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    Anna's Crossing
    Anna's Crossing
    Anna's Crossing
    Audiobook9 hours

    Anna's Crossing

    Written by Suzanne Woods Fisher

    Narrated by Rachel Botchan

    4.5/5

    ()

    About this audiobook

    When Anna Konig 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 naive 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.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherRecorded Books, Inc.
    Release dateMar 3, 2015
    ISBN9781490649368
    Anna's Crossing
    Author

    Suzanne Woods Fisher

    Suzanne Woods Fisher is the award-winning, bestselling author of more than forty books, including The Sweet Life, The Secret to Happiness, and Love on a Whim, as well as many beloved contemporary romance and Amish romance series. She is also the author of several nonfiction books about the Amish, including Amish Peace and Amish Proverbs. She lives in California. Learn more at SuzanneWoodsFisher.com and follow Suzanne on Facebook @SuzanneWoodsFisherAuthor and X @SuzanneWFisher.

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    Reviews for Anna's Crossing

    4.5/5

    32 ratings11 reviews

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    • 5/5
      Saturday, February 28, 2015Anna's Crossing by Suzanne Woods Fisher, © 2015~* An Amish Beginnings Novel *~"...a historical fiction tale based on the true story of the Charming Nancy, the ship that brought some of the original Amish to America in 1738—an eventful, tragic ocean crossing journey of 83 days. It’s referred to as the Amish Mayflower."--author Suzanne Woods FisherComing to America was a slow and uncertain journey in the 1700s. Tent cities are not new. Long transport before arriving at their ship destination, and then taxation of the Charming Nancy merchant vessel along the way slowed the beginnings. Stopping for provisions and ship repairs at Plymouth Sound, England, became a first week-long port stop before the crossing of the Atlantic Ocean. The lower deck held more than grains and other cargo goods ~ down below the hatch in the dark, dank, smelly underside traveled the "Peculiars," as the Amish of Swiss origin traveling from Germany were known on dock and by ship crew. Lack of sunshine and less than bearable conditions, brought disease amid the constant rocking motion to overcrowded fare-paying passengers, alive upon arrival, or dead at sea. All of this to be able to "own" land to pass on to generations. Scouting travelers ahead were awaiting the arrival of those they were preparing for to join them in Penn's Woods in the New World.A day-by-day diary takes us along their path aboard ship, awaiting fair wind to continue their journey. A narrative we would not know so closely without this research by author gleanings. Anna's Crossing sorts out superstition and self-guiding to a gentle, firm belief in God that is everlasting; a love that is never failing.~*~Blending the worlds of Amish and historical fiction, Anna's Crossing shares the beginning of Amish life in America with a glimpse into the first ocean crossing, as seen through the eyes of a devout young woman and an irreverent man.Suzanne Woods Fisher writes bestselling, award winning fiction and non-fiction books about the Old Order Amish for Revell Books. Her interest in the Plain People began with her Old Order German Baptist grandfather, raised in Franklin County, Pennsylvania. Suzanne's app Amish Wisdom: A proverb a day from the simple life delivers a daily Amish proverb. She writes a bi-monthly column for Christian Post and Cooking & Such magazine. She lives with her family in California and raises puppies for Guide Dogs for the Blind.***Thank you to Revell Fiction for inviting me to be a part of the Blog Tour for Suzanne Woods Fisher's Anna's Crossing, and sending me a copy of this historical fiction of the story of the first Amish who crossed the Atlantic in 1737 on the Charming Nancy ship. This review was written in my own words. No other compensation was received.***
    • 5/5
      What an storyline of great excellence! One felt like they were right there watching everything! I sure hope the ending of this book I was hoping for is in the next book, as at it’s finish, it just like left me completely hanging!
    • 5/5
      Fans of Amish fiction and historical fiction alike will enjoy the time spent between the covers of Anna’s Crossing. I received my copy late due to a recent winter storm’s impact on mail delivery. Therefore I had to read through it in three day’s time in order to review it during the author’s blog tour dates. However it is a book that I would have preferred to linger over. The language, or maybe I should say languages, of the story is worthy of being dwelt over as are the lessons in Christian living. In 1737 Anna König, a young Amish woman, crosses the Atlantic with members of her community on their way to the New World. Aboard the Charming Nancy, Anna weathers the voyage displaying grace and forgiveness as only one with the mind of Christ can. Along the way her faith becomes a balm to the ship’s carpenter, Bairn, who suffers from a past he longs to forget. Anna and Bairn are drawn together by affection for young, Felix, a lovable although mischievous Amish lad, but also by the One who loves them and has plans not to harm them, but to give them a future filled with hope. Bairn is challenged, as is the reader, by the Amish minister’s words, “Each one of us will face a watershed moment that will define all others in a life. The moment that puts our humanity to a test. When that moment arrives, we each need to ask ourselves, which path will it be? Will we follow God’s ways or will we choose man’s ways?” When the time comes, Bairn responds to his watershed moment in a manner that takes the reader by surprise, and