When trouble roars into quiet Arborville, Alexa and Anna-Grace find themselves the target for discord and exposed secrets. Can they continue to seek the God of all grace amidst the fog of confusion? Alexa Zimmerman wonders if the Old Order Mennonite community in Arborville, Kansas will ever fully accept her. Her family roots here aren’t what anyone thought when she first arrived, but she is … arrived, but she is hopeful that her culinary and hospitality skills will win the skeptics over. The bed-and-breakfast she’s operating needs to succeed so Alexa agrees to allow Briley Forrester, the hotshot reporter from Chicago, to stay as a long-term boarder not knowing his real motives for being amongst the Plain folk.
But when Alexa agrees to host her cousin Anna-Grace Braun, the presence of extended family brings out Alexa’s insecurities and sets Briley on the trail to uncovering a web of hidden truths.
Plans for a secure future and the sweetness of young romance hang in the balance when Alexa and Anna-Grace have to face that their secrets are interconnected, binding the two in ways they could not have imagined. They must trust in a loving, heavenly Father and His plan for their futures.
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Like all of her books – top notch!
When Grace Sings: A Novel (The Zimmerman Restoration Trilogy Book 2) by Kim Vogel Sawyer begins with a discussion between reporter Briley Forrester and his boss, Len. After reading a local newspaper article about Amish-Mennonite living and the joy the inhabitants of the community expressed, Briley is challenged by his boss to go to the community and find some “dirt” on its residents. Briley, in a quest to prove his worth, to both new and old acquaintances, takes up the gauntlet and heads from Chicago to Arborville, Kansas.
Alexa Zimmerman recently returned to Arborville to aid her invalid grandmother. As part of her assistance, Alexa has started a Bed and Breakfast, Grace Notes B&B, hoping to add income to her and her grandmother’s meager funds. Alexa is not part of the Amish-Mennonite community, but dresses plain as a sign of respect to her family and community.
Anna-Grace Braun and her fiancé, Steven Brungardt, from near-by Sommerfield, Kansas, are engaged to be married. Steven’s family kindly gifted them an old family farmstead in Arborville, but there are an immense number of repairs to be completed before they can move in. Ana-Grace receives permission to visit with Alexa and Alexa’s grandmother (who are distant relatives of hers) at the B&B in order to assist Steven in getting the home ready to move into after their marriage. However, as time goes on Anna-Grace gets the impression Steven doesn’t want the farm and Alexa isn’t happy that she is visiting.
All the undercurrents cause Briley’s reporter instincts to kick into high gear after he arrives in Arborville. He observes that things aren’t all they seem on the surface. Will he be able to get the “dirt” he seeks?
When Grace Sings is book two of the series, and in some minor details, you are left wondering. However, as you continue the book, Kim Sawyer does a great job of filling in the details.
I really enjoyed getting to know the characters. The author does an impressive job of describing each character’s thoughts and feelings, thus drawing you into the story and individual’s life. I am genuinely looking forward to the third in the series, When Love Returns(The Zimmerman Restoration Trilogy Book 3). I am also going to read the first one, When Mercy Rains (The Zimmerman Restoration Trilogy Book 1).
This story continues with Alexa Zimmerman. We are back with the Zimmerman family, with Alexa bed and breakfast known as Grace Notes. We meet the Brauns and their daughter Anna-Grace. Stephen is gifted his grandfather’s land. Stephen and Anna-Grace are to stay in Arborville. Alexa seems to be feeling that she is not fitting into the Zimmerman family. Alexa is having doubt about herself and feeling like she an imposter.
We know about Anna-Grace birth parents for we dealt with them in the first book called “When Mercy Rains”. When Mercy Rains introduces us to Anna Grace birth parents. Anna Grace is given an envelope that has her birth parents names. Anna-Grace cannot decide if she wants to know or not know her birth parents names and why they gave her up for adoption.
Stephen is dealing with what he wants to do in life. He does not know if he want’s his grandfather land in Arborville. He seems to want to sell it, but he does not know for sure. He seems to want to be a teacher. Can he tell his parents or Anna Grace that he wants to be? Stephen decides to have Anna Grace decide if she can stay there or not live in Arborville and if he should keep or sell his grandparents farmland.
We also meet Bailey Forrester who is a reporter and is sent to Arborville to find a story on this community. There are four people looking in the wrong places. Bailey has his Aunt Marit that come through to him. He also tries to want to feel important. Will they all find Grace? What will happen with Stephen and Anna-Grace?