My friend Narita and I can’t get enough of christian fiction!  Once again, she has offered her time to let us know what these things of the book Spring for Susannah.

It is the 1870’s and thirty year old Susannah has never married, never been courted or even had a man interested in her. On top of that she is shy and never had close friendships with girls. Her parents suddenly both die and she is left alone. Her pastor suggests she become a mail order bride to his brother in the wild frontier of the Dakota Territory.

This is quite a culture shock from having lived all her life in a large city in Michigan. Adding to her discomfort, Susannah was not only a loner as far as friendships went, but she was an only child raised by cold unaffectionate parents. She had been attacked and almost raped before leaving Michigan. All this leaves her ill prepared for an isolated life with a friendly, outgoing, loving, faith filled man like her new husband, Jesse.

Her past leaves her feeling distrustful, unlovable and never able to measure up to what she thinks are Jesse’s expectations. Her hardships have caused her turn her back on God and doubt His love too. Even though the young couple faces unbelievable adversities and pain, Jesse’s love, patience and faith in God help Susannah heal from her past and become the woman she truly was.

I especially liked this book, not only for its great story line, but also how much historical information I gleaned on mail order brides, and life in sod houses settlers built on the prairies.

I have always tried to imagine what it must have been like for those brides to travel across the country to marry someone they had never met and face unbelievable hardships. Through Susannah I was able to experience the fear, doubts, discomfort and awkwardness. Many brides came from large cities like hers where they had life’s luxuries, only to move and live in very primitive conditions. These were extremely trying conditions for any newlyweds.

I found it very interesting how they lived and functioned in a small soddy, with just the bare necessities. I could almost feel the darkness and dampness not to mention claustrophobia as she first saw her new home.

Ms. Richards does a wonderful job of conveying not only the emotions but physical experiences of the characters. I saw such insight into the heart and mind of someone who has been raised in a dysfunctional family and how it affects their interaction with others. It was wonderful to see what Susannah was thinking and where she was coming from, plus how others perceived her actions. It made me think of how misunderstood some people are.

The only thing I did not like about the book was many references to their intimate relationship in the bedroom. There was also a very explicit part where a doctor discussed birth control with Jesse. I was a surprised to see this in a Christian novel. Otherwise, the book was excellent and I thoroughly enjoyed it. So much so I read all 343 pages in just 2 days!

About the Book:

Booklist says, “Inspired by [folk] lyrics, Richmond arrives on the inspirational fiction scene with a moving debut novel. Readers will be filled with hope that Susannah will learn the true meaning of love. Highly recommended where inspiring, romantic historical fiction is in demand.”

Hundreds of miles from home, Susannah faces an uncertain future as a mail-order bride on the untamed Dakota prairie.

When her parents die suddenly, and no suitors call, Susannah resigns herself to the only option available: becoming a mail-order bride. Agreeing to marry her pastor’s brother, Jesse, Susannah leaves the only home she’s ever known for the untamed frontier of the Dakota Territory .

Her new husband is more loving and patient with her than she believes she deserves. Still, there is also a wildness to him that mirrors the wilderness surrounding them. And Susannah finds herself constantly on edge. But Jesse’s confidence in her-and his faith in God’s perfect plan-slowly begin to chip away at the wall she hides behind.

When she miscarries in the brutal Dakota winter, Susannah’s fledgling faith in herself and in God begins to crumble. Still, Jesse’s love is unwavering. Just when it seems like winter will never end, Susannah finally sees the first tentative evidence of spring. And with it, the realization that more than the landscape has changed.

She looks to the future with a renewed heart. Yet in her wildest dreams, she couldn’t predict all that awaits her.

About the Author:

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 www.catherinerichmond.com.  The book is available at Amazon.com.  A copy of this book was received in exchange for an honest review of the book.

Enter to Win!

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!