The Choice

I'm a guy, and guys probably aren't supposed to read Amish romance books - but oh well. If I did what everyone else thought I should do, or not do, I'd never have any fun. I have read a few in my lifetime. One of my favorite vacation spots, second only to The Outer Banks, is Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, so I do enjoy books that take place there, such as this one. I haven't read a lot of Amish books of this type, but I do think it is one of the best I have read. Move aside, Beverly Lewis, you have some new competition! There is a lot of Amish beliefs/traditions in the book, but through one of the characters, there is also shown grace, and a side of God the Amish don't normally see - and I am afraid some of us non-Amish never see - the God of love and grace. The book is a good story - very likable characters, and it has its low places and high, sad and happy - but among the great story is the message that we can know we are going to Heaven, and God does love us and want a relationship with us - not just a far off worship of fear. This is Suzanne Woods Fisher's first novel, and I would say she hit one out of the ballpark with this one.

I read alot of Christian fiction and alot of Amish novels by different authors. "The Choice" was by far an awesome book; well written and kept my attention all the way through. I saw the theme of forgiveness throughout the book and so true that life is easier when we forgive. I like the part where the characters made a point of saying that we can get "stuck" amd not move forward. I am looking forward to reading the next book in this series.

Carrie Weaver was in love, with Sol and they had plans. Big plans. They were going to run away, however before that could happen, Carrie's dad, who had hemophelia was kicked in the head by a horse and died. Carrie knew that now her life would mean always taking care of her younger brother, who also had hemophelia. Would Sol, be willing to take on a new wife and her little brother? Daniel Miller was a dark young man, a young man carrying a heavy heavy burden. His father, was a close friend of Jacob Weaver's Carrie's father, and they had come for a visit to scout out buying a small farm in the area. A turn of events, finds Daniel marrying, maybe for convience for both of them but he finds himself falling in love. Will love lighten the heavy burden he is carrying in his heart. An Amish story like no other story I have ever read Suzanne W. Fisher has presented us with a 5 star story, a book to hold on to and read over and over. The exciting thing about this book, is it is book one, which means there will be a book two, The Waiting to be released in October 2010. Definitely a book that will hold your interest. You will laugh, cry and shake your head in amazement. [...] (Thanks Revell!!)

THE CHOICE is the first book in Ms. Fisher's Lancaster County Secrets series. I couldn't help but fall in love with Carrie as she struggles to find herself among many sudden, shocking changes, but I think Carrie definitely came out ahead, learning to lean more and more on God as each event unfolds. Some of the events in the first third of the book were quite unexpected and broke my heart. But while I would have liked to not have read about some of the events that transpired, the book ultimately had a happy ending, and I was sad that it ended. I thoroughly enjoyed reading THE CHOICE and am looking forward to Ms. Fisher's second book in the series, The Waiting, coming in October 2010.

As one who loves books but gets easily bored I must say I couldn't put The Choice down. Just when I thought it was becoming predictable there were good twists that kept me going. Ms. Fisher has a great way of using phrases to add color such as "(s)he decided this must be what it felt like to tuck an octopus into bed. An arm or two kept popping out." This book also gives you some insight into the Amish community, an added bonus!