The Keeper by Suzanne Woods Fisher

The Keeper
Suzanne Woods Fisher
(Revell)
ISBN: 978-0800719876
January 2012/370 pages/$14.99

   The Bee Man, Stern Fern, the mysterious Man in the Panama Hat and more are all interesting characters who come together in The Keeper, written by Suzanne Woods Fisher.  The book begins with Julia, a beautiful but strong-willed Amish young lady, who has her heart broken by the same man- for the second time.  I will admit that at the beginning she was not my favorite character, but I later discovered that first looks can be deceiving.  She wants someone to blame for her heartache and strikes out at the handsome and wayward, Roman, also known as The Bee Man.  All the girls are in love with him (except Julia!) but he’s just not interested in settling down.  He has no ties to anyone and seems to have not a care in the world.  Once again, appearances can be deceiving.  Where does he come from?  What is his story?  
   Along the way we are introduced to the members of Julia’s family- innocent and faithful Menno, unsure and soft spoken Sadie, tomboyish and spunky M.K. and their loving but ailing father, Amos Lapp.  They are searching for guidance at Windmill Farm and it comes in a way they never expected.  Each character has their faith tested but they discover that God was in control through it all.  Such amazing reassurance!  I really had no idea how the book would end and was held in delicious suspense!  
   The glimpse into the world of the Amish is delightful.  I fell in love with the characters in “The Keeper”, especially Sadie as I saw so much of myself in her.  Amish or not, you will see yourself in one or more of the richly written characters.  I loved that you were given a chance to look into their thoughts and find their secrets and dreams.  Laugh, cry and fall in love with The Keeper.  It will be a book that you want to share with friends- just be sure they return it to you.:)

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 Woods Fisher:

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 someone's underwear in its mouth.

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

You can purchase The Keeper here!

Enter 1/3 - 1/17. RSVP for Party today!

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!

Tell your friends on FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Good luck and we hope to see you on the 17th at 5:00 PM PST (6:00 MST, 7:00 CST, 8:00 EST)! 

Blog Tour Schedule:

http://litfusegroup.com/blogtours/text/13447903  

*I received a free copy of The Keeper in exchange for my honest opinion.*