Monday, February 3, 2014

The Calling

GIVEAWAY

FISHER, SUZANNE WOODS
THE CALLING

Bethany's restless heart is searching for answers -- in life and in love.

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 for her future?

My Review:

I am grinning ear to ear after finishing another wonderful read from this author. Honestly Suzanne Woods Fisher can't write fast enough for me! Rich characterization and deep inspirational threads woven together with strands of humour make this an incredible story from start to finish.

This second book in The Inn at Eagle Hill series reads well as a standalone, though readers familiar with the first book, The Letters, will enjoy catching up with all the folk in Stoney Ridge. I am particularly enamoured with Bethany's younger sister, Mim, who is up to more earnest teenage hijinks. :-)

I can't help but marvel at the way Fisher managed to create an endearing hero in the form of the infamous Jimmy Fisher who has done some growing up since we first met him in the Stoney Ridge Seasons series. Honestly, there was a time when I couldn't abide that boy! Thankfully maturity has taken hold and it suits him nicely. Now if only Bethany would agree! Their romance is more complicated than most and Fisher kept me on tenterhooks the entire read.

The author tackles big questions in this novel. When is doing the right thing...the right thing? How many shades of gray actually separate black and white? More depth, very thought-provoking and just might induce some soul searching among readers.

All in all a magnificent book that deeply satisfies.


Giveaway Opportunity:

 If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of The Calling, please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca.  If you post a comment and add your email address, please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . to protect yourself from spammers. If you email me, please be sure to put the title in the subject line so it is easier for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday February 9 2014. Offer open to international readers. Good luck.

27 comments:

  1. I loved THE LETTERS and have been looking forward to reading THE CALLING! Your wonderful review makes me even more eager to get back to Stoney Ridge. Thank you for the opportunity to win a copy of this book!

    texaggs2000 at gmail dot com

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    1. Yay -- another Stoney Ridge fan!!! Good luck Britney!

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  2. I really enjoyed The Letters, so I can't wait to read this one! Bethany and Mim are such great characters- their personalities come across so vividly. Thanks for your review and giveaway!

    colorvibrant at gmail dot com

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    1. I bet you'll love Mim's story arc in this one, Heidi. I love that kid!!!! Good luck!

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  3. A great review about a great book, Fisher has done it again. Kav, thank you for the giveaway.

    mauback55 at gmail dot com

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    1. I know, Melanie -- she's an excellent author who doesn't disappoint. Good luck!

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  4. I would love to win!
    bluegrassbirdie at gmail dot com

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  5. thanks for the chance to read this wonderful novel, kav

    karenk
    kmkuka at yahoo dot com

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  6. I have read everyone of Suzanne's books since she first started writing, except I got so busy with writing reviews for our blog (and have been struggling with vertigo which slowed my reading down last year) that I didn't have time to read her last series. And that literally makes me sad. I'm going to squeeze this one in and WILL read this series and am learning better how to pace myself so that I am able to read my favorites like Suzanne's as well! Thx for the opportunity to win this, Kav!

    dianalflowers(at)aol(dot)com

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    1. You'll love this series, Diana. And the last one. That means you haven't met Mary Kate yet, have you? You absolutely must! So sorry that you had vertigo -- that has to be nasty and it hangs on for so long. Yuck. I'd have gone mad if I couldn't read. Good luck!

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    2. No, I haven't met Mary Kate. (sigh) Thank you for the well wishes concerning the vertigo---I'm having some better days now PTL! And since the books seem to be trickling in for blog, instead of rushing in at this point...time for my Suzanne fix. lol

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  7. I haven't read any of Ms. Fisher's books ~ I know, I know. What rock did I just crawl out from under, right? Anyway, I wanted to say thanks for the chance to win and for bringing this book to my attention!
    kjv1611as AT gmail DoT com

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  8. LOL -- at least you crawled out, Amanda!!! Good luck!

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  9. I would to read this book. Thanks for the giveaway.
    Blessings
    joeym11(at)frontier(dot)com

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  10. Five elderly sisters....oh, this is going to be good. Baby sister is going to fall in love I bet!

    missionwife AT hotmail DOT com

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    1. The elderly sisters are a riot. Fisher sure knows how to create characters that seem real. Good luck Melody.

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  11. I met Suzanne 2 weeks ago in Wildwood, FL. She and I have corresponded on Facebook. I bought this book for myself and one for the church library. So I have to disqualify myself from the contest.

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    1. Oh Janet, thanks for stopping and letting us you know you met Suzanne. How awesome is that?????? She seems like such a wonderful person.

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  12. I would love to read Bethanys story. I think I remember Jimmy Fisher from The Lesson. I would love to read this book.
    marypopmom (at) yahoo (dot) com

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    1. Jimmy Fisher is kinda hard to forget! :-) Good luck Maryann.

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  13. I would love to read this book. I will have to check the library and hope they ordered it. Thank you for the opportunity to win a copy.

    msbookwormlady(at)aol(dot)com

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  14. I love reading Suzanne's books. Another great author especially with Amish fiction. Thank you for the chance to win a copy.
    Karen G.
    kmgervais(at)nycap(dot)rr(dot)com

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    1. I know, Karen. Every book is fresh and exciting. Good luck!

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