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My Father's House
2013 Global Ebook Award Winner - Bronze Medal for Religion/Faith Fiction
Have you ever awoken to find the life you’ve always wanted, to be a life of always wanting? A life of always chasing? Then one day you stop in your tracks, questioning what it is you are wanting and chasing? And you realize a harsh you’ve been running blind for years.
In two short weeks, that’s what workaholic Cole Jansen discovers. Still single at thirty-two, he’s more focused on managing his clients’ money and his own material success than he is with any woman who gets close, or reconciling his estranged relationship with his parents.
But when his father’s ill health leads him from urban Cedar Rapids, Iowa to the tiny rural community of Harmony, Minnesota for a rare visit, his myopic life is suddenly questioned when he meets Rachel Miller, a young Amish woman committed to her church and family – and conflicted by forbidden dreams of meeting him, the man in the pictures she ritualistically dusts each week as part of her cleaning duties at his parents’ home.
No sooner than such an unlikely courtship begins to flourish, a series of tragedies strike, and commitment and character must be confronted, bringing each of their paths to a crossroads and shaking the foundations of their lives. Will the threat of excommunication and career suicide be too great? Or is there hope for such an improbable love as this?
My Father’s House, a love story of truth, tenderness and tragedy that will touch your heart.
Have you ever awoken to find the life you’ve always wanted, to be a life of always wanting? A life of always chasing? Then one day you stop in your tracks, questioning what it is you are wanting and chasing? And you realize a harsh you’ve been running blind for years.
In two short weeks, that’s what workaholic Cole Jansen discovers. Still single at thirty-two, he’s more focused on managing his clients’ money and his own material success than he is with any woman who gets close, or reconciling his estranged relationship with his parents.
But when his father’s ill health leads him from urban Cedar Rapids, Iowa to the tiny rural community of Harmony, Minnesota for a rare visit, his myopic life is suddenly questioned when he meets Rachel Miller, a young Amish woman committed to her church and family – and conflicted by forbidden dreams of meeting him, the man in the pictures she ritualistically dusts each week as part of her cleaning duties at his parents’ home.
No sooner than such an unlikely courtship begins to flourish, a series of tragedies strike, and commitment and character must be confronted, bringing each of their paths to a crossroads and shaking the foundations of their lives. Will the threat of excommunication and career suicide be too great? Or is there hope for such an improbable love as this?
My Father’s House, a love story of truth, tenderness and tragedy that will touch your heart.
230 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 15, 2012
About the author
Todd Saville
1 book9 followersTodd Saville was born and raised in Des Moines, Iowa, to parents who were both teachers.
Upon graduating from the University of Northern Iowa in 1993, he pursued a career in business, serving in a variety of roles, such as: corporate trainer, financial advisor and international marketing manager. After obtaining his MBA in 2003, he began teaching part-time at Mount Mercy University, which proved to be life-changing.
In 2006, after thirteen years of corporate work, he accepted a full-time business faculty position at Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
My Father’s House was inspired by his parents’ close relationship with their Amish neighbors living near their hobby farm in rural Missouri.
This is his first novel.
Upon graduating from the University of Northern Iowa in 1993, he pursued a career in business, serving in a variety of roles, such as: corporate trainer, financial advisor and international marketing manager. After obtaining his MBA in 2003, he began teaching part-time at Mount Mercy University, which proved to be life-changing.
In 2006, after thirteen years of corporate work, he accepted a full-time business faculty position at Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
My Father’s House was inspired by his parents’ close relationship with their Amish neighbors living near their hobby farm in rural Missouri.
This is his first novel.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
March 6, 2013
Todd Saville has written a stirring story of love, family, regrets, contentment, and more. I sobbed as I read this book. It touched so many nerves with me. His main character must search deep within and see what really makes him happy in life...what really matters. Cole is a character that I can relate to.....will he continue to blame his father? to be angry with God? Will he find peace? Read this one and keep some tissues handy!
I would actually like to give this book 10 Stars!!!
I would actually like to give this book 10 Stars!!!
March 30, 2013
"My Father's House" by Todd Saville gets 4 stars from me. I borrow this book on kindle from a friend because of all the different posts about it. Some people really liked it and some posted negative things. Well that being said, I liked the story but there are 3 swear words in the book. One of the words was used 4 times and another one once, but the last one I really didn't like at all was using God's name(I think you all get the picture without me going any farther). And there was a bedroom scene but it was written without being too graphic and I think it fit well into the story. I would still recommend this story to others but with a warning about the negatives items! With all that said I loved the story!
Cole Jansen has only time to make money not enjoy life. He gets a call from his mother that his father's has had another heart attack so he goes home to nag and complain to his dad about not taking care of himself. He meets the neighbor girl and an instant attraction is there but there is a problem, she is Amish. This book describes their relationship and how it develops. I was surprised at the ending, it has a couple of things happening that I didn't foresee. I have to say it doesn't end the way most books that I have read that have a love interest between an Amish and Englisher do. I am sad at the way it ended but it had to end that way to make the book!
I will be looking for more books by this author.
