I was fascinated by this novel. I didn't know anything about the Mennonites before I read this book, and as I read I thought they sounded like the Amish, so I looked up the difference. (I'll leave you to do the same if you want to.) This lovely story showed persecution, conflict, controversy and love through the eyes of a Mennonite community who live in a town called Kingdom, which is virtually "off the grid". I was challenged in my beliefs and my reactions as a serving police officer as to how should I—and do I—react to someone who offers violence to me and other around me. I loved the plot and I like the way Mehl writes. She has a nice style, and was able to stir up emotion in me as I read, from righteous anger to passion to compassion to forgiveness. My only let down was who Hope, the lead character chose to marry! Have a read and see if you agree with me or the author.

I was fascinated by this novel. I didn't know anything about the Mennonites before I read this book, and as I read I thought they sounded like the Amish, so I looked up the difference. (I'll leave you to do the same if you want to.) This lovely story showed persecution, conflict, controversy and love through the eyes of a Mennonite community who live in a town called Kingdom, which is virtually "off the grid". I was challenged in my beliefs and my reactions as a serving police officer as to how should I—and do I—react to someone who offers violence to me and other around me. I loved the plot and I like the way Mehl writes. She has a nice style, and was able to stir up emotion in me as I read, from righteous anger to passion to compassion to forgiveness. My only let down was who Hope, the lead character chose to marry! Have a read and see if you agree with me or the author.

Mehl's take on the middle road that Mennonites choose to walk is both engaging and informative. She is able to respectfully portray a struggle foreign to most readers while at the same time providing that romantic drama readers of her prior fiction know and love.

Hope Kauffman has always been happy in the Mennonite town of Kingdom, KS, helping her father run his quilt shop. Recently, she accepted an engagement that her father arranged for her. Ebbie Miller is a kind, devout man and Hope knows that she?ll have a good life with him. But the town?s tranquility is upset when a charming young man, Jonathon Wiese, pushes for reform. When a church member is threatened, there is an even stronger drive for the town to arm itself. Hope is strongly opposed to the idea, but when more people are attacked she begins to question what she?s been taught. VERDICT Like the preceding series title, Inescapable, this tale of suspense offers a colorful cast of characters, small-town drama, and a hint of romance. A sure bet for fans of Hannah Alexander.