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The Haven (Stoney Ridge Seasons #2)

by Suzanne Woods Fisher (Goodreads Author)

4.04 of 5 stars 4.04 · rating details · 222 ratings · 67 reviews

When Sadie Lapp steps off the bus in Stoney Ridge after being in Ohio for the winter, she is faced with a decision--one that goes against her very essence. Yet it's the only way she can think of to protect a loved one.
Schoolteacher Gideon Smucker has been crazy about Sadie since boyhood. But his response to her surprising decision undermines his own reputation--and his re...more

Paperback, 314 pages

Published August 1st 2012 by Fleming H. Revell Company

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Sep 02, 2012 Jodie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012, amish-fiction, litfuse, suzanne-woods-fisher

When Sadie returns to her home after spending several months with her sister, she returns unexpectedly only to discover a yard full of visitors and cameras. What her family doesn't realize is that Sadie has a surprise of her own. Will has messed up his college career, feels like a failure in his father's eyes, and is determined to keep this latest mishap under wraps. When Will tries to clean up his own mess, he finds himself on an Amish farm and falling for a girl that is completely out of his g...more

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Sep 10, 2012 Ibjoy1953 rated it 5 of 5 stars

MY THOUGHTS!

Sadie Lapp returns to her hometown after visiting her sister and brother in law. To her surprise a lot happened while she was gone, including newcomer Will who is staying in their cabin on the farm. But Sadie has a surprise herself, and boyfriend Gid isn’t to excited about her surprise, but he is willing to marry her to keep people from talking. This sends Sadie into rages and fumes because of all people, Sid should trust her, but he doesn’t. He forgives her instead?

Again, Susan Wood...more

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Aug 31, 2012 Kianna Rose rated it 4 of 5 stars

The Haven is book two in the "Stoney Ridge Series", though because of the extra information Suzanne provides, it can stand alone. (If you haven't read book one, then you might want to, in order to get the full recap.) Having read part of The Keeper (book one), I was well acquainted with several of the main characters.

I have a fascination with the Amish. Their way of life appears to be tranquil and it is a drastic comparison to my busy city life. I realize that the Amish are not perfect people an...more The Haven is book two in the "Stoney Ridge Series", though because of the extra information Suzanne provides, it can stand alone. (If you haven't read book one, then you might want to, in order to get the full recap.) Having read part of The Keeper (book one), I was well acquainted with several of the main characters.

I have a fascination with the Amish. Their way of life appears to be tranquil and it is a drastic comparison to my busy city life. I realize that the Amish are not perfect people and neither are the rest of us Englichers. I found several characters of this book to be selfish (and they haven't changed), unrepentant of their sinful behavior and unmoved by their hypocritical ways. I know that we all struggle with sin, but there wasn't any indication of repentance. Perhaps the author wrote the story the way she did to show another side of the Amish.

The Haven takes readers on a journey into the daily lives of the Amish... with a twist. After a bomb-shell discovery, I found myself shocked! I enjoyed piecing together a "mystery" of sorts.

The plot was definitely engaging. After reading this book, though, I came to an obvious conclusion: The problems posed in the beginning of the story (Who will Sadie Lapp choose? What is to be done about an abandoned baby?) weren't solved.
This type ending leaves just enough room for another book and I'm sure that it will bring closure to a good series.

I liked part of Sadie Lapp's character. She became independent throughout the course of this book, learned to speak up and stand up for what is right. She blossoms into womanhood all while trying to figure things out for herself. Her attitude and how she kept her composure when finding a little bundle is commendable.

In my honest opinion, no one writes Amish fiction better than Beverly Lewis. Her characters, plot and romance are all well- written and well- incorporated.

