Courting Miss Amsel by Kim Vogel Sawyer

Edythe Amsel is delighted with her first teaching assignment:  a one-room schoolhouse in Walnut Hill, Nebraska.  Independent, headstrong, and a firm believer in a well-rounded education.  Edythe is ready to open the world to the students in this tiny community.  But is Walnut Hill ready for her?

Having raised his nephews since their parents' untimely deaths, Joel Townsend is thrilled to learn the town council has hired a female teacher.  his sons could use a woman's influence.  But he sure didn't bargain on a woman like Miss Amsel.  Within the first week, she has the entire town up in arms over her outlandish teaching methods.  Of course, Joel can't help but notice that she's also mighty pretty--and just might make a good mother for his boys.

Not My Cup of Tea

This book made such an impression on me, that I couldn't remember I had read it before until about halfway through.  While I do think author Kim Vogel Sawyer is a very good writer, I couldn't get into this book.  I tried and tried to feel something, anything toward the heroine, but couldn't raise any sort of connection with Edythe Amsel.

I thought all of the characters were fairly well developed.  I understood the background behind each one, or at least I think I did.  Maybe I didn't and that's why I didn't connect.  I did like Miss Amsel's teaching methods, and wished my children had teachers like her.  I also thought the look into the Women's Right to Vote issue was very well written.

I loved the two little boys, the nephews of Joel Townsend, and thought their personalities were quite charming.  I thought Joel was a tad desperate.

There was a twist in the story about halfway through, that even though I wasn't looking for it at first, was fairly predictable, although the character kind of threw me for a loop.  I don't want to give it away, but I will say I didn't see this particular character going in quite this direction.

All-in-all, this is definitely not staying on my "Keeper" shelf, but it doesn't mean that I wouldn't love to give author Kim Vogel Sawyer another try.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the Bethany House book review bloggers program. 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 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”