Every saint has a past.
Every sinner has a future.
Published February 5th 2019
by Fleming H. Revell Company
Luke Schrock is a new and improved man after a stint in rehab, though everyone in Stoney Ridge only remembers the old Luke. They might have forgiven him, but nobody trusts him. He has been allowed to live at Windmill Farm under two conditions. First, he must make a sincere apology to each person he's hurt. Second, he must ask each victim of mischief to describe the damage he caused.
Simple, Luke thinks. Offering apologies is easy. But discovering the lasting effects his careless actions have caused isn't so simple. It's gut-wrenching.
And his list keeps growing. Izzy Miller, beautiful and frustratingly aloof, also boards at Windmill Farm, and Luke's clumsy efforts to befriend her only insult and annoy her. Eager to impress, Luke sets out to prove himself to her by locating her mother. When he does, her identity sends shock waves through Stoney Ridge.
Simple, Luke thinks. Offering apologies is easy. But discovering the lasting effects his careless actions have caused isn't so simple. It's gut-wrenching.
And his list keeps growing. Izzy Miller, beautiful and frustratingly aloof, also boards at Windmill Farm, and Luke's clumsy efforts to befriend her only insult and annoy her. Eager to impress, Luke sets out to prove himself to her by locating her mother. When he does, her identity sends shock waves through Stoney Ridge.
Available for Purchase:
AMAZON BARNES & NOBLE CHRISTIANBOOK
BOOKS-A-MILLION BAKER BOOK HOUSE
My Thoughts:
Suzanne Woods Fisher has writtent he first installment, Mending Fences, in The Deacon's Family series. This book takes the reader back to Stoney Ridge and introduces bad boy Luke Schrock. After a year of exile and 3 stints in rehab Luke had not planned to return to the community, but his bishop, David Stoltzfus, thought for Luke to truly heal that he must first face his past. Luke wasn't so sure about how welcoming the Amish would be to him considering his past, but he was willing to at least try. So David arranged for Luke to live at Windmill Farm with Amos and Fern Lapp. Of course Amos had his conditions and so did David. One step out of line and Amos would turn him out.
I really enjoyed this book!
I was immediately pulled into the story and couldn't put it down until I turned the last page. This captivating story pulled on my heartstrings in so many ways.
Luke is a character that stole my heart. He has a checkered past in Stoney Ridge where his childhood mischief led to becoming involved with alcohol as a way to escape his thoughts and feelings. This character felt so real to me. I can feel his anxiety about returning home and knowing he's really not welcomed or wanted which is only compounded by his mother not being their to meet his bus. His one stability is David and his support on returning. As Luke begins on his list of people to appologize to his eyes begin to open as to how his mischief could have a negative impact on people. He honestly never dreamed the outcome of some and it deeply bothered him to the point he wanted to make amends.
Isabella "Izzy" Miller was invited to stay at Windmill Farm by Amos and Fern. She is not Amish, but as a child she lived next door to an Amish family and has fond memories of them. In the year she has been staying at Windmill Farm she has easily adapted to the the plain life, but she has also been secretly looking for her mom. She is looking for answers to questions that have plagued her life for so long. She loves the farm and loves selling fruits/vegetables at the farm stand. After everything she has heard about Luke's past and with his arrival at the farm Izzy refuses to let his drama have an impact on her life, even when he reaches out a hand in friendship.
This is a wonderful story about second chances on many levels.
It includes elements of forgiveness, second chances, humor, engaging characters, turmoil, tension, faith, and love. This is a book I would recommend to anyone who loves Amish stories or a good, clean read.
**I received this book from the publisher as part of their book bloggers program. I was not expected to write a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
BOOKS-A-MILLION BAKER BOOK HOUSE
My Thoughts:
Suzanne Woods Fisher has writtent he first installment, Mending Fences, in The Deacon's Family series. This book takes the reader back to Stoney Ridge and introduces bad boy Luke Schrock. After a year of exile and 3 stints in rehab Luke had not planned to return to the community, but his bishop, David Stoltzfus, thought for Luke to truly heal that he must first face his past. Luke wasn't so sure about how welcoming the Amish would be to him considering his past, but he was willing to at least try. So David arranged for Luke to live at Windmill Farm with Amos and Fern Lapp. Of course Amos had his conditions and so did David. One step out of line and Amos would turn him out.
I really enjoyed this book!
I was immediately pulled into the story and couldn't put it down until I turned the last page. This captivating story pulled on my heartstrings in so many ways.
Luke is a character that stole my heart. He has a checkered past in Stoney Ridge where his childhood mischief led to becoming involved with alcohol as a way to escape his thoughts and feelings. This character felt so real to me. I can feel his anxiety about returning home and knowing he's really not welcomed or wanted which is only compounded by his mother not being their to meet his bus. His one stability is David and his support on returning. As Luke begins on his list of people to appologize to his eyes begin to open as to how his mischief could have a negative impact on people. He honestly never dreamed the outcome of some and it deeply bothered him to the point he wanted to make amends.
Isabella "Izzy" Miller was invited to stay at Windmill Farm by Amos and Fern. She is not Amish, but as a child she lived next door to an Amish family and has fond memories of them. In the year she has been staying at Windmill Farm she has easily adapted to the the plain life, but she has also been secretly looking for her mom. She is looking for answers to questions that have plagued her life for so long. She loves the farm and loves selling fruits/vegetables at the farm stand. After everything she has heard about Luke's past and with his arrival at the farm Izzy refuses to let his drama have an impact on her life, even when he reaches out a hand in friendship.
This is a wonderful story about second chances on many levels.
It includes elements of forgiveness, second chances, humor, engaging characters, turmoil, tension, faith, and love. This is a book I would recommend to anyone who loves Amish stories or a good, clean read.
**I received this book from the publisher as part of their book bloggers program. I was not expected to write a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Loved that phrase you wrote: "a story about second chances on many levels." Spot-on, Katrina! Thank you for such a thoughtfully written review! I know those take time--it's not easy to summarize a story! So pleased you enjoyed it, Katrina. Warmly, Suzanne
ReplyDeleteSuzanne, I loved this story. I wonder if people ever stop and consider how their words or actions affect others. I don't always think about it. I think Luke shows that if people had to right wrongs it would open their eyes to a lot of things. Thank you for stopping by.
ReplyDeleteBlessings