I'd rate this book 4 out of 5 stars. It was slightly flawed in my opinion but did have many strong points. I enjoyed it's three dimensional characters, nostalgic location and intriguing ending that left me partially satisfied. I look forward to see how book three begins and ends and whether or not there will be closure to the problems brewing. I received this book from Litfuse Publicity in exchange for my review.(less)

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Aug 30, 2012 Brenda Casto rated it 5 of 5 stars

This book opens with Sadie Lapp having spent the winter in Berlin Ohio but now she is headed back to Windmill Farms. When she arrives she notices dozens of cars and buggies parked at the farm,and because of her shyness she dreads facing so many people. Add to this the fact that Sadie has something of her own that is going to surprise her family,something that will have tongues wagging, and the community turning against her. Meanwhile Will Stoltz is an Englisher who has been sent to babysit some...more

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Aug 30, 2012 Lisa Johnson rated it 4 of 5 stars

Title: The Haven
Author: Suzanne Woods Fisher
Pages: 314
Year: 2012
Publisher: Revell
Note: I received a complimentary copy for an honest review of this book. The opinions shared in this review are solely my responsibility. Other reviews can be read at http://seekingwithallyurheart.blogspo.... Also follow me on Twitter @lcjohnson1988
Over the winter, Sadie Lapp has been in Ohio to help her sister and husband settle into their home. When Sadie returns, unannounced, it is with a baby boy in tow. In her...more Title: The Haven
Author: Suzanne Woods Fisher
Pages: 314
Year: 2012
Publisher: Revell
Note: I received a complimentary copy for an honest review of this book. The opinions shared in this review are solely my responsibility. Other reviews can be read at http://seekingwithallyurheart.blogspo.... Also follow me on Twitter @lcjohnson1988
Over the winter, Sadie Lapp has been in Ohio to help her sister and husband settle into their home. When Sadie returns, unannounced, it is with a baby boy in tow. In her Amish village, they hear about the baby and assume that is why Sadie has been gone all winter. The real story of how Sadie came home with this little one has yet to be told outside the Lapp household.
Amos is the father of Sadie. He has had a heart transplant and takes many pills daily to keep his body from rejecting the new heart. The heart belonged to his young son, Menno, who loved to watch and keep a diary of sorts of all the finds on the Lapp ranch. Since his passing, Fern has lived there to take care of Amos and the household as well as the children.
Gideon has become the local school teacher under compulsion because no one else can take the regular teacher’s place until she has healed. Gid, as he is fondly called by some, has wanted to marry Sadie for many years. When she went to Ohio he thought all was lost. Now she is home, but with a baby? Regardless of who the father is, in his mind, he believes he will forgive and marry Sadie to stop the town gossip. What is it that Gideon doesn’t know?
There is a pair of rare falcons that decide to nest on the Lapp farm. Since they are known by the Audubon Society, the game warden decides to protect the pair of falcons. How does he do this? Will Stoltz is the game warden’s assistant who comes to live on the Lapp farm in an old cabin to help protect the birds. He is there because of the flack his boss got from a prior incident. Will though is there for far more mysterious reasons than the Lapp family knows. There is hope for Will while he lives among these simple people and is introduced into the lives of a family he never had growing up. Will receives calls on his cell phone demanding updates. Who wants updates and why?
M.K., Mary Kate, is Sadie’s younger sister who fancies herself a detective of sorts because of what she learns as she reads books. Mary Kate loves to tell others about anyone as well as any event that happens without thinking of the possible consequences to her sharing of events.
There is more to this work of fiction than I have revealed in this review. I hope you take time to enjoy this book. To say the least, there is much activity and mystery that occurs in The Haven. Suzanne Woods Fisher does a wonderful job weaving a story that will keep readers turning page after page until the last one is turned.
My rating is 4 stars.
(less)

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Aug 30, 2012 Vera Godley rated it 5 of 5 stars

About the book: (from Revell) On a warm spring day, Sadie Lapp returns home to her quiet, unassertive life in Stoney Ridge after spending the winter in Ohio.

Gideon Smucker, an awkward schoolteacher, has been in love with Sadie since childhood and eagerly awaits her return. But does Sadie feel the same about him?

Will Stoltz, a charming and impetuous college student, has been banished for a semester and sent to babysit endangered peregrine falcons nesting at the Lapp farm. He'd rather be anywhere...more

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Aug 28, 2012 Lenore Webb rated it 4 of 5 stars

I have been reading The Haven by Suzanne Woods Fisher. Suzanne was so kind as to do our Mother's Day Guest Post this year. I love how Suzanne can look at an every day life and pull out that lil nugget of gold. The pearl of the day that reminds you that there is a plan to our lives.

