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Sommerfield Trilogy #3
Blessings
Trina Muller is passionate about healing animals. But when her ambitions threaten to separate her from the Old Order Mennonite community, where will Trina's heart lead her?
288 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 2008
30 people are currently reading
521 people want to read
About the author
Kim Vogel Sawyer
80 books1,209 followersAward-winning, bestselling author Kim Vogel Sawyer told her kindergarten teacher that someday people would check out her book in the library. The little-girl dream came true in 2006 with the release of Waiting for Summer's Return. Kim's titles now exceed 1.5 million copies and are available in six different languages. A former elementary school teacher, she now enjoys a full-time writing and speaking ministry. Kim's passion lies in writing stories that point the reader to a deeper, more intimate relationship with God. When Kim isn't writing, you'll find her traveling with her retired military hubby, spoiling her granddarlings, petting the cats, quilting, or--as time allows--participating in community theater. You can learn more about Kim's writing and speaking ministries at her website, KimVogelSawyer.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
September 15, 2024
very good book very good series
February 21, 2008
Trina Muller has a secret dream that not even her family knows about: becoming a veterinarian. When she shares her dream with her cousin, Beth, Trina is encouraged to follow her dream, even though it means going against the dictates of her Old Order Mennonite fellowship. But when Trina’s parents find out about their daughter’s disobedience, her dream begins to shatter around her.
Graham Ortmann has been in love with Trina for awhile now. He thinks it’s about time for Trina to give up her foolish daydream and settle down. And marry him. He doesn’t understand why she can’t accept the way things are. Until God opens his eyes and helps him realize that Trina has a gift for treating animals.
Will Trina be forced to give up her dream, or can she convince her parents and the community, with Graham’s help, that her calling to be a vet will benefit everyone?
Sawyer doesn’t disappoint in this last installment in the Sommerfeld Trilogy. As usual, her characterization is spot on.
Have you ever had a dream where you can’t escape something? That’s what life is like for Trina, who can’t escape the old-fashioned norms of the society she lives in. But she stays strong and true to herself, even though she makes mistakes, and overcomes in the end. Sawyer doesn’t allow Trina to fade into a one-dimension character, but keeps her conflicts right in the periphery so that the reader can’t help but identify with this main character.
Graham is conflicted, too, and a lot of his internal struggle comes out in the scenes between Graham and Trina. These scenes are poignant and kept this reader turning pages to find out how it would work in the end. I was not disappointed.
Even if you haven’t read any of Kim’s other books, if you try Blessings, you won’t be disappointed.
*originally reviewed for novelinspirations.com
Graham Ortmann has been in love with Trina for awhile now. He thinks it’s about time for Trina to give up her foolish daydream and settle down. And marry him. He doesn’t understand why she can’t accept the way things are. Until God opens his eyes and helps him realize that Trina has a gift for treating animals.
Will Trina be forced to give up her dream, or can she convince her parents and the community, with Graham’s help, that her calling to be a vet will benefit everyone?
Sawyer doesn’t disappoint in this last installment in the Sommerfeld Trilogy. As usual, her characterization is spot on.
Have you ever had a dream where you can’t escape something? That’s what life is like for Trina, who can’t escape the old-fashioned norms of the society she lives in. But she stays strong and true to herself, even though she makes mistakes, and overcomes in the end. Sawyer doesn’t allow Trina to fade into a one-dimension character, but keeps her conflicts right in the periphery so that the reader can’t help but identify with this main character.
Graham is conflicted, too, and a lot of his internal struggle comes out in the scenes between Graham and Trina. These scenes are poignant and kept this reader turning pages to find out how it would work in the end. I was not disappointed.
Even if you haven’t read any of Kim’s other books, if you try Blessings, you won’t be disappointed.
*originally reviewed for novelinspirations.com
January 12, 2020
While the story was good, there were a few things that bothered me. In the first chapter you learn two main characters get married to other people without learning about courtships, etc. Then a few chapters later you discover two years have passed between the end of the last book and this one. I think it would have been better to spend the first few pages explaining the passage of time and how the two couples went from knowing each other to marriages.
November 6, 2023
This is the third book in the trilogy. I felt it was kind of drawn out. I’m finding it difficult to wrap my head around the strict rules of this Old Mennonite order. I’ve never met a Mennonite that was this regimented and judgmental. I do feel sad at all the judging of both Mennonites and non Mennonite Christians. I’m glad that God judges the heart and not our clothes or education or lack of education or denomination.
