Falling Forward

A Woman’s Journey West

by Pat Benedict Jurgens

 

How Far Will She Follow Her Dreams?

Ohio farm country, 1897. Louisa, the spirited eldest daughter of Herzig and Clara Steinbacher, has her whole life ahead of her. She is seventeen, and dreams of the “outside world” beyond her doorstep. But when Clara dies in childbirth, Louisa is suddenly thrust into adulthood—with the burden of her mother’s responsibilities…and the care of her younger siblings. The only world she has ever known closes around her.

Then Herzig, an elder in their strict Mennonite community, hires young, handsome Thomas to help on the farm. Thomas is hardworking, honest…and not of the Faith. But Louisa can’t hide her growing feelings for him. Her choices set in motion a transformation she never expected. But at what cost?