Tag Archives: Amish fiction

Book Review: A Season for Tending

18 Jan

73002x_w185Old Order Amish Rhoda Byler’s unusual gift and her remarkable abilities to grow herbs and berries have caused many to think her odd. As rumors mount that Rhoda’s “gift” is a detriment to the community, she chooses isolation, spending her time in her fruit garden and on her thriving canning business.

Miles away in Harvest Mills, Samuel King struggles to keep his family’s apple orchard profitable. As the eldest son, Samuel farms with his brothers, the irrepressible Jacob and brash Eli, while his longtime girlfriend Catherine remains hopeful that Samuel will marry her when he feels financially stable.

Meanwhile, Samuel’s younger sister Leah is testing all the boundaries during her rumschpringe, and finds herself far from home in Rhoda’s garden after a night of partying gone badly. But Leah’s poor choices serve as a bridge between Rhoda and the King family when a tragic mistake in the orchard leaves Samuel searching for solutions.

Rhoda’s expertise in canning could be the answer, but she struggles with guilt over the tragic death of her sister and doesn’t trust herself outside her garden walls. As the lines between business, love, and family begin to blur, can Rhoda finally open up to a new life? And what effect will this odd, amazing woman have on the entire King family?

Excerpt

 

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cw_bioCindy Woodsmall is a best-selling author of numerous works of fiction and non-fiction book Plain Wisdom whose connection with the Amish community has been featured on ABC Nightline, in the Wall Street Journal, and throughout other Christian and general news outlets. She lives outside of Atlanta with her family.

My Impressions:

My book club was first introduced to Cindy Woodsmall when we won the first two volumes in her Sisters of The Quilt series. We not only won her books, but had an author interview with her as well. The hour long telephone chat flew by and her warmth and great writing had us all hooked. We have since read the Ada’s House series. This month we took up book 1 in her newest series, Amish Vines and Orchards. And if A Season for Tending is any indication of the rest of the series, it looks like By The Book will be spending more time in the pages of Woodsmall novels.

A Season for Tending features two Amish communities in Pennsylvania — one rural and one set in a small town. Separated by miles, the two communities share ties of their faith. Rhoda Byler tends a large fruit garden and runs a small canning business from the cramped cellar of her family’s home. She is ridden with guilt over the tragic death of her sister years before, and is harassed by both Amish and English because of her odd intuitions and her use of herbal remedies. The King family of King’s Orchard run a very successful business, but due to a bit of mismanagement by one brother, is in need of some expertise from Rhoda. The reluctant partnership starts well, but acts of man and God will present obstacles that they will struggle to overcome.

Woodsmall writes characters that are complex and true to life. Even though the majority of the characters are part of the remote Amish community, they struggle with the same things as those in the world — self-worth, guilt, pride, jealousy, superstition and prejudice. I found parallels between my own faith tradition and the problems faced by the characters. We are all a little quick to judge and feel ours is the only way to know God.

A Season for Tending is book 1 and leaves a lot of things incomplete. I am anxious to get the next installment, The Winnowing Season due out in April, so I can again lose myself in the pages of this wonderful story.

Highly Recommended.

(I receive A Season for Tending from Waterbrook in return for an honest review. The opinions expressed are mine alone.)

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Book Review: The Lesson

7 Jan

719891_w185Centered on one of Suzanne Woods Fisher’s most loved characters, this is the story fans have eagerly anticipated. The precocious M.K. is all grown up (well, almost) and ready to take on the world–with surprising results. Fisher’s trademark plot twists and turns are as unexpected and satisfying as ever in this third book in the Stoney Ridge Seasons series.

In her wildest dreams, spunky and impulsive nineteen-year-old Mary Kate Lapp never imagined herself behind a schoolteacher’s desk. A run-in (literally) with the schoolteacher compels her to act as a substitute teacher, just as her restless desire to see the world compels her to apply for a passport . . . just in case. The only thing of interest to M.K. in the sleepy Amish community of Stoney Ridge is the unexplained death of a sheep farmer that coincided with the arrival of a mysterious young man into the community. Frustrated that no one takes the crime seriously, she takes matters into her own hands. Unfortunately, as tends to be the case for M.K., she jumps headlong into trouble.

Purchase a copy here.

