Monday, January 25, 2010

The Choice


The Choice – Book 1 of the Lancaster County Secrets
Written by Suzanne Woods Fisher
Published at Revell

About the Book
Lancaster County has always been her home--but where does her heart belong?

One moment Carrie Weaver was looking forward to running away with Lancaster Barnstormers pitcher Solomon Riehl--plans that included leaving the Amish community where they grew up. The next moment she was staring into a future as broken as her heart. Now, Carrie is faced with a choice. But will this opportunity be all she hoped? Or will this decision, this moment in time, change her life forever?

A tender story of love, forgiveness, and looking below the surface, The Choice uncovers the sweet simplicity of the Amish world--and shows that it's never too late to find your way back to God.

Who is Suzanne Woods Fisher?
Suzanne Woods Fisher's interest in the Anabaptist cultures can be directly traced to her grandfather, W. D. Benedict, who was raised in the Dunkard Brethren Church in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Benedict eventually became publisher of Christianity Today magazine. Suzanne's work has appeared in many magazines. She has contributed to several nonfiction books and is the author of Amish Peace and the novel The Choice.

http://www.suzannewoodsfisher.com/

My Thoughts
I’m an avid Amish novel reader. I don’t read only that mind you but when I come across Amish novel, it’s hard for me to say no. Somehow I am attracted to them – their simplicity of life, their community, their inner peace...

Consequently, I always dreamed to go to Lancaster and see the Amish people. I was blessed two years ago to be able to do that and I already long to visit the area again. The people I’ve encountered in stores are so nice and polite. My next dream would be to live among them for a little while to learn their ways in a way and to come back more at peace. It would be great to journal via a blog while doing so but Amish houses don’t have electricity...

This book was a surprise to me because I didn’t know the author. But the words just kept flying out of the book and into my eyes at a rapid pace. Literally, it took me about 4 to 5 days to read it. It’s that good, believe me. The story is packed with secrets and turns that at one point you will have to stop and take a deep breath so you can pursue your reading. I had to force myself to put the book down so I could go to sleep because I needed to be rested for our homeschool the next morning.

I wish I could tell you more about the characters but by doing so I fear I will reveal too much. But imagine yourself at the point of running away from your family and then a sudden death changes all your plans. From that point on you make decision that will seal your life. And you embark on a new adventure without really thinking of what is happening. That’s what happens to Carrie, the main character of the novel. She suddenly stops thinking about only herself and think of others especially her little brother. And suddenly more deaths, mysteries and events come crashing on your life.

I was kept on the edge of my seat as I read this book and if you like Amish novel just like me, I’m pretty sure you will like The Choice.

The great news is that the author is planning to release the second novel of the Lancaster County Secrets which will be titled The Waiting in October 2010. And I am keeping an eye open for this title since I was to know what else will happen to the beloved characters of The Choice.

This review was possible because I received a free copy of The Choice from Revell.

The Choice is available now at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group. It’s also available at amazon.ca and at indigo.ca.

GIVEAWAY!
I've got a copy of The Choice to giveaway.   Here's how to apply for the giveaway (for Canadians only!).   Each gives you one participation for the giveaway.

1) Post a comment on what interest you in this novel.
2) Follow me on twitter
3) Follow my blog via blogger
4) Follow my blog via the networkblog (Facebook)

On  February 2nd, I will draw a name from all the comments I have received.

4 comments:

  1. I posted my review of this book today as well. Mine is part of a LitFuse tour. I liked the book too! It was one of the better Amish fiction books that I've read.

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  2. Like you, Canadian Ladybug, the Amish lifestyle intrigues me as well. There is something so peaceful and purposeful about living a simple yet challenging life. I’ve had the occasion of reading some Amish novels and they transport you away to a lifestyle so many people have known in the past and a life style the Amish people strive to uphold today. These types of novels also open you eyes to the difficulties the young people face, whether to follow their parents’ footsteps for rebel and join the modern world.

    I would thoroughly enjoy reading this book and by your description, it sounds like a page turner. Thank you the review!

    Nicole G.

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  3. I have a copy of this to review too, and I'm glad to hear that it's a good read as I have yet to start it and the review is due by the 31st. This will be the first Amish novel I've read so it'll be interesting to see if I enjoy it as much as others do. Thanks for your thoughts.

    Trish

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  4. Well since Trish has a copy of her own, I guess that Nicole won it...

    Congrats!

    ReplyDelete