June 1, 2013
This is the 3rd in the Sommerfield Trilogy, with a story about a Mennonite woman who wants to attend college to become a veterinarian and care for God's little creatures. This goes against her community's beliefs about the role a woman has in life, but with faith and determination, she prevails in her dream. The ending will make your heart smile.
May 9, 2021
In Book 3 of the Summerfeld Trilogy, Trina Muller faces some difficult life choices. As a Mennonite teen, she is expected to follow the dictates of the church and become a wife and mother. But Trina has had a lifelong interest in animals and their care, and she passionately wants to become a veterinarian. Higher education is frowned upon in her church and community, as are careers for women. But Trina feels that her passion is something God has placed on her heart and she feels compelled to pursue it.
Her intended, Graham Ortmann, doesn't understand her call. He thinks that she will give up her folly once she is married and has children to look after. Her parents are very strict with her and adamantly opposed to the path she feels called to take. Where will Trina find support, and how will she work through the thorny issues that are choking her path?
I have read several Amish/Mennonite books where teens feel called away from their church and their lifestyle. In most of them, they make the decision to leave the church, or the church rejects them because of their views. But this book ends differently, and I appreciated that Graham, Trina, and her parents were able to find Godly answers to their differing views.
Her intended, Graham Ortmann, doesn't understand her call. He thinks that she will give up her folly once she is married and has children to look after. Her parents are very strict with her and adamantly opposed to the path she feels called to take. Where will Trina find support, and how will she work through the thorny issues that are choking her path?
I have read several Amish/Mennonite books where teens feel called away from their church and their lifestyle. In most of them, they make the decision to leave the church, or the church rejects them because of their views. But this book ends differently, and I appreciated that Graham, Trina, and her parents were able to find Godly answers to their differing views.
May 4, 2024
Again, reading this book was an eye-opening experience for me. To be so restricted by one's parents and the fellowship--all well and good if your parents are loving and kind, not so great if your parents are not.
Once again, I enjoyed learning more about the Old Mennonite culture. This romance was better--I could picture the love more effectively and Graham turned out to be a real hero. Trina had more character and was likable.
I did enjoy this book. But God bless them--I can see the benefits, but oh, the restrictions.
Once again, I enjoyed learning more about the Old Mennonite culture. This romance was better--I could picture the love more effectively and Graham turned out to be a real hero. Trina had more character and was likable.
I did enjoy this book. But God bless them--I can see the benefits, but oh, the restrictions.
January 20, 2019
It wasn’t really what I had expected, but it was still a good story. This book told more about the religious beliefs of the Mennonite Old Order and some of the conflicts they face. But, it seemed more preachy than the other 2 in the series.
August 1, 2017
I love reading about Menonite way of life, even if it is fiction!
March 12, 2019
I really enjoyed this one a lot!
April 15, 2019
Great read!
September 25, 2019
Blessings (Sommerfeld Trilogy Book 3)
Blessings (Sommerfeld Trilogy Book 3) is a really good novel. Love, forgiveness, faith, compromise and dreams coming true. Just perfect!
Blessings (Sommerfeld Trilogy Book 3) is a really good novel. Love, forgiveness, faith, compromise and dreams coming true. Just perfect!
May 1, 2021
Although I enjoyed this series I found alot of details to be lacking
May 24, 2021
Sweet little book. Nice ending to a satisfying trilogy of a Mennonite village in Kansas.
June 13, 2021
Very good book. Wish there was another one in this series
July 16, 2023
Had a great ending, and spoke volumes about trusting in God's plan.
June 29, 2025
What a nice way to end this trilogy.
March 21, 2017
Wonderful read
I've enjoyed all three books in the Summerfield series. I'm hoping for a fourth so we can see what happens to Trina and Graham..
I've enjoyed all three books in the Summerfield series. I'm hoping for a fourth so we can see what happens to Trina and Graham..
February 5, 2020
So much conflict, but it has a good story line.
January 1, 2015
This is the final book of the Sommerfeld Trilogy. Trina Muller, who was a secondary character in the first two books, has her own story featured in this one.
Trina is working in her mother's cafe, but she has a gift for working with and healing animals, and her dream is to become a veterinarian and take over Dr. Groening's practice when he retires. However, being Old Order Mennonite, neither her parents or the church would approve of the college education that she would need.
