 Seattle: Bestselling author Suzanne Woods Fisher intrigues and delights readers with a story that explores the bonds of friendship, family and true love in the second installment of the Stoney Ridge Seasons, The Haven (Revell/August 2012/978-0-8007-1988-3/$14.99). Fisher artfully weaves themes such as forgiveness and God's mercy into an entertaining tale full of humor and romance. Fisher's heroine even finds herself in the middle of a love triangle-Amish style!
The Haven features Sadie, the second of the Lapp sisters. When Sadie Lapp steps off the bus in Stoney Ridge after being in Ohio for the winter, she is faced with a decision that goes against her very essence. But, it's the only way she can think of to protect a loved one. "The story is essentially about the blossoming of a shy young woman who sorely lacks self-confidence, yet has an intuitive sense of wisdom and common sense," shares Fisher. "Others see these qualities in her, but she doesn't realize the effect she has on people. Actually, that's part of Sadie's charm."
Not one, but two young men become drawn in by Sadie's charm. Schoolteacher Gideon Smucker has been crazy about Sadie since boyhood. But his response to her surprising decision undermines his own reputation--and his relationship with Sadie. On the other side is college student Will Stoltz who is spending the spring at the Lapp farm as a guard for a pair of nesting Peregrine Falcons-courtesy of the Lancaster County Game Warden. Will needs to get his life back on track, but his growing friendship with Sadie threatens his plans.
Readers will be drawn in as the lives of these three individuals intertwine, and then unravel as unexpected twists create ripples through the town of Stoney Ridge . . . and through Sadie's heart.
In addition to her gifted storytelling, Fisher has a unique insight into the Amish way of life that makes her stand out from her fellow authors. "My grandfather was raised Plain and I grew up interacting with my Old Order German Baptist relatives," explains Fisher. "I was always intrigued by them-lovely, gentle, kind, faithful people. I admired their simple life-their homes, their gardens, their interest in things without the need to own them."
Fisher's family connections have opened doors to research and resources she may not have had access to otherwise. These opportunities have allowed her to become not only a credible author of Amish fiction, but of non-fiction as well. Several of her fiction and non-fiction releases have been award finalists. Fisher hopes her readers see that you don't have to "go Amish" to incorporate many of their principles-simplicity, living with less, appreciating nature, forgiving others more readily-into your life.
For more information on Suzanne and her books, visit www.SuzanneWoodsFisher.com.
Advance Praise
"This sequel to The Keeper is an engaging Amish romance with a homespun feel. It is sure to please Fisher's existing fans and win her new ones."
~ Library Journal starred review
"Fisher's style is light and engaging. Her setting may be a simple Pennsylvania Amish community, but the struggles of faith, trust, and forgiveness are common to a wide-ranging audience. Moral elements are so deftly woven into the plot that most readers will learn the lesson before realizing there is one."
~ Publisher's Weekly
"Adept at introducing modern themes into stories of the Amish, Fisher has crafted a gentle romance complete with love triangles and unexpected plot twists. As her characters learn from their mistakes, readers will hear the resounding message that relationships can be restored and hearts renewed through forgiveness."
~ Booklist
"A heartwarming story of faith, family, and renewal filled with characters that come alive on the page like old friends, The Haven will captivate fans of Amish fiction and readers who love an endearing romance."
~ Amy Clipston, bestselling author of the Kauffman Amish Bakery Series
"The Haven is a warm, touching novel about the power of familial bonds. Once you dip into this novel set in the charming town created by Suzanne Woods Fisher, you'll be hooked."
~ Beth Wiseman, bestselling author of the Daughters of the Promise series
"Suzanne Woods Fisher's novels are always such a joy to read! I found The Haven charming, humorous, and compelling--so much so that I had to remind myself to put the book down and get back to work! I'll be joining her many fans by the calendar, anxiously awaiting her next book to be released."
~ Shelley Shepard Gray, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author
About the Author
 Suzanne Woods Fisher is a bestselling author of Amish fiction and non-fiction, the host of a weekly radio program called Amish Wisdom and a columnist for Christian Post. She has twenty-one books under contract with Revell-eight published, thirteen to come...she's contracted all the way into 2016. The Waiting was a finalist for a 2011 Christy Award. The Choice was finalist for a 2011 Carol Award. Amish Peace: Simple Wisdom for a Complicated World and Amish Proverbs: Words of Wisdom from the Simple Life were both finalists for the ECPA Book of the Year (2010, 2011).
Her interest in the Amish began with her grandfather, W.D. Benedict, who was raised Plain. She has many, many Plain relatives living in Franklin County, Pennsylvania, and travels back to Pennsylvania, as well as to Ohio, a couple of times each year for research.
Suzanne has a great admiration for the Plain people and believes they provide wonderful examples to the world. In both her fiction and non-fiction books, she has an underlying theme: You don't have to "go Amish" to incorporate many of their principles-simplicity, living with less, appreciating nature, forgiving others more readily-into your life.
When Suzanne isn't writing or bragging to her friends about her first grandbaby, she is raising puppies for Guide Dogs for the Blind.
Keep up on Suzanne's latest news on Facebook, Twitter and on her blog!
Suggested interview questions
* The characters of The Haven are involved in a love triangle of sorts. Are relationships as complicated among Amish young people as they are in the rest of America with all of the media influences we have?
* What are some of the challenges that your main character, Sadie, faces in The Haven?
* The Haven follows the first book in this series, The Keeper, in which one of the characters has a heart transplant. It comes up in this story as well. Are the Amish open to modern medical treatment? (I liked a similar question from the last press kit and think that it's an interesting question that still applies.)
* What are some of the misconceptions the public has about the Amish way of life? * What first drew you to writing Amish fiction?
* It seems that the Amish can sometimes be apprehensive about letting outsiders into their communities. How are you able to research certain aspects of Amish life?
* Amish fiction is such a popular genre of Christian fiction. Why do you think so many readers love stories of the Amish?
Suzanne Woods Fisher is available for interviews to promote the release of The Haven. To request a review copy, schedule an interview or for more information, please contact Audra Jennings, [email protected] |
