I love when a I receive a book penned by Suzanne Woods Fisher. It doesn't matter which book it is. Every book I have read by her has been beautifully penned and has left me waiting for the next to arrive. Seriously, when you are talking about Amish fiction there isn't another writer like Suzanne Woods Fisher. She is the absolute best.
"The Calling", is the second book in the series, "The Inn at Eagle Hill". In reading the first book, "The Letters", you don't have to read them in order to be blessed, but it will help you to understand the characters more.
Suzanne's words seem to flow effortlessly. Her novels are flawless as she does deep research to bring us the best reading possible. In this novel we meet characters that we can connect with on some level. The character I connected with her is Naomi. She has migraines and through those migraines she chooses to see beyond and tap into the gifts of God by serving others and calling upon Him. I suffer from chronic migraines so I could totally relate to her.
There is a calling on every character in this novel. Yes, there is a woman who is coming to visit Eagle Hill for a week who is a youth pastor and has just been released from her duties at the church, but her calling as she finds reaches far beyond the walls of a church building. She not only finds her calling, but she becomes friends with Bethany Schrock and guides her into fully understanding her relationship with Jesus. She teaches her to pray about everything and to be personal. This is something new to Bethany and leads her to find her calling.
This novel also brings us to understand just how secrets take hold and touch everyone in our lives. Doing right isn't always as easy as choosing right from wrong. There are so many life lessons to take away from this novel. This is one of the things I love best about Suzanne. I am sure to walk away from each book with a sense of accomplishment. That I just haven't finished a great book, but I've read something that will help me to grow.
One of the characters that stands out to me is Edith. Oh, she can seem downright mean at times. Almost hateful, but what most don't see is her sweet and tender side. A side she keeps hidden from most. There are so many characters. One is sure to standout to you.
Within these pages we find not only secrets, but mental illness and a trunk of hidden bones. What can I take way from this? We all have skeletons we'd like to keep hidden, but when the closet is cleaned there is a new peace. Love, faith, and finding our calling are all part of this novel. Healing and forgiveness are to be found also. Yes, this is one that is filled with not only a great story, but lessons to leave us closer to our calling.
This book was a gift from Revell for sharing my review with you.
Suzanne Woods Fisher is the bestselling author of The Letters, The Calling, the Lancaster County Secrets series, and the Stoney Ridge Seasons series, as well as nonfiction books about the Amish, includingAmish Peace. She is also the coauthor of an Amish children's series, The Adventures of Lily Lapp. Suzanne is a Carol Award winner for The Search, a Carol Award finalist for The Choice, and a Christy Award finalist for The Waiting. She is also a columnist for Christian Post andCooking & Such magazines. She lives in California. Learn more at www.suzannewoodsfisher.com and connect with Suzanne on Twitter @suzannewfisher.
