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Amish Memories #1
Brighter Dawn
Ivy Zimmerman is successfully navigating her life as a young Mennonite woman, one generation removed from her parents' Old Order Amish upbringing. But when her parents are killed in a tragic accident, Ivy's way of life is upended. As she deals with her grief, her sisters' needs, and her Dawdi and Mammi's strict rules, Ivy finds solace in both an upcoming trip to Germany for an international Mennonite youth gathering and in her great-aunt's story about Ivy's great-grandmother's visit to Germany in the late 1930s.
As Ivy grows suspicious that her parents' deaths weren't, in fact, an accident, she gains courage from what she learns of her great-grandmother's time in World War II Germany. With her great-aunt's encouragement and the inspiration of her great-grandmother, Ivy seeks justice for her parents, her sisters, and herself.
From the talented pen of bestselling author Leslie Gould comes a powerful and evocative dual-time story partly set during World War II.
As Ivy grows suspicious that her parents' deaths weren't, in fact, an accident, she gains courage from what she learns of her great-grandmother's time in World War II Germany. With her great-aunt's encouragement and the inspiration of her great-grandmother, Ivy seeks justice for her parents, her sisters, and herself.
From the talented pen of bestselling author Leslie Gould comes a powerful and evocative dual-time story partly set during World War II.
421 pages, Hardcover
Published March 28, 2023
44 people are currently reading
2552 people want to read
About the author
Leslie Gould
78 books600 followersLeslie Gould is the #1 bestselling and Christy Award-winning author of fifty novels. She received her MFA in 2009 and has taught writing on the university level. Leslie enjoys traveling, hiking, and history. She and her husband, Peter, are the parents of four adult children and two grandbabies. Visit her at http://www.lesliegould.com/.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 98 reviews
February 28, 2023
I have never read a book by Leslie Gould, but after reading A Brighter Dawn, I know it will not be my last.
This dual-time Amish Romance is unlike any Amish book I've ever read. The characters are so real they jump off the page, and the story is riveting. It is hard to compress it all into this review with so much going on.
We meet Ivy Zimmerman, a Mennonite in 2014, who is a bit of a rebel in some ways and in others is not. When her parents die in a tragic accident, her life changes drastically. She and her sisters are forced to live with Amish Grandparents they have never met, several States away. Many things are happening at this point. Her grandparents are old-order Amish and expect her to look and act a certain way. Her sister Brenna has nightmares from the accident because she was driving the car. Ivy is convinced it wasn't Brenna's fault, and something far more sinister is at hand. Fortunately, she has the International Mennonite Youth Gathering in Germany to look forward to. Her boyfriend will be there, and her great-great aunt Rosene is going with her to see her family.
While travelling, Rosene tells Ivy about Clare Simons, who visited Germany from America in the late 1930s. Clare's story is equally absorbing, and like Ivy, I longed for Rosene to continue it to find out what happened to Clare. She was still in Germany when Hitler began persecuting Jews and invading other countries.
In both stories, Clare and Ivy have romantic interests as different as night and day. And I can't really tell you any more than that. Clare's story is incredible and so believable I was hard-pressed to remember it was fiction.
This story will sit with you for days, and the surprising twists and turns it takes will make it hard for you to put it down. I highly recommend it!
I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Bethany House through NetGalley for my honest review.
This dual-time Amish Romance is unlike any Amish book I've ever read. The characters are so real they jump off the page, and the story is riveting. It is hard to compress it all into this review with so much going on.
We meet Ivy Zimmerman, a Mennonite in 2014, who is a bit of a rebel in some ways and in others is not. When her parents die in a tragic accident, her life changes drastically. She and her sisters are forced to live with Amish Grandparents they have never met, several States away. Many things are happening at this point. Her grandparents are old-order Amish and expect her to look and act a certain way. Her sister Brenna has nightmares from the accident because she was driving the car. Ivy is convinced it wasn't Brenna's fault, and something far more sinister is at hand. Fortunately, she has the International Mennonite Youth Gathering in Germany to look forward to. Her boyfriend will be there, and her great-great aunt Rosene is going with her to see her family.
While travelling, Rosene tells Ivy about Clare Simons, who visited Germany from America in the late 1930s. Clare's story is equally absorbing, and like Ivy, I longed for Rosene to continue it to find out what happened to Clare. She was still in Germany when Hitler began persecuting Jews and invading other countries.
In both stories, Clare and Ivy have romantic interests as different as night and day. And I can't really tell you any more than that. Clare's story is incredible and so believable I was hard-pressed to remember it was fiction.
This story will sit with you for days, and the surprising twists and turns it takes will make it hard for you to put it down. I highly recommend it!
I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Bethany House through NetGalley for my honest review.
May 3, 2023
It has been a LONG time since I last read an Amish novel as intriguing as this one. It's the first time I've ever read one that featured a dual timeline, and even more importantly, the first time I've read one that had any sort of historical references.
A Brighter Dawn features three sisters in the present day who have just lost their parents to a car accident. Their grandmother believes that it would be best for them to visit their Lancaster, PA Amish relatives as there are things in their past that need to be explained. A long cross-country journey finds Rosene sharing Clare's story of how she traveled to Germany in 1937 and lived there for 2 years. The history of the German Mennonites, the birth of eugenics in World War II, and an introduction to Josef Mengele found me struggling to turn the pages fast enough.
While I have always loved Amish fiction, Leslie Gould is one of the few authors I've not yet read - but I aim to read MUCH more of her work in the future! The depth of research in this story was astounding, and I couldn't believe how much I actually learned in this story that I never knew before. It was heartbreaking to read that the German Mennonites believed Hitler was the key to preserving their religion and way of life. It was hard to read about Clare's two nieces being sent to an institute where doctors were researching their epilepsy and not knowing whether they would live or die. On the flip side, it was wonderful to read about characters such as Dr. Koch who were more than they appeared and fought diligently for what was right.
If you're looking for a different kind of Amish story, then look no further than A Brighter Dawn! It has been several days now since I finished it and I still have these characters in my heart and mind - probably because I can't wait to see where their story takes them next.
A Brighter Dawn features three sisters in the present day who have just lost their parents to a car accident. Their grandmother believes that it would be best for them to visit their Lancaster, PA Amish relatives as there are things in their past that need to be explained. A long cross-country journey finds Rosene sharing Clare's story of how she traveled to Germany in 1937 and lived there for 2 years. The history of the German Mennonites, the birth of eugenics in World War II, and an introduction to Josef Mengele found me struggling to turn the pages fast enough.
While I have always loved Amish fiction, Leslie Gould is one of the few authors I've not yet read - but I aim to read MUCH more of her work in the future! The depth of research in this story was astounding, and I couldn't believe how much I actually learned in this story that I never knew before. It was heartbreaking to read that the German Mennonites believed Hitler was the key to preserving their religion and way of life. It was hard to read about Clare's two nieces being sent to an institute where doctors were researching their epilepsy and not knowing whether they would live or die. On the flip side, it was wonderful to read about characters such as Dr. Koch who were more than they appeared and fought diligently for what was right.
If you're looking for a different kind of Amish story, then look no further than A Brighter Dawn! It has been several days now since I finished it and I still have these characters in my heart and mind - probably because I can't wait to see where their story takes them next.
February 1, 2023
This was one of those books that isn't read for entertainment, but more for contemplation. Between modern day and the days leading up to World War II, the narrative takes on an air of mystery with the death of Ivy's parents and her paternal grandparents trying to rekindle a relationship with Ivy and her sisters. This book is based in fact which gives a much darker picture of Europe under Hitler's regime. There are surprise elements that make it so satisfying to read.
The World War II narrative is told through Ivy's cousin, who tells it as an oral history that had been passed to her. The details of the story bring to the fore some of the darker events of the war, particularly the role Mengele played. It was a significantly ugly time in history, detailing the lengths men's depravity will go.
