Such a great book! I completely loved the characters in this book. I loved her unique method of teaching, even though some of the townspeople in the book didn't care for them at all. I enjoyed reading about how the strong independent women of our country started working to give women more rights. This made for some very interesting reading. We take such things for granted but someone fought for what we enjoy today. Loved this book!

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The Bible that is falling apart usually belongs to someone who isn't. (pg. 181)



Wow...how true are those words?! It's sayings such as these that have drawn me to this book and new-to-me-author Kim Vogel Sawyer.



Miss Edythe Amsel moves away from her family to take a teaching position in the small town of Walnut Hill. Like all first year teachers, Miss Amsel puts her heart and soul into teaching these young minds. She does not anticipate having to deal with the scrutiny of what she is teaching however! Miss Amsel teaches about longitude, latitude, bugs, etc while the townsfolk are disappointed in her methods. Do they not realize that this education they are receiving could help with their own farms?? As a teacher, I was bothered by the attitude and lack of education of the townsfolk who were berating her. The townsfolk are not her only issues though. There's lil William who just won't behave, her sister Missy, and then the single men vying for her attention!



Miss Amsel is here to teach, not to marry so she sets the menfolk straight pretty fast. As soon as the men find out she's not one to have a relationship with God, they begin to see her a bit differently. Will she find God and a man in Walnut Hill?



I identified with Edythe on many levels in this book but my heart went out to William. I doubt that I would have had the patience that Edythe exhibited when it came to William but there was something about him that drew me to him. In some ways I felt sorry for him but in others I wanted to fling him over my knee and give him "what for". The author didn't give a lot of background on his family so I just speculated that his family life wasn't what it could have been and that he just needed some attention. I do believe that Edythe accomplished her point in this story.

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Courting Miss Amsel is another winning sweet historical romance from Kim Vogel Sawyer. The story moved along nicely, as I waited for each of Edythe's new teaching methods, and the townspeople's reactions. What really set this book apart, though, are the wonderful characters that Kim has created. The town is full of characters who felt very realistic and relate-able.

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Edythe Amsel is a young self-sufficient woman who is striking out on her own. She is hired for her first job as teacher for the town of Walnut Hill, Nebraska. She is determined not to become romantically involved as doing so would interfere with her goals. Her resolve in this area is tested when she meets, Joel Townsend, the uncle of 2 of her students. Not her intellectual equal by any means but a good Christian man raising his two orphaned nephews. Joel is equally enamored but also cautious after having his heart broken by another woman.
Edythe faces her ideas of discipline challenged by one boy and her innovative teaching confronted by the parents. She was very much ahead of her time in finding creative ways to help her students learn.
Mrs. Kinsley, her elderly Christian, landlady gives her support and love to face all her struggles. Most importantly she teaches Edythe about God and His love for her. She gently guides Miss Amsel through example and prayer to find the real answers she needs. Edythes confusion and search for God reminded me much of myself when I am trying to do things in my own strength.
Edythe experiences a roller coaster of emotions, tragedy, danger and heartaches, but shows great courage and character. All this is not in vain because her independent spirit is tested and she learns to trust God and what is truly important in her life.
It is wonderful to read a wholesome Christian romance novel. The book was fast paced, and full of surprises. I enjoyed this book very much and look forward to reading more of Ms. Sawyers books.
I have received this from book Bethany House in exchange for my honest review.

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Kim Vogel Sawyer has done it again with Courting Miss Amsel. This was a very satisfying read about a Nebraska school teacher in the 1800s. There were multiple facets to the story line: Edythes relationship with her father and siblings, her joy of teaching, her relationships with the townspeople, and the wonder of falling in love for the first time.

Sawyers descriptions made me feel like I was really there. I especially enjoyed how she described the activities in the one room school house and what it was like for Edythe to plan for her students and implement her teaching ideas. The descriptions of the children were wonderful and realistic. Edythes and Joels interactions and emotions pulled me into the story. The story flowed and was well written. This is my type of Christian fiction bookwell thought out characters and story line that glorify God.

Bethany House Publishers graciously supplied me with a review copy of this book my opinions are my own.

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