While reading The Haven at night this last week I really missed being at home. Still I could think of those lil pearls in my days both where I was and those in the past. Especially when I read on page 189 where Sadie...more

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Aug 25, 2012 Brandi rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: christian-fiction

Welcome back to the fictitious community of Stoney Ridge, Pennsylvania. This is the second of the Stoney Ridge Seasons series. The first book in the series centered on Julia, the oldest Lapp sister. This time around we focus on Sadie, the middle Lapp daughter.

I think you could almost pronounce this book as an Amish mystery. Sadie returns to Windmill Farm after spending the winter with Rome and Julia in Ohio. When Sadie arrives home she also brings a newborn baby with her. Most suppose it is her...more

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Aug 20, 2012 Linda rated it 5 of 5 stars

Curling up with a book by Suzanne Woods Fisher is one of my favorite things to do! Since I had the delight of meeting Suzanne in person last year, it makes her books even more enjoyable (although meeting an author doesn't ensure an automatic positive review). I absolutely loved the first book in this series, The Keeper, and was eager to return to Stoney Ridge and catch up with Sadie Lapp and her family. This one swept my heart away from the very beginning. Like Sadie, I found myself a bit torn a...more

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Aug 18, 2012 Carly rated it 4 of 5 stars

There are only two authors of Amish fiction that I consistently like and Suzanne Woods Fisher is one of them. The Haven is the second book in The Stoney Ridge Seasons series and I loved the first book, The Keeper. The Haven wasn’t quite as good, but I still enjoyed it. This book didn’t hold my attention the way Suzanne’s books usually do. I was a little disappointed by that, but Suzanne did still create a nice relaxing read that I was able to enjoy. Suzanne did maintain her charming writing styl...more

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Aug 18, 2012 Siobian rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: christian-fiction, read-in-2012, review-copy

I fell in love with the characters of this series in the first book, The Keeper, and was very excited to be able to reunite with them in the second installment. The first chapter recounts the happenings from the first book, so if you haven't read it yet you don't have to to forgo this book, however reading them in order will definitely help give you a feel for all of the characters and the back story. In this story, we get to see Sadie's protective side and I have to admit to being extremely su...more

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Aug 15, 2012 Kaylea rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: see-blog-for-more-info

Sadie Lapp has a protective nature - and that nature is about to be tested, as she arrives home from a trip to Ohio with an unexpected "package."

What is the story behind what Sadie arrives home with? How does it impact her relationships with her friends and family?

Enter into the picture school teacher Gideon Smucker, who is in love with Sadie - but her choice impacts his life in an unexpected way.

Sadie's unexpected friendship with Will Stoltz, a college student who ends up working on the family...more

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Aug 14, 2012 Casey rated it 4 of 5 stars

**This review shared with you by my mom. :-))**

A novel of secrets, twists and hidden truths, “The Haven”, latest title in the “Stoney Ridge Seasons” series is an enjoyable and likeable read with characters that grabbed my attention as a reader.

The plot’s twists definitely kept me on my toes, never quite knowing what to expect with each new chapter. The nice thing though is that none of the twists felt irrational or against the grain of “actually” happening.

Moments of humor had me laughing at...more

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Aug 13, 2012 Kathleen (Kat) Smith rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: amish-historical-romance-fiction, chick-literature, christian-fiction, christian-teen-fiction, contemporary-fiction, romance-fiction

Welcome back to Stoney Ridge! Spring usually signals the rebirth of life and the end of a long winter. Hope returns and there is beauty to be found everywhere. Now that spring is here, I want to introduce you to a few new friends!

Sadie Lapp, she lives in Stoney Ridge on Windmill Farm and today is her first day back after being away in Berlin, Ohio, and helping her sister Julia, and her brother in law, Roman settle into Roman's childhood home. While she was there she spent every day learning from...more Welcome back to Stoney Ridge! Spring usually signals the rebirth of life and the end of a long winter. Hope returns and there is beauty to be found everywhere. Now that spring is here, I want to introduce you to a few new friends!

