Return to Paradise

GIVEAWAY

CAMERON, BARBARA
RETURN TO PARADISE

Twelve months ago, David Stoltzfus left the Amish community in Paradise, Pennsylvania—and encouraged his siblings to follow—after their father became overly stern and even abusive with them. Escaping to a new life in the Englisch world was the only way to keep one another safe. But it was not without sacrifice. When David left his father’s house and community, he also left behind Lavina Zook, the woman he planned to wed.

Lavina hasn’t forgiven David for abandoning her, but when David’s father is diagnosed with cancer, she believes she might be the only one to lure him back to make peace . . . before it’s too late. Still, forgiveness isn’t easy. Even if she can get David to return, she’s not sure he will forgive his father. And she’s not sure she can forgive David, either.

My Review:

A promising beginning to Barbara Cameron's new Coming Home series. Full of angst and heartache, these characters are in for struggles of epic proportion which serves to make this a truly absorbing read.

In an interesting twist, it's David who faces abuse at home. Feeling trapped by the narrow restrictions of his Amish community he can't see any way out except...well...out into the Englisch world. And there he lives in a kind of no man's land -- not quite Amish and not quite Englisch -- feeling as displaced as any refugee.

Lavina bears the burden of David's rejection. It is the ultimate betrayal and she is left to face the community alone. She's spent a year coming to grips with her new reality -- chasing away all the happy memories she and David once shared. It's been a hard journey but she hopes the end is in sight. And then David comes home and all those feelings she thought she'd buried come swirling to the surface again.

Complicated doesn't begin to describe their renewed relationship. They both must battle bitterness and blame before they can open their hearts to the freedom forgiveness brings. Cameron does an amazing job of digging deep into the psyche of both hero and heroine. I didn't just read this book -- I felt my way through it. And she's nicely set up the next two books...at least I hope I'm right about that and who the heroes and heroines will be. :-)

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

 If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of  Return to Paradise 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 August 28 2016. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!