I have a confession to make. I am that
reader who sometimes, okay maybe often, takes a peek at the last chapter
sometime during the first half of a book. Most often I do this during a mystery
and I just have to know whether a favorite character survives to the end of the
book. Then I can read on comforted or braced for the inevitable. Hannah’s Choice drove me to the last
chapter because I just had to know what her final choice would be. This is the
only time that I remember really regretting taking that little peek because at
that time I was really disappointed in her choice, but by the time I legitimately
got to the last chapter I was quite satisfied with the ending. I highly
recommend this first book in the Journey to Pleasant Prairie series, but I don’t
recommend peeking.
Hannah Yoder lives with her immediate
family in a dwindling Amish community in Pennsylvania prior to the Civil War.
Amish families in the area are both moving west into Ohio and Indiana, and joining
other Anabaptist denominations. The dwindling community poses a major problem
for Hannah’s parents: How can they best keep their children true to their
faith, separate from the outsiders with whom they are being surrounded. For
Hannah the problem is more specific. She must choose between marrying in or
outside of her faith. Which is more important marrying in her faith, and
keeping her family together by avoiding the bann, or marrying for love?
The author adds an interesting twist to
the storyline that greatly enhances the story. Adam, one of Hannah’s suitors,
becomes a conductor in the underground railroad. He, his family, and his
friends must struggle with their consciences regarding the Bible’s instruction
to obey government authorities and the belief that those authorities are going
against the teachings of Christ. Which takes precedence?
Jan Drexler is a new to me author. I would
say that if you are a fan of Suzanne Woods Fisher, you will become a fan of Jan
Drexler. I have! Jan, a descendant of Amish, Mennonite and Brethren immigrants,
draws from her well researched family history resulting in a historically accurate
story with deep characters and believable dialogue.
I thank Revell
Publishers and Christian Fiction Blog Alliance for providing Hannah’s Choice for
my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable
review and the opinions expressed here are strictly my own.
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