Sadie Lapp, she lives in Stoney Ridge on Windmill Farm and today is her first day back after being away in Berlin, Ohio, and helping her sister Julia, and her brother in law, Roman settle into Roman's childhood home. While she was there she spent every day learning from a healer, an elderly Old Order Amish women, Deborah Yoder, in hopes she can bring some of that back to her home and the people who live here. But Sadie shows up at her family's farm with an unexpected bundle in her basket, a baby. How will she ever explain this to her father?

Will Stoltz, has now been assigned a task to baby sit a family of Peregrine Falcons who have made their home on Windmill Farm. Being an endangered and rare species to bird lovers everywhere, game warden Mahlon Miller wants to endure they remain that way. Since Will was suspended from the university, his father has worked out an arrangement with Mahlon that Will be permitted to intern as a game warden and babysit the falcons until the babies have hatched and are ready to leave the nest. Will isn't exactly thrilled with this new assignment and makes arrangements to stay in a cottage on the Lapp's farm to avoid causing the family any undo hardship having him there in exchange for helping out around the farm. But Will always made it a point to dodge physical labor - academics were more to his liking. Oh, this wasn't good. not good at all. But will he be able to keep his mind on his work? Maybe this was a gift in disguise.

Gideon Smucker is the newest school teacher this year at Twin Creeks School house and can't wait to teach all the kids from town this year. However he has a school boy's crush on Sadie Lapp and has since they went to school together. Now if he can only keep his mind on school work in between writing letters and sharing books with Sadie when she was in Ohio. Seems like life is about to get very interesting this spring! Hope you'll decide to join us and pick up a copy of The Haven to find out just what is going to happen next!

I received The Haven by Suzanne Woods Fisher compliments of Litfuse Publicity for my honest review and since haven't read The Keeper, the first book in the Stoney Ridge Season Series, I couldn't wait to see where Suzanne would take some of her characters in this sequel. If you haven't had a chance to read The Keeper, Suzanne does a great job at catching you up in the first chapter with where the characters have come from before this story picks up, but trust me, this one is so good, you'll want to pick up The Keeper to get the back story on all the details! I have to say, I can't wait for the next one in this series and rate, The Haven a 5 out of 5 stars.(less)

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Aug 13, 2012 Louise rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: christian-fiction

Story Description:

Baker Publishing Group|August 1, 2012|Trade Paperback|ISBN: 978-0-8007-1988-3

When Sadie Lapp steps off the bus in Stoney Ridge after being in Ohio for the winter, she is faced with a decision – one that goes against her very essence. Yet it’s the only way she can think of to protect a loved one. Schoolteacher Gideon Smucker has been crazy about Sadie since boyhood. But his response to her surprising decision undermines her own reputation – and his relationship with Sadie. Colle...more Story Description:

Baker Publishing Group|August 1, 2012|Trade Paperback|ISBN: 978-0-8007-1988-3

When Sadie Lapp steps off the bus in Stoney Ridge after being in Ohio for the winter, she is faced with a decision – one that goes against her very essence. Yet it’s the only way she can think of to protect a loved one. Schoolteacher Gideon Smucker has been crazy about Sadie since boyhood. But his response to her surprising decision undermines her own reputation – and his relationship with Sadie. College student Will Stoltz is spending the spring at the Lapp farm as a guard for a pair of nesting Peregrine Falcons – courtesy of the Lancaster County Game Warden. Will needs to get his life back on track, but his growing friendship with Sadie threatens his plans. The lives of these three individuals intertwine, and then unravel as unexpected twists create ripples through the town of Stoney Ridge…and through Sadie’s heart. Once again, bestselling author Suzanna Woods Fisher intrigues and delights with a story that explores the bonds of friendship, family, and true love. Readers will enjoy every surprise in Sadie’s story as they search for the truth hidden within these pages.

My Review:

Sadie Lap has been in Berlin, Ohio for the winter and returned home on a bright, warm, spring day to a driveway full of people, satellite dishes, and t.v. cameras and crews. Sadie is stunned beyond belief and being extremely shy is annoyed that she now realizes she has chosen the worst possible day in her life to “surprise” her family with her homecoming. Sadie hadn’t told anyone she was returning home two weeks early. As she stood there in awe with suitcases in hand, she suddenly heard the loud voice of her twelve-year-old sister Mary Kate calling “Saaaddddiiiieeee!”, then the warm welcoming of her father. They explained to Sadie that a pair of peregrine falcons have nested on their farm which has brought the local Audabon Society, and everyone in town, and the t.v. crews to film this momentous moment.

