The Letters by Suzanne Woods Fisher (Book Review and giveaway)

Title: The Letters
Author: Suzanne Woods Fisher
Publisher: Revell

About the book: Welcome to a place of unconditional love and unexpected blessings.

When widow Rose Schrock turns her Amish farmhouse into a bed and breakfast, she expects there might be problems.  The reaction of her cantankerous mother-in-law for one.  Disapproval from the church for another.  But what she doesn't expect is that the guests at the Inn at Eagle Hill will spill their problems into her life and into her heart.  She also never expects the kind of help and support she gets from Galen King, the quiet and rugged horse trainer next door.  Love, Rose discovers, can bloom in the most unexpected ways.

With inspiration from a true story and her signature plot twists, bestselling author Suzanne Woods Fisher invites you back to Stoney Ridge for a fresh story of simple pleasures and strong faith in a complex world.

Purchase Links:

My thoughts: I like Suzanne's books (reviews) because they have a strong faith based storyline, but they do not "shove" religion in your face.  This one contains all the elements I like in a book - strong family ties, romance, a little mystery, and believable characters. 

Rose might be Amish, but her children are just like anyone else's.  Bethany is trying to discover who she is and is falling in love.  Mim is becoming a teenager with feelings of her own.  Luke and Sammy are as rambunctious as two little boys should be.  Tobe, the oldest, has runaway and we don't learn much about him.  I am hoping there is a book coming that will introduce us to him, as I am sure he has much to share.

Rose is a very strong woman and mother, with her strength coming from God.  She still struggles with the problems that life throws at her though, and can be too stubborn to see things that are right in front of her.  Her first guest, Delia, brings her own set of problems to Eagle Hill, but at the same time, she brings some answers to Rose's prayers.  It is refreshing to read a book where you see God orchestrating chance meetings.

About the author:  Suzanne 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 an Amish children's series, The Adventures of Lily Lapp.  Suzanne is a Christy Award finalist and a Carol 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. 

Author Links:

Website /  Twitter /

Enter Today - 8/1 - 8/17!

Book Review: A New Home for Lily by Mary Ann Kinsinger and Suzanne Woods Fisher

Title: A New Home for Lily (Book two of The Adventures of Lily Lapp)
Author: Mary Ann Kinsinger and Suzanne Woods Fisher
Publisher:  Revell

About the book: The second novel in the charming Adventures of Lily Lapp series, A New Home for Lily gives children ages 8-12 a fascinating glimpse into the life of the Amish with lots of fun and laughter along the way. It combines the real-life stories of growing up Amish from Mary Ann Kinsinger and the bestselling writing of Amish fiction and nonfiction author Suzanne Woods Fisher. With line illustrations throughout, this series is sure to capture the hearts of readers young and old.

Lily Lapp is moving with her family to Pennsylvania to join a new Amish community. In this small town where changes – and newcomers – are greeted with suspicion, Lily must adjust to a new school, new friends and Aaron Yoder, an annoying boy who teases her relentlessly. Still, there are exciting new developments, including an attic full of adventure and a new baby brother. But why, Lily wonders, can't God bring her just one sister?

“Available February 2013 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”

My thoughts:  This book picks up where the first one left off, but it does very well as a stand alone.  Lily and her family are getting settled into their new house in Pennsylvania.  She is sad because of all those things that she feels was left behind in New York - Like her cousin Hannah and having her own bedroom.  In the new house, her bed and dresser are in the hallway at the top of the stairs.  She is excited to be going back to a real schoolhouse though.  She just hopes that her new teacher is nice.

Lily grows up a little in this book - it covers her 2 - 4 grades.  In this time she experiences the birth of another baby in the family and also death.  She discovers that no matter where you live there are mean people, and that different doesn't always mean bad.  The chapters in the book are like individual little stories that give you glimpses into the life of an Amish child.  It sort of reminded me of the Little House on the Prairie books - Amish style.  I can't imagine any little girl who wouldn't enjoy meeting Lily and learning about her life.

~I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell in exchange for my unbiased review.~

About the authors: Mary Ann Kinsinger was raised Old Order Amish in Somerset County, Pennsylvania. She met and married her husband, whom she knew from school days and started a family. After they chose to leave the Amish church, Mary Ann began a blog, A Joyful Chaos, as a way to capture her warm memories of her childhood for her own children. From the start, this blog found a ready audience and even captured the attention of key media players, such as the influential blog AmishAmerica and The New York Times. She lives in Pennsylvania.

