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Sunday, October 31, 2010

New Giveaway! Enter for a chance to win Love Finds You in Sugarcreek, Ohio by Serena B. Miller. (Plus bonus review!)

For a chance to enter to win a copy of this book simply read my review and post a comment about who your favorite Amish fiction author is AND if you have read any Amish fiction that was written by someone other than Beverly Lewis, Wanda Brunstetter, or Cindy Woodsmall. If so, what did you like about the other author's book(s)?

I'll go first. My favorite is probably Cindy Woodsmall. However, I have read Amish fiction by Kathleen Fuller and enjoyed the story very much. I have also enjoyed one by Mindy Starns Clark. I like other religious order books as well such as one about the Amana Colonies written by Melanie Dobson. There are a lot of bonnet books out there to choose from. The catch is finding one that doesn't sound very similar to the rest of them. I will pick a winner next Sunday 11-7 using the Randomizer program.

Love Finds You in Sugarcreek, Ohio

About the book:

A mysterious outsider casts a long shadow on Ohio's Amish country. Policewoman Rachel Troyer has always looked after her three elderly Amish aunts, proprietors of a farmhouse inn near Sugarcreek, Ohio. The idyllic town is popular with tourists, who come to sample its famous Amish goods. But one thing is clear to Rachel - Joe Matthews is no tourist. When the bearded stranger lands on her aunts' doorstep, begging shelter for himself and his young son, Rachel is suspicious. Will she be able to uncover Joe's secrets despite her aunts' - and her own - growing affection for him?

My review:

4/5 stars and 3/4 hearts for sporadic flutters of faith and healing. This book had more than a weak pulse going on.

This was an enjoyable read. It was a bit different from other Amish fiction I've read. It focused more on the Old Order Amish, but the main characters were the "Englischers." It had an interesting  mystery subplot that came together nicely at the end. I loved the plot of the famous person hiding from the media, and the father-son issues that occurred throughout the story. This was well done and realistic. And of course, there was the token buggy accident. Sometimes I wonder if it's a required plot element for Amish fiction. I do think I learned a bit more about Amish beliefs from this book than from other Amish novels I'd read in the past.

I wasn't too fond of the minor subplot regarding the aunt with Down Syndrome. I also found the epilogue at the end to be pretty sophisticated for someone with Anna's mental capabilities. I didn't feel like it matched her capacity to understand and reason as demonstrated by her behavior earlier in the book. Since I've worked with people who have this diagnosis for many years it's hard for me to see something like Anna's characterization and not comment. At her age (late 50s) Anna would not be acting so immaturely. In fact, most people with Down Syndrome have Alzheimer's type symptoms as they age, so they wouldn't giggle and play games, but would be more likely to act forgetful and a bit crabby, because someone who is forty with Down Syndrome will feel like they are about 80. I believe Anna's age was 57. So her character didn't fit the profile of any of the people I've become familiar with in the last ten years. Of course, there are always exceptions. This was a minor issue, but it did bug me a bit.

Overall the story was good. I read the book very quickly and enjoyed the romantic element. It was a sweet romance, but not so sweet that there was no heart to the story. I appreciated that there wasn't a lot of angst and drama in the relationship between the hero and heroine, and that the hero admired the heroine's strength and found it attractive. That was portrayed with a different twist. I loved the underlying theme about pride (as demonstrated at the baseball game) and how much it can often interfere with our good intentions. I also thought the message about the restoration of relationships and forgiveness was nicely done. The way the Amish bounced back after their tragedy was admirable as well.

Love Finds You in Sugarcreek, Ohio was published by Summerside and released in August 2010.

21 comments:

fredamans said...

My favorite Amish author is Suzanne Woods-Fisher. I was introduced to her writing through blogging, and it still resonates through me. I also like Tricia Goyer a lot. Her values come clear across any page. I have not read from those listed above I'm saddened to say. Though I would love to.

freda.mans[at]sympatico.ca

Happy Halloween!

Elyssa said...

This is an easy question! My favorite Amish author is definitely Beverly Lewis. =)
Yes, I've read other authors than the ones listed. I love Beth Wiseman's Daughters of Promise series, and I really enjoyed BJ Hoff's Riverhaven Years series.

lubell1106(at)gmail(dot)com

Jenny said...

