This final book of the Amish Beginnings series was a satisfying read. It stretched and challenged me - tragic violence, tender emotions, suspense, humor, history - it covered all the bases! I enjoyed seeing what had become of some of my favorite characters from the previous two novels: Bairn and Anna had a lively daughter, Tessa; impetuous Felix was now a widower with twin sons (just as wild as their dad). But the new characters were equally interesting: orphaned Betsy Zook and her brothers; Hans, the handsome and eligible blacksmith; diamond-in-the-rough, Rumpled Martin; many Indians from various tribes, but especially the half-blood, Caleb. Somehow Suzanne Woods Fisher gets just the right voice for each of her folks, and their personalities shine clearly in this historical Amish setting.

One major theme in this book is prejudice, and how everyone has unexamined assumptions about other people. Differences between Europeans and Indians, Mennonites and Amish, Amish and "Englisch," even the roles of men and women - every character is challenged to reconsider the motives behind their thoughts and actions. Betsy Zook is the best illustration of this as she begins the book as an obedient Amish daughter who is forced to live as an Indian adoptee. Her time in the wilderness shows her another way to look at time and people and the material world. I found this very refreshing, and wish there was a fourth book to show how this is worked out in her adult life after her return to the Amish community.

Another central theme is sacrificial love. We see this in Bairn's service to Christ and his church as bishop; Anna's gentle generosity and hospitality; Mrs. Zook's final admonishions to her children; Caleb's costly gifts to Betsy, and his always wanting what is best for her at his expense; even Hans' final act of unexpected kindness. It was humbling to think how each of these people chose love over selfishness - a timeless lesson.

The hardships of pre-revolutionary life are displayed by Fisher's careful research and prose, yet the rich lives of her characters make her readers almost envy them in their simple lives. This is a great series for any reader who loves Amish OR historical fiction, and as good as the first two books were, the third is a perfect culmination. I love Fisher's dedication of centuries of Amish life in Stoney Ridge.

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.

The Return is Historical Fiction at its finest! Suzanne Woods Fisher used true events once again as inspiration to create the third book of her Amish Beginnings series. It includes many characters from the start of the series, along with new ones. The Return is the story of two young women, Tessa Bauer and Besty Zook, discovering where they belong and to whom.

Suzanne adds a few twists to this story I didn't see coming. She does a great job describing all the people, the land, and their way of life. Felix Bauer is still one of my favorite characters in the series. He was a lot of fun as a youngster and twenty-five years later as a dad he still brings a smile to my face when I read about him. The one thing that really stood out to me was that the way we see people probably is not who they truly are. We need to look at everyone the way God sees them, not through our rose-colored glasses or our prejudices. I don't think you need to have read the first two books in the series to fully enjoy The Return. Though I do recommend reading them because they are very good! I also feel you don't have to be an Amish Fiction fan to enjoy this historical tale. I was provided a complimentary review copy of this book. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.

Tuesday, August 15, 2017

The Return by Suzanne Woods Fisher, 2017

Amish Beginnings series, Book 3

My Review:

I enjoyed this novel very much because it was true to historical events we might not be aware of in detail. So well written, the days opened and closed awaiting the next day. The story surrounds three brothers and their families continuing from the first two books. This may be read as a standalone, but you will enjoy the background in Suzanne Woods Fisher's Anna's Crossing, of Amish coming to the New World, and settling in Penn's Woods in The Newcomer.

The beginnings of Stoney Ridge. I especially liked how each character's skill fit into the daily life of the whole. Community. Revolving around each other and fulfilled, because they did not stand alone. They were aided by Indian families nearby when they came; learning about the Three Sisters ~ beans, corn, and squash and the merging of their qualities.

The beans fed the soil for the corn, and the squash vines provided shade for the roots of the corn.

The Return, 241

I think of corn as a main staple for its many uses. All three interwoven to protect and nourish the whole.

Very synonymous with our lives. We need each other. Not separate, merging skills and prayers.

(1762-1764.) This story begins twenty-five years later than the last book in the series. There is encroaching into the Indians' hunting lands set aside by treaty early in the 1700s designating borders for settler lands.

With the ensuing dangers brought on by both sides, threatened existence caused changed lives. Though taken as an exchange, Betsy Zook finds she is cared for in place of another. Revolts continued as those ensuring peace come against agitators proclaiming warring forces.

***Thank you to Revell Reads for sending a print copy of Suzanne Woods Fisher's The Return. This review was written in my own words. No other compensation was received.***

I also enjoyed this e-book, which is the 3rd in the series. The author is really a good writer and story teller