Blog Tour: A Lancaster County Christmas

Lancaster County Christmas, A

About the Book:

Jaime and C. J. Fitzpatrick began their married life as most couples do--in love and looking forward to a bright future together. But four years later they've drifted apart and are almost ready to call it quits. 

Mattie Riehl was hoping to give her husband Sol the Christmas gift they have both longed for--news that a baby was on the way. But as usual, she is disappointed. The holidays bring an acute awareness to Mattie that her dream of a big family isn't likely to become a reality. 

Then a winter storm raging outside blows the Fitzpatricks into the Riehl home--and into a much slower pace of life. Can these two couples from different worlds help each other understand the true meaning of love this Christmas? 

With her trademark plot twists and attention to detail, Suzanne Woods Fisher offers readers a beautiful Christmas story of love, forgiveness, and what truly matters in life.

My Comments:

You really didn't think a book with a title and cover like this was going to have anything other than a happy ending, did you?  Still, it was an interesting read.  As I've said in other reviews, Suzanne Woods Fisher is one of the best out there at writing Amish fiction.  In this relatively short read we gain insight into the Fitzpatrick's marital discord, and from where in their personal histories those problems spring.  We see the Riehls learn that their ways aren't always God's ways.  Yes, it's sweet, but it's a Christmas story, so what do you expect?  Grade:  B.

I'd like to thank the author for sending me a complimentary review copy.  

This book is part of Christmas in September and by participating in my contest there, you can win a copy.

About the Author:

Her interest in the Amish began with her grandfather, W.D. Benedict, who was raised Plain. She has many, many Plain relatives living in Franklin County, Pennsylvania, and travels back to Pennsylvania, as well as to Ohio, a couple of times each year for research.

Suzanne has a great admiration for the Plain people and believes they provide wonderful examples to the world.  In both her fiction and non-fiction books, she has an underlying theme: You don't have to "go Amish" to incorporate many of their principles--simplicity, living with less, appreciating nature, forgiving others more readily-- into your life.

When Suzanne isn't writing or bragging to her friends about her first new grandbaby (!), she is raising puppies for Guide Dogs for the Blind. To Suzanne's way of thinking, you just can't take life too seriously when a puppy is tearing through your house with someone's underwear in its mouth.

Suzanne can be found on-line at: www.suzannewoodsfisher.com.

This post is part of a blog tour.  The tour includes a contest.

Suzanne and Revell will be presenting one merry winner with a Christmas Prize Pack (valued at over $600):

• A Brand New iPad 2 with Wi-Fi
• $25 gift certificate to iTunes
• A copy of A Lancaster County Christmas

To enter, click here http://litfusegroup.com/blogtours/text/13425768.  But, hurry the giveaway ends on 9/26.

 Many of the tour stops have giveaways available, so check them out by clicking here.

But, wait! There's more! The winner will be announced at the A Lancaster County Christmas Facebook Party on 9/27 at Suzanne's author page. During the party she'll be revealing something *BIG* - you won't want to miss it. She'll also be hosting a book chat, trivia contest and giving away a few early Christmas presents! Hope to see you there.

Book Review: The Search

Search, The: A Novel (Lancaster County Secrets)

About the Book:
As a child caught up in a crisis, Lainey O'Toole made a split-second decision with far-reaching effects. Fifteen years later, when her car breaks down in Stoney Ridge--the very town in which that decision was made--she is forced to face the past and discover how her decision has impacted so many.

Bess Reihl is less than thrilled to be spending the summer at Rose Hill Farm helping her intimidating grandmother Bertha recover from surgery. It doesn't take long for Bess to realize that her grandmother coaxed her to Stoney Ridge for an entirely different reason. But once Bess meets hired hand Billy Lapp, the summer starts to hold some promise.

Lainey's and Bess's worlds are about to collide and the secrets that come to light will shock them both.

Beautifully written, The Search is a skillfully woven story that takes you through unexpected twists and turns on the long country road toward truth. Immerse yourself in this heartwarming--and surprising--tale of young love, forgiveness, and healing.

My Comments:

I read my first Amish novel, Plain Girl, about 40 years ago, and I've been fascinated by the Amish ever since.  A fellow blogger once wrote that when she saw a girl with a bonnet on the cover of a book, she ran in the opposite direction; me, I'd gotten to the point that I'd grab anything with an Amish girl on the cover, and over the last year or two I've read a lot of junk--badly written books that would never have caught my eye if they had been about normal Americans.  I've learned there are authors I have no desire to read again; fortunately Suzanne Woods Fisher is not one of them--in fact I'd say her books are some of the best written Amish fiction on the market today.  Her writing is good, her characters are real and her plots are interesting.  While this one involves a young woman choosing to be Amish and learning to live as they do, otherwise the main plot could involve any kind of family.  Grade:  B+

Win a Free I-Pad:  

In conjunction with this blog tour, you can win copies of Suzanne Woods Fisher's books as well as an I-Pad. See how.

My Reviews of Fischer's Books:

 My Review

 My Review

 My Review

I'd like to thank the publisher for sending me a complimentary review copy of this book. I was not obligated to provide a positive review.

