The Keeper



Giveaway!



FISHER, SUZANNE WOODS
THE KEEPER

A family. A farm. A heart. All in need of repair.

Life on Windmill Farm hasn't been the same since Julia Lapp's father has had trouble with his heart. But that doesn't stop Julia from hoping for a bright future. She has planned on marrying Paul Fisher since she was a girl. Now twenty-one, she looks forward to their wedding with giddy anticipation. But when Paul tells her he wants to postpone the wedding -- again -- she is determined to change his mind. She knows who is to blame for Paul's sudden reluctance to wed: the Bee Man.

Roman Troyer, the Bee Man, travels through the Amish communities of Ohio and Pennsylvania with his hives of bees, renting them out to farmers in need of pollinators. A mysterious man who relishes his nomadic life, Roman especially enjoys bringing his bees to Stoney Ridge each year. But with Julia seriously at odds with him, Windmill Farm is looking decidedly less appealing.

Can Julia secure the future she's always dreamed of? Or does God have something else in mind?

My Review:

A pure delight! I'm trying to figure out a way to convey the magic in this book. It's more a family tale than a traditional hero/heroine romantic story. Fisher shares equal time amongst the most engaging characters and frankly -- M.K. totally steals the show! She's Julia's eleven-year-old sister. She has the verbosity of Anne Shirley, the adventurous spirit of Pippi Longstocking and the quick wit of Hermione Granger -- what a hoot! And don't get me started on Uncle Hank...or sweet, simple Menno...or Stern Fern...gracious she needs a whole review on her own! Let's just say this is one Amish family the likes of which you've never met between the pages of a book before.

Okay, so I've established that the characterization in The Keeper is stellar. Well, so is the plot and while there is a lot going on in the story, Julia's romance (or lack thereof) is one of the common threads that binds everything together.  But there's a mystery too -- and heart-rending drama -- not to mention laughter in some of the toughest places. And a surprise that will steal your breath away and a conclusion that will leave you changed forever. The Keeper is definitely a keeper! And bonus -- it's the first of a series and the whole family will be back again in August 2012 (The Haven) and January 2013 (The Lesson).

Giveaway Opportunity:

If you would like to win a copy of The Keeper, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. Please put the title in the subject line to help me identify entries. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday January 1 2012. Open internationally. Good luck!
"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group".