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The Amish of Bee County #1
The Beekeeper's Son
A strange, mystical place allows Deborah and Phineas to see themselves and others with new eyes.
When Deborah Lantz arrives in Bee County, Texas, she expects to find a great oasis of citrus groves and olive trees. Instead, she finds a tiny Amish district struggling to make ends meet on a barren, drought-stricken land. Deborah longs to go home to the lush, green countryside of Tennessee, but she wants her mother, a widow with six children, to be happy again. Even if that means accepting Stephen as her future stepfather. She can't believe God created such an ugly place filled with strange animals, twisted, stunted trees, and not a drop of rain for months. Then she meets the beekeeper's son. Phineas King's face is disfigured by scars from an accident that killed his mother and destroyed his trust in God. Through their encounters both begin to realize the beauty in all of God's creation. Deborah walks through the strange land of figs, Mexican squash, and wild cucumbers to see Phineas, who finds solace in his work keeping the bee hives and harvesting honey for his father. Both are rarely alone, but always lonely. Deborah begins to see Bee County through Phineas' eyes and Phineas learns to see himself through hers.
When Deborah Lantz arrives in Bee County, Texas, she expects to find a great oasis of citrus groves and olive trees. Instead, she finds a tiny Amish district struggling to make ends meet on a barren, drought-stricken land. Deborah longs to go home to the lush, green countryside of Tennessee, but she wants her mother, a widow with six children, to be happy again. Even if that means accepting Stephen as her future stepfather. She can't believe God created such an ugly place filled with strange animals, twisted, stunted trees, and not a drop of rain for months. Then she meets the beekeeper's son. Phineas King's face is disfigured by scars from an accident that killed his mother and destroyed his trust in God. Through their encounters both begin to realize the beauty in all of God's creation. Deborah walks through the strange land of figs, Mexican squash, and wild cucumbers to see Phineas, who finds solace in his work keeping the bee hives and harvesting honey for his father. Both are rarely alone, but always lonely. Deborah begins to see Bee County through Phineas' eyes and Phineas learns to see himself through hers.
339 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 12, 2015
105 people are currently reading
1310 people want to read
About the author
Kelly Irvin
85 books804 followersBest-selling author Kelly Irvin splits her writing time between Amish romances and romantic suspense. Her latest release is Trust Me (2/8/22), a romantic suspense novel set in San Antonio's historic art district. It explores broken trust and whether trust can ever be restored. Publishers Weekly called it a "whirlwind romantic thriller" and "an emotional rollercoaster."
Her latest Amish romance is Love's Dwelling, the first book in the Amish Blessings series, which released in July 2021. The series takes place in Yoder and Haven, Kansas, and looks at adoption among the Amish. The series follows her Amish romance series, Amish of Sky Country includes Mountains of Grace, followed by The Long Bridge Home, and Peace in the Valley. The series explores Amish communities in northwest Montana and how they are impacted by wildfires.
Other romantic suspense novels include Her Every Move, which Publishers Weekly called gripping suspense and said, "loving descriptions of San Antonio’s attractions enhance the well-paced plot."
The publication called Closer Than She Knows a "brisk, smoothly written, thriller."
Kelly's Every Amish Season series includes Upon A Spring Breeze, Beneath the Summer Sun, Through the Autumn Air, and With Winter's First Frost from Zondervan/HarperCollins Christian Publishing. This follows the Amish of Bee County series, The Saddle Maker's Son, released in June 2016. It is an ECPA bestseller. It follows The Bishop's Son, and the critically acclaimed bestseller, The Beekeeper's Son, which earned a starred review from Publishers Weekly. The reviewer called it "a beautifully woven masterpiece." The Beekeeper's Son was a finalist in the romance category of the 2016 ACFW Carol Awards Contest.
Kelly is also the author of the Bliss Creek Amish series and the New Amish Amish series. The first series includes To Love and To Cherish, A Heart Made New, and Love’s Journey Home, published by Harvest House. The New Hope Amish series includes Love Still Stands, followed by Love Redeemed, which was an ACFW Carol Award finalist, and A Plain Love Song.
Kelly has also penned two other romantic suspense novels, A Deadly Wilderness and No Child of Mine..
The Kansas native is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and ACFW's San Antonio local chapter Alamo City Christian Fiction Writers.
A graduate of the University of Kansas William Allen White School of Journalism, Kelly has been writing nonfiction professionally for thirty years. She studied for three semesters at the University of Costa Rica, learning the Spanish language. As a journalist, she worked six years in the border towns of Laredo and El Paso.
She worked in public relations for the San Antonio Parks and Recreation Department for 22 years before retiring earlier this year. Kelly has been married to photographer Tim Irvin for twenty-eight years. They have two young adult children and have three grandchildren. In her spare time, she likes to write short stories, read books by her favorite authors, and looks forward to visits with her grandchildren.
Her latest Amish romance is Love's Dwelling, the first book in the Amish Blessings series, which released in July 2021. The series takes place in Yoder and Haven, Kansas, and looks at adoption among the Amish. The series follows her Amish romance series, Amish of Sky Country includes Mountains of Grace, followed by The Long Bridge Home, and Peace in the Valley. The series explores Amish communities in northwest Montana and how they are impacted by wildfires.
Other romantic suspense novels include Her Every Move, which Publishers Weekly called gripping suspense and said, "loving descriptions of San Antonio’s attractions enhance the well-paced plot."
The publication called Closer Than She Knows a "brisk, smoothly written, thriller."
Kelly's Every Amish Season series includes Upon A Spring Breeze, Beneath the Summer Sun, Through the Autumn Air, and With Winter's First Frost from Zondervan/HarperCollins Christian Publishing. This follows the Amish of Bee County series, The Saddle Maker's Son, released in June 2016. It is an ECPA bestseller. It follows The Bishop's Son, and the critically acclaimed bestseller, The Beekeeper's Son, which earned a starred review from Publishers Weekly. The reviewer called it "a beautifully woven masterpiece." The Beekeeper's Son was a finalist in the romance category of the 2016 ACFW Carol Awards Contest.
