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16 August 2013

Three Reasons to Listen to The Lesson (audiobook) by Suzanne Woods Fisher

The Lesson by Suzanne Woods Fisher

The Lesson
Stoney Ridge Seasons #3
By Suzanne Woods Fisher

Reviewed by Carrie Fancett Pagels

The audiobook CD by Brilliance Audio only recently released (August 6) for this novel which was published by Revell in January 2013.  I pre-ordered mine. Unfortunately I got mixed up and listened to The Letters before I listened to The Lesson.  I'd advise you to listen to The Lesson first.

Reasons to listen to this audiobook:
1) Characterization and a favorite character finally gets her "man."
I have loved Mary Kate or M.K. Lapp ever since I first "met" her when she was a child in Suzanne's stories. So it is great reading a story where she is now grown up and thrown into the situation of being a teacher. And I LOVED her elderly mentor--what a wonderful character.  I wish Suzanne would give us a few more stories with her in it.

2) Bibliotherapy elements are deep and powerful. (And even affected me!) Have you read a Christian book where a big part of the story line is about the effects of Meth-amphetamine usage? I sure haven't.

Chris Yoder is a wonderful hero--he's a young man carrying the weight of the world.  Chris and Jenny, his younger sister, have a mother in prison who is a meth addict. Mom is really a piece of work and Suzanne portrays her so well I almost wonder if she, like myself, has one of these sad people in her family.  I listened to the audiotape and I had to turn it off during the part where Jenny has been suckered into a situation with her mother where I knew what was going to happen but Jenny did not.  Turned it off.  Thought what a hard core user like this who is so messed up would do. And that night I discovered my own family member was arrested on drug charges and is faces his own possible prison time.  So I got my own bit of bibliotherapy through this audiobook, which was interesting.  I thought--this person (Suzanne) knows what the family is going through. They really get it.  And that is one of the points of bibliotherapy--reading something that speaks to your own issue. And I am very glad Suzanne didn't try to sugar coat or pull a miracle out of her bonnet. I think if she had done that she'd have disappointed a lot of people who know it truly does take a miracle to pull someone out of this addiction. Great job of showing how co-dependency affects the family, too.

Interesting how one of the characters who is so powerful isn't even alive--"Old Deborah" who is still impacting the lives of Chris, Jenny, and others, by the way she gave to others in trouble. Great example of how a humble and simple life can be so meaningful!

3) The audiobook has a lovely narrator and what a great thing to do while you are washing dishes, folding clothes, and doing other "quiet" cleaning. You can read while doing housekeeping!

But back to the overall book--again we have the lovely Suzanne voice, characterization, and taut storyline. Although we start out with a suspected murder we end up discovering another crime that occurred years earlier.  

Giveaway: Gently used CD (not MP3 - can be played on a regular CD player.)  Here's what you have to do to be entered.  Check out the Deeper Shopping website and put "DS" on your comment to count twice.  If you are a Follower of our blog put OWG. We are TWO away from out 300th Follower.  That person will receive a special prize and if that person is you, email me at overcomingwithGod@aol.com!   Leave your email addy if we don't know you well.




28 comments:

  1. This is an amazing review, CARRIE. Somehow I must get caught up on my reading b/c I am behind on Suzanne's Stoney Ridge series. (gasp) This book sounds so different than the typical Amish read. Can't wait to read the whole series!

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    1. Please pray for my family member, Diana. You have to read this story. It is a powerful one!

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  2. Wow CARRIE, thank you for that powerful review. Isn't it amazing how God works?! I'm saddened however to hear about the family member that was arrested on drug charges, and will keep that situation in my prayers.
    As I said to Diana in her recent review, I generally don't read Amish books, but you as well as Diana have sold me on these two books you both have reviewed! This one particularly sounds especially intriguing! :)

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    1. Thanks so much, Noela! I need those prayers for him! This is a really great book.

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  3. I recently read THE LETTERS and loved it! I must now go back and visit the Stoney Ridge Seasons Series. Such a special community!! Thank you for the opportunity to win!

