Monday, January 20, 2014

The Calling


The Calling
The Inn at Eagle Hill (Book 2)
Suzanne Woods Fisher
(Revell)
ISBN: 978-0800720940
January 2014/336 pages/$14.99

Bestselling author Suzanne Woods Fisher delivers her trademark twists, turns, and tender romance in this delightful and exciting visit to the deceptively quiet community of Stoney Ridge.

Twenty-year-old Bethany Schrock is restless. Her love life has derailed, her faith hangs by a thread, and she is spending the incredibly hot summer days wading through a lifetime's accumulation of junk at the home of five ancient Amish sisters. About the only thing that holds her interest is the spirited and dangerously handsome Jimmy Fisher---and he seems bent on irritating her to no end.

When the sly old sisters and a guest at the Inn get Bethany involved in running the local soup kitchen and starting a community garden, she suddenly finds herself wondering, Shootfire! How did that happen? Despite her newfound purposefulness, a gnawing emptiness about a childhood mystery continues to plague her. Encouraged by Jimmy Fisher, she will seek out the answers she craves---and uncover a shocking secret that will break her heart, heal it, and point her to love.

Read an excerpt.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Suzanne Woods Fisher is the bestselling author of the Inn at Eagle Hill series, Lancaster County Secrets series, and the Stoney Ridge Seasons series, as well as nonfiction books about the Amish, including Amish Peace. She is also the coauthor of a new Amish children's series, The Adventures of Lily Lapp. Her interest in the Anabaptist cultures can be directly traced to her grandfather, who was raised in the Old Order German Baptist Brethren Church in Franklin County, Pennsylvania. Suzanne is a Carol Award winner and a Christy Award finalist. She is a columnist for Christian Post and Cooking & Such magazines. She lives in California. Get Amish proverbs delivered right to your mobile device! Download the Free App! http://bit.ly/10Tygyi

Learn more about Suzanne at http://suzannewoodsfisher.com


MY THOUGHTS

Suzanne Woods Fisher stands out among the plethora of Amish authors out there, and this novel and series (I reviewed the first book, The Letters, here) continue to show why. Far from formulaic and predictable, The Calling is populated with individuals--both Amish and Englisch--so authentic they could be a neighbor or family member. Fisher isn't afraid to tackle hard issues in this novel, homelessness and mental illness among them, and paints them with a realistic yet compassionate brush. Bethany Shrock's character is well-portrayed, and I was excited to see how that pesky Jimmy Fisher turns out now that he's all grown up! And I loved the five old Amish sisters (none of them younger than 80!) from the very first pages of the book but was not prepared for how very dear they would become as the book unfolded. The latest guest at the Inn ministers to Bethany and the others even as they help her gain some perspective on her life. An element of danger, secrets brought to light, as well as forgiveness, faith, and love, entertwine in this thoroughly satisfying story that made me wish once again that I could actually visit Stoney Ridge. Highly recommended!



Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Revell and Litfuse Publicity as part of a blog tour. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”


Bestselling author Suzanne Woods Fisher is celebrating her newest book, The Calling, by giving away TWO iPads, TWO Kindles, and TWO Nooks!

 
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Two grand prize winners will receive:
  • An iPad
  • The Letters and The Calling by Suzanne Woods Fisher
Four second place winners will receive:
  • A Kindle Fire HDX or a Nook HD—winner's choice!
  • The Letters and The Calling by Suzanne Woods Fisher
Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on February 8th. All winners will be announced February 10th at Suzanne's blog.

Don't miss a moment of the fun;
enter today and be sure to visit Suzanne's blog on the 10th to see if you won one of the great prizes!
(Or better yet, subscribe to her blog and have the winner announcement
delivered to your inbox!)


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2 comments:

Beth said...

Ohhhhhh. Looks like another great book! Thanks for the review!

Suzanne said...

Hi Linda! Just got back from my book tour and wanted to pop in to thank you for your wonderful review of "The Calling." Loved your take on it! Thanks for being a part of the blog tour for me. Grateful for you! XO Suzanne