Shootfire! She made me cry AGAIN! My review of "The Calling" by Suzanne Woods Fisher

about the book....

Bethany's restless heart is searching for answers--in life and in love

Bethany Schrock's love life has derailed, her faith hangs by a thread, and she is spending hot summer days wading through a lifetime of accumulation at the home of five elderly Amish sisters. She's not sure what she wants out of life, but she knows that she's not finding it in Stoney Ridge. 

Then a new guest at the Inn at Eagle Hill ropes her into volunteering in a community project for down-and-outers. Reluctant at first, Bethany starts to feel a bit of joy and satisfaction again. But not so much that Jimmy Fisher, adorable and impossible, can woo her affections with his winks and tricks. Well, maybe a little.

When a figure from her past reenters her life, Bethany must decide: What does the past mean to her future?

Bestselling author Suzanne Woods Fisher delivers her trademark twists, turns, and tender romance in this delightful and exciting visit to the quiet community of Stoney Ridge.

my review....

I realize that, as a male reader, I am likely not the intended target for the genre of "contemporary Amish romance" that Suzanne Woods Fisher's novels fit within. However, I freely admit that I am addicted to Fisher's writing, and so I simply couldn't stay away from "The Calling". I was hooked from the first couple pages, and couldn't put the book down for a moment!  This time round, we get to reunite with the wonderful characters we were introduced to in "The Letters", with a focus on the gutsy Bethany Schrock and her often hilarious relationship with Jimmy Fisher (a favourite character of mine from a prior series). As with previous books from Fisher, the characters are beautifully developed, and you soon feel like you are becoming reacquainted with friends. There were many moments I chuckled to myself or laughed out loud, and as Bethany is so fond of saying, "SHOOTFIRE!" if I didn't even cry at one scene! That's not the first time Fisher's books have moved me to tears, and it probably won't be the last. Although there are many light-hearted moments sprinkled in the pages, there are also poignant scenes of forgiveness and unconditional love. I love what the youth pastor Geena has to say to Bethany midway through the book about forgiveness, where she says "Sometimes...we have to make decided efforts to let go of the past. Not so that we pretend hard things didn't happen, but so that the power of hard things is lessened". That is a message so many people need to hear!

I give this book my highest rating of 5 out of 5 stars, and eagerly anticipate July 2014 when Book 3 in "The Inn at Eagle Hill" series is released, entitled "The Revealing". If it is anything like the first two books in the series, it is going to be a wonderful book indeed.

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

 about the author....

Suzanne Woods Fisher is the bestselling author of The Letters, The Calling, the Lancaster County Secrets series, and the Stoney Ridge Seasons series, as well as nonfiction books about the Amish, including Amish Peace. She is also the coauthor of an Amish children's series, The Adventures of Lily Lapp. Suzanne is a Carol Award winner for The Search, a Carol Award finalist for The Choice, and a Christy Award finalist for The Waiting. She is also a columnist for Christian Post and Cooking & Such magazines. She lives in California. Learn more at www.suzannewoodsfisher.com and connect with Suzanne on Twitter @suzannewfisher.