A Nobel Groom is a story about a German immigrant settlement in Michigan in 1881. A young widow, Annalisa Werner, has a daughter to care for another baby on the way and six months to raise the funds to pay off her land debt. These are overwhelming tasks for someone so young. Annalisa's father knows that she needs a husband, so he sends for a distant cousin from the old country to come and marry his daughter. When Carl shows up with a letter in hand, people think she is the long awaited cousin. Carl has to scramble to avoid being forced into marriage. The community finds out that he isn't the long awaited cousin, but someone from the "Old Country" that is willing to help out until the cousin arrives. Carl carries a secret that he is not a poor teacher, but a nobleman. He had to leave his homeland after escaping from prison. He was falsely accused of murder. After a life of ease, the life of an immigrant proves there are many things to learn and some secrets to keep. Will the crops get in on time, will the land go to the evil man, Ward, who threatens Annalisa on different occasions?
This book captured my attention from the beginning. I wanted to find out about Annalisa and her little girl. Could they survive alone in the frontier on their own? The book has some german sprinkled throughout the book that add to the flavor of the story. I only wish I knew German to understand the words. The struggle of farming in the 1880s came alive under Hedlund's pen. I found myself holding my breath--- hoping the next page would bring the long awaited rain for the crops. The murder mystery brought about a surprising resolution. I am so glad that Hedlund continued the story after the murder was solved. It was a complete story that comes full circle and ends with a satisfying resolution.
Thank you to Bethany House Publishers for this free e-book to read.
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