Suzanne Woods Fisher has done it again!! "The Waiting" is a winner!

"The Waiting"
By Suzanne Woods Fisher
Well, Suzanne has done it again!! She has published her second Lancaster County  Secrets novel, The Waiting and it is definitely a winner!! 
The main character, Jorie's life is on hold. She has been waiting for Ben, her intended, to return to Lancaster County, settle down , join and the church and marry her.  When news arrives that Ben has been killed, her hopes are dashed, she is devastated and turns to Ben's brother, Caleb for friendship. This friendship eventually develops into love- with two broken hearts healing the other and a promise for a fresh beginnings, UNTIL their worlds are turned upside down.
The characters are so realistic and complex, you can feel their pain as they struggle with their faith and desires.  Although, the Amish are to known to have a simple life, their life is anything but that.
Suzanne has the ability to make the characters part of you and your family.
Her intertwining plots keep you on the edge of your seat, waiting for the next event to happen- how will these challenges be met!! 
This book is not only meant for lovers of Amish fiction but for those who want to know more about the Amish lifestyle and how they deal with crises.  Definitely a page turner. Once picked up, it is hard to set aside!!

This book was provided for this review by Litfuse.
Enter to win your very own KINDLE in Suzanne Woods Fisher’s KINDLE Giveaway! Enter at the link below and then be sure to attend Suzanne’s Lancaster Secrets Book Club Party on October 28th to see if you won (and to chat about books and win one of the MANY other prizes Suzanne is giving away)!  http://www.litfusegroup.com/Blog-Tours/the-waiting-blog-tour.html

Book Review: Captivating Characters and a Heroine with Spunk!

A Hope Undaunted
By Julie Lessman

This novel takes place in a time of changes- the 1920's.  Julie's book has the main character, Katie O'Connor who is a feisty, "new" woman.  She definitely has goals- to become a lawyer and also have a successful, perfect husband.  Her boyfriend, Jack, appears to "fit the bill"- he is handsome, wealthy and she has him completely under her thumb.
But there appear other characters in her life with whom she has grown up and been friends with that differ very much from Jack.
Julie has a great talent in describing all of her characters in great detail, with a great passion. The two other men in Katie's life cause much uncertaintity in her goals and desires. Is she really hoping for the right things in life?  With Katie's determination and spunk, she deals with many challenges.
There are too many interconnecting plots in this book to describe, without becoming spoilers.  Katie, ends up working in a place for a summer, she least desired and with the man she least wanted to be with. Luke is the bane of her childhood existance.
Will she make the right choice-follow her plans to marry Jack, the proper, well to do young man,  or will she fall for the man she swore to despise forever?  Read and find out.
This is a lengthy book, but kept me enthralled with the many plots and characters that became so real to me. An excellent read!
"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.  Available now at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group."

Another book review- A Thriller - Not for the weak hearted!

Don't Look Back
By Lynette Eason

This book is definitely a true mystery thriller!!  It kept me engaged from beginning to end, trying to figure out the clues being given to solve a mystery of the most serious kind.
The main character, Jamie Cash,  a forensic anthropologist, survived a  kidnapping, meant to end in murder, twelve years ago.  She survives , after much  therapy, making a life for herself, although it is a haunting one, always looking over her shoulder in fear.  Jamie continues to be a success in her job, however, after all this time, signs start appearing that her attacker is back and ready to finish the job he started many years ago- this all takes place, just as Jamie is feeling that she is finally confident enough to have a close relationship with a man.
How will she escape a second time?  The facts leading up to her discovery that he is still around are puzzling and intriguing. Definitely not for someone who does not like visual attack scenes. At times, your heart almost stops with the suspense that is filled with gritty realism.  This book is one that can NOT be put down until the crimes are solved and I could NOT figure out the answers until they struck me in the last page of the book.

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.. Available now at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing House."

Another Fabulous Book by Beth Wiseman

Seek Me With All Your Heart
      By Beth Wiseman

Another great book from my favorite Amish fiction author!! What a delight to read!!
This book is a first in a new series, taking places in Colorado- called A Land of Canaan Novel.
It is still in Beth's wonderful style of writing but the Amish story takes a whole new twist- by taking place in a state not considered by many to be a residence for the Amish.

The land in this area is cheaper, so many are moving in this direction, others are trying to escape memories of strict bishops.  For the main character, Emily, she and her family have moved there due to a very personal tragedy. I will not tell you more of this, as it would be a spoiler!!  Coming from Ohio, in hope of helping heal painful memories, this family encounters more challenges. Memories seem to follow Emily wherever she is.  She has to let the Lord heal these and this book, has her work her way to that purpose.

