Fields of Grace

Christian author Sawyer has penned another book about Mennonites in Kansas. Since this is her family's heritage, it's a topic of understandable importance to her. The copy I read was an unedited reviewer's copy that was issued back in May by the publisher. I hope that some changes may have been made since then as I found parts of the story somewhat implausible. Of course, everyone knows that pioneers had nothing but problems on the prairie. Set in 1872, this book is no exception to the pioneer story. The father and youngest child in the family die during the ocean crossing. A hasty marriage aboard ship insures that all can continue to Kansas with an appearance of propriety. Love blooms, dies, blooms, dies and... Well, I don't want to show more spoil the ending. Parts of the book are quite engrossing, but I found it questionable that someone who supposedly loved the Lord and her new husband as much as Lillian did, could act so nastily for so long and in such close quarters. My other quibble is with the cover of this book, which I'm sure is not the author's fault. The main character, who is presumably on the cover, is a thirty-eight-year-old woman who has just spent a year in a prairie sod house after having immigrated from Russia in 1872 and suffering immense tragedies in her life. My image of that woman does not fit what I see on the cover of this book at all. Come on, artists, people age, rather than looking younger after surviving in such circumstances. show less

I haven't encountered much historical Christian fiction this well-written or intense. Sawyer does an excellent job with the story, though in places it goes rather slowly. Other than normal ARC editing issues which I can't hold them accountable for here (since by definition ARCs are not finished products), my only major complaint was that it was very similar in plot (though not in setting or characters) to another familiar Christian fiction story--Love Comes Softly. The biggest difference between the two stories is the level of writing in this one is much higher than in Love Comes Softly. Sawyer does a fantastic job of dealing with some very difficult scenes and doesn't shy away from dealing with the inner emotional lives of the main show more characters.

I do agree with other reviewers that the front cover is misleading--the woman on the front cover couldn't be older than about 20, whereas the main female character in the book is supposed to be 38. I would have looked at this and assumed it was just another Amish romance novel, but it was the description on the back that sold me. 99.9% of the time authors have no control over the cover, so I can't deduct points for that, but if her publisher knows what they're doing they'll change the cover when this goes to print. (But points to the artist--it's a beautiful cover, just not right for this book.) show less

This Christian romance was a delight to read with memorable characters and an interesting setting in the early days of American history as our country was being settled. My only minor complaints were a sometimes stilted writing style, which I assumed Kim Vogel Sawyer used to mimic the ebb and flow (or lack thereof) in low German. It sometimes the sentences awkward made -- if you take my meaning. I think a bit more editing on this front might have avoided any interruption of the reader's journey through the book. As it was, I found myself stopping periodically and wondering why, other than to be purposefully awkward, the sentences were structured the way they were. But this was admittedly not terribly often and overall did not take away show more from my reading of the book. My other wish was that the book were longer! I wanted to learn more about the characters. And this sort of complaint is high praise, and so, thank you Ms. Vogel Sawyer, for the grand job you did in your characterizations. I did not always like the way your protagonist behaved, but she was truly "her own person." Ultimately, this made her more interesting.

I think this book begs for more in a series. I shall watch for more installments. show less

Fields of Grace is a sweet story about Lillian, a Mennonite woman and her journey of heartache and joy. This story was the first I have read by Kim Vogel Sawyer, and also my first book about the Mennonites. I think Kim Vogel Sawyer did a fabulous job of writing this story. From the great detail and descriptions to the wonderful story line and characters I felt I was right there and a part of Lillian's family. I think this book is also a wonderful example of how Christians deal with the pain they face in their lives, and they struggles the go through, and it was an inspiration and encouragement to see God's grace working in Lillian's life.

Story line:
Lillian, her husband Reinhardt, and their three sons travel to America with their show more "Onkel Eli", Reinhardt's adopted brother. They must leave their native country so their oldest son, Hendrik does not have to enlist in the military. On the ship to America, Lillian's husband and youngest son die, and Lillian is faced with many decisions. Before they reach America, Eli and Lillian are married, because it would be improper for them to continue to travel together. Lillian is still grieving for her husband, and Eli is grieving for his friend, but he is happy that he finally has a family, something he has always wanted, and prayed for many times. In America, Eli helps Lillian get settled and is a father to her two sons. Her oldest son Hendrik is rebellious and as they start their new life in America, Lillian and Eli worry over what will become of him. After some time Lillian and Eli start to fall for each other, but will they be able to tell each other? Will it last, or will their son Hendrik, get in the way of it all? show less

If you like Christian historical fiction this is a great pic for you. The main characters must immigrate to America so their oldest son can avoid the military draft in Russia in the late 19th century. On their ocean voyage tragedy strikes and the wife must marry her brother in law in order for the family to be allowed to immigrate to America. I liked this book - it's not Nobel worthy literature, but then who expects that out of every book? I enjoyed it, learned a lot about the Mennonite faith, and really felt that I was in turn of the century Kansas.

I was so excited when I found out I was one of the ones to review this new book of Kim Vogel Sawyer. I'd never read anything by her before and am glad I had the chance to read this book. Very interesting how she goes back to the beginning of when the Mennonites started coming to America. You see the hard work and heartache they went through in this book and what people really had to go through back then to start new. Always been a sucker for reading books about convient marriage, so when a proposal is given, I was really getting into the book. Loved how she brought grace into the book. How each one of them needed grace. Enjoyed reading this book, although it wasn't my favorite book I've ever read, I will say that I would read another show more book by her again. Can't wait to see it come out in stores! show less

The author combined several interesting topics into one sweet, Christian fiction story. Immigration of the Mennonites from Russia to North America, pioneering days and a love story in one nice little package. The book is an easy read with a fairly predictable ending and the Christian message is not smothering to those uninterested in it. If you are looking for a heart warming, quick read this is what you're after.