The Newcomer

The  newcomer is a novel based on the history of the Amish and Mennonite groups coming to the new land that was given by William Penn to settle  and  start a new life. 

In this story we meet  a  group that have just arrived from their long journey.  It's the year 1737, Anna Koning  and her fellow church members have  just stepped off  a small wooden ship after 10 weeks of traveling, very eager to start her new life in America; the  exciting but untamed Pennsylvania frontier   While aboard the ship sAnna has met Bairn, and a romance has begun, but when they arrive and Bairn meets his parents for the first time in many long years.  We find out that Bairn was travelling with his father to the new land in previous years with his father Jacob.  Jacob was told that Bairn had died.

. On the docks of Port Philadelphia waits bishop Jacob Bauer, founder of the settlement and father to ship carpenter Bairn. It's a time of new beginnings for the reunited Bauer family, and for Anna and Bairn's shipboard romance to blossom.

But this picture-perfect moment cannot last. As Bairn grasps the reality of what it means to be Amish in the New World--isolated, unbending with expectations, under the thumb of his domineering father--his eagerness vanishes. When a sea captain offers the chance to cross the ocean one more time, Bairn grabs it. Just one more crossing, he promises Anna. But will she wait for him?

Then we meet Henrik Newman whho  joins the church just as it makes its way to the frontier, Anna is uncertain.    Henrik shows intrest in Anna, and  he seems to be everything Bairn is not--bold, devoted, and delighted to compete for her heart.  Henrik  is here; Bairn is not.

Far from the frontier, an unexpected turn of events weaves together the lives of Bairn, Anna, and Henrik. When a secret is revealed, which true love will emerge?

This was a fast and easy book to read.  For those who love the Amish fiction, this is definitely a book for you to read.   

This novel is well researched and well written.  It is full of romance, adventure and keeps you wanting more.

I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review and 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.

The Jesus Club

From the back of the book:

In this riveting true story, Brian Barcelona recounts how, just a few months after graduation, he responded to God's directive and returned to his high school campus to preach the gospel to the students.  He had no training, no resources and no experience.  Just raw passion and obedience.

This is the true story of how a former atheist turned the world upside down for many high schools.  I found the book to be very interesting and useful.  This is the generation that we need to get into our churches, to make them into our future leaders in the church.  

If one man can turn his obedience to God into a success like this why can't we all?


I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review and 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.