Monday, August 28, 2017

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!

57 comments:

  1. Glad it is able to be read as a stand alone. I only have Book #1 (ebook), not #2 yet though.
    Thanks, all of Suzanne's Books always sound great. Thanks for sharing it with us and for the giveaway. :)
    iamabho (AT) gmail (DOT) com

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    1. Yes -- check Trixi's comment. She hasn't read the first two and she had no problem with this one. Glad I was right about that. :-) Good luck, Linda.

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    2. Yes I seen that 😃
      I'll have to check and see if I can borrow book #2 also
      Thank You 😄👍

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  2. I read this one but hadn't read the first two. I thought it stood well on it's own, and I think one of the reasons is it is set 25 years in the future. It did, however, make me want to go back and read the two I missed to find out more about these characters I grew to love! Especially Anna & Bairn :-) I hope to do that soon.

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    1. Glad you chimed in about that, Trixi. And yes, you definitely want to backtrack and read the first two books. Such engaging characters. And the historical details are so fascinating.

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    2. I do have Anna's crossing in paperback and can borrow The Newcomer from Overdrive. It's just a matter of when. I have so many review books that I don't often get to read for fun.

      I also feel Suzanne gave enough back story so I didn't get confused or lost. She also put character names on the front page for reference. It really helped me, but I felt it could do well as a stand alone :-)

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  3. Sounds intriguing. Include me, please, Kav!

    ckbarker at gmail dot com

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  4. I have books #1 and #2 and was waiting for this one...then read them all! Thanks for your review and giveaway, Kav!!
    jacsmi75 at gmail dot com

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    1. Oh, you're one of those readers -- the kind with the fortitude to wait until the entire series is out before reading. I could not do that if my life depended upon it. LOL Good luck, Jackie.

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  5. Getting to ready to read this book.

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  6. Sounds amazing! Thank you for the giveaway.

    melodybissonnette AT gmail DOT com

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  7. I would love to read this one,for sure! It sounds great!mauback55 at gmail dot com

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  8. It has been awhile since I read one of Suzanne's books and would love to win a copy of this one.
    gobersATembarqmailDOTcom

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    1. Great time to start reading her again, VanG. Good luck.

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  9. I recently read one of her books and was enthralled. I have found a new author I love.
    quilting dash lady at Comcast dot net

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    1. She knows how to make a reader feel a part of the story. Good luck, Lori.

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  10. I've been wanting to read THE RETURN
    since I first read about it. Thanks for the review and the opportunity to win a copy!
    2clowns at arkansas dot net

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  11. I'd love to read this book! The review pulls you in the story.............I love reading about this time period.
    THE RETURN
    susanlulu(at)yahoo(dot)com

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    1. And the history is so compelling in this story but so easy to read. Good luck, Susan.

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  12. I have the first two, so fingers crossed for this one. Thank you for the chance.
    leliamae54(at)aol(dot)com

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    1. Yes, you need the complete set. Good luck, Lucy.

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  13. Kav,
    Of the series this was my least favorite.The first was my favorite.

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    1. Ooohhh...interesting, Deanne. I found the Indian aspect really fascinating as well as the overall history. I'm not sure if I can pick a favourite out of the three but, I agree, the first book was stellar.

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  14. would love to win!
    nelstammy76 at gmail dot com

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  15. This sounds fascinating, please include me! I am intrigued by how God is seen even in the lives of those who don't know Him. Thanks!

    drumb at att dot net

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  16. I can't wait to read this series. Thanks for your thoughtful review, Kav. My TBR list just expanded to a second college ruled notebook and I'm giving up housework.! 😂

    Dblaser(at)windstream(dot)net

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    1. That's the spirit, Diane!!!! LOL -- I'll join you in reader solidarity -- books come before housework! Good luck, Diane.

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  17. My sister and I were talking about Suzanne's books just this evening! And now I see a giveaway for one of her books. Cool!

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  18. Oh yes, a must have book!!!! Thank you for the chance to win one of Suzanne's books, love them.

    wfnren at aol dot com

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  19. Great review! Every time I read reviews on this book, it makes me want to read it more! Please enter me! I would love to win a copy of this book! Thanks for the opportunity!
    jtabalk(at)hotmail(dot)com

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    1. It has rave reviews, doesn't it? And it deserves every one of them. Good luck, Tiffany.

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  20. Thank you for the review and chsnce to win. I know I would like this, but my grandma would enjoy it if I passed it along to her as well.
    LLWaltz [at] gmail [dot] com

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    1. Oohh -- sharing the reading love -- I like that! And the fact that you and your gran have the same taste in reading. How fun! Good luck, Laura.

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  21. I've been looking forward to this book! Can't wait to get a chance to read it!
    Elly -Indiana-

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    1. Hope you get a chance soon, Elly. Good luck.

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  22. Looks interesting. Thank you. Read the first one.
    teshawATsbcglobalDOTnet

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  23. I neeeed this final book!! Okay, maybe I don't "need" it, but I really want it. :-)
    Thanks, Kav. Glad you enjoyed it.

    tlhcoupon(at)Hotmail(dot)com

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    1. Nah -- I think you really need it. :-) Good luck, Terrill.

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  24. Sounds really really interesting. I have the first book and need to add this one to my wish list along with the second book. Thanks for the review.
    kmgervais(at)nycap(dot)rr(dot)com

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    1. I love the combination of Amish and historical. Gives a different perspective to history. Good luck, Karen.

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  25. I have never read anything by this authoress, but I really should!

    Count me in, please.

    janka(dot)halcinova(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. Oooh -- have we converted you to Amish fiction, Janka? Suzanne Woods Fisher is definitely one you want to read. Good luck.

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  26. I love this Amish series! Looking forward to this one!
    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

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  27. I have been so busy keeping up with Hurricane Harvey (as have cousin and husband's nephew in two different impacted areas) that I have neglected fun things such as educational book blogs and reviews! Were lucky, with limited issues. Thinking of the era and setting of this book, and I love history, one really reflects on the differences in our lives...our ancestors canned and smoked and otherwise preserved food to have and they made do with candles and lanterns. I always enjoy her books and particularly this setting. Thanks! dixiedobie at yahoo dot com

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    1. I've been watching the coverage up here in Canada and it's just...I don't think there are adequate words. And, of course, I immediately thought about libraries and wondered how many were affected and what rebuilding them will look like. I've read some dystopian survival type of stories recently and they remind me of what the people in Texas and Louisiana are going through right now. I think we could all use some of those pioneering skills for times such as this. Good luck, CC.

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