Scan barcode
misspippireads's review against another edition
4.0
In the day when I cried thou answeredst me, and strengthenedst me with strength in my soul. ~ Psalm 138:3 (KJV)
lizisreadingagain's review against another edition
4.0
Edythe Amsel is single, pretty, independent, and the new schoolmarm at a one-room schoolhouse in Walnut Hill, Nebraska. Although the single men in town would like an opportunity to court her, she has only one goal in mind. She wants to teach her students, not be a wife and mother.
Miss Amsel's students love her, but the school board is quite irritated with her discipline, teaching methods, and broad subjects, since the children will simply become farmers when they graduate. Miss Amsel believes the children should know of the opportunities beyond Nebraska farming, though.
When she pushes the school board's limits by proposing the students travel to see Susan B. Anthony and a suffrage speech, Miss Amsel may be out of a job.
I enjoyed this story, even more than other books by [a:Kim Vogel Sawyer|236089|Kim Vogel Sawyer|http://www.goodreads.com/images/nophoto/nophoto-F-50x66.jpg]. Although there are plenty of stories written about schoolteachers of this time period, this one held my interest.
I enjoyed the characters like Edythe, Luthenia, and Joel and his boys. I also liked the conversations between Edythe and Luthenia about God and faith. The crisis that brings Edythe to a moment of decision had me turning pages quickly.
I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys historical fiction set in the 1880's. It's a lighter read but a good story about family, choices, relationships and faith.
I would like to thank Bethany House Publishers for providing me with a free copy of this book for review. I was not required to write a favorable review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
Miss Amsel's students love her, but the school board is quite irritated with her discipline, teaching methods, and broad subjects, since the children will simply become farmers when they graduate. Miss Amsel believes the children should know of the opportunities beyond Nebraska farming, though.
When she pushes the school board's limits by proposing the students travel to see Susan B. Anthony and a suffrage speech, Miss Amsel may be out of a job.
I enjoyed this story, even more than other books by [a:Kim Vogel Sawyer|236089|Kim Vogel Sawyer|http://www.goodreads.com/images/nophoto/nophoto-F-50x66.jpg]. Although there are plenty of stories written about schoolteachers of this time period, this one held my interest.
I enjoyed the characters like Edythe, Luthenia, and Joel and his boys. I also liked the conversations between Edythe and Luthenia about God and faith. The crisis that brings Edythe to a moment of decision had me turning pages quickly.
I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys historical fiction set in the 1880's. It's a lighter read but a good story about family, choices, relationships and faith.
I would like to thank Bethany House Publishers for providing me with a free copy of this book for review. I was not required to write a favorable review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
leperchauno98's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
It’s a cute story, I liked the romance aspect of it, I just wasn’t expecting the religious aspect of it.
elentarien's review against another edition
3.0
Quite enjoyed this one. Easy to read and with a fast enough pace that its hard to put down.
samanthas_bookshelf's review against another edition
5.0
Edythe Amsel is at her very first school as a teacher in Walnut Hill, Nebraska. She's ready to open the world to her students in their tiny one-room school. But is the town ready for her?
Joel Townsend is raising his nephews, and thrilled to hear of a woman coming to teach. However, he, along with the rest of the town, aren't ready for Miss Amsel's untraditional ways, and have some raised eyebrows. Can he trust her ideas and his heart?
Kim Vogel Sawyer knocked it out of the park with this book! I've only read one of hers before, but this won't be the last. With plenty of emotions and just enough romance, with a touch of life lesson, Miss Amsel and everyone in Walnut Hill leave me heading back to the Historical Fiction section.
Joel Townsend is raising his nephews, and thrilled to hear of a woman coming to teach. However, he, along with the rest of the town, aren't ready for Miss Amsel's untraditional ways, and have some raised eyebrows. Can he trust her ideas and his heart?
Kim Vogel Sawyer knocked it out of the park with this book! I've only read one of hers before, but this won't be the last. With plenty of emotions and just enough romance, with a touch of life lesson, Miss Amsel and everyone in Walnut Hill leave me heading back to the Historical Fiction section.
faithfulgirl4's review against another edition
4.0
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 [a:Kim Vogel Sawyer|236089|Kim Vogel Sawyer|http://www.goodreads.com/images/nophoto/nophoto-F-50x66.jpg].
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.
Wow...how true are those words?! It's sayings such as these that have drawn me to this book and new-to-me-author [a:Kim Vogel Sawyer|236089|Kim Vogel Sawyer|http://www.goodreads.com/images/nophoto/nophoto-F-50x66.jpg].
