A Noble Groom

I love it when books cover unusual settings and unique relationships in tales that other authors haven't already done over and over again. This story is of the Germans settling in Michigan and the hurdles they had to overcome.

The hero, Carl, is a German nobleman's son who has to flee Germany incognito after he is suspected of a crime. However, the Michigan community where he goes for shelter has reason to hate Carl's father with a deadly hate, so he must keep his identity just as much a secret there...and has to buck up and learn to do a man's work in the fields, which to say the least is not easy. (A novel hero's dilemma that definitely intrigued me!) I loved how he has such a simple faith in God and, even when discouraged, knows where to turn for help. This fella becomes a truly admirable man as he grows under adverse situations.

I also loved Annalisa and her daughters. What a sweet picture of devoted motherhood.

This was a trifle heavy on the romance, as opposed to the historical aspect, which dropped it down a notch for me. And I didn't like the scene where she's tempted to compromise herself with Carl so he'll be forced to marry her. Though she makes the right decision, I didn't enjoy reading about it.