Jamesport, Missouri, early 1980s.
Betsie Hershberger's whole world is her little Amish village and her small family. The youngest of four sisters, she is the apple of their eye, and privy to all their secrets.
When the circus comes to town, Betsie's overactive imagination risks getting her eldest sister in trouble, and harming an innocent friend.

Sarah Hershberger is responsible for her sisters since their mother's death. Her father, Leroy, relies on her to keep track of the house and his willful daughters while he works on the farm, but Sarah fears this dependence will leave no room for her to make a family of her own. Proving this fear well founded, Leroy detests the only man Sarah loves and forbids marriage.

Will Betsie save the day? Will Sarah convince her father to grant her the love she seeks? Or will the sisters end up in more trouble than they bargained for?

The Heart of Innocence is the first book in the Amish Hearts series (the prequel to the Amish Sisters series). Each book is a stand-alone read, but to make the most of the series you should consider reading them in order.