Suzanne has done it again!! She has written the first book in a new series, "The Bishop's Family", that grabs your interest immediately. When I looked at the back cover and saw this statement, "A heart once deceived should not be easily fooled again", I just knew this story was another winner!
The main character, Katrina Stoltzfus, was confident that she had life and love figured out. Marrying John was going to produce a "happily ever after" ending to her childhood. However, as with most idealistic ideas that youth have, plans begin to crumble right before her eyes. Katrina's future seems doomed and uncertain. When a widow in the Amish community asks for help starting a new business, Katrina does not hesitate to offer to help. Her broken heart need to heal and she feels this will help her untangle her life and find a new purpose for her future.
The one thing that she doesn't need nor want is attention from farmhand, Andy Miller, who had arrived at the widow's farm just when he was needed most. The mystery is why is he there always at the right time and in the right place?? Andy just seems too good to be true. Katrina has been deceived once! She is determined not to go through that heartbreak again.
As I entered this Amish community, I at once felt at home, back in Stoney Ridge. the setting for some of Suzanne's previous books. A quiet farming area with the Plain People living their faith. Alas, the reader becomes quickly aware that these wonderful folk have problems just as you and I have!! They are also human and experience pain, challenges , disappointments. The loveable, true to life characters, make their way into one's heart quickly, easy to identify with. Each has their own little quirks that makes them even more believable.One does not simply read this story. One LIVES it, walks in their shoes, if only for a brief time . Every disappointment , worry, fear and yes, even joy is felt. Suzanne's knowledge and understanding of the Amish is evident in her description of situations and characters. Her extreme sensitivity is exemplified throughout the book.
The plot is one that has the perfect blend of events, some happy, some sad, even some maddening ! The underlying theme of all of the happenings center on the hiding of wrong doings. The past is always there. Our mistakes make one who they are in the present. Lies have been told, can we really call them just half truths?? Is redemption possible?? Of course, but only if God's plan is allowed to play out in one's life. As the story unfolds, the reader is shocked by the deceit of one in a position of authority. I must say, this plot is one that kept me thinking long after I had finished reading the book. God does forgive, but only if
one realizes his/her errors and changes . Can this apply to me?? Of course it can!! Are any of us perfect? NOT one!! But forgiveness is always available.
Suzanne's message is loud and clear.
I highly recommend this book to all readers, not just lovers of the Amish fiction genre. It is a very different kind of story, one full of surprises and mystery.
Definitely a five star book!!
Eagerly awaiting book two in this series!
To read other reviews of this book, follow this link:
The main character, Katrina Stoltzfus, was confident that she had life and love figured out. Marrying John was going to produce a "happily ever after" ending to her childhood. However, as with most idealistic ideas that youth have, plans begin to crumble right before her eyes. Katrina's future seems doomed and uncertain. When a widow in the Amish community asks for help starting a new business, Katrina does not hesitate to offer to help. Her broken heart need to heal and she feels this will help her untangle her life and find a new purpose for her future.
The one thing that she doesn't need nor want is attention from farmhand, Andy Miller, who had arrived at the widow's farm just when he was needed most. The mystery is why is he there always at the right time and in the right place?? Andy just seems too good to be true. Katrina has been deceived once! She is determined not to go through that heartbreak again.
As I entered this Amish community, I at once felt at home, back in Stoney Ridge. the setting for some of Suzanne's previous books. A quiet farming area with the Plain People living their faith. Alas, the reader becomes quickly aware that these wonderful folk have problems just as you and I have!! They are also human and experience pain, challenges , disappointments. The loveable, true to life characters, make their way into one's heart quickly, easy to identify with. Each has their own little quirks that makes them even more believable.One does not simply read this story. One LIVES it, walks in their shoes, if only for a brief time . Every disappointment , worry, fear and yes, even joy is felt. Suzanne's knowledge and understanding of the Amish is evident in her description of situations and characters. Her extreme sensitivity is exemplified throughout the book.
The plot is one that has the perfect blend of events, some happy, some sad, even some maddening ! The underlying theme of all of the happenings center on the hiding of wrong doings. The past is always there. Our mistakes make one who they are in the present. Lies have been told, can we really call them just half truths?? Is redemption possible?? Of course, but only if God's plan is allowed to play out in one's life. As the story unfolds, the reader is shocked by the deceit of one in a position of authority. I must say, this plot is one that kept me thinking long after I had finished reading the book. God does forgive, but only if
one realizes his/her errors and changes . Can this apply to me?? Of course it can!! Are any of us perfect? NOT one!! But forgiveness is always available.
Suzanne's message is loud and clear.
I highly recommend this book to all readers, not just lovers of the Amish fiction genre. It is a very different kind of story, one full of surprises and mystery.
Eagerly awaiting book two in this series!
