Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Book Review - The Haven

ABOUT THE BOOK:
When Sadie Lapp steps off the bus in Stoney Ridge after being in Ohio for the winter, she is faced with a decision–one that goes against her very essence. Yet it’s the only way she can think of to protect a loved one.

Schoolteacher Gideon Smucker has been crazy about Sadie since boyhood. But his response to her surprising decision undermines his own reputation–and his relationship with Sadie.

College student Will Stoltz is spending the spring at the Lapp farm as a guard for a pair of nesting Peregrine Falcons–courtesy of the Lancaster County Game Warden. Will needs to get his life back on track, but his growing friendship with Sadie threatens his plans.

The lives of these three individuals intertwine, and then unravel as unexpected twists create ripples through the town of Stoney Ridge . . . and through Sadie’s heart.

Once again, bestselling author Suzanne Woods Fisher intrigues and delights with a story that explores the bonds of friendship, family, and true love. Readers will enjoy every surprise in Sadie’s story as they search for the truth hidden within these pages.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Suzanne Woods Fisher’s interest in the Amish began with her grandfather, W.D. Benedict, who was raised Plain. 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. Suzanne can be found on-line at: www.suzannewoodsfisher.com.

MY REVIEW:

This is book two of the Stoney Ridge Seasons Series. The book totally stands alone, however, as I didn’t read the first book and I wasn’t lost at all. 

I enjoyed this book so much. It starts out with Sadie coming home from her sister’s house with a baby.  Whose baby it is remains a mystery for a while and it doesn’t stop the malicious gossip from running through the community.  That includes Sadie’s good friend, Gideon, who loves her.
When Sadie arrives home she discovers  a pair of falcons have nested on her family’s farm and there is a new face there. Will is there at the Park Ranger’s direction to make sure that no one disturbs the falcons. Will and Sadie become friends and there seems to be something more than just friendship happening. 

I loved all the characters of this book. From Sadie’s father who is wise, yet unable to declare his feelings for their housekeeper. He allows another man to come into her life even though he cares deeply for her. There’s Sadie’s little sister and she’s always starting something and sticking her nose into things. She’s likeable, yet, it’s always hard to like her! 

I liked seeing how a plain (Amish)woman like Sadie started having feelings for worldly Will. She knows that it really can’t go anywhere because they are both so different. Will doesn’t understand that it’s not possible for her to be anything but plain. I loved how faith interwove into everything this family does. 

It’s a beautiful story and I highly recommend this book. I read this book very fast because I just couldn’t seem to put it down. The story draws you in and keeps you there.  Now I want to read the first book of the series and will be waiting eagerly for the third book!

You can purchase the book HERE 

You can read more reviews HERE 

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God bless you - Julie

2 comments:

  1. Hi Julie! Thank you so much for your thoughtful review of "The Haven!" You summed it up nicely--really liked how you brought out Sadie's inner conflicts. So glad you were a part of the blog tour! Warmly, Suzanne

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  2. Suzanne is a new author for me. Thank you for the review. This is definitely a book I will enjoy and one I know I can share with my second daughter. It will appeal to her reading tastes nicely.

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