From USA Today bestselling author Jennifer Spredemann comes a powerful love story you won't soon forget!An unlikely friendship could change everything.
Joseph Bender was shunned by his Amish community when he was a teenager. Living on the streets since then has him convinced he’s finished with God and the Amish—until he meets kindhearted Anna Smucker.
Anna only followed her conscience when helping the homeless man, despite the cautious warning from her Amish beau. What she didn’t expect was the way the vagabond invaded her thoughts afterward.
While their friendship grows, so does the resistance from others in her life. Can Joe rediscover his faith in God and overcome his painful past to embrace a life of love?
A Secret Encounter is a heartwarming story of friendship, compassion, and romance with delightful twists and turns on the way to a satisfying happy ending.
Books in this Unforgivable SecretA Secret EncounterA Secret of the HeartAn Undeniable SecretA Secret SacrificeA Secret of the SoulA Secret ChristmasPublisher's story is between 200-300 pages and can stand aloneReader Discussion Guides are available upon request through the author's website
Jennifer (aka J.E.B.) Spredemann seeks to pen compelling stories that captivate readers and bring glory to GOD. She has authored two dozen Amish fiction titles in her can't-put-down writing style, two of which have won awards and topped Amazon’s bestseller lists. She resides in Indiana Amish Country with her family on a former Amish farm where the documentary Breaking the Silence was filmed. "...Spredemann weaves a thread of love and intrigue into a quilt of faith and values." - reader review
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I love this book it drew you in . It felt like you were right in the town with them, on the farm or in the shop helping the customers. I am glad someone got caught in their sneaky ways and the punishment he got and that true love and faith worked it all out .
A Secret Encounter" by J.E.B. Spredemann is book two in the Amish Secrets series. It was a great story and I loved it but I liked "An Unforgivable Secret" better! "A Secret Encounter is about 2 homeless men who are helped by An Amish woman named Annie.
Joe and Harvey are two homeless men that Annie has taken to bring food to because of a chance encounter while out with her boyfriend Aaron. From that time on Joe and Annie have a pull toward each other. Aaron is being pressured to get married from his father and he wants Annie because of her looks.
Joe and Harvey are invited to stay in the barn of Annie's grandmother's farm because Harvey becomes sick and Joe tries to help them save the farm but is he really the good guy or is he a thief and a liar as Aaron says.
Joe is an Amish man but he was shunned in his teens! The reason will be explained in later chapters but the reason will have you not agreeing with the Bishop's decision. These books pull at the reader's heartstrings and you will want to cheer for the heroes who do the right thing.
I had to keep reading to see which version of Joe was the real one, the one he portrayed or the one Aaron tried to make people believed he was!
Joe did have a past but sometimes the past isn't alway a true account of things!
I believe any reader that likes a clean love story, yes this book is of the Amish genre but I find it to be more of a love story, will like this story.
Make sure to read the part in the back of the book to find out how this story come to be and how you can help homeless people.
I was given a pdf copy by the author for my honest review and it is receiving five stars!
I am looking forward to reading Book 3 "A Secret of the Heart " .
I received this book in an "Audible" format. I loved it. It was a really interesting read. I loved the fact that I could just plug in my earphones and listen as I went to and from work and relax and just enjoy this book. I really loved the very unique and different storyline of this book. Not like so many others that I have read. This one was different and so very interesting.
Anna Smucker is the female heroine of the story who takes on a personal calling to help two down-on-their luck street men. Not your ordinary Amish tale. The book is about more than just one Secret encounter, but you will have to read or listen to the book to find out what those are.
I enjoyed how the author incorporated some very good scriptures which fit so wonderfully in the plot format. It really was touching and moving at times. The author also talks about her "Project Vagabond" and explains how she wants to help those less fortunate in a safe yet caring manner. I think she has some great ideas and is very compassionate.
The narrator, Lisa Larsen, did an excellent job of telling the tale with lots of expression to add interest to the book and the characters that were portrayed.
This is definitely a 5 star book that readers of Amish fiction will enjoy very much. The Audible version was a really nice bonus!
Disclosure: I was given an Audible copy of this book from the author for my honest review which I have given.
What do quilts, an old barn, online marketing, some missing money, and a homeless man have in common? Pick up a copy of A Secret Encounter and see how this author can combine those things to bring about a touching story that reminds us that we are an extension of God’s love. I enjoyed the fearlessness of Anna. She was confident of God’s call and His protection. I like the way the author incorporates scripture into the story and how she sometimes uses the least likely of the characters to make some of her strongest points. The plan of salvation is simply demonstrated within the story making understanding clear and uncomplicated. I would recommend this book to those who love Amish fiction and to someone who is looking for a story that is sure to touch your heart.
“A Secret Encounter,” the second book in the series, Amish Secrets, by J.E.B. Spredemann is a must read!
Anna Smucker passes Joseph (Joe) Bender, a homeless man, on the street one day. He’s piqued her curiosity and she feels that God is leading her to take lunches to Joe and his friend every day in the alley. Joe and Anna become friends quickly.
What happened in Joe’s life? Will Anna and his relationship continue to blossom? Aaron, who wants to marry Anna, will do anything he can to make sure Joe is out of Anna’s life, even if that means uncovering Joe’s past.
I would highly recommend reading this book. The author does a great job bringing the characters to life. You feel like you are right there with them, cheering them on! You won’t want to miss this one!
The author does it again!! Super storyline and message about trusting in God.
This is a must read for anyone who enjoys Amish fiction. It's also a great reminder that we need to trust in God and his will for our lives. Very clear message about salvation.
The characters in the story are well developed and likeable.
