The Rose Garden — Murray Pura

Rose Lantz is overjoyed with her life. Her Amish family has a lovely farm in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, she has a good friend in Lydia Beiler who loves to quilt with her, her faith in God is strong and her Amish community warm and supportive, and she is engaged to be married to a handsome young man. But she came to the American Colonies when she was 10 and can still remember the persecution the Amish people fled in Germany. So when Lydia is accused of witchcraft by those outside the Amish community she is quick to help her friend's lawyer and speak up on behalf of Lydia during the trial. But her passionate defence of Lydia draws attention to her and soon it is Rose who is facing charges of being a witch. The charges sound so convincing that friends and family turn away from her. Even her fiancé breaks off his engagement. Soon Rose is on her own to face her accusers with no one to help but God. And one brave young man she had never paid any attention to before.

Murray Pura was born and raised in the Mennonite country of southern Manitoba. He began writing at an early age and his first story was published in a US Christian magazine when he was 16. Since that time Murray has published more than a dozen books and has been the recipient of a number of writing awards. His works include the Amish American novels A Bride's Flight From Virginia City, Montana; The Wings of Morning; and The Face of Heaven. A pastor for 25 years, Murray currently lives and writes in southern Alberta.