Win a Free iPad

Suzanne Woods Fisher's latest installment of the Lancaster County Secrets, The Search,  is just out and to celebrate Suzanne is hosting The Search iPad Giveaway!

One Grand Prize winner will receive an iPad Prize Package worth over $500 and includes:

• A brand new iPad (16KB with Wi-Fi)
• Signed copies of all three Lancaster Country Secrets books (The Choice, The Waiting, & The Search)

To enter, simply click on the icons below to fill out the entry form/s, then tell 5 or more friends about the contest. Oh, and enter soon! Winner will be announced on February 3rd at Suzanne's Everything is Coming Up Roses Facebook Party. (Did you know The Search takes place on a rose farm?)

 

Facebook Party:

Join Suzanne for the Everything is Coming Up Roses Facebook Party on February 3rd! She’ll be announcing the winner of the The Search iPad Giveaway, hosting a book club discussion of The Search, giving away copies of all three books and HEAPS of other readerly prizes! Including roses delivered to your door for three months for you AND a friend! Be sure to join us on Thursday, February 3rd at 5:00 PM PST (6:00 MST, 7:00 CST & 8 EST) at Suzanne’s Author Page.


Disclosure:  I received a complimentary review copy of The Search for participating in this blog tour.

The Waiting by Suzanne Woods Fisher

Waiting, The: A Novel (Lancaster County Secrets) is one of the best Amish novels I've read lately.

About The Waiting: Book 2 in The Lancaster Secrets collection and hot on the heals of the best-selling The Choice, The Waiting, a stand alone story, is a compelling page turner. Jorie King has been waiting for Benjamin Zook to return home to Lancaster County so they can marry. When news arrives that Ben has been killed, Jorie finds comfort in the friendship of his brother Caleb. That friendship ripens into love, and it seems that they are meant to be together. But when the unexpected happens, their worlds are turned upside down once more. Will Jorie trust God to lead her into the arms of a new man?

A multifaceted story about complex people living the simple life. Readers will find themselves transported into the world of the Amish and deeply invested in these wonderful characters. 

My Comments:  I really enjoyed this book.  It was set in the 1960's and gave insight into how the Amish dealt with the draft and the Viet Nam war.  It was a book that began with sorrow, but which ended in hope.  The characters were real people who happened to be Amish, rather than cardboard cutouts of "typical" Amish folk who all acted alike--and perfectly.  It is a romance novel, but not just a romance novel.  The plot was interesting and not completely predictable.  While faith is a part of the Amish life, the book doesn't beat you over the head with religion.  Grade:  B+

Contest:  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)!

About Suzanne Woods Fisher: Suzanne Woods Fisher is the CBA bestselling author of The Choice, The Waiting, Amish Peace, and Amish Proverbs. 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. Benedict eventually became publisher of Christianity Today magazine. Suzanne is the host of a radio show called Amish Wisdom and her work has appeared in many magazines. She lives in California. Find out more about Suzanne at www.suzannewoodsfisher.com

I'd like to thank the publisher for providing a complimentary review copy.  You can purchase yours from Amazon by clicking my links (and giving me a small commission) or from your local bookstore.

Amish Peace: My Review

Have you ever wondered why the Amish choose to live as they do? In some ways they seem to be a contradiction. They eschew higher education, but use modern medicine. They won't own a motor vehicle, but will ride in one. Why do they choose to accept what they do, and forgo what they do? What is their goal?

Amish Peace: Simple Wisdom for a Complicated World
attempts to answer those type of questions, and to get its readers to reflect on how they can incorporate some of the same philosophy into their lives without having to become Amish (something the author indicates the Amish do not encourage). In a nutshell, the Amish lifestyle is based on the good of the community, rather than the good of the individual. Their rules are designed to draw the community together and to keep it close, both physically and emotionally. Further, the sense of peace the people exude comes from accepting life as it comes as the will of God, and forgiving others.

Chapters are only a few pages long and usually include an anecdote about an Amish person to make the point. They end with a section titled "Reflections on Simplicity" which try to apply Amish ways to our modern life. One suggestion was that if you didn't have enough time, give up watching TV and the computer and see if that gives you more time.

Suzanne Woods Fisher's family belonged to faith community somewhat similar to the Amish, and she paints a very favorable picture of the Amish. The book is an easy read, but can provide fodder for deeper reflection if desired. Obviously the Amish are a Christian sect, and this book is written from a Christian perspective. While some of the reflections make sense strictly from a "be a better person and live a good life" perspective, many are overtly Christian.

I enjoyed the book and thank the folks at Revell books for sending it to me for this blog tour. For more information about the book and the Amish, join the author, Suzanne Woods Fisher at a Facebook party September 28 (that's today) from 3-5 p.m. Central time. To participate you will need an active account on Facebook and you will need to be a friend of Suzanne Woods Fisher. Click here for more information.
To purchase from Amazon:Amish Peace: Simple Wisdom for a Complicated World
Publisher's Webpage