In the high desert town of Frenchman's Bluff, Idaho, Felicia Kristoffersen has set out to create a future for herself that is better than her painful past. Alone in the world with only her faith to sustain her, she must prove herself as this tiny community's new school teacher. She cannot, must not, fail. But, there are those who never wanted her there to begin with. Five years after the death of his wife, local merchant Colin Murphy cares about just one thing: raising his daughter, Charity. Colin wants to give her the educational advantages he never had. The new schoolmarm's inexperience doesn't sit well with him, and if this teacher up and marries like the last one did, Charity's heart will be broken once again. A woman who hasn't known love. A man who lost the love he had. In the midst of the wide, sage-covered plains, each is about to discover that life's bitterest circumstances truly can work together for good.
My Review:
Even though I truly love a good mystery/suspense read, there are times when I just want a "normal" read. A story that has to do with everyday life . . . plans and purposes that other people incorporate into their lives.
I've read almost all of Ms. Hatcher' s books and have thoroughly enjoyed them. So, when Belonging came available....I grabbed it!
Felicia is a character that I could really relate too. She is off to her first teaching position into the high desert country. <I, too, had my first teaching position in the desert, teaching small Navajo children> And now Felicia, even though she is trained to teach and she wants to teach, this is her first, ever, teaching position. Some people think first time teachers can't do the job but truly first time teachers may do a better teaching job and, of course, every one must gain experience somewhere.
So, Felicia begins teaching. She has Charity, Colin's daughter in her class room. Colin feels that Felicia isn't experienced enough to teach...but Colin begins to "have feelings" for Felicia.
Meanwhile, Gunnar, Felicia's "cousin" writes to her telling her that Rolf wants to marry her. He feels that Felicia should be grateful to his parents for adopting her/taking her in when she was just a dirty little orphan. He feels that Felicia should meekly come back home and marry Rolf. Felicia does not want to marry Rolf! She just wants to leave her painful past behind and be the best teacher she can be. "She'd made the right decision coming to Frenchman's Bluff. She would make a home for herself here. She would win the children's affection, and she would teach them far more that they expected." (quoted from p. 49)
This is a wonderful story of love, forgiveness and of finding where you "belong." I really liked this read...out of all the books that Ms. Hatcher has written I love this one!
*This book was provided for review by Zondervan*
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