by: Suzanne Woods Fisher
My Thoughts:
Never a disappointment with Suzanne's books. The Search is such a great mixture of humor and family drama with some romance woven through the pages, as well.
The Search has some very dynamic characters that certainly keep you on your toes. The one that stuck out the most to me is Bertha Reihl (a.k.a. Mammi). Bertha is a woman of few words, but definitely someone you listen to. She is a woman of simple faith who trusts that God will take care of everything. However there are times when she thinks it necessary to give her assistance to make something happen. To be perfectly honest, I kept thinking that this woman is the Amish version of Madea - for those of you who may be familiar with Tyler Perry's movies (definitely some differences, but similar). There were a few times I was literally laughing out loud while reading through her scenes.
There are also some great lessons to be learned while reading this book. Number one is forgiveness. Many secrets have been kept from people in this family for 15 years and as they are revealed some of the characters have to search deep into their heart and God's to find that forgiveness. Another lesson that stood out to me is the need to face reality and accept what God has for your life. We don't always know what is best, but God does and He uses people and circumstances to shape us into who He wants us to be. It is our responsibility to know Him and be willing to be changed. Romans 12:2 "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect."
About the book:
Fifteen years ago, Lainey O'Toole made a split-second decision. She couldn't have known that her choice would impact so many.
Now in her mid-twenties, she is poised to go to culinary school when her car breaks down in Stoney Ridge, the very Amish town in which her long-reaching decision was made, forcing her to face the shadowed past.
Bess Reihl is less than thrilled to be spending the summer at Rose Hill Farm with her large and intimidating grandmother, Bertha. It quickly becomes clear that she is there to work the farm--and work hard. The labor is made slightly more tolerable by the time it affords Bess to spend with the handsome hired hand, Billy Lapp. But he only has eyes for a flirty and curvaceous older girl.
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 readers through unexpected twists and turns on the long country road toward truth. Fans both old and new will find themselves immersed in this heartwarming--and surprising--tale of young love, forgiveness, and coming to grips with the past."
About Suzanne:
In no particular order, Suzanne Woods Fisher is a wife, mother, writer, lifelong student of the Bible, raiser of puppies for Guide Dogs for the Blind, a gardener and a cook...the latter two with sporadic results.
Suzanne has loved to write since she was a young teen. After college, she started to write for magazines and became a contributing editor for Christian Parenting Today magazine. Her family moved to Hong Kong for four years, just as the internet was developing, and she continued to write articles in a 44-story high-rise apartment, sending manuscripts 7,000 miles away with a click of a key.
After returning from Hong Kong, Suzanne decide
d to give her first novel a try. For four and a half months, she worked on an antediluvian computer in a cramped laundry room. She didn't even tell her husband what she was up to. When the novel was completed, she told her family at dinner one night that she had written a book. "That's why there's no food in this house!" said her slightly insensitive sons.
Undaunted...Suzanne found a small royalty publisher for that book and wrote three more (all earned multiple awards). With help from an agent, she now has numerous books under contract with Revell. Also look for Suzanne's Amish non-fiction, Amis
h Peace: Simple Wisdom for a Complicated World, a non-fiction book of stories and examples about the Old Order Amish, as well as Amish Proverbs, and coming in Spring of 2011, look for Amish Values for Your Family. The Choice and The Waiting are the previous books in the Lancaster County Secrets Collection.
Writing, for Suzanne, is a way to express a love of God and His word. With every book or article, she hopes readers get a sense of what faith really looks like in the daily grind. She hopes they realize that life can be hard, but God is good, and never to confuse the two.
Suzanne can be found on-line at: www.suzannewoodsfisher.com
Suzanne Woods Fisher's latest installment of the Lancaster
County Secrets, The Search
, is just out and to celebrate Suzanne is hosting The Search iPadGiveaway!
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:
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.
To read some other great reviews of The Search click HERE.
Thanks for stopping by!
, book two in The Lancaster Secrets Collection. In 
. The Waiting is in stores now and to celebrate Suzanne is hosting The Waiting KINDLE Giveaway.
