Susan's Blog: Lessons in Love by Kelly Irvin – Good, Kind and Caring Characters

Sunday, November 01, 2026

Lessons in Love by Kelly Irvin – Good, Kind and Caring Characters

Lessons in Love is Kelly Irvin’s newest book. This story is also part of The Heart of the Amish series, a collection of novels by several Amish fiction writers. It works well as a stand-alone book, and picks up some characters from the author’s other book in this series, A Daughter’s Choice.

It seems like Lenora Byler’s life has been focused on taking care of others. First her grandfather who had Alzheimer’s, then taking care of her brother and sister-in-law’s child and home. Will Lenora ever have a chance to live her own life?

When the community’s school teacher had to leave suddenly, Smicksburg’s bishop, Adam Miller, and deacon, Malcolm King, look for a suitable replacement. With her prior experience as a teacher, Lenora seems like the right person for the job, but she will have to step aside from taking care of her family. Lenora is excited for the opportunity to do that which she loves, teaching children.

When her sister-in-law has an accident, Lenora will be called back to take care of the family. Just when she hoped to build a life and family of her own. Thankfully, she will be able to do some tutoring for Malcolm’s young son who is struggling in school following his mother’s death over a year ago. Malcolm was still grieving and overwhelmed with taking care of his children as a single parent. Also, he was struggling with guilt over the accident that resulted in his wife’s death.

I enjoyed Lenora and Malcolm’s characters who were likable and caring. I appreciated Lenora’s great attitude in the circumstances that she was dealt. She cared more about others than herself. Malcom was a thoughtful, kind and caring man.

I struggled with Henrietta (Hen), Lenora’s sister-in-law. Their home seemed like chaos and the one person trying to take care of their child and home was Lenora. Hen seemed very focused on her own interests that she didn’t recognize how her choices and actions influenced and impacted others.

I liked reading Lessons in Love by Kelly Irvin and learned from the example of sacrificial service with a good attitude of Lenora. I also appreciated seeing that everyone grieves in their own way and in their own time. The novel is clean and faith is a part of the story.

If you enjoy Amish fiction, you may want to read Lessons in Love by Kelly Irvin.

I would like to thank Barbour Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a complimentary copy of Lessons in Love by Kelly Irvin. I was under no obligation to give a favorable review.

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My Colors Will Be Clear

I am a part of the fellowship of the unashamed. I have Holy Spirit power. The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I'm a disciple of His. I won't look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still.

My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, my future is secure. I'm finished and done with low living, sight seeing, smooth knees, color-less dreams, tamed visions, mundane talking, "chinchy" giving and dwarfed goals.

I no longer need position, promotions, or popularity. I don't have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded or rewarded. I now live by presence, learn by faith, walk by patience, lift by prayer, and labor by power.

My face is set, my gait is fast, my destination is heaven, my road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions few. My Guide reliable, my mission clear. I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, deluded or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of adversity, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity.

I won't give up, shut up, let up, until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid up, and preached up for the cause of the One that gave me life, drew the line in blood for me in the hour of my destiny.

I am one of Christ's remnant people. I belong to Him and none other. All I do to bring this life to another is done because of that blood covenant poured out for me.

I must go till He comes, give till I drop, preach till all know, and work till He stops me. I must share will all that one more might hear and be drawn from the flaming darkness that longs to consume. Reach for another, touch but one more!

Until that moment...He will have no problem in recognizing me- my colors will be clear!!!

Not only are the words inspiring but so is the man behind them. The above letter was written by a Pastor in Africa who was undergoing severe persecution. On the eve of his execution he sat down and wrote the above note.