Kelly is also the author of the Bliss Creek Amish series and the New Amish Amish series. The first series includes To Love and To Cherish, A Heart Made New, and Love’s Journey Home, published by Harvest House. The New Hope Amish series includes Love Still Stands, followed by Love Redeemed, which was an ACFW Carol Award finalist, and A Plain Love Song.
Kelly has also penned two other romantic suspense novels, A Deadly Wilderness and No Child of Mine..
The Kansas native is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and ACFW's San Antonio local chapter Alamo City Christian Fiction Writers.
A graduate of the University of Kansas William Allen White School of Journalism, Kelly has been writing nonfiction professionally for thirty years. She studied for three semesters at the University of Costa Rica, learning the Spanish language. As a journalist, she worked six years in the border towns of Laredo and El Paso.
She worked in public relations for the San Antonio Parks and Recreation Department for 22 years before retiring earlier this year. Kelly has been married to photographer Tim Irvin for twenty-eight years. They have two young adult children and have three grandchildren. In her spare time, she likes to write short stories, read books by her favorite authors, and looks forward to visits with her grandchildren.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 180 reviews
May 4, 2017
3.5 stars
Review to come
My first ever plunge into Amish romance was a good experience.
Review to come
My first ever plunge into Amish romance was a good experience.
August 6, 2018
i have a huge interest in armish life for some reason.
so of course i enjoy reading about it!
but this book was one of the best i have read in a long time.
the writing is very well done, i really enjoyed how this was a romance but not in the typical sense and it wasn’t the making ich’s of the book, it happened -as it does in real life- on the side of everything else and i loved that!
i really enjoyed his this was mostly about life changes - big and small ones- choices and unforeseen ale events that make up life.
it has love, lost, family and moving on as it’s focal points in the plot and all of them were very well done.
it was wonderful to see a character on this book hat was heavily scared from an accident but was not treated as if he was someone to be avoided or horrendous simply because he had a noticeable face. i also lived that he author included the struggles this character had with himself and his appearance and how he expected people to react to him and his looks.
now i have no clue if this book is accurate in the armish life or traditions and what have you.
to me it sounded/seemed true enough and that’s enough for me.
there where a few moments in the book where i felt the author added a little bit too much unnecessary and even a hit unrealistic drama to it but at the most it lastet a couple of pages and that it was back to the much more realistic and nicely done writing and plot.
i really enjoyed this and am very excited to pick up the next book in the series to not only see where that story is going to take the next sister but also see more of abigail and what is going to happen with her as well as how deborah and phineas are getting along!
if you want a nicely written romance that has great plot and characters, both developing throughout the book - highly recommend this!
so of course i enjoy reading about it!
but this book was one of the best i have read in a long time.
the writing is very well done, i really enjoyed how this was a romance but not in the typical sense and it wasn’t the making ich’s of the book, it happened -as it does in real life- on the side of everything else and i loved that!
i really enjoyed his this was mostly about life changes - big and small ones- choices and unforeseen ale events that make up life.
it has love, lost, family and moving on as it’s focal points in the plot and all of them were very well done.
it was wonderful to see a character on this book hat was heavily scared from an accident but was not treated as if he was someone to be avoided or horrendous simply because he had a noticeable face. i also lived that he author included the struggles this character had with himself and his appearance and how he expected people to react to him and his looks.
now i have no clue if this book is accurate in the armish life or traditions and what have you.
to me it sounded/seemed true enough and that’s enough for me.
there where a few moments in the book where i felt the author added a little bit too much unnecessary and even a hit unrealistic drama to it but at the most it lastet a couple of pages and that it was back to the much more realistic and nicely done writing and plot.
i really enjoyed this and am very excited to pick up the next book in the series to not only see where that story is going to take the next sister but also see more of abigail and what is going to happen with her as well as how deborah and phineas are getting along!
if you want a nicely written romance that has great plot and characters, both developing throughout the book - highly recommend this!
April 19, 2017
4.5 stars
This book was SO GREAT. Seriously. I was happily surprised by how much I liked this book (I stayed up until 4am reading woops).
***Minor spoilers below***
Abigail, Deborah's mother, has decided to move her whole family from Tennessee to southern Texas after her husband dies. She connects with an old flame, Stephen, and wants to give romance with him a second chance. Deborah is furious with her mother for uprooting her whole family, her whole life. While in Texas, she meets Phineas, a loner (by choice) who has horrible scars and disfigurement from an accident when he was a boy. She gets to know him and realizes that beauty comes from unexpected places.
Okay yes, this book was cliche. Beautiful girl falls for broody disfigured boy. Except sometimes cliche books can go a bit deeper. Both Deborah and Phineas have their scars, Phin's is just more visible. He is haunted by the accident that disfigured him and killed his mother, and believes that he is worthless to anyone outside of his family. How could anyone love a monster like him? Phin looks for beauty outside of himself, believing that there was no beauty inside of him. And until Deborah comes into his life, he believes that love is not in God's will for him.
Deborah, on the other hand, struggles with feeling abandoned. By her mother, her friends back in Tennessee, and her almost-boyfriend Aaron. She fails to see beauty in her new surroundings in Texas. But after meeting Phineas, she stars to see Texas through his eyes...and she realizes that there is beauty all around her. Not only in nature, but also in the people. She sees past Phin's scars to the person beneath, and slowly shows him that he has worth. To his family, friends, and to her.
There is also a side story involving Abigail and Stephen, but since they were not the main focus of this book, I'm going to leave that part out. You can read the book if you really want to know what goes down with them.
Okay guys. Which one of us has NOT struggled with worth? (if you raise your hand I'll GR punch you) So yeah, this book really hits home for me. I can relate with Phin so hard. I actually had tiny tears running down my face at the end of the book. To know that you are loved and accepted for exactly who you are, flaws and all, is a powerful feeling. I loved how Deborah and Phin's relationship started out as friendship and then slowly grew into something more (slow burns get me every time). I really loved seeing the character development that Deborah goes through, and how we, as the reader, also start to "see" Texas and its people differently. These changes do not happen overnight, and both Deborah and Phin struggle, but in the end their journey is worth it.
There were some minor plot points that kept this from being a 5 star. My feelings for the book are 5 stars, but I believe the actual book is closer to a 4 star, so I compromised at 4.5.
