Diana's Review Of THE IMPOSTER By Suzanne Woods Fisher

The Imposter By Suzanne Woods Fisher
Revell, September 2015

Reviewed by Diana Flowers
5 stars~
(No Spoilers!)

A Heart Once Deceived...

In the exquisite, unique style she is so well known for— best-selling author Suzanne Woods Fisher has written a tale of unrequited love, betrayal, and secrets—set amongst the seemingly idyllic Amish community of Stoney Ridge—where Jersey cows and horses graze on lush, verdant grass alongside of placid streams and creeks twisting into the thick woodlands.

Widower, David Stoltzfus, feels blessed to be summoned to this veritable paradise as the new preacher, but it is not long before serious problems begin to develop. His daughter, Katrina, has her heart set on marrying John, her handsome boyfriend—and live happily ever after. However, a bitter betrayal leaves her heart shattered with nowhere to turn. Feeling suffocated by her concerned father, she decides to move in with a widow in the community and help her in a new business venture.

There she meets Andy Miller, a farmhand who appears suspiciously too good to be true. Katrina is not about to let a man deceive her again and tiptoes cautiously around Andy. Then there are those who want to be rid of David Stoltzfus; who believes in walking close to God, worshipping Him daily, and meditating on His word. As wickedness seeks to envelope him he discovers an unlikely friendship in Birdy Glick, the plain-faced but kindhearted, 6 foot 2 inch tall school teacher. However, someone is not who they portray—there is an imposter in Stoney Ridge, but who could it possibly be...?

Beginning with the first book she ever penned, Suzanne Woods Fisher has long since been a favorite Amish author of mine. Her grandfather was raised Plain which lends a realism to her books that many other Amish novels may not have. Her ability to write so many sub-plots integrated into one...and many a romantic entanglement simply amazes me! Even if you aren't an Amish fiction fan—you'll love the aura of mystery, multi-faceted characters, the rocky road to more than just one romance, and the spiritual theme interwoven throughout The Imposter! Oh, and let me not forget the humor interspersed amongst the colorful scenes in this splendid novel and a huge surprise twist I did not see coming! Highly recommended!

~*~ “Remember that the longer you carry a grudge, the heavier it gets.” Amish Proverb ~*~



Dairy Farm In Lancaster County, Pennsylvania

This book may be purchased through Amazon, CBD, BAM, and your local bookstore!

 

 

GIVEAWAY: Suzanne Woods Fisher is generously offering a paperback copy of The Imposter to one blessed commenter! To be eligible, please leave your email address written (at) and (dot) to protect yourself from spammers.

 



Noela Nancarrow reviews ANNA'S CROSSING by Suzanne Woods Fisher

Anna's Crossing

Anna’s Crossing: An Amish Beginnings Novel

by Suzanne Woods Fisher

Revell (March 3, 2015)

Reviewed by Noela Nancarrow

5 Stars *****

A beautiful story on moving forward.. 

Setting sail from Germany to the New World, a close-knit Amish community crosses wild and unpredictable oceans in their quest for freedom from oppression. The faith and character of these early Amish is profoundly tested as they confront the most deplorable living conditions, ferocious seas, and a variety of unscrupulous men. I felt privileged to accompany Anna König and the other believers on this fascinating historical journey, especially in being able to observe their responses to a harsh confinement upon a ship with ‘outsiders.’

Aboard ‘The Charming Nancy,’ a hardy, albeit old and creaky ship, the lovely Anna serves as the translator for her group. Bairn, the crew’s tall, commanding, top boatswain, is reluctantly but helplessly drawn to Anna. Mutual admiration soon blossoms into forbidden, if not impossible, love. Bairn’s grand ambitions of wealth, his lack of faith, and haunted past conflicts with the thoughtful and serene Anna’s deep, abiding faith, causing an insurmountable chasm between them. When Anna’s convictions threaten her very life, will it be enough to soften Bairn’s hardened sailor’s heart and can it be possible for their two vastly different worlds to collide?

