Charity L. (kingsdaughter1611) -
Helpful Score: 3
Today I have a review of a very interesting book I can't wait to tell you about. My first keeper book of the year!
I am not a real big fan of Amish stories. With that in mind, I loved this book! The Keeper is definitely a keeper:) The plot of this book somehow seemed different. That is one of my major gripes with Amish books is that many of the plots all center around the same thing. A girl, or guy, who is not happy with the Amish life so he or she leaves. They go through their time of sowing wild oats and then somehow come back. I am sorry, but I have read one too many like this. So I was pleasantly surprised when I got through this one.
Julia and Paul are engaged to be married. But he has already postponed the wedding once. She would never expect him to do it again. But that is exactly what happens! Let me tell you, I wanted to slap him:) In the end everything worked out for the better but at the beg. I really did not like Paul. Julia then gets upset at Roman, a traveling bee man. I really liked Roman through the whole book. Even when he was just trying to get Paul jealous.
Now, don't think this book is all roses and an easy path. I cried throughout parts. I don't want to give anything away but this has a really sad part so keep the tissues handy. I did not see this coming at all. There are twists and turns along with some mystery. Overall a good book that I really enjoyed. And like I said, it is a keeper. Not a lot of books make it to my shelf but this one did.
Available January 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
I received a copy of this book for review purposes. I did not receive any monetary compensation.
I am not a real big fan of Amish stories. With that in mind, I loved this book! The Keeper is definitely a keeper:) The plot of this book somehow seemed different. That is one of my major gripes with Amish books is that many of the plots all center around the same thing. A girl, or guy, who is not happy with the Amish life so he or she leaves. They go through their time of sowing wild oats and then somehow come back. I am sorry, but I have read one too many like this. So I was pleasantly surprised when I got through this one.
Julia and Paul are engaged to be married. But he has already postponed the wedding once. She would never expect him to do it again. But that is exactly what happens! Let me tell you, I wanted to slap him:) In the end everything worked out for the better but at the beg. I really did not like Paul. Julia then gets upset at Roman, a traveling bee man. I really liked Roman through the whole book. Even when he was just trying to get Paul jealous.
Now, don't think this book is all roses and an easy path. I cried throughout parts. I don't want to give anything away but this has a really sad part so keep the tissues handy. I did not see this coming at all. There are twists and turns along with some mystery. Overall a good book that I really enjoyed. And like I said, it is a keeper. Not a lot of books make it to my shelf but this one did.
Available January 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
I received a copy of this book for review purposes. I did not receive any monetary compensation.
Helpful Score: 3
When you turn the last page of a book and find yourself disappointed it's over, you know that book is a keeper!
I really enjoyed "The Keeper" by Suzanne Woods Fisher. There's a lot more going on in this book than the summary would suggest. The story is full of endearing characters (mostly Julia's family) and I loved every one of them (well, maybe not Paul). Each one has their own challenges to overcome, such as her sisters' resentment of their new housekeeper's stern rules, their father Amos's failing health, and Roman's mysterious past.
Although I knew the two characters would eventually end up together, I couldn't predict how. And I absolutely didn't expect some of the twists that came near the end. I suggest you have a few tissues handy when you get to chapter 20!
The only thing I didn't like much about "The Keeper" was how the perspective jumped from one character to the next so frequently. It was hard to identify with the main characters when the story gets told from the viewpoint of just about every character at one point or another. Then again, since this is the first of a new series, it makes sense that the author would try to provide a broad cast to set the scene for future books.
I really enjoyed "The Keeper" by Suzanne Woods Fisher. There's a lot more going on in this book than the summary would suggest. The story is full of endearing characters (mostly Julia's family) and I loved every one of them (well, maybe not Paul). Each one has their own challenges to overcome, such as her sisters' resentment of their new housekeeper's stern rules, their father Amos's failing health, and Roman's mysterious past.
Although I knew the two characters would eventually end up together, I couldn't predict how. And I absolutely didn't expect some of the twists that came near the end. I suggest you have a few tissues handy when you get to chapter 20!
The only thing I didn't like much about "The Keeper" was how the perspective jumped from one character to the next so frequently. It was hard to identify with the main characters when the story gets told from the viewpoint of just about every character at one point or another. Then again, since this is the first of a new series, it makes sense that the author would try to provide a broad cast to set the scene for future books.
Helpful Score: 3
Written for you by my mom. :- ))
The Keeper was a novel filled with several unexpected twistsand more than one that left me completely surprised.
The pages of the story flew quickly as I read, each engaging and entertaining in the whole book. I quickly grew to admire Julia and her tenacity in life and through the struggles it had given her. Her ability to voice her own opinions was something I admired about her character.
The story is an easy romance in how it read, but certainly was not free of its complications. Julias fathers search for a heart, guilt and lost love riddled the pages with intrigue. I did not feel bored as I read the story.
