At church, mistrust and poor communication have created suspicion and resentment, reducing brotherhood to an exhausted, uneasy coexistence. As both schoolteacher and deacon’s daughter, Kaylene finds herself caught in the middle – disillusioned by church life, wounded by friendships grown cold, and wary of being hurt again. Now political strife threatens to explode into full-blown war, stressing her fractured church in ways they are ill prepared for. Will frayed relationships disintegrate under the strain, or is brotherly love tough enough to survive the unthinkable?

Though it is set in a fictional future, Tough is both timely and practical, a sober reminder that the peace we as American Mennonites take for granted may not last forever, and a gripping tale of turmoil, resilience, and redemption.

• Written by Emily Steiner