The Keeper (Stoney Ridge Seasons Book #1): A Novel

Great book! It’s a heartwarming journey of forgiveness and love. Highly recommend. Can’t wait to read book 2 in this series.

I love reading Amish fiction and this is no exception. A true to life fiction story about sickness, tragic accidents causing loss of life and the everyday antics of a family without their mother who had died a few years before. Mary Kate, MK for short, is the youngest sibling and has more energy then the rest of the family put together. I would get tired just reading about her antics. The next oldest sibling is Menno. Everyone loves Menno. Born with a learning disability he is very slow to learn. But he has more compassion and understanding then his whole family combined. You too will fall in love with Menno. Next is Sadie, a quiet girl at 14 who is very sensitive to her surroundings but is very self-conscience and no confidence in herself. The oldest is Julie at 21. She is in love with Paul and is to be married that November. The story opens with Paul postponing the wedding for another year or so and this is the second time he has done this. Julia is crushed... but being the oldest in a family without their mother she can't live in this state of confusion and disappointment. Their father, Amos, only 50, has had a severe heart attack and is restricted to his house, not able to help on the farm. Everyone is worn out and the farm is in disrepair because of all these difficult circumstances.Then there is Uncle Hank who lives in the Grossdaudi house. He actually is Amos' uncle so he is up in age. He is always getting into trouble and causing pranks. One time he is throwing water balloons out his window at the woman he found to help them take care of the house, Fern. You can tell he truly loves the family even though he acts first and thinks later.Fern is a very "rules" oriented type of person. Everything is in black and white and she tolerates no straying from it. She likes the house in perfect order, ship shape, with NO one messing with her kitchen. MK was often getting in trouble with her rambunctious ways.Then there is the bee keeper, Roman. Roman has spent the past six years traveling from farm to farm with his bees to pollinate the orchards which will bring in a better crop of fruit. No one knows much about Roman other then he comes and he goes. He spends this summer helping "Windmill Farm" fix up the run down farm while his bees pollinate their huge orchard. He ends up getting really involved with the family and his concern for Amos and his heart condition starts his looking into the possibility of a heart transplant for him. However, Amos, is dead against the transplant idea even though he knows it may save his life. Amos believes that God is the giver of life. Julia doesn't like Roman and thinks he is just plain full of himself. But their common goal to save her father brings them into a better relationship but guarded by both persons.At times I laughed out loud and other times I cried real tears. A very moving story with a lot of emotional baggage that has to be dealt with. I was very surprised at the ending, totally unaware of it's possibilities. A great story about real people in real times. Just keep the tissues handy.

I started this book awhile back and got busy with Thanksgiving and I finally had the time to finish it and write up a review! Suzanne Woods Fisher is a fairly new author to me but I am very impressed so far. I have a few more books of hers to pick up and after reading this one—I’m really looking forward to it! Few authors bring me to tears with a book and my kindle really got a workout with all the highlighting of quotes I found. You can tell the author knows her Bible and her characters possess such a strong and admirable faith in Christ. If you’re a fan of Christian Fiction/Amish Fiction and you don’t mind a tear jerker—I definitely suggest this book!About the Story:Julia Lapp is looking forward to marrying Paul Fisher but when he breaks their engagement for a second time—the blame falls onto Roman Troyer. Good ‘ole Roamin’ Roman has messed things up for Julia and she’s determined to have a few words with him! Roman is intrigued by Julia—she doesn’t swoon over him the way most women do and she speaks her mind which piques his interest.Between the pages of this book we find ourselves completely immersed into the lives of the Lapp family:Amos—a loving father who is suffering from a heart condition.Julia—Headstrong and not afraid to speak her mind but at the same time she is letting the words of others direct her path.Sadie—a dear sweet girl who listens to others and tries to mend their pain, very motherly but also still a young girl trying to find her way.Menno—A very special boy, though different than other children his age, he brings such joy and love to his family. I wasn’t able to pinpoint with a certainty his disability but in my mind I pictured him as slightly autistic. Regardless, there was something precious about Menno and he touched my heart!M.K. A spunky little lady that gets into all sorts of mischief! She seriously made me laugh! There wouldn't have been much of a story without the antics of M.K.These characters were so real—so likable. I truly got to know this family and fell in love with each one of them. It was as if they had come to life to me. I truly did not pick up this book expecting to find myself in tears or to feel so much emotion upon finishing the story. The author hit it out of the park with this book and truly has a grasp of how to reach out and touch a reader through emotional attachment.The only thing I didn’t really enjoy about this book was the fuss over Sadie’s weight. I thought Fern was extremely hateful about it but then as I read the story and got to know the characters more I saw that Sadie’s best interests were always in mind and that the initial impression I had of Fern was a little—off. So, all in all I am completely satisfied with this book and I can’t wait to pick up the next book!

This story is set in the Amish community. It is not a book which examines the religion or lifestyle in any depth and none of the characters struggle to decide whether or not to leave their town. This is actually a story about small town country life and one particular family who happen to be Amish. I thought that the setting enhanced the book and that it wasn't particularly preachy. The important part of the story was the family, each of whom had a particular issue, and all of whom had their lives affected one summer with the arrival of the travelling beeman and a new housekeeper who each have their own secrets.This is a well written story in the cosy style. It is amusing in places and, whilst there is little in the way of suspense or surprises, the plot hangs together well to make a satisfying novel. Not very demanding but an easy and enjoyable read.

I read this on the kindleThis book is one of the best Amish Books i read for a long time not taking anything away from other Amish books i have readIt a story about a family on Windmill Farm, Amos a widower Julia, Merino, Sadie & Mary Kate (MK) & there is Uncle HankPaul Fisher keeps postponing his wedding to Julia, Amos is getting weaker due to a weak heart, Merino is someone who is slightly slow but loved by allFern comes to the farm as a housekeeper, Roman is the Bee Man & comes around every year bring his beesThis is a lovely story with a real twist at the end The only minor disappointment was that the book didn't have an epilogue. but as there is 2 more in the Stoney Ridge series we may learn more about the familyThis is a book if you only read 1 Amish Book then read this one

This is a story about an Amish family. The father has become ill with a heart condition and consequently the farm is becoming a bit run down.The Bee keeper is a man who travels from farm to farm with his bees to pollinate orchards. He has suffered tragedy in his life seems to be taking another turn as he stays at the Lapp’s farm to help them.Julia is betrothed to Paul who keeps postponing their wedding.The writing is good and the underlying ethos and religion of the Amish community is described without being overbearing.It is interesting to read about an Amish community and realise that they are prone to the same character flaws as everybody else in the world.

My usual reads are chick lit but I also have a soft spot for Amish books. It's quite fascinating to read about such simplistic yet hugely important values that are intregal to their lives. This book has it all: tradegy, emerging love, health scares, indecesion about love etc. The book focuses on the eldest child of the Lapp family Julia (Jules) but also features her family, her alleged intended Paul, his brother Jimmy, Annie and Roman, the bee keeper, who Julia sees as the culprit for her yet again postponed wedding. Some amusing parts to it but it also made me cry as well. The only minor disappointment was that the book didn't have an epilogue.

I have read a lot of Amish stories. I enjoy the calm, honest and innocent story lines woven with Amish traditions and history. This has to be one of the beys I've read. It had me on the edge of my seat and waiting for more. Thank you Suzanne for bringing these wonderful characters into my life! I've downloaded the next one and am starting it now...