| Price: | $14.99 |
| ISBN: | 978-0-8007-3386-5 |
| ISBN-10: | 0-8007-3386-X |
| Dimensions: | 5.5 x 8.5 |
| Number of pages: | 320 |
| Carton Quantity: | 40 |
| Publication Date: | Oct. 10 |
| Formats: | Paperback |
What It’s About
The Waiting, by Suzanne Woods Fisher, is the second in a series, Lancaster County Secrets, but it reads well as a stand-alone. I hadn’t read the series’ first book, The Choice, when I started The Waiting, but I’m going to be looking for it!
The story takes place in 1965. The central character is Jorie King, a young woman waiting for her childhood sweetheart, Ben Zook, to return from his military service in the Vietnam War. Her life is entwined with Ben’s other brothers who were raised by the eldest, Caleb, when their parents were killed in a tragic accident. With some reluctance, Jorie accepts a job as a teacher in the one-room Amish schoolhouse. Jorie’s family raises beautiful Percheron horses, but she welcomes the additional income she earns from teaching. As her grandparents age, Jorie feels the importance of protecting her heritage, she is the “Keeper of their Song”. The story follows the lives of the Zook brothers, the Kings, and their Amish community.
About the Author
“Suzanne Woods Fisher lives with her family in the San Francisco Bay Area. She has one husband, four children, one son-in-law, a brand new grandbaby, and a couple of dogs. She graduated from Westmont College in Santa Barbara, California, and was a free-lancer writer for magazines while her children were growing up.” (from her website)Â Suzanne’s grandfather was raised Plain (Amish) and Suzanne writes both fiction and non-fiction about these fascinating people.
My Take
I loved this book! It had all the components that I enjoy reading. It made me laugh and brought me to tears. These are my favorite things to read about:
Family– the Zook family comes together during difficult times and shows their unconditional love and support.
Community– When one farmer falls behind in his work, the neighbors show up, without being asked or expecting anything in return, to help.
The Joy of Children– Children are central characters in the story. We not only read about the fun, wonder, joy and laughter, but we see things through their perspective. A perspective that is simple, loving, and clear.
Relationships of Brothers- I love reading about relationships between brothers and the friendships of men. It’s different in many ways from the relationships of women and I enjoy the layers but the simplicity.
Humanness- In one scene in the book, Caleb hides dirty pans in the oven when company is coming. Uh, been there ;)
Different cultures- Suzanne Woods Fisher give us an interesting insight into the Amish culture and some of the challenges that they face in today’s world. I especially liked reading about their school and education system being questioned by state officials.
Faith- It strengthens my own faith to read about how others react to events in their life and reconcile those happenings with their belief in God. I love reading about people who live their faith.
One of my favorite series of books is the Jan Karon, Mitford Series. While The Waiting is not quite to that level, in my estimation, I make many positive comparisons between the two. I can’t wait for the next book in the Lancaster County Secrets series! The Search is scheduled for a January 1, 2011 release.
Grade: A
Enter here to win my gently read copy of The Waiting, by Suzanne Woods Fisher.
Main entry
1. Go to the author’s website, Suzanne Woods Fisher, and tell me something you learned about her.
Additional entries
2. Subscribe to Kelly’s Lucky You by email or rss feed.
3. Follow Kelly’s Lucky You with Google Friend Connect.
4. Put the Kelly’s Lucky You button on your sidebar or blogroll page.
5. Blog about this giveaway and leave the link to your post in the comments.
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9. Add this giveaway to any giveaway linky (unlimited entries). You can use this list!
Leave one comment for each entry. Contest ends October 24th at midnight CST. A winner will be chosen by random.org and notified by email to the email address provided in the winning comments. The winner must respond within 48 hours of the notification email, or another winner will be chosen. See my Giveaway Rules page for further information. Sorry, this contest is open to US residents only.
Disclosure: Thank you to Revell Books for sending me a copy of The Waiting to review. Available October 2010 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
I learned that she gets up at 4 a.m. and writes until 7am…Wow that’s early!
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I love that she offers to participate and contribute to a book club meeting! That’s really cool!
I learned that she is also the host of “Amish Wisdom†on toginet.com, a weekly radio program featuring guests who are connected to Simple Living.
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I learned she’s an early riser-4AM and she writes for 3 hours each morning until 7. Every writer must have a schedule.
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Suzanne lives with her family in the San Francisco Bay area
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I’m a follower. I enjoy reading about the Amish. It reminds me of the farming community I grew up in. Only, mine was a Quaker community but very much the same.
Thank you for sharing.
I am a follower and email subscriber. I learned that she likes to get up early in the morning to write. I am sure it is very quiet at that time and peaceful. Please enter me in contest. Tore923@aol.com
Suzanne has contracts with Revell for six more books about the Amish, both fiction and non-fiction
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I learned that Suzanne Woods Fisher’s first novel, Copper Star, won three literary awards.
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Her first novel, Copper Star, won three literary awards.
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I am amazed by Amish and other groups of people who live on the land and are so peaceful and God blessed. I learn that Suzanna published her first novel, Copper Star, with a small press. That book won three literary awards and caught the eye of a literary agent, Joyce Hart. Joyce knew that Suzanne had a family connection to the Plain People (Suzanne’s grandfather was raised Plain) and introduced her to an editor at Revell Books
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I learned that she has a weekly radio program, and I entered to win a Kindle on her site:)
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I learned her weekly radio show is called Amish Wisdom.
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Suzanne’s grandfather was actually Plain!
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Hi Kelly! Thank you for your wonderful review of “The Waiting!” Really enjoyed your insights…and wanted to tell you that the working title for this book was “Keeper of the Song!” I’m smiling that you caught that phrase. Nice work! ~Suzanne Fisher
I would love to read this.
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Oops I forgot to say that I learned her first novel was Copper Star. For my second entry I am following on GFC as Renee G.
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I learned that she has a weekly radio program called Amish Wisdom! NEAT!
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Suzanne has contracts with Revell for six more books about the Amish, both fiction and non-fiction.
I learned that Suzanne made up Stoney Ridge, the town that her books take place in. Awesome!
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I know of her weekly radio program, listen to it every now and then. She’s definitely got something there!
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I learned her 1st book received three literary awards.
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I learned that she is giving away a kindle for the release of this new book
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I learned that this is her first book out, there are others with a release date and some are just working titles so far.
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She graduated from Westmont College in Santa Barbara, California, and was a free-lancer writer for magazines while her children were growing up.
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Her first novel is called “Copper Star”. Great giveaway!
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I learned that the author graduated from Westmont College in Santa Barbara, California, and was a free-lancer writer for magazines while her children were growing up.
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I learned that she has a weekly radio program called “Amish Wisdom”.
I love going to Lancaster, PA. You get such a feeling of peace and serenity there.
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Hi Kelly!
Thanks for your lovely review of “The Waiting.” I’m smiling at the Jan Karon reference…I get that all of the time! It made me very happy to read that you felt …how should I say…pulled closer to faith as you read the story. How wonderful!
Thanks, also, for being a part of the blog tour!
Warmly, Suzanne