what seems to be the end, might actually be a new beginning. Anna tells Bairn that we can see the beginnings of the love of God, but not its end as it goes on forever. Yet often times we, as humans, focus on perceived endings and miss offered beginnings. In this story Fisher helps us see God’s participation in our lives that offers us forgiveness, provision, and second chances. When we have difficulty seeing God in our daily lives, we would do well to remember Anna’s explanation that, “Broken expectations aren’t meant to crush our hopes, but to free us to put our confidence in God alone. They aren’t meant to make us give up, but look up.” I do recommend this book to fans of Amish fiction and fans of historical fiction. It is a part the Amish Beginnings series by Suzanne Woods Fisher. I look forward to reading more books in this series. I thank Revell Publishers and Christian Fiction Blog Alliance for providing Anna’s Crossing for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review and the opinions expressed here are strictly my own.
    • 5/5
      So many Amish fiction books are set in the present time. This one is unique in that it is historical Amish fiction. The Charming Nancy was a real ship that actually crossed the Atlantic in 1737 with a group of Amish and Mennonite believers coming to America. They sailed from Rotterdam in April and arrived in Philadelphia in October of the same year. A 7 month voyage!Traveling by ship during that time was no walk in the park! It was fraught with danger and suffering. Many ships and their occupants perished. A frightening fact that those who sailed knew was real possibility. There was lack of provisions, illness; great discomfort, and death, many of them children.The passengers rode beneath the ship with little fresh air or daylight. A walk on the deck was a rare treat, due to the hazards involved. With them in their tight quarters were all their belongings and animals. Vomiting from sea sickness and the stench of urine and feces was unbearable. Sickness and disease spread quickly in the unsanitary conditions.The Amish/ Mennonites faced even more hardships. They were ridiculed, discriminated against, and taken advantage of financially. Greedy captains charged outrageous prices for food, and passage. In addition they grossly overcrowded the ship with no thought of the safety or comfort of the passengers. Few were able to speak English.This is just a small part of what Anna, her family and fellow believers faced. Add to this these innocent, God fearing people had been in little contact with the world. Now they were thrown head first into it with unscrupulous people and bawdy sailors. A culture shock to say the least!Ms. Fisher does an incredible job of allowing the reader to join these pilgrims on their journey. Her descriptiveness is vivid. My chest tightened and I held my breath at times reading about their experiences. This was definitely and eye-opener! With all the history and detail the author weaves an exciting and personal story of the characters she has created. There are many surprises along the way. A must read! After reading an excerpt included at the end, of Ms. Fisher’s upcoming book, The Impostor, I anxiously await its publication. It will be a first in her new series, The Bishop’s Family.I received this book free from Revell Publishing. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have stated are my own.
    • 5/5
      This is mostly about how it was dealing with how the Amish came to America. It really tells the story of what happens on a ocean crossing. To extent that it gives what it like when Amish and other were traveling to the New World for their freedom.You do not go into it expecting what is to happen. It seem more historical then Amish. Though is mostly about Amish and how they come to America. Susanne tell a story about Anna and though she is with while crossing the ocean. She seem interested in the carpenter on the Charming Nancy? Who could that be?
    • 5/5
      Good book, I liked it. Has some true facts in it along with a great story from the author's imagination.
    • 3/5
      The year is 1737 and Anna is crossing the Atlantic to the New World. She is compelled to go, because she is the only one of this group of Amish who speaks English and can communicate with the crew, but she confidant that she will return to her homeland. But plans often can and do go awry. There are some twists in this tale, and the pace picks up towards the end of the story. The chemistry between Anna and the ship’s carpenter was well written, as was the dialogue. And though the author did illustrate some of the dangers of a ship’s voyage at that time in history, it was somehow lacking in its depth and description. Even the reader sounded a bit bored with much of it – maybe the reader was the problem with enjoying this audio version.
    • 3/5
      1737 – Anna Konig and a group of Amish people were leaving Ixheim, Germany, going to a New World. They were leaving their peaceful and pastoral valley for a world of unknowns, and the voyage was filled with uncertainties. They sacrificed and endured so much just to own a piece of sod in America. The Peculiar people, of a peculiar sect, were headed to Penn’s Woods and their passage was secured on a vessel, the Charming Nancy.The people were confined to the lower decks, which were pitiful, with the stale air, stench, and sickness. Life was tenuous and could be altered in an instant. They suffered delays, endured seasickness, cold, and much more.The characters were unique with effective and realistic dialogue ---Anna had a rare strength of character and showed much determination and compassion. She’d left her home, grandparents, church, and everything she’d loved and lived for to embark on this journey. Anna had lived in a sheltered world, not