BOOK REVIEW: The Return by Suzanne Woods Fisher

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 when she's taken captive in a surprise Indian raid. During her captivity, Betsy faces brutality and hardship, but also unexpected kindness. She draws strength from native Caleb, who encourages her to find God in all circumstances. She finds herself torn between her pious upbringing and the intense new feelings this compelling man awakens within her.
Handsome and complex, Hans is greatly anguished by Betsy's captivity and turns to Tessa Bauer for comfort. Eagerly, Tessa responds, overlooking troubling signs of Hans's hunger for revenge. When Betsy is finally restored to the Amish, have things gone too far between Hans and Tessa?
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.

That moment when you are reading a book but you can't read fast enough (an it's way past bedtime so you are fighting burn-y eyes as well) but at the same time you need the book to last forever.  I just survived that moment and am trying to decide how to convince Goodreads and Amazon to make a 5+ stars rating option.  Perhaps I'm getting too ahead of myself, or yourself as the case may be.  'The Return' came up for tour with CelebrateLit and I KNEW I had to read it.  I've yet to meet a book by Suzanne Woods Fisher that I didn't adore.  The problem?  You know there's always a problem.  I'd not read the first two books in the series.  The almighty Ma to the rescue with a couple of well placed library books, and the reminder that I had the first book 'Anna's Crossing' in my Kindle library.  You don't have to read the first two books in this series to appreciate this story, it could be read as  standalone.  I don't recommend it since the series is amazing, but well ya know.

Anna and Bairn and even Felix are all grown up with families of their own now.  There's another family, the Zook's, who don't live nearby but play heavily into this story.  Hans, remember the adopted child of Dorothea and Jacob, has fallen in love with their daughter Betsy and makes regular trips to visit them.  However, the natives of the area massacre the family, steal two of their children (including Betsy) while one escapes unknown to the others and ends up with Bairn and Anna at their home.  Fisher does this amazing job of telling multiple stories within the timeline at different locations that blend so seamlessly and perfectly and 'right'.  Betsy's story of her capture.  Tessa (Bairn and Anna's daughter) and her life and unrequited love for Hans.  Felix and his intellectual laziness.  (It has to be true since Catrina said it right?)  Even some stories from 'Anna's Crossing' that come full circle. 

This cannot be the end of the series.  It can't.  I need to know what happens with Caleb (read the book already - I can't give everything away!).  I need to know what Betsy decides for her future.  What about the boys as they grow up?  'The Return' brings the story of this small church from Germany by ship to the new world and the next generation.  But it's not over yet, I refuse to believe it's over yet.  

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book by Celebrate Lit and NetGalley.  I was not compensated for this review and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.  I was not required to write a positive review.

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About Suzanne Woods Fisher

Suzanne Woods Fisher is the bestselling, award winning author of fiction and non-fiction books about the Old Order Amish for Revell Books, host of the radio-show-turned-blog Amish Wisdom, a columnist for Christian Post and Cooking & Such magazine.
Her interest in the Amish began with her grandfather, who was raised Plain. A theme in her books (her life!) is that you don’t have to “go Amish” to incorporate the principles of simple living.
Suzanne lives in California with her family and raises puppies for Guide Dogs for the Blind. To her way of thinking, you just can't life too seriously when a puppy is tearing through your house with someone's underwear in its mouth.

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BOOK REVIEW: The Newcomer by Suzanne Woods Fisher

In 1737, Anna Konig and her fellow church members stagger off a small wooden ship after ten weeks at sea, eager to start a new life in the vibrant but raw Pennsylvania frontier. On the docks of Port Philadelphia waits bishop Jacob Bauer, founder of the settlement and father to ship carpenter Bairn. It's a time of new beginnings for the reunited Bauer family, and for Anna and Bairn's shipboard romance to blossom.
But this perfect moment cannot last. As Bairn grasps the reality of what it means to be Amish in the New World--isolated, rigid with expectations, under the thumb of his domineering father--his enthusiasm evaporates. When a sea captain offers the chance to cross the ocean one more time, Bairn grabs it. Just one more crossing, he promises Anna. But will she wait for him?
When Henrik Newman joins the church just as it makes its way to the frontier, Anna is torn. He seems to be everything Bairn is not--bold, devoted, and delighted to vie for her heart. And the most dramatic difference? He is here; Bairn is not.
Far from the frontier, an unexpected turn of events weaves together the lives of Bairn, Anna, and Henrik. When a secret is revealed, which true love will emerge?