Will Stoltz, a charming and handsome young man has been banished for a semester from his college and sent to the Lapp farm to babysit the endangered peregrine falcons nesting at their farm. Will would much rather be anywhere else until he meets Sadie Lapp.

Gideon Smucker, a more quiet, awkward schoolteacher, has been in love with Sadie since they were children and is eagerly awaiting her return from Berlin, Ohio. But does Sadie feel the same about him?

Will and Gideon don’t care much for each other and at one point get into a physical altercation over their beloved Sadie. However, it is little Mary Kate who creates some of the problems and a mistake over some petite fours that aids the controversy between the two men. Who will win the heart of Sadie Lapp?

This was a heartwarming and feel good story of faith, family, forgiveness and hope. I would highly recommend this novel to anyone.

"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".

(less)

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Jul 30, 2012 Krystal rated it 4 of 5 stars

Coming home to Windmill Farm in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, Sadie Lapp is shocked to find her farm swarmed by people – even news crews. A rare American peregrine falcon pair has decided to nest on her farm; this means that Will Stoltz, an almost medical student with family and legal problems, will be staying on the farm to watch over the rare birds. However, this shock cannot outdo the surprise of finding a baby in a basket. The temporary teacher, Gideon Smucker - who’s loved Sadie for years...more

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Jul 26, 2012 Maureen Timerman rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012

This book continues where The Keeper left off...I recommend you read that book...but you can read this one alone. Enough facts are given to make this a great read.
Sadie Lapp arrives home to see people all over her farm. She is a quiet soul and does not like attention. When Mary Kate sees her, the rest of the family do too. We find that Sadie is not alone, she has brought a basket with a baby in it??
M K does what Mary Kate does best and starts the Amish Grapevine going. Poor Sadie is beside hers...more

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Dec 10, 2012 Kristin rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012-reading-challenge, amish

The Haven is book two in the "Stoney Ridge Series and I couldn’t wait to pick this book up. If you recall from my review of The Keeper, the story follows the Lapp family. I really enjoyed the first book but I felt like this one was missing just a little something—don’t get me wrong, I still enjoyed it but it didn’t really pull me in the way the first book had. I think I felt like there was no real conclusion to the ending and if these were meant to be read as a stand-alone—I would have been real...more

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Aug 15, 2012 Victor Gentile rated it 5 of 5 stars

Suzanne Woods Fisher in her new book, “The Haven” Book Two in the Stoney Ridge Seasons series published by Revell takes us to the Amish Community of Lancaster County.

From the back cover: Spring brings new life, young love, and second chances to Stoney Ridge.

On a warm spring day, Sadie Lapp returns home to her quiet, unassertive life in Stoney Ridge after spending the winter in Ohio.

Gideon Smucker, an awkward schoolteacher, has been in love with Sadie since childhood and eagerly awaits her return...more

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Jul 06, 2012 GreenIdMama rated it 5 of 5 stars

Let me start by saying that I read book 1 during a time in my life that my grandfather had passed away suffering form heart issues a long while. Though that is not why he passed, but Book 1 The Keeper was a book that hit home and touched my heart. Not only did it touch my heart, but I have been waiting for book two half way threw the book.

Now on to The Haven... Let me start by telling you how excited I was that I had been excepted to join in an other one of Suzanne Woods Fishers Book Tour with L...more

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Sep 06, 2012 Ruth Hill rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: romance

When I began reading this, I honestly didn't care much for it. I found it boring, and I wasn't really connecting with the characters. But I felt I was also at a disadvantage since I did not read the first book in the series. Word of caution--it is better to read the first book in the series before reading this one, but as you will see, I absolutely fell in love with this book in spite of this oversight.

About halfway through the book, I suddenly found myself drawn into this book, and it was all I...more When I began reading this, I honestly didn't care much for it. I found it boring, and I wasn't really connecting with the characters. But I felt I was also at a disadvantage since I did not read the first book in the series. Word of caution--it is better to read the first book in the series before reading this one, but as you will see, I absolutely fell in love with this book in spite of this oversight.

