Mattie Zook is the determined heroine of this lovely romance, unabashed by being sent to stay with Amish quiltmaker and expectant mother Esther Kiem as a family punishment. THE AMISH QUILTMAKER’S UNCONVENTIONAL NIECE acted contrary to the self-effacing, humble rule of her faith. She dared to sue a man who was dumping garbage on her family farm. Now packed off to Byler in dry, dusty Colorado, Mattie goes one better.

A local town councilman Bill Isom has created an ordinance against horses and buggies using the main streets of town. This makes life very difficult for the Amish people, who need to do business, visit, shop or attend church. The Pennsylvania girl Mattie is on her rumspringa or running-around time before she commits to her faith, so she can speak out, and state that she will run for council. Unlike local young man Freeman Sensenig, who is recruited by his two sisters and a local Englisch lady to be Mattie’s campaign manager. Freeman is a potato farmer, and he resents Mattie’s unconsidered remarks about Colorado being arid, dull, and giving her altitude sickness. Sure, Byler is small. But it’s his town.

Cathy Larsen is another fabulous character, a senior lady who gets along with most people and doesn’t care if she offends the rest. Cathy is the vehicle for much of the plot, because Mattie simply does not understand how a political campaign is run, how to make flyers or raise funding, or anything else. The adult Amish do not vote. Cathy is no paragon because she has to fall back on a young relative to get a working computer. But like most young people here, Cathy has a smartphone and she’s not afraid to use it.

I had just finished reading a dystopian novel set in Colorado’s dust-filled future, so this gentle and humour-filled light romance was the perfect antidote. Jennifer Beckstrand always comes up with some original way of representing the Amish community, and this tale will mean more if you have read several Amish novels already. Her earlier series Matchmakers of Huckleberry Hill and The Honeybee Sisters are amusing and involving. THE AMISH QUILTMAKER’S UNCONVENTIONAL NIECE continues the stories built around Amish Quiltmakers with Esther Kiem, who fusses and frets over each new development, but comes out of events surprisingly well. Pick up the threads and enjoy, and remember to value your vote.

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