Heart of the Prairie

Kim Vogel Sawyer pens an inspiring debut novel whose unforgettable characters resonate with emotional intensity and compelling authenticity. Suddenly all alone in 1894 Kansas, Summer Steadman can't find the employment she needs to settle near the fresh graves of her husband and four children. Bitter against the Lord and refusing to eat, she collapses in despair. Remembering his own painful loss, godly widower Peter Ollenbuger offers her food and shelter for tutoring his 10-year-old son.

In this sequel a man wrestles with profound, life-changing decisions in 1904. With a college diploma safely in hand, 20-year-old Thomas Ollenburger is torn between his Mennonite roots on the Kansas prairie and his affluent life in Boston society-and by romantic entanglements in each world. And now even Heaven seems deaf to questions about his choices of vocation, wife, and home.

England-born Emmaline Bradford pledged her life to Geoffrey Garrett and then bid him farewell when he sailed to America. Although Geoffrey anticipated only a short separation, several years passed before he was able to send for Emmaline. By then the fiery flame of her youthful love had all but died. Shocked by the conditions on Geoffrey's Kansas sheep ranch, Emmaline wishes to return to England immediately. Geoffrey offers a compromise: If Emmaline promises to stay until spring, he'll pay her return fare if she decides to go back to her home country. When spring arrives, will Emmaline return to England, or will she marry Geoffrey and carve out a life with him in Kansas?

In A Promise for Spring by ACF Book of the Year novelist Kim Vogel Sawyer, Geoffrey Garrett leaves his 17- year-old fiancée in England while he establishes his Kansas ranch and builds her a proper house. But when he sends for her five years later in 1874, it's clear her feelings have changed far more than his. Despite his desire to marry and her wish to leave, they forge a compromise. If she remains as the ranch's housekeeper until spring, he will pay for her trip back home.

With their eldest son nearly to the age when he will be drafted into military service, Reinhardt and Lillian Vogt decide to immigrate to America, the land of liberty, with their three sons and Reinhardt's adopted brother, Eli. But when tragedy strikes during the voyage, Lillian and Eli are forced into an agreement neither desires. Determined to fulfill his obligation to Reinhardt, Eli plans to see Lillian and her sons safely settled on their Kansas homestead, and he's equally determined that the boys will be reared in the Mennonite faith. What he doesn't expect is his growing affection for Lillian, and the deep desire to be part of a family.

Drawn to the enduring truths of Kim Vogel Sawyer's gentle stories, fans and critics alike have fallen in love with the novels of this ACFW Book of the Year Award winner. Set in 1888 Kansas, A Hopeful Heart tells the story of a young woman from Back East whose convinced she must settle for a life that's second best. But as she struggles to overcome the challenges of a new faith and the hardships of frontier life, she may discover that-for her-the best is yet to come.

ACFW Book of the Year Award winner Kim Vogel Sawyer is acclaimed for her soul-stirring fiction. In this enthralling tale, schoolmarm Edythe Amsel arrives in 1882 Nebraska with lofty goals. Soon her teaching methods-and her views on women's rights-ruffle feathers. Only Joel Townsend speaks in support of the teacher who's won the affection of his nephews. But when Miss Amsel reveals her deepest beliefs, he can no longer defend her-even if she's stolen his heart.

Kim Vogel Sawyer enlivens listeners' hearts with her CBA and ECPA best-selling inspirational novels. Set in 1898 Alaska, A Whisper of Peace finds Lizzie Dawson living alone in a forest cabin, ostracized by the members of her native tribe-thanks to her mixed Athbascan and white heritage. Into her world comes missionary Clay Selby, a man devoted to spreading the word of God. Lizzie and Clay's attraction is immediate, but it also threatens to derail Clay's work and further alienate Lizzie from her people.

Kim Vogel Sawyer crafts works that stir the spirit. Set in the late 19th century, Song of My Heart features Sadie Wagner, a caring young woman who leaves home to work in Goldtree, Kansas, after her stepfather falls ill. Sadie hopes to exercise her God-given singing talent at Goldtree's opera house. But at the venue she's expected to belt out songs that are decidedly bawdy, leading forthright sheriff Thad McKane to question the purity of her nature. Still, a love blossoms between them far larger than any misunderstanding.

A Home in Drayton Valley is a tale of keeping the faith in the face of great uncertainty. In 1880, Tarsie Raines is traveling from New York to Kansas with the Brubachers: Joss, Mary, and their two children. Along the way, tragedy strikes, leaving Tarsie and Joss alone to face an unthinkable crisis - and only God's love to guide them forward.

CBA best-selling author Kim Vogel Sawyer captivated millions with her emotionally moving gem Waiting for Summer's Return-a CBD Top-Twenty Fiction. Set in 1936 Kansas, Where Willows Grow transports listeners to America's drought-stricken heartland as the hopes and dreams of hardworking farmers blow away with the wind. As pregnant Anna Mae and her husband Harley struggle to feed their growing family, Harley travels 100 miles to build a WPA monument. But Anna Mae grows increasingly desperate as months drag on with no word from her husband.