Cole Jansen has only time to make money not enjoy life. He gets a call from his mother that his father's has had another heart attack so he goes home to nag and complain to his dad about not taking care of himself. He meets the neighbor girl and an instant attraction is there but there is a problem, she is Amish. This book describes their relationship and how it develops. I was surprised at the ending, it has a couple of things happening that I didn't foresee. I have to say it doesn't end the way most books that I have read that have a love interest between an Amish and Englisher do. I am sad at the way it ended but it had to end that way to make the book!
I will be looking for more books by this author.
August 4, 2014
Takes place in Minnesota, Cole a corporate leader and Rachel an Amish girl, Cole finds love through her of his father and mother, which was and is unconditional, but when these two lives come together for one day, they make memories that will last forever for them both. He learns money is not everything but love lasts forever. This is a true love story, read it to find out how it ends. Keep your tissues handy.
November 16, 2015
This is a wonderful story about love. Not just love between a man and a woman but between husband and wife, parents and children, and friends. It's about the commitment and sacrifice that comes with a loving relationship. The author kept me engaged with his descriptions of setting and emotions. I enjoyed the realistic ending and hope maybe we can read about Cole and Rachel in the future.
March 6, 2013
I really loved this book
September 14, 2013
I liked this book...it's ending is more life like.
November 8, 2013
It was a really good book. I wish he would've converted to Amish but love the ending.
September 6, 2021
Don't want to put it downn
Well written. Easy read. Good story line made the reader stop and dig deep into their soul by the end. Loved the book
Excellent and
Well written. Easy read. Good story line made the reader stop and dig deep into their soul by the end. Loved the book
Excellent and
March 28, 2025
This story leaves the reader hanging. The main character could have had the chance to be inducted into the Amish community but it was not an apparent opportunity.
April 16, 2016
It's possible that I'm a tad bit biases but I adore this book. No matter how many times I read it I find myself unable to put it down.
Todd did a fantastic job writing this. His writing style fits him perfectly. I can really hear his voice when I'm reading the story. When an author has the ability to do that, they are truly something special.
One of the reasons that I love this story is because it's real; actual real life. It's not perfect; Cole doesn't live a spotless life. He has anger and bitterness built up inside him from his past. Resentment from his lack of relationship with his family; particularly his father. But also Cole has the opportunity to open his heart to finding love. Even if opening his heart means that he might have to make a tough decision in the end. You can't help but love Cole's character! There is just so much packed into this book: family issues, spiritual struggle, romance, cultural differences, and so much more.
I would recommend this book to anyone! Hopefully we will see a sequel in the future!
Todd did a fantastic job writing this. His writing style fits him perfectly. I can really hear his voice when I'm reading the story. When an author has the ability to do that, they are truly something special.
One of the reasons that I love this story is because it's real; actual real life. It's not perfect; Cole doesn't live a spotless life. He has anger and bitterness built up inside him from his past. Resentment from his lack of relationship with his family; particularly his father. But also Cole has the opportunity to open his heart to finding love. Even if opening his heart means that he might have to make a tough decision in the end. You can't help but love Cole's character! There is just so much packed into this book: family issues, spiritual struggle, romance, cultural differences, and so much more.
I would recommend this book to anyone! Hopefully we will see a sequel in the future!
January 26, 2015
A Simple Story that Evokes a Complexity of Emotions
Every so often I find a book that I know I'll pick up again and read some time in the future - "My Father's House" certainly being one such book. Todd Saville in his debut novel creates a handful of characters that you want to root for, characters whose dreams and beliefs you come to understand and admire, characters that come alive on the pages. He also creates a very plausible set of circumstances that makes you realize at some point each person will not be able hold on to their dreams and beliefs without someone feeling pain and sorrow. I appreciated the complexity of emotions that I felt while reading such a simply and elegantly told story.
Every so often I find a book that I know I'll pick up again and read some time in the future - "My Father's House" certainly being one such book. Todd Saville in his debut novel creates a handful of characters that you want to root for, characters whose dreams and beliefs you come to understand and admire, characters that come alive on the pages. He also creates a very plausible set of circumstances that makes you realize at some point each person will not be able hold on to their dreams and beliefs without someone feeling pain and sorrow. I appreciated the complexity of emotions that I felt while reading such a simply and elegantly told story.
July 7, 2012
A beautiful love story loaded with poignant self-reflection. The main character, Cole, struggles between societal pressures of achievement/success and personal happiness/fulfillment. My Father's House is a lovely debut novel. Bravo! I look forward to Saville's next story.
April 15, 2013
I should not be reviewing this because I honestly do not like this genre. I am giving it 2 stars though because it is not badly written.
I am sure there are many thousands of people who will lap this up and who will revel in every word, but this saccharine sweetness is not for me.
I am sure there are many thousands of people who will lap this up and who will revel in every word, but this saccharine sweetness is not for me.
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January 6, 2014Good book. ENDING Disappointing
I enjoyed this book Hensley. However the ending was so disappointing.I was hoping that Cole & Rachel would eventually get together. I was very disappointed with the ending
I enjoyed this book Hensley. However the ending was so disappointing.I was hoping that Cole & Rachel would eventually get together. I was very disappointed with the ending
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews