The Way to a Man's Heart

Miller Family #3

by Mary Ellis

Mary Ellis (A Widow's Hope and Never Far from Home) concludes her bestselling The Miller Family series with another engaging story set in Holmes County, Ohio.

Leah Miller is living her dream come true as she invests in a newly restored diner that caters to locals rather than tourists. Can Jonah Byler convince this shy, quiet young woman that she should leave her adoring fans and cook only for him?

Leah's sister, Emma, is trying to adapt to married life as New Order Amish along with her husband, James, who gave up his Englischer ways to make Emma his bride. Will his commitment to Emma and to God stand firm when temptations from his past come to call?

Ellis offers readers another captivating novel filled with strong characters and a loving look at how faith in God and connection with family can fill to overflowing an open, waiting heart.

Genres: Amish, Amish Fiction, Christian Fiction, Romance, Fiction, Christian, Adult

296 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2010

About the author

Mary Ellis is a former schoolteacher turned USA Today bestselling author who’s written twenty-six novels including Amish fiction, historical romance, and suspense. Her first mystery, Midnight on the Mississippi, was a finalist for the RT Magazine’s Reviewer’s Choice Award and a finalist for the Daphne du Maurier Award. Her latest book is One for the Road from the Bourbon Tour Mysteries from Severn House. One Hundred Proof Murder releases August 31, 2021. Her latest Amish novella is Missing at Amazon Kindle. She enjoys gardening and bicycling and lives in Ohio with her husband and dog. www.maryellis.net or www.facebook.com/Mary.Ellis.Author

Reviews

[C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm Thrilled To Be Able To Say That Not All "Amish-Themed" Books Are Alike!

The Way To A Man's Heart- Book#3 of The Miller Family Series. I am so happy to say that I consider all three books in this series to be 5-star reads!

I really love the sense of continuation in each book,because of the way this author includes characters from the previous books and develops them even more. We really come to care for them and are excited to see what's is happening with them now. I enjoyed the update on Leah's sister Emma and her Englischer husband James.

Leah's experience with the diner offered some good lessons for the young and/or those inexperienced with starting a business,and about business partners.

Then we get to see if things will work out for Leah and Jonah or not.

I highly recommend this Amish romance.

[DJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes! It just keeps getting better and better!

I don’t know how Mary Ellis writes such true-to-life Amish fiction, but she does a superb job!

The characters in this series aren’t just centering on romance — or young love. Indeed, I have cried along with Julia, who suffers from rheumatoid arthritis. When she finally couldn’t handle the increasing pain, she and Simon knew they could count on their children to handle things at home, while she underwent surgery and rehabilitation.

Simon, Julia’s husband, has been prominent in each book, not only as a deacon in the community, but as a husband coping with his wife’s debilitating disease, and a father advising his children when they’ve come to him with their troubles.

I don’t know if it’s harder being the child of a deacon or bishop, but it makes sense that everyone in the community would be watching to see how the elders in the church are teaching their own children. When Emma falls in love with an Englischer, Simon isn’t pleased. Read Never Far From Home for Emma’s story…

Nor is he happy when Leah, his youngest daughter, receives a subpoena to appear in district court to answer charges for the crime of tax fraud. It seems that Leah has let pride and vanity into her life, allowing her to make some very bad decisions. Now all her savings is gone and her name — and even her reputation — may be ruined.

I loved reading about Julia and Simon’s sons, Matt and Henry, and how they continue to seek their father’s guidance, while behaving in a grown-up manner and taking responsibility for their lives.

I’m not going to say much more about this story… you can read The Way to a Man’s Heart and enjoy the story without reading the others, but there’s so much more depth if you take time to read this series in order.

Join me in reading about Julia and Simon, Hannah and Seth, and their children… as well as many characters from their community and the surrounding area.