I grew up in Amish country and am very familiar with the their culture and customs. Ms. Irvin did a wonderful job at portraying the Amish community. There is a lot of misunderstanding surrounding the Amish, and it was refreshing to have accurate information. As for the book, the romance is wonderful, and the character growth is done so well. If you are looking for something a bit different in the romance department, or you are not familiar with anything Amish and want to learn about a culture different from your own, I would say definitely pick this one up. And have a few Kleenex handy.
This book was SO GREAT. Seriously. I was happily surprised by how much I liked this book (I stayed up until 4am reading woops).
***Minor spoilers below***
Abigail, Deborah's mother, has decided to move her whole family from Tennessee to southern Texas after her husband dies. She connects with an old flame, Stephen, and wants to give romance with him a second chance. Deborah is furious with her mother for uprooting her whole family, her whole life. While in Texas, she meets Phineas, a loner (by choice) who has horrible scars and disfigurement from an accident when he was a boy. She gets to know him and realizes that beauty comes from unexpected places.
Okay yes, this book was cliche. Beautiful girl falls for broody disfigured boy. Except sometimes cliche books can go a bit deeper. Both Deborah and Phineas have their scars, Phin's is just more visible. He is haunted by the accident that disfigured him and killed his mother, and believes that he is worthless to anyone outside of his family. How could anyone love a monster like him? Phin looks for beauty outside of himself, believing that there was no beauty inside of him. And until Deborah comes into his life, he believes that love is not in God's will for him.
Deborah, on the other hand, struggles with feeling abandoned. By her mother, her friends back in Tennessee, and her almost-boyfriend Aaron. She fails to see beauty in her new surroundings in Texas. But after meeting Phineas, she stars to see Texas through his eyes...and she realizes that there is beauty all around her. Not only in nature, but also in the people. She sees past Phin's scars to the person beneath, and slowly shows him that he has worth. To his family, friends, and to her.
There is also a side story involving Abigail and Stephen, but since they were not the main focus of this book, I'm going to leave that part out. You can read the book if you really want to know what goes down with them.
Okay guys. Which one of us has NOT struggled with worth? (if you raise your hand I'll GR punch you) So yeah, this book really hits home for me. I can relate with Phin so hard. I actually had tiny tears running down my face at the end of the book. To know that you are loved and accepted for exactly who you are, flaws and all, is a powerful feeling. I loved how Deborah and Phin's relationship started out as friendship and then slowly grew into something more (slow burns get me every time). I really loved seeing the character development that Deborah goes through, and how we, as the reader, also start to "see" Texas and its people differently. These changes do not happen overnight, and both Deborah and Phin struggle, but in the end their journey is worth it.
There were some minor plot points that kept this from being a 5 star. My feelings for the book are 5 stars, but I believe the actual book is closer to a 4 star, so I compromised at 4.5.
I grew up in Amish country and am very familiar with the their culture and customs. Ms. Irvin did a wonderful job at portraying the Amish community. There is a lot of misunderstanding surrounding the Amish, and it was refreshing to have accurate information. As for the book, the romance is wonderful, and the character growth is done so well. If you are looking for something a bit different in the romance department, or you are not familiar with anything Amish and want to learn about a culture different from your own, I would say definitely pick this one up. And have a few Kleenex handy.
November 16, 2024
Oh my gosh, I absolutely loved this book! It's made it to my top five favorite books of all time. It had some key things that just make a book perfect for me. A rich depth, faith based threads, a unique setting, and a heavy story line, running deep with emotional pain. And I'll add, characters that are so well developed, I felt like I came away from the story knowing I wont forget them.
The setting is South Texas, in a very barren land. It was incredibly unique and the author painted such a vivid picture in every scene of how dry and desolate the land was. She also had a way of writing Deborahs story where I felt like I was experiencing everything as she was experiencing it, and seeing the harsh environment through her eyes. Also, as someone familiar with South Texas, I really enjoyed reading about the terrain, animals and weather.
I absolutely ADORED Mordacais character. And was so pulled in by Abigails faithfulness to God during such a hopeless season. And the ending and epilogue....yes, yes and YES.
If you enjoy Amish fiction and haven't read this book....do yourself a favor and read it! Five star read for sure.
The setting is South Texas, in a very barren land. It was incredibly unique and the author painted such a vivid picture in every scene of how dry and desolate the land was. She also had a way of writing Deborahs story where I felt like I was experiencing everything as she was experiencing it, and seeing the harsh environment through her eyes. Also, as someone familiar with South Texas, I really enjoyed reading about the terrain, animals and weather.
I absolutely ADORED Mordacais character. And was so pulled in by Abigails faithfulness to God during such a hopeless season. And the ending and epilogue....yes, yes and YES.
If you enjoy Amish fiction and haven't read this book....do yourself a favor and read it! Five star read for sure.
January 14, 2025
4.5 ⭐️
What a cute story! I liked it a lot. The characters were likable, except for one but it's okay because we're not supposed to like him, the story flowed like it should, and the ending was how it should have ended. My heart was full afterwards and I am so glad I read the book! It is rather predictable, heck, everything was, but I didn't mind it. Everything happened as it should and I got the happy ending I was waiting for, so I'm happy. No complaints here!😆😅 The message, of course, was present and thriving, reminding the characters and the reader that God is in all things and works for the good of those who love Him, something to always remember no matter who you are or what you are facing in this crazy rollercoaster ride called life.
I am so glad I enjoyed this book. I hope you do, too.😊
What a cute story! I liked it a lot. The characters were likable, except for one but it's okay because we're not supposed to like him, the story flowed like it should, and the ending was how it should have ended. My heart was full afterwards and I am so glad I read the book! It is rather predictable, heck, everything was, but I didn't mind it. Everything happened as it should and I got the happy ending I was waiting for, so I'm happy. No complaints here!😆😅 The message, of course, was present and thriving, reminding the characters and the reader that God is in all things and works for the good of those who love Him, something to always remember no matter who you are or what you are facing in this crazy rollercoaster ride called life.
