My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing
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!
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