Ervin R. Stutzman

I have not read a book from this author before, but I realize I have been missing out on great writing. The book grabbed my attention because it was about two groups I love to read about. The Amish because I like their simple lifestyle and their willing to help their neighbors. I love reading about Native Americans because they are a vital part of history and I am part Native American. The author does an amazing job of giving a true historic event that is not very well known and breathes life into it with a gentle touch of his words that grace the pages. I appreciate the research involved in the story and the accurate description of the time period.

The story is mainly about two brothers who were held captive for a long period of time by the Shawnee Indians. I can't imagine the terror they witnessed that day when they taken knowing that they may never see their family again. The author really gives a great glimpse into what their lifestyle was as they lived among their captors. Many people feared the Shawnee but it seemed like the brothers Joseph and Christisn had adapted well to their new surroundings.

When Christisn and Joseph return years later to their Amish home, they are changed in many ways. Will they be accepted back into the community ? Will it be difficult to adjust to their home after being away for so long?
I thought that their characters were well written and I could feel their struggle as they were torn between two cultures. After being away for so long, it must have been very difficult to leave the Shawnee and their beliefs behind. The story was riveting and I loved the struggle that each brother had as they tried to fit back into their family. I loved Christian's turmoil as he fought within himself whether he could ever fit back with the Amish. He was free to hunt and fish among the Shawnee but now was expected to help with the farm.

There was definitely animosity toward Christian and several of the townspeople . They couldn't accept him as Amish since he dressed liked a Shawnee. Isn't it funny that even in the 1700s there was discrimination against people. They were judged because they looked different . As you read the story you will find another character that feels the sting of gossip and accusations that damage the person's reputation. I found the story to be very accurate, well written and a page turner. I recommend that readers take time to look at the Historical Note found at the end of the book. It gives details of the people this book was based on and gives you a bit of what happened as they grew older.

I was given a copy of this book from Litfuse Blogger Tour . The review is my own opinion and I was not compensated for it.… (mais)

Title: Christian’s Hope (Return to Northkill #3)
Author: Ervin R. Stutzman
Pages: 339
Year: 2016
Publisher: Herald Press
My rating is 5 stars.
Readers are introduced to the time period, historical events and people in the first two novels titled, Jacob’s Choice and Joseph’s Dilemma. We meet the Hochstetler family who were real people who lived during the French and Indian War though not unscathed. Jacob is the father who owns adjoining farmland with his older children while he still has a couple of younger ones at home. When the home is attacked, there are a few fatalities in the family and Jacob, Joseph and Christian are taken as prisoners. Readers will want to read the first two installments to help better understand the setting, family interactions and experiences of both Jacob and Joseph before concluding with Christian’s Hope.
Christian was a young man when he was taken prisoner and remained with a tribe for some time before being forced to return to Northkill. When Christian returns, while happy to see his family members, it’s the fitting back into the community that he most wrestles with along with meeting his father’s expectations. All Christian wants is to live his life and be accepted for who he is, what he believes and how he wants to live along with helping others understand a different view of Native Americans.
Throughout the series, I was engrossed in the telling of the fictional part of the story, especially when I would remember that these were real people. At the end of the book, the author shares what happened with Christian in his lifetime and the development of his faith that reaches into our day. I could relate to the struggle Christian was facing in that in order to be considered part of the community external changes were expected. No one wanted to hear his view of what he learned when he was captive as many were still grieving the loss of their loved ones.
In time though, Christian is led to a community of people who love him for who he is and in time Christian decides to make some changes outwardly so people can see the inward change. I think one of the reasons I love historical fiction is learning the history of the era, people or events that I never knew about. It’s rare to find such great fictional written during the French and Indian War period which then spans past that time into other known events. I highly recommend the series as it is very telling of a family’s faith, tragedy, joys and life experiences that are so vastly different than ours today.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255. “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”… (mais)

Title: Joseph’s Dilemma (Return to Northkill #2)
Author: Ervin R. Stutzman
Pages: 338
Year: 2015
Publisher: Herald Press
My rating is 5 stars.
Joseph is one of Jacob’s sons taken in captivity when the Indians attacked the Hochstetler family farm during the French and Indian War. Based on true events and real people this second book focuses on how Joseph deals with his captivity while still with his father and then when he is separated from him. Joseph is wrestling with his hurt and anger at his father for his not allowing either Joseph or Christian to use weapons to defend their home and lives. As Joseph is tied up and led away from all he knows, he is a young man filled with sorrow, anger, hate towards his enemies and facing the unknown.
When Joseph is adopted by a Delaware widow to replace her lost son, at first Joseph is deciding to not become adapted to their lifestyle or beliefs. Joseph fights with all that is in him from not eating the food offered him to having to be forced to have his Amish clothes torn away and then totally different attire placed on his person.
The only spot of light is the Delaware widow’s little daughter that Joseph comes to love and play with for the many years he lives with the family. In time, Joseph does adapt to the new living situation though their beliefs are confusing and often polar to what he was raised to believe. Joseph gets opportunities to share what he was taught by his father, and eventually has to decide whether to hold on to the Amish way or adopt another set of beliefs.
I loved how Joseph’s strengths came through the story like his compassion for the little girl and even as he grows older and considers marrying a young woman in the tribe. The other interesting point in the story is how Joseph comes to understand why his father takes the stand he does and works right alongside others in the tribe, attempting to understand the people. Again, like the first book in the series, Jacob’s Choice, this one also ends on a cliffhanger so I am glad to have the final installment in the series to read titled, Christian’s Hope.
I hope you take time to read all three books as they are fiction, but there are historical facts included in the tale along with the history of a real family who lived through the French and Indian War.… (mais)