Spring for Susannah
by Catherine Richmond
I usually enjoy a good Christian historical romance, but I have mixed feelings about this one. The novel starts out with Susannah Underhill getting off a train in the Dakota Territory as a mail order bride for Jesse Mason, her minister's brother. Due to her rigid upbringing and a terrifying experience a few weeks earlier, Susannah is quite skittish and living up to the title of "a woman of few words." Try as he might, Jesse has a difficult time drawing her out of her shell and getting her to trust him.
By the end of the book, Susannah discovers that her real issue is her lack of trust in God. The harsh prairie conditions force her to recommit her faith in God. I liked the way the author painted Susannah's faith journey. However, I am hesitant to recommend this book because of the overly graphic (for my taste) sensual descriptions. It seemed sort of odd to me. I am glad they were descriptions of a married couple, but I think a lot of the detail could have been scaled back.
Overall, I did find the book interesting. I always enjoy learning about history through the medium of fiction.
About the author, Catherine Richmond:
Catherine Richmond was focused on her career as an occupational therapist till a special song planted a story idea in her mind. That idea would ultimately become Spring for Susannah, her first novel. She is also a founder and moderator of Nebraska Novelist critique group and lives in Nebraska with her husband. For more about Catherine, please visit her website here.
To celebrate her debut novel, Catherine and her publisher, Thomas Nelson, have teamed up to give away a Spring For Susannah
Prize Package worth over $150!
One grand prize winner will receive:
* A brand new Latest Generation KINDLE with Wi-Fi and Pearl Screen
* Spring for Susannah by Catherine Richmond (for KINDLE)
To enter just click one of the icons below and then tell your friends! But hurry, giveaway ends on June 27th. Winner will be announced on Tuesday, June 28th at 5 PM (6PM MST, 7PM CST, & 8PM EST) during Catherine's Spring for Susannah Book Club Party on Facebook! Catherine is rustling up some fun for the party - she'll be chatting about the story behind her novel, hosting a book club chat, testing your mail-order bride trivia skills, and giving away some GREAT prizes! Don't miss the fun and tell your friends!
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from LitFuse Publicity Group. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."
Holly, Thanks for reviewing Spring for Susannah. I'm sorry you didn't like the sensual detail - it's such a huge issue in marriage, it seemed dishonest to leave it out. My next one, Relying on Sophia, is less sensual. I hope you'll give me another try. Blessings!
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