Review: The Return by Suzanne Woods Fisher

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

Beautiful and winsome, Betsy Zook never questioned her family's rigid expectations, nor those of devoted Hans, but then she never had to. Not until the night when she's taken captive in a surprise Indian raid. During her captivity, Betsy faces brutality and hardship, but also unexpected kindness. She draws strength from native Caleb, who encourages her to find God in all circumstances. She finds herself torn between her pious upbringing and the intense new feelings this compelling man awakens within her. 

Handsome and complex, Hans is greatly anguished by Betsy's captivity and turns to Tessa Bauer for comfort. Eagerly, Tessa responds, overlooking troubling signs of Hans's hunger for revenge. When Betsy is finally restored to the Amish, have things gone too far between Hans and Tessa?
 
Inspired by true events, this deeply layered novel gives a glimpse into the tumultuous days of pre-Revolutionary Pennsylvania through the eyes of two young, determined, and faith-filled women.

My Review

The complex dynamics of the characters in this book were so compelling amidst the trials they faced. There are multiple perspectives the story is told from which made it so interesting and the pace moved swiftly forward. Anna and Bairn from the first two books were influential as Tessa's parents and Bairn as the spiritual leader of the group, and I *loved* how their personalities shone through without the author retelling what happened in the previous books. Because of that, this book can definitely stand on its own and I think it will only make readers want to read the first book as well to discover how Anna and Bairn's romance began (The first book is my favorite- it's SO. GOOD.) Felix also plays an important role and I loved his rambunctious little family and the surprises that come out of his story.

I felt like we got to know Tessa the most, it showed her strong personality and also how vulnerable her unrequited love for Hans made her. Her fascination with a wild stallion she regularly seeks out shows her compassion and patience as she befriends it but never captures it. She stubbornly rebuffs "Rumpled Martin" over a grudge from long ago, and I admired his perseverance in earning her friendship and respect over time. Her not-so-secret habit of eavesdropping on her parents made me chuckle ;)

Betsy's story is heartbreaking and the realistic historical details of the raid and her captivity made me so sad for the real-life settlers who endured such traumatic experiences. I felt like the author did an excellent job representing both sides of the grievances the Indians and settlers had against each other and the humanity of the choices they made- good and bad. Because of the kindness and respect of her new Indian family, Betsy is able to differentiate between individuals and the choices they make. It was interesting and sad to see how fear and anger led many of the settlements to instead group all Indians together in their minds as the villains, leading to tragic results.

Overall I was completely satisfied with this book on its own and as an addition to the Amish Beginnings series. The rich history and the journey of the characters was forefront, and the romance sprinkled throughout created the perfect balance. Highly recommend!

(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)

Can't Wait Wednesday: The Return by Suzanne Woods Fisher

I just finished the second book in the Amish Beginnings series and already I can't wait for the third one, The Return! I love the historical setting and of course Suzanne Woods Fisher's lovely writing :) It releases August 2017 and is available for pre-order.

Synopsis

Beautiful and winsome, Betsy Zook never questioned her family's rigid expectations, nor those of devoted Hans, but then she never had to. Not until the night when she's taken captive in a surprise Indian raid. During her captivity, Betsy faces brutality and hardship, but also unexpected kindness. She draws strength from native Caleb, who encourages her to find God in all circumstances. She finds herself torn between her pious upbringing and the intense new feelings this compelling man awakens within her.
 
Handsome and complex, Hans is greatly anguished by Betsy's captivity and turns to Tessa Bauer for comfort. Eagerly, Tessa responds, overlooking troubling signs of Hans's hunger for revenge. When Betsy is finally restored to the Amish, have things gone too far between Hans and Tessa?
 
Inspired by true events, this deeply layered novel gives a glimpse into the tumultuous days of pre-revolutionary Pennsylvania through the eyes of two young, determined, and faith-filled women.

Review: The Newcomer by Suzanne Woods Fisher

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

In 1737, Anna Konig and her fellow church members stagger off a small wooden ship after ten weeks at sea, eager to start a new life in the vibrant but raw Pennsylvania frontier. On the docks of Port Philadelphia waits bishop Jacob Bauer, founder of the settlement and father to ship carpenter Bairn. It's a time of new beginnings for the reunited Bauer family, and for Anna and Bairn's shipboard romance to blossom.
 
But this perfect moment cannot last. As Bairn grasps the reality of what it means to be Amish in the New World--isolated, rigid with expectations, under the thumb of his domineering father--his enthusiasm evaporates. When a sea captain offers the chance to cross the ocean one more time, Bairn grabs it. Just one more crossing, he promises Anna. But will she wait for him?
 