'The Newcomer' starts right where 'Anna's Crossing' left off.  Anna and the rest of her community are waiting to be cleared to leave the ship, Jacob has met them at the dock with promises of the land he has chosen.  Not all are as certain of his choice to be so far from the trade routes and civilization but he's been there a year and believes it's the best opportunity for them.  Bairn comes across an opportunity for one last trip, one last sail, and money that he thinks is desperately needed to secure a hopeful future.  Anna is torn by his decision but accepts it with the promise that he would return in the spring with her Grandparents.  Before he leaves, Bairn finds another traveler who is looking for like minded Christians who wish to separate from society and follow God's will.  Bairn brought the New Comer back to the rest of the group and hence, we have a book.

I wasn't very fond of this New Comer, Henrik, from near the beginning.  I didn't appreciate his take-over attitude.  He wasn't take charge as in find his spot in the leadership but more a my way is better.  This story is set within 3 different environments that meshed together well and the story seamlessly integrated between the different story lines.  Jacob and Dorothea left before their church, mostly so Jacob could attempt to hid how unwell he had become.  Henrik capitalized on this absence to attempt to insert his way into a leadership position.  Even going so far as to take advantage of Anna to make it happen.   Felix found a way to stow himself away on the ship with his brother.  There was an entire story within a story there by the way.  Bairn had difficult choices to make and a reckoning to deal with.  However, Felix's penchant for mischief brought that to a satisfying conclusion.  By the end all were back where they needed to be and ready to step into the next direction on their New World adventure.

Fisher, again, does an amazing job of placing you in the moment with these characters.  I felt Anna's uneasiness with Bairn leaving 'one last time'.  I felt her panic when Felix could not be found.  I felt Christian's uneasiness at trying to lead their group in the absence of the bishop and trying to find ways to move forward in a way that suited everyone.  I even found myself in Maria with her overwhelming fear.  I felt Dorothea's strength as she met new people and attempted to nurse her husband back to life.  I appreciate what they have given up to get where they are and I am desperate to finish this journey with them all.

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About Suzanne Woods Fisher

Suzanne Woods Fisher is the bestselling, award winning author of fiction and non-fiction books about the Old Order Amish for Revell Books, host of the radio-show-turned-blog Amish Wisdom, a columnist for Christian Post and Cooking & Such magazine.
Her interest in the Amish began with her grandfather, who was raised Plain. A theme in her books (her life!) is that you don’t have to “go Amish” to incorporate the principles of simple living.
Suzanne lives in California with her family and raises puppies for Guide Dogs for the Blind. To her way of thinking, you just can't life too seriously when a puppy is tearing through your house with someone's underwear in its mouth.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest | Goodreads

BOOK REVIEW: Anna's Crossing by Suzanne Woods Fisher

When Anna König first meets Bairn, the Scottish ship carpenter of the Charming Nancy, their encounter is anything but pleasant. Anna is on the ship only to ensure the safe arrival of her loved ones to the New World. Hardened by years of living at sea, Bairn resents toting these naïve farmers--dubbed "Peculiars" by deckhands--across the ocean. As delays, storms, illness, and diminishing provisions afflict crew and passengers alike, Bairn finds himself drawn to Anna's serene nature. For her part, Anna can't seem to stay below deck and far away from the aloof ship's carpenter, despite warnings.

When an act of sacrifice leaves Anna in a perilous situation, Bairn discovers he may not have left his faith as firmly in the past as he thought. But has the revelation come too late?

Amish fiction favorite Suzanne Woods Fisher brings her fans back to the beginning of Amish life in America with this fascinating glimpse into the first ocean crossing as seen through the eyes of a devout young woman and an irreverent man. Blending the worlds of Amish and historical fiction, Fisher is sure to delight her longtime fans even as she attracts new ones with her superb and always surprise-filled writing.

I can't blame my hiatus from blogging for not having read this book prior to now.  Well, perhaps I can I mean it's only been 2 years-ish since it was released.  I've somehow kept my head in the sand to have missed out on this book and ensuing series.  Thanks to CelebrateLit and the opportunity to review 'The Return' (the last book in this trilogy)  I was given a really valid excuse to go to the beginning.  'Anna's Crossing' sets the stage for what I anticipate to be a pretty amazing series.  

