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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.
My Review:
"The Return" by Suzanne Woods Fisher is the third book in the (Amish Beginnings) series. Of the three books I think it was my least favorite just because of things that happened in the book. The book is Amish and Mennonite fiction but is written about the time in history when Indians and the White people were fighting over the land.This book has scenes that are that common with the massacres that we are all aware of that happened during the time "The Return" is written about. Don't let that stop you from reading this book. It isn't too graphic and the things that she writes about happened.
Suzanne Woods Fisher writes in a way that the reader really feels what the characters feel and she writes in a way that we the reader has a glance into their personal thoughts, isn't that why most of us read so that we can escape into someone else's life without being accused of being nosy or crowding into someone's personal space.
There are characters in this book that keeps you liking and then disliking all the way through the story. I really liked how Hans changed toward the end but enough about him before I give a spoil alert. I will say that Hans wasn't a tropical Amish man in this novel, but I think that is why the book was so interesting to read.
I understand why the ending was the way it was but I personally wanted a different ending.
The book could probably be enjoyed as a standalone if you're not like me and don't have to read an entire series, but I recommend reading all three books in this series to get the full picture because " The Return" does mention the boat and the rose and some of the character's actions from the previous books.
Yes, I really liked "The Return" but the book ends with a not all together happy ending but then again life isn't always happy even in fiction and would we even want it be? I think if everything ended on a happy note we might get bored with reading because we would know how the story would end, no surprise, I think I would prefer a not so happy ending once in a while to keep me guessing.
This book is about forgiveness and love and growing as a person and learning to overcome your troubles and live the best with the situation you are in.
I am giving "The Return" by Suzanne Woods Fisher five stars.
I was given a complimentary copy by the author and Celebrate Lit. These opinions are my own.
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. 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.
*Images courtesy of Dream Home Improvement and Technology Exchange Lab
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: TinaTruelove
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)
I loved your review. I like how you share what you like/don't like in a clear an sincere way. The best part of all your review is you don't talk about the plot but things in the book that grabbed your attention. Great job.
ReplyDeleteGreat review. It's on my to read list.
ReplyDeleteGreat job, Debbie. I enjoyed your review.
ReplyDeletethanks!
DeleteI would have liked happier ending too! :)
ReplyDeleteI know but things like this happens!
ReplyDelete