My favorite Amish author would be Beth Wiseman. I love her series!
Yes, I have read other Amish authors as well. My daughter gave me Beverly Lewis to read, and I loved them! There's just something about the way she writes...

jennycohen104(at)gmail(dot)com

Ira said...

No, I actually haven't read any Amish authors. But my daughter is always talking about the books she reads, and from what I hear they're pretty good!

icohen62(at)gmail(dot)com

Unknown said...

Un oh, first comment!! Well, I suppose someone needs to start. Amish stories are enjoyable to me and and educational as well. It's hard to name a favorite since Beverly Lewis has held that spot so long. I haven't read them all yet. Cindy Woodsmall, Beth Wiseman, Kelly Long and I'm sure there are others. This story seems to have a different twist and I'd like to read it. Thanks for the giveaway and the chance to win this interesting book. Hope I do!

Blessings,
Barb Shelton
barbjan10 at tx dot rr dot com

Unknown said...

Well, out of all the Amish authors out there right now, Cindy Woodsmall is my favorite. However, I just discovered Kathleen Fuller last week, and I loved her first book. I also like Hillary Manton Lodge's style of urban Amish writing...can't wait to start on her new book. :o)

Sign me up!
Christy
orca0024 at yahoo dot com

MaureenT said...

I really enjoy reading Amish Fiction, there are too many Amish writer's that I enjoy to pick one. Right now I'm reading Autumn's Promise by Shelly Shepard Gray. I must confess that Beverly Lewis turned me on to the Amish books.

Unknown said...

I haven't really read alot of amish authors. I have read some amish fiction but don't remember the authors. It was pretty good. I would like to read more amish fiction. Please enter me in contest. I would love to read this book. Tore923@aol.com

cozymysterygirl said...

my favorite Amish writer is Beverly Lewis.I have not yet read any of Cindy Woodsmall.But she is on my to read list.
kellielovesanthony@gmail.com

apple blossom said...

must say YES, I've read many different Amish authors. I love Beverly, Wanda and Cindy.

I'm reading Kelley Long

I've read....
Suzanne Woods Fisher
Shelley Shepard Gray
Kathleen Fuller
Beth Wiseman
Mary Ellis
Hillary Manton Lodge

ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

Wendy said...

I haven't read any books from an Amish author as of yet. I would love to read this one.
Please enter me in the drawing.
Thank you for the chance.
wdesirees[at]yahoo[dot]com

Anonymous said...

I haven't read any Amish fiction yet but I know I would love to read this book. I used to live in Indiana and there are Amish in the northern part of the state. Please enter me in this contest.

CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Connie said...

Hi! I haven't read very many Amish books. The only author I remember reading a few of is Wanda Brunsetter. I haven't read this author but the book looks really good. Thank you for this giveaway! :)

aliasgirl1976@yahoo.com

Taffy said...

I haven't read anything Amish so I'd really like to try this book!


taffy.lovell@gmail.com

Giveaway Lady said...

I really like B. J. Hoff's Amish series. Very good writing! Please enter me in this giveaway. Thanks!

esterried[at]yahoo[dot]com

karenk said...

i loved suzanne woods-fisher 'the choice' thanks for the chance to read this fabulous novel :)

karenk
kmkuka at yahoo dot com

Nancye said...

I LOVE Amish fiction! I have always been intrigues by the Amish way of life. I have read and enjoyed books by: Vannetta Chapman, Suzanne Woods Fisher, Dale Cramer, along with the authors you already listed. I would love to win this book! It sounds wonderful! Thanks for the chance!

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Cindy W. said...

I haven't read that many Amish books but the ones I have read I thoroughly enjoyed. Thank you for the opportunity to win a copy of Love Finds You in Sugar Creek Ohio.

Smiles, =D
Cindy W

countrybear52[at]yahoo[dot]com

MaureenT said...

I have read a lot of Amish Authors. I started with Beverly Lewis. I enjoy Cindy Woodsmall, Kathleen Fuller, Beth Wiseman, B J Hoff...I am sure there are more and I will regret mentioning them!

alekee02[at]yahoo[dot]com

Edgy Inspirational Author said...

and the winner is... Nancye!!!

Anonymous said...

I just recently started reading Amish fiction .
The first one I read was by Beverly Lewis.
I am branching out and reading Wanda Brunstetter. I love them all.

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