THE RETURN by Suzanne Woods Fisher

THE RETURN
Amish Beginnings
Book Three
by
Suzanne Woods Fisher

DUE TO BE RELEASED AUGUST 1, 2017

• Number: B01N98WSMW
• Release: August 1, 2017
• Author: Suzanne Woods Fisher
• Availability: E-Book
• Genre: Romance
• Tags: * Rom: Historical, * Rom: Inspirational, Amish
• Publisher: Revell

AMAZON PREORDER LINK

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.
  -from Night Owl Reviews


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.

Suzanne can be found on-line at: www.suzannewoodsfisher.com


MY THOUGHTS

Betsy Zook was raised in a strict environment and her beau was Hans. Hans adored Betsy. she never doubted the way she was being raised.  But things changed.   There is an Indian raid and Betsy is taken captive.   While she is being held against her will, she is mistreated at times and at times extreme kindness was given to her.  Living with the Indians was very hard and Betsy wasn't used to this kind of lifestyle.  One of the natives, Caleb is extremely strong and has a lot of faith.  Betsy finds she gets encouragement to face her struggles through her faith.  Betsy is struggling with her rigid upbringing and she now finds that she is attracted to Caleb.  While she is being held captive, Hans turns to another woman for comfort.  Instead of this woman turning the other way, she  goes on with the relationship.   After a time, Betsy gets to go back to her Amish family but have things changed?  Of course, Hans has turned to another woman and Betsy has feelings for Caleb.

The author gives the reader a look through the eyes of Tess and Betsy, each strong willed, and believe in their faith.  I had a little doubt about Hans and Tessa's faith, though.  The author shows how even though taken into a totally different way of living, if you hold on to your faith, you can survive and keep some peace about you.    The reader sees two different women who have two different ways of dealing with their strength.   The story flowed nicely and I felt the characters were described so that you could somewhat relate to them.  It would be hard to imagine, though, an Amish girl being held captive by Indians.  Such a different lifestyle that Betsy wasn't even aware of.   She had been sheltered in a way, but her faith took her through those hard times.  Will anything come of her and Caleb's relationship?  What about Hans, Tessa and Betsy?  Is Hans going to be a thing of the past for Betsy after she finds out about Tessa?  Or will her Amish upbringing forgive and forget his transgressions?   A nice good clean read that shows how faith can bring you through hardships.  I liked this book since it was a rather different look on the Amish.  An Amish girl living among the Indians, you don't see books like that.   A refreshing different read.

I received a copy of this book from the author and Night Owl Reviews in exchange for my voluntary review.

I would give this book 4 STARS.