book in the series are, Paradise Valley – The Daughters of Caleb Bender – Book 1 and The Captive Heart – The Daughters of Caleb Bender – Book 2. The characters in Though Mountains Fall were well developed and even though I at times wished the Amish community would fight to protect themselves, I understood that is not the Amish way. I enjoyed learning more about the Amish culture in the 1925 time period. This book is based on an actual Amish settlement in Mexico during that time.
This book is full of adventure and would be a great read for male readers out there also. This was the
first book by Dale I have read and I did not realize at first that it was a male author. I usually don't
read fiction books by men, but Dale has changed my mind on that score. I recommend reading the full series. Hats off to you Dale, this one is a winner.I give this book a 4 out of 5 stars.
I received this book from Net Galley and Bethany House Publishers for my honest review.
Anonymous
Posted January 17, 2013
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Anonymous
Posted May 6, 2013
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Anonymous
Posted March 30, 2013
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Posted April 17, 2013
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Overview
"I want you to promise you will always be my sister."
There were tears in Miriam's eyes as their foreheads touched and Rachel whispered, "No matter what. Always."
Now in its fourth year, the Amish settlement in Mexico is thriving. But as new settlers arrive, sons and daughters ...