About the Book
Title: Tremors of Doubt
Author: Lael Harrelson
Genre: Contemporary Amish Alternative
Release Date: March 19, 2018
Would the will of God ever lead a young woman against the counsel of family and church? For a young Mennonite woman who wants to make a difference in the world, growing up on the mission field in Haiti should be the perfect fit. But not for Callie Zimmerman. Raised by her aunt and uncle after the death of her parents, Callie works beside her aunt cooking, cleaning and sewing each day as the men head off to serve the community. She longs to do more to alleviate the poverty and sickness that surrounds her, but tradition and her uncle forbid it. On the eve of her twenty-third birthday, struggling with hopelessness as another year passes, Callie pleads with God to open a door for her. The prayer has barely left her mouth when she finds a stack of letters with secrets about her parent’s deaths and their excommunication from the Mennonite church. Devastated, Callie cries herself to sleep, only to be awakened a few hours later by her uncle with the startling news the Noah Koehn has asked permission to court her. Is one of these the answer to her prayer? Would exploring her parents past mean losing a future with Noah? Is it worth the risk?
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My Perspective
This was such an interesting story, and unlike any Amish story I’ve read in the past. Callie’s heart for the missions field was uplifting. She had been through quite a bit in her young life, and I liked seeing parts of that throughout the book. When an author gives you the entire backstory all at once, it doesn’t leave any mystery or suspense. You don’t get the opportunity to learn about the character in bits and pieces, which is what I prefer. Not only did I like the way her background was presented, I liked her as a character. She had a lot of growth to go through in this story. Seeing her rely on the Lord, and find her own way was a joy to read. And while I may not have agreed with every single decision she made, I respected them and understood why her heart led her in those directions.
I found the letters to be very intriguing. Such a fun twist in this story. I would have liked to see Callie kind of stew about them a little longer before sharing her discovery with her aunt and uncle, but that’s just my own preference. I think it could have just added a little more struggle to the story line. Following Callie on her journey was almost like I was right there with her. The author has a way of describing things to you that puts it vividly in your mind. And the way she described the mission field in Haiti made me wonder if she had experienced it herself. I imagine she has – you can’t describe the people and the sights so vividly without being there.
Overall this inspirational story will pull you in and take you on a wonderful ride. Don’t be put off by the fact that it’s about a Mennonite character – to be honest throughout much of the story I forgot that she was! I think you’ll find this story delightful, emotional, and heart warming. I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
About the Author
Raised by a fun loving, atheist single mom who struggled with depression and mental illness I spent my childhood backpacking around Europe, visiting yoga communes, eating vegan, living on a houseboat, then an old pony express outpost in the backwoods of Montana. My teen years took a drastic turn when my mom got saved, got married, and joined an ultra-conservative Mennonite church. Faith, step parents and unquestioning obedience is a dangerous combination when mixed with mental illness, legalism, and heavy handed physical correction.
I became a confused believer with a heart for Jesus but drowning under a sea of rules, regulations, and legalism. I became a missionary teacher and then a nurse and escaped to the mission field, the one avenue open to single women. I taught VBS on Indian reservations, led school for missionary children in Haiti and Africa. All around me was heartache and disease and glaring need. I longed to make a difference but was limited to working on the mission compound – teaching, cooking, cleaning. Work outside the walls of the compound was reserved for the men.
On a furlough, I met my future husband – a new believer who wasn’t looking for a door mat in a wife but a partner. As he grew in his faith, I reexamined mine and what Biblical womanhood looked like. Timidly at first, but then eagerly, as I discovered a new relationship with Jesus Christ based on grace and not performance. I left the Mennonite church and married the love of my life twenty years ago. We have five beautiful teenagers, two by birth and three through adoption from Haiti. My husband is adopted and God used my time in Haiti to prepare me to understand my children’s culture and language and ease their transitions home.
Two people in my family have mild Asperger’s and one has Reactive Attachment disorder, PTSD, and ODD. Our house is not a quiet, well greased machine but a chaotic, happy, crazy, nerve racking, love filled oasis where we all try to help each other grow and thrive. I am so thankful for my life – the good and the bad. I feel blessed to have experienced so many unique situations and to love and be loved by so many wonderful and eccentric people. It is from these experiences I draw the fiction stories I write. I like to think of them as fiction with grit – fast paced and entertaining stories that make you want to read till the very last page while at the same time tackling real life issues – legalism, abuse, divorce, adoption, Asperger syndrome, mental illness, etc.
Guest Post from Lael Harrelson
To the casual observer, Haiti is a magical island of swaying palms, laughing children, and azure blue oceans, but for one who takes the time to look deeper, a darker truth emerges. Starvation. Desperation. Darkness. Hopelessness.
Callie’s church is a shining beacon of family values, sincere faith, and simple living but, again, for one who takes the time to dive deeper, there is a hidden trail of broken spirits, crushed dreams, and oppressed women and girls.
Drawing inspiration from my experiences as a Haitian missionary and former Mennonite, I hope you will find Tremors of Doubt not only entertaining but life changing as you follow Callie’s journey through self-doubt, crushed dreams, love triangles, life changing secrets, and fragile hope as she navigates being the daughter of Haitian missionaries on an exotic Caribbean Island where danger is lurking just below the surface.
Blog Stops
Quiet Quilter, June 12
Among the Reads, June 12
Blossoms and Blessings, June 13
Mommynificent, June 13
Bigreadersite, June 13
The Avid Reader, June 14
Blogging With Carol, June 14
Carpe Diem, June 15
The Power of Words, June 15
A Baker’s Perspective, June 16
Random Thoughts From a Bookworm, June 16
D’S QUILTS & BOOKS, June 17
Mary Hake, June 17
margaret kazmierczak, June 17 (Interview)
Jen Around the World, June 18
Inklings and notions, June 18
Maureen’s Musings, June 19
Two Points of Interest, June 19
Texas Book-aholic, June 20
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, June 20
Janices book reviews, June 21
Little Homeschool on the Prairie, June 21
Have A Wonderful Day, June 22
ansel book blog, June 22
Because I said so – adventures in Parenting, June 23
cherylbbookblog, June 23
Bibliophile Reviews, June 24
Red Headed Book Lady, June 24
A Reader’s Brain, June 25
Jeanette’s Thoughts, June 25
Giveaway
To celebrate her tour, Lael is giving away a grand prize of an autographed copy of Tremors of Doubt, an adorable set of Amish dolls, a set of handwritten recipe cards with mouthwatering Amish recipes, a handmade Haitian bracelet made by Haitian students, a pound of nationally acclaimed Haitian coffee, a bar of rich Haitian chocolate, and a $25 Amazon gift card!!
Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries! https://promosimple.com/ps/d06c/tremors-of-doubt-celebration-tour-giveaway
This story sounds exciting! Ladies, thanks for sharing & having this blog tour for us.
Hello, Robin. I hope you enjoy the story Let me know what you think!
I’m enjoying your book reviews and author reveals. I’m finding books that I may be interested in reading. Thank you for sharing!
I hope you read it! Come over to http://www.laelharrelson.com and tell me your thoughts.
Nice review.
Hi, Kim!
Thank you for your review on ” Tremors of Doubt” by Lael Harrelson and all the wonderful information on book and author.
This definitely sounds like a book that I’d love to read
Hi, Kay! If you get a chance to read it, tell me what you think.
This will go on my to be read list. ?
So glad you want to read it!
Thank you so much for the review. I like your insight about the letters. That would have been good! And yes, I was a mennonite mussiobary in Haiti (and Africa) myself 🙂
This looks like a good book. It definitely has my attention!