Because of Ivy's sister's reaction to the accident that killed their parents, Ivy believes there was a more sinister implication to the situation. After the case is closed, Ivy still digs until she comes up with an answer that truly satisfies her and helps her sister heal from the trauma.
The plot moves from Oregon to Pennsylvania to Germany back to Oregon and Pennsylvania. Each setting plays a role in moving the plot from one scene to the next and adds to the depth of the narrative.
There isn't much romance in the novel, it is more historical in nature, but it is also a coming of age novel where the characters grow and mature into adulthood and all that implies. Leslie Gould has done her due diligence in researching the events she describes. While it is disturbing to read about these events, it is necessary. That is why I give this book five stars.
Bethany House provided the copy I read for this review. All opinions expressed are solely my own.
The World War II narrative is told through Ivy's cousin, who tells it as an oral history that had been passed to her. The details of the story bring to the fore some of the darker events of the war, particularly the role Mengele played. It was a significantly ugly time in history, detailing the lengths men's depravity will go.
Because of Ivy's sister's reaction to the accident that killed their parents, Ivy believes there was a more sinister implication to the situation. After the case is closed, Ivy still digs until she comes up with an answer that truly satisfies her and helps her sister heal from the trauma.
The plot moves from Oregon to Pennsylvania to Germany back to Oregon and Pennsylvania. Each setting plays a role in moving the plot from one scene to the next and adds to the depth of the narrative.
There isn't much romance in the novel, it is more historical in nature, but it is also a coming of age novel where the characters grow and mature into adulthood and all that implies. Leslie Gould has done her due diligence in researching the events she describes. While it is disturbing to read about these events, it is necessary. That is why I give this book five stars.
Bethany House provided the copy I read for this review. All opinions expressed are solely my own.
March 16, 2023
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book via NetGalley and Bethany House Publishing. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Rating: 4/5 Stars
Publishing: March 28, 2023
Series: N/A
Pages: 432
This is a first time read by Leslie Gould, new author to this reader. I have not read an Amish story in quite a while and the description for “A Brighter Dawn” caught my interest. This, I can say was a very good story and one of the best Amish fiction novels read. The story was well-written but difficult to read at times with the dual time periods which I tend to shy away from with reads. However, the twists and surprises made it interesting from start to finish and kept my attention. Although I was looking for a bit of romance, there not much in the novel because it was more historical in nature. The author did a very thorough job with researching the events and descriptions in the story.
Rating: 4/5 Stars
Publishing: March 28, 2023
Series: N/A
Pages: 432
This is a first time read by Leslie Gould, new author to this reader. I have not read an Amish story in quite a while and the description for “A Brighter Dawn” caught my interest. This, I can say was a very good story and one of the best Amish fiction novels read. The story was well-written but difficult to read at times with the dual time periods which I tend to shy away from with reads. However, the twists and surprises made it interesting from start to finish and kept my attention. Although I was looking for a bit of romance, there not much in the novel because it was more historical in nature. The author did a very thorough job with researching the events and descriptions in the story.
April 9, 2024
Fantastic book!
This was such a great story! Two stories actually, across two different timelines that intersected through one great character. It was a beautiful story of love, loss, and the bonds that connect a family to its faith. Incredibly well-researched and thoroughly enjoyable.
This was such a great story! Two stories actually, across two different timelines that intersected through one great character. It was a beautiful story of love, loss, and the bonds that connect a family to its faith. Incredibly well-researched and thoroughly enjoyable.
July 3, 2023
A Brighter Dawn by Leslie Gould
Amish Memories #1
421-page Paperback story ends on page 417
Genre: Christian Fiction > Amish Fiction; Historical Fiction
Featuring: Epigraphs, Mennonite, Old Order Amish, Dual Timelines, Illness, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Germany, Death, Grandparents, Racism, Author's Note
Rating as a movie: PG-13 for adult situations and content
My rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
My thoughts: 📖 Page 27 of 417/422 Ch. 3 - Well, that was an opening. I'm only stopping because my eyes are tired. The first chapters had me checking the cover, very contemporary.
📖 54 Ch. 6 - I waited too long to read so I didn't get much time with this session. The story has promise but it's starting to lag and the police are oblivious, I don't like that element.
📖 80 Ch. 8 - I was interested in the mystery before I got a mediocre clue, then it turned into 1937, Mutter, Onkel Josef, Vater, Stalin, Hilter, communists, and Nazism. I can see these 2 stories are going to parallel each other, but I'm going to need a break if I have to deal with this.
📖 103 Ch. 10 Clare - So, the historical part is going to be the carrot they dangle. 😠
📖 135 Ch. 13 Ivy - Although it features topics that I'm not into, it's a pretty good story, it's nicer when the historical fiction is new information.
📖341 Ch. 30 Ivy - I have solved the mystery of the past, I already knew about the parents, now I just have to wait for the reveals while Ivy catches up. I'm probably going to wake up in the middle of the night to finish this story.
This was a very interesting story. I'm so glad I randomly saw it and picked it up. I was totally right about the historic mystery, and nearly right about the current one. Considering what is going on in the Ukraine today I'm worried about what the next book will look like, but I'll have to read it to hear more of the historical side of the story. I was really surprised by my level of enjoyment with this story.
Recommend to others: Yes! This is a great book for those who enjoy historical fiction, Amish Fiction, and/or tamed stories.
Amish Memories #1
421-page Paperback story ends on page 417
Genre: Christian Fiction > Amish Fiction; Historical Fiction
Featuring: Epigraphs, Mennonite, Old Order Amish, Dual Timelines, Illness, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Germany, Death, Grandparents, Racism, Author's Note
Rating as a movie: PG-13 for adult situations and content
My rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
My thoughts: 📖 Page 27 of 417/422 Ch. 3 - Well, that was an opening. I'm only stopping because my eyes are tired. The first chapters had me checking the cover, very contemporary.
📖 54 Ch. 6 - I waited too long to read so I didn't get much time with this session. The story has promise but it's starting to lag and the police are oblivious, I don't like that element.
📖 80 Ch. 8 - I was interested in the mystery before I got a mediocre clue, then it turned into 1937, Mutter, Onkel Josef, Vater, Stalin, Hilter, communists, and Nazism. I can see these 2 stories are going to parallel each other, but I'm going to need a break if I have to deal with this.
📖 103 Ch. 10 Clare - So, the historical part is going to be the carrot they dangle. 😠
📖 135 Ch. 13 Ivy - Although it features topics that I'm not into, it's a pretty good story, it's nicer when the historical fiction is new information.
📖341 Ch. 30 Ivy - I have solved the mystery of the past, I already knew about the parents, now I just have to wait for the reveals while Ivy catches up. I'm probably going to wake up in the middle of the night to finish this story.
This was a very interesting story. I'm so glad I randomly saw it and picked it up. I was totally right about the historic mystery, and nearly right about the current one. Considering what is going on in the Ukraine today I'm worried about what the next book will look like, but I'll have to read it to hear more of the historical side of the story. I was really surprised by my level of enjoyment with this story.
Recommend to others: Yes! This is a great book for those who enjoy historical fiction, Amish Fiction, and/or tamed stories.
April 28, 2023
A stellar original Amish/Mennonite dual time line story that involved extensive research into history. Although not an easy read it was fascinating to learn facts about WWII that I had not heard. Their are several surprising events that keep you guessing but when everything comes to a conclusion you will feel gobsmacked. The pacing and flow from Ivy’s story to Clare’s story was so well done and the characters seeped into your heart and felt like old friends. I was totally impressed with this woven storyline and cannot wait for book two in this Amish Memories series. This definitely goes on my top ten list for this year. I hadn’t read Ms Gould in several years and forgot what an exceptional author she is.
I received a complimentary copy from CelebrateLit. The honest review and opinions are my own and were not required.
I received a complimentary copy from CelebrateLit. The honest review and opinions are my own and were not required.
