What does true love look like? We tend to think of it as Prince Charming coming to sweep us off our feet or true love’s kiss awaking us from “The Sleeping Death.” True love or agape love is sacrificial love. What does that look like?
In “The Return” (Amish Beginnings #3) by Suzanne Woods Fisher tackles true love and several controversial topics: jealousy, Indian raids, kidnapping, racism, hatred, bigotry and vengeance.
Several children are kidnapped when an Indian raiding party attacks homesteads in Pennsylvania. We discover how they were treated, how those left behind felt and how some involved became bitter and angry and turned to unlawful methods as an outlet for that anger. We learn that “Vengeance is a dangerous master to feed. Its appetite has no end.”
But we also learn that people can change and about kindness, forgiveness and love… true love. A character in the book risks his life to right a wrong not once, but twice. He defends and helps those who cannot help themselves at great risk. Throughout the book the characters grow and learn that no matter what, they belong to the Holy One even when they belong to no one or no group on Earth.
This is the third book in the series. Not having read the first two in no way hindered my enjoyment/understanding of this book. There were a couple of references to prior events, but those were explained. The author also included a cast of characters and short note explaining the time line at the beginning of the book.
Solid 4.5 stars for this excellent reminder that “God doesn’t answer our prayers because we wish Him to. And he doesn’t dislike the people we dislike either. That would amount to making God in our own image.”
Release Publication Date:
August 1, 2017
Genre: Christian
fiction, Amish, Mennonite, Indian, romance
Cover: Perfect!
Source: I received this book for free from the publisher via
NetGalley in return for an honest review. Thank you for the opportunity to read
this great book!
Rating: 4.5 stars