I am so glad I enjoyed this book. I hope you do, too.😊
February 26, 2015
WOW! I freely admit that I am not a fan of Amish fiction. I also admit that I have not read many Amish books, nor many authors that write Amish fiction. What I can admit is how blown away I am with THE BEEKEEPER’S SON by KELLY IRVIN.
Upon receiving a copy of THE BEEKEEPER’S SON, I tossed in my pile of books in need to read and reviewed, not giving it much thought. Truth be told, at a glance I read the title as The Bookkeeper’s Son. Once it reached the top of my stack, it was then that I realized the true title. Suddenly my interest peeked.
THE BEEKEEPER’S SON is not the first I've read by KELLY IRVIN. I am not one for suspense or mystery, so once I read one of MS IRVIN’S stories that was in the genre I so love, I started to realize I might just become a fan of Amish fiction after all.
Deborah Lantz is not happy about the move she and her family is force to endure, all for the sake for her mother to remarry. Remarry a man who is nothing like Deborah’s deceased father.
Phineas King has scars. The ones on the inside are no less destructive to his life as the ones on the outside. Upon bumping into the new girl, he is not surprised at her response to his appearance. After all, it wasn't something he hasn't dealt with for the past twelve years.
Deborah’s mother, Abigail, may have come to Texas to marry a man she once turned down, and Deborah with every intention to leave Bee County as soon as possible, but it seems God has His own plan.
I found it most helpful to have a list of Amish vs English words to refer to, as well as a reference to the characters names grouped with family members. I appreciated that the Amish words were kept to a minimum. If not done so, for me, it makes for a difficult read.
This amazingly unique telling of Beauty and the Beast surpassed any hopes I had for Amish fiction. I LOVE the main characters. At first, I was not interested in Deborah’s mother’s situation, but before long, I found myself just as intrigued with Abigail and Mordecai as I was Deborah and Phineas.
I truly loved everything about THE BEEKEEPER’S SON. MS IRVIN is an amazing storyteller and writer. I cannot believe I am stating this, but THE BEEKEEPER’S SON has earned a place of one of my favorite novels. Never would I have imaged that to be true of an Amish story.
I urge anyone who is a reader of Christian romance, whether historical or contemporary, to give this amazing book a try, even if you never pictured yourself reading an Amish novel. You won’t be sorry you did.
Upon receiving a copy of THE BEEKEEPER’S SON, I tossed in my pile of books in need to read and reviewed, not giving it much thought. Truth be told, at a glance I read the title as The Bookkeeper’s Son. Once it reached the top of my stack, it was then that I realized the true title. Suddenly my interest peeked.
THE BEEKEEPER’S SON is not the first I've read by KELLY IRVIN. I am not one for suspense or mystery, so once I read one of MS IRVIN’S stories that was in the genre I so love, I started to realize I might just become a fan of Amish fiction after all.
Deborah Lantz is not happy about the move she and her family is force to endure, all for the sake for her mother to remarry. Remarry a man who is nothing like Deborah’s deceased father.
Phineas King has scars. The ones on the inside are no less destructive to his life as the ones on the outside. Upon bumping into the new girl, he is not surprised at her response to his appearance. After all, it wasn't something he hasn't dealt with for the past twelve years.
Deborah’s mother, Abigail, may have come to Texas to marry a man she once turned down, and Deborah with every intention to leave Bee County as soon as possible, but it seems God has His own plan.
I found it most helpful to have a list of Amish vs English words to refer to, as well as a reference to the characters names grouped with family members. I appreciated that the Amish words were kept to a minimum. If not done so, for me, it makes for a difficult read.
This amazingly unique telling of Beauty and the Beast surpassed any hopes I had for Amish fiction. I LOVE the main characters. At first, I was not interested in Deborah’s mother’s situation, but before long, I found myself just as intrigued with Abigail and Mordecai as I was Deborah and Phineas.
I truly loved everything about THE BEEKEEPER’S SON. MS IRVIN is an amazing storyteller and writer. I cannot believe I am stating this, but THE BEEKEEPER’S SON has earned a place of one of my favorite novels. Never would I have imaged that to be true of an Amish story.
I urge anyone who is a reader of Christian romance, whether historical or contemporary, to give this amazing book a try, even if you never pictured yourself reading an Amish novel. You won’t be sorry you did.
March 8, 2015
The Beekeeper’s Son is a wonderful beginning to a new series. I had not read any books by this author before, but I will definitely be reading other books by her in the future. I enjoyed the story from the start to the finish.
The vivid descriptions of the south Texas landscape really made the story come alive to me. I could feel the sun burning down from the sky and the parched land under the characters feet. The descriptions and interactions of all of the characters felt very real to me, as well. This book is packed with emotion and situations that these individuals must sort out.
The reader meets Deborah at the beginning of the book and it is clear that she is not happy to be moving to this small community that is so unlike her thriving home back in Tennessee. She is lonely, homesick, and heartsick over a young man she left behind. Watching Deborah’s journey as she lives, day in and day out, in this new location and tries to discover what God has in store for her, her siblings, and her widowed mother is very interesting.
Another main character in the book is Phineas, a young man who is horribly scarred and has become somewhat of a loner. He does not think there will ever be someone who can look on him without either disgust or pity shining in their eyes. His self-doubts are there throughout the whole book. It is not something easily overcome. Seeing his interactions with Deborah, which started off on a bad note to begin with, were some of my favorite portions of the story.
There is also a wonderful thread running through the book about Deborah’s mother, Abigail. She is the reason that the family moved to Bee County. An old suitor wants to court her and she must try to determine the path that God wants her to take. Does she follow her head or her heart? Is this man the person God wants her to be with? Her situation, and watching her search for the right step to take, was also a really good storyline.
This is a great start to the series and I look forward to reading the future books set in Bee County.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher through BookLook Bloggers in exchange for an honest review.
You can read this review on my blog at:
https://brittreadsfiction.wordpress.c...
The vivid descriptions of the south Texas landscape really made the story come alive to me. I could feel the sun burning down from the sky and the parched land under the characters feet. The descriptions and interactions of all of the characters felt very real to me, as well. This book is packed with emotion and situations that these individuals must sort out.