SFisher-96Suzanne Woods Fisher is the bestselling author of the Lancaster County Secrets series and the Stoney Ridge Seasons series, as well as nonfiction books about the Amish, including Amish Peace. She is also the coauthor of a new Amish children’s series, The Adventures of Lily Lapp. Her interest in the Anabaptist cultures can be directly traced to her grandfather, who was raised in the Old Order German Baptist Brethren Church in Franklin County, Pennsylvania. Suzanne is a Carol Award winner and a Christy Award finalist. She is the host of internet radio show Amish Wisdom and a columnist for Christian Post and Cooking & Such magazines. She lives in California. For more information, please visit http://www.suzannewoodsfisher.com and connect with her on Twitter @suzannewfisher. Get Amish proverbs delivered right to your iphone or ipad! Download the Free App!

My Impressions:

From the first book I ever read by Suzanne Woods Fisher, I was hooked! She writes about real life and real relationships and does so in a refreshing way. The Lesson is another wonderful book from this talented author. The third book in the Stoney Ridge Seasons series features youngest daughter Mary Kate Lapp or M.K. as she is known in her community. Impulsive and restless, Mary Kate embarks on yet another adventure — teaching the scholars of her Amish community. Through this she begins to really grow up. And because M.K. would love to be a detective if she were not Amish, mysteries abound.

M.K. is a delightful character. A young woman on the cusp of maturity, she grows so much in the novel. Other characters from the series are a big part of the book as well. And then there is the mysterious Chris Yoder that M.K. cannot quite figure out. The simple life of the Amish is a natural part of this novel. Their life is neither idealized nor criticized, but presented as a way of life that suits this group of people looking for a way to honor God in their lives. Forgiveness is essential in the Amish life, and the struggle of living this way is presented in a natural way.

All in all, Fisher has written another winner! If you like Amish fiction, you need to read The Lesson. If this genre is just not your thing, I suggest you read The Lesson. You just might be surprised at how well written Fisher’s book is and find another author to explore. Book #2 for 2013 is a winner!

Highly Recommended.

(I received The Lesson from LitFuse in return for an honest review. The opinions expressed are mine alone.)

Want to know what others are saying about The Lesson? Click HERE.

Welcome to the campaign launch for Suzanne Woods Fisher’s final book in the Stoney Ridge Seasons series, The Lesson! Sometimes love shows up when you least expect it. Don’t miss this delightful and amusing ending to the Lapp sister trilogy.

Celebrate with Suzanne by entering to win a iPad!

The-Lesson-3001

Two winners will receive:

  • A brand new iPad
  • A $15 gift certificate to iTunes

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on January 20th. Winner will be announced on 1/22/13 at Suzanne’s Blog.

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By The Book’s January Selection

12 Dec

The January selection for my book club, By The Book is A Season For Tending by Cindy Woodsmall.

I73002x_w185n a community where conformity flourishes, seeds of Rhoda’s odd behavior were planted long ago. Can she cultivate her relationships with the same care and tenderness that she gives her beloved garden?

Old Order Amish Rhoda Byler’s unusual gift and her remarkable abilities to grow herbs and berries have caused many to think her odd. As rumors mount that Rhoda’s “gift” is a detriment to the community, she chooses isolation, spending her time in her fruit garden and on her thriving canning business.

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Book Review: Beyond Hope’s Valley

4 May

After an extended stay in Montana, where Amish traditions are different than in her home state, Marianna Sommer returns to Indiana for two reasons, first to help her brother and his girlfriend prepare for a baby and their wedding. Second, to plan her own wedding to Aaron Zook — a marriage she’s been dreaming about ever since childhood. And yet, although she had missed the idyllic farms and families of her upbringing, Marianna is surprised that Indiana is somehow making her long now for Montana.  As months pass, secrets that were hidden in winter’s frozen grasp thaw and take on a life of their own.

The truths about a child, about a past relationship, and about God’s plans are being revealed. Walking through a valley of questions, Marianna must hold on to hope as she decides where and with whom her heart truly belongs. For more about this story, watch the interview with folks who inspired the Big Sky series.

Tricia Goyer is the award winning author of thirty-four books including Beside Still Waters, Remembering You,and the mommy memoir, Blue Like Play Dough. Tricia is a regular speaker at conventions and conferences and is the host of Living Inspired. She and her family make their home in Little Rock, Arkansas where they are part of the ministry of FamilyLife.