    DS, OWG

    texaggs2000 at gmail dot com

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    1. Me, too, Britney!!! Yes, you have to read them all!!! You'll love them! Blessings!

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  4. I dont have either book so this would be a treat for me...
    So enjoyed the review.
    Linda Finn
    DS, OWG

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    1. Thanks, Linda. This is a great listen and I do think you'd love it!

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  5. I enjoyed your review of the book.
    I have it but have not had a chance to read it yet, still catching up on other reading.
    I have been looking for good Christian audio books but have found them to be limited, at least the ones I would like to hear.

    DS
    OWG.

    Blessings,Tina
    tfrice@comcast.net

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    1. Yes, the audiobooks are limited. So you have to take what you can find. Fortunately many of the popular books are on audio. Thanks for being a Follower, Tina and have a blessed day!

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  6. Suzanne is an awesome storyteller! I've never been disappointed in one of her books. Glad to hear this one is the same caliber as the rest ;) Don't enter me because I don't do audio books. Just wanted to say that I love the breakdown you did here. {{hugs}}

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  7. I love this series, but haven't been able to purchase the book yet. I hope to win, although I've never listened to an audiobook. It would be a new experience for me. I didn't read your review though, I'm weird like that and want to experience every happening (beyond the back cover description) myself. stephanie(dot)craig(at)ymail(dot)com

    DS
    OWG

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    1. Well, that is an interesting comment, Stephanie. Not sure how many people we've had come by who confess to not even having read our reviews and only being here for the contest, but that is honesty of you! Blessings!

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  8. I was tempted to UNfollow the blog and FOLLOW it again to get you to your 300 count, but that wouldn't work, would it? LOL

    I am a very contented follower Ü

    OWG
    DS

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    1. I wanted to add that I will be praying for your family member, Carrie.

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    2. LOL Cindi, no, but we are VERY happy to have you as a Follower!!! And you are special. THANKS so much for the prayers--he really needs them as he is facing some serious charges.

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  9. I know that we have several new followers via Networked Blogs, but if you'll go to the right sidebar and sign up to be a follower via Google Friend Connect (it's fast and easy) and are our 300th follower...you will get a surprise gift! Email Carrie if you happen to be that 300th follower.

    CARRIE, I think everyone is waiting for 299 so they can jump on it and that's why there is no 299 yet! LOL

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    1. LOL--bet u r right. But we have some wonderful faithful followers and since I finally have my paperback out I will probably draw from one of the 298 to do a giveaway of my paperback of Return to Shirley Plantation as well as paperback of "God's Provision in tough Times" which I contributed to!

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  10. Haven't read any of Suzanne's books & would love to win the audio book - sounds like a suspenseful book, & I love Amish stories.

    I, too, am very interested in the storyline as there is a member in MY family suffering from addictions & I am well aware of the effects of co-dependency. I'm sure there are many people who can identify with this situation - bless you, Suzanne, for bringing attention to this subject. I said a prayer for your family member, Carrie - please say one for mine.

    Thanks for the giveaway opportunity!

    bonnieroof60(at)yahoo(dot)com

    DS, OWG

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    1. Thanks for the prayers and I will send up for you, too, Bonnie! You HAVE to read/listen to this book Bonnie--it is such a blessing that Suzanne wrote it!

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    2. Congrats, Bonnie! You are the winner!!!

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  11. I've not had a CD of a book, but would be happy to try one. I thought The Letters was #1. Is that wrong? I checked out the DS. Nice, but hard to get it to show you many books, without starting over every time. Hello to the OWG friends that I love. Please give me some entries. Thanks, MAXIE mac262(at)me(dot)com

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  12. Sometimes when I travel I will listen to audio, but haven't done it recently. Sounds like this might be a good book to listen to.

    DS
    OWG

    pattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com

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    1. It is a GREAT book to listen to, Patty! I'll be drawing the winner shortly! Blessings!

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  13. would love to win. Angela from KY angelachesnut246@gmail.com

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  14. "DS" and OWG. I would love to win a CD of this book for my church library.
    Thanks for entering me in the giveaway.
    Janet E.
    von1janet(at)gmail(dot)com

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