LitFuse Blog Tour Review: The Keeper By Suzanne Woods Fisher + GIVEAWAY!!!

The Keeper
Suzanne Woods Fisher
Stoney Ridge Seasons, #1
Revell Books
January 3,2012
528 pages
Amazon|B&N
provided by publisher
RBM’s Disclaimer
5/5 Books

Julia Lapp has planned on marrying Paul Fisher since she was a girl. Now twenty-one, she looks forward to their wedding with giddy anticipation. When Paul tells her he wants to postpone the wedding–again–she knows who is to blame. Perpetual bachelor and spreader of cold feet, Roman Troyer, the Bee Man.

Roamin’ Roman travels through the Amish communities of Ohio and Pennsylvania with his hives full of bees, renting them out to farmers in need of pollinators. He relishes his nomadic life, which keeps him from thinking about all he has lost. He especially enjoys bringing his bees to Stoney Ridge each year. But with Julia on a mission to punish him for inspiring Paul’s cold feet, the Lapp farm is looking decidedly less pleasant.

Can Julia secure the future she’s always dreamed of? Or does God have something else in mind?

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.

Connect With The Author:
Website | Facebook | Twitter

My Review:
Suzanne Woods Fisher has always been my favorite Amish author. She totally hooked me with her Lancaster County series and I was hooked on her non-fiction books too. They’re all filled with wonderful writing talent and amazing wisdom, both fiction and non-fiction. When I had the opportunity to read her newest book, the first in a new series, The Keeper, I was super excited. I was totally pleased with the results of this book! Ms. Fisher has hit it out of the ball park once again with this novel!

Julia Lapp is a wonderful, yet a bit complex, character. She’s engaged to Paul Fisher, helping to raise her younger siblings, and take care of her ailing father. Her mother passed on years ago, so the responsibility falls namely on her shoulders. But, it seems that something keeps triggering a reaction in Paul, for twice now, he’s cancelled their wedding. He never gives a proper excuse and it’s really starting to bother Julia. When her baby sister Mary Kate “M.K.” Lapp breaks a certain news to Julia…..well, she’s starting to realize the reasoning behind Paul’s indecisiveness.

Roman Troyer is a beekeeper. He travels from Amish farm to Amish Farm, helping the farmers with their farms by allowing his bees to help with the process, and making honey and candles. Circumstances from his past keep shelled inside himself. But, when he reaches Windmill Farm there’s always just something that calls him to the home and to the family. When Amos Lapp has fallen ill this time that he comes around, he decides to lend a hand. But, he wishes that Julia Lapp wasn’t so dead set on being cool towards him, though he knows he’s to blame for her worrying and anger.

I loved Roamin’ Roman and sweet Jules. Their story really pulled me into the heart of the novel and had me walking along side both of them. With some secrets from the past, and God’s guidance, these two characters are more than just characters….they become real. I loved M.K. and Fern too. M.K. is head strong and Stern Fern…well, she’s just hurting inside and needs some love. Sweet Menno….a child in a man’s body, bless his heart, he added a truly innocent charm to the story. And, poor Sadie! Bless her heart, she really added to the depth of the story.

With romance, humor, Amish charm and wisdom, Ms. Fisher has created the start of a wonderful story. This start to a fantastic new series is a 5 Book worthy novel and will be sitting pretty on my Amish fiction bookshelf for years to come. I can’t wait to read Sadie Lapp’s story in book 2, The Haven, set to release in August of 2012.

 

It’s a “Honey of a Giveaway” from Suzanne Woods Fisher!

Suzanne is hosting a “honey of a giveaway”during the blog tour for The Keeper! During 1/3-1/17 you can enter to win an iPad2 from Suzanne and connect with her on January 17th at The Keeper Facebook Party!

During the giveaway one Grand Prize winner will receive a Prize Pack valued at $600:

• A brand new 16 KB iPad 2 with Wi-Fi
• A $25 gift certificate to iTunes
• A copy of The Keeper

But wait there’s more! Just click one of the icons below to enter, then on 1/17 join Suzanne for The Keeper Facebook Party! During the party Suzanne will announce the winner of the “Honey” of an iPad Giveaway and host a fun book chat and give away some fun “honey” inspired prizes – It’ll be ‘sweet”!

RSVP early and tell your friends!

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