Anna's Healing

Thought Provoking Novel!

I just finished Vannetta Chapman’s latest book Anna’s Healing. The first book in her Plain and Simple Miracles series. Anna Schwartz has moved from her home in Goshen, Indiana to Cody’s Creek, Oklahoma to live with her Uncle Samuel, Aunt Erin, and her grandmother, Ruth. She is helping with the corn harvest when a tornado touches down. The horses take off and Anna is thrown from the wagon. Jacob Graber, a young Amish man who is a traveling farm worker, finds her first and saves her from the second tornado. Anna is airlifted to Tulsa where it is discovered she has suffered a spinal injury. She has a complete break in her lower spine. The doctor states that she will not be able to walk. Anna is confined to a wheelchair and the family as well as the community work on revamping her Uncle Samuel’s home to suit a wheelchair. Anna’s accident turns out to be a blessing for the family. It changes her dour Uncle Samuel and Aunt Erin. They start becoming more sociable, friendly, and a stronger faith.

Anna’s friend, Chloe Roberts is there for Anna. Chloe met Anna while writing an article on produce stands in Amish country for Mayes County Chronicle. They become friends and starting spending more time together. She also introduced Anna to her mother who is involved in making quilts for Project Linus. Anna starts making colorful little quilts for the project. Jacob and Anna grow closer during this time, but Anna does not feel that she would be a good wife. Jacob states he is willing to wait.

Nine months later after being ill for some time and everyone thinking Anna would not recover, Anna wakes up and can move her feet. She gets up and can walk. Everyone is shocked and thrilled. The doctor does a new MRI and Anna is completely recovered. The media flock to her uncle’s farm as well as people who want her to heal them. Is it a miracle? How did it happen? How will this affect Anna’s family and friends?

Anna's Healing is well-written and interesting. Is there such a thing as miracles? The prologue and epilogue are written from Chloe’s point-of-view. The rest of the book is written as third person with an overall perspective (but focuses on Anna). The book is heavy on scripture as Anna’s Mammi frequently quotes scripture and prayer. Can prayer and a strong faith make a difference? I did not enjoy Anna’s Healing as well as Vannetta Chapman’s other books. I found some things to be a little odd in the book. For instance they let Anna goes off by herself when people are trying to get her (and they have a Governor’s special task force protecting her and the farm). This book will leave with you questions and you will ponder about it after you have finished reading the book (which is what books are supposed to do). Some sections in the books were easy to read and others were more difficult (like slogging through a mud). Overall, I enjoyed Anna’s Healing, and I look forward to reading more books by Vannetta Chapman. I give Anna’s Healing 4 out of 5 stars.

I received a complimentary copy of Anna’s Healing from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.