caring about earthy possessions.Bairn had a mystique about him and was a man full of contradictions. He was a wayward soul who claimed to not believe in God, but was filled with kindness, especially towards Anna. Bairn’s title is carpenter of the Charming Nancy and is the third person in charge. He lived in a world filled with temptations, and felt a lot of turmoil in his life.Felix, a mischievous 8 year-old, was like a brother to Anna. He is a very curious Amish boy and as a result finds himself in trouble throughout the story. His mother’s sadness affected him in a deep way.The character of Georg Schultz is not likable at all, being shadowy, relentless, and utterly despicable.Christian Muller – As the minister, his duty was to be sure everyone followed the straight and narrow path and conformed to what it meant to be a church member. He had a meddlesome wife, Maria, who constantly kept things stirred up.Anna’s Crossing had an intriguing premise, with a story of expectations, despair, and faith. The author did a beautiful job with the vividly described scenes. There were some scenes that I found to be very dynamic. Unfortunately it took me to long to become engaged in the storyline and I found myself plodding through sections and losing focus.The book is readable, but not exceptional – just lukewarm. My rating is 3.5 stars.
    • 5/5
      I loved the characters. I liked Anna and Bairn but I loved Felix.. I really hope there will be more about Felix as he gets older. It was interesting to have the whole story on the ship. I don't think I could have handled the crossing. People then we're very brave. I received this book from Revellreads for a fair and honest opinion.
    • 4/5
      Suzanne Woods Fisher is one of my go-to authors when it comes to Amish fiction. Her latest book, Anna’s Crossing, combines the Amish genre with historical fiction and reveals the roots of the Amish in America. This book is a fascinating look into the hardships the Amish faced in their quest for freedom. Filled with interesting details of the Atlantic crossing and endearing characters, Anna’s Crossing is a must-read for fans of Amish fiction.Anna does not want to leave her home among the quiet pastures and hills of Germany and embark on a difficult voyage to the New World. But with her talent for languages, her church agrees she must accompany the families who are wishing to settle in Penn’s Woods to find land they can own and freedom to worship as they wish. Onboard the Charming Nancy Anna must face hardship with faith and in the process share a message of hope to the ship’s carpenter, Bairn. The voyage is not easy and neither is living out a faith that demands forgiveness and peace with all men.Anna’s Crossing is a well-researched account of an Atlantic crossing in 1737. The sounds, sights and smells (an important, but an ew inducing element) are experienced by the reader. Fisher does not include all the deprivations real passengers faced, but does include a great deal of historical facts in her Afterword. The characters are real and relatable. Told in the third person, the perspectives of three characters are shown — Bairn, the ship’s carpenter, Anna, a young woman of great faith, and Felix, an incorrigible boy of ten. Through their eyes, the reader gets a complete look at what it must have been like to travel into an unknown and fear-filled future. There is a strong faith message of trust in God’s love, provision and providence throughout the novel. The leader of Anna’s church states during one difficult experience that Nothing good or bad happens to us but what first passes through the Father’s hand (p. 133). I especially liked that the roots of the Amish in America are explored — the how and why of them coming to settle in a new land. There is also a tie-in with Fisher’s last Christmas novella, Christmas at Rose Hill Farm; a treat for her long-time fans.So if you are a fan of Amish fiction and want to delve a bit deeper into the origins of their community in America, Anna’s Crossing is definitely for you.Recommended.Audience: older teens to adults.(Thanks to Revell for a review copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)
    • 5/5
      With Anna’s Crossing we are starting at the beginning of Amish in America. We see a glimpse at how they live in Europe before they take the long dangerous trip to freedom of religion, and yet we see that even coming here isn’t always a guarantee.We meet Anna, as she gets ready for her reluctant journey, she has been asked to come because she speaks English. As she leaves, she thinks about returning, and we wonder if she will be able to. We also meet the Bauer family prior to leaving and their recent heartache, and we follow their youngest Felix on his adventures on board the Charming Nancy.According to the ships carpenter, which leads him to be the ships surgeon, they are known as the Peculiars. Bairn has his own story to tell, and as you might guess becomes attracted to Anna, which can never be. He is also kind to Felix, and seems to take the young boy under his wing.Loved at the end of this book the author tells that there is a lot of truth in this story. There was a ship named the Charming Nancy, and if it was like the one in the story, and I’m sure it was, it is a wonder anyone touched the Pennsylvania shores.Enjoyed the tenacity of these people, they lived their faith, and from them all of the Amish/Mennonite communities got their start. I cannot personally imagine leaving all that I knew and travel on an unknown journey to a place I’ve never been, and yet what did they leave behind? Nothing!I highly recommend this read for all people, especially those who love reading Amish stories. This is the beginning!I received this book through Revell’s Book Bloggers Tour, and was not required to give a positive review.