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 Review: The looong wait is over, The Search (the third book in the Lancaster County Secrets) by Suzanne Woods Fisher releases!
Lainey O'Toole made decisions that she never realized would be so far reaching. Then by a chance-of-fate (given by a merciful God) Lainey is forced to face a her past and she is forced to come to terms with the lives of the many people that her decision impacted.
We, sometimes, never realize or get the chance to understand how our decisions, good or bad, impact others. This read gives us a glimpse of what it would be like if we could be stranded in a place that impacted us then we impacted that place with our decision. Interesting! And thought provoking!
But Lainey isn't the only character in this well thought out plot. We meet Bess Reihl and her intelligent grandmother, Bertha. Some feel that Bertha is intimidating. To me Bertha knew what others needed and that most like, Bess, just need a push in the right direction to get the ball rolling.
And boy! did the ball start rolling when Lainey and Bess meet! Or should I say their worlds explode when secrets come to light. Secrets that need to be in the open...secrets with a key to helping...secrets that bring a surprise!
Ah! the twists and turns in this surprising yet heartwarming tale of life. A life that seems idyllic and quiet. When Lainey becomes stranded life becomes anything but idyllic. This story reminds me that no matter what our race, our nationality or even our religious preference that we must allow God to control our lives or secrets can prevail and hurt others. A story where the loving Father gently directs His children so that forgiveness and secrets may come to light; thus, the healing begins!
This 5 star read is the third of The Lancaster County Secrets but don't be afraid you've missed anything by reading this book first. The Search is a stand alone read and is wonderful as a story by itself but if you get the chance be sure to read The Choice (book 1) and The Waiting (book 2). If you're a lover of Amish fiction then you won't be disappointed!
*I reviewed this book for Litfuse Group*
About the Author:
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 decided 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). With help from an agent, she has five books currently under contract with Revell. On September 1st, Amish Peace: Simple Wisdom for a Complicated World, a non-fiction book of stories and examples about the Old Order Amish, will be released by Revell. The Choice, a novel about the Amish, will follow on January 1st.
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 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 decided 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). With help from an agent, she has five books currently under contract with Revell. On September 1st, Amish Peace: Simple Wisdom for a Complicated World, a non-fiction book of stories and examples about the Old Order Amish, will be released by Revell. The Choice, a novel about the Amish, will follow on January 1st.
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
Blog Tour Schedule:
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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!
, 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 Searchtakes 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.
I LOVED this book!!!! :)
ReplyDeleteHi Tammy! I loved your review! Just LOVED it! I really appreciate how many themes you pulled out of the story--thank you, thank you! I'm so impressed, too, considering how many books you are reading. Your review will be one of my favorites! If you have time, would you be able to post it on Amazon/CBD? I would be so pleased to have it there! Thank you again, Tammy, for your encouraging words. Warmly, Suzanne
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