The Search (Lancaster County Secrets)

Suzanne Woods Fisher has done it again. Another story that I couldn't put down; a tale of coming home, forgiveness, redemption and finding love in an unexpected place. I started reading "The Search" and couldn't stop reading, I wanted to know what was on each "next page". Loved the ending. Can't wait for her next book.

When we portray a culture as being the perfect life, it encourages in our own hearts a discontent with the life we live and what is before us. I believe that I have to be careful about what I ponder and set before my head and heart.

In an attempt to dispel my idea that Christian Amish fiction generally idealizes Amish culture, I chose to read The Search by Suzanne Woods Fisher. Ms. Fisher lives in California and hosts a radio show called Amish Wisdom. She has written several other Amish novels.

Here's the storyline: Bess' grandmother tricks her son into sending her granddaughter to stay with her for the summer by claiming she needs help on her farm while she's recovering from a medical procedure. Lainey's car breaks down in Stoney Ridge and she gets a job at a local bakery frequented by Amish and "English" alike. The two are connected and their families are intertwined which is what the plot of the story is all about.

Writing: The writing is fine. The story is well told and easy to picture except for the glitches I mention under the plot.

Plot: The plot is more the interweaving of the characters and how they're really connected to one another. But, there are several inconsistencies and one oddity. The story is actually set in 1971, though you don't know that until 3/4 of the way through the book. I live near the Lancaster, Pennsylvania, area where the story is set and the story could have been set in modern day. It was disconcerting to realize this so far into the book. The inconsistencies are in how the Amish culture is potrayed. Amish people don't associate with "English". For Bertha, Bess' grandmother, to have taken Lainey under her wing as a child is not plausible. The forgiveness in the Amish sect is also in contrast to what they believe, I've read, about the New Testament. The forgiveness they have for others outside their community has received much attention last year due to the heartbreaking killing at an Amish school in that area. But, they hold themselves to a very high standard. It is believed that when we are dead to sin, then we should sin no more--that it is possible to live a perfectly righteous life here on earth and that is what we are to pursue. The simple life is to prevent them from feeling vanity and pride. Individualism is discouraged.

Scripturally, God created us all the way He did. If he had wanted us to all be carbon copies of one another, then he would have made us that way. Isn't that logical?

Unfortunately, this book completely idealizes Amish culture. An "English" person even becomes Amish. I don't believe that life in the Amish culture is quite as it is presented in this book. I know it is fictional, but when you set a fictional book in a real setting, the story and characters need to be consistent or else the reader will realize it isn't quite real after all and awaken from the dream. I know that we do read books to escape life and enjoy an imaginary story. It is one of the biggest reasons we read. I think my concern is not simply with this book, but the idealization that this book represents to me. I don't know about you, but I struggle so often with the thought of the grass being greener and it can feed a feeling of jealousy and a longing for something other than my life is and that isn't God's best for me--to feel that way.

I was reading a verse from the Message yesterday as we rearranged our house and it said something about being exactly where God wants you to be. It's so easy to chafe against that and yet we are to find contentment in what God has for us.

Please note that I was given a complimentary copy of this book for review by Revell Publishing.

Suzanne Woods Fisher is at it again, writing an incredible book filled with delightful characters and a plot worth following. Suzanne does not slow down for her third book in this series, and it is just as good as the ones it follows. You will love these characters, and relate easily to them. You will adore Bertha, and if you are like me, nod your head as you realize you too have a relative who is just like that. The Search will wrap you up and leave you wanting more, which I do believe is coming. The Search is a beautiful story of how truth brings about freedom, and the value of forgiveness. Sometimes, we must do the uncomfortable and the unnatural in order to bring about God's grace and mercies. To walk in obedience is more worthwhile than walking in comfort, which this book shows over and over. Sit back, relax, and dive in. You will love every page.

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Bess is sent to Stoney Brook, PA to spend the summer with her grandmother, Bertha, whom she have not seen since her grandfather's funeral several years ago. Bertha is a tall, broad and very outspoken woman who appears to be very intimidating. Once Bess settles into Rose Hill Farm, she connects with Bertha.

Bertha sees Lainey O'Toole, an Englisher, working in a bakery in town. They used to be neighbor's over 15 years ago. Lainey has a secret that happened during an accident that she has been holding in all these years. They become very friendly and these secrets are revealed and have an effect on Bertha, Bess and her father. How will things play out?

This is the first book that I have read from Suzanne Woods Fisher. It is also the third in the Lancaster County Secrets series. I did not read the first two books but I will now! I loved her writing style. She has a great attention to details and strong character development. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves Amish fiction!

This deeply developed story illustrates the Amish life and the mercy of God. Bertha Riehl is a matriarch yearning for a reconciliation with her son, Jonah and granddaughter, Bess. They left Stoney Ridge years earlier after a life-shattering tragedy takes the life of Jonah's young wife when Bess is a newborn. Through a heavy dose of subterfuge, Bertha brings her son and granddaughter back home. Also returned is Lainey O'Toole who has been harboring a dark secret since she was a child. This secret will change the lives of everyone in Bertha's life. Fisher's characters burrow into your heart.

Excellent

My Thoughts On The Book: I really wanted to read this series so I waited til I could get them all from Paperback Swap.com I am a huge fan of Suzanne Woods Fisher and I knew that these books would be great. They did not let me down. Suzanne Woods Fisher is a master wordsmith and fabulous at developing her characters. If you are looking for a read that will suck you in an make you hold your breath from beginning to end, you are looking for The Search. There are more twists and turns in this book than Heinz has varieties and you will hang in anticipation as you turn the page. The book is the third in a series of three in Suzanne's Lancaster County Secrets series, but it could be read as a stand alone novel. Once you read it you will definitely want to run out and get the others!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book through Paperback Swap. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*

I love all of Suzanne Woods Fishers books and anxiously await each one. Gives a pleasant look at Amish life.

Finding this series was wonderful. I immediately loved The Chioice. I completed the series with The Search and by far it is my favorite. The love Bertha, Bess, Lainey, and Jonah. The charcters struggles and joys were real and believable. I didnt want the book to end and loved that the ending left us wondering about Billy and Bess. Not always do characters end up together which is sometimes a refreshing change. I am looking forward to starting the Stoney Ridge Seasons series. I know it will be as good as the Lancaster County Secrets series.

Suzanne Woods Fisher has a gift for creating characters. "The Search" is the second of her books I've read, the third in the Lancaster County Secrets series. As I read Fisher's stories, I just fall in love with the characters, both main and incidental. I appreciated that she even gave me a glimpse into what became of Jorie, the main character from her last book, in this one. It's always nice to know how things turn out after the book covers close.

In "The Search," for mysterious reasons, Mammi decides she wants to spend some time with her granddaughter, Bess, whose father, Mammi's son, moved to another community after his wife's tragic death. With a little white lie, Mammi manipulates things in order to get her way and Bess comes for a summer visit.

At the same time, Lainey O'Toole, on her way to the cooking school she's been carefully saving her money to attend, suffers a car break-down in the town she grew up in. She marvels at God's way of answering prayer. She had hoped to spend some time in that town in order to set some things straight from her past--things that involve Mammi and Bess. Rather than use her school tuition to fix the car, Lainey takes a job in a bakery, determining to make the best of the situation and to spend one more summer in her home town.

From there, the book is full of surprises as these sweet, spunky, and somewhat crusty characters get to know one another, revealing each other's secrets and moving into an unexpected future covered with God's provision and grace.

I recommend this book--and hope Fisher plans to write more in this fun series! Thank you to the Litfuse Group for sending a complimentary copy of The Search for my review.