More info: Living Inspired and www.triciagoyer.com.

My Impressions:

Tricia Goyer has another winner in her final installment of the Big Sky series, Beyond Hope’s Valley.  The story which began in Beside Still Waters and continued in Along Wooded Paths, follows the life of a young Amish woman, Marianna.  Her faith journey is portrayed in a natural and very realistic way.  And her waiting on God is a wonderful lesson.

The story opens with Marianna back in her old community of Amish in Indiana. The English man that she cannot get our of her head or heart, Ben, is back performing at concerts across the country.  The old worlds they both go back to feel alien, even though everyone they care about feels that’s just where they belong.  As they turn to God for guidance, they both receive the same answer — wait.  Beyond Hope’s Valley is a quiet book.  There are no chase scenes or runaway buggies, but just an honest searching for the will and purposes of God.  I liked that about it — normal people struggling with what God wants for them and where He would have them live.  It was also interesting to see a character who has separated herself from the world struggle as much as the character who has put himself right in the middle of the world.  It proves that the only real place to be is right in the middle of God’s plan.

If you haven’t read books 1 and 2 of this series, you are in luck, because now you can read the whole series without any delays.  And if you have been waiting to see what would happen to Marianna and Ben, you will definitely enjoy this last book.

Highly Recommended.

(I received Beyond Hope’s Valley from LitFuse.  The opinions expressed are mine alone.)

To read what other reviewers have to say, click HERE.

To enter my giveaway of Beyond Hope’s Valley (ending May 14), click HERE.

Celebrate with Tricia and enter to win a custom-made Amish Wall hanging in the colors of your choice … and much more! 

One fortunate winner will receive:

  • Custom Amish Wall Hanging {You choose the colors!}
  • An Amish Doll {Sweet.}
  • Amish-made basket {It’s picnic season!}
  • Doilies, potholder and an Amish cookbook {All items form Bird-in-Hand, PA!}
  • Three book Big Sky Amish series {Be swept away by this captivating series.}

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on May 20th. Winner will be announced at “All Things Amish” Author Chat Facebook Party on 5/21. Tricia will be hosting an author chat (on Facebook and Live from her website) and giving away books, gift certificates and more!

So grab your copy of Beyond Hope’s Valley and join Tricia on the evening of the May 21st for a fun chat, trivia contest (How much do you know about the Amish?) and lots of giveaways. (If you haven’t read the book – don’t let that stop you from coming!)

Don’t miss a moment of the fun. RSVP today and tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 21st!

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Book Review: Along Wooded Paths (And Giveaway!)

16 Mar

Although proud of living apart from the world, Marianna Sommer’s newly relocated Amish family is discovering that life in the remote mountains of Montana requires working together with the Englisch. As Marianna pours her life into helping those around her-and receiving their help-her heart further considers two directions. She’s torn between the Amish man from Indiana whom she has long planned on marrying and the friendly Englischer who models a close walk with God like she’s never seen before.

Who should have young Marianna’s heart? What is God asking of her through ongoing family struggles and this romantic and spiritual tension? The answer is found along the wooded paths.

Tricia Goyer is the author of thirty books including Songbird Under a German Moon, The Swiss Courier, and the mommy memoir, Blue Like Play Dough. She won Historical Novel of the Year in 2005 and 2006 from ACFW, and was honored with the Writer of the Year award from Mt. Hermon Writer’s Conference in 2003. Tricia’s book Life Interrupted was a finalist for the Gold Medallion in 2005. In addition to her novels, Tricia writes non-fiction books and magazine articles for publications like MomSense and Thriving Family. Tricia is a regular speaker at conventions and conferences, and has been a workshop presenter at the MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) International Conventions. She and her family make their home in Little Rock, Arkansas where they are part of the ministry of FamilyLife.

My Impressions:

Along Wooded Paths is the second book in the Big Sky series.  (Please read Beside Still Waters (book #1) first — these books build on each other and you will lose something of the story if you don’t.)  It presents the continuing story of Marianna Sommer and her spiritual and emotional growth.  Marianna left Indiana for Montana to help with her Amish family.  She left behind a young man and all that made her feel secure.  But the move freed her from a past not her own and the legalism that restricted her worship.  In Montana, she finds an Amish community much more comfortable in relationships with the English.  She also finds a God of relationships she never knew.