Anna doesn't want to travel with the rest of her community to the New World.  Her Grandparents aren't going and she doesn't wish to leave them behind knowing that she'll never see them again.  However, she's the only one who can speak English thanks to her Grandfather's teaching and his belief that language and learning are vital to lifelong success.  I never really picked up on what had become of her parents.  Once they boarded the ship however it became less about Anna and more about Bairn.  I didn't mind so much as his story was also intriguing but it was very unexpected.  I figured out what he was hiding from before it was totally revealed but I was completely OK with that.  I think that he never pieced it together before he did was somewhat surprising.  Yet I understand it.  A lot of life happened in the interim.  And most of it not pleasant.

Fisher did an amazing job of building characters that had amazing strength and integrity.  While I didn't fully grasp the backstory of their leaving for America or even the little bits that were shared in the story of how they came to be to begin with it didn't matter.  I was there as they took on the hard decisions.  As they faced their fears.  As they triumphed over it all and had the grace in difficult times to still show the strength and faith of God.  I can't wait to dive into the next book and discover what happens with Anna and Bairn as they begin life in the new world.  And as Bairn's secret comes to light.

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

About Suzanne Woods Fisher

Suzanne Woods Fisher is the bestselling, award winning author of fiction and non-fiction books about the Old Order Amish for Revell Books, host of the radio-show-turned-blog Amish Wisdom, a columnist for Christian Post and Cooking & Such magazine.
Her interest in the Amish began with her grandfather, who was raised Plain. A theme in her books (her life!) is that you don’t have to “go Amish” to incorporate the principles of simple living.
Suzanne lives in California with her family and raises puppies for Guide Dogs for the Blind. To her way of thinking, you just can't life too seriously when a puppy is tearing through your house with someone's underwear in its mouth.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest | Goodreads

SPOTLIGHT: The Return by Suzanne Woods Fisher

Click here to purchase your copy.

About the Book

Book title: The Return
Author: Suzanne Woods Fisher
Release date: Sept 1, 2017
Genre: Amish

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 ever 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.

About the Author

Suzanne Woods Fisher is an award-winning, bestselling author of more than two dozen novels, including Anna’s Crossing and The Newcomer in the Amish Beginnings series, The Bishop’s Family series, and The Inn at Eagle Hill series, as well as nonfiction books about the Amish, including Amish Peace and The Heart of the Amish. She lives in California. Learn more at www.suzannewoodsfisher.com and follow Suzanne on Twitter @suzannewfisher.

 

 

Guest Post from Suzanne Woods Fisher

The Three Sisters’ Garden: Corn, Squash & Beans!

Corn was a new food to the immigrants to the New World, introduced to them by Native Americans. Soon, it became an essential part of their daily diet, in one form or another. Growing it brought yet another new discovery: companion planting in the form of the Three Sisters’ Garden.



According to Iroquois legend, corn, squash and beans were three inseparable sisters who only grew and thrived together. 18^th century Native Americans wouldn’t have understood the science behind why companion planting worked, but they knew it did. Beans, like all legumes, have bacteria living on their roots that help them absorb nitrogen from the air and convert it to a form that plants can use. Corn, which requires a lot of nitrogen to grow, benefits from the legumes and provides a pole support for the beans to climb. Low growing squash leaves shade the soil and prevent weed growth. Their sharp and prickly leaves deter pests. This tradition, of planting corn, beans and squash in the same mounds, became a sustainable system to provide long-term soil fertility among Native American tribes that farmed.

The wisdom of planting Three Sisters’ Garden was adopted by the immigrants, including our own Betsy Zook from The Return. Betsy learned of the technique while a captive among a tribe of Indians and later, after she had been returned to the Amish, shared her knowledge with Anna and Bairn.



Have you ever considered growing a Three Sisters’ garden? All you need is the right kind of seeds, a mound of dirt in a sunny spot, and to not forget to water. Mother Nature will do the rest.

Suzanne Woods Fisher is a bestselling, award-winning author of novels about the Old Order Amish. Her interest in the Plain People began with her grandfather, who was raised as a Dunkard (German Baptist) on a farm in Pennsylvania. Suzanne loves to connect with readers! You can find her on-line at www.suzannewoodsfisher.com.

*Images courtesy of Dream Home Improvement and Technology Exchange Lab

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Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Suzanne is doing an amazing giveaway from August 1 through 14! Check it out:

Four winners will receive one of the prizes below:

• An Amish Gift Basket and a copy of The Return
• Amish popcorn sampler and a copy of The Return
• The Amish Beginning 3 book set series

One grand prize winner will receive:

• An iPad Mini

You can enter at Suzanne’s website (here) or on her Facebook page (here)