The Captive Heart is the second book in the Daughters of Caleb Bender series. This book continues the story of the Bender family and their Amish community in Paradise Valley, Mexico. The Amish community is growing as more families make the journey to Mexico. Miriam Bender has feelings for Domingo, the Mexican hired hand. Her father is pushing her towards Micah, a young Amish man whose family has come to Mexico. Miriam is torn between her feelings for Domingo and her family and religion. Though the book focuses on Miriam the book keeps the reader up to date on the other members of the Bender family. As in the first book there is a lot going on. There is plenty to keep the reader entertained. There is illness, triumph, romance and those pesky bandits are still creating all sorts of trouble. I gave this book four stars instead of five because of a plot twist. I won't mention what it is and spoil the book as others may enjoy it but I just didn't find it enjoyable and (sorry to say this) thought it dragged on a little too long. But other than this I really enjoyed the book and would recommend it to readers of the first book. A good sequel. Strange to have a male author for an Amish/Christian Fiction book. But, because it has a male author there is more suspense and more action to his books. The bandits are back and causing a lot more trouble. The families get in real trouble. Will some choose to go against their beliefs because of love?? Fight because of love? Love someone outside their Amish beliefs? Love is complicated. I really enjoyed this book and read it in less than a week. I have the next book in the series ready to go, on my desk, but may not be able to read it soon because of a friend coming to visit. So, I am putting off starting it because once I start I will want to read it to the finish and I don't have time for that.As with the first book I would not recommend this series to young unmarried girls. There is just to much darkness in it. I would not give this series to my unmarried adult daughters to read, I don't think they would like it. But I liked it a lot, for myself.
What do You think about The Captive Heart (2012)?
Very exciting. Hard to put down. So I read it in one day.
—anarasumanara
Another great book by this author and in this series.
—monca
Lots of emotion and internal struggles. Loved it!
—new4mans
The sequel to "Paradise Valley". Worth the read!
—Shanro
