Bygones
by Kim Vogel Sawyer
Marie is a lapsed Mennonite who left her home, and in some ways her faith, behind when she eloped with a truck driver. Widowed and with an infant, she was turned away from her childhood home by her father. She raised her daughter in the world, always keeping in touch with her favorite aunt.
When aunt Lisbeth died and bequeathed her home and café to Marie’s daughter Beth, they must return to Sommerfeld to fulfill Aunt Lisbeth’s residency stipulation.
When precious and rare antiques and furniture begin to disappear, the community members suspect Marie and Beth. Marie is sure of their innocence, but will the community trust them again?
I enjoyed reading this book. In some ways it reminds me of Beverly Lewis, who writes about the Old Order Amish. Sawyer focuses on the Old Order Mennonite community, and one key difference is the focus of faith – on God, rather than on tradition. Sawyer’s writing style is clear and easy to read. Descriptions are pleasant, the characters delightful, and the plot exciting without being sensational or unbelievable.
Bygones will appeal to fans of both historical and contemporary romance, because while it takes place in the present day, the Mennonite community has many values and characteristics which hearken back to an earlier, simpler time.
I look forward to the subsequent stories in the Sommerfeld Trilogy (book 2, Beginnings, is scheduled to be released October 2007).
Reviewed by Pattie Reitz
chbookshelf August 20, 2007
Title: BYGONES
Author: Kim Vogel Sawyer
Publisher: Barbour Books
April 2007
ISBN: 1597894044
Genre: Inspirational/romance
Years earlier, Marie Koeppler’s parents shunned her when she left her close-knit Mennonite community to marry a trucker. Now a widow, and the single parent of a grown daughter, Marie is stunned to see her former Mennonite boyfriend walk through the doors of the truck stop where she waitresses.
Henry has to bare the bad news that Marie’s aunt has died—and the hopefully good news that everything has been left to Marie’s daughter, Beth. Beth is excited about this, but wants Henry to put the inheritance on the market. Henry explains the one catch—Beth must live in the Mennonite town for three months. He hopes that this will help Marie return to her roots—and his arms.
Beth refuses outright, but after talking with her boyfriend, changes her mind, and talks her mother into going with her. Marie agrees, but she isn’t sure whether she wants to burn bridges or build bridges. Will she be able to tolerate the Mennonite community after being free for years? And if she does, will she want to remain?
BYGONES is a totally sweet romance, filled with gentle hope, as Ms. Sawyer’s trademark promises. Marie is a realistic heroine, one who gave everything up so her daughter could have everything she needed and wanted, and Henry is a true hero, gentle, and kind, going above and beyond the call of duty to minister to his old girl-friend, Marie, and her daughter, Beth. I found myself hoping that Beth would like the community and want to stay instead of selling out, and that Marie would find new love with Henry.
I was a little confused about some of the Mennonite things brought out in the book. I didn’t realize that they were as strict in some things as the Amish, but according to this book they are. The faith message is expertly woven in, and the setting is part of the story. I truly enjoyed this gentle story, BYGONES, and look forward to reading the next two books in this trilogy. $9.99. 286 pages.
Laura V. Hilton