Whether you typically read Amish or not, you will love this engaging story and find it impossible to put down! The exceptionally descriptive imagery ignites all the senses and will have you living inside the pages. The characters are brilliantly crafted, their personalities unfolding in depth and layers. Aside from the charismatic heroes of the story, the young, red-haired Amish boy, Felix, completely captured my heart with his inquisitive and mischievous, yet charming nature. Each page throughout this intriguing voyage is a treat with surprising revelations, suspense, and romance. And the takeaway theme of trusting in God no matter the circumstances creates an altogether ‘not-to-be-missed’ read! Highly recommended!!  

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This book may be purchased from Amazon; CBD; Barnes & Noble; and other bookstores.

GIVEAWAY: A copy of 'Anna's Crossing' - your choice of format, to one blessed commenter! (International winners - ebook only)

Diana Reviews ANNA'S CROSSING By Suzanne Woods Fisher

Anna's Crossing By Suzanne Woods Fisher

Revell, 2015

Reviewed By Diana Flowers

~5 Stars*****

Absolutely Riveting!
 

Suzanne Woods Fisher has penned a powerfully moving, emotive tale -- that takes the reader from the peaceful, sheep grazing hills and valleys of Germany, to a dank, foul-smelling merchant ship traversing the Atlantic Ocean.
 

It is the year 1737 and lovely Anna Konig reluctantly sets sail on the Charming Nancy with her fellow Amish believers to the New World. Nothing could prepare her for the hardships she and the others have to endure during the long, arduous journey. Overcrowded, malodorous quarters, illness, and lack of good food and water test Anna's faith to the limit. Only the ship's carpenter, Bairn, makes the journey bearable for Anna, in spite of the fact that Bairn disdains her God and her people's way of life. Bairn is drawn to Anna's pure beauty, gentleness, and wisdom beyond her years, but knows he can never have her for his own. Will Bairn's shocking, secret discovery change everything...even the course of his well mapped out life? 
 

Suzanne Woods Fisher has truly established herself as an award winning author with this new fiction-based-on-fact release! I am amazed at the amount of historical research that went into writing this book...and how well the author transferred that research into a fiction story that will leave readers mesmerized! The addition of a tender, slowly simmering romance, and an ornery, mischievous secondary character, prevents the story from becoming too dark and depressing. Not only is this little guy a charmer, but he's bound to elicit a chuckle or two from you as well, I promise! Anna's Crossing is an awesome story of faith, hope, and redemption. Be sure to order your copy today!

 

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This book may be purchased through CBD, Amazon, and your local book stores.
 

 GIVEAWAY: A copy of Anna's Crossing (choice of format) to one blessed commenter! (International winners ebook only.)

Carrie's Favorites of 2013

AUDIOBOOKS of 2013

Audiobooks are my primary source of reading. I have to keep up with comparable books/authors as an inspirational historical romance author myself.  Sometimes I don't wait for the audiobook to come out but these first set of books all have an audiobook available with them. I have some very short reviews I've posted on audible.com (click here for Carrie's audible reviews.)

The Letters by Suzanne Woods Fisher

The Letters and The Lesson by Suzanne Woods Fisher (Revell/Brilliance Audio). The Lesson is the most powerful story, personally, I've listen to all year because of the drug abuse component and how it affects families.  I think it would make an amazing bibliotherapy book for those doing drug and alcohol treatment with families. I hereby award this book my Bibliotherapy Book of the Year. This book is raw. It is real. It doesn't flinch at what addiction can do to someone.

The Lesson by Suzanne Woods Fisher

My Bibliotherapy Book of the Year

My Runner Up for Bibliotherapy Book of the Year is "It Happened at the Fair" which deals with deafness. Absolutely stunning audiobook (Tantor Audio.)

It Happened at the Fair by Deeanne Gist

Jennifer Dellamere's An Heiress At Heart. Lovely audiobook. (Recorded Books)

Jennifer Dellamere's An Heiress At Heart

Tracie Peterson - My
Author of the Year 2013.

All THREE of Tracie's Minnesota audiobook  releases in Land of Shining Water (Baker) were wonderful in this series: The Quarryman's Bride, The Icecutter's Daughter and The Miner's Lady. Tracie is a master crafter of words!