April 10, 2023
This one was such a unique take on Amish/Mennonite stories. It was very interesting to read about the Mennonites in Germany before the start of WWII. I also really enjoyed the way the dual timeline stories played out. I loved that Leslie Gould has the historical part told as a story within the main story. She has quickly become a favorite author! I can't wait to see what comes next in this series!
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
March 11, 2023
Mind blown.
This is my first Leslie Gould book, and as the saying goes, won’t be the last. A BRIGHTER DAWN (Book 1 of the Amish Memories series) opened such insights into history my mouth hung open in astonishment as I read. And this is a time period I thought I knew so well.
While the publisher classifies this story as Contemporary Fiction, it is better classified as a split-time novel—both contemporary and historical—which I love. Both stories are cohesive in of themselves and yet are woven into solving the mysteries of both stories.
This is another book I’ll be reading again. There is depth and complexity with both the characters and the plot, I want to enjoy exploring it more deeply. Highly recommend reading the Author Notes at the end.
The story begins with Ivy Zimmerman, a Mennonite, an insecure rebel who wants more—but who’s not even sure what that is. Initially, she wasn’t very likeable, but that changes quickly when her parents die in a tragic accident. An accident her younger sister Brenna may have caused because she was an inexperienced driver.
Brenna doesn’t remember the incident but has night terrors leaving her confused and riddled with guilt. But something doesn’t add up to Ivy. She knows her sister and recently revealed details from that evening convince Ivy that Brenna wasn’t at fault. Something far more sinister could be at hand.
An upcoming event—the International Mennonite Youth Gathering in Germany—distracts Ivy and Brenna somewhat. Both look forward to spending time with their friends—especially Ivy’s boyfriend, Alec.
Since their parents’ death, relatives previously unknown to the sisters come into their lives. The most enchanting is their great-great aunt Rosene who decides she’s going with the young people to see her remaining family in Germany.
While travelling, Rosene reveals to Ivy the story of a relative, Clare Simons, who visited Germany from America in the late 1930s. Here’s where the benefits of a split-time story add layers of interest to the novel. Part of which is a story of Anabaptists and their struggles and persecution through the ages, from their time under communism to the evil that spread through Europe during the 1930's and 1940's. Something of which I knew nothing about.
Clare's story is equally absorbing, and like Ivy, I couldn’t get enough. Alas Rosene only seems to share the story when it is needed or when time permits.
Clare was still in Germany helping to take care of her young twin cousins who were being tested on by peers of Dr. Mengele. Meanwhile the stranglehold of Hitler corrupts and manipulates the German people, with his next steps of persecuting Jewish people and invading other countries.
In both stories, Clare and Ivy have romantic interests. Yet, when compared side-by-side one is found lacking. The beauty and complexity of the two stories demonstrate how important it is to be open to the truth—the real truth.
Looking forward to book 2 of the Amish Memories series which is probably when I’ll reread A BRIGHTER DAWN.
I received a complimentary ARC courtesy of Bethany House for my honest review.
This is my first Leslie Gould book, and as the saying goes, won’t be the last. A BRIGHTER DAWN (Book 1 of the Amish Memories series) opened such insights into history my mouth hung open in astonishment as I read. And this is a time period I thought I knew so well.
While the publisher classifies this story as Contemporary Fiction, it is better classified as a split-time novel—both contemporary and historical—which I love. Both stories are cohesive in of themselves and yet are woven into solving the mysteries of both stories.
This is another book I’ll be reading again. There is depth and complexity with both the characters and the plot, I want to enjoy exploring it more deeply. Highly recommend reading the Author Notes at the end.
The story begins with Ivy Zimmerman, a Mennonite, an insecure rebel who wants more—but who’s not even sure what that is. Initially, she wasn’t very likeable, but that changes quickly when her parents die in a tragic accident. An accident her younger sister Brenna may have caused because she was an inexperienced driver.
Brenna doesn’t remember the incident but has night terrors leaving her confused and riddled with guilt. But something doesn’t add up to Ivy. She knows her sister and recently revealed details from that evening convince Ivy that Brenna wasn’t at fault. Something far more sinister could be at hand.
An upcoming event—the International Mennonite Youth Gathering in Germany—distracts Ivy and Brenna somewhat. Both look forward to spending time with their friends—especially Ivy’s boyfriend, Alec.
Since their parents’ death, relatives previously unknown to the sisters come into their lives. The most enchanting is their great-great aunt Rosene who decides she’s going with the young people to see her remaining family in Germany.
While travelling, Rosene reveals to Ivy the story of a relative, Clare Simons, who visited Germany from America in the late 1930s. Here’s where the benefits of a split-time story add layers of interest to the novel. Part of which is a story of Anabaptists and their struggles and persecution through the ages, from their time under communism to the evil that spread through Europe during the 1930's and 1940's. Something of which I knew nothing about.
Clare's story is equally absorbing, and like Ivy, I couldn’t get enough. Alas Rosene only seems to share the story when it is needed or when time permits.
Clare was still in Germany helping to take care of her young twin cousins who were being tested on by peers of Dr. Mengele. Meanwhile the stranglehold of Hitler corrupts and manipulates the German people, with his next steps of persecuting Jewish people and invading other countries.
In both stories, Clare and Ivy have romantic interests. Yet, when compared side-by-side one is found lacking. The beauty and complexity of the two stories demonstrate how important it is to be open to the truth—the real truth.
Looking forward to book 2 of the Amish Memories series which is probably when I’ll reread A BRIGHTER DAWN.
I received a complimentary ARC courtesy of Bethany House for my honest review.
April 1, 2023
This novel was so compelling that I did not want to put it down, but life demanded my time so I had to do grudgingly put it aside to do other stuff. I was anxious to get back to this dual time line novel of the Amish/ Mennonite communities. I loved how this was not your typical novel, the present-day character has a gritty determination to find out what exactly happened that caused the accident that killed her parents.
The author obviously was thorough in her research as is apparent in the 1930’s storyline where she tells the story of family members living in Germany. I loved that the present-day characters visited Germany, seeing, and learning so much history and two old friends are reunited. Ms. Gould is a gifted storyteller, weaving both storylines seamlessly with well-crafted characters of different ages and time periods. Readers of historical and Amish fiction please do not pass this one up.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions are my own,
The author obviously was thorough in her research as is apparent in the 1930’s storyline where she tells the story of family members living in Germany. I loved that the present-day characters visited Germany, seeing, and learning so much history and two old friends are reunited. Ms. Gould is a gifted storyteller, weaving both storylines seamlessly with well-crafted characters of different ages and time periods. Readers of historical and Amish fiction please do not pass this one up.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions are my own,
March 29, 2023
A Brighter Dawn ( Amish Memories #1 )
Leslie Gould
A Brighter Dawn is the first book in the Amish Memories series. This is not your regular Amish novel. It is a dual-time or split-time novel. I am usually not a fan of split-time novels , but this one caught my attention at the start and held it till the end. It is almost like reading two stories in one. You can tell that a lot of research went into writing the story. Leslie Gould did a great job. It is a wonderful story that shows love, loss, family, and faith. Ivy Zimmerman is a young Mennonite woman and her and her sister’s parents are killed in a tragic accident. This uproots them and they have to go and live with grandparents who they have never seen. Ivy is suspicious over the way her parents were killed. Something does not add up . Will she ever find out what happened? The other story is about another young woman name Clare in her time in the past. When reading on one time line I could not wait to find out more about it. I was given a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
Leslie Gould
A Brighter Dawn is the first book in the Amish Memories series. This is not your regular Amish novel. It is a dual-time or split-time novel. I am usually not a fan of split-time novels , but this one caught my attention at the start and held it till the end. It is almost like reading two stories in one. You can tell that a lot of research went into writing the story. Leslie Gould did a great job. It is a wonderful story that shows love, loss, family, and faith. Ivy Zimmerman is a young Mennonite woman and her and her sister’s parents are killed in a tragic accident. This uproots them and they have to go and live with grandparents who they have never seen. Ivy is suspicious over the way her parents were killed. Something does not add up . Will she ever find out what happened? The other story is about another young woman name Clare in her time in the past. When reading on one time line I could not wait to find out more about it. I was given a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
November 2, 2024
This is an amazing story within a story and I highly recommended this book .
