Beginnings: Sommerfeld Trilogy #2 (Truly Yours Romance Club #15)

Book two of Sommerfield Trilogy is the story of Beth. She has opened up a stained glass business in the little Mennonite town, although she, herself has not changed her lifestyle. She has found true peace with God, and attends church, but does not intend to join the church or the culture into which her mother, Marie has returned. Beth tolerates in, but does not embrace it.

Marie is now middle aged, and pregnant with twins, Henry's first children, which will be 20 years younger than Beth, but she is very, very happy with her Mennonite husband and life. Henry dotes over here, and they are both supportive of Beth.

Beth has one employee, Andrew, who really has his hat set for her, but he is Mennonite, and she is not. End of that possibility. He plans to be an artist much to his father's displeasure. Farming has been their way for decades, and Andrew has no interest in farming, but he does respect his father.

As Beth's talents are becoming known, a large construction company contacts her to do a large, expensive sample church window for them, on a very, very strict schedule...if they are satisfied, they will sign a large contract for 17 more windows. If she does not finish in time or they are not satisfied, the deal is off. The young business representative, Sean, also has his eye on Beth, and he is not Mennonite. Beth seems to be pretty blind to the feelings of either man, although occasionally she does get a "twinge" of something for both men...nothing serious.

Her mother Marie, has a difficult pregnancy and delivery, and the story of Beth takes a huge turn. Not to spoil the story, I will leave it at that. The important part is that Beth finally finds her own way, and who she really is, and who and what are really important.

Even though this book dragged a bit in places, I already have book three, and expect great things from the final book in the series. Thank you Kim, for another wholesome and believable Christian Fiction novel.

This was a good book.I always enjoy these types of books.For Some reason I can realy feel what they feel.Nadia Rehmani

This is a good read you won't want to put down. And it's not a neatly-wrapped ending, but one that makes you feel good even if you're not Mennonite or Amish. Two thumbs up for creating a book that could be for multiple faiths.

Beginnings
By Kim Vogel Sawyer
Review by Roseanna White

Beth Quinn is confident that Sommerfield is the perfect place for her stained-glass art studio--she's just not so sure that the tight-knit Mennonite community will ever fully accept her, even if her mother has rejoined the church. Can she ever belong in this conservative place? Can she open up enough to trust others with her vision and dreams after the betrayal of her ex-boyfriend?

Andrew Braun is smitten with Beth, and there's no denying it. She's a breath of fresh air, and her studio has allowed him to dream again. Maybe, if they can make the studio work, his father will finally admit a man can make a living from art just as well as from farming. And when McCauley Church Construction approaches Beth about making windows for their churches, all those dreams seem to be within reach.

Sean McCauley knew the moment he saw a Quinn suncatcher that this new artist would revolutionize stained glass. And when he meets the enchanting Beth, he's more determined than ever to work with the young artist. But is her small studio and one employee really enough to meet the demands of McCauley's needs?

Beginnings is the second installment in the Sommerfield Trilogy, continuing the story of the Quinn women who return to the mother's conservative Mennonite roots. Kim Vogel Sawyer delves deep into the mind of a once-burned, twice-shy young woman who is unsure of her place in the world, spicing things up with two different romantic interests. I confess I wasn't sure for most of the book where in the world that romantic element was going to go. The focus was more on Beth's work and feelings of loneliness than her attraction to either Andrew or Sean.

Beginnings lives up to its title, crafting a story of a young woman starting out in the world. It's a lovely and touching tale that Sawyer fans won't want to miss. Though it stands on its own well enough, you may want to pick up the first book in the series to get the full background on why Beth's so unwilling to trust a man. I definitely recommend this novel for anyone in the mood for a solid women's fiction with a young, vibrant heroine.

Another great book! This author really knows how to keep you intrigued. I always look forward to her next book!

In Beginnings: Beth gives up her dream of running an antique store about the same time she realizes her gift of working with stained glass. Her grandfather and grandmother Koeppler as well as her mother encourage her in this endeavor. But Beth's new venture struggles with time constraints, supply problems and two other men trying to run her life.

Kim Vogel Sawyer's stories have a healing touch. The family relations thread that touched me was the concern Beth had that she was losing her mother, since Marie had returned to the faith of her childhood.

The take home value of Beginnings, for me?

Priorities. By getting her priorities straight Beth pricks the heart of another man old enough to be her father. He thought he was doing right, until Beth taught him that in order to truly honor God, our priorities must be right.

Wonderful book...the whole series is good. Purchased for a gift and my giftee absolutely loves them. Can't wait for the next one.

Beth Quinn doesn't regret leaving the city, but she doesn't really fit in with the Old Order Mennonite community of Sommerfeld. However, her mother is here and Beth has opened a stained glass studio. She's starting to make a name for herself, and eventually she catches the attention of Sean McCauley, who orders a stained glass window for his father's business, a construction company specializing in erecting church buildings. Beth is under a lot of stress, trying to finish the window on time and keep up with other orders. To make matters more complicated, her employee Andrew Braun seems to be attracted to her. She is also drawn to Sean McCauley. Soon Beth must make a very serious decision. Beginnings is the story of a young woman who is a new Christian, and isn't sure where she belongs. Books about the Mennonites and Amish are popular now and Kim Vogel Sawyer's stories are among the best. Enticing romance with a strong faith message.

BEGINNINGS, By Kim Vogel Sawyer

Review by Marion Kelley Bullock

Beth Quinn relocated to Sommerfeld, Kansas with her mother, Marie, but she doesn't fit in with these Old Order Mennonites. Marie has married Henry Braun and settled down. But Beth's business zeal and her way of dressing don't suit Sommerfeld's ideas of propriety for women. She feels out of place.

Henry's nephew, Andrew Braun, works for Beth in her stained glass studio. He wants to be more than an employee, but Beth doesn't feel she can give up her independence. She's not sure she can trust Andrew with her life and her heart. Then Sean McCauley enters her life. Sean, whose father owns a construction company specializing in building church buildings, offers Beth a fantastic business opportunity. Is his interest purely business, or is it also personal?

As Beth, a new Christian, searches for a place to belong, will she rush headlong into plans she designs for her future or will she take time to seek God's guidance?
You're sure to enjoy this second book in the Sommerfeld trilogy. If you read Bygones, you already know Kim's true-to-life characters. Now you can re-connect with them.

receive it as promise. Have enjoyed the series