1. The Search, Lancaster County Secrets Series #3
    Suzanne Woods Fisher
    Revell / 2010 / Trade Paperback
    Our Price$10.49 Retail Price$19.00 Save 45% ($8.51)
    4.7 out of 5 stars for The Search, Lancaster County Secrets Series #3. View reviews of this product. 32 Reviews
    Availability: In Stock
    Stock No: WW733872
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Displaying items 11-15 of 32
  1. MaureenT
    Syracuse NY
    Gender: female
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    Sweet Amish Fiction
    January 22, 2011
    MaureenT
    Syracuse NY
    Gender: female
    Quality: 5
    Value: 5
    This is the third book in this series and I've enjoyed them all. This one had me chuckling! An elderly Grandmother leading her 15 year old daughter astray! The pictures of the Sheriff chasing them still make me grin!

    Lainey O'Toole is a spunky girl and so loving. She has had a rough road in life, and love how she learned to lean on the Lord. She let the Lord teach her forgiveness and how this impacts her life.

    Product Description

    Fifteen years ago, Lainey O'Toole made a split-second decision. She couldn't have known that her choice would impact so many. Now in her mid-twenties, she is poised to go to culinary school when her car breaks down in Stoney Ridge, the very Amish town in which her long-reaching decision was made, forcing her to face the shadowed past.

    Bess Reihl is less than thrilled to be spending the summer at Rose Hill Farm with her large and intimidating grandmother, Bertha. It quickly becomes clear that she is there to work the farm--and work hard. The labor is made slightly more tolerable by the time it affords Bess to spend with the handsome hired hand, Billy Lapp. But he only has eyes for a flirty and curvaceous older girl.

    Lainey's and Bess's worlds are about to collide and the secrets that come to light will shock them both.

    Beautifully written, The Search is a skillfully woven story that takes readers through unexpected twists and turns on the long country road toward truth. Fans both old and new will find themselves immersed in this heartwarming--and surprising--tale of young love, forgiveness, and coming to grips with the past.

    The opinions express are my own I purchased this book.
  2. Christy Janes
    Age: 25-34
    Gender: female
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    Suzanne's Best Novel To Date!
    January 22, 2011
    Christy Janes
    Age: 25-34
    Gender: female
    I do believe that this is Suzanne's best novel so far! The Lancaster County Secrets Series has always had a good dose of drama, and of course, secrets, but without a doubt, this book was my favorite of all three.

    Whenever I see a character with the name Bertha, I always picture a large, perhaps bulky, woman that speaks her mind and someone that won't stand for any backtalk. Well, that was Bertha to a T in this book! There were time when she had me howling with laughter with her funny way of talking, and especially, when she tried to sound smart by using big words that she didn't remotely know what they meant. So, be forewarned...you're in for a treat with this book if only just for Bertha.

    Bertha didn't steal the whole show, though. Lainey was another character that really stood out in the story. Without making things too complicated, Lainey was a relation of Bertha, and because of a car breakdown, she found herself in Stoney Ridge. At first for Lainey, it was a temporary situation that over time, became a permanent one. Throughout her life, she's held on to her own batch of secrets, and little does she or Bertha know, these secrets are about to change their lives.

    Before Lainey could move forward in her life, though, she had to do a little housekeeping...namely in the form of forgiveness to a stepfather that was quite cruel to her. This forgiveness didn't come easily since Simon, her stepfather, had not changed much from the man she knew him to be when she was a child. One comment that her character made in the book stuck with me right through to the end--

    "...a few years ago, I went to a church service and the pastor happened to be preaching on the difference between divine forgiveness and human forgiveness. I knew I couldn't forgive others without God's help. He said that we fail in the work of grace and love when there is too much of us and not enough of God. One I understood that and asked for God's help, I was able to forgive Simon and stop condemning him."

    Wow...'nuff said.

    In case you're still wondering whether or not you should give this book a chance, let me end the guessing game for you--YES!!! Go get a copy!! You will be so glad that you did, I can promise you that. :o)
  3. Julieann Hull
    Auburn, GA
    Age: 25-34
    Gender: female
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    Couldn't Put It Down
    January 20, 2011
    Julieann Hull
    Auburn, GA
    Age: 25-34
    Gender: female
    Quality: 5
    Value: 5
    Meets Expectations: 5
    Never a disappointment with Suzanne's books. The Search is such a great mixture of humor and family drama with some romance woven through the pages, as well.