Once Upon A Prince

I don't normal read contemporary fiction but this audiobook was AMAZING!!!
Once Upon A Prince

By Rachel Hauck

Zondervan, 2013

PAPERBACK/EBOOK ONLY--No Audiobook (yet!)

Promise to Return by Elizabeth Byler Younts

Elizabeth Byler Younts novel Promise to Return (Howard) has "sticking" power and I  love the story, the voice especially, and characterization in this WWII Amish story. Beautifully done by a lovely lady.
















C.J. Chase's The Reluctant Earl.  LOVED this book. I know C.J. but even if I didn't, this book should be used as an example of HOW TO write tight and make every word count in an inspirational historical romance.  Published by Love Inspired Historical. Because of the bibliotherapy elements being so strong and the quality of this book, I am naming it my Paperback/ebook-only Book of the Year.

The Reluctant Earl by C.J. Chase --Carrie's Top choice for Paperback/Ebook Book of 2013

NOTE my ADDITIONAL AUTHORS:  If you've been reading the other OWG ladies' favorites, then you've also seen some of mine.  So Cheater Cheater Pumpkin Eater--I won't include them for pictures!

BUT I have on my 2013 favorites list the same as my OWG angels' lists:
Julie Lessman's* Love At Any Cost (Revell), Julie Klassen's* The Tutor's Daughter (Bethany), MaryLu Tyndall's (no audiobook) Forsaken Dreams (Barbour), and Karen Witemeyer's* Stealing the Preacher (Bethany). ENJOYED all these releases and they are ALSO on my list as are:

Debut authors: Lori Benton's BURNING SKY (Waterbrook) and Sarah Ladd's Heiress of Winterwood (Thomas Nelson). Both of these books will likely be up for debut book of the year for Christy or other awards.) Sarah Ladd's audiobook - Do NOT listen to the audiobook version.  It is awful.  But the book is not.  It is lovely. I had the privilege of being Sarah's critique partner a couple of years back when she was writing and editing this book, before it was picked up for publication. Lori Benton's book was not available in audiobook when I read it. Lori is a member of Colonial American Christian Writers and served on Colonial Quills. An amazing book and powerful debt. Lori has been writing for over twenty years and has completed numerous manuscripts and it shows in her story, voice, and characterization. Loved this book!!!

If you haven't read all these authors' 2013 releases BUY THEM NOW!!!


GIVEAWAY:  Gently used copy of Promise to Return. New copy of The Reluctant Earl. Answer the question--How many of Carrie's favorites are on your list, too?

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.

Suzanne Wood's Fisher's "The Letters" - new Audiobook

The Letters by Suzanne Woods Fisher

Suzanne Woods Fisher possesses something no one else has--her voice. That certain Suzanne voice that defies description and when I've tried I've mangled it.  And the narrator of this book does a superb job of capturing the Suzanneness that I love. I purchased mine on audible.com and I've also got a CD MP3 audiobook as a giveaway for one lucky reader!

In "The Letters" you're introduced to a household of characters and some from nearby and some from out of the area.  But even with all the cast of characters each one has his or her own voice and  unique traits.  

Even if the listener doesn't agree with the choice the doctor's wife makes (or choices) by the end of the story you'll find yourself accepting them and seeing how it could work.  This secondary plot line was extremely well done.

Rose Schrock is a special heroine and Galen King a subdued but persuasive hero for the story. Loved how Suzanne had this one twist with the step-daughters "boyfriend." And the plot line with the underlying medical condition. 

Bibliotherapy Aspects:

Spoiler alert

One of the characters undergoes brain surgery.  The manifested symptoms of the disease prior to the proper diagnosis would be important to someone dealing with a brain tumor or someone who wonders if a family member may have dementia or another cognitive disorder.

A crime was committed during the story--theft. And crime had been committed before the start of the story.  The aftermath of dealing with crime committed by a love one is covered well in this book.

Death of a spouse, possible suicide. Death of a parent are aspects of this novel.  Both are woven tightly through the plot.

