Friday, February 19, 2016

Hannah's Choice

GIVEAWAY

DREXLER, JAN
HANNAH'S CHOICE

When love and family conflict, will she listen to her head...or her heart?

Hannah Yodder loves her quiet life on the banks of Conestoga Creek. In 1842, this corner of Lancaster County is settled and peaceful -- yet problems lurk beneath the placid façade. Hannah strives to be the one person who can bind the threads of her family together in spite of her father's worries, her mother's depression, and her sister's rebellious ways. But her world threatens to unravel.

When two young men seek her hand in marriage -- one offering the home she craves and the other promising the adventure of following God's call west -- Hannah must make a choice. Will she stay true to the faith of her family or defy her father and abandon her community?

My Review:

Heart engaged.
Tears shed.
Mourning period begun.

Truly, my heart hasn't quite settled yet. I was so immersed in Hannah's story that I think I worried years off my life before she finally made her choice. (Awesome title tie-in, by the way.) In fact, I have never been so tempted to sneak a peek at the last few pages of a book. I was desperate to find out Hannah's choice and at the same time dreading that ultimate revelation. And that's because Drexler has fleshed out these characters to breath-taking proportions. I came to care for all of them, including both suitors so my heart is slightly crushed right now. This author should be reported for cruelty to readers. :-)

Love the mix of Amish and Historical and the author does an amazing job of bringing that rich history to life. Funny to think that the Pennsylvania Amish of 1842 worried about the encroaching world threatening their way of life just as much as their 21st century counterparts. I was also thrilled to find an underground railroad story woven into this read. Lots of scope for conflict and battles of conscience right there. More for Hannah to struggle with as she stretches and grows in her faith.

And speaking of struggling -- hello -- two suitors that would lead her in two different directions. A family suffering with a brokenness only God can heal...if the individuals are willing. And Hannah in the centre of it all trying to be everything to everybody while following her own faith journey. Riveting stuff.

A compelling read that's sure to thrill both Amish and Historical Fiction readers.

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. in exchange for my honest review.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of  Hannah's Choice please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you post a comment and add your email address, please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in the address to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so that it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday February 21 2016 . Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

24 comments:

  1. Fabulous review, Kav! How could I not want to read this? Historical Amish AND two suitors?? Normally when a book has two suitors one is so unlikeable that you know the outcome, but I so love unpredictable. I read a book recently where the heroine didn't pick my choice. I loved both guys (but one a little more) so I had to make the choice for her and she didn't even listen to me. LOL! Thanks for the opportunity to win this and to become acquainted with an author I haven't read before!

    dianalflowers(at)aol(dot)com

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    1. I know and those two suitors represent a completely different future both viable for Hannah, depending choice. Argh. And this is Jan's debut with Bethany House but she's written three Love Inspired Historicals -- two historical Amish. She's an awesome author. Good luck, Diana.

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  2. Add her name to my to read list. kamundsen44ATyahooDOTcom.

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  3. I haven't read any of Jan Drexler's books. I'm always ready for an Amish book so looking forward to this.
    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

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    1. Me too -- and I love the extra kick of it being historical. Good luck, rubynreba.

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  4. I haven't read this author yet but that's about to change. Thanks for the amazing review. This one might have to move to the top of my list of must reads.
    pwestfall7 at hotmail dot com

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    1. Yeppers it belongs right on the very top. Good luck, Pam.

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  5. I've read such great things about this book! From your review, I will love it for all the things you've listed. Depth of character, emotionally engaging, and the messy angst of choosing between two loves. I'm sure there would be times when I would want to steer Hannah one way only for her to go another, and having to shake my head! I LOVE when an author plunges me into the vast ocean of FEELING, oftentimes bruising my heart only to mend it with an even better ending.

    Yep, sounds like the perfect afternoon getaway in this story!

    teamob4 (at) gmail (dot) com

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    1. Beautifully said, Trixi. And yes -- who needs a holiday when you can getaway with a good book for an afternoon? Good luck!

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  6. Love, love, love Amish books! I haven't read a book by this author, so I'm interested in trying it. Thanks.
    susanlulu@yahoo.com

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  7. Amish books are some of the best! Thank you for sharing, Kav!

    mauback55 at gmail dot com

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  8. I love both Amish and historical fiction. This sounds like a heart tugging read for sure. Thanks for the great review Kav.
    marypopmom (at) yahoo (dot) com

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    1. Heart smooshing more like. LOL Good luck, Maryann.

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  9. I would love to win a copy of this book, love Amish stories and Jan's books are excellent.

    wfnren at aol dot com

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  10. Kav, you write the best reviews! You even made me want to go back and read the book again. :)

    Thank you so much!

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    1. LOL -- perhaps I have inspired you to write suitor #2's happily ever after? Bwahahaha!

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  11. Sounds like a great book!
    samanthabis23 at gmail dot com

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  12. Jan will be a new author to me ~ would like to read Hannah's Choice. Thanks for offering. Kathleen ~ Lane Hill House lanehillhouse[at]centurylink[dot]net

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  13. Good luck Samantha and Kathleen. About to do the draw.

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  14. Sounds like a good book and your review of it was great! Here's hoping to be a winner!
    anne at rightler dot com

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