Imagine being in a strange land, where few of your group speak the language. The rules of the new land are hard to understand, and at times capricious. The land itself is forbidding. Your leader is bold, but proud. Suddenly, events conspire to turn your world on its head as your love disappears, your colony is befuddled and near collapse, and a new leader lurks on the horizon.

Such is the reality of life for Anna Konig and the Amish group she accompanies to America in The Newcomer, book #2 Amish Beginnings by Suzanne Woods Fisher.

Being a bit of a history buff, I loved the tie-ins with factual history. I also loved the way Fisher draws complex characters; all vividly real, some stumbling or fearful, others shrewd and conniving. Felix is an imp not to be missed although many, like the sea captain, would disagree.

What I love most about Fisher's characters is that they are living, breathing, and free to grow. What a joy it is to watch the evolution of several of the main players.

Having not read book one, this one stands well alone, although it does develop an appetite in me for the previous book. Also, there is a book three on the horizon, yay!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author and NetGalley. This did not influence my opinions, freely given and for which I am solely responsible.

Newcomer, picks up where Anna's Crossing ended. The group of Anabaptists (Ixheim church) from Germany face many challenges in the New World, after landing in 1737 at Port Philadelphia. After arriving in the new world, they must continue to live on the ship as they are quarantined on the Charming due to an illness on board.
How will they fare in the new world and the new settlement? Will the church be able to face the truth about each other or will the hardships be too much?

Suzanne does a great job in researching the historical facts for the book and even mixes in a few historical figures to make the story come to life. I would recommend reading Anna’s Crossing first. I started this book and had to go back and read it before I could continue.
I received an ebook copy of the book from NetGalley for my honest review.

The Newcomer is a captivating book in the Amish Beginnings series by Suzanne Woods Fisher. With an interesting historical view, readers follow an early Amish community into the New World. The leader of this small group of families, Jacob, has found fertile land for them and the adventure begins. Twists and turns to the plot are evident early as the group is separated and some choose to leave and a new man joins with them. Anna, a strong character whose faith in God never waivers, does have a dilemma when it comes to love and marriage. Bairn, her first love and torn between two worlds, has made a decision that changes their situation. Is he willing to lose Anna, the one who kept him balanced and set his course? And now the new man, Henrik, can make a strong foothold into Anna's life. Just who is Henrik, the eternal optimist who knows how to lift spirits and be decisive? When he sweet talks Anna, how can she resist? Can she trust him or is he just a charming opportunist? The author does a great job of keeping interest with sweet reunions, mishaps, trials of illness in the New World and some humorous scenes with Felix, Bairn's eight-year-old brother. Cameo appearances of Ben Franklin were another fun aspect of the story. Character development was good as readers see changes in the faith of several of the individuals...faith journeys that see characters questioning what their faith in God is based on and the need for knowing God not out of duty but out of a desire to draw close to Him. The Newcomer is an excellent read from an award-winning author. Don't miss it!

The Newcomer is a sequel to Anna’s Crossing, a book that was written because of the public wanted more, and I sure did.
This book focus on the settlement and all that Jacob Bauer has accomplished prior to the families arrival, and our journey with this sect of Amish to their new homestead. We are reunited with all we came to know in the first book, and Anna has her hopes set on Barin, but will he be able to come back to his family and faith? We are also following on little imp Felix, who also leads us to some famous people in American history.
Now, there is enough information presented to read this book alone, but don’t miss the first book in this series, you won’t be disappointed.
Loved the twists and turns and you will hope that everyone will be reunited and that all will be well in the end, but wow what a journey you are about to experience with the original Amish settlement in America. A different Amish story, but we are traveling back to the original roots, a don’t miss book.
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Revell, and was not required to give a positive review.

When Suzanne Woods Fisher released Anna's Crossing, book one of the Amish Beginnings trilogy, it was not intended to be part of a series. But fans asked for more of Anna & Bairn's story so she continued on with The Newcomer. Wow, am I glad!

In The Newcomer, Anna Konig and members of her church are finally in the New World. As the group makes its way to the land their leader, Jacob Bauer, secured for them, they meet up with Henrik Newman. Henrik's attitude and help turns out almost too good to be true as the church struggles to work together. Meanwhile, Bairn is wrestling with his thoughts, coming to grips with who he truly is, in the eyes of Anna, his family, himself, and even God.

There is such much going on in this story and I enjoyed every twist and turn! I learned about American history and the culture of the time period while I read The Newcomer. It is obvious Suzanne has done her research. I enjoyed young Felix Bauer and his antics, he kept the story lively. The Newcomer is a fabulous book that I recommend as it brings together Historical and Amish Fiction in a not-so-typical setting that creates a great story. I was provided a complimentary review copy of this book. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

This author so thoroughly researches history, developing characters that makes the reader sure that, if they could, surely a trip to Ephrata or Lancaster would mean meeting them, in the flesh.

