I Am Hutterite

Mary-Ann Kirkby tells the engaging story of her childhood in I Am Hutterite. The close-knit, reclusive, community in south central Manitoba provided a warm, loving place for a child to grow up, surrounded by family members, well fed and well educated. But as she learned in later years, the community was not as welcoming for outsiders, like her father. Unable to resolve the tension between themselves and the leaders of the colony, Mary-Ann's parents packed their family and their belongings and left the colony to make a life for themselves on the outside.
With humor and vivid detail, Kirkby offers a child's memories of her formative years, as well as the trauma of life on the outside. Her adult insight and perspective presents an honest, authentic account of both the benefits and disadvantages of life in a tightly- controlled community. In adulthood she remains conflicted about her identity - understanding that it is an indelible part of her which she cannot leave behind. But she also comes to appreciate the gifts of forgiveness and freedom which her parents gave her in their decision to weglaufen (run away).
I chose to review this book because having lived in the Midwest, I was aware of Hutterite colonies in the Dakotas. I was surprised to learn that the community I was most familiar with was actually the first such settlement in North America.
I highly recommend this book. It is a well written account of coming-of-age in one of the most unique communities to dot  North America.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

The Heart Mender

Andy Andrews has written a page-turning mystery, love-story, and thriller all in one in The Heart Mender: A Story of Second Chances. While chopping down a dead wax myrtle tree on his property, Andrews uncovers a tin containing old photographs and Nazi memorabilia. How they came to be buried on U.S. soil becomes the basis for this riveting tale. The Heart Mender is based on historical events--German submarines patrolling the Gulf Coast of North America during 1942-43. The narrative details the unlikely results when Helen Mason, a war widow, encounters Josef Landermann, a German U-boat officer, washed ashore near her sleepy Gulf town.
This truly was a book I could not put down. Not an avid fiction reader, I do enjoy historical fiction. And this was one of the most gripping stories I've read since my first John Grisham novel. I felt like I was sitting across the table from an expert story-teller. Andrews' warm style and vivid detail drew me in from the first paragraphs when he set the stage for the story to follow, describing his sadness and procrastination at removing the tree that sets the mystery in motion.  
The Heart Mender is more than an engaging story. Andrews skillfully weaves his premise throughout the narrative--we all have something or someone we need to forgive.
I highly recommend this book.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”