May 8, 2023
A haunting historical time slip that captures your heart. Beautifully written about a very difficult time in history of Nazi Germany, it pulls at your heart strings making you feel as though you are experiencing the story firsthand. Ivy and Claire are two characters you want to cheer for both within their respective timelines. The story is woven in such a way it is easy to slip from one period to the next seamless.
A must read for historical fiction lovers!
A must read for historical fiction lovers!
August 7, 2023
I really enjoyed this book! Had a little bit of romance, mystery, and history all in one. Very much recommending to my historical fiction friends. I did win this book here on goodreads :) will pick up the next one by this author.
March 18, 2024
This book covered so many interesting topics including the way disabled children were studied / treated pre-WW2. I found it all so fascinating!
April 7, 2023
A Brighter Dawn (Amish Memories #1) by Leslie Gould—Review
Some readers choose Amish stories because they are safe in terms of moral decency. Others choose NOT to read Amish stories because the Amish way of life may seem culturally irrelevant. In Leslie Gould’s Amish novels, readers consistently find both moral decency and cultural relevance.
In her latest book, A Brighter Dawn, Gould employs the popular time-slip approach to meld the experiences of family members separated by nearly a century. The underlying theme throughout is racism which transcends time, location, and circumstances.
Ivy Zimmerman, protagonist of the contemporary story, struggles to understand why her Anabaptist ancestors would favor Axis powers (including Hitler’s Germany) over Allied powers (including Stalin’s Russia) in pre-WWII Germany. While attending an international Mennonite youth gathering in Frankfurt, Ivy learns racism prompted that choice … and racism is currently responsible for the war between Russia and Ukraine.
While at the Mennonite youth gathering, Ivy also discovers an underlying racism based on skin color among her American co-conferees. Rejecting the notion of racial supremacy any time, any place, and in all circumstances, Ivy turns to scripture and Jesus’ admonition to love and serve one another.
All of this is set in a compelling and page-turning story! I recommend A Brighter Dawn without reservation. In the interest of full disclosure, I received a copy of this book from the publisher Bethany House with no strings attached.
Some readers choose Amish stories because they are safe in terms of moral decency. Others choose NOT to read Amish stories because the Amish way of life may seem culturally irrelevant. In Leslie Gould’s Amish novels, readers consistently find both moral decency and cultural relevance.
In her latest book, A Brighter Dawn, Gould employs the popular time-slip approach to meld the experiences of family members separated by nearly a century. The underlying theme throughout is racism which transcends time, location, and circumstances.
Ivy Zimmerman, protagonist of the contemporary story, struggles to understand why her Anabaptist ancestors would favor Axis powers (including Hitler’s Germany) over Allied powers (including Stalin’s Russia) in pre-WWII Germany. While attending an international Mennonite youth gathering in Frankfurt, Ivy learns racism prompted that choice … and racism is currently responsible for the war between Russia and Ukraine.
While at the Mennonite youth gathering, Ivy also discovers an underlying racism based on skin color among her American co-conferees. Rejecting the notion of racial supremacy any time, any place, and in all circumstances, Ivy turns to scripture and Jesus’ admonition to love and serve one another.
All of this is set in a compelling and page-turning story! I recommend A Brighter Dawn without reservation. In the interest of full disclosure, I received a copy of this book from the publisher Bethany House with no strings attached.
January 26, 2023
I always loved the word dawn, and the image it promised. Each dawn I had ever seen held promise. Except for this one.
Ivy Zimmerman's parents were tragically killed in a car accident. Ivy's world was turned upside down of having to care for her sisters and grandmother. Ivy regrets her last words to her parents when they requested Ivy to pick up her sister. Those words haunt her now. Maybe because of those words, she feels unsettled with how her parents died. It doesn't feel right. Her sisters and her grandmother must pick up the pieces. The pieces become more entangled when her estranged grandparents from Pennsylvania request for her and her sister to come stay the summer. Ivy and her sisters do not know why their father did not have a relationship with his parents. Was he shunned? Nothing made any sense and tragedy never does.
On the drive from Washington to Pennsylvania, Ivy's aunt tells her the story of her great grand mother Claire that served family in Germany during World War II. In telling this story, it goes along with Ivy's current tragedy. Where does my strength come from? Ivy and Claire have different reasons in their shortcoming, insecurities, and finding the truth. However, they have a common God. Claire's serving her uncle and cousins after the death of her aunt is a contrast to Ivy's character, but as she hears about her grandmother, Ivy becomes more determined to make things right.
I enjoyed seeing how their lives came together in family and made the bonds of family much stronger. I also enjoyed learning about the Mennonites in Germany. How they were manipulated because of Russia and Hitler. It is to easy to judge on this side of history but learning about actual events and what people were faced with gives you perspective. It was a different kind of Amish read that was appealing.
A special thank you to Bethany House Publishing and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.
Ivy Zimmerman's parents were tragically killed in a car accident. Ivy's world was turned upside down of having to care for her sisters and grandmother. Ivy regrets her last words to her parents when they requested Ivy to pick up her sister. Those words haunt her now. Maybe because of those words, she feels unsettled with how her parents died. It doesn't feel right. Her sisters and her grandmother must pick up the pieces. The pieces become more entangled when her estranged grandparents from Pennsylvania request for her and her sister to come stay the summer. Ivy and her sisters do not know why their father did not have a relationship with his parents. Was he shunned? Nothing made any sense and tragedy never does.
On the drive from Washington to Pennsylvania, Ivy's aunt tells her the story of her great grand mother Claire that served family in Germany during World War II. In telling this story, it goes along with Ivy's current tragedy. Where does my strength come from? Ivy and Claire have different reasons in their shortcoming, insecurities, and finding the truth. However, they have a common God. Claire's serving her uncle and cousins after the death of her aunt is a contrast to Ivy's character, but as she hears about her grandmother, Ivy becomes more determined to make things right.
I enjoyed seeing how their lives came together in family and made the bonds of family much stronger. I also enjoyed learning about the Mennonites in Germany. How they were manipulated because of Russia and Hitler. It is to easy to judge on this side of history but learning about actual events and what people were faced with gives you perspective. It was a different kind of Amish read that was appealing.
A special thank you to Bethany House Publishing and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.
April 22, 2023
Leslie Gould has written a very compelling, yet for me, too political story about a young Mennonite woman, Ivy Zimmerman, and her family who live in Oregon. Following a family tragedy, Ivy and her sisters leave their beloved Gran and travel to stay with their estranged Amish grandparents on the other side, who live in PA. As the sisters travel back to PA with their Amish grandparents, they are accompanied by a great-aunt, who tells Ivy a story about another young woman. This woman, Clare, is a relative who visited Germany years ago, and stayed with a family of three sisters.
I enjoyed the dual timeline, even as it surprised me. I loved the historical timeline (narrated in third person)best, but the present-day story (told in first-person pov) is also interesting. I liked learning more about the Mennonites. I was surprised, as Clare is, at the difference in beliefs and practices of the American Mennonites vs. their European counterparts.
Gould wants to make sure the reader understands history and its importance today. While we aren’t responsible for the actions of others, the past can teach us. “But we have a responsibility to it—to caring for those affected by it, by never forgetting, and by doing all we can to prevent such atrocities from ever happening again.”
I totally agree with that.
However, this was a difficult book for me to finish. For one thing, there are too many characters to keep them all straight. I also had some difficulty sorting out the which Mennonite group Gould is referring to in places. I felt as if the author had a ton of information she was excited to share, and didn’t pare it down enough for one book.
