Dark Glass Ponderings

Title: Love's Pursuit
Author: Siri Mitchell
Publisher: Bethany House
Pub. Date: 2009


My rating: 5/5

Amongst the blitz of "Little House on the Prairie" ripoffs and the dearth of Amish fiction that seem to have gained a strong following among Christian fiction readers, Siri Mitchell is a unique voice.

My Review:
God's pursuit of us is relentless . He uses unusual methods and circumstances to get our attention. Within God's Truth is found freedom and grace. His scandalous grace removes shame, yet at the same time brings a complete realization of just how unworthy we are to receive it.

Love's Pursuit is a beautifiul romance, but at its core it is a most powerful allegory. Amidst the rules-based Puritan community, Captain Daniel Holcomb is sent by the governor to train the militia to defend the community against the alleged threat of savages. The Captain demonstrates to Susannah the scandalous grace of the Hound of Heaven who pursues us relentlessly. As Susannah finds herself pondering these new ideas about God, she also finds herself falling in love with Captain Daniel.

Amidst the beauty and grace of God demonstrated through the Captain's life, the world's evil is strongly constrasted. Simeon Wright is determined to marry Susannah in spite of her distaste for his character. Through deceit, violence, and cruelty Simeon has been used to worming his way into getting whatever he wants. In this case, his desire is to marry Susannah.

The power of hope is never small. The grace of God can erase shame and guilt. God's beauty is demonstrated in the most unusual of places. God's grace is shown through humility. Powerful lessons are packed into this novel full of historical detail. I look forward to my next read from Mitchell.