BOOK REVIEW: Spring for Susannah by Catherine Richmond

Blurb:

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 Review:

I really enjoyed reading “Spring for Susannah” by Catherine Richmond. It was definitely a well-written novel, that was able to draw the reader in and allow for the reader to lose themselves in the book. The book had the perfect amount of suspense and unexpected events to really keep the reader involved in the novel. I really enjoyed reading about the relationship developing between Jesse and Susannah. It was such a pure romance that came about from such a strange situation. One would not expect a story about a mail order bride to end up being inspirational and tender, but the author somehow is able to pull it off. 

The characters really came across as ‘real’ people. The author did a great job with describing these people, and allowing them to really become ‘real’ for the reader. The author’s writing style is smooth and clear, and the dialogue between characters is interesting and helps the reader get to know them better.

The novel did slow down a little in the middle and drag a little, but overall it was a really good read. I would recommend it to any lover of historical fiction, especially those who are looking for historical fiction that doesn’t have any type of ‘smut’ and is an easy read.

I give this novel a FOUR out of FIVE stars.


About the Author:

Catherine Richmond was focused on her career as an occupational therapist until a special song planted a story idea in her mind. That idea would ultimately become Spring for Susannah, her first novel. She is also a founder and moderator of Nebraska Novelists critique group and lives in Nebraska with her husband.

Reviews for Spring for Susannah:

Inspired by hymn lyrics, Richmond arrives on the inspirational fiction scene with a moving debut novel.Readers will be filled with hope that Susannah will learn the true meaning of love. Highly recommended where inspiring, romantic historical fiction is in demand. --Booklist

...charming inspirational story about a man's extreme faith, a woman's bravery, and God's amazing grace. Catherine Richmond has penned a treasure in her debut novel, SPRING for SUSANNAH. She gives realistic details of life in the 1870's, works in a good measure of inspiration, and just the right amount of romance. This is truly a must read! -FreshFiction.com -- Fresh Fiction

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