Graham Ortmann loves Trina, but he is indignant when she shares her plans of attending college. He feels she should be content to be a wife and mother, how can he marry a woman who won't follow the dictates of their Old Order fellowship?
Trina feels she can have it all; why would God give her the gift of healing sick and injured animals if he did not intend for her to use it? She must find a way to convince her family, Graham, and the fellowship to allow her to follow her heart.
I liked the character of Trina from the moment I "met" her in the first book of the series, and it was a nice wrap up of the series to end it with her story. Of the three books, this is probably the only one of the series that works as a stand alone story, though Beth and Marie, whose stories are told in the first two books, (Bygones, and Beginnings) do make a few appearances in this one.
Trina is working in her mother's cafe, but she has a gift for working with and healing animals, and her dream is to become a veterinarian and take over Dr. Groening's practice when he retires. However, being Old Order Mennonite, neither her parents or the church would approve of the college education that she would need.
Graham Ortmann loves Trina, but he is indignant when she shares her plans of attending college. He feels she should be content to be a wife and mother, how can he marry a woman who won't follow the dictates of their Old Order fellowship?
Trina feels she can have it all; why would God give her the gift of healing sick and injured animals if he did not intend for her to use it? She must find a way to convince her family, Graham, and the fellowship to allow her to follow her heart.
I liked the character of Trina from the moment I "met" her in the first book of the series, and it was a nice wrap up of the series to end it with her story. Of the three books, this is probably the only one of the series that works as a stand alone story, though Beth and Marie, whose stories are told in the first two books, (Bygones, and Beginnings) do make a few appearances in this one.
January 14, 2020
Blessings (Sommerfeld Trilogy Book 3) Kindle Edition
by Kim Vogel Sawyer
Book three of Sommerfeld Trilogy, picks up about two years after Beginnings ended. Trina feels God's calling to become a veterinarian. Her Old Order Mennonite fellowship, family and her beau Graham are all against it. The more they try to block her, the more she feels the pull. The story is full of heartbreak mixed with excitement and possibilities. Will the young couple move forward or be pulled apart? A good story to give the reader a reason to think and look at their own faith.
I love reading Kim Vogel Sawyer's books. It's even more fun when they are set in the Kansas heartland.
August 21, 2010
A story about doing what God has meant for you to do, improbable as that may be. Young Trina is a Mennonite girl who wants to go to college to be veterinarian. Not likely for someone who quit school in the 9th grade! Going to college is just not something mennonites do, much less Mennonite women! We get to follow her through her struggles, both about her chosen work as well as her future in love. I was surprised to find the book set near my mothers home town of McPherson Kansas! All togeather an enjoyable read.
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August 6, 2016The best
This trilogy has been one of the best I have ever read. Every time in this last book that I settled down and thought I have it all thought out and knew what was coming I was completely dumbfounded and I was on the edge of my seat to get another jolt. You will really enjoy this highly recommended trilogy.
This trilogy has been one of the best I have ever read. Every time in this last book that I settled down and thought I have it all thought out and knew what was coming I was completely dumbfounded and I was on the edge of my seat to get another jolt. You will really enjoy this highly recommended trilogy.
August 3, 2008
Entertaining, light read, but with some good thoughts on how we as Christians can live out our faith on a daily basis. There is also an element of the need sometimes for disobedience to tradition when following the call of God. Thought-provoking and enjoyable.
November 1, 2014
The best of the three, due to the foundation already laid by the first two. Trina has been in all three stories, but this one is told from her point of view. Choices about what to do with her life, including what God wants, is a high priority.
March 5, 2008
This was the last book in the series and was about a girl who wanted to become a veternarian but that was forbidden by her religion. A very good read, makes us all relize the blessings in our lives.
August 28, 2008
it's a novel about tragedies, and sorrow, BUT ... also about patience, and hope and faith, and ...
VERY uplifting book!!!
was almost sorry it was the end of the series
VERY uplifting book!!!
was almost sorry it was the end of the series
November 21, 2008
Could not in good conscience recommend this book unless it were someone who could explain the predictable, selfish characters portrayed in the setting of this sect.
Quite strang.
Quite strang.
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April 13, 2009F Oke
June 17, 2009
Almost done with this one.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews