Amish Beginnings -- Anna's Crossing

In Anna's Crossing, Suzanne Woods Fisher gives us a look at a piece of Amish history that even the most avid fans of Amish fiction may not be familiar with.  She has taken historical facts of some of the earliest experiences of Amish immigration to the New World and woven them into an awesome story. 

Without the familiar trappings of most Amish stories -- farms, horses, buggies, and such -- Suzanne has managed to carry the spirit of the people onto the Charming Nancy, a merchant ship that actually transported some of the first Amish families from Germany in the 18th century.  Even though the characters come from her own imagination, their experiences represent many of the challenges that those passengers would likely have faced.  If you are anything like me, you will enjoy the pieces of history to be learned as you enjoy Anna's story.  And you just might be surprised at the masterful ways Suzanne pulls all the pieces of the puzzle together in the personal interactions of her characters.

I would highly recommend this book to any fan of Amish fiction or Amish history.  Thanks to Revell Publishing for providing a copy in exchange for my honest review.


If you are interested in some of the "story behind the story" from Suzanne, you might check out an interview she did with fellow Amish author Kate Lloyd on Kate's blog.

Also, Suzanne had a guest post on Amish America about the Amish dress code, a piece of which relates to Anna's Crossing.


About the book:

Some endings are really beginnings . . .

On a hot day in 1737 in Rotterdam, Anna König reluctantly sets foot on the Charming Nancy, a merchant ship that will carry her and her fellow Amish believers across the Atlantic to start a new life. As the only one in her community who can speak English, she feels compelled to go. But Anna is determined to complete this journey and return home--assuming she survives. She's heard horrific tales of ocean crossings and worse ones of what lay ahead in the New World. But fearfulness is something Anna has never known.

Ship's carpenter Bairn resents the somber people--dubbed Peculiars by the deckhands--who fill the lower deck of the Charming Nancy. All Bairn wants to do is to put his lonely past behind him, but that irksome and lovely lass Anna and her people keep intruding on him.

Delays, storms, illness, and diminishing provisions test the mettle and patience of everyone on board. When Anna is caught in a life-threatening situation, Bairn makes a discovery that shakes his entire foundation. But has the revelation come too late?

Bestselling author Suzanne Woods Fisher invites you back to the beginning of Amish life in America with this fascinating glimpse into the first ocean crossing--and the lives of two intrepid people who braved it.

About the author:

Suzanne Woods Fisher is the bestselling author of The Letters, The Calling, the Lancaster County Secrets series, and the Stoney Ridge Seasons series, as well as nonfiction books about the Amish, including Amish Peace. She is also the coauthor of an Amish children's series, The Adventures of Lily Lapp. Suzanne is a Carol Award winner for The Search, a Carol Award finalist for The Choice, and a Christy Award finalist for The Waiting. She is also a columnist for Christian Post and Cooking & Such magazines. She lives in California. Learn more at www.suzannewoodsfisher.com and connect with Suzanne on Twitter @suzannewfisher.