Bethany Schrock's love life has derailed, her faith hangs by a thread, and she is spending hot summer days wading through a lifetime of accumulation at the home of five elderly Amish sisters. She's not sure what she wants out of life, but she knows that she's not finding it in Stoney Ridge.
Then a new guest at the Inn at Eagle Hill ropes her into volunteering in a community project for down-and-outers. Reluctant at first, Bethany starts to feel a bit of joy and satisfaction again. But not so much that Jimmy Fisher, adorable and impossible, can woo her affections with his winks and tricks. Well, maybe a little.
When a figure from her past reenters her life, Bethany must decide: What does the past mean to her future?
Bestselling author Suzanne Woods Fisher delivers her trademark twists, turns, and tender romance in this delightful and exciting visit to the quiet community of Stoney Ridge.
For more info, click here.
About the Author: Suzanne Woods Fisher is the bestselling author of The Letters, the Lancaster County Secrets series, and the Stoney Ridge Seasons series, as well as nonfiction books about the Amish, including Amish Peace. She is also the coauthor of an Amish children's series, The Adventures of Lily Lapp. Suzanne is a Christy Award finalist, a Carol Award winner, and a columnist for Christian Post and Cooking & Such magazines. She lives in California.
For more information, please visit www.suzannewoodsfisher.com and connect with her on Twitter @suzannewfisher.
My Take:
I read the first novel in this series at the end of last year (you can read my review here), and it was entertaining overall. There are lots of characters and storylines to keep straight in these books, and, even though this gives the books more depth and keeps them more realistic, it is sometimes difficult to keep everything straight.
Even though this is the second book in the series, it seemed as if the characters were even harder to keep straight in this one. I also didn't connect as well with Bethany as I did with Rose in the previous novels. Most likely it's because I am closer in age to Rose. I thought Bethany was a very interesting and entertaining character in the first novel, and I found this to be the case again. I just wasn't as emotionally invested in her or in her relationships. However, there were some issues that were brought up in this novel that were handled very well.
The Sisters in the story were also very entertaining (why does an Amish family of four sisters have so many things?!), and Bethany's relationship with them was unique and made for some fun plot twists. To me these weren't entirely realistic, but I don't need that to be the complete focus in a fiction novel. Those types of things make the novel more fun to read.
Not only were there tons of characters in this novel, but there were many different plots as well. These varied plots seemed to step on one another at times and sometimes didn't seem to be related. It almost felt like reading disconnected observations rather than a composite story, although thins did come together closer to the end.
Although things did wrap up more at the end of this novel, there were still things that will need to be played out in the next book.
The Calling is a nice novel that deals with some complex issues with grace and hope.
I will give The Calling ... 3 BookWorms.
The Calling
by Suzanne Woods Fisher
The Inn at Eagle Hill #2
Revell Publishers
Publication date: January 14, 2014
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Revell Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this is accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."
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