"The Return"
by Suzanne Woods Fisher
by Suzanne Woods Fisher
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.
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Beautiful Betsy Zook lived in an idyllic world. She never questioned her parents' rigid expectations nor that of her fiance' Hans. It was the only life she had ever known. This story was set in the 1700's when the Amish young people didn't have to face the worldly influences that the Amish of today are faced with. But they also had their dangers to face and that was the Native Americans who lived nearby. Even though the Amish only wanted to live in peace with their neighbors, the Indians didn't understand that.
One day the Zook farm is brutally attacked, the parents are killed and Betsy and her younger brother are taken captive. Betsy's faith is tested as she faces brutality and hardship while living with the Indians. She finds herself torn between her religious upbringing and the feelings which are developing for a Native American man, who encourages her to see God in all things.
But what about her beloved Hans? He has turned to Tessa, who has secretly had feelings for Hans and in fact wished Betsy to disappear. Tessa is so delighted by Hans' attention that she overlooks his feelings of anger and revenge. But if Betsy returns to the Amish will things between Hans and Tessa have gone too far?
This novel has many layers to it just as our lives have many facets. This book is based on true happenings of Pennsylvania in prerevolutionary days. It shows how our faith can be tested and how much faith and courage the early settlers needed.
I love historical novels and I had never thought about the fact that the Amish were some of the earliest settlers. You just don't think of Amish and Indians together. Suzanne has combined them both beautifully. and has given us a broader aspect of American History. I also enjoyed the fact that there was many twists and turns to the plot and it wasn't easy to tell what was going to happen next. But the most pleasing part of the whole book to me was the use of scripture and that she used the King James Bible to quote it from. I detest the use of other so called Bibles in the books I am reading.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell Publishers in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
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.
*****************************************************************************
Beautiful Betsy Zook lived in an idyllic world. She never questioned her parents' rigid expectations nor that of her fiance' Hans. It was the only life she had ever known. This story was set in the 1700's when the Amish young people didn't have to face the worldly influences that the Amish of today are faced with. But they also had their dangers to face and that was the Native Americans who lived nearby. Even though the Amish only wanted to live in peace with their neighbors, the Indians didn't understand that.
One day the Zook farm is brutally attacked, the parents are killed and Betsy and her younger brother are taken captive. Betsy's faith is tested as she faces brutality and hardship while living with the Indians. She finds herself torn between her religious upbringing and the feelings which are developing for a Native American man, who encourages her to see God in all things.
But what about her beloved Hans? He has turned to Tessa, who has secretly had feelings for Hans and in fact wished Betsy to disappear. Tessa is so delighted by Hans' attention that she overlooks his feelings of anger and revenge. But if Betsy returns to the Amish will things between Hans and Tessa have gone too far?
This novel has many layers to it just as our lives have many facets. This book is based on true happenings of Pennsylvania in prerevolutionary days. It shows how our faith can be tested and how much faith and courage the early settlers needed.
I love historical novels and I had never thought about the fact that the Amish were some of the earliest settlers. You just don't think of Amish and Indians together. Suzanne has combined them both beautifully. and has given us a broader aspect of American History. I also enjoyed the fact that there was many twists and turns to the plot and it wasn't easy to tell what was going to happen next. But the most pleasing part of the whole book to me was the use of scripture and that she used the King James Bible to quote it from. I detest the use of other so called Bibles in the books I am reading.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell Publishers in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.