My recommendation:

Listen and ENJOY!!!

Giveaway:  A CD/MP3 audiobook of "The Letters."  You must have capability to play the CD which will not play on a normal CD player.  Although a computer can play it I do not recommend that.  Many new car sound systems will have CD/MP3.  I purchased a CD/MP3 player after I bought one of these by accident and had to listen on my computer (the problem for me was starting and stopping it, which didn't work out well on my old PC which was only a year old at the time.) This is a brand new, unopened CD/MP3. Answer the following question: Have you used Deeper Shopping yet to order any of your Christian books or materials?  If so, why or why not?  Leave your email address, too, unless you are well known by us.

Review of Suzanne Woods Fisher's "The Keeper" and Audiobook Giveaway!

Paul Fisher is not the guy for Julia Lapp, even if they are promised to one another. She's finally woken up and realized his cold feet might mean something. But she's angry. And she targets  Roman Troyer, the Bee Man, as the instigator (with a little prompting from others!)

Roman is far from home, a man who roams from place to place with his bees. He has a streak of white hair announcing the trauma he's experienced because if one looks closely they'll see a handsome young man. He's not as old as some might think. Only his past has caught up with him in the form of an irascible woman who is not going to let him keep running, if she can help it. I love that Suzanne gave this bossy woman a chance to redeem herself!

Julia's winsome character and strength make her a strong heroine and her sister is a lot of fun, too. Julia has a nice character arc.

Stoney Ridge is a lovely place but so many changes have happened that the inhabitants of the Lapp farm aren't feeling too secure.  

God's will is at play.  And it may not be what Julia and Roman think it is. Lovely story, great characterization, and that fabulous Suzanne voice--what more could you ask for?

Bibliotherapy elements: Running from your past will never work--it will catch up with you. Repressed grief will come out in some way. Trying to force one's will doesn't work, either.  

Giveaway: Audible.com is having a great special right now on this audiobook by Suzanne Woods Fisher! Giving away a copy for someone to listen to. I love this particular narrator, especially for Suzanne's books.

Veteran's Day & Winner

Rogers' Rangers by Frederic Remington, French-Indian War

My first manuscript in the proposal my agent recently re-sent out (with a cut in the word length) is set just before the French-Indian War.  Wonder how many British veterans of this war and colonial militia supporting the British fought in our American Revolution?  


My friend, Janet Grunst, who writes colonial American fiction did an excellent post yesterday on Colonial Quills.  Here's the link:
http://colonialquills.blogspot.com/2011/10/days-of-wooden-ships-and-iron-men.html


Janet comes from a long line of Navy families and is the mother of two veterans, one currently deployed. If you get a chance, go by and give this mother of a couple of our veterans a word of encouragement!  

WINNER of A Lancaster County Christmas by Suzanne Woods Fisher is: 
Ingrid, whose mom had AD.  Congrats, Ingrid, and we pray you will be blessed by this book! Check your email!

Review of The Choice by Suzanne Woods Fisher

The Choice
by Suzanne Woods Fisher

Revell (2010)
Five Stars *****


Reviewed by Carrie Fancett Pagels

Both Amish, Carrie Weaver and Daniel Miller are much in love. A baseball player, Daniel, is about to go pro. When Carrie's life changes, so does her choice of future husband. And with a younger brother to care for who suffers from hemophilia, Carrie must choose for more than herself alone.


I listened to this on audio with a download from Audible.com. The narrator's voice seemed more suited to the female antagonist in the story than to the Amish characters, which was distracting. However, I always try to not hold that against the author when I am listening, as they have no control over this. Unless they are Liz Curtis Higgs who recently narrated her own audiobooks.

I would describe this as an almost “literary” Amish book with romantic elements. It was most unusual. If you are anticipating a formulaic Amish story – forget it!  Suzanne Woods Fisher had more twists and turns in her story than in Amish country near the Ohio River! 