Suzanne Woods Fisher is the bestselling author of The Choice, The Waiting, The Search, The Keeper and The Haven, as well as nonfiction books about the Amish, including Amish Peace. 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 Christy Award finalist and a Carol 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 www.suzannewoodsfisher.com and connect with her on Twitter @suzannewfisher.

A New Home for Lily

Publisher/Publication Date: Revell, Feb 2013

ISBN: 978-0-8007-2133-6

272 pages

Life with Lily by Mary Ann Kinsinger and Suzanne Woods Fisher (Book Review)

Title: Life with Lily (Book One - The Adventures of Lily Lapp)
Author: Mary Ann Kinsinger and Suzanne Woods Fisher
Publisher: Revell

Available October 2012  at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

About the book: On a small Amish farm in upstate New York, a young Lily Lapp has plenty to do and plenty of people to love.  but changes are coming -- including a new baby brother,  a new teacher at school, and new ways of looking at the world.  Lily's growing up Amish, and there's always a lot to learn -- if only Lily can stay out of trouble!

My thoughts:  I really enjoy the adult Amish books that I have read and this children's chapter book was no different.  It is hard to imagine a world where children can still grow up so innocent and simple -- and so joyful. 

 Lily's favorite thing to do is play with her rag doll Sally - and if she can do it with her cousin Hannah, it is even better.  You find the family often doing chores together, gathering eggs, planting a garden, or Lily helping out with her two younger brothers for her mom.  

But not everything is wonderful for Lily.   Her aunt is battling cancer, her teacher's buggy  was hit by a car and she had to stop teaching due to her injuries, and the new teacher is very strict.  And on a regular basis she has to put up with Mandy Mast.  One of the few girls her age, and being raised without a mother, Lily's mom has asked her to be understanding with Mandy - but somehow Mandy always seems to get Lily into trouble! 

 I really liked Lily and look forward to reading more about her adventures in the following books in this series. Book Two - A New Home for Lily is due out in February of 2013.  Find out more at www.AdventuresofLilyLapp.com. If you like the Little House on the Prairie books, then I think you will like the Adventures of Lily Lapp books.


About the authors:  Suzanne Woods Fisher is the bestselling author of The Choice, The Waiting, The Search, The Keeper and The Haven, as well as nonfiction books about the Amish, including Amish Peace. Her interest in the Anabaptist cultures can be directly traced to her grandfather, W. D. Benedict, who was raised in the Old Order German Baptist Brethren Church in Franklin County, Pennsylvania. Suzanne is a Christy Award nominee and is the host of an internet radio show called Amish Wisdom. She lives in California. Visit her website www.suzannewoodsfisher.com and follow her on twitter @suzannewfisher.

Mary Ann Kinsinger was raised Old Order Amish in Somerset County, Pennsylvania. She met and married her husband, whom she knew from school days and started a family. After they chose to leave the Amish church, Mary Ann began a blog, A Joyful Chaos, as a way to capture her warm memories of her childhood for her own children. From the start, this blog found a ready audience and even captured the attention of key media players, such as the influential blog AmishAmerica and the New York Times. She lives in Pennsylvania.

~I received a complimentary copy of this book for Revell Blog Tours in exchange for my unbiased review.~

Life with Lily

Publisher/Publication Date: Revell, Oct 2012

ISBN: 978-0-8007-2132-9

288 pages

Reading level - 8-12 years old

The Waiting by Suzanne Woods Fisher (Book Review)

Title: The Waiting (Lancaster County Secrets series)
Author: Suzanne Woods Fisher
Publisher: Revell

My synopsis: This book is set in Pennsylvania in the mid-1960's in an Amish community.  It centers around Jorie King.  Jorie lives with her grandparents as the rest of her family has relocated to Canada.  She helps her grandfather raise Percheron horses and has just accepted the school teacher position at the one-room school house for her Amish neighbors.

She has been waiting for Ben Zook, a boy she has loved since she was a teenager, to come back from Vietnam, finally join the church and ask her to marry him. He is serving in the military as a conscientious objector.  Her best friend Mary Ann, is married to Ben's older brother Caleb.  They have a little girl Maggie and also take care of the two youngest Zook brothers, Matthew and Ephraim.  The Zook's parents were killed instantly when the buggy they were in was hit by a car.  Caleb took over the farm and has been running it and taking care of his brothers ever since.

Mary Ann becomes ill and is diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia.  She is given just a matter of weeks to live.  Before she dies, she tells Caleb that she wants him to marry Jorie, as she doesn't believe Ben will ever be the man Jorie needs him to be.  Soon after that, word comes that Ben has been killed in Vietnam and his body cremated.  Tragedy isn't over though as Mary Ann dies about a week after Ben's funeral.

