BYGONES, By Kim Vogel Sawyer

A Book Review, by Marion Kelley Bullock

BYGONES, by Kim Vogel Sawyer, tells the story of Marie Koeppler, who left her Old Order Mennonite family and faith, in Sommerfeld, Kansas, to marry Jep Quinn. When he dies, before their daughter, Beth, is born, Marie struggles to survive and raise her child in the outside world—alone.
Now, twenty years later, her ex-beau, Henry Braun, arrives with news that Beth inherits Marie’s aunt’s house and café back home, if she’ll live in Sommerfeld for three months.

Reluctantly, Beth and Marie return there, unwelcome and distrusted by most of the community. Will they be able to stay long enough to fulfill the requirements and claim Beth’s inheritance? Will Henry Braun have to give Marie up again or will the two of them be able to let bygones be bygones?

Kim is a talented storyteller. In BYGONES, she tells a powerful story of forgiveness and love. As usual, her characters step right off the page and insist on living in my mind, even after I finish reading the book.

This is one you won’t want to miss.