The reader meets Deborah at the beginning of the book and it is clear that she is not happy to be moving to this small community that is so unlike her thriving home back in Tennessee. She is lonely, homesick, and heartsick over a young man she left behind. Watching Deborah’s journey as she lives, day in and day out, in this new location and tries to discover what God has in store for her, her siblings, and her widowed mother is very interesting.
Another main character in the book is Phineas, a young man who is horribly scarred and has become somewhat of a loner. He does not think there will ever be someone who can look on him without either disgust or pity shining in their eyes. His self-doubts are there throughout the whole book. It is not something easily overcome. Seeing his interactions with Deborah, which started off on a bad note to begin with, were some of my favorite portions of the story.
There is also a wonderful thread running through the book about Deborah’s mother, Abigail. She is the reason that the family moved to Bee County. An old suitor wants to court her and she must try to determine the path that God wants her to take. Does she follow her head or her heart? Is this man the person God wants her to be with? Her situation, and watching her search for the right step to take, was also a really good storyline.
This is a great start to the series and I look forward to reading the future books set in Bee County.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher through BookLook Bloggers in exchange for an honest review.
You can read this review on my blog at:
https://brittreadsfiction.wordpress.c...
December 10, 2014
Do you like a book that draws you in from the start of reading it? Then look no further, The Beekeeper's Son is that book. I was on my the edge of my seat the whole way through this book.
Could you pick-up your children and move from green Tennessee to drought-stricken land Texas?
Could you have a relationship with a man you turned down in your late teen years?
These are the first two questions that Abigail Lantz had to answer before leaving her farm in Tennessee, to move to Texas to get reacquainted with Stephen, whom she turned down years ago and he lives in Texas.
Deborah Lantz, Abigail's oldest daughter, is struggling with the family move; leaving behind her friends in Tennessee, even though her family is staying at her uncle's small home in Texas.
Phineas King, the beekeeper's son, is also struggling but his is struggle of himself and his own confidence. He feels every where he goes everyone is staring at him but of what happened to him twelve years ago.
Does God have plans of healing for all three of these characters?
Can all three heal with what they are struggling with personally?
I loved this book. Loved that Kelly Irvin kept me on the edge of my seat as I was reading. I have read her work before. This one has to be my favorite book by Kelly Irvin and I can not wait to read book two in this series.
I received a free copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review. No money was exchanged. This is my honest review in my own words.
Could you pick-up your children and move from green Tennessee to drought-stricken land Texas?
Could you have a relationship with a man you turned down in your late teen years?
These are the first two questions that Abigail Lantz had to answer before leaving her farm in Tennessee, to move to Texas to get reacquainted with Stephen, whom she turned down years ago and he lives in Texas.
Deborah Lantz, Abigail's oldest daughter, is struggling with the family move; leaving behind her friends in Tennessee, even though her family is staying at her uncle's small home in Texas.
Phineas King, the beekeeper's son, is also struggling but his is struggle of himself and his own confidence. He feels every where he goes everyone is staring at him but of what happened to him twelve years ago.
Does God have plans of healing for all three of these characters?
Can all three heal with what they are struggling with personally?
I loved this book. Loved that Kelly Irvin kept me on the edge of my seat as I was reading. I have read her work before. This one has to be my favorite book by Kelly Irvin and I can not wait to read book two in this series.
I received a free copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review. No money was exchanged. This is my honest review in my own words.
August 3, 2016
Where are the Mordechai's and Phineas of this world. This was a wonderful Amish fiction read; anyone who treasures this genre go find this book! You will be transported to Beeville County in Texas where a struggling Amish community is sticking it out. Kelly Irvin's descriptions took me right there with the intense heat and sparse fields and genuine family. One of my favorite things to read about his hardship and community and this story is laced with both. It's an excellent read where so many authors are tweaking their Amish fiction these days with and English twist; you will not find that here. Just an amazing account of Amish adversity no English needed. Deborah with her spiked tongue that I quite enjoyed and Abigail with her softer ways inviting. Just read it!
September 9, 2020
A story of finding love and places that you never thought you would find love.
April 30, 2022
3.5 really
March 12, 2018
God is good; this is the underlying meaning in this book.
This is a fantastic love story between two couples who’s hearts have all taken a beating. I felt for these four people. Loss, loneliness, hope, love, fear - I’ve felt these things before and it was raw and emotional to witness it happening in this book.
Please read it. You’ll be grateful you did.
This is a fantastic love story between two couples who’s hearts have all taken a beating. I felt for these four people. Loss, loneliness, hope, love, fear - I’ve felt these things before and it was raw and emotional to witness it happening in this book.
Please read it. You’ll be grateful you did.
February 3, 2015
The Beekeeper's Son by Kelly Irvin is a lovely Amish romance. Abigail Lantz is a widow of two years and has relocated her family (four girls and one boy) from Tennessee to a small settlement in Texas. Her brother, John and his family life in Bee County, Texas along with an old beau, Stephen. Abigail's brother convinced her to move to Bee County. He is hoping romance that Abigail will marry Stephen. Abigail wants to get away from all the memories of her husband, Timothy. She loved him dearly.
Abigail's oldest daughter, Deborah, is not thrilled with the move. She is leaving behind her beau, Aaron and her best friend, Josie. Deborah is hoping to get her mother settled and then move back to Tennessee.
Stephen Stetler is a bachelor in Bee County. He is growing fruit trees and grapes on his property to make ends meet. Mordecai King and his son, Phineas have bee colonies. They sell honey, lip balm (from the wax), beeswax candles, and even bees. Both men are interested in Abigail, but only one of them will catch her heart.
Phineas King was in a terrible accident as a child. He ended up going through the windshield of the van and ended up with his face severely disfigured. Phineas also lost his mother in the accident. Doctors were not able to fix Phineas' face and he is left with many scars. It has caused him to retreat from society and keep to himself. Deborah's looks past his scars and into his heart, but will Phineas be able to open up his heart to Deborah.
Bee County is a tough area to live in. It is very hot and the soil is not ideal for crops. The people do not have much money or conveniences. They do not even have ice! The community of Bee County will have to work together to overcome many hardships, but they have each other and God.
