MY NEW NOVEL IS... 

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Song for Susie Epp

 

It’s 1970. Bashful Susie, a pill addict’s daughter, sets out to build a better life for herself. Fellow Mennonite Simon loves Susie’s courage—and her. But marrying him comes with a pushy, sanctimonious mother-in-law, Adeline. She manipulates Susie and Simon into leaving their beloved British Columbia grassland and moving to her Saskatchewan farming community. There, a shocking secret plunges Simon into depression and drinking. As Susie struggles to find a way forward, she gains a new resilience, empathy, and understanding of faith and freedom.

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Song for Susie Epp, published by Farland Press, is 264 pages. ISBN 978-0-921718-07-9 (paperback), ISBN 978-0-921718-08-6 (e-book). Prices: paperback $22.99, e-book $5.99. Song for Susie Epp is available from a number of online sellers. For a partial list, please visit

https://books2read.com/songsusie

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Song for Susie Epp was inspired by asking myself "what if" questions. What if a bashful but determined 20-year-old rushed into a marriage she wasn't ready for? What if she didn't get along with her bossy mother-in-law? What if her husband, etc., etc. 

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Song for Susie Epp takes place in two main venues. One is Sage City, based on Kamloops, British Columbia, where I live now. The other is Dayspring, based on Elbow, Saskatchewan, the prairie village I grew up near.

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ENDORSEMENTS FOR 

Song for Susie Epp

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-The characters’ moral struggles and psychological depth lingered with me long after the final page. Seamlessly blending romance and mystery with meaningful themes, the author’s clear and elegant prose makes this a truly memorable read. Nego Huzcotoq

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-Susie could be any young woman struggling with married life. She is real and her life easily drew me in…I cried. I laughed. I was afraid and sometimes I cheered. Wanda L. Bennett

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-Elma Schemenauer portrays a couple steeped in centuries of Mennonite faith, forced to deal with modern challenges. You'll cheer for Susie as she grows to overcome her life's obstacles, while staying true to her beliefs. Noelle MacFarlane

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-The author does a remarkable job drawing the reader into Susie’s world of moral struggles as she grows from an unsure young girl to a strong and capable woman. You will feel Susie’s frustration as she deals with an overbearing mother in law. You will feel her pain as she comes to realize marriage isn’t all love and sunshine. And most of all you will feel her triumph as Susie deals with everything life throws at her and comes out a new stronger woman.

Anliboiron

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-Many scenes unfold through the abundant dialogue so carefully crafted by the author. This provides, for the reader, a strong feeling of hypnotic closeness which holds true from scene to scene. Lloyd Jeck

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-This is a genuine tale, well worth reading. I recommend it to those who admire traditional values, and especially honest storytelling. R Telfer 

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​-The experience of life in a Mennonite culture and on the prairies of Canada come across in exquisite detail. The story ends with an emotionally grabbing resolution. Chuck Robertson

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-I appreciated the Mennonite traditions mentioned in the story, as I love learning about people's traditions and cultures. The author did a really good job of showing the reality of most married couples. The hardships and difficulties at times between them, in their relationship with each other, and how that affected their children. Dorothy Robey

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-A very smooth, absorbing read. With her usual flair for characterization and setting as well as a keen eye for plot twist, Elma Schemenauer plunges us into the heart of Canada’s Mennonite community. In her new story, she displays all the hallmarks of the accomplished writer. Paul Crocker

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-Susie’s behaviour is not always admirable or even good, but it is driven by a very difficult set of circumstances and temptations. Her impulse to isolate herself from Adeline, while perfectly understandable, contributes to her bearing burdens alone, including her suspicions about Simon’s same-sex attraction (which is depicted as a complex issue, not at all cut and dry). You think that Adeline is the main adversary, but you also cannot help but think that maybe the real culprit is Susie herself. So true of so many of us! But I think the novel is ultimately hopeful and it is heartening to see the unexpected forces, working for Susie’s good, that pop up from the most surprising places, guarding her from grave sin. 

If you’re a fan of novels that provoke discussion and depict life and people as many-sided, full of contradictions and messy feelings, you’ll enjoy this one. I think it would be a good choice for a Christian book club and for individual reading equally. Helena Mary Cole

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