Gould heavily emphasizes the Ukrainian/Russian conflict before WWII. According to Gould, it’s very clear that the same events are now being repeated.
What I didn’t enjoy: Strong inferences made that being a Christian means you can only hold one political view. I hear that from both sides of the aisle, and it saddens me. Because we are human, we are imperfect, and our politics are imperfect. We will not all agree, but we should all be able to speak our minds respectfully, yet not insist that our way is the only way. Also, I read for enjoyment, not a rehashing of the conflict in the world around us. Realism is ok, but I expected this type of book to be more educational about WWII and the Mennonites, not the strong political statement I felt it became halfway through.
All in all, this is an interesting story, but very political and with too many threads in the tapestry.
I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit via NetGalley. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.
Notable Quotables:
“How did my grudges correlate with my will to survive? Not physically survive, but emotionally?”
“What was the difference between a grudge and a boundary?”
“I’d read once that if you flew west on a plane at one thousand miles an hour, you’d be continually in the dawn of one day for twenty-four hours. But I liked the idea. It gave me hope. A new day was always beginning, somewhere.”
I enjoyed the dual timeline, even as it surprised me. I loved the historical timeline (narrated in third person)best, but the present-day story (told in first-person pov) is also interesting. I liked learning more about the Mennonites. I was surprised, as Clare is, at the difference in beliefs and practices of the American Mennonites vs. their European counterparts.
Gould wants to make sure the reader understands history and its importance today. While we aren’t responsible for the actions of others, the past can teach us. “But we have a responsibility to it—to caring for those affected by it, by never forgetting, and by doing all we can to prevent such atrocities from ever happening again.”
I totally agree with that.
However, this was a difficult book for me to finish. For one thing, there are too many characters to keep them all straight. I also had some difficulty sorting out the which Mennonite group Gould is referring to in places. I felt as if the author had a ton of information she was excited to share, and didn’t pare it down enough for one book.
Gould heavily emphasizes the Ukrainian/Russian conflict before WWII. According to Gould, it’s very clear that the same events are now being repeated.
What I didn’t enjoy: Strong inferences made that being a Christian means you can only hold one political view. I hear that from both sides of the aisle, and it saddens me. Because we are human, we are imperfect, and our politics are imperfect. We will not all agree, but we should all be able to speak our minds respectfully, yet not insist that our way is the only way. Also, I read for enjoyment, not a rehashing of the conflict in the world around us. Realism is ok, but I expected this type of book to be more educational about WWII and the Mennonites, not the strong political statement I felt it became halfway through.
All in all, this is an interesting story, but very political and with too many threads in the tapestry.
I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit via NetGalley. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.
Notable Quotables:
“How did my grudges correlate with my will to survive? Not physically survive, but emotionally?”
“What was the difference between a grudge and a boundary?”
“I’d read once that if you flew west on a plane at one thousand miles an hour, you’d be continually in the dawn of one day for twenty-four hours. But I liked the idea. It gave me hope. A new day was always beginning, somewhere.”
March 28, 2023
I always look forward to a story from Leslie Gould. She crafts stories with twists always showing God's love and forming dual time stories that you'll love. When the times where painful and the tests of belonging and forgiveness made one stronger. And the learning from past history that we can not become someone just because our heritage grasped the wrong.
In this story, "A Brighter Dawn", I must say is a story that will captivate you from the beginning never wanting to close the covers but turn each page faster and faster as well as slow to take in all the lines written in within each page. She
We are going from present to 1930's. From Oregon to Germany. A situation that seems to match her great grandmother's stay in German during very difficult times and the brave choices she had to take to see that justice was brought to someone else than herself.
Ivy, mourning the passing of her parents, in a so called "accident" is touched by Rosene story of Clare, that she shares with her on their way to Ivy's paternal's grandparents home and also in Germany. Her feeling of not belonging has made her make wrong decisions, but knowing the story of her family and not giving up on finding answers for her parent's car accident and sisters is what will help her become the strong girl she knows God has made her.
Clare being sent to Germany in 1930's and 1940's to take care of twin cousins, sees and finds out things she can't understand and accept. Doing everything in her power and prayer she finds a Doctor that helps her save one of the twins from the same horrible ending her sister had.
This story in all was a story that had me hooked from opening it to the last page. Wanting to know what happened. Learning new historical information and enjoying the strong characters these two young women became despite feeling they didn't belong. Ivy in a devastating situation of finding the culprits in her parent's death and Clare in freeing a young cousin from the devastating and hurtful treatment of the people with disabilities during that time and in Germany. With a older sister and a father that hide behind the pain of losing a mother and wife. And accepting the horrible times they lived in.
With all the suspense, loss, family love, forgiveness, Faith and God's strength this is a story that will take you along in a story that is not like any other story. And will wrap you up in history and love for all these characters.
I received a ARC from the author. All stated here are my own honest thoughts.
In this story, "A Brighter Dawn", I must say is a story that will captivate you from the beginning never wanting to close the covers but turn each page faster and faster as well as slow to take in all the lines written in within each page. She
We are going from present to 1930's. From Oregon to Germany. A situation that seems to match her great grandmother's stay in German during very difficult times and the brave choices she had to take to see that justice was brought to someone else than herself.
Ivy, mourning the passing of her parents, in a so called "accident" is touched by Rosene story of Clare, that she shares with her on their way to Ivy's paternal's grandparents home and also in Germany. Her feeling of not belonging has made her make wrong decisions, but knowing the story of her family and not giving up on finding answers for her parent's car accident and sisters is what will help her become the strong girl she knows God has made her.
Clare being sent to Germany in 1930's and 1940's to take care of twin cousins, sees and finds out things she can't understand and accept. Doing everything in her power and prayer she finds a Doctor that helps her save one of the twins from the same horrible ending her sister had.
This story in all was a story that had me hooked from opening it to the last page. Wanting to know what happened. Learning new historical information and enjoying the strong characters these two young women became despite feeling they didn't belong. Ivy in a devastating situation of finding the culprits in her parent's death and Clare in freeing a young cousin from the devastating and hurtful treatment of the people with disabilities during that time and in Germany. With a older sister and a father that hide behind the pain of losing a mother and wife. And accepting the horrible times they lived in.
With all the suspense, loss, family love, forgiveness, Faith and God's strength this is a story that will take you along in a story that is not like any other story. And will wrap you up in history and love for all these characters.
I received a ARC from the author. All stated here are my own honest thoughts.
March 31, 2023
Giveaway on my blog plus review https://veganbookblogger.wordpress.co...
This is very different from any Amish/Mennonite book I have ever read. And right there I applaud this because with so many books out there it's truly hard to stand out and be an original, but this book succeeds. I have read every Amish book that the author has put out and am very impressed. I have not read her contemporary books yet.
This book interestingly enough takes place during two time periods modern times and late 1930's.
Anyone who has read enough of my reviews knows how appreciative I am of a very well researched book that I also learn things from. This book fits those criteria.
2014- Ivy Zimmerman, a young Mennonite woman is adjusting to life without her parents after a fatal car accident. She's also a carer for her younger sisters' needs and coping with the strictness of Dawdi and Mammi's strict rules. She's also trying to figure out if she feels comfortable continuing her relationship with her boyfriend.
To leave behind some stress she is looking forward to an upcoming trip to Germany for an international Mennonite youth gathering.
1930's Germany- We find out about a family member's story that happened during WWII. We also read some history of the Anabaptists, their persecution and the things they have gone through during this time period. The German's quest to find the "perfect people" led to a lot of disgraceful experiments and eugenics. Though this is hard to read about it is an important thing to talk about and not forget. The book has many topics for discussion which adds to its interest. The flow between time periods is an easy transition. We see strong women in both time periods.
There is a revelation of the truth, and it adds a vulnerability to this character which makes the book even more realistic.