The Beekeeper's Son is a just a delightful book. I just loved it and could not put it down. I give this book 5 out of 5 stars! Happy Reading!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Abigail's oldest daughter, Deborah, is not thrilled with the move. She is leaving behind her beau, Aaron and her best friend, Josie. Deborah is hoping to get her mother settled and then move back to Tennessee.
Stephen Stetler is a bachelor in Bee County. He is growing fruit trees and grapes on his property to make ends meet. Mordecai King and his son, Phineas have bee colonies. They sell honey, lip balm (from the wax), beeswax candles, and even bees. Both men are interested in Abigail, but only one of them will catch her heart.
Phineas King was in a terrible accident as a child. He ended up going through the windshield of the van and ended up with his face severely disfigured. Phineas also lost his mother in the accident. Doctors were not able to fix Phineas' face and he is left with many scars. It has caused him to retreat from society and keep to himself. Deborah's looks past his scars and into his heart, but will Phineas be able to open up his heart to Deborah.
Bee County is a tough area to live in. It is very hot and the soil is not ideal for crops. The people do not have much money or conveniences. They do not even have ice! The community of Bee County will have to work together to overcome many hardships, but they have each other and God.
The Beekeeper's Son is a just a delightful book. I just loved it and could not put it down. I give this book 5 out of 5 stars! Happy Reading!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
June 11, 2015
The Beekeeper's Son doesn't pull any punches. In fact, from the summary alone you know the entire story already and within the first few chapters all the details are laid out so you can easily tell where everything is headed. Even still, I enjoyed this one! Perhaps not as much as I had hoped and, at times, it can be a little over-dramatic (especially when it comes to scenes where the characters need to be thrown together somehow), but it was still a fun ride that I enjoyed taking.
For the full review and more, head over to The Pretty Good Gatsby!
For the full review and more, head over to The Pretty Good Gatsby!
April 30, 2023
It took time for me to get into the story. It jumps around between characters and offering different perspectives throughout the story. I finally got into it about half way through. The last half of the book is adventurous and interesting. I’m not sure how likely all this is with the Amish. But the author does have a pulse on how we as humans are and what love is like when you encounter it. I think one of my favorite characters is the dog Butch. His loyalties and heroism is to notch.
April 23, 2025
Słyszałam o Amiszach, ale nie interesowałam się zbytnio ich obyczajami. Nie pamiętam nawet, kiedy dodałam cykl "W krainie Amiszów" Kelly Irvin do czytnika. W końcu jednak postanowiłam też go przeczytać i tak rozpoczęłam "Syna pszczelarza".
Debora Lantz musi opuścić Tennesse. Musi opuścić swój dom, przyjaciół i wraz z matką oraz rodzeństwem przenieść się do południowego Teksasu. Jej matka - wdowa - ma poślubić Stephena, adoratora sprzed lat. Debora ma plan, że pomoże rodzinie się zadomowić i wróci do zielonego Tennesse, aby poślubić młodzieńczą miłość. Nie podoba się jej w gorącym Teksasie. Poznaje Fineasza Kinga - mężczyznę okaleczonego w dzieciństwie w wyniku wypadku, w którym zginęła jego matka. Syn pszczelarza i nowa dziewczyna w społeczności Amiszów, odkrywają, że wiele ich łączy.
Amisze żyją w zamkniętych wiejskich społecznościach, gdzie mogą prowadzić swoje tradycyjne, religijne i samowystarczalne życie z dala od wpływu nowoczesności. Ich życie pozbawione jest przyjemności, które my znamy. Dla nas może być to dziwne. Jednak w takiej społeczności na świat przyszła Debora i nie zna innego życia. Najpierw jest uzależniona od decyzji ojca, a gdy ten umiera to od matki, a potem, gdy znajdzie męża to od niego, bo w świecie Amiszów kobiety nie mogą mieć własnego zdania.
"Syn pszczelarza" wprowadza nas w życie, obyczaje tej wspólnoty religijnej. Początkowo trudno było mi przyjąć do świadomości, że jest to powieść współczesna, ponieważ z racji tego, że Amisze nie używają technologii ma się wrażenie, że powieść dzieje się setki lat temu.
Od samego początku spodobał mi się styl autorki. Poczułam się wciągnięta w powieść. Niestety o ile lubię jak akcja nie dzieje się zbyt szybko i można się książką delektować, to tutaj momentami było, aż zbyt wolno. Rozumiem, że jednak z powodu kręgu w jakim rozgrywa się książka musiało tak być, aby oddać realizm życia Amiszów.
Polubiłam Deborę i Fineasza. Dwie zagubione dusze, które uważały, że nie zasłużyły na milość.
Pod koniec akcja mocno przyśpieszyła, ale to było za mało, aby ocenić tę książkę wyżej.
Debora Lantz musi opuścić Tennesse. Musi opuścić swój dom, przyjaciół i wraz z matką oraz rodzeństwem przenieść się do południowego Teksasu. Jej matka - wdowa - ma poślubić Stephena, adoratora sprzed lat. Debora ma plan, że pomoże rodzinie się zadomowić i wróci do zielonego Tennesse, aby poślubić młodzieńczą miłość. Nie podoba się jej w gorącym Teksasie. Poznaje Fineasza Kinga - mężczyznę okaleczonego w dzieciństwie w wyniku wypadku, w którym zginęła jego matka. Syn pszczelarza i nowa dziewczyna w społeczności Amiszów, odkrywają, że wiele ich łączy.
Amisze żyją w zamkniętych wiejskich społecznościach, gdzie mogą prowadzić swoje tradycyjne, religijne i samowystarczalne życie z dala od wpływu nowoczesności. Ich życie pozbawione jest przyjemności, które my znamy. Dla nas może być to dziwne. Jednak w takiej społeczności na świat przyszła Debora i nie zna innego życia. Najpierw jest uzależniona od decyzji ojca, a gdy ten umiera to od matki, a potem, gdy znajdzie męża to od niego, bo w świecie Amiszów kobiety nie mogą mieć własnego zdania.
"Syn pszczelarza" wprowadza nas w życie, obyczaje tej wspólnoty religijnej. Początkowo trudno było mi przyjąć do świadomości, że jest to powieść współczesna, ponieważ z racji tego, że Amisze nie używają technologii ma się wrażenie, że powieść dzieje się setki lat temu.
