The Choice (Lancaster County Secrets Book #1): A Novel

For as long as I have been familiar with the Amish and their lifestyle, I have been fascinated with them. When I was a child, my family and I visited Pennsylvania and the Lancaster, Pennsylvania area. I have also visited Amish country in Ohio (the Berlin area) and Shipshewana, Indiana, which is also well known for a gigantic swap meet. I have read books about the Amish, both fiction and non-fiction. I always considered them to be a pure and holy people.Suzanne Woods Fisher ([...]) has expertise in the subject of the Anabaptist culture (of which the Amish are a part). Her grandfather, W.D. Benedict, was raised in the Old Order German Baptist Brethren Church in Franklin County, Pennsylvania.Book One in the Lancaster County Series, `The Choice' by Suzanne Woods Fisher, tells the story of Carrie Weaver, who lives in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. She grew up as an Amish, but is leaning toward leaving it all to marry her boyfriend, Solomon Riehl, who is a pitcher on the Lancaster Barnstormers baseball team (a real-life team in the Atlantic League of professional baseball). However, Carrie's father, Jacob, has reservations about Solomon, and certainly would not approve of Carrie marrying Sol and leaving the church.Mrs. Woods does a wonderful job of showing the calmness and peace that is evident in the lives of the Amish. She also points out the fact that they focus a great deal on rules and regulations, and don't necessarily focus on relationship between God and man, which is what Christianity is all about (or is supposed to be). One of the other characters in the novel, Abel Miller, who grew up in an Amish community in Ohio, began to follow Christ when he spent some time in prison. He lived for a while as an Englisher (the term the Amish use for outsiders aka the rest of us!) and relocated to Carrie's Amish community in Pennsylvania. He was judged by some (for following the Lord His own way) and encouraged and loved by others.Redemption is another primary theme in this book. Mattie, Carrie's best friend, made the observation that many of her friends and family members were stuck in feelings of guilt and self-blame. People who are so filled with regret about the past, things that can't be changed. That point resonated with me. Guilt and shame seem to be a real problem to people who grew up in a religion which focuses more on sins than on the love of God and His forgiveness. Instead, He wants to forgive our sins and keep moving forward - in His strength.It is interesting that when I first learned about the Amish, and was so intrigued and placed them as a culture on a pedestal, I was in a similar place in my walk with the Lord. I did not necessarily know Him; I was following the rules that were imposed by the church in which I was raised. Now I see that, for many of the Amish, they are following traditions, not the Good Shepherd. I pray that they will come to know Him, and that they will see, as Abel did, that God is Love, not tradition and rules, and that He wants to establish a personal relationship with each one of them. I pray that this book will find its ways into their hands.I loved this book, and look forward to reading the next books in the Lancaster County Secret series, as well as doubling back, and reading the Suzanne Woods Fisher titles I've missed! This book was generously provided to me for review purposes by the author, Suzanne Woods Fisher.Reviewed by Andrea Schultz - Ponderings by Andrea - [...]

This is the first Amish book I have finished reading from the beginning to the end. I tried an Amish novel a few years ago, but couldn't get passed chapter one. Therefore, my finishing it should say a lot about this novel. It grabbed my attention--the way it was written, the intriguing story plot, and the engaging characters. One of the things that surprised me about this book was the fact that it contained an element of suspense to a murder mystery. There was one plot twist I didn't see coming and I love it when a novel does that.The heroine is Carrie Weaver, a grieving woman with a broken heart who is determined to care for her hemophiliac brother even if it means agreeing to an arranged marriage. The hero is released from prison, not a typical Amish hero either. There are a few criticisms on the number of deaths that took place in the first half of the book and Emma's decision at the end of the book, Carrie's step-sister. I think it is these unique circumstances that appealed to me as a reader. It's what kept me from laying this book down as I have other Amish fiction.Deaths happen in real life, sometimes too many at once. Been there, experienced that. It changes you. It forces decisions--sometimes decisions we don't want to make. Carrie reacted no differently than she should have. I applaud her character. Also, I disagree with the reviewer who said Emma's decision wasn't realistic. Who are we to determine what is realistic in a person's life, especially a character of fiction? People we would never expect to marry certain individuals--do marry those we least expect. How many times have young couples chosen to go against their parents and their whole family to be with the one they love? It happens all the time. My parents did it. My mother didn't see her family for six years because of it--and it was completely out of my mother's character as she was always the responsible, level-headed one. Someone who believes Emma's decision is unrealistic--isn't being realistic.The romance progresses at a steady pace. It's realistic and appropriate. I was invested in the characters and wanted to see them win. You see the characters struggle with their idea of faith--traditionalism versus a freedom available in Christ. The hero became a born again Christian while in prison, but he grew up Amish. He brings fresh ideas about faith to Carrie's life. If you enjoy Amish fiction with an element of suspense, I would encourage you to read The Choice by Suzanne Woods Fisher. It's a great book!One thing I would like to say is this--even though I'm a fellow author, I do not know Suzanne Woods Fisher. We have never met nor conversed by email or on writing loops--that I can recall. I downloaded this novel on my Kindle and decided I wanted to give Amish fiction another try.

At the heart of this story is Carrie a young amish girl, planning to run away with Sol a young Amish man, who wants to play baseball. But, then her Father dies and Carrie cannot leave her young brother with her stepmother. Sol refuses to take Andy as well, so reluctantly she let's him leave alone. Her late Father had always wanted her to marry Daniel a young man that she does not know well, although Carrie does not love Daniel, she marries him for her brothers sake.The book takes us through many life changing events for Carrie, and we get to see her grow as a person, learning what she really wants from life. By the end of the story Carrie full circle and is where she needs to be.I really liked this book the story was well told, the characters were well developed, I felt the author found the right balance between the things happening to the characters in the book, the Amish way of life and their religious beliefs. A job well done.

There were more problems in this than the usual among the Amish in other books. More contact with the "English" and such things as struggling to pay taxes, & for those that left ,their struggles outside the community. The difficulty in returning too, was also well described. Somehow it made their choice to stay a lot less cut & dried than previously. Other forms of Christianity, land developers, arson, accidents, hereditary illness, widowhood, & many trials & joys to were also included. Most of the characters seemed realistic & the gentle plain life nowhere near as easy as often pictured. Thoroughly enjoyable. Looking out for book 2.

Ever since watching Witness starring Harrison Ford I have always found the Amish way of life interesting and have read a few books set around Amish life.This was a good one although unfortunately for me I read the reviews beforehand and one review was full of spoilers so that ruined the story a little for me.The other books in the series look just as interesting. Never read this author before but enjoyed her writing style. Good free read.

Many twists and turns, the ending wasn't predictable till the last page, there were peeps at what it might be along the way but no clear pointers. I love the way their faith permeates their everyday life, especially the way they help each other so selflessly in hard and difficult times. Thank you to the author for such a good read, I feel as if I really know the characters.

This is the 1st book in the series & found it very good, i enjoyed the twists & turns not your typical book with the different people in the bookMy only moan was i felt the ending could have been dealt with better now not sure if they will be carried over in to the other books in the series, i did like the ending for Emma