There are ups and downs and many surprises in this story. I loved this story and kept me reading. My husband also read this story and enjoyed it as much as I did.
Make sure to read the author's notes at the back of the book, informative and interesting.
Pub Date 28 Mar 2023
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.
May 2, 2023
I had no idea this was a dual time period story and was very pleasantly surprised by it. The author does an excellent job of bringing the past to meet the present in this beautiful and emotional story. We meet Ivy in the present as she is looking forward to her future. I loved how we discover her way of life and how it is a bit different from the English. She does have more freedom as a Mennonite and I found that the Amish are a bit more strict in areas. When a tragic accident happens, Ivy finds her life turned upside down. Can she forgive herself for the last thought she had as she drove off that day? I worried about her sister Brenna who feels guilty over the accident. Her heart is broken and will need love and understanding to help her through her guilt and loss.
There are several topics in the book that may be a trigger for some such as white supremacy and how the Jewish people were treated during the reign of Hitler. I learned a lot about both of these topics and how the Mennonites were part of this. They suffered tragedy and were caught in the middle when they wanted to continue shopping at their Jewish friends stores. What a difficult time in our history this was as we get to know more about Clara and how her life was affected by this era.
Clara was fascinating to me as she was sent to go help her cousins who were having medical problems. At first she was to only stay for a few months in Germany but her return date kept changing. Since Hitler wanted a perfect race, Clara’s twin cousins were in danger due to their medical condition. I was shocked at what they wanted to do to the twins and saw how cruel their treatment was because they were considered damaged.
I loved how Clara and Ivy’s story illustrates courage, trust in God and family. The ending ties up the mystery from the past as Clara’s time in Germany finds her doing something that saves a life. For Ivy she was able to bring justice for her family. Both of these women witnessed prejudice and stood up against it. I am thankful for an author who writes stories that remind us that there is evil in the world but we can change that if we trust God and not waver from our belief.
I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.
There are several topics in the book that may be a trigger for some such as white supremacy and how the Jewish people were treated during the reign of Hitler. I learned a lot about both of these topics and how the Mennonites were part of this. They suffered tragedy and were caught in the middle when they wanted to continue shopping at their Jewish friends stores. What a difficult time in our history this was as we get to know more about Clara and how her life was affected by this era.
Clara was fascinating to me as she was sent to go help her cousins who were having medical problems. At first she was to only stay for a few months in Germany but her return date kept changing. Since Hitler wanted a perfect race, Clara’s twin cousins were in danger due to their medical condition. I was shocked at what they wanted to do to the twins and saw how cruel their treatment was because they were considered damaged.
I loved how Clara and Ivy’s story illustrates courage, trust in God and family. The ending ties up the mystery from the past as Clara’s time in Germany finds her doing something that saves a life. For Ivy she was able to bring justice for her family. Both of these women witnessed prejudice and stood up against it. I am thankful for an author who writes stories that remind us that there is evil in the world but we can change that if we trust God and not waver from our belief.
I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.
April 8, 2023
I was expecting to read a Christian romance with Mennonite characters rather than Amish, where there was some conflict, attraction, courtship and a traditional happy ending. This was not that book - it was so much more.
Ivy Zimmerman lives with her family on their tree farm in Oregon. Her parents were Amish originally but her family is now Mennonite - not as strict as the Amish, and education is not restricted. Her father is a teacher at their local school, her mother runs the tree farm, and she has two younger sisters, Brenna and Treva. Ivy is in college, and intends to get her master's or doctorate degree and become a social worker. She has a boyfriend, Alex, who is not Mennonite. She is also planning a trip to Germany later that year to attend a global event for Anabaptists.
Then her parents are killed in a car accident, and everything changes. Her sister Brenna was driving, was injured in the crash, and doesn't remember a lot about what happened. The back bumper was dented, when it should not have been. There were also rumors about a conflict at the school between her father and another student.
The tragedy brings her fractured family together. Her father's family is Amish and live in Pennsylvania, and it turns out that her family also has relatives in Germany. When her father's parents and her great-aunt came for the funeral, it was decided that it would be best for the three sisters to stay with them in Pennsylvania for a few months. Ivy's maternal grandmother also encourages her to keep her plan to go to the Global Gathering of Anabaptists in Frankfurt, Germany, which is a few months away. There she also stays with her German relatives.
What follows is a fascinating dual story alternating between the rise of Nazism leading up to the onset of WWII, and the present. It was frightening to see how so many people were willing to follow a charismatic leader, and be willing to report anyone who disagreed, even their own relatives.
This is an excellent book, one I want to re-read. My thanks to the publisher Bethany House and NetGalley for the ARC of this book. It was my pleasure to voluntarily read and review it.
Ivy Zimmerman lives with her family on their tree farm in Oregon. Her parents were Amish originally but her family is now Mennonite - not as strict as the Amish, and education is not restricted. Her father is a teacher at their local school, her mother runs the tree farm, and she has two younger sisters, Brenna and Treva. Ivy is in college, and intends to get her master's or doctorate degree and become a social worker. She has a boyfriend, Alex, who is not Mennonite. She is also planning a trip to Germany later that year to attend a global event for Anabaptists.
Then her parents are killed in a car accident, and everything changes. Her sister Brenna was driving, was injured in the crash, and doesn't remember a lot about what happened. The back bumper was dented, when it should not have been. There were also rumors about a conflict at the school between her father and another student.
The tragedy brings her fractured family together. Her father's family is Amish and live in Pennsylvania, and it turns out that her family also has relatives in Germany. When her father's parents and her great-aunt came for the funeral, it was decided that it would be best for the three sisters to stay with them in Pennsylvania for a few months. Ivy's maternal grandmother also encourages her to keep her plan to go to the Global Gathering of Anabaptists in Frankfurt, Germany, which is a few months away. There she also stays with her German relatives.
What follows is a fascinating dual story alternating between the rise of Nazism leading up to the onset of WWII, and the present. It was frightening to see how so many people were willing to follow a charismatic leader, and be willing to report anyone who disagreed, even their own relatives.
This is an excellent book, one I want to re-read. My thanks to the publisher Bethany House and NetGalley for the ARC of this book. It was my pleasure to voluntarily read and review it.
May 5, 2023
Wow! I loved this book and cannot wait until the next one comes out. There is so much history in this novel. There is WWII history but from a very very unique standpoint. It’s the Mennonite standpoint. And you get it both in the US and in Germany. I really loved this book and learning about bits of history that I’ve not heard of before.
Prior to this novel, I didn’t really understand the role that Mennonites played in WWII. I knew that the Mennonites in the US were conscientious objectors and did not fight but rather served in labor-like camps in the states. They also served in hospitals in the United States as well.
But in Germany, they served in the army. They felt that they had to and prominent Mennonites promoted it.
I DID KNOW ABOUT EXPERIMENTING ON TWINS.
However, I did not know that families actually volunteered their children for it, though I’m not surprised. I loved getting to know more about Germany and what was going on in the war years over there.
But lest you think I’m focusing too much on the past in this dual-timeline novel do know that I loved the present just as much. Three Mennonite girls who lived with their parents and grandmother until their parents died in a car crash. They each have some issues of their own that they have to work through in the novel.
And then add in that they go to stay with their other set of grandparents that they don’t know. Oh and the fact that the accident might not have been an accident.
You’re also going to want to keep a look at Ivy’s beau. Her father didn’t approve of him and you know that always means trouble! Oh and did I mention that their grandparents are Amish?
I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from Celebrate Lit. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.
Prior to this novel, I didn’t really understand the role that Mennonites played in WWII. I knew that the Mennonites in the US were conscientious objectors and did not fight but rather served in labor-like camps in the states. They also served in hospitals in the United States as well.
But in Germany, they served in the army. They felt that they had to and prominent Mennonites promoted it.
I DID KNOW ABOUT EXPERIMENTING ON TWINS.