SPOILER ALERT: I will warn the reader that there is an important death that almost stopped me from finishing listening to the rest of the book.  I was angry with Suzanne – yup, she had violated my expectations for a romance.  Guess what?!  This is not a romance.  It is an Amish fiction with romantic elements, some women’s fiction to it, suspense, and a literary twist.  So I had to get over my irritation as I do not like big surprises in my reading.  My friend and author, Dina Sleiman, who has an MFA degree would likely be jumping for joy at literary quality of this book.  I, on the other hand, like my reads or listens to be fairly straight forward with no killing off of someone I have begun to get attached to in the story. 

Back to the previous programming - That being said, the rest of the novel was very well done and Suzanne needed the plot element for her heroine’s emotional and spiritual arc.  There is an arsonist amongst the characters and she does a great job of obscuring just who that might be.

Forgiveness is a huge theme in this book and in many Amish books.  Carrie has made choices that she has to address.  Some of her decisions require forgiveness of herself.  One of the male protagonists makes a sacrificial choice that has ramifications that ripples throughout the family.  I found that fascinating how Suzanne spun that storyline across so many characters’ story arcs.

I really loved two secondary characters’s romance.  They were a really fun couple and I was glad the author put them together.  And the inclusion of a subplot about Carrie’s younger brother who has hemophilia was very gripping and just another example of the many layers of this story. 

Second spoiler alert: I was rewarded for my continued reading with a happy ending!  Gotta love a happy ending.

  

Bibliotherapy: Hemophilia, bereavement, forgiveness, and life’s transitions.

Disability Friendliness: Available in hardcover, paperback, Kindle or ebook, and audio versions as well as large print.


An ECPA, CBA and CBD Bestseller, Crossings' Main Selection, Doubleday, Literary Guild and BookSpan selection! (This information copied from Suzanne's website.)

Available for pre-order  


Leave a comment for a chance to win a copy of A Lancaster County Christmas!  

Diana's Corner - Book Review by Diana Flowers A Lancaster Christmas by Suzanne Woods Fisher

A Lancaster County Christmas 




by 
Suzanne Woods Fisher

5 stars *****

Heartwarming Christmas Tale!

From the pen of Suzanne Woods Fisher comes a heartwarming tale, destined to become a Yuletide classic, A Lancaster County Christmas! A chance meeting at a doctor's office forever changes the destiny of two very different families...one Amish and the other English.

As the story opens, a heartbroken Mattie Riehl finds herself at the doctor's office following a miscarriage, accompanied by her only son, six year old Danny. She had hoped to give her husband, Sol, the perfect Christmas gift...news that a baby was on the way, but as usual is disappointed. There she meets, Jaime Fitzpatrick, a young woman disillusioned with her career, her life, AND her marriage.

As Jaime and her husband, C.J., embark on a trip with Jaime's father, who has never been there for her, they stop by the Riehl's farmhouse on the way to drop off Danny's whistle that he had left at the doctor's office. A "chance" snowstorm forces the two families together, and both of their lives are forever changed. Mattie and Jaime soon realize they are not so different after all, for they both carry an empty vacuum inside that can't seem be filled. 


As a near tragedy brings them all closer together, will these ladies from two different worlds help each other with their bitterness towards God and find peace for their troubled souls? Will C.J. and Jaime learn to value what's truly important in life, and find love with one another all over again...and more importantly give their lives over to God?

This was a very heartwarming tear-jerker guaranteed to keep the reader turning those pages for the outcome! I have read every one of Suzanne's fiction books, and she certainly knows how to write a story containing realistic characters with human faults, an exciting storyline, and a very satisfying conclusion! 


Grab the eggnog, a box of kleenex, throw another log on the fireplace, and "Have Yourself a Merry Lancaster Christmas Now!" 


This new book is available many places, e.g., through CBD and Amazon, including for Kindle.


Readers:  Leave your comment and your email address for a chance to win a copy of this wonderful book!  

Interview with Suzanne Woods Fisher

Suzanne Woods Fisher is the author of “A Lancaster County Christmas” and ‘Lancaster County Secret’ series, as well as some non-fiction books about the Amish, including “Amish Peace: Simple Wisdom for a Complicated World.” She is under contract to publish a whole bunch more books, too, through at least 2016, with her latest contract "Petticoat Row" to be set in Nantucket.