When Henrik Newman joins the church just as it makes its way to the frontier, Anna is torn. He seems to be everything Bairn is not--bold, devoted, and delighted to vie for her heart. And the most dramatic difference? He is here; Bairn is not.
 
Far from the frontier, an unexpected turn of events weaves together the lives of Bairn, Anna, and Henrik. When a secret is revealed, which true love will emerge?

My Review

I absolutely loved the first book in the Amish Beginnings series, Anna's Crossing. I was thrilled when I learned that it would become a series and we had two more books to look forward to, continuing Anna and Bairn's story. The Newcomer picks right up where Anna's Crossing left off, so I highly recommend reading Anna's Crossing first in order to get to know the characters and especially to understand Anna and Bairn's relationship. In The Newcomer we also get the point of view from Bairn's mother Dorothea and his little brother Felix. I appreciated that as some members of the church become separated we are able to see what is happening with each smaller group. Felix adds plenty of humor to the story with his curiosity and talent for getting into scrapes; he was one of my favorites in this book! Dorothea and Bairn's journeys were far apart in miles but paralleled in spirituality. They both did quite a bit of soul-searching and I loved the theme of drawing closer to God in order to find peace in the midst of tribulation. Anna endured the complaints and uncertainty of the church members at the homestead with grace and compassion, which is what I love most about her character. Henrik's optimism helped her during this anxious time when Bairn was absent, but the foreshadowing woven in had me feeling anxious and I just wanted to quickly read to see how the book would end, how Anna would choose between these two men. I missed the interaction between Anna and Bairn that made me love the first book, so I'm hoping that the next book will offer more in the romance department ;)

(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)

Favorites of 2016: Series

Here is the final post of my Favorites of 2016! Of the 197 books I read, 74 were ones I rated 5 stars, and it sure was tough to whittle that down to the best of the best! Check out my other Favorites of 2016 posts if you missed them: historical, contemporary, novellas.

These are the books where there were two or more in a series that I couldn't bear to not share... Use the links below to add them to your Amazon wishlist or Goodreads list!

The Love in Lenox series by Nicole Deese

A Cliché Christmas

Amazon - Goodreads
A Season to Love
Amazon - Goodreads

 The Bishop's Family series by Suzanne Woods Fisher

The Imposter

Amazon - Goodreads - My Review
The Quieting
Amazon - Goodreads - My Review

 The Amish Heirloom series by Amy Clipston

The Forgotten Recipe

Amazon - Goodreads - My Review
The Courtship Basket
Amazon - Goodreads - My Review

The Women of Merryton series by Jennifer Peel

Jessie Belle

Amazon - Goodreads

Taylor Lynne

Amazon - Goodreads

The Pianos and Promises series by Jennifer Peel

Christopher & Jaime

Amazon - Goodreads - My Review 

Beck & Call

Amazon - Goodreads - My Review 

The Power of the Matchmaker series by various authors

Broken Things to Mend by Karey White
Amazon - Goodreads - My Review

Between Heaven and Earth by Michele Paige Holmes
Amazon - Goodreads - My Review
To Move the World by Regina Sirois
Amazon - Goodreads - My Review

Chasing Fireflies by Taylor Dean
Amazon - Goodreads - My Review
King of the Friend Zone by Sheralyn Pratt
Amazon - Goodreads - My Review

Happy reading in 2017!!!

Review & Giveaway: The Quieting by Suzanne Woods Fisher

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

The Stoltzfus family faces serious problems, both in the church and at home. Everyone in the community expects minister David Stoltzfus to fix things--fast. But David doesn't work fast. He prefers to wait for God to work in individual hearts. However, even he is left wondering if the solution to their most pressing problem might be a Quieting. 

When David's mother arrives, uninvited, more upheaval is in store. She has matchmaking plans for everyone in the family, including David and her eligible granddaughters--and especially for David's niece Abigail. When Abigail stumbles onto a curious connection during her genealogical research, it could help David solve one problem--but will it create another? 

My Review

Once again I was swept away to the slow and steady pace of life in Stoney Ridge. The storylines from the first book in the series, The Imposter, continue as the minister David struggles with what to do about the bishop's unrepentant heart. The bishop's sister Birdy brings him peace and helps him see life in new perspectives. Katrina and Thelma implement a new source of income on their oil-rich land that has the potential to solve the church's financial problems. Jesse learns to stay out of trouble- for the most part- as he works to make his buggy shop a success. I thoroughly enjoyed the new characters who joined the community, David's mother and nieces who both help and make life difficult for members of David's family. His mother has his best interests at heart, but her disapproval turns his store upside down and disrupts his relationship with Birdy. So many times I just wanted him to stand up to her and shut down her meddling! He does his best in his own quiet way though.

