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 pre-revolutionary Pennsylvania through the eyes of two young, determined, and faith-filled women.
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| The Return by Suzanne Woods Fisher – Book Review – Images Used with Permission via Celebrate Lit |
*I received The Return by Suzanne Woods Fisher in exchange for my honest review.
The Return by Suzanne Woods Fisher
About the Book
Book title: The ReturnAuthor: 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.
My Opinion of The Return
I’m a huge fan of Amish romance novels. I can’t put them down. When I agreed to read and review The Return by Suzanne Woods Fisher, I expected the typical Amish romance novel. The Return was very different. I didn’t know it is the third book in a series called Amish Beginnings.
I had no idea it is considered historical fiction, inspired by true
events. You’ll recognize colonial historical figures mentioned in the
book, intertwined into the lives of the characters. I have always
enjoyed colonial history, but I never thought I would learn so much
about this time period in an Amish novel. I learned more about the
relationships between certain Indian tribes and the settlers of the
era. I learned more about the role John Elder played in that time
period. I didn’t know much about the Conestoga Indians or the famous
Conestoga wagon until I read The Return. When you read this book, you’re likely to learn some new facts about colonial history while you enjoy the story.
The Return keeps you interested in the development of several
love stories at the same time. You’ll expect some stories to follow the
paths they do, but you might be surprised at the direction of others.
This Amish story is not the typical Amish romance but it is well worth the read. You can get your copy here.
About the Author
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Guest Post by 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. 18th 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.
Blog Stops
August 1: Quiet Quilter
August 1: A Baker’s Perspective
August 1: Remembrancy
August 2: Bigreadersite
August 2: lighthouse academy
August 2: Zerina Blossom’s Books
August 3: Genesis 5020
August 3: Book by Book
August 3: Blogging With Carol
August 4: Seasons of Opportunities
August 4: Chas Ray’s Book Nerd Corner
August 4: Carpe Diem
August 5: DEE’S QUILTS & BOOKS
August 5: Jeanette’s Thoughts
August 6: Artistic Nobody
August 6: Just the Write Escape
August 6: Locks, Hooks and Books
August 7: A Reader’s Brain
August 7: Pause for Tales
August 7: Splashes of Joy
August 8: Bibliophile Reviews
August 8: Christian Bookaholic
August 8: Live.Love.Read.
August 9: Blossoms and Blessings
August 9: Mary Hake
August 9: Simple Harvest Reads (Spotlight)
August 10: For the Love of Books
August 10: The Fizzy Pop Collection
August 10: A Simply Enchanted Life
August 11: The Power of Words
August 11: Karen Sue Hadley
August 11: Neverending Stories
August 12: Cafinated Reads
August 12: AbundantFamilyLiving
August 12: Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations
August 13: God’s Little Bookworm
August 13: Southern Gal Loves to Read
August 13: Connie’s History Classroom
August 14: Vicky Sluiter
August 14: By The Book
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 (http://suzannewoodsfisher.com/contests/) or on her Facebook page (http://gvwy.io/q1kb9u4)
Images in this post are used with permission via Celebrate Lit. Bloggers.