Od samego początku spodobał mi się styl autorki. Poczułam się wciągnięta w powieść. Niestety o ile lubię jak akcja nie dzieje się zbyt szybko i można się książką delektować, to tutaj momentami było, aż zbyt wolno. Rozumiem, że jednak z powodu kręgu w jakim rozgrywa się książka musiało tak być, aby oddać realizm życia Amiszów.
Polubiłam Deborę i Fineasza. Dwie zagubione dusze, które uważały, że nie zasłużyły na milość.
Pod koniec akcja mocno przyśpieszyła, ale to było za mało, aby ocenić tę książkę wyżej.
April 1, 2017
This was an emotional read. I enjoyed this book as much as the novellas in this series that I have read, and I am looking forward to the next book in this series.
I liked the MC, Phineas/Phin and Deborah. I preferred Phin, though. They both had interesting back stories, especially Phin. I actually liked Hazel the most. She was a cute child. Abigail and Mordecai had an interesting story, too. Although, I prefer Mordecai.
Overall, I liked the ending of this book. It would have been better if both of the couples had gotten married. The parts that I liked best were the two storms. The first was a thunderstorm, and the second was a hurricane. I enjoy reading about storms. Also, I liked the beach, which is something else that I enjoy reading about.
I liked the MC, Phineas/Phin and Deborah. I preferred Phin, though. They both had interesting back stories, especially Phin. I actually liked Hazel the most. She was a cute child. Abigail and Mordecai had an interesting story, too. Although, I prefer Mordecai.
Overall, I liked the ending of this book. It would have been better if both of the couples had gotten married. The parts that I liked best were the two storms. The first was a thunderstorm, and the second was a hurricane. I enjoy reading about storms. Also, I liked the beach, which is something else that I enjoy reading about.
October 29, 2021
All while reading this book I'm thinking "this is a book my mother would like". So needless to say, it is not for me.
August 24, 2024
First time reading this author. Very good writing and story. I give it 5+ stars.
May 3, 2018
I've had my fill of Amish fiction, yet this kept my interest to the end. I enjoyed it and will be looking for more of Kelly Irvin's fiction when I'm in the mood for Plain folk and some wholesome storytelling.
December 29, 2014
How hard it must have been for Hannah, a young woman getting ready to court and eventually have her own home and family, to move hundreds of miles away. Her Dad has passed and her Mom has decided to move to Texas, and possibly rekindle a relationship with a former beau.
Bee County, Texas must have been one rude awakening when the Lantz family arrived. They had left lush Tennessee and now are in a rather barren land, in the midst of a drought. God does have plans for this family, and although you might see it sooner than the character does, it is really sweet how things are placed in their paths.
There are a lot of surprises, and actually some good information about the keeping of bees and honey production. Sometimes we test our own will against, what is really planned and where we need to be. Opportunities are presented to these strong women, and they can leave and go to other, or to what we perceived to be more hospitable climates.
We are presented with a young man who has overcome some of his disabilities at being disfigured, but he hasn’t been able to remove himself and enter the world without being self-conscious. Phineas, love the biblical names, is seeking what all Amish men want a frau and family, but he will have to put himself out where the world can see his scars.
This is a quick and heart warming read, and I hated for it to end.
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Zondervan and was not required to give a positive review.
Bee County, Texas must have been one rude awakening when the Lantz family arrived. They had left lush Tennessee and now are in a rather barren land, in the midst of a drought. God does have plans for this family, and although you might see it sooner than the character does, it is really sweet how things are placed in their paths.
There are a lot of surprises, and actually some good information about the keeping of bees and honey production. Sometimes we test our own will against, what is really planned and where we need to be. Opportunities are presented to these strong women, and they can leave and go to other, or to what we perceived to be more hospitable climates.
We are presented with a young man who has overcome some of his disabilities at being disfigured, but he hasn’t been able to remove himself and enter the world without being self-conscious. Phineas, love the biblical names, is seeking what all Amish men want a frau and family, but he will have to put himself out where the world can see his scars.
This is a quick and heart warming read, and I hated for it to end.
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Zondervan and was not required to give a positive review.
February 1, 2015
I have been so excited about this book and I can hardly believe I finally got my hands on it!
I have to admit… the first thing that came to mind when I read the blurb on the back cover was “Beauty and the Beast”!
No really – you read it and tell me it doesn’t make that story pop into your head.
“
It just goes to show… not even the Amish are immune to being singled out for their looks.”
Be warned – you won’t want to put this book down. If you pick it up, do so when you have a good opening of space to sit back and enjoy the story!
And you are going to enjoy the story! Aside from the fact that Kelly Irvin is an amazing writer, it’s a fantastic story!
Kelly has presented this wonderful story that would be more expected in a contemporary book… but it is so very believable – and that is a tremendous accomplishment when you consider the Amish are known for being oblivious to things as superficial as looks.
Read it! Love it! Share it!
A funny little note (and nothing whatsoever to do with the story but I just can’t help including it… especially since the story is at least somewhat about outward appearances)- the digital designer in me found it a little funny to see that someone goofed a little when they re-sized the Bee County logo to go on the spine… but that’s probably something no one but me would even see. LOL!
Review © JCMorrows 2015
I have to admit… the first thing that came to mind when I read the blurb on the back cover was “Beauty and the Beast”!
No really – you read it and tell me it doesn’t make that story pop into your head.
“
It just goes to show… not even the Amish are immune to being singled out for their looks.”
Be warned – you won’t want to put this book down. If you pick it up, do so when you have a good opening of space to sit back and enjoy the story!
And you are going to enjoy the story! Aside from the fact that Kelly Irvin is an amazing writer, it’s a fantastic story!
Kelly has presented this wonderful story that would be more expected in a contemporary book… but it is so very believable – and that is a tremendous accomplishment when you consider the Amish are known for being oblivious to things as superficial as looks.
Read it! Love it! Share it!
