2015 by Suzanne Woods Fisher
Published by Revell
a division of Baker Publishing Group
P.O. Box 6287, Grand Rapids, MI 49516-6287
www . revellbooks .com
Ebook edition created 2015
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any meansfor example, electronic, photocopy, recordingwithout the prior written permission of the publisher. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is on file at the Library of Congress, Washington, DC.
ISBN 978-1-4412-4545-8
Scripture used in this book, whether quoted or paraphrased by the characters, is taken from the King James Version of the Bible.
This is a work of historical fiction; the appearances of certain historical figures is therefore inevitable. All other characters, however, are products of the authors imagination, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is coincidental.
I found Annas Crossing to be everything I love in a novel, especially in a historical novel! Fast paced, character driven, filled with rich descriptions and enjoyable dialogue. It was a pleasure to read and I am honored to have had the opportunity to endorse it.
Shelley Shepard Gray , New York Times and USA Today bestselling author
Praise for The Letter s
Twin themes of provision and providence anchor several storylines... fans will cheer at this latest offering from the popular Amish specialist.
Publishers Weekly
Readers will enjoy the wonderful storyline, interesting characters, and unexpected twists and turns of this first book in the Inn at Eagle Hill series.
CBA Retailers+Resources
I devoured The Letters in one sitting. Suzanne Woods Fisher weaves a cast of authentic characters, real-life problems, and a beautiful setting into a sweet and satisfying story. I cant wait for the second in the series!
Leslie Gould , Christy-award winning and bestselling author of Adoring Addie
Praise for The Calling
Fishers new romance novel has enough twists and turns to satisfy any reader, but those who want to see the special world of Amish culture and family will be rewarded too.
Literary Scene
The second book in the Inn at Eagle Creek series is filled with romance, family secrets, and characters who are searching for fulfillment in their lives with some unexpected results. Fisher is an amazing author. She has written a believable story about those who embrace their flaws.
RT Book Reviews
Praise for The Revealing
In the final book of Fishers riveting Inn at Eagle Hill series, the storyline flows smoothly throughout and readers are given answers to all of their questions. Readers can expect deceptions, revelations, and a lot of romance. Fisher is a talented writer and does not disappoint fans of Amish fiction.
RT Book Reviews
To those keepers of the faith who have gone before us, risking their lives, seeking to worship God in peace. We dont appreciate enough what you have done to preserve and protect religious freedom. May we all use our freedom for the Gospel.
Contents
Cover
Title Page
Copyright
Endorsements
Dedication
Glossary for Historical Ships
Discussion Questions
Authors Note
Excerpt from Book 1 in The Bishop Family Series
Acknowledgments
Resources
About the Author
Books by Suzanne Woods Fisher
Back Ads
Back Cover
Always in the big woods when you leave familiar ground and step off alone into a new place there will be, along with the feelings of curiosity and excitement, a little nagging of dread. It is the ancient fear of the Unknown, and it is your first bond with the wilderness you are going into.
Wendell Berry
Glossary for Historical Ships
binnacle is the built-in housing for a ships compass.
boatswain , pronounced boh-suhn, is the ships officer in charge of equipment and the crew.
bollard is a large ball on a short pedestal.
bowsprit is a spar extending forward from a ships bow (the front part of the ship), to which the forestays are fastened.
cleat is a low fastener with a horn on each side.
companionway is a set of steps leading from a ships deck down to a cabin or lower deck.
coaming is a raised border around the hatch of a ship to keep out water.
forecastle or focsle is the forward part of a ship below the deck, traditionally used as the crews living quarters.
focsle deck is a raised deck at the bow of a ship.
galley is the ships kitchen.
Great Cabin is the captains quarters.
halyard is a rope used for raising or lowering sails, spars, or yards.
holystoning the deck means to use pieces of soft sandstone to scour the decks of ships. Sailors called the stones bibles or prayer books because they scrubbed the decks on their knees.
larboard is the historical term for the left-hand side of the ship (aka port ), looking forward. In early times merchant ships were loaded from the left side. Lade meant load and bord meant side.
leeward is the side sheltered or away from the wind.
oakum , from the word off-combing , is loose fiber obtained by untwisting old ropes, used to caulk wooden ships.
Round House is the chartroom where the ships progress was planned and plotted.
spar is a thick, strong pole used for a yard.
speak a ship is to hail and speak to her captain or commander.
starboard comes from steor , meaning helm or rudder, and bord , meaning side. At one time, a boat or ship had rudders tied to its side. The modern word refers to the right-hand side of a vessel, looking forward.
stern is the rearmost part of the ship.
upper deck or waist is the middle part of a British ship. This large area, lower than both the raised deck toward the bow and the even higher forecastle deck toward the stern, was where passengers could congregate if there was no maneuver requiring the area to be cleared for action.
yard is a spar that hangs horizontally across a ships mast for a sail to hang from.
1
April 15th, 1737
Its a hard crossing, theyd been warned. Eight weeks in a wooden tub with no guarantee theyd ever get there. Anna Knig crouched beside a bed of roses, breathing deeply of the freshly turned loam. She had done all she could to avoid this treacherous sea journey, and yet here she was, digging up her rose to take along with her. She jabbed her shovel in the ground, mulling all the reasons this voyage was fraught with ill.
It meant leaving behind her grandparents, her home, her church in Ixheim, Germany. Her people. It would be the end of everything shed ever known and loved.
Some endings are really beginnings, her grandfather had said when she told him that Christian Mller, the minister, askedno, insistedshe join the departing families. If you dont remember anything Ive ever tried to teach you, remember that.
Despite misgivings and forebodings, Anna relented. How do you say no to a minister? She was the only one who could speak and understand English. And thats why she was stabbing the earth with her shovel, digging up her most precious rose to take on the journey, hoping that the hard winter and late-to-come spring meant its roots would still be dormant. If she was going to go to this strange New World, she was going to bring this rose. And she was going. Tomorrow.
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