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.
catrev's review against another edition
4.0
Courting Miss Amsel by Kim Vogel Sawyer is a fast-paced historical romance with a lot of heart. Edythe Amsel is determined to start living her life on her terms when she takes a position as schoolteacher in Walnut Hill, Nebraska, away from her family in Omaha. The children of the school quickly fall in love with her when she refuses to use the brutal tactics for discipline that the former teacher employed, but the parents aren't as sure of her ability when she insists on teaching them more than just readin', writin' and 'rithmatic. Joel Townsend has never viewed caring for his nephews, Robert and Johnny, after the death of their parents as a burden, but he understands that any woman he courts must have the same view. Edythe's insistence that she is done with caring for others sets a rift between the two of them that is so large, only God will be able to overcome it. Sawyer's writing is always populated with likable characters and solid plots with God at the center, and this book is no exception. Readers will sympathize with Edythe's love for her students. Joel is strong hero with love for his nephews and the Lord. Readers will hope that Sawyer intends to revisit Walnut Hill again soon.
blackngoldgirlsbookspot's review against another edition
3.0
If you're looking for a guaranteed sweet and heart-warming read with more than a smidgen of faith, you can't go wrong with a story from the pen of Kim Sawyer. Each time I pick up her books I'm prepared to relax and enjoy life on the prairie. Don't be fooled by the pretty covers because books by Kim aren't just romances, there are spiritual relationships and neighbor helping neighbor camaraderie that you don't often see nowadays.
While Courting Miss Amsel started out rather slowly by the end I was cheering her on. I feel for all teachers if they go through half of what Edythe did. Walnut Hill is a small town but there sure wasn't a lack of trouble and a woman who was a suffragette ? Ohhhh the horror of it all...at least according to some of the menfolk. ;-) With some of the issues like disciplining unruly students to the aforementioned suffrage debate you really do get a feel for the workings of a prairie school and small-town life.
I liked this story, not for the romance, because there's little of that but for the sheer perseverance and courage that Miss Amsel showed. I've said it before but I'll say it again Kim Vogel Sawyer definitely has that classic style of Janette Oke and Grace Livingstone Hill. She writes an easy, naturally paced story that's always believable and suitable for readers of almost any age. Courting Miss Amsel is a worthwhile read.
* I received my review copy from the publisher in exchange for posting my honest review of the book*
While Courting Miss Amsel started out rather slowly by the end I was cheering her on. I feel for all teachers if they go through half of what Edythe did. Walnut Hill is a small town but there sure wasn't a lack of trouble and a woman who was a suffragette ? Ohhhh the horror of it all...at least according to some of the menfolk. ;-) With some of the issues like disciplining unruly students to the aforementioned suffrage debate you really do get a feel for the workings of a prairie school and small-town life.
I liked this story, not for the romance, because there's little of that but for the sheer perseverance and courage that Miss Amsel showed. I've said it before but I'll say it again Kim Vogel Sawyer definitely has that classic style of Janette Oke and Grace Livingstone Hill. She writes an easy, naturally paced story that's always believable and suitable for readers of almost any age. Courting Miss Amsel is a worthwhile read.
* I received my review copy from the publisher in exchange for posting my honest review of the book*
kristaj's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this story. I highly recommend it, as well as all the books by Kim Vogel Sawyer.
kame's review
4.0
Miss Amsel is the new schoolmarm - this is her first teaching assignment and she is full of new ideas. Mr. Townsend is the guardian of his two nephews and is leary of her decisions on the first day of school. Imagine a teacher who has told the students she will not use the switch for disciple.
Many in the town question Mr. Amsel's (Edyth) teaching methods - she is very progressive for this small farming community - some question why students should learn about longitude and latitude, and bugs! Mr Townsend (Joel)notes his nephews have never enjoyed going to school and for once he does not have to force them to go.
This book is entertaining and kept me up very late to finish! I felt Edyth's love for learning and her students - this is the first time in her life she is able to do something that nurtures her soul. Edyth is the first woman Joel has looked at that made him think the boys could benefit from a mother figure - but Edyth does not want a ready made family and she does not own a Bible!
The characters in this town were entertaining and developed enough for me to read another story with them to find out more about the town.
Many in the town question Mr. Amsel's (Edyth) teaching methods - she is very progressive for this small farming community - some question why students should learn about longitude and latitude, and bugs! Mr Townsend (Joel)notes his nephews have never enjoyed going to school and for once he does not have to force them to go.
This book is entertaining and kept me up very late to finish! I felt Edyth's love for learning and her students - this is the first time in her life she is able to do something that nurtures her soul. Edyth is the first woman Joel has looked at that made him think the boys could benefit from a mother figure - but Edyth does not want a ready made family and she does not own a Bible!
The characters in this town were entertaining and developed enough for me to read another story with them to find out more about the town.
More...