Spring For Susannah by Catherine Richmond ~ review

Paperback: 352 pages
 Click here to purchase a copy of this book.

Publisher: Thomas Nelson (June 14, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1595549242
ISBN-13: 978-1595549242

Product Description


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.

My take on this book:
Spring For Susannah is set  in the 1800's shortly after the civil war, but before the west was tame, when the Dakota's were still just a territory.
Susannah Underhill really felt as if she didn't have a choice, when she decides to become a mail order bride for her pastor's brother. She had been living a very comfortable life in Michigan until her parents die. When someone shows up at her home telling her that her father owed alot of money to the bank and even attacks her, the only thing for her to do is to become a mail order bride for her pastor's brother Jessie.
When she arrives at Fourth Siding in the Dakota territory, she meets her husband Jessie,a non-stop talker, totally opposite from Susannah. As she learns about Jessie she realizes what a kind considerate man he is, but can she let go of her insecurities and allow love to bloom?

As a fan of historical fiction I found the book quite enjoyable.It was nice to see the character of Susannah grow from a timid person into someone that could take care of herself, and also find her way back to God. I felt like the secondary characters were well rounded and added to the story. I am always a sucker for dogs in a story and Jake was great. The author also adds a bit of humor to the story which worked well. The one negative to the story was the rushed ending. All in all a good debut novel from Catherine Richmond.

rating 4/5

A complimentary copy of this book was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.