I met Suzanne Woods Fisher at ACFW in St. Louis, Missouri. She is represented through Joyce Hart, who is also my agent.  I got to chat with Suzanne at the recent ACFW conference.

Thanks Suzanne for the interview!

Would you share either the most difficult thing in your life you have had to overcome, with God’s help, or the most tragic situation or circumstance one of your character’s has had to get past?

My dad is in late stages Alzheimer’s disease. I’m sure that many of you can relate to having a loved one who suffers from AD. It is a very sad, long-term and costly (emotionally and literally) experience in my family’s life. My dad was my go-to person—very practical, matter-of-fact, full of energy and enthusiasm. He was a delight! The strange thing about AD is the by the time someone is diagnosed—which is called “Early Stages AD”—years have passed. The first symptom of AD in my dad was impaired judgment. He was scammed by Canadian sweepstakes con-artists. Over $135,000! A long story and a very sad one—but as my siblings and I caught wind of what was going on, we stepped in to protect my parents, then try to figure out how Dad could have been susceptible to such evil people. (And they truly were evil people—they would call my dad and start the conversation with “God bless you!” Then proceed to scam him.) Anyway…ten years later, Dad is still quite healthy physically, but doesn’t recognize us and can’t carry on a conversation. The piece of my dad’s demise that is hardest for me is that I know he would have hated this long, dribbling end. He always wanted to drop in the harness. But as one reader told me, “As long as you’re breathin’, God has a reason.”

What is your favorite bible verse and why?

“His name will be called Emmanuel, which means ‘God is with us’.”( Matthew 1:22-24). It seems so simple—yet it is such a fundamental truth. So very profound!

Disability friendliness:  Suzanne has seven books on audio (Here's a link to Simply Audiobooks). Listening is my preferred mode of reading.  I dowloaded The Choice which I will review this week. Five downloads are available for purchase through Audible.com. She also has three large print books. All of Suzanne's books are available on Kindle.

 

What has been the most important thing you hope your readers will get from your books and why?

My hope is to write in a way that invites readers to get to know God better. To take a step toward deepening one’s faith. But I really try not to ever whack readers on the head with a 2x4—that’s not my job. Changing hearts is the work of the Holy Spirit.

As you researched your books, did you learn anything that particularly touched your heart?

As I have studied the Old Order Amish, I think what has touched me in a deep, unsettling way is their intentional forgiveness. We just don’t emphasize that enough in our churches! To the Amish, it’s a daily attitude of “letting things go.” The Amish place great importance on forgiving others because of Jesus’ words in the Sermon on the Mount: “But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins” (Matthew 6:15). It really makes me gulp!

In this latest work, do you have any topics useful for bibliotherapy, or therapeutic influence through reading about a disorder or situation?

In “A Lancaster County Christmas,” Jaime Fitzpatrick is a young woman who keeps trying to stuff down some serious issues in her life…but they keep popping up. Her mother had recently passed away, her father has just re-appeared in her life, and her poor husband, C.J., seems to get the short end of Jaime’s trouble with trust. Jaime’s story was inspired by my close friend’s life. I watched my friend come to grips with her father’s “here today-gone tomorrow” love and separate her father’s character from God’s character. Ten years later, she is a teaching leader for Bible Study Fellowship and has an amazing ministry. God is in the business of redeeming all things—even flawed parenting.

Thank you Suzanne Woods Fisher for agreeing to answer these questions.  Have a blessed day and keep on writing!!

Thank you, Carrie, for inviting me to pop by! I’m easy to find on Facebook and via my website: www.suzannewoodsfisher.com  Connecting with readers is the best part of this author gig!

GIVEAWAY: We are giving away an AUTOGRAPHED (generic, sorry but it is her signature!!!) copy of Suzanne’s newest book, released September, 2011, “A Lancaster County Christmas” in hardcover.  Please leave a comment and your email address for a chance to win a copy!  The cover on this is awesome BTW!!