The Return

GIVEAWAY

FISHER, SUZANNE WOODS
THE RETURN

In a wild country, the true cost of love may be more than they can bear.

Beautiful and winsome, Betsy Zook never questioned her family's rigid expectations, nor those of devoted Hans -- but then she never had to. Not until the night she's taken captive in a surprise Indian raid. Facing brutality and hardship, Betsy finds herself torn between her pious upbringing and the feelings she's developing for a native man who encourages her to see God in all circumstances.

Greatly anguished by Betsy's captivity, Hans turns to Tessa Bauer for comfort. She responds eagerly, overlooking troubling signs of Hans's hunger for revenge. But if Betsy is restored to the Amish, will things between Hans and Tessa have gone too far?

Inspired by true events, this deeply layered novel gives a glimpse into the tumultuous days of prerevolutionary Pennsylvania through the eyes of two young, determined, and faith-filled women.

My Review:

The Return is Book Three in the Amish Beginnings series and though it reads perfectly fine as a standalone, readers who have been following this series will be thrilled to recognize some beloved faces among the characters in Stoney Ridge circa 1762. In particular Felix, that mischievous bundle of energy that exasperated all the adults and provided so much entertainment for readers in previous books, is now a grown man with sons of his own. He's even a deacon! But there are still glimpses of the rascally boy in thought and deed. I think I loved those bits the best.

Anna and Bairn are in their forties, parents of a teen-aged daughter. Their happily ever after hasn't gone as smoothly as I imagined at the end of The Newcomer, but they are just as in love as ever -- more really, as their love has deepened through shared experiences -- hardship and pain, joy and sorrow. I loved being a party to their mature love.

Despite the blurb on the back of the book, I really feel that this is largely Tessa's story. (Anna and Bairn's daughter.) We get a lot of her point of view, as well as Betsy's and several others. Fisher has interwoven layers of individual stories that ultimately come together in an astounding way.

"What life does to you depends on what life finds in you." (p. 109)  plays out brilliantly in the lives of these early settlers as they face challenges, danger and ultimately truth in a tumultuous period of America's history. A wonderful mix of laughter and tears and tons of fascinating history make for a riveting read.

Book provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications Inc.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of The Return leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you add your email to a comment remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and .  in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please add the title to the subject line so it's easier for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday September 3 2017. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!