About halfway through the book, I suddenly found myself drawn into this book, and it was all I could do to put it down. Sadie is an amazing heroine, and when the truth was discovered about the main situation in the book, I was amazed. I did not expect it. And the author continued to surprise me as the story went on with Gid and Will sparring for her affections.

I cannot believe how much I have come to love Amish fiction, and Suzanne Woods Fisher is a master at it. The intricacies of the love stories, and the little surprises she delights in inserting throughout the writing truly captured and kept my attention.

The best part of this book was the ending. No, not because it was done, but because you, as the reader, are left hanging. The ending is not assured. I can see it going several different ways. One love story is tied up, but the other is not. And I did not find myself upset or disconcerted. My initial thought was "I will have to read the next book!"

The spiritual messages throughout the book are wonderfully woven into the framework of the story. It is the simple faith of the people that impresses me so much. And the spiritual journey of Will and his father could certainly speak to many who have left the church and wondering if they should go back. I was also glad to see that in every occurrence, the right thing was done.

If you like clean Amish romances, this is definitely the book for you. Read the first in the series, and then read this second book, and I think you will connect with this book even more than I did.

I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I was not financially compensated, and all opinions are 100 percent mine.(less)

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Sep 03, 2012 Paula-O rated it 4 of 5 stars

2nd book of Stoney Ridge Seasons "The Haven" by Suzanne Woods Fisher

I so enjoyed making contact again with the Lapp family in Stoney Ridge at the Windmill farm. This is the story of Sadie Lapp who has spent the winter in Ohio and is just now returning home without telling anyone-she carries a small basket which carries a surprize that will get her and her family into all kinds of trouble.
Gideon is the schoolteacher of the area now after his sister had accident and couldnt teach-He is sweet on Sa...more

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Jan 01, 2013 Shari Larsen rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shy and unassertive Sadie Lapp is returning to Stoney Ridge after a long visit to her sister in Ohio. She has a surprise for her family, but little does she know that the surprise will fuel rumors about her started by her well meaning, but unthinking younger sister M.K.

Equally shy Amish school teacher Gideon Smucker is glad to have Sadie back in Stoney Ridge, but every move he makes around her only seems to upset her. He suspects her chilly attitude towards him has something to do with Will Stol...more

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Aug 24, 2012 Patty rated it 3 of 5 stars

This is the second in the Stoney Ridge series from Ms. Woods Fisher, the first was The Keeper (see my review HERE). This tale focuses on Sadie Lapp as she returns to the community at Stoney Ridge after having spent time in Ohio with her sister - she had been studying with a healer there but felt very strongly that it was time to return home. On the return trip, while napping in the bus station she is presented with basket that contains something that will upset family and ruin her homecoming reu...more

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Aug 17, 2012 TAMMY CUEVAS rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: amish-fiction, christian-fiction

Sadie Lapp returned home from her visit to Berlin, Ohio with a surprise. Not a large surprise in size, but huge in the effect it had on her, her family and the community. When she arrived with a baby in a basket, she never imagined the chaos and confusion that would ensue.

Gideon Smucker has been waiting for Sadie to return from her trip, but he never dreamed she would not be coming home empty handed. Gideon's assumptions and well-meaning attempts to help only hinder his pursuit of Sadie. Gideon...more

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Jul 29, 2012 Gail rated it 5 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Sep 20, 2012 Mercedes Cordero rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: christian-fiction

Suzanne Woods Fisher is a great story teller. She is funny and endearing where the story needs it; sweet and tender where it calls for it; and compelling and profound where it requires it. Here we have a very well written love triangle that makes you feel for all three involved, care for each of them, and constantly change your mind when it comes to who Sadie should choose in the end. This is a sweet story of love and forgiveness.

Sadie is thrust into a situation that would be hard for anyone, ev...more Suzanne Woods Fisher is a great story teller. She is funny and endearing where the story needs it; sweet and tender where it calls for it; and compelling and profound where it requires it. Here we have a very well written love triangle that makes you feel for all three involved, care for each of them, and constantly change your mind when it comes to who Sadie should choose in the end. This is a sweet story of love and forgiveness.