Blog Tour Stops
March 22: Quiet Quilter
March 23: Singing Librarian Books
March 23: Heidi Reads…
March 24: Splashes of Joy
March 24: Mary Hake
March 25: cherylbbookblog
March 25: The Power of Words
March 26: Reading Is My SuperPower
March 26: Just Commonly
March 27: Giveaway Lady
March 27: D’S QUILTS & BOOKS
March 27: Cassandra M’s Place
March 28: Through The Open Window
March 28: Lane Hill House
March 28: Marilyn Ridgeway
March 29: Daysong Reflections
March 29: Rhonda’s Doings
March 29: Debbie Dusty Deliberatons
March 30: A Greater Yes
March 30: Diana’s Tea Time Reviews
March 30: Simple Harvest Reads
March 31: Texas Book-aholic
March 31: A Holland Reads
April 1: Blessed and Bewildered
April 1: Bukwurmzzz
April 2: Southern Gal Loves to Read
April 2: For The Love of Books
April 3: Blossoms and Blessings
April 4: Books! Books! Books!
A Message from Suzanne Woods Fisher:
March 22: Quiet Quilter
March 23: Singing Librarian Books
March 23: Heidi Reads…
March 24: Splashes of Joy
March 24: Mary Hake
March 25: cherylbbookblog
March 25: The Power of Words
March 26: Reading Is My SuperPower
March 26: Just Commonly
March 27: Giveaway Lady
March 27: D’S QUILTS & BOOKS
March 27: Cassandra M’s Place
March 28: Through The Open Window
March 28: Lane Hill House
March 28: Marilyn Ridgeway
March 29: Daysong Reflections
March 29: Rhonda’s Doings
March 29: Debbie Dusty Deliberatons
March 30: A Greater Yes
March 30: Diana’s Tea Time Reviews
March 30: Simple Harvest Reads
March 31: Texas Book-aholic
March 31: A Holland Reads
April 1: Blessed and Bewildered
April 1: Bukwurmzzz
April 2: Southern Gal Loves to Read
April 2: For The Love of Books
April 3: Blossoms and Blessings
April 4: Books! Books! Books!
If you think you have a pretty clear idea of what an Amish bishop is like—stern, authoritative, patriarchal?—have another think. David Stoltzfus in The Imposter is warm, kindhearted, a reluctant farmer, and quite attractive!
Sound like an unlikely character for an Amish novel? Maybe so, but David Stoltzfus is modeled after a bishop I met, years ago. This real-life bishop might be the most intelligent, thoughtful, spiritually sensitive, and well-read man I’ve ever met. We spent a morning talking Bonhoeffer in his Spartan living room, warmed by his woodstove.
I wanted to present the character of a bishop that best represented this man I’d grown to admire. So when it was time to create a proposal for a new series, I suggested ‘The Bishop’s Family,’ staring David Stoltzfus who was loosely based on this particular bishop.
Very loosely.
David Stoltzfus is a handsome, widowed father of six who runs a local bulk food store. His children are surprisingly nonconforming, outspoken, and fiercely protective of their clan. The real-life bishop is a farmer, happily married with four independently minded children, and looks…well, to be candid, he looks a little like Benjamin Franklin.
But here’s what they have in common: they both love to read, they love their families, and they love the work God has given them of tending a flock.
The Imposter begins as David Stoltzfus moves his family to Stoney Ridge for a fresh start, a new beginning. Things don’t start off well: his eldest daughter, Katrina, faces a crushing disappointment, his prodigal son Jesse has a bent for troublemaking, and then David realizes something fishy is going on in the little church.
A new life awaits the Stoltzfus family, but not the one they expected. Or wanted. But they are needed in Stoney Ridge, each one of them. Even Jesse. J
I hope you’ll feel as though you’ve made some new friends as you get to know David and his children. One thing I can promise: this bishop’s family will surprise you.
Happy Reading!
Warmly, Suzanne
www.suzannewoodsfisher.com
Author Information
Suzanne Woods Fisher is an award-winning, bestselling author whose most recent novels include Anna’s Crossing and The Inn at Eagle Hill series, as well as nonfiction books about the Amish, including Amish Peace and The Heart of the Amish. She lives in California. Learn more at www.suzannewoodsfisher.com and follow Suzanne on Twitter @suzannewfisher.Link to purchase book: http://amzn.to/1S8oHok
This book was provided by the author and Celebrate Lit , in exchange for a fair and honest review.
This looks good I have not read any Amish books. Not sure why! Lol guess I have better start!
ReplyDeleteSuzanne is a wesome author! I love her books and she can really pull you into the story as if you are really there, I feel as if I am visualizing everything as I am reading the book! I will go to bed thinking about the characters and can not wait to get back to the book! I can't wait to read this book!
ReplyDeleteIf it's written by Suzanne Woods Fisher. It will be a good book ! When I read a book by Suzanne I know there will be a statement in it somewhere just for me. Looking forward to reading this one !
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed this book! Read it a while back. Looking forward to the sequel
ReplyDeleteThe Imposter will be reserved for my bookshelf. Amish fiction is amazing and my favorite.
ReplyDeleteHI Karla! Loved your summary of "The Imposter." I really appreciated your comment about how the Amish are real people with real problems. So true! Grateful for your help exposing my book to your readers. Warmly, Suzanne
ReplyDelete