After losing her husband and children to typhoid, Summer Steadman moves to the Mennonite community of Gaeddert, Kansas, to be near their graves. Widower Peter Ollenberger hires her to teach his son, in spite of censure for helping an "outsider." Will Peter marry Summer just to give his boy a mother---or does he really love her? 352 pages, softcover from Bethany.
Summer Steadman finds herself stranded in a small Mennonite town in Kansas in the late 1800’s, after her husband and four young children die of typhoid. When Summer tries to find a job in the town, widower Peter Ollenburger is the only person, it seems, who is willing to extend her any kindness. He shows up at her hotel to ask if she would stay on his property and tutor to his nine-year-old son. With no family to turn to and determined to stay near her children’s gravesites, she accepts his offer.
There seems to be no attraction between them at first, yet Peter’s neighbors are convinced they are living in sin, even threatening to cast Peter out of the community if he does not send the woman away. Peter refuses to force her to leave, gently but firmly standing up to the suspicious townspeople. Meanwhile, Summer feels deep resentment toward God for refusing to answer her pleas to save the only people in the world that she loves. Peter is determined to show her that God still loves her and has her best interests at heart.
Kim Sawyer turns in a fine writing performance with her strong, deep characters and gentle story. She uses a great depth of insight in treating her subject matter with deftness and truth. Though she is true to the feelings a bereft mother would naturally experience, at no time does the novel sink into despondence. Summer’s reluctance to trust God again, her fear of his answering “no” to all of her prayers, will resonate with anyone who has gone through a tough time.
I highly recommend this insightful story to all romance readers. It will strengthen your faith in God and leave you remembering the characters fondly, like friends with whom you would enjoy spending more time. – Melanie Dickerson, Christian Book Previews.com
Average Rating: 5 out of 5 stars(5 out of 5 stars)
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5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Teresa (Glendale, AZ), October 30, 2009
I've read several of her books. This one has to be the best so far. I especially enjoyed the way she dealt with sorrow and tragedy realistically. She didn't sugar coat it with the somewhat typical Christian view of toughing it out. Her characters felt their losses and lived through their emotions. Loved the use of scripture!
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Paige (Wellington, Fl), September 08, 2009
I fell in the love with the characters from the begining. This was a great read and the end left me wanting more. If you loved this one you need to read the sequel.
4 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Vanita (Missouri), January 22, 2009
The story was good. The author used German language for some words, but it was translated. I wish I knew this before buying, I don't care for books like that. Nothing against the book though. My mom enjoyed it, and the different language did not bother her. Took me awhile to finish the book. Overall a good story.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Elizabeth (Burnsville, NC), January 21, 2009
This is a wonderful book from start to finsh. The faith the author shows through the charcters is great, Love it.....
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Darlene Breining (Usa, MI), October 03, 2008
This was a wonderful story. I wonder what the next book is another part of this series about Summer, Peter and his son.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Susan Conrad (Terre Haute, IN), September 24, 2008
This is a wonderful, heartwarming book. Enjoyed it very much. The author uses many Bible verses , perfect for each situation.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Barbara Metzger (Algona, IA), September 18, 2008
Summer's return is an awesome book. I didn't want to put it down. It kept my interest up as each of the characters were kind and interacted with each other. Their reliance on God reinforced how we all need to seek His will in our lives. That we all need Him to find our way even now in our troubled world.
4 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Jennings Taylor (Opelika, AL), September 10, 2008
I enjoyed this book and didn't go to bed until I finished it this morning.
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