    The Search has some very dynamic characters that certainly keep you on your toes. The one that stuck out the most to me is Bertha Reihl (a.k.a. Mammi). Bertha is a woman of few words, but definitely someone you listen to. She is a woman of simple faith who trusts that God will take care of everything. However there are times when she thinks it necessary to give her assistance to make something happen. To be perfectly honest, I kept thinking that this woman is the Amish version of Madea - for those of you who may be familiar with Tyler Perry's movies (definitely some differences, but similar). There were a few times I was literally laughing out loud while reading through her scenes.

    There are also some great lessons to be learned while reading this book. Number one is forgiveness. Many secrets have been kept from people in this family for 15 years and as they are revealed some of the characters have to search deep into their heart and God's to find that forgiveness. Another lesson that stood out to me is the need to face reality and accept what God has for your life. We don't always know what is best, but God does and He uses people and circumstances to shape us into who He wants us to be. It is our responsibility to know Him and be willing to be changed. Romans 12:2 "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect."

    View my full review at onerainyafternoon.blogspot.com
  4. Abbie
    Texas
    Age: 45-54
    Gender: female
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    wonderful
    January 16, 2011
    Abbie
    Texas
    Age: 45-54
    Gender: female
    The Amish community meets the English world in a tale that has so many turns and twists it is amazing. Secretive and sweet Lainey O'Toole ends up in the one town that forever changed her life as a child - to face the split second decision she made one night when she thought no one could see. Bertha Reihl, an elderly widow, and owner of Rose Hill Farm is out on a mission to set right the events of the past and to restore her shunned brother to the Amish community and bring a lost soul back to the flock of God. Jonah Reihl had left home after a buggy accident had killed his young wife 15 years ago with the baby he thought was his daughter. Being convinced to come back he is now forced to face the past, and is set to make a decision to open his heart to love again. Bess Reihl, the wispy yellow haired 15 year old "daughter" of Jonah is visiting Bertha ("Mammi") not knowing that in this summer she would go from child to young woman and she would be the glue and example for those around her.

    This book is filled with a theme of God's grace and forgiveness - and the freedom that comes from personal forgiveness. I loved the fact that forgiveness was so central that in the midst of this story so many are faced with the choice to forgive the "unforgivable" - the one who refuses to ask for or accept forgiveness. This is the true test of one's faith - and unfortunately is the one area of forgiveness that most of us stuggle with.

    Thank you Revell/Baker Publishing for this review copy.
  5. Robin Prater
    Missouri
    Age: 35-44
    Gender: female
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    Fisher does it again with The Search!! Beautiful!!
    January 15, 2011
    Robin Prater
    Missouri
    Age: 35-44
    Gender: female
    Quality: 5
    Value: 5
    Meets Expectations: 5
    THE SEARCH by Suzanne Woods Fisher is the third book of her series entitled, "Lancaster County Secrets." I love Lancaster County and the people who live there. The Choice is the first in this series and The Waiting follows. Is it possible to have a favorite? I love them all, but, there is something about The Search that leaves you feeling complete. We meet Lainey O'Toole who makes a stop through Stoney Ridge on her way to new dreams, but something happens. It has been fifteen years since she left Stoney Ridge. Her heart cannot leave this place. There are secrets she is holding. The past is holding her future hostage. When she sees Bertha Riehl walk through the bakery everything changes. She once again feels a connection. Bertha has secrets of her own and is a woman who is determined to bring her son, Jonah, home once again. She invites her granddaughter, Bess, to come to Stoney Ridge for a summer visit. What a summer it turns out to be. Bess is the young girl who will bring her family together once again. This story holds forgiveness and redemption. Love and letting go. Will this family find the answers they have been searching for? I loved this book. It is so beautifully written and Suzanne has a way of just bringing the characters alive. It is as though you have taken a stop in Stoney Ridge and get to have a front row seat into the lives of those who live on Rose Hill Farm. This is one you will want to have for your reading collection.

    This book was a gift from Revell for it's review.
Displaying items 11-15 of 32