Reviewed by: Ceil Carey, Co-president of ECLA and long time book discussion leader

Introduction

Title: The Bishop’s Family Series, Books 1 and 2

Author: Suzanne Woods Fisher

Publisher: Revell

Publication Date: The imposter: September 2015; The quieting:  May 3, 2016

Format:

Length: The imposter: 320 pages; The quieting: 352 pages

Sisters Katrina and Abigail Stoltzfus are highlighted in this series about family struggles, hard decisions and trusting God with their life choices in the Amish world. In The Imposter, Katrina sees her future plans and dreams crumble before her, so she eagerly starts on a venture that she believes will take her mind off her broken relationship and give her a new purpose in life. An unwelcome intrusion is a farm hand who seems too good to be true. Katrina has had her trust broken before, she will not allow it to happen again.

Abigail has been assisting her father in his genealogical research. Although she is definitely interested in the subject of family history, she also hopes her part in it will help dispel the depression her widowed father is experiencing.  Her grandmother has different plans for her. Hoping to play matchmaker, Mammi is insisting that Abigail come to Stoney Ridge to taker her pick of the many bachelors there. Will Mammi’s plan work in The Quieting.

Readers will see that the Stoltzfus family is facing serious problems in the church and at home. One problem is that everyone in the community expects David, as a minister, to fix things and to fix them fast. But David doesn’t work fast, he waits for God to change hearts. But the question on the hearts of many in this Amish district is whether a quieting, the revoking of the ordination of a bishop, minister or deacon, is the answer.

Fisher writes delightful stories of the Amish replete with the customs of this very interesting group of people, drawing you into their daily lives and tribulations. In these two books the very best part of both is the spiritual wisdom of the father which astounded this reviewer time and again. Very thought provoking and inspirational and highly recommended.

Sisters Katrina and Abigail Stoltzfus are highlighted in this series about family struggles, hard decisions and trusting God with teir life choices in the Amish world. In The Imposter, Katrina sees her future plans and dreams crumble before her, so she eagerly starts on a venture that she believes will take her mind off her broken relationship and give her a new purpose in life. An unwelcome intrusion is a farm hand who seems too good to be true. Katrina has had her trust broken before, she will not allow it to happen again.

Abigail has been assisting her father in his genealogical research. Although she is definitely interested in the subject of family history, she also hopes her part in it will help dispel the depression her widowed father is experiencing.  Her grandmother has different plans for her. Hoping to play matchmaker, Mammi is insisting that Abigail come to Stoney Ridge to taker her pick of the many bachelors there.

Readers will see that the Stoltzfus family is facing serious problems in the church and at home. One problem is that everyone in the community expects David, as a minister, to fix things and to fix them fast. But David doesn’t work fast, he waits for God to change hearts. But the question on the hearts of many in this Amish district is whether a quieting, the revoking of the ordination of a bishop, minister or deacon, is the answer.

Fisher writes delightful stories of the Amish replete with the customs of this very interesting group of people, drawing you into their daily lives and tribulations. In these two books the very best part of both is the spiritual wisdom of the father which astounded this reviewer time and again. Very thought provoking and inspirational and highly recommended.

OVERVIEW

Sisters Katrina and Abigail Stoltzfus are highlighted in this series about family struggles, hard decisions and trusting God with their life choices in the Amish world. In The Imposter, Katrina sees her future plans and dreams crumble before her, so she eagerly starts on a venture that she believes will take her mind off her broken relationship and give her a new purpose in life. An unwelcome intrusion is a farm hand who seems too good to be true. Katrina has had her trust broken before, she will not allow it to happen again.

Abigail has been assisting her father in his genealogical research. Although she is definitely interested in the subject of family history, she also hopes her part in it will help dispel the depression her widowed father is experiencing.  Her grandmother has different plans for her. Hoping to play matchmaker, Mammi is insisting that Abigail come to Stoney Ridge to taker her pick of the many bachelors there.

Readers will see that the Stoltzfus family is facing serious problems in the church and at home. One problem is that everyone in the community expects David, as a minister, to fix things and to fix them fast. But David doesn’t work fast, he waits for God to change hearts. But the question on the hearts of many in this Amish district is whether a quieting, the revoking of the ordination of a bishop, minister or deacon, is the answer.

Very thought provoking and inspirational and highly recommended.

ASSESSMENT

Rating (1 to 5)

5

Suggested Audience

Readers of Amish fiction will particularly enjoy Fisher’s books but these books should appeal to all Christian fiction aficionados.

Christian Impact

Fisher writes delightful stories of the Amish replete with the customs of this very interesting group of people, drawing you into their daily lives and tribulations. In these two books the very best part of both is the spiritual wisdom of the father which astounded this reviewer time and again.

Used by permission of the Christian Library Journal.

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