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TITLE: Jacob's Return
(Amish Historical, formerly published as "Thee, I Love")
Set in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. The year is 1885. Jacob
Sauder had left his home, his Amish life, behind four years ago,
never intending to return. While away, he had committed several
sins. One was fortification. Jacob's twin children, Emma and Aaron,
had been two-years-old when he discovered they existed. Their mother
had died during child birth. For the sakes of his children, Jacob
returned to his Amish home.
Rachel Zook and Jacob Sauder had grown up together and they had
loved each other almost as long. Simon, Jacob's brother, knew this,
yet wanted Rachel for his own. To get Rachel, Simon had deceived
Jacob at a time that his grief over their mother's illness clouded
his judgement. Simon convinced Jacob that Rachel loved him more and
had agreed to become his wife. Once Jacob had left the community,
Simon coerced Rachel into marrying him by stating that Levi (his
father) would grieve Jacob's departure less if he had grandchildren
to love.
From the date Rachel wed, she had suffered all forms of abuse at her
husband's hands. Jacob's return made the volatile situation even
worse. Simon's hate for both Jacob and Rachel ran deep. Simon blamed
them both for his own lies, deceptions, and manipulations. The fact
that Rachel had not as yet given birth to children incited Simon's
rage more than anything else. Even more so than Rachel's
determination to print and circulate an Amish newspaper for their
people. Once ordained a Deacon, Simon's sermons became vengeful and
often shamed Rachel before the entire church district for being
barren. Simon blamed Jacob for several imagined faults as well. Yet
through it all, Rachel had persevered.
Though Rachel had married Simon, the love between Rachel and Jacob
could still be easily seen. Emma and Aaron became Rachel's world. It
did not take Jacob more than a day or two to notice Rachel's abuse.
Levi had unknowingly turned a blind eye to Rachel's various injuries
and Rachel never let her father, the Bishop, know of her hardships.
Thus Jacob took matters into his own hands. Once the Bishop learned
of his daughter's abuse, he stepped forward and threatened to reveal
to the community how cruel Simon, a Deacon, was to his own wife. The
Bishop would only remain silent should Simon immediately change his
sinful ways. But did the Bishop really open Simon's eyes? Though
Simon instantly changed, was his humility false? Could Rachel
forgive Simon and try to have a decent, if not loving, marriage with
him? And could Rachel and Jacob dwell on the same farm, him working
alongside Rachel's husband and her caring for Jacob's children,
every day without giving in to their love?
FIVE STARS! Annette Blair has crafted a story that will long
linger in the minds of her readers. You need not be Amish, or a fan
of history and/or cultures, to thoroughly enjoy this romantic tale.
Every page seems to overflow with some form of strong emotion. Love,
hate, sympathy, kindness, pity, vengeance, heartbreak, sorrow,
despair, apathy, regret, graciousness, hope, serenity, and so much
more. I find it impossible to articulate my true feelings about this
story. After reading the last page of a book, I usually sit quietly
awhile and try to think of key words to describe how it left me
feeling. However, the way this story leaves me feeling is almost
impossible. My emotions are in a state of turmoil. Yes, the ending
is happy, joyous. But I read this entire story in one sitting and I
currently feel as though the author grabbed each emotion from within
me and wrung it dry. I laughed. I cried. My heart ached. I despaired
that a happy ending could ever come to be. I bit my nails (something
I do have not done since I was a child) down to nubs. Right this
second, I can say that I am extremely happy and emotionally
exhausted. So exactly how else can I describe this story, other than
to say that it is indescribable? I am totally flummoxed.
It has now been one hour since I finished reading this story. Here
is what I have come up with. Annette Blair has a phenomenal writing
talent. Readers will find themselves instantly transported to
another time and place, where they will meet and come to know the
most amazing people. The author shows the pros and the cons of
living an Amish life, as well as the need for faith in their Maker.
Be prepared for a wide variety of emotions to collide within
yourself as you read this ambivalent, yet inspiring, story.
Brilliant!
Detra Fitch,
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Genre Go Round
The Best Reviews
In
1881 Jacob Sauder left his Lancaster County Amish community
following the funeral of his mother when his brother Simon informed
him that the former's fiancée Rachel wanted out of their engagement.
Despondent Jacob moved away and Rachel married Simon.
After four years away he returns home a widower accompanied by his
two years old twins Emma and Aaron whose mother died giving birth to
them. He prays his family will welcome and love them though he
sinned. Also Jacob knows it will be hard to see Rachel with Simon.
His brother greets him with scorn telling him to leave as Simon is
to be ordained a deacon. Soon after the return, Jacob and Rachel
learn how devious Simon tricked both of them, but she must adhere to
her vows even though her husband abuses her. Unable to remain idly
on the sidelines while Simon's abuse intensifies, Jacob confronts
his sibling.
This reprint of a 1999 historical romance is an entertaining tale of
redemption as the Amish society provides a strong backdrop to the
tale of two rival brothers and the good woman between them. The
story line is character driven with each key player having faults
and flaws that make them seem real. Readers will enjoy this late
nineteenth century Amish family drama as shunning the sinners
competes with redeeming the sinners for the souls of Bishop Zook's
community. Harriet Klausner
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ROMANCE COMMUNICATIONS 1999
JACOB'S RETURN (formerly Thee, I Love) pulled me
into another world, making me a part of the
community, making me love and care about its
members, making me rejoice and making me cry.
It's a moving, powerful story.
Jacob Sauder returns to his Amish home,
bringing his motherless twins to be raised in a
safe and decent place. He had left in despair
after his mother's funeral when his brother,
Simon, told him Jacob's beloved Rachel wished to
be released from their engagement. Jacob finds
welcome; his family and community give his
children all the love he could wish. Even when
he and Rachel, now Simon's wife, realize they
were the victim's of Simon's lies, they put the
past behind them in respect for Rachel's
marriage vows. But Simon's actions make that
difficult. He becomes increasingly abusive,
berating Rachel for her barrenness. When Jacob
finds Rachel hurt in the barn one night, he
means only to give her comfort, but his comfort
goes too far.
The Amish community Annette Blair describes
is a wonderful place with a strong spirit and
sense of family, one where children are
surrounded by love. She peoples the pages of her
book with realistic portrayals of good people
with faults, but with real faith. The dialogue
and interactions of her characters make the
reader a part of it all. There is a wealth of
color and detail in her delineation of the
culture and daily life of the community.
The plot is an absorbing one of family love
and betrayal, of faith and transgression. Above
all, it's a tale of love between a man and a
woman and their need for forgiveness. The
transgression committed by Jacob and Rachel
brings anguish to all involved, and yet they are
entirely sympathetic characters. Even Simon, who
began the trouble with his jealousy and lies, is
understandable.
JACOB'S RETURN was Annette Blair's third
book. She showed promise in her first two, but
this book displays a major new talent. I
recommend it wholeheartedly.
Reviewed by Lily Martin for Romance
Communications
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National Bestselling Author
JACOB'S RETURN