It’s my pleasure to take part in the blog tour for Suzanne Woods Fisher’s latest release, The Waiting. Not only was this my first acquaintance with Ms Fisher’s writing but also my first time reading Amish fiction. But after reading this book, it’s unlikely to be my last.
This post contains affiliate links. See my full disclosure here.
Although the main storyline revolves around Jorie King, a young Amish maiden, waiting for her beloved Benjamin Zook to return home from the Vietnam War, the book is filled with characters that are in a wait of their own. Waiting to be free. Waiting to die. Waiting to love again. Waiting to be understood. Waiting to be accepted despite one’s skin color. As anyone who has experienced the wait between one’s dream and its manifestation knows things don’t always go as planned. And, the Amish are no exception. Readers are taken along alongside Jorie, Caleb, Ben, Matthew, Ephraim, and Maggie as they try to make sense of their changing world through the eyes of their faith. The Waiting drew me in from the very first page and as I turned the last page, I long to stay a little longer at Beacon Hollow.
The Waiting include scenarios most individuals could easily relate to like:
- A single father struggling to make a living and raise two children on his own, while battling grief.
- An African American veterinarian facing prejudice and opposition in the 1960’s.
- People of faith attempting to balance being in the world but not becoming a part of the world.
- A young man seeking to find his own identify and place in the world outside of the confines of the expectations of others.
- A family facing the reality of Alzheimer’s disease
From the back cover:
Jorie King’s life is on hold. She has been waiting for Ben Zook to return to Lancaster County. Waiting for him to settle down and join the church. Waiting to marry him.
But when news arrives that Ben have been killed, Jorie is devastated. She finds unlikely comfort in the friendship of his brother Caleb. Friendship ripens into love, and two broken hearts plan for a life filled with the promise of a fresh beginning – until their worlds are turned upside down.
About the author:
The Waiting, Amish Peace, and Amish Proverbs. Her interest in the Anabaptist cultures can be directly traced to her grandfather, WE. D. Benedict, who was raised in the Old Order German Baptist Brethren Church in Franklin County, Pennsylvania. Benedict eventually became publisher of Christianity Today magazine. Suzanne is the host of a radio show called Amish Wisdom and her work has appeared in many magazines. She lives in California. Find out more about Suzanne at www.suzannewoodsfisher.com Join the FUN
As a part of the blog tour Suzanne is hosting a KINDLE giveaway and a Lancaster Secrets book club party. The contest and blog tour run October 8-October 27.
What are you waiting for?
Go ahead and enter the contest and pick up your copy of The Waiting at Amazon.
DISCLOSURE: Thanks to Amy Lathrop with LitFUSE for providing a complimentary copy of the book for review purposes. The views and opinions expressed are my own.
Looks like a good read Wanda! Will keep my eye out for it..
Bless you!
ps. I entered to win a kindle with all her books on it! I would love to win something for a change haha! I don't have a kindle so that would be cool!
I don't have one either, Amanda. Although I love the digital age, I still rather partial to turning the pages of a real book. Best wishes to you.
Thanks Wanda. This post is my reminder that I need to download a few books to read. I also heard very positive reviews on Amish fiction on NPR recently.
I have read a few Amish fiction books and enjoyed them.
Sounds like a good book to enjoy on a cozy, rainy day. Hope one is coming here, soon!
I think I'll enter the contest.
Blessings,
Janis
Happy reading Blue and Hip-chick.
Janis, it definitely is a good one one. Best wishes on the contest.
Thanks for the review Wanda. I've never actually read any Amish fiction but the book sounds like something I'd enjoy reading.
Wanda thank you for the review and the link. Blessings to you dear one.
Bernadine, yes I think you will enjoy it.
JBR, you're welcome glad you stop over.
Wanda,
This sounds great; There is a rhythm and a peaceful feeling, sometimes when we enter another lifestyle. Sometimes… I do think we often feel the grass is greener elsewhere.
Thanks for sharing; Sounds like a great read!
Hi Wanda!
I hope you're thinking of wirting a book! You've got a beautiful way with words…I really mean that! Loved your description of the "waiting" of the characters in this story. Really lovely eye-for-detail!
I'm a little late on popping by…I was out of town helping my daughter last week with her new baby, and am at my publisher's right now. But I had a few minutes to spare and wanted to thank you for your review of "The Waiting." Thrilled you want to read more! "The Search" is coming in about 6-7 weeks!
Thanks, Wanda, for being a part of the tour, too.
Warmly, Suzanne Woods Fisher