Kim Vogel Sawyer has become one of my favorite authors. I just love her writing style. She really draws the reader into the character... their thoughts, actions and emotions. And she paints wonderfully vivid word pictures in her books... not only of the settings, but of the various characters and of situations or scenes.
Summer Steadman travelled west with her husband and children to start a new life, but not the one that has been thrust upon her. Before reaching Oklahoma, Summer's husband and children all succumb to Typhoid Fever and she finds herself alone in a German Mennonite community in Kansas. Summer is angry.... at herself for ever mentioning travelling west to her husband... and at God for taking everyone she loved from her. And she is scared. What does the future hold for her?
Peter Ollenburg lost his lovely Elsa on the boat to America. Still he and their son, Thomas, moved forward along with Peter's grandmother. They have made a home for themselves in Gaddert among their people. Following an injury, Thomas is required to remain home to heal and his schooling is falling behind. Peter hears of Summer and that she is a learned woman. He decides that God has brought them together to solve 2 problems. Summer will live on his land and eat at his table in exchange for tutoring Thomas until he is well.
Such a simple idea turns into a scandal among the towns' people who fear anyone different than themselves. But Peter stands firm knowing that in the eyes of God he is doing what is right.
Along the way Summer learns a lot about faith... and she finds herself among the ashes of her life. She learns how to have joy in the midst of pain and how to open one's heart to love again.
Wonderful book! And there is a sequel coming. Can't wait to read it!
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