Wonderfully talented, Suzanne Woods Fisher is an author that is sure will make your favorite top five.

What a great follow up to Anna’s Crossing! In this 2nd installment in her new Amish Beginnings series, Suzanne Woods Fisher has the Charming Nancy arriving at the Port of Philadelphia.
This is an amazing story that’s rich in history with wonderful characters. The Bishop, his family and friends are finally going to see the land that Jacob has claimed and they need to prepare for their lives in the new world.
Jacob decided to forge ahead with his wife Dorothea. Which isn’t the best decision he’s made due to his health. At times, it appears the decisions made by others in the group were ill conceived and caused heartache and worry for all of them.
The Newcomer (Henrik) joins up with the group and he tries to prove himself to be helpful, but does he have ulterior motives for banding with them? The ladies did find him “comely”, so there’s that!
One of my favorite characters was Dorothea. I loved how she managed to find peace as she and Jacob were cared for in a community in Ephrata. Felix, her younger son is so inquisitive that I began to fear for his safety. He brings some needed humor to this serious story.
This is unlike anything I’ve read before and I cannot wait to see what’s next for Anna, Bairn and their friends as they begin the next chapter in their lives. I highly recommend this to fans of both historical and Amish fiction.
I received a copy of The Newcomer from Netgalley and have given my honest opinion.

Suzanne Woods Fisher's book "The Newcomer" was a wonderful sequel to the Anna's Crossing! Following Bairn as he struggles with his life choices and Anna who has someone new who is trying to make her his own. Also the trials that Dorothea (Bairn's mother) has to face on her journey. I really enjoyed Felix's escapades, he was a lively character. The early history of the Amish coming and settling in America was interesting and educational. I can't wait for the next book of the series!

I just say it right at the beginning this book was hard to put down. The Newcomer was a page turner from the beginning and I never wanted to skip to the good parts. I was just taken back in time to the New World in 1737. With wonderful descriptions I could see the old shops, the cobblestone pathways, and a vast wilderness that now we can only imagine.

I began to feel what it must of been like to land in a strange place and understand why they would want to come. At the same time, I was afraid for the people with their limited understanding of the surroundings. They had to learn new ways and establish new priorities as soon as they landed. It was a hard life.

Characters flowed so well in this book, I loved them all! I have to say that reading about one notable man from American history was kind of neat. It was fun to read about his eccentrics here.

The well researched history combined with the budding romance in this book makes it a wonderful, wonderful read!

This is the second installment of a series but I feel as though you can read it alone.

I was given this book by Net galley.. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed here are my own.

Picking up where Anna’s Crossing concluded after the Charming Nancy arrived at the Port of Philadelphia following the voyage across the Atlantic Ocean, the small Amish group from Ixheim, Germany prepares to make its journey into the wilderness where Jacob Bauer had claimed land warrants for their church family. Although the Amish are very strict in their beliefs regarding the role of women, Anna seemed to be the glue that held the community together. The men seemed lost without the strong leadership of Jacob Bauer who had gone ahead of them and was lying deathly ill at Ephrata Community, unbeknownst to his family and fellow church members. The newcomer had joined them just before they left Philadelphia. Several of the people seemed enamored with him but I was simply uncomfortable with several of his actions early in the story. It was interesting that he was referred to as the newcomer throughout, even though he had told them his name. My favorite character of all was Felix, the eight-year-old son of Jacob and Dorothea Bauer. The little guy managed to keep everyone around him on their toes. I never knew where he was going to show up next or what mayhem he was going to create. Life was just one huge adventure for him. Besides Anna and Felix my other favorite character was Bairn, eldest son of Jacob and Dorothea. Bairn had some things to work through and decisions to make. One can only guess how different the story would have been for him and the church from Ixheim if he had chosen to go with them instead of signing on as first mate of the Lady Luck to make one more voyage across the Atlantic and back. A number of questions and scenarios come to mind as I ponder how things might have been if he had made a different decision. I loved the story and recommend it. I am looking forward to the next book in the series. I received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley. This is my honest review.

In this second book of the Amish Beginnings series, the members of the Ixheim church have reached Port Philadelphia but are quarantined on the Charming Nancy due to an illness on board.

The day finally comes that they can leave the ship and step on land! It’s also an emotional day for Bairn, aka Hans. He’ll be reunited with his father after many years of each thinking the other dead.

Though they’ve finally made it to the New World, life is hardly easy for the little Amish community. They run into difficulties right away. Jacob, Bairn and Felix’s father and the Bishop, becomes very ill on the long trip to the land he chose for his church.

Does Jacob live? Does the community learn the truth about the “newcomer”? Can they build a life for themselves in the New Land? Do they ever lose faith in the face of their hardships? Read this well-written story by one of my favorite authors.