Sadie is thrust into a situation that would be hard for anyone, even more so for a 15 year old girl: a rumor that her trip to visit her sister looked highly suspicious and that the baby she brought home is hers. She learns the hard way about gossip: how hurtful and unfair it is, and how incredibly fast it spreads. But through this entire situation, quiet and shy Sadie learns to find her voice, to confront things head on, speak her mind and grow up. A great example of how God uses these types of situations in our life for our own good. However, although Sadie certainly did need to grow up and stand up for herself, I think the author forgot that she is only 15 years old: she sounds way too mature, too wise when handing out advice to much older people. A 21 year old or maybe even an 18 year old Sadie would have made more sense.

Now, in this story we not only get to see Sadie’s side of things; we see Gideon’s and Will’s points of view, as well as Sadie’s father’s and M.K.’s points of view. And that is one point of view too many. I don’t mind her father’s side of the story simply because it’s not Sadie’s love story alone, but her father’s as well. And I loved seeing him sort out his feelings for Fern, my favorite character in this series. But M.K, Sadie’s youngest sister, is too annoying for me and I constantly wished there was less of her. The way she is written, she is mostly a caricature, an exaggeration.

The story kept my interest and my anticipation all the way through. I wanted to see Sadie’s father happy with Fern, a remarkable, very well written character; a sweet and caring woman disguised as a stern housekeeper. But mostly, of course, I wanted to see the resolution of this funny and interesting love triangle. Sadly, however, I was disappointed. Although the story is a great journey, the ending left me without closure; it was too open and inconclusive. Sadie’s final and most expected choice is mostly implied. In the end, we didn’t get to see much of Sadie, so her thought process was lost on me. However, although disappointed with the ending, the story is so well written, the characters so likable (well, most of them anyway) that I still felt satisfied.

*I received a copy of this book from Revell through The Christian Manifesto in exchange of an honest review.(less)

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Aug 11, 2012 Laura rated it 5 of 5 stars

Title: THE HAVEN
Author: Suzanne Woods Fisher
Publisher: Revell
August 2012
ISBN: 978-0800719883
Genre: Inspirational/Amish

Sadie Lapp is returning home to her family after visiting her newlywed sister, and in the bus station she finds an abandoned baby. Or maybe the baby found her. Not knowing what to do with the baby boy, she takes him home with her, but this seems to be a grave mistake. Everyone assumes the baby is Sadie’s and that she went away to have the baby where no one would know her!

Her boy...more

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Feb 12, 2013 Judy rated it 5 of 5 stars

A Story About Forgiveness!

I really enjoyed this book and picked it up as often as I could. It is one of those stories' that grabs you from the first page to the last page.

Sadie Lapp returns home after spending the winter in Ohio with her sister and brother-in-law. She brings a surprise with her that causes tongues to wag in the community. This causes much distress for Sadie to think that people could actually think the worst about her.

Mary Kate (MK) is up to being her same old self when it comes...more

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Aug 02, 2012 Ann rated it 5 of 5 stars

Sadie Lapp plans a surprise return to Stoney Ridge after a visit to Ohio. Little does she know that part of the surprise will be on her. Although her family is delighted to see her, little sister M.K. starts a rumor fire with unthinking remarks about Sadie’s baggage.
Shy Gideon Smucker is delighted to know Sadie is back in Stoney Ridge, but every move he makes around her only seems to upset her. He suspects her chilly attitude toward him has something to do with the wildlife intern living on th...more

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About Suzanne Woods Fisher

In no particular order, Suzanne Woods Fisher is a wife, mother, writer, lifelong student of the Bible, raiser of puppies for Guide Dogs for the Blind, a gardener and a cook...the latter two with sporadic results.

Suzanne has loved to write since she was a young teen. After college, she started to write for magazines and became a contributing editor for Christian Parenting Today magazine. Her family...more

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The Choice (Lancaster County Secrets, #1)

The Waiting (Lancaster County Secrets, #2)

The Search (Lancaster County Secrets, #3)

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The Haven (Stoney Ridge Seasons #2)

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