Several plot twists took me by surprise. Im usually a reader who can see around a storys curve, but this one certainly knew how to hide the surprise until it happened and I never felt cheated in how those surprises occurred.
Beginning to end, the novel was delightful, an easy read and an enjoyable one. I look forward to the next story and hope it includes more of these engaging characters.
This review is my opinion. Thanks to the publishers for my copy to review.
**Available January 2012 from Revell, a division of Baker publishers**
The Keeper was a novel filled with several unexpected twistsand more than one that left me completely surprised.
The pages of the story flew quickly as I read, each engaging and entertaining in the whole book. I quickly grew to admire Julia and her tenacity in life and through the struggles it had given her. Her ability to voice her own opinions was something I admired about her character.
The story is an easy romance in how it read, but certainly was not free of its complications. Julias fathers search for a heart, guilt and lost love riddled the pages with intrigue. I did not feel bored as I read the story.
Several plot twists took me by surprise. Im usually a reader who can see around a storys curve, but this one certainly knew how to hide the surprise until it happened and I never felt cheated in how those surprises occurred.
Beginning to end, the novel was delightful, an easy read and an enjoyable one. I look forward to the next story and hope it includes more of these engaging characters.
This review is my opinion. Thanks to the publishers for my copy to review.
**Available January 2012 from Revell, a division of Baker publishers**
I gave this book 4 1/2 stars - it was Awesome. I loved the story from the beginning, there was even some surprises that you did not see coming. I only read this book because of the good reviews and when I finally took a break went looking to see if there were more to the series. I was very happy to find that there was. I highly recommend this book.
Helpful Score: 1
Ok Suzanne Fisher, you've hooked me. Just another Amish book? Well yes, but a well written one with twists you might not expect...or maybe you would. The story centers around an itinerant beekeeper and a family in trouble...too much work to do and the father is getting more and more sick. Oh, and don't forget the bossy if efficient housekeeper!
A keeper!
A keeper!
Wendy H. (donkeycheese) -
Amos Lapp has a grave heart condition. His farm, Windmill Farm, is in disarray and his children are doing the best that they can to get the crops planted. Julia's excitement about her upcoming wedding to Paul Fisher is short-lived when he visits her produce stand one day. He's been speaking with The Bee Man and thinks they should postpone the wedding. Julia is heart-broken, as this is the second time this has happened.
Sadie is doing the best she can to cook their meals and take care of the house. But she is also shy and jealous of her sisters. Sadie is plump and she eats to take her mind off of things. Menno is seventeen, but he is a special boy - he's a bit slow intellectually, but he is gifted with animals. Then there is Mary Kate, M.K, a rambunctious young girl who just wants everything to be ok and for Jimmy Fisher to leave her alone - a neighbor boy who drives her crazy.
When Roman Troyer, the bee man, arrives, Julia is furious with him, but they need his services and his help. Roman is worried about Amos and a bit besotted with Julia. Then help arrives in the form of Fern, a bossy no nonsense woman, who is doing her duty to help out the family. With not knowing what path God has chosen for each of them, you can be sure that it is filled with love, hope, laughter and tears.
The Keeper is a wonderful read - filled with likable characters and a beautiful setting in Amish country. The troubles the characters go through and how they put their faith in God to help them through it is inspiring. The love triangles, the heartbreak of watching a parent suffer and wanting to help and the love and support of family is what makes this novel shine. I loved it!
Sadie is doing the best she can to cook their meals and take care of the house. But she is also shy and jealous of her sisters. Sadie is plump and she eats to take her mind off of things. Menno is seventeen, but he is a special boy - he's a bit slow intellectually, but he is gifted with animals. Then there is Mary Kate, M.K, a rambunctious young girl who just wants everything to be ok and for Jimmy Fisher to leave her alone - a neighbor boy who drives her crazy.
When Roman Troyer, the bee man, arrives, Julia is furious with him, but they need his services and his help. Roman is worried about Amos and a bit besotted with Julia. Then help arrives in the form of Fern, a bossy no nonsense woman, who is doing her duty to help out the family. With not knowing what path God has chosen for each of them, you can be sure that it is filled with love, hope, laughter and tears.
The Keeper is a wonderful read - filled with likable characters and a beautiful setting in Amish country. The troubles the characters go through and how they put their faith in God to help them through it is inspiring. The love triangles, the heartbreak of watching a parent suffer and wanting to help and the love and support of family is what makes this novel shine. I loved it!
Witty, fun read. Not your typical Amish romance. Loved the characters. Most bonnet fiction is a little heavy-handed in the faith department. This one delivered the same message but in a much more lighthearted way. If you have been thinking about trying some bonnet fiction, then this is one to start with as it has a much broader appeal than most Christian-based fiction.
