The Calling By Suzanne Woods Fisher Book Review

// The Calling//

By Suzanne Woods Fisher

{Review By Bethany}

 

Source: Litfuse Publicity Group

Number of Pages: 336

ISBN: 0800720946

Publisher: Revell

Publication Date: January 21st, 2014

Bethany's Rating: 2 out of 5 stars

 

// Book Synopsis //

 

"Twenty-year-old Bethany Schrock is restless. Her love life has derailed, her faith hangs by a thread, and she is spending the incredibly hot summer days wading through a lifetime’s accumulation of junk at the home of five ancient Amish sisters. About the only thing that holds her interest is the spirited and dangerously handsome Jimmy Fisher–and he seems bent on irritating her to no end.
When the sly old sisters and a guest at the Inn get Bethany involved in running the local soup kitchen and starting a community garden, she suddenly finds herself wondering, Shootfire! How did that happen? Despite her newfound purposefulness, a gnawing emptiness about a childhood mystery continues to plague her. Encouraged by Jimmy Fisher, she will seek out the answers she craves–and uncover a shocking secret that will break her heart, heal it, and point her to love.
Bestselling author Suzanne Woods Fisher delivers her trademark twists, turns, and tender romance in this delightful and exciting visit to the deceptively quiet community of Stoney Ridge."

 

// Bethany's Book Review //

Prior to reading The Calling I'd read the first book in The Inn at Eagle Hill series, The Letters, and didn't really like it as I felt like I couldn't connect with the characters, and felt an overall dragging out of the story-line. When the opportunity to review the second book in the series, The Calling came up, I decided to give this series another go and try out the second book, even though I didn't really feel like the first one was for me; and hoped I would like the second book better. However unfortunately, I found the second book to be a lot like the first book in the case of the storyline feeling slow and dragged out as well as the inability to connect with the characters.

 

I will say that in overview, I do think I enjoyed The Calling better than the first book in the series, mainly because the first book was about an older woman and this one was about a girl more my age. Plus we share the name Bethany, which I liked. :) While there was improvement with the story-line and characters, I just didn't ever feel I "clicked" with this novel.

 

I really did want to enjoy this story, and while I thought it a nice one time read, at times it was a bit slow, I sadly don't think I'll end up keeping this book on my favorites shelf and most likely wouldn't re-read it. While I didn't really feel a connection with this book, I have seen friends who did enjoy this series. So I by no means want to give it a bad review, as I know several people really like this series; it just wasn't for me.

 

However on the positive side, this novel was very low-romance and was a slower read, which can be a con for someone who likes a more relaxed, easy going read. I found myself liking the "Sisters" and loved the ending of this story when things really got going.

 

Disclaimer :: I received a free copy of The Calling from the publisher through Litfuse Publicity Group, for the sole purpose of reading and review it. I was not paid in any way to review this book, and was not required to give a good review, if in fact I didn't like the book. All thoughts expressed in my review are my own and completely unbiased.

A Big Year For Lily By Mary Ann Kinsinger & Suzanne Woods Fisher Blog Tour

      / / A   B i g   Y e a r   F o r   L i l y / /

 

{R e v i e w   B y   M a d i}
Title: A Big Year For Lily
Author(s): Mary Ann Kinsinger & Suzanne Woods Fisher
Source: Review Book From Litfuse
Number Of Pages: 267
ISBN: 978-0-8007-2134-3
Publisher: Revell
Publication Date: 2013
My Rating: 4 Out Of 5 Stars
 

 

/ / B o o k   D e s c r i p t i o n / /
 

Lily Lapp's family has settled into their new home in Pennsylvania, but life still holds big changes and big steps for Lily. Good changes, like once again living close to her beloved cousin and best friend, Hannah. Bad changes, like a mean girl who plays tricks on her. And no change at all where Lily would most want one--Aaron Yoder sits near her in school and relentlessly teases her. Surprises are in store for Lily as she learns, with Mama and Papa's help, to manage the ups and downs of growing up Amish.
The third of four charming novels that chronicle the gentle way of the Amish through the eyes of a young girl, "A Big Year for Lily" gives children ages 8-12 a fascinating glimpse into the life of the Amish--and lots of fun and laughter along the way. It combines Mary Ann Kinsinger's real-life stories of growing up Amish and the bestselling writing of Amish fiction and nonfiction author Suzanne Woods Fisher. With charming line drawings in each book, this series captures the hearts of readers young and old.

 

 

/ / M a d i ' s   B o o k   R e v i e w / /

 

 What a sweet little book! The Christian-Fiction market has been booming with Amish tales for adults, and I think it's great that our younger readers get to partake in that a little through The Adventures Of Lily Lapp series. This is a book that I would have loved to have as a little girl. Lily is so relatable, and so sweet! When I was her age I remember facing many of the same trials, (though not quite in the same way, considering that I'm not Amish). School-boys are pains, brothers are mischievous, friends come and go and life is unpredictable.

I think I may give my copy of A Big Year For Lily to my cousin Kara, since she is about ten years old (the same age as Lily Lapp), and I know that she would enjoy it. I've outgrown this type of fiction, but I know that books like these can be beneficial to young readers. Lily's story encourages self-control, and shows how to respond to certain situations that come to all girls in a way that shows maturity. It's never to early to start learning how to act with grace and patience. I've seen my friends little sisters check this book out from the library, and they keep going back for the next title in this series.

Another thing that I like about A Big Year For Lily is that though it is part of a series, it can easily stand alone and be read without having to read the first two books first. Which, considering some people's reading habits, can be either a good or a bad thing. For me it's a good thing, because I don't have the first two books and I don't have the time to read them all. Overall, I really enjoyed the story of Lily Lapp, and I would recommend it to girls thirteen or younger.

 

 Note: I was provided with a free print copy of A Big Year For Lily through a blogger book review program. I was not paid to review A Big Year For Lily, and all thoughts expressed in this review are unbiased and completely my own.