As you can imagine, the whole family is left numb and in shock.  Caleb can't seem to get back to any routine and is letting his duties as father as well as farmer slide.  (Before Mary Ann became ill, he had been chosen as the new minister of the district as well). Well, you guessed it.  Caleb soon proposes to Jorie because he knows it is what Mary Ann wanted and knows she would be good for Maggie and Ephraim.  Jorie turns him down as she is looking for a proposal from the heart. 

Jorie and Caleb continue to grow closer together and Jorie realizes she is falling in love with him.  Those closest to them realize that they are perfect for each other.  When Caleb works up the courage to ask Jorie to marry him (for the third time) she accepts.  Before they can announce their engagement, trouble surfaces that throws all their lives in turmoil.  Will Jorie end up with Caleb? or one who might need her even more?

My thoughts:  I really enjoyed reading this book and found myself picturing these characters in my mind as I was reading about them.  (This would make a great Hallmark movie.)  It was cool for me to actually be able to see the Amish in a different light.  They may live simplier lives, but have the same emotions and complications of the heart as the English.   There are still decisions to be made as to what one wants to do (or what God wants them to do) with their lives.  Shoot, I struggle with this myself even as a grown woman with 3 children!   I could relate to Jorie as a young woman finding herself falling in love and having complications and misunderstandings arise that seem to thwart her plans.

~I received a complimentary copy of this book for review from Donna at Baker Publishing.~

Waiting, The: A Novel (Lancaster County Secrets)
Publisher/Publication Date: Revell, Oct 2010
ISBN: 978-0-8007-3386-5
311 pages

Win a Kindle at the Amish Proverbs Wrap Up Party!

Suzanne's Amish Proverbs just hit the shelves. To celebrate she's giving away a KINDLE and throwing a party! Let the fun begin. See below for info and links.

Find out more about the book, Suzanne and the blog tour here.

Enter Suzanne Woods Fisher's Simple Wisdom KINDLE Giveaway!

One Grand Prize winner will receive a Kindle preloaded with Suzanne Woods Fisher titles. The Prize Pack (valued at over $205.00) includes:

* A brand new KINDLE, Free 3G, 6", Latest Generation

* Amish Peace by Suzanne Woods Fisher

* The Choice by Suzanne Woods Fisher

To enter, simply click on the icons below to fill out the entry form, then tell 5 or more friends about the contest.

Oh, and enter soon! Winner will be announced on September 1st.

 
Join Suzanne for a Wrap-up Party on September 1st!

She’ll be announcing the winner of the Simple Wisdom KINDLE Giveaway, chatting with readers, and giving away copies of Amish Proverbs and The Choice! Be sure to join us on Wednesday , September 1st at 8PM EST at Suzanne’s Author Page

Be sure to check out the blog tour here or purchase a copy of Amish Proverbs: Words of Wisdom from the Simple Life!

Amish Proverbs - Book Tour and Giveaway

Title: Amish Proverbs: Words of Wisdom From the Simple Life
Author: Suzanne Woods Fisher
Publisher: Revell


From the back cover: Through firsthand research and personal relationships, Suzanne Woods Fisher has collected more than 200 proverbs that uncover the rich heritage, folklore, faith, values, history and essence of the Plain People.  These proverbs serve as teaching tools and maxims for practical living -- but they're not just for the Amish.  They're for anyone who seeks God's wisdom and truth for everyday circumstances.

Ranging from the simple to the profound, from the serious to the humorous, these sayings will stick with you through life's joys and sorrows. With beautiful full-color photos throughout, Amish Proverbs is the perfect gift for any occassion.

My favorite proverbs from the book:

• There's only one way to fail, that's to quit.
• Swallowing words before you say them is so much better than having to eat them afterward.
• You can't stumble when you are on your knees.
• It may be difficult to wait on the Lord, but it is worse to wish you had.
• Patience is a virtue that carries a lot of wait.

I see many needlepoint designs that could be fashioned around some of these sayings!

Here are a couple that I remember from when I was a child:

• Children should be seen and not heard.
• What comes around goes around.

 I received a copy of this book from Baker Publishing for review as well as one to give away!

So - to enter the giveaway - please share with me a proverb from your childhood.  Leave your email address in your entry so I can get in touch with you!

This giveaway is open to U.S. only and will end Sept 20.  Winner will be notified by email and will have 48 hours to respond.  If there is no response, this book will then be given away on twitter.

Amish Proverbs
Publisher/Publication Date: Revell, Aug 2010
ISBN: 978-0-8007-1953-1
205 pages