The KEEPER by Suzanne Woods Fisher Book Review and Giveaway

About the book:

Julia Lapp has planned on marrying Paul Fisher since she was a girl. Now twenty-one, she looks forward to their wedding with giddy anticipation. When Paul tells her he wants to postpone the wedding--again--she knows who is to blame. Perpetual bachelor and spreader of cold feet, Roman Troyer, the Bee Man.

Roamin' Roman travels through the Amish communities of Ohio and Pennsylvania with his hives full of bees, renting them out to farmers in need of pollinators. He relishes his nomadic life, which keeps him from thinking about all he has lost. He especially enjoys bringing his bees to Stoney Ridge each year. But with Julia on a mission to punish him for inspiring Paul's cold feet, the Lapp farm is looking decidedly less pleasant.

Can Julia secure the future she's always dreamed of? Or does God have something else in mind?

About Suzanne:

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 new grandbaby (!), she is raising puppies for Guide Dogs for the Blind. To Suzanne's way of thinking, you just can't take life too seriously when a puppy is tearing through your house with someones underwear in its mouth.

Suzanne can be found on-line at: www.suzannewoodsfisher.com.

My Review:

Suzanne is my favorite author and I can't say enough about how her writing speaks to me.  If you haven't read this new release or her other offerings I strongly encourage you to do so.  I feel so strongly about her work that I purchased copies of Lancaster County Christmas to give to some select friends for Christmas as I felt they needed to experience her writing for themselves.  You can read my review of Lancaster County Christmas here and The Search here.  Suzanne's books are all outstanding, yet each one unique and brings out different emotions and life lessons.  The Keeper is another stellar offering of Suzanne's talented writing.

Julia's heart is set on marrying Paul, however, he cancels their wedding plans yet another time.  Her heart is broken and her demeanor crushed.  Julia is the eldest child in the Lapp family comprised of two other daughters, a son and whose father (Amos Lapp)  has a failing heart and mother has passed away.  An outsider comes to their home to serve as housekeeper (Fern) with rules of her own that appear harsh, however, has the best interest of the family in mind.  Roman travels to Stoney Ridge each year with his bees and knows Fern from another state through sad circumstances. 

The story beautifully unveils the heart of the characters as each chapter unfolds.  Those you may not have immediately been drawn to appear softer after knowing the history of their pain.  The story does brings devastating circumstances of loved ones lost, inclusive of one of Julia's immediate family members passing, but not without passing on a vital part of their physical being to save another.  Life is lost, yet renewed in another.  A love that appeared genuine is lost and true love found and life at Windmill Farm will never be the same!

Link to buy the book:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/0800719875/ref=as_li_ss_til?tag=sprightly-20&camp=0&creative=0&linkCode=as4&creativeASIN=0800719875&adid=1PX6B4176Y815T8CYF4V

Litfuse kindly sent me an extra copy of the book to give to one of my readers.  If you would like to win the book please leave a comment at the end of this post and a winner will be drawn on the 17th of January and announced that evening on this blog.

It’s a “Honey of a Giveaway” from Suzanne Woods Fisher!

Suzanne is hosting a "honey of a giveaway"during the blog tour for The Keeper! During 1/3-1/17 you can enter to win an iPad2 from Suzanne and connect with her on January 17th at The Keeper Facebook Party!

During the giveaway one Grand Prize winner will receive a Prize Pack valued at $600:

• A brand new 16 KB iPad 2 with Wi-Fi
• A $25 gift certificate to iTunes
• A copy of The Keeper

But wait there's more! Just click one of the icons below to enter, then on 1/17 join Suzanne for The Keeper Facebook Party! During the party Suzanne will announce the winner of the "Honey" of an iPad Giveaway and host a fun book chat and give away some fun "honey" inspired prizes - It'll be 'sweet"!

RSVP early and tell your friends!

Don't miss a moment of the fun. RSVP today and tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 17th!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Litfuse Publicity Group as part of their book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 : "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."