I didn't think I could like this novel better than the first in the series, by this author, but I was wrong. I highly recommend both books.
I received an audio version of A Secret Encounter from the author in exchange for an honest review. Thank you J.
This book was a great read. Some of it was a tad predictable, but at the same time had a bit of suspense mixed in with the romance. This is a book that I would definitely read again. I thank you J.E.B. for the privilege of reading it. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes or loves reading stories about the Amish. Now I would like to back-track and read the first book in this series.
This was another different one having read the first book in this series i read this one very quickly as i wanted to know what happens
The author does write so people are not all you expect in that some even being Amish are not nice i can recommend this one also the previous book in this series, would say that it best to read the 1st one first or you know what happens to one person if you read this one 1st
This is the second book in J.E.B. Spredemann's Amish Secrets series and I have enjoyed each immensely. These books are very different than the typical Amish romance and A Secret Encounter even more so as it deals with the Swartzentruber Amish and the dramatic differences between them and even the Old Order Amish. Ms. Spredemann treated it very respectfully while pointing out the differences. And it was a lovely romance story as well - thoroughly enjoyable.
I really enjoyed the first book in the series, and this one is another good one from this author. It is a story that addresses the plight of the homeless in a very touching and compassionate way and is a wonderful story of God's love and forgiveness. It was another story about the Amish community that pulled me in from the first pages and kept me reading until I finished it. I definitely recommend it and I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
I love J.E.B. books they are wonderful. I have read I think about all of them and they never disappoint. I really like they all have a Godly message in them. shows God's grace , mercy and forgiveness. Joseph and Anna meet again, but Joseph has been shunned can they get back together after all these years? I think this book is more for adult read. Mainly because of the topic of what goes on in the story. Great read though.
Amish Secrets is about a young who helper two homeless men. She gets more than she bargained for. You need to read this. Want to read the full series. God and the plan of salvation ..
Anna befriends 2 homeless men as she takes lunch to them daily. The story also delves into differense in 2 Amish sects. Very interesting reading . Different than other Amish stories,
This book affected my soul and heart. The scripture used in the book and analogous to explain them fantastic. I'd never heard of project vagabond before but I've done similar acts and friend s and family worry but I get this overwhelming urge saying buy an extra meal or item and when you see the person who needs it, I'll know. Think about this you see regularly a homeless person on corner with a sign, I happen to ha e b ought more fast food that I need I give my meal to the "vagabond" at the corner not money and they are grateful.
I like J.E.B. Spredemann books. You always get a complete book with interesting characters. There were two things (for me) that kept this at 4 stars.
(1) Too many characters crying or tearing. It seemed in every scene someone would do one or the other if not both. After awhile it meant nothing.
BUT OF A SPOILER IN (2). . . . (2) The protagonist male even thinking about marriage when he had no permanent job, no home and two steps from living in an alley--again.
A secret Encounter by J.E.B. Spredemann is book 2 in the Amish Secrets series and I can’t say enough good about this book. I started it and finished it in one day, I just could not put it down. As with all Jennifer Spredemann books you are quickly pulled into a wonderful story with characters that feel like close friends that you have known for ages. Anna and Joe’s story will warm your heart and remind you that we all must look past that first appearance and see others as we would want to be seen. I highly suggest this book.
What a sweet and wonderfully written Amish story that will speak to readers hearts.
The characters come to life so beautifully. Anna Smucker lives with her sweet mammi on the family farm. She works for Linda at the local fabric shop. Aaron, her friend wants to court her.
Anna shows true compassion and kindness to homeless Joseph Fisher and Harvey, a Vietnam veteran.
Important life lessons are learned and a beautiful faith message is woven into the story. A not to be missed story for Amish fiction readers.
Anna starts out feeding lunch to Joe and Harvey the two homeless men in the alley near where she works at the fabric store. Her fiance' Aaron does not like them or the fact that she show compassion. Are they a true match? What secrets does Joe harbor? Why does he seen so comfortable around Amish folk?
I loved this book! Captured my interest right away. I loved Joe, Anna, Linda and Harvey the main characters. I felt sorry for Aaron, he tried in all the wrong ways to win Anna. I loved Anna's big heart in helping those less fortunate even though she and her grandmother were struggling. Wonderful, wonderful book!!!
Joseph Bender has been shunned by his Amish community and is living on the streets. Anna Smucker works in town at one of the stores and notices that Joe is living in the ally. She starts leaving food for him. Where does the relationship go from there? Or does it go anywhere since Anna already has a boyfriend?
This is an awesome story. Joe and Harvey has gone through so much and still accepted God in their life. Joe was a little lost at first ,until he met Anna. Then life was great for him towards the end of the story. It helps us to accept God in our life even when life is not so great.I love happy endings.
I enjoyed this book so muck. The characters were and great people with one exception. You will know which when you read this book! It covers several topics that need to be brought to our attention! One is @the homeless” and the second is “abuse” whether physical or sexual. Sweet story!
I chose the headline because this book shows how love can happen in many ways. Anna noticed and cared for Joe and Harv when noone else noticed them. The characters are believable and you won't want to put the book down. God's love and forgiveness is interweaved throughout the book which will also touch you.
This book deals with a few things that most of us have never had to experience. I’m thankful to be one of those people. That being said, I am all too aware of how bad life can hit some. Even with all this, I did enjoy the book. Was happy with how each person learned valuable lessons. Also how one’s faith will carry them through.
I enjoy books by this author. I liked the characters in this story and thought the lessons learned were realistic ones. Both Anna and Joe had secrets to hide - I liked seeing this story come to its conclusion.