A funny little note (and nothing whatsoever to do with the story but I just can’t help including it… especially since the story is at least somewhat about outward appearances)- the digital designer in me found it a little funny to see that someone goofed a little when they re-sized the Bee County logo to go on the spine… but that’s probably something no one but me would even see. LOL!
Review © JCMorrows 2015
October 5, 2015
I read the novella in the collection by Amy Clipston, Ruth Reid and Kelly Irvin before I read this. So I knew somewhat who would marry whom when I went into the story. That contributed to the predictability of this story, so it was all my fault. I remember reading an early book by this author and thinking that the hits just keep coming. And it is true in this story. One, right after another, a tragedy occurs. The writing was stellar, but really had no passion in it. It didn't come alive for me.. Unfortunately, I didn't fall in love with any of the characters. I didn't like Stephen, whom Mamm planned to marry - and Abigail herself was disenchanted with him. But what would be the final straw, the one that ended the deal? I wanted to find out. I liked Deborah and Phineas (not real sure how to pronounce that. Fin-E-as? Fin-ease?) and the bee-keeping aspect was interesting. I wondered what it would take for Amish to settle in a non-agricultural friendly area, in the hot, hot desert of southern Texas... It takes a special type, for sure. If you are interested in Amish fiction or of Kelly Irvin, then pick up a copy of THE BEEKEEPER'S SON. Ms. Irvin excels in description, making the heat and the citadel bug "screaming" come alive. I could see the prickly pear cactus and see the dust rising.
July 11, 2018
This review is also posted on Book by Book.
I keep finding delightful Amish fiction and Kelly Irvin’s The Beekeeper’s Son definitely fits in that category for me. Deborah and her family relocate and slowly acclimate to their lives in Texas, and the ensuing events and circumstances within their new community had me at times hopeful and happy, at others (momentarily) frustrated and disappointed. Irvin’s novel is a journey with plenty of ups and downs and I thoroughly enjoyed every bit of it all the way to the end. With this uniquely placed Amish community, filled with complex characters and relationships, Irvin’s novel kept me hooked and entertained and I would certainly recommend it to fans of Amish fiction.
Thanks to BookLook Bloggers, I received a copy of The Beekeeper’s Son and the opportunity to honestly review it. I was not required to write a positive review, and all the opinions I have expressed are my own. (I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”)
I keep finding delightful Amish fiction and Kelly Irvin’s The Beekeeper’s Son definitely fits in that category for me. Deborah and her family relocate and slowly acclimate to their lives in Texas, and the ensuing events and circumstances within their new community had me at times hopeful and happy, at others (momentarily) frustrated and disappointed. Irvin’s novel is a journey with plenty of ups and downs and I thoroughly enjoyed every bit of it all the way to the end. With this uniquely placed Amish community, filled with complex characters and relationships, Irvin’s novel kept me hooked and entertained and I would certainly recommend it to fans of Amish fiction.
Thanks to BookLook Bloggers, I received a copy of The Beekeeper’s Son and the opportunity to honestly review it. I was not required to write a positive review, and all the opinions I have expressed are my own. (I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”)
April 15, 2015
A beautiful story about being open to following God's path instead of your own. Both Deborah and Phineas have internal conflicts that cause them to look back instead of forward. They are so mired in what could have been that they nearly miss out on the glorious future God has planned for them. I really took that message to heart. And I'll smugly admit to learning the lesson way ahead of the hero and heroine. :-) At their expense, of course.
There's great tension and conflict within the pages of this book-- so stark at times that it matches the equally stark Texan countryside. An unusual and alluring setting for an Amish story. The author has created a fascinating community in Bee County, Texas. It is struggling to remain viable despite an increasing number of families leaving for more thriving Amish communities. I loved the modern day pioneer spirit of those who stayed. A fresh angle for this genre and it makes for a compelling read!
There's great tension and conflict within the pages of this book-- so stark at times that it matches the equally stark Texan countryside. An unusual and alluring setting for an Amish story. The author has created a fascinating community in Bee County, Texas. It is struggling to remain viable despite an increasing number of families leaving for more thriving Amish communities. I loved the modern day pioneer spirit of those who stayed. A fresh angle for this genre and it makes for a compelling read!
February 26, 2015
Wow, a great start to a new series from Kelly Irvin. The Beekeeper's Son had me up until 2:30 am trying to finish it. I just could not put it down. I have never really thought much about Texas having any Amish districts so the whole concept was new to me. Also, my grand-daddy kept bees so that caught my interest from the beginning. But it was truly the story that pulled me in. Kelly Irvin has written a story that just doesn't stop. The side stories were awesome and I knew from the beginning that what brought the Lantz family to Texas would not be happening. (vague I know, but trying to prevent spoilers) Definitely worthy of 5 stars from this reviewer.
This book was provided for review purposes only, no payment was received for this review.
This book was provided for review purposes only, no payment was received for this review.
April 19, 2015
What a great story!! I really enjoyed it.
The story is set in a small Amish community in Beeville, Texas. If you look on the Internet for "Beeville Texas Amish", you will find all kinds of interesting information about this settlement, including photographs of the Amish area in Beeville. I am not sure how they survive in this climate--hot, humid, and dry due to a long-standing drought, but they appear to be managing.
I found this book very interesting. I am looking forward to the next book in the series, "The Bishop's Son", which is scheduled for release on September 29, 2015. (Apparently, this book hasn't made it into the Goodreads data base yet.)
The story is set in a small Amish community in Beeville, Texas. If you look on the Internet for "Beeville Texas Amish", you will find all kinds of interesting information about this settlement, including photographs of the Amish area in Beeville. I am not sure how they survive in this climate--hot, humid, and dry due to a long-standing drought, but they appear to be managing.
I found this book very interesting. I am looking forward to the next book in the series, "The Bishop's Son", which is scheduled for release on September 29, 2015. (Apparently, this book hasn't made it into the Goodreads data base yet.)
November 6, 2018
*I have read this book a couple of times before in print, however, I recently purchased the audiobook and thoroughly enjoyed it. I thought the narrator did a nice job. I still loved the plot and the characters, just like before. It was very fun to listen to this on audio.
March 6, 2016
A sweet story of second chances and looking within a person's heart to find happiness .
August 11, 2017
Storyline is good just wish it moved a little faster
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