Now I’m on to book 4… An Amish Family Reunion — it’s time to lose myself in Holmes County, Ohio… one last time.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Title: THE WAY TO A MAN’S HEART
Author: Mary Ellis
Publisher: Harvest House Publishers
July 2010
ISBN: 978-0-7369-2734-5
Genre: Inspirational/Amish

Leah Miller makes the best pies in her district and has been selling them at auction and at a grocery store for awhile. She had her eyes on a pair of abandoned train cars for years, and when she notices activity there, she stops and investigates. The owner is there and instead of being annoyed at Leah snooping, instead she offers her a job as a waitress/cook.

Leah is thrilled at her new opportunity, and she is introduced to many English and Amish patrons. All of them love Leah’s pies, and Leah is flattered when the owner changes the name to “Leah’s Home Cooking” and offers Leah a partnership.

Leah soon finds several Amish men vying for her attention, and she isn’t quite sure how to handle all the attention. Will she be able to discern God’s will, both for her future husband and career? Especially when things start falling down around her?

THE WAY TO A MAN’S HEART is book three in Ms. Ellis’ The Miller Family Series but it easily stands alone. I didn’t have the privilege of reading book one in the series, but started with book 2, and I have to say that I totally loved this last book in the series (not because it concludes the series).

Leah is a very realistic heroine, young and confused, and trying to live out her dream yet maintain her Amish upbringing. All the characters in this book are very well-developed, making me care for them, and what happens to them.

There’s a lot of food referred to in this book, so the author includes some yummy sounding recipes at the end of the book, some of which I might be forced to try. Discussion questions are also included, making this idea for a book club. Don’t miss THE WAY TO A MAN’S HEART. $13.99. 297 pages.

[Dorrice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it. The plot is a little complex but not too much so. The story showcases a loving family which does not mean the children do exactly as they please. In an Amish household that does not happen. The children in this story are adults or close to it, the oldest daughter being already married. The others, still at home, turn to their parents for counseling (most of the time anyway) and for permission to do social things that an "English" family would not require by the time their young people were at that age. And when permission is denied there isn't any pouting or fussing, at least in this loving family. In the end the two who are of marriageable age get paired up with the love of their lives. And the youngest has not quite arrived at that point yet.

The characters are well developed and the plot though complex is easy to follow. I am about to read the next book in the series, and hope to find the characters in this book in the next one as well.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Have you ever gotten yourself into a situation that seems to just 'run away' with you and you can't quite do anything to stop it? I feel like that's the kind of situation Leah gets into at the diner. She's not exactly sure what's going on, and it seems like things are always happening 'TO' her.
I'm glad she finally does learn to step out in faith and acts for herself rather than just letting things happen around her. This was a nice way to end the Miller Family trilogy.
(3.5 stars)

[Sandee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed the continuing story of Emma and Leah, two sisters who wanted different things in life, but most of all family and their faith. They go through trials and errors, each seeing things they could change, and still keep to their Amish beliefs. I really like Mary Ellis's writing, and her characters, and looking forward to more of her books in the future. They're really good reading!

[Janice · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this on my Kindle

I enjoyed this one in the series it jumps a few years from the last book & some of the not in the 2nd didn't get told to well in to the book i won't say what so not to spoil it

This one is about Leah She is Naive & trouble is brewing, you will enjoy this one & if you like cooking there some nice recipes at the end of this book

[Griz Girl · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book struggled a little more than the first 2 in the series, but was still a fantastic story! Leah & Jonah both have some big hurdles to overcome, and overcome them they do!

I will have to order book 4 in this series--it's definitely must-read! I'm hooked on her Winesburg, OH Amish folk...I need more!

[Christine Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

The third book in the Miller Family series, this was a nice change with the addition of some much more in depth cultural moments that reminded me of other things I have read (non-fiction) from the Amish community. The very human mistakes that are made are a relief when it comes to an end. I enjoyed this relaxing read.

