The Search by Suzanne Woods Fisher – Book Review and iPad Giveaway

Lainey O’Toole made a decision as a ten-year-old girl that forever changed the life of an Amish family. Fifteen years later, she unexpectedly returns to the town of Stoney Ridge when her car breaks down on her way to culinary school. A series of “circumstances” brings Lainey face to face with those involved in the accident from fifteen years earlier.

Bess Reihl is somewhat hesitant to spending the summer with her grandmother Bertha on the family farm. Due to the strained relationship between her grandmother and her father Jonah, Bess has not spent much time with her family in Pennsylvania. Anxious to escape potential summer school and her father’s courtship with an overly cheerful neighbor, Bess agrees to spend some time in Stoney Ridge.

The worlds of the Amish and English collide in this novel by Suzanne Woods Fisher. It is a story of love and forgiveness. This is my first glimpse into the world of Amish fiction. To be honest, I didn’t know much about Amish culture before reading the book. I thought it was interesting to learn about the different customs and traditions of the Amish faith.

I felt that the story was interesting, although somewhat predictable (which is fairly common for this genre – boy meets girl, problems arise, boy and girl fall in love). I think Fisher did a good job of keeping the reader interested in the story. The character of Bess develops from a self-focused child into a maturing young adult. Things did not end exactly the way I anticipated, which is a good thing in my book.

This is the third book in the Secrets of Lancaster series. The novel is able to stand alone apart from the other books, which is good since I haven’t read them yet. . I thought the book was an easy and enjoyable read. This is the first work I read by Fisher. I look forward to reading more in the future.

**I received a complimentary copy of the book to facilitate my review. The opinions expressed are my honest thoughts of the novel. 

The Search – iPad Giveaway
Suzanne Woods Fisher’s latest installment of the Lancaster County Secrets, The Search,  is just out and to celebrate Suzanne is hosting The Search iPad Giveaway!

One Grand Prize winner will receive an iPad Prize Package worth over $500 and includes:

• A brand new iPad (16KB with Wi-Fi)
• Signed copies of all three Lancaster Country Secrets books (The Choice, The Waiting, & The Search)

To enter, simply click on the icons below to fill out the entry form/s, then tell 5 or more friends about the contest. Oh, and enter soon! Winner will be announced on February 3rd at Suzanne’s Everything is Coming Up Roses Facebook Party. (Did you know The Search takes place on a rose farm?)