Abigail's point of view was especially interesting since she views life so literally. She thrives on order and organization, and her quest to fill the mystery gap in the Glick family tree for Dane bring the two closer together. She doesn't quite know what to make of his happy personality and is surprised by his kindness toward her when she has endured criticism her entire life. Her mannerisms are funny and bring a subtle humor to the narrative. I loved her enthusiasm for genealogy and the idea that seeking out our ancestors helps us understand our roots and ourselves.

David's anxiety over following the Lord's will in resolving the problems of the church is compounded by pressure from his domineering mother. He wants so desperately to do what is right, but feels strongly that he must wait on God's prompting. The way he continually turns to scripture and prayer is inspiring and I loved the passages from the Bible he drew comfort from. The compelling drama from multiple points of view kept me enthralled and I can't wait to read the next book in the series, The Devoted, which will be released this October.

(Thank you to CelebrateLit Publicity and Revell Publishing for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review)

 

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Suzanne is giving away a grab bag of Amish-made gifts worth over $100! 

Review & Kindle Fire Giveaway: The Imposter by Suzanne Woods Fisher

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

Katrina Stoltzfus thought she had life and love all figured out: she was going to marry John and live happily ever after. Those plans started to crumble when her father moved the family to Stoney Ridge, then completely collapsed when John decided to marry someone else. Katrina is devastated. How could she have felt so loved, yet been so deceived?

As she struggles to face a future without him, a widow asks for her help to start a new business and Katrina quickly agrees. She needs time to heal her broken heart, to untangle her messy life, to find a purpose. What she doesn't need is attention from Andy Miller, a farm hand who arrives at the widow's farm just when help is most needed--and who always seems to say the right thing, and be in the right place, at the right time. Is Andy for real, or too good to be true? Deceived once before, Katrina is determined to keep her feelings in check.

When a cascade of events is set in motion by some surprising information, the little Amish church is turned upside down. Soon, everyone has a stake in the outcome, and the community struggles to find the best response to an imposter in their midst. Can they forgive even the most deceitful deeds?

My Review

I think I've finally recognized why Suzanne Woods Fisher is my favorite author of Amish fiction. She focuses on family relationships, her characters are realistically flawed, and despite the imperfections and conflict they experience, there is an undercurrent of hope and a message of peace found in submitting to God. All these elements are woven together so seamlessly in The Imposter. It is not obvious who in the small Amish community fit the title, and by the end of the story there are some unexpected outcomes.

My favorite character was Katrina's father, David. As the minister he has a grounded perspective on Amish life, and a special compassion and concern for the members of the church. He struggles with the changes the new bishop is implementing, but receives support from an unlikely source in the bishop's sister Birdy. She is another favorite with her cheerful and thoughtful personality full of hidden depths.

We get to know the children of David's family and several members of the community, but I never felt overwhelmed. Each character in the cast moved the story forward in a lovely balance of various points of view. While the book wrapped up nicely, there are continuing story lines that will draw us in to the next book in the series, The Quieting. I already can't wait to read it!

(Thank you to Revell Publishing and Celebrate Lit Publicity for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review)

About the Author

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.

Giveaway

Suzanne is graciously giving away a Kindle Fire 7! Click below to enter!

E-book sale: $1.99 for Anna's Crossing by Suzanne Woods Fisher

Be sure to take advantage of this fabulous deal! Only $1.99 for the e-book of Anna's Crossing by Suzanne Woods Fisher. I absolutely loved this book and gave it 5 stars- read my review here.

(Check the price before buying since e-book sales are for a limited time)

Synopsis

When Anna Konig first meets Bairn, the Scottish ship carpenter of the "Charming Nancy," their encounter is anything but pleasant. Anna is on the ship only to ensure the safe arrival of her loved ones to the New World. Hardened by years of living at sea, Bairn resents toting these naive farmers--dubbed "Peculiars" by deckhands--across the ocean. As delays, storms, illness, and diminishing provisions afflict crew and passengers alike, Bairn finds himself drawn to Anna's serene nature. For her part, Anna can't seem to stay below deck and far away from the aloof ship's carpenter, despite warnings.  When an act of sacrifice leaves Anna in a perilous situation, Bairn discovers he may not have left his faith as firmly in the past as he thought. But has the revelation come too late?
Amish fiction favorite Suzanne Woods Fisher brings her fans back to the beginning of Amish life in America with this fascinating glimpse into the first ocean crossing as seen through the eyes of a devout young woman and an irreverent man. Blending the worlds of Amish and historical fiction, Fisher is sure to delight her longtime fans even as she attracts new ones with her superb and always surprise-filled writing.