The Keeper by Suzanne Woods Fisher

Book Description:
A family. A farm. A heart. All in need of repair.

Life on Windmill Farm hasn't been the same since Julia Lapp's father has had trouble with his heart. But that doesn't stop Julia from hoping for a bright future. She has planned on marrying Paul Fisher since she was a girl. Now twenty-one, she looks forward to their wedding with giddy anticipation. But when Paul tells her he wants to postpone the wedding--again--she is determined to change his mind. She knows who is to blame for Paul's sudden reluctance to wed: the Bee Man.
   
Roman Troyer, the Bee Man, travels through the Amish communities of Ohio and Pennsylvania with his hives full of bees, renting them out to farmers in need of pollinators. A mysterious man who relishes his nomadic life, Roman especially enjoys bringing his bees to Stoney Ridge each year. But with Julia seriously at odds with him, Windmill Farm is looking decidedly less appealing.
   
Can Julia secure the future she's always dreamed of? Or does God have something else in mind?

My Review:

4 Stars

I enjoyed reading this simple story about Julia Lapp and her family. It is a very easy and light read. I found the first half of the book to be just okay but the second half was so much better and had some twists that I was not expecting. While this book is set in the Amish Community I found it a lot different from other Amish stories that I have read because it really did not dive into what they believe and why. This story is mainly a contemporary romance set in the Amish community where the characters have a faith in God and are trying to seek his will. I really enjoyed Roman Troyer's story the best and he made me wanting to know why he lived a nomadic life. I found myself interested in the beekeeping part of the story even though I really do not like bees at all and tend to stay as far a way as I can get. I never realized how much work and skill really goes into it. I am looking forward to reading more of the Lapp family in August 2012 when the second book in the series, The Haven, releases.

*I received this book from the publisher, Revell, in exchange for my honest review.

“Available January 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”

Giveaway and Facebook party info:

Suzanne is hosting a "honey of a giveaway"during the blog tour for The Keeper! During 1/3-1/17 you can enter to win an iPad2 from Suzanne and connect with her on January 17th at The Keeper Facebook Party!

During the giveaway one Grand Prize winner will receive a Prize Pack valued at $600:

• A brand new 16 KB iPad 2 with Wi-Fi
• A $25 gift certificate to iTunes
• A copy of The Keeper

But wait there's more! Just click one of the icons below to enter, then on 1/ 17 join Suzanne for The Keeper Facebook Party! During the party Suzanne will announce the winner of the "Honey" of an iPad Giveaway and host a fun book chat and give away some fun "honey" inspired prizes - It'll be 'sweet"!

RSVP early and tell your friends!