My Day 3 in the 31 Days of Printables will be published in a couple of hours. I had to give some front page time to this review.
I am a recent fiction novel convert. I blame Tricia Goyer. Her Big Sky Novel series has me hooked. She has gone to great lengths to help readers get to know the sweet, charming and young Marianna Sommer. I find myself rooting for her or wanting to hug her at times just like I would with a friend. I hate that she is caught in such a pivotal place in her life but I understand her. Even as I get caught up in the fictional Amish/Englisch world she lives in I can see myself in her, here in my own life. I think we can all relate to being at a crossroads.
Marianna is undecided about two men in her life. One she has known and loved since childhood. He has built her a home; given her a promise. And her ma and dat approve because he is Amish. The other boy is Englisch. He follows hard after the Lord but he is not Amish. Not only does he unintentionally tempt Marianna with his heart pounding smile but he also has a way of looking at her that she can’t stop thinking about… even after she has moved on with her Amishman.
The most intriguing part of the book is not the relationships with the young men but instead Marianna’s relationship with God. Each of the young men represent a way of serving and knowing Him. One she is familiar with and the other brings great freedom and a deeper love and understanding but it isn’t her way. She’s Amish. I love the parallels in this story. Intriguing.
Perhaps the second best selling point of this series — the first being the storyline itself — is the way each novel leaves guessing as to what is to come. Bleh. That is also my greatest complaint. If you can imagine me nearing a tantrum as I reach the end then that is what is happening. I want to know what is going to happen. I do not like waiting! I’m sorry. Maybe one of Tricia’s spiritual lessons in a future book can be patience. I may need it.
When this book ends Marianna has returned home with her Amishman. But, as we are soon to learn, he has secrets. Those secrets could very well lead her back to the Enlischman she has become so attached to. And what will become of her brother and his fiancee Naomi? What about the baby? I wish I knew but the truth is that you’ll have to read for yourself to find out.
If you can’t tell I’ll spell it out for you… I highly recommend the book! 
About the book:
All she wanted was a simple Amish life . . . But now Marianna Sommer finds herself depending on Englisch neighbors. Although proud of living apart from the world, she and her newly relocated Amish family have discovered that life in the remote mountains of Montana requires working together.
As Marianna begins helping those different from herself—and receiving their help—her heart contemplates two directions. She’s torn between the Amish man from Indiana whom she has long planned on marrying and the friendly Englischer who models a closer walk with God than she’s ever seen before.
Who should have young Marianna’s heart? What is God asking her to sacrifice? Her traditions? Her community? The answer is found along the wooded paths.
Find out about book 1, Beside Still Waters, here: http://www.triciagoyer.com/contemporaryfiction.html#BesideStillWaters
Read an excerpt of Beside Still Waters by Tricia Goyer.
About Tricia:
Tricia Goyer is the author of thirty books including Songbird Under a German Moon, The Swiss Courier, and the mommy memoir, Blue Like Play Dough. She won Historical Novel of the Year in 2005 and 2006 from ACFW, and was honored with the Writer of the Year award from Mt. Hermon Writer’s Conference in 2003. Tricia’s book Life Interrupted was a finalist for the Gold Medallion in 2005. In addition to her novels, Tricia writes non-fiction books and magazine articles for publications like MomSense and Thriving Family. Tricia is a regular speaker at conventions and conferences, and has been a workshop presenter at the MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) International Conventions. She and her family make their home in Little Rock, Arkansas where they are part of the ministry of FamilyLife.
For more about Tricia and her other books visit www.triciagoyer.com
Come to a Facebook Party and Live Author Chat!
Tricia is celebrating the release of Along Wooded Paths with a Fabulous Facebook party on October 18th. She’ll be giving away prizes and a sneak peak at the next book in the Big Sky series.
Then during the second half of the party she’ll be hosting a LIVE AUTHOR CHAT on her website and announcing something BIG! CLICK the button (below) to RSVP for the party – then go here to sign up for the Live Author Chat.
To see who else is on this blog tour visit here: Along Wooded Paths Blog Tour
DISCLAIMER: I was given a free copy of the book for review purposes. The opinions expressed are my own.