In Along Wooded Paths, Marianna has discovered the rich life of prayer and communion with God that the Bishops in her old community never spoke of.  She also uncovers a heart of compassion for people of all faiths and circumstances. But with the assurance that she is finally in the place God wants her, she is unsure where God is leading her heart.  Aaron, her boyfriend from Indiana, arrives unexpectedly and her  budding romance/friendship with an Englishman, Ben, is put in a new perspective.  All in all Marianna is faced with lots of decisions sure to effect her life — decisions about love, marriage, family, and faith.

Goyer’s characters are well-written and believable.  The story flows well, and the reader is left with a sense that the story is only beginning.  Fortunately, I have only a few months to wait before Beyond Hope’s Valley (book #3) arrives!  I am really looking forward to finding out the rest of the story.

Highly Recommended.

(Thanks to Broadman and Holman for the review copy of Along Wooded Paths. The opinions expressed are mine alone.)

 

Giveaway!

I am giving away a copy of Along Wooded Paths. To enter just leave a comment including your email address.  I will choose a winner randomly on March 30.  Good Luck!

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Book Review: The Harvest of Grace

9 Jan

When Sylvia Fischer turned down her beau’s offer of marriage, she expected him to give her the time and space she’d requested, believing they would eventually wed. .Instead he married her sister. When she learns that his betrayal was her father’s idea–a proposition made to save the farm–she knows she’ll never trust another man.

Despite the secrets hiding in Aaron Blank’s youth, he thinks he’s ready to face his future. As he sets out to make up for the wrongs he’s done to his family, he meets Sylvia, the new farmhand from a nearby district. She doesn’t want him around, seems to have his father’s heart in the palm of her hand–and what she knows could ruin his future.

 

Excerpt

Cindy Woodsmall is a New York Times best-selling author whose connection with the Amish community has been featured on ABC Nightline and on the front page of the Wall Street Journal. She is the author of six novels, two novellas and Plain Wisdom, a work of non-fiction co-authored with her dearest Old Order Amish friend. Cindy lives in Georgia with her family.

 

 

My Impressions:

The Harvest of Grace is the final chapter in Cindy Woodsmall’s Ada’s House series.  In this novel the focus is on Sylvia Fisher and Aaron Blank, although the stories begun in the first two books — Cara and Ephraim, Ada and Israel, Lena and Grey, and Deborah and Jonathan — are continued.

Aaron left his home after the death of his sister convinced him he needed help for his alcoholism.  While away, Sylvia Fisher has come to the Blank dairy farm to escape her own sorrow and guilt.   Aaron returns to his family with big plans for their future, plans that will take away the safety that Sylvia has built by working and living on the Blank’s farm.  And while they both work hard to make the farm successful, their motives could not be more different.

The Harvest of Grace is a wonderful novel of accepting and giving grace. More than one character is struggling with guilt and unforgiveness.  Woodsmall deftly weaves the grace of God throughout the story of ordinary people.  And yes, I said ordinary, because while set in the Amish community, Woodsmall’s story could be anyone’s.

Be sure to pick up the 1st two books in the series, The Hope of Refuge and The Bridge of Peace, before you start The Harvest of Grace.  Not only are they necessary to the story, they are wonderful books too.

Recommended.

My book club will be discussing The Harvest of Grace on January 13th.  If you have read this book we welcome your comments and thoughts.

 

(I received The Harvest of Grace from Waterbrook/Multnomah in return for a review.  The opinions expressed are mine alone.)

 

 

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Book Review: The Keeper

4 Jan

Julia Lapp has planned on marrying Paul Fisher since she was a girl. Now twenty-one, she looks forward to their wedding with giddy anticipation. When Paul tells her he wants to postpone the wedding–again–she knows who is to blame. Perpetual bachelor and spreader of cold feet, Roman Troyer, the Bee Man.

Roamin’ Roman travels through the Amish communities of Ohio and Pennsylvania with his hives full of bees, renting them out to farmers in need of pollinators. He relishes his nomadic life, which keeps him from thinking about all he has lost. He especially enjoys bringing his bees to Stoney Ridge each year. But with Julia on a mission to punish him for inspiring Paul’s cold feet, the Lapp farm is looking decidedly less pleasant. Can Julia secure the future she’s always dreamed of? Or does God have something else in mind?