However, I did not know that families actually volunteered their children for it, though I’m not surprised. I loved getting to know more about Germany and what was going on in the war years over there.
But lest you think I’m focusing too much on the past in this dual-timeline novel do know that I loved the present just as much. Three Mennonite girls who lived with their parents and grandmother until their parents died in a car crash. They each have some issues of their own that they have to work through in the novel.
And then add in that they go to stay with their other set of grandparents that they don’t know. Oh and the fact that the accident might not have been an accident.
You’re also going to want to keep a look at Ivy’s beau. Her father didn’t approve of him and you know that always means trouble! Oh and did I mention that their grandparents are Amish?
I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from Celebrate Lit. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.
March 30, 2023
I love the way Leslie Gould frequently tells a story within a story. The main character, Ivy, is living through life-changing events including the death of her parents in an accident. Her grandmother who lived with them decides it would be a good idea for Ivy and her two sisters to travel from Oregon to Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, to spend the summer with their father’s Amish parents whom she did not know existed until they arrived for the funeral of her parents. Her grandfather’s aunt Rosene, who lives with her grandparents, came with them to Oregon. Ivy had some misgivings about going from the Mennonite community where she lived to spend weeks in an Amish community. As they are making the trip to Pennsylvania, Rosene begins telling her the story of Clare, a young Mennonite woman from the pre-World War II era. Clare had only met her uncle and his family once when she was eleven and visited them in Germany with her mother. After her aunt died, her uncle and a cousin came for a visit from Germany and invited her to spend the summer with them in Germany. They were all Mennonites. However, it seems many of the German Mennonites had a different view of what was happening in Germany from the views of the Mennonites in the United States. Just as Ivy was caught up in Clare’s story, I believe readers will be caught up with the stories of both young women. Although Rosene told Ivy not to get ahead of her by asking questions about what was going to happen next, Ivy had trouble resisting the urge. I kept wondering what would happen in both stories. I must admit that I could relate more readily with Ivy because she was living in the present with which I am more familiar. Clare’s story took place before I was even born so I only know a little from what I have read about that era. I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher. This is my honest review. All opinions are strictly my own.
April 27, 2023
A Brighter Dawn is an Amish Romance that is written by Leslie Gould. This is the first book in the Amish Memories series. This book switches back and forth between Ivy and Clare's story. Separated by decades it was so heartwarming to see how their stories are intertwined.
Ivy Zimmerman is a Mennonite woman that loses her parents in a horrific car wreck that she does not believe was an accident. When her dad's parents and great aunt come for the funeral, Ivy and her sisters are told they will be traveling to Pennsylvania to spend some time with their paternal grandparents in their Old Order Amish home. The girls have different reactions to it. Ivy reluctantly goes and is looking forward to visiting Germany on a missions trip. While traveling her great aunt tells her more of her family history and she is captivated by it. She is in a awkward relationship that she starts to realize may not be right for her.
Clare Simons wants to marry Jeremiah, her father's farm hand. He is Amish and her mother believes that she deserves more. She is sent to Germany with her uncle and cousin to assist with her twin cousins who suffer from seizures. Life is very different in Nazi Germany then what Clare is used to. Her twin cousins are left in her charge and she starts to feel uncomfortable with the treatment they are receiving. She desperately wants to come home but her mother forbades it and encourages her to meet a German Man.
This book is woven together so seamlessly with the different decades. The author did an amazing job in her research. The characters were well written and the storyline pulled me in within the first few pages. I cannot wait until the next book in the series.
Thank you to the author, publisher and Celebrate Lit for allowing me to read a copy of this book - all thoughts are my own.
Ivy Zimmerman is a Mennonite woman that loses her parents in a horrific car wreck that she does not believe was an accident. When her dad's parents and great aunt come for the funeral, Ivy and her sisters are told they will be traveling to Pennsylvania to spend some time with their paternal grandparents in their Old Order Amish home. The girls have different reactions to it. Ivy reluctantly goes and is looking forward to visiting Germany on a missions trip. While traveling her great aunt tells her more of her family history and she is captivated by it. She is in a awkward relationship that she starts to realize may not be right for her.
Clare Simons wants to marry Jeremiah, her father's farm hand. He is Amish and her mother believes that she deserves more. She is sent to Germany with her uncle and cousin to assist with her twin cousins who suffer from seizures. Life is very different in Nazi Germany then what Clare is used to. Her twin cousins are left in her charge and she starts to feel uncomfortable with the treatment they are receiving. She desperately wants to come home but her mother forbades it and encourages her to meet a German Man.
This book is woven together so seamlessly with the different decades. The author did an amazing job in her research. The characters were well written and the storyline pulled me in within the first few pages. I cannot wait until the next book in the series.
Thank you to the author, publisher and Celebrate Lit for allowing me to read a copy of this book - all thoughts are my own.
March 23, 2023
A Brighter Dawn by Leslie Gould is dual-timeline Amish novel. I thought the story was well-written. The characters are realistic and developed. The story is engaging. It captures your attention and holds it until the end. I enjoyed getting to know Clare and Ivy. Clare’s story is intriguing. I like that we get to see Germany just before war breaks out from Clare’s point-of-view. There are some interesting twists along the way and a surprise. I can tell that the author did a thorough job researching historical events. I like how she incorporated the history into the story. It is disturbing to read what happened in Germany in the time leading up to World War II. I amazed at how many people fell for Hitler’s rhetoric. There is romance, but it is not at the forefront. I enjoyed the mystery as well. Ivy does not accept that her parents were killed in an accident. The facts do not add up for her. She is determined to uncover the truth. I admired her tenacity. The author takes readers from Oregon to Pennsylvania on to Germany, back to Oregon, and a return to Pennsylvania. I like that she included descriptions of the scenery as the group drove across the country from Oregon to Pennsylvania. The story has a good flow. The switch between scenes and time periods was smooth. A Brighter Dawn shows us the importance it is to be open to the truth. It can be hard to hear, but it is better than living with lies. The author gave us rich, developed characters and a complex plot. This is a story that invokes discussion. I suggest reading the author’s notes at the end. I enjoyed the first installment in the Amish Memories series. A Brighter Dawn is a thoughtful tale with an atrocious accident, gracious grandparents, romantic predicaments, a lengthy journey, a verbal narrative, and unearthing answers.
May 1, 2023
Amish Fiction is my absolute favorite Genre to read. I have read a couple of books by Leslie Gould in the past. I was excited to read her newest book, A Brighter Dawn. A Brighter Dawn is Book 1 in the Amish Memories series.
Ivy Zimmerman is living life as a Mennonite in 2014 and is very successful. Her parents were part of the Old Order Amish. Ivy is devasted when her parents are killed in a tragic accident. She is now helping raise her younger sisters, trying to live under her grandparent's strict house rules and still have time for her boyfriend. She is very excited about her upcoming trip to Germany for an International Young Mennonite gathering, especially after hearing stories from her Great-Great Aunt about Clare Simmons who visited Germany in the 1930s. Ivy then has to seek justice for her parents, her sister,s and herself when she learns that her parent's death was probably not an accident. Ivy takes heed from women who have gone before her, like Clare, that have encouraged and inspired her to seek justice. Will Ivy discover the truth about her parent's death? Will justice be served for all?
WOW! I have never read an Amish Fiction book that was also a dual timeline book. I truly LOVED that it was a dual timeline as I have gained interest in dual timeline books over the last couple of years. Ivy is a strong woman who was dealing with so much after her parent's death. Clare Simmons was the character from the 1930s and I really enjoyed reading about her life in Germany before World War II. Ivy gets encouragement and inspiration to fight for her parents and sisters and find the truth. I LOVE how author, Leslie Gould, really brings History to life in this book. I HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Historical and Amish Fiction! FABULOUS Book!
