When Anna König first meets Bairn, the Scottish ship carpenter
of the Charming Nancy, their encounter is anything but
pleasant. Anna is on the ship only to ensure the safe arrival of
her loved ones to the New World. Hardened by years of living at
sea, Bairn resents toting these naïve farmers--dubbed "Peculiars"
by deckhands--across the ocean. As delays, storms, illness, and
diminishing provisions afflict crew and passengers alike, Bairn
finds himself drawn to Anna's serene nature. For her part, Anna
can't seem to stay below deck and far away from the aloof ship's
carpenter, despite warnings.
When an act of sacrifice leaves Anna in a perilous situation, Bairn
discovers he may not have left his faith as firmly in the past as
he thought. But has the revelation come too late?
Amish fiction favorite Suzanne Woods Fisher brings her fans back to
the beginning of Amish life in America with this fascinating
glimpse into the first ocean crossing as seen through the eyes of a
devout young woman and an irreverent man. Blending the worlds of
Amish and historical fiction, Fisher is sure to delight her
longtime fans even as she attracts new ones with her superb and
always surprise-filled writing.
"This novel is a winner."--Publishers
Weekly
Some endings are really beginnings . . .
On a hot day in 1737 in Rotterdam, Anna König reluctantly sets foot
on the Charming Nancy, a merchant ship that will carry her
and her fellow Amish believers across the Atlantic to start a new
life. As the only one in her community who can speak English, she
feels compelled to go. But Anna is determined to complete this
journey and return home--assuming she survives. She's heard
horrific tales of ocean crossings and worse ones of what lay ahead
in the New World. But fearfulness is something Anna has never
known.
Ship's carpenter Bairn resents the somber people--dubbed Peculiars
by the deckhands--who fill the lower deck of the Charming
Nancy. All Bairn wants to do is to put his lonely past behind
him, but that irksome and lovely lass Anna and her people keep
intruding on him.
Delays, storms, illness, and diminishing provisions test the mettle
and patience of everyone on board. When Anna is caught in a
life-threatening situation, Bairn makes a discovery that shakes his
entire foundation. But has the revelation come too late?
Bestselling author Suzanne Woods Fisher invites you back to the
beginning of Amish life in America with this fascinating glimpse
into the first ocean crossing--and the lives of two intrepid people
who braved it.
"I found Anna's Crossing to be everything I love in a novel,
especially in a historical novel! Fast paced, character driven,
filled with rich descriptions and enjoyable dialogue. It was a
pleasure to read, and I am honored to have had the opportunity to
endorse it."--Shelley Shepard Gray, New York Times
and USA Today bestselling author
Suzanne Woods Fisher is the bestselling author of the
Lancaster County Secrets series, the Stoney Ridge Seasons series,
and The Inn at Eagle Hill series, as well as nonfiction books about
the Amish, including Amish Peace. She is also the coauthor
of an Amish children's series, The Adventures of Lily Lapp. Suzanne
is a Carol Award winner for The Search, a Carol Award
finalist for The Choice, and a Christy Award finalist for
The Waiting. She is also a columnist for Christian
Post and Cooking & Such magazines. She lives in
California. Learn more at www.suzannewoodsfisher.com and follow
Suzanne on Twitter @suzannewfisher.
Suzanne Woods Fisher is the bestselling author of the Lancaster County Secrets series, the Stoney Ridge Seasons series, and The Inn at Eagle Hill series, as well as nonfiction books about the Amish, including Amish Peace. She is also the coauthor of an Amish children's series, The Adventures of Lily Lapp. Suzanne is a Carol Award winner for The Search, a Carol Award finalist for The Choice, and a Christy Award finalist for The Waiting. She is also a columnist for Christian Post and Cooking & Such magazines. She lives in California. Learn more at www.suzannewoodsfisher.com and follow Suzanne on Twitter @suzannewfisher.