[David Richardson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not the most exciting book I have ever read but it is heartwarming at points as well as a little slow here and there. It's part of a series so I'm not getting the whole picture. Do you believe in happy endings?

[Kendra Neal · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW! WOW! WOW!! This was book 3 in the series and it was AMAZING!! I do hope there is another book in the series in the future because the book ended with so many "cliff hangers" to the plot of the story!! LOVED this book and the entire series!

[Brynna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unfortunately. I just couldn't get interested in this book. Even at over halfway through, I was wishing it would be over so I could start a new one. I guess the storyline, and having to follow so many different characters, just wasn't my style.

[Lisa Crenshaw · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the third book in a series on Amish women and their family. The story was slow at times and adversity was resolved too easily and simply. Overall a good book but the first definitely held my attention the best.

[Arlena Flanders · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a very nicell and heartwarming read. Some wonderful messages and lessons. Definitely not the greatest book I have ever read, but nonetheless it was a very nice read. I would definitely recommend it.

[Susan Collins]

It was a nice read into the ways & life of Amish life.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Last of a three part series. I enjoyed reading all three of them!

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

great book the title fits the story line

[Lydia · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet story that I really enjoyed.

[Robyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this one as I did the first 2. I actually liked this one more than I liked the second but the first was the best so far. Can't wait to begin reading the 4th one.

[Louise E. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I look forward to reading the last book in the series.

[Callula · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first read by Mary Ellis! I really enjoyed the fun, loving characters she created! I hope to read more of her books in the future!!

[Laurene]

Enjoy Mary Ellis style of writing.

[ANNETTE · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this story about Emma and Leah. I love the way Mary Ellis captures strong characters and holds the interest through out the story.

[Anne Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This third book in the Miller series focused on Leah. Leah is brought back to the run down railroad cars she was thinking about in the last book that would make a really nice restaurant she would like to own someday. Lo and behold, she meets April Lambright, a Mennonite who is renting the place to make it a diner. Since April’s sister can’t help her much longer, Leah has no problem agreeing to help since this is her dream of making food and desserts. Things seem to be going great with the diner until April’s disastrous financial situation is found out. Leah has to take responsibility as well since she agreed to become partner in the business. Things work out after going to court and it’s a lesson learned for Leah. Leah also meets the man who will become her husband, Jonah Byler.
Matthew Miller continues to work with horses. He tells his boss, Mr. Macintosh, about an employee giving a horse something with a hypodermic needle. Matthew even quits this job because of this incident. But soon not only is Matthew hired back, he also starts his own business to train horses and buys the horses from an auction that will be put down since they weren’t sold. Not only is he becoming successful, he will be courting the girl he has had his eyes on for a while, Martha.
Emma and James Davis are married and living on the Davis’ farm. Emma is having a hard time living with her in-laws and understanding the New Order Amish. James also has adjustments coming from being English. But once their new house is built they will be able to move out and start having children.

[Maggie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Leah Miller comes across an old train car on her way home and goes over to investigate. Peeking inside she overhears a conversation between two sisters and finds they are opening this train car as a diner. Leah gets offered a job with cooking and baking and the place gets off to a good start. Life goes on serving to the community and then the unthinkable happens. This is a feel good, slow paced novel that is a delight to read. It offers a great insight into the Amish way of life. I really enjoyed it.

[Larisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book #3 I. series, and it was fun getting to know Leah, the youngest daughter, better. Like all of us, she has let pride and vanity into her life which leads her to make some very bad decisions.


The Way to a Man’s Heart can be enjoyed as a stand alone book without reading the others, but there’s so much more depth if you take time to read this series in order!

[Lisa Lawrence · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yes, another Amish romance... but a good one!

[Gail · Rating 5 out of 5]

The third Miller Family saga is a wonderful warm Amish Book. The characters are well developed and I came to like them very much and miss them when the book ended

[Lorraine Shaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great Amish book.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inspirational romance. Amish.