The Quieting Review And Giveaway!

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                                        Purchase your copy of The Quieting here.

About the Book

the quietingThe Stoltzfus family faces serious problems, both in the church and at home. Everyone in the community expects minister David Stoltzfus to fix things–fast. But David doesn’t work fast. He prefers to wait for God to work in individual hearts. However, even he is left wondering if the solution to their most pressing problem might be a Quieting.

When David’s mother arrives, uninvited, more upheaval is in store. She has matchmaking plans for everyone in the family, including David and her eligible granddaughters–and especially for David’s niece Abigail. When Abigail stumbles onto a curious connection during her genealogical research, it could help David solve one problem–but will it create another?

Bestselling author Suzanne Woods Fisher takes fans back to Stoney Ridge, delivering the twists, turns, and romance they adore.

My Review

I always enjoy reading Amish fiction as it is my favorite genre to read. However my interest level dramatically increases when the plot is something other than your typical romance or “growing-up Amish” theme. While I am not negating those are important and necessary parts of The Quieting, I felt the main theme of the story was so much more intense and exciting. I have never read an Amish book before that concentrated on issues inside the church. Suzanne did a fantastic job in broaching this trivial topic—something I have never heard referenced even among my Amish friends. I felt she wrote in a realistic and relatable way that allowed me to envision to storyline happening in a nearby Amish community.

Abigail was by far my favorite character in this book. Her personality was unlike any Amish lady I have read about. She was quite set in her ways and not afraid to speak her mind, even if it bordered on disagreeing with the elders in her family. Abigail was to the point and honest about how she felt. I sometimes wondered if she knew how to kid around as you did not see a sarcastic side to her at all. The back and forth between her and Dane made me smile. The traits that may turn most people away made Dane appreciate Abigail even more. I love to read an opposites attract romantic story line as I love to see the way the author blends their differences into a beautiful relationship. Abigail and Dane’s storyline was a wonderful addition to the book that helped soften the dark and difficult main theme.

If I had one criticism of this book, it would be that I wished Abigail would have spent more time at the Sister’s house. I feel that the sisters could have provided even more interesting information in her genealogical search to understand more about the Glick family, and how they got to their positions today. I do hope they will be in the next installment of The Bishop’s Family to provide further insight to the families of Stoney Ridge.

Overall The Quieting was exactly what I was looking to read right now. Even with the difficult church problems, I found it refreshing to find love, redemption and little humor throughout the book. When David’s mother came to “fix” things, I instantly knew she would provide the comedic relief I love. Mammi reminds us how not to act! That overbearing mother who wants to right all your wrongs. My heart went out to David and her granddaughters as she meddled with their relationships, home life, and work life. Thank you Suzanne for bringing Mammi to this story!

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review which I have given.

This review first appeared on Fiction411’s website here

About the Author

suzanne-croppedSuzanne Woods Fisher is an award-winning, bestselling author whose most recent novels include Anna’s Crossing and The Inn at Eagle Hill series, as well as nonfiction books about the Amish, including Amish Peace and The Heart of the Amish. She lives in California. Learn more at www.suzannewoodsfisher.com and follow Suzanne on Twitter @suzannewfisher.

 

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Guest Post from Suzanne Woods Fisher

Twenty years ago, my husband and I attended a large church with a dynamic senior pastor. Each Sunday, we would sit spellbound during 40 minute sermons—he was that good a preacher. And then a terrible thing came to light—this very man had been taking advantage of vulnerable women during counseling sessions. Fourteen women, it turned out, and the pastor remained unrepentant. As issues were dealt with, our entire church suffered. We were a hurting community. The sins of one affected all.

As I plotted out ‘The Bishop’s Family,’ I wanted to borrow the theme of how a leader’s sins hurts the church community. (Now, I need to clarify that this is not a novel that addresses sexual sin. However, it does address unrepentant sin in an ordained leader.) First, I spoke to some Amish friends to see if my story idea had any merit. Was I was on the right track? To my amazement, a similar situation to my novels had occurred in one Amish friend’s church, and it resulted in a “quieting.” That’s an Amish phrase that means revoking the responsibilities of an unrepentant ordained leader. Just like it sounds–he is, essentially, “quieted.”

In this novel, you’ll see the behind-the-scenes of Amish church leadership, and get a sense of how a community is hurting. And how it begins to heal, too.

This series began in the Stoney Ridge, Pennsylvania community with The Imposter. More twists and turns are coming to Stoney Ridge after The Quieting—so stay tuned for The Devoted to hit bookshelves in early October. Just in time for autumn reading by a warm fireplace!

Warmly, Suzanne

Giveaway

The Quieting giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Suzanne is giving away a grab bag of Amish-made gifts worth over $100! Click the link to enter: https://promosimple.com/ps/99a8