I was given this book by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

Very good! Picking up where Anna's Crossing left off, the group of Anabaptists from Germany face many challenges in the New World, after landing in 1737 Philadelphia. Told from the different perspectives of Anna, Felix, Dorothea and Bairn, as in the first book. Recommend reading the previous book to avoid confusion and get a better grip on the background. A few historical figures mixed in and a real twist or two made this story even more interesting. Looking forward to the next one in the series!
Fans of Christian historical fiction will enjoy this series!

The Newcomer is book two of the Amish Beginnings series. I thought it was a wonderful read. I enjoyed it and highly recommend it. Five stars

Very enjoyable story! Since a lot of the background for this story is in Anna's Crossing, I would recommend reading it first. This book gives a lot of history about the Amish coming to America and what they had to deal with. Looking forward to the next book in this series.

The Newcomer (Amish Beginnings Book 2 )
By: Suzanne Woods Fisher
The Newcomer is book two in Amish Beginnings series. I really enjoyed this story, the story and the characters both were easy to follow. Ms Fisher has put a lot of research into the history of this story. The story focus on the Amish traveling to America settlement to start over and be free of all the troubles and struggles they have. Will they be free of all of these problems? Their leader goes ahead of them to get everything ready. He disappears and they do not have the first idea of what to do . Bairn loves Anna and the sea. Does he love Anna enough to give up the sea? There is a new man among the Amish that no one knows anything about , The Newcomer. Bairn has a problem liking him. The Newcomer also has an eye for Anna. Will the new vision the Amish has be a good move for them? This Amish story is different from some other Amish stories I have read, but I loved it.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley , but was not told that I had to give a positive review. All opinions are my own.

The Newcomer
Suzanne Woods Fisher
Suzanne Woods Fisher has brought us another wonderful story about the Amish community when they first came to the new world. The Newcomer picks up where Anna’s Crossing left off; the Amish church is at Port Philadelphia waiting to head to the land that their Bishop Jacob had chosen for them. Anna worries for Bairn, as he tries to feel like a part of his family and community, while Jacob tries to hide an illness from his congregation family. When Bairn decides to take one last sea voyage before settling down, Anna feels confused and alone. The church welcomes one Henrik Newman, who is very charismatic, charming, and good looking to boot. Henrik sets his sights on Anna, while gaining trust and loyalty in the community. But, is Henrik all that he seems? What will happen to Jacob? And what about Felix, the rascally young lad who decides to hide aboard Bairn’s ship, setting off to sea with his big brother? Who will Anna choose? Henrik, who is with her and trying hard to win her heart, or Bairn, who has always had her heart but isn’t here? Journey to a new home with our Amish friends and feel their joys and heartbreak as they discover the path God has set them on.
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley for my honest review.

This is the second book in the series Amish Beginnings. Having read and thoroughly enjoying Anna's Crossing, the first book in the series I was excited to start the second book. The Newcomer can be read as stand alone book. The story continues with Anna and Bairn trying to find their place in the New World. I kept thinking of the phrase "best laid plans" and it certainly fits for this book. Nothing is going the way the immigrants planned even though they are sure they are following God's plan for their little church. And if Bairn's uncertainty, Jacob's secret and Dorothea's confusion weren't enough Fisher throws in a charming, charismatic newcomer who seems to have all the answers. But are they the right answers? And with all theses questions we still need to keep up with Felix! WHEW!! I highly recommend this book. And go ahead and read Anna's Crossing. You will enjoy following the first of the Amish people as they struggle to settle in the New World.

The Newcomer by Suzanne Woods Fisher is an Amish historical novel. It is part of the Amish Beginnings series but can be read as a stand-alone. I enjoyed this epic tale.
The novel is set in the eighteenth century and is a tale about journeys - literal journeys and journeys of faith. "He was riddled with doubts." To have doubts is the beginning of faith - searching for the truth. Questions about faith helps in the journey of growth.
The Newcomer has the theme of searching. A searching deep within the find out who one really is. The tale explores this longing to know not only who we are but whose we are. "Only true self reliance is utter reliance upon God." Only when we come to the end of ourselves can we really know God as we depend on Him.
Appearances can be deceptive. Outwardly people may appear good but they may have a rotten core. God searches our hearts to see where our loyalties and love lie.
The novel explores what it takes to know God. Some believe rules and self denial will draw us close to Him but all God requires is a heart surrendered to Him. God desires us in a relationship with Him not just following a system of rules.
There is much to fear in exploring the New World. If we are not careful "fear... can take hold of a person." We need to give our fears to God because perfect love casts out fear.
Families are important. Families stick together. They support each other with love. There are literal families and the wider Amish family.
Names are significant. A new name signifies a change in the character of a person.
I enjoyed The Newcomer. It was a compulsive read about the struggles of the Amish to establish their community in the New World. I can highly recommend.
I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.