Bygones

In her first book in the Summerfield Trilogy, Bygones, Kim gives us a powerful story of faith, family, and love. She introduces us to the Mennonite community from which Marie ran away over twenty years before with her non-Mennonite husband, Jep. When Henry Braun, her first love, appears after all those years and tells her of the death of her beloved Aunt Lisbeth, Marie learns that her daughter Beth is the sole beneficiary of her aunt's will. Now Marie must return to the community with Beth, live there for three months, and run the café owned by Lisbeth before Beth can claim her inheritance. As Marie reconnects not only with the community and Henry, she examines her life and tries to restore a relationship with her family. When thefts occur in the community, the first suspects are Marie and Beth. As Marie unravels the mystery, her family and friends are divided in their beliefs about who is behind the crimes. In Bygones Kim has created wonderful characters who grip your heart and keep you turning the page to see how the problems are resolved. It's a compelling story of one woman's journey into the past to rediscover her future.

Reviewed by Kelli Glesige for Reader Views (5/07) Marie Koeppler grew up in the Old Order Mennonite community in Sommerfeld, Kansas, but left when she met and married Jep Quinn. Marie is eager to start a new and exciting life with Jep until his untimely death changes her hopes and dreams. Even more difficult is the fact that Marie is now pregnant with Jep's child and completely alone, for her family chose to cut off all communication with Marie when she left the Mennonite community. Once the baby arrives, Marie struggles along earning just enough to support herself and daughter Beth, away from her family and living in the outside world. After 23 years, Henry Braun, Marie's ex-beau from her Mennonite days, shows up to discuss business with Marie at her place of employment, a local diner. It seems an elderly aunt has died and has left her home and café to Beth, Marie's daughter. The stipulation is that for Beth to claim her inheritance, she must reside in Sommerfeld for no less than three months. If the condition is not met, all property will transfer to Elizabeth's brother and sister, members of the Mennonite community. With hesitancy, Marie and Beth return to Marie's peaceful old Mennonite community, living in Elizabeth's home and working daily to keep Elizabeth's café running. At first, Beth is quite surprised at the community's lack of modern day conveniences and cannot wait to leave the community. Marie, on the other hand, realizes just how much she has missed her old home and family, and even ex-beau Henry Braun, who does all in his power to make Marie and Beth's stay as pleasant as possible. He secretly desires for Marie to return to the Mennonite community that she long ago moved away from. Trouble begins when shortly after Marie and Beth's arrival in Sommerfeld, a string of unexplained robberies occur among the residents of the community. The newcomers become the prime suspects as it happens that Beth had recently been admiring the antique items that have been stolen. Will they be forced to flee, or should Marie and Beth stay and try to prove their innocence? As evidence mounts, it begins to look more and more like they may be the thieves. I highly recommend "Bygones" to those who enjoy a good and wholesome romance. I particularly enjoy reading about the Mennonite community, and I was not disappointed with this selection from Kim Vogel Sawyer. The old and the new are blended and contrasted in this story of a former Mennonite returning to her roots. "Bygones" is appropriate for all adult readers, particularly females, who enjoy a prudent and meaningful story of a relationship between a mother, a daughter and returning to former roots.

If you are a big fan of the Amish fiction by Beverly Lewis and others, you are going to love Bygones which is set in a Mennonite community. I'm not going to retell the story because other reviewers have done this well already, but I would suggest this book to anyone who likes strong Christian fiction, yet likes to see flawed characters who experience real life dramas and victories. Kim has a heart for single moms and those who fall to the way side. She likes to write stories that show their strength. Thanks Kim!

This is an incredible book with finely drawn characters you fall in love with! I can't wait to read more in this trilogy.

Marie Quinn left the Mennonite community when she fell in love with a young truck driver who was just passing through. Now her Aunt Lisabeth is dead and she left her home and cafe to Marie's daughter, Beth. Henry Braun has been entrusted with the task of finding Marie and Beth and informing them of the inheritance. There is one condition, Beth has to live in Sommerfield for at least six months. Marie doesn't want to go back home, but she can't let her daughter go alone. When they arrive, Beth is horrified to learn there isn't any electricity, the people dress funny, and Main Street isn't even paved. And she has to live here for six months! Marie has her own reasons for not wanting to be here, includidng Henry Braun, the man she left behind. The memories of her past life are almost overwhelming. In addition, someone is stealing antiques and as newcomers, she and Beth are suspected of being the thieves. Kim Vogel Sawyer always tells a good story, with plenty of emotion and conflict. Her characters reach right off the page and touch the reader's heart. Bygones is book one of the Sommerfield trilogy and I'm looking forward to the next one.