Michigan, 1880
Annalisa Werner’s hope for a fairy tale love is over. Her husband failed her in every way and now his death has left her with few options to save the family farm. She needs a plentiful harvest. That, and a husband to help bring it in. Someone strong, dependable. That’ll be enough. A marriage for love…that’s something she’s given up on.
So her father sends a letter to his brother in the Old Country, asking him to find Annalisa a groom.
Then a man appears: Carl Richards, from their home country of Germany and a former schoolteacher–or so he says. He’s looking for work and will serve on the farm until her husband arrives.
With time running out, she accepts his help, but there’s more to this man than he’s admitting. He’s also gentle, kind, charming–unlike any man she’s ever known. But even as Carl is shining light into the darkness of her heart, she knows her true groom may arrive any day.
Jody Hedlund is an award-winning and bestselling historical fiction author. She won the 2011 Inspirational Reader's Choice Award, the 2011 Award of Excellence from the Colorado Romance Writers and was a finalist for Best Debut Novel in the 2011 ACFW Carol Awards. Currently she makes her home in central Michigan, with her husband and five busy children. She loves hearing from readers on Facebook and on her blog.
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I have now officially discovered a new historical fiction author (new to me, that is), and I cannot recommend her highly enough! I was enthralled with this book from the very beginning, and it just seems that I read this book so fast. So much happened, and I connected with this story in the way I like to connect with historical fiction. Indeed Jody Hedlund is the kind of author that truly makes me love historical fiction. The story is well-researched, and even though liberties are taken, she can back up her story with evidence.
But let's get past all that. Carl and Annaslisa are delightful characters that just jump off the page from the moment you are introduced to them. I never found thee story sappy. I had a vague idea of how the story would end, and the author added enough realism in the story to keep it true to form. I think if a guy like Carl came into my life, I would react similarly to Annaslisa. The strengt of bot characters comes through, and there are some delightfully funny portions to the story as well.
The best thing is that this is a Christian book, but it is never preachy. The characters all doubt God's existence and love, but in the end, they place their simple trust in Him. You will find nothing inappropriate, and I hope that the author writes a sequel. She certainly left the book concluded but still open to another story. I would highly recommend this book to those who love historical romances. But if you don't like romance, I think you still might like this book since the romance is quite minimal (but awfully sweet!).
I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I was not financially compensated, and all opinions are 100 percent mine.
But let's get past all that. Carl and Annaslisa are delightful characters that just jump off the page from the moment you are introduced to them. I never found thee story sappy. I had a vague idea of how the story would end, and the author added enough realism in the story to keep it true to form. I think if a guy like Carl came into my life, I would react similarly to Annaslisa. The strengt of bot characters comes through, and there are some delightfully funny portions to the story as well.
The best thing is that this is a Christian book, but it is never preachy. The characters all doubt God's existence and love, but in the end, they place their simple trust in Him. You will find nothing inappropriate, and I hope that the author writes a sequel. She certainly left the book concluded but still open to another story. I would highly recommend this book to those who love historical romances. But if you don't like romance, I think you still might like this book since the romance is quite minimal (but awfully sweet!).
I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I was not financially compensated, and all opinions are 100 percent mine.