Suzanne Woods Fisher‘s interest in the Amish began with her grandfather, W.D. Benedict, who was raised Plain. Suzanne has a great admiration for the Plain people and believes they provide wonderful examples to the world. In both her fiction and non-fiction books, she has an underlying theme: You don’t have to “go Amish” to incorporate many of their principles–simplicity, living with less, appreciating nature, forgiving others more readily– into your life.

When Suzanne isn’t writing or bragging to her friends about her first new grandbaby (!), she is raising puppies for Guide Dogs for the Blind. To Suzanne’s way of thinking, you just can’t take life too seriously when a puppy is tearing through your house with someone’s underwear in its mouth. Suzanne can be found on-line at: www.suzannewoodsfisher.com.

My Impressions:

Suzanne Woods Fisher became one of my favorite authors when I read the first book in her Lancaster County Secrets series, The Choice.  Every book I have read since then I have deemed the best yet.  Well, I have another favorite in The Keeper.  The Lapp family is a close knit, loving and sometimes quirky family. But life on their Amish farm has gotten harder due to father Amos’ heart condition. As the oldest, Julia has taken over much of the responsibility for running the farm, but even with her younger siblings and eccentric Uncle Hank helping out, Windmill Farm is declining.  And unfortunately Amos’ health is declining as well. He needs a heart transplant, but refuses to consider it.  Enter two wonderful characters from Ohio, Roman Troyer aka the Bee Man and Fern Graeber. Although their personalities could not be more different, these two make their way into the home and hearts of the Lapps (and the reader).

One of the strengths of Fisher’s novels is that though the setting is among the Amish, the reader never feels like an outsider looking in.  The characters and plots are always realistic for both Amish and English.  In The Keeper, you feel like you are among friends.  And the story flows naturally; not too slow or too rushed, just right.  I was most impressed with the insertion of the characters’ faith.  Many of their statements concerning God’s ways and scripture felt like prayers.  In fact, sometimes I would go back and repeat them to God.  This is not to say that the book was preachy.  If anything, The Keeper shows faith as a natural part of life.

And just as delightful are the characters.  My favorites are youngest daughter Mary Kate (M.K.) and her money-making schemes and schoolyard trials and Fern (dubbed Stern Fern by M.K.).  Fern is the most surprising of the characters, a true case of you can’t judge a book by its cover.

So you’ve read my review, what are you waiting on?!  Go out and get The Keeper.  It’s a keeper!  (Sorry couldn’t resist)

Highly Recommended.

(I received The Keeper in return for an honest review. The opinions expressed are mine alone.)

To read what others are saying, click HERE.

It’s a “honey of a giveaway”!

Enter to win an iPad2 from Suzanne and connect with her on January 17th at The Keeper Facebook Party!

During the giveaway one Grand Prize winner will receive a Prize Pack valued at $600:

  • A brand new 16 KB iPad 2 with Wi-Fi
  • A $25 gift certificate to iTunes
  • A copy of The Keeper

But wait there’s more! Just click one of the icons below to enter, then on 1/17 join Suzanne for The Keeper Facebook Party! During the party Suzanne will announce the winner of the “Honey” of an iPad Giveaway and host a fun book chat and give away some fun “honey” inspired prizes – It’ll be ‘sweet”!

RSVP early and tell your friends!

Tell your friends on FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Good luck and we hope to see you on the 17th at 5:00 PM PST (6:00 MST, 7:00 CST, 8:00 EST)!

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By The Book’s January 2012 Selection

21 Dec

 Harvest of Grace by Cindy Woodsmall.  When Sylvia Fischer turned down her beau’s offer of marriage, she expected him to give her the time and space she’d requested, believing they would eventually wed. .Instead he married her sister. When she learns that his betrayal was her father’s idea–a proposition made to save the farm–she knows she’ll never trust another man.

Despite the secrets hiding in Aaron Blank’s youth, he thinks he’s ready to face his future. As he sets out to make up for the wrongs he’s done to his family, he meets Sylvia, the new farmhand from a nearby district. She doesn’t want him around, seems to have his father’s heart in the palm of her hand–and what she knows could ruin his future.

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