Gentle and unassuming, Hope Kauffman has never been one to question the traditions of her Mennonite upbringing. She quietly helps her father run Kingdom Quilts and has agreed to the betrothal he arranged for her with the devout but shy Ebbie Miller.
Despite the attempts of Hope and other Kingdom residents to maintain the status quo, changes have already begun to stir in the small Mennonite town. The handsome and charismatic Jonathon Wiese is the leader of the move to reform, while Ebbie insists Kingdom must remain true to its foundation. When Hope’s safety is threatened by a mysterious outsider, she can’t help but question what she’s always been taught about the Mennonite tradition of nonviolence.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
All of Nancy’s novels have an added touch – something for your spirit as well as your soul. “I welcome the opportunity to share my faith through my writing,” Nancy says. “It’s a part of me and of everything I think or do. God is number one in my life. I wouldn’t be writing at all if I didn’t believe that this is what He’s called me to do. I hope everyone who reads my books will walk away with the most important message I can give them: God is good, and He loves you more than you can imagine. He has a good plan especially for your life, and there is nothing you can’t overcome with His help.”
You can find out more about Nancy by visiting her Web site at: www.nancymehl.com. She also is active on the Suspense Sisters: www.suspensesisters.blogspot.com and on FaceBook!
This is Nancy Mehl’s second installment in this Mennonite series, but I have to admit that I did not enjoy this book as much as I had hoped. Don’t get me wrong–she still had the suspense, the romance, and the wonderful celebration of the Mennonite faith. But I was not nearly as drawn into this book as I was the first.
Like the first, it began rather slowly, but the romance story and the unsettling suspense did capture my attention. I was not as interested in Hope as I had been Lizzie (glad Lizzie was still in this one), but I did wonder whom she would marry. All I will say is that Hope did not disappoint me. No spoilers as to the romance outcome.
One thing I had appreciated in the first book was the way in which the Christian faith had been woven so expertly into the story. For me, that was not nearly as strong in this book. Yes, the Christian message was there, but I didn’t feel it was as focused.
Not to be completely critical, I will say it followed the normal form of the first book. It started off slowly and it escalated to a high within the last portion of the book. The charm of the Mennonite community was expertly captured in this fine book, but I much prefer the first book’s story to this one. Just my opinion.
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.
