Hannah's Journey (22 page)
Dear Reader,
Because I spend part of my life living on the Gulf coast of Florida, I have become fascinated with the rich and diverse history of that area. And because Wisconsin (where I live the rest of the year) has a rich history in circus lore, I was especially intrigued to find myself living in the same community where the famous Ringling Brothers made their winter home. Today, that wonderful bayfront property is home to the fabulous Ringling Museum—a treasure trove of circus memorabilia, as well as wonderful fine art and theater.
At the same time, I became interested in the history of the vibrant Amish community that established roots in the region back in the 1920s. Today, the original Celery Fields area is a nature preserve where birders flock (every pun intended) to pursue their hobby. But in the 1920s it was the area where Amish farmers from the Midwest came to explore farming in Florida. They raised a variety of crops but celery was a winner for them—and although the area was often called Fruitville, I prefer the romance of a fictional community called Celery Fields.
In this first of what I hope will be a series of books, these two historical events meet in the persons of Hannah and Levi—an Amish widow and a circus impresario. In the second book, we will follow Hannah’s sister-in-law Pleasant on her search for a happy ending of her own. After that? Who knows?
I hope you enjoy this new adventure and journey I’ve begun. Please contact me via my website:
(www.booksbyanna.com) or write to me at P.O. Box 161, Thiensville WI 53092. I always enjoy hearing from readers. Until then, take care and all the best!!
1. How—beyond the physical journey—would you describe the spiritual and emotional journey that Hannah makes?
2. How does her relationship with her in-laws change over the course of the book?
3. When Hannah finally admits her love for Levi, her fear is that she will be unable to give him children. What fears have you had to overcome in your life and what role has your faith played in conquering those fears?
4. What are some of the stereotypes and prejudices associated with the circus characters in this story?
5. In what ways have you faced situations where you or someone you care about has been stereotyped by others?
6. How does Levi change from the businessman he is at the outset of the story to the father, husband and man of faith he becomes?
7. In what ways is this a story about forgiveness?
8. In what ways is it a story about rediscovering the meaning of family?
9. In what ways is God’s hand visible to the reader (but sometimes not to the characters) over the course of this story?
10. Have you or someone close to you had to deal with the death of a loved one, major debilitating illness or a break in a close relationship? If so, were there others who offered you comfort and support? Did you accept or reject that offering?
ISBN: 978-1-4592-0256-6
HANNAH’S JOURNEY
Copyright © 2011 by Jo Horne Schmidt
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This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental.
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Amish Brides of Celery Fields