Ivy Zimmerman is living life as a Mennonite in 2014 and is very successful. Her parents were part of the Old Order Amish. Ivy is devasted when her parents are killed in a tragic accident. She is now helping raise her younger sisters, trying to live under her grandparent's strict house rules and still have time for her boyfriend. She is very excited about her upcoming trip to Germany for an International Young Mennonite gathering, especially after hearing stories from her Great-Great Aunt about Clare Simmons who visited Germany in the 1930s. Ivy then has to seek justice for her parents, her sister,s and herself when she learns that her parent's death was probably not an accident. Ivy takes heed from women who have gone before her, like Clare, that have encouraged and inspired her to seek justice. Will Ivy discover the truth about her parent's death? Will justice be served for all?
WOW! I have never read an Amish Fiction book that was also a dual timeline book. I truly LOVED that it was a dual timeline as I have gained interest in dual timeline books over the last couple of years. Ivy is a strong woman who was dealing with so much after her parent's death. Clare Simmons was the character from the 1930s and I really enjoyed reading about her life in Germany before World War II. Ivy gets encouragement and inspiration to fight for her parents and sisters and find the truth. I LOVE how author, Leslie Gould, really brings History to life in this book. I HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Historical and Amish Fiction! FABULOUS Book!
May 5, 2023
This is the first book in the “Amish Memories” series. The story takes you back to WWII and the present day. It is a beautifully written story. I learned something new in history by reading this book. It comes from the Mennonite history of WWII in Germany and in the United States. The story is based on some facts in history. I was extremely surprised that some people let Dr. Mengelle willing experiment on their twins.
I knew that the Mennonites will not fight in wars or I thought they didn’t. What I didn’t know is that the American Mennonites served in hospitals and camps in the States. In Germany, they did serve in the army which I was surprised.
Ivy is struggling with the loss of her parents in a horrible accident. Ivy’s life is in upheaval as she deals with her younger sisters and her boyfriend. Her grandparents are still Old Order Amish and their strict rules are difficult. At the same time, the family’s relationship is mending.
Ivy already had a planned trip to Germany for a Mennonite youth gathering. Ivy’s great-great aunt's memories of WWII are shared through a cousin. Through her memories, Ivy finds hope and sees a “Brighter Dawn”.
Ivy questions if her parents’ accident was just an accident or something more sinister. As she searches for truth, she finds that her relationship with her boyfriend is lacking in many ways.
I would not consider this a romance novel, as it has a wealth of history. It’s been a long time since I have read Leslie Gould’s novels. I was not disappointed. This is by far my favorite book I have read this year. It dug deep in my heart and I took a lot away from the story.
I received this complimentary product through Revell in exchange for my honest thoughts
I knew that the Mennonites will not fight in wars or I thought they didn’t. What I didn’t know is that the American Mennonites served in hospitals and camps in the States. In Germany, they did serve in the army which I was surprised.
Ivy is struggling with the loss of her parents in a horrible accident. Ivy’s life is in upheaval as she deals with her younger sisters and her boyfriend. Her grandparents are still Old Order Amish and their strict rules are difficult. At the same time, the family’s relationship is mending.
Ivy already had a planned trip to Germany for a Mennonite youth gathering. Ivy’s great-great aunt's memories of WWII are shared through a cousin. Through her memories, Ivy finds hope and sees a “Brighter Dawn”.
Ivy questions if her parents’ accident was just an accident or something more sinister. As she searches for truth, she finds that her relationship with her boyfriend is lacking in many ways.
I would not consider this a romance novel, as it has a wealth of history. It’s been a long time since I have read Leslie Gould’s novels. I was not disappointed. This is by far my favorite book I have read this year. It dug deep in my heart and I took a lot away from the story.
I received this complimentary product through Revell in exchange for my honest thoughts
November 19, 2023
This was such a great story. I learned so much about the Mennonites in WWII. I was so surprised that the author covered such a hard topic of racism and the evils of the Nazis. She did an incredible job in both timelines. We meet Ivy who doesn't want to pick up her sister and on her way home, finds her sister on the side of the road, their parents dead in the car. That leads Ivy to try to learn what happened. Her sister has blocked out what happened. The sisters end up heading to Pennsylvania to be with their father's family, who they've never met.
I liked that Ivy knew so much about phones and computers so that she wasn't completely cutoff from the rest of the world. It also helps her to track what might have happened to her parents. I also liked how she grew throughout the story from being self-centered to being concerned for others and seeing those around her for who they truly are (good and bad). Finding out her boyfriend and his cousins are the ones who are actually racist and killed her parents is awful!
Going to the past, it was a bit uncomfortable, to get a perspective on twins who were fictionally attended to by Dr. Mengele. How parents would allow something like that was beyond understanding, but the author did an incredible job of making it feel real.
I also appreciated how the faith was built throughout the story. Seeing the twist of it for the Nazi regime, but understanding of Truth for Ivy and Clare.
The end was a surprise with the blending of the past and the present. I wasn't prepared for that, but really enjoyed it.
*I received this book for review. This is my personal opinion.
I liked that Ivy knew so much about phones and computers so that she wasn't completely cutoff from the rest of the world. It also helps her to track what might have happened to her parents. I also liked how she grew throughout the story from being self-centered to being concerned for others and seeing those around her for who they truly are (good and bad). Finding out her boyfriend and his cousins are the ones who are actually racist and killed her parents is awful!
Going to the past, it was a bit uncomfortable, to get a perspective on twins who were fictionally attended to by Dr. Mengele. How parents would allow something like that was beyond understanding, but the author did an incredible job of making it feel real.
I also appreciated how the faith was built throughout the story. Seeing the twist of it for the Nazi regime, but understanding of Truth for Ivy and Clare.
The end was a surprise with the blending of the past and the present. I wasn't prepared for that, but really enjoyed it.
*I received this book for review. This is my personal opinion.
May 2, 2023
As of right now, I'm not sure I'm going to finish the book. I should have read the synopsis more clearly...not a fan of such tragedy in my books. I am also not a fan of the heroine (who was too old to act like a teenager) and not a fan of her friends...but I will try.
UPDATE: This book was a slow burn for me...I definitely had two spots early on where I put the book down and argued with myself as to whether I would finish (see above). I am still betwixt and between as to whether I recommend this to you, readers.
Here's why you might want to read this book: The story is heavily researched and I had my eyes opened to the history of how the Mennonites and Amish were treated during and between the World Wars. I have read a history of the Soviet Union (Solzhenitsyn's The Gulag Archipelago) and I knew of the horrors of communism--then and now. I had heard of the Ukrainian starvation/forced famine, but I had not known about the targeting of the Anabaptists. I truly believe this helps me understand what is going on now with the Russian conquest of the Ukraine again.
Here's why you might not want to read this book: So much heartbreak in the terrible things human beings do to other human beings. I tend to want to escape when reading, no matter how good and important this knowledge is for me.
Conclusion--I do recommend this book, to be followed by at least two fun and light-hearted inspirational romance novels of your choosing. Then, message me in the morning.
UPDATE: This book was a slow burn for me...I definitely had two spots early on where I put the book down and argued with myself as to whether I would finish (see above). I am still betwixt and between as to whether I recommend this to you, readers.
Here's why you might want to read this book: The story is heavily researched and I had my eyes opened to the history of how the Mennonites and Amish were treated during and between the World Wars. I have read a history of the Soviet Union (Solzhenitsyn's The Gulag Archipelago) and I knew of the horrors of communism--then and now. I had heard of the Ukrainian starvation/forced famine, but I had not known about the targeting of the Anabaptists. I truly believe this helps me understand what is going on now with the Russian conquest of the Ukraine again.
Here's why you might not want to read this book: So much heartbreak in the terrible things human beings do to other human beings. I tend to want to escape when reading, no matter how good and important this knowledge is for me.
Conclusion--I do recommend this book, to be followed by at least two fun and light-hearted inspirational romance novels of your choosing. Then, message me in the morning.
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