Another character, David, moves there with his family, not really understanding why they HAD to move.  He has a serious health condition that makes him fear for his future and afraid of making commitments to anyone- even to the extent of becoming close to others.All he wants to do , is return home to Paradise, PA- until he meets Emily - and then new problems arise!!
This young couple just has one difficulty after another- each with fears, but now sharing them with each other.Can they overcome their challenges to form a lasting relationship?  You will have to read to find out!!
A great book, one you can not put down until you finish it!!

Read Suzanne Woods Fisher's new book, "The Waiting"

Purchase Suzanne's new book, "The Waiting" and be ready for the Facebook Party!
Purchttp://www.amazon.com/Waiting-Novel-Lancaster-County-Secrets/dp/080073386X?ie=UTF8&tag=sprightly-20







!

The Waiting by Suzanne Woods Fisher- a superb sample of Amish fiction

Amish fiction lovers- It is here - a blog tour on Suzanne's newest book, The Waiting Look for the reviews being posted during October!!
Use these links, http://www.litfusegroup.com/Blog-Tours/the-waiting-blog-tour.html to find out more!! Join the Facebook Party on Oct.28th to discuss the book,  meet old and new friends, visit with Suzanne and win fabulous prizes.

A Time To Love, by Barbara Cameron

This book is definitely a page turner!! Jenny, the main character is a war correspondent, who is injured in her line of duty- working with children in a war zone. She is fortunate enough to be about to go to her Amish grandmother's home to recuperate- a temporary time- she thinks!! Little does she realize, Jenny meets a man who she had a crush on as a teenager and has the challenge of bridging the life she has led as an Englisher to an Amish man and life. She also has her injuries to deal with and the recovery does not happen as easily as she had hoped.


I would highly recommend this book to readers of Amish ficition as well as those who like a good mystery. I did NOT want this book to end!!Will Jenny return to her job, or will she stay, settle and marry in the Amish community which she had left behind years before???

A Novel of three best friends and their dreams !! A Book Review

In Every Heartbeat
By Kim Vogel Sawyer

This novel was most interesting and captivating.  I loved it!!
The three main characters grew up in an orphanage together and were good friends throughout their childhood  and young adulthood.  Each one had a unique background of why they ended up in an orphanage, adding suspense and questions as you read .  The current story takes place during their years at university, where they all encounter challenges, personal problems and are somewhat social misfits. 
Although they try to maintain their close friendship, others become involved in their lives, some in a positive way and some in a negative. 
Libby strives to become a journalist,  Pete- a minister and  Bennett- just wants to fit- maybe in a fraternity,anywhere where he can have fun and just belong.
When Libby makes a shocking discovery of Pete's family, the choice is apparent- will it draw a wedge between them or bring them closer together?? It has the ability to bond them in a way never anticipated, but, will they make the correct choice??

The author keeps you involved throughout the book, involving each of the three characters- in their own personal lives and in their intertwining connections.  Well done!!Sorry when it was over!!
"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.  Available now from your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group."

Amish America

 Amish America is an online newsletter that I  subscribe to. You get short emails, then can go to the longer articles from the link. Right now you can enter a contest to win 10 books - all about the Amish.What are you waiting for?? Enter, it's free!

Something New- A DVD to Review

"The Way Home"
A DVD movie based on the Inspirational True Story
Starring Dean Cain
This was a very different kind of review for me. I  had never watched a movie and then been asked to review it.  Totally different experience than holding a book in my hand and being able to flip the pages to remind myself of names, etc.
This is a story of a husband and father who is torn between the demands of his job and his family. Who is going to be more important?? It becomes evident early in the movie, that family becomes the centre of his attention in a tragic way.  Christal, Randy's wife, asks him to watch their two year old son Joe for a few minutes while she is packing for a trip. Randy becomes distracted by a work call/ computer and Joe disappears.  What a terrible feeling for the family!! Randy is overcome with grief- he wasn't being a good father- he became involved in another task rather than watching his son.
This movie also shows how a church community comes together to join in the search for the missing child. Strangers appear to help  search, as well as pray together for the safe return of Joe. 
Randy and Christal's already strained marriage now is further tested- the potential loss of their youngest child.
This is a movie, well worth watching, showing Randy's spiritual journey back to love , faith and a Godly understanding of a father's first priority- his family, NOT his job!!  Emotions run high throughout the entire movie. Will Joe be found alive, will he be found at all???
A good family movie as well as for couples struggling with what is important in their life and marriage.