Stitches in Time

Author: Suzanne Woods Fisher
Genre: Amish Romance
Series: The Deacon's Family #2

Keeping people at arm's length had worked well as a life strategy for Sam Schrock. Until he met Mollie Graber.

Schoolteacher Mollie Graber has come to Stoney Ridge for a fresh start. Aware of how fleeting and fragile life is, she wants to live it boldly and bravely. When Luke Schrock, new to his role as deacon, asks the church to take in foster girls from a group home, she's the first to raise her hand. The power of love, she believes, can pick up the dropped stitches in a child's heart and knit them back together. Mollie envisions sleepovers and pillow fights. What she gets are sleepless nights and police at the door.

There's only one thing that breaks through the girls' hard shells--an interest in horses. Reluctantly and skeptically, horse trainer Sam Schrock gets drawn into Mollie's chaotic life. What he didn't expect was for love to knit together the dropped stitches in his own heart . . . just in time.

Suzanne Woods Fisher invites you back to the little Amish community of Stoney Ridge for a touching story of the power of love.

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Reviewer: Melissa Glor

What an enjoyable story! I have been waiting for this 2nd book in the Deacon's Family series, since reading and loving the first book in this series. This was an excellent follow up. I loved the role that Luke is given in this book. What a fantastic story idea to thrust Luke into that role and see how he grows. I also loved the foster kids and their coming to Stoney Ridge. I hope we see more of that in the rest of the series. The next book can't come soon enough for me!

I received this book courtesy of Baker Publishing Group/Revell through Interviews & Reviews.

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Reviewer: Connie Porter Saunders

Suzanne Woods Fisher is a noted author of Amish fiction because of her knowledge of the Amish faith and lifestyle.  She also understands that the Amish people aren't immune to the temptations and worries of the outside world. Stitches in Time deals with some heavy subjects: addiction, the increasing need for foster care in our society, and the dreaded C-word: cancer. It isn't, however, a book of doom and gloom because hope and faith are very prevalent throughout this story. Fisher uses both Bible scripture and Amish sayings to relate the depth of the Amish faith, and the strength of their absolute trust in God's Providence. I found my own faith boosted as I read them.

This is the second book of The Deacon's Family series and, even though I haven't read the first, I never felt lost in this story. Part of this is due to the cast of characters that Fisher lists in the front of the book. And part is her ability to weave past events into the present storyline. I wasn't familiar with Luke Schrocks' previous problems or his wife Izzy's past. Still, Fisher made it easy for me to see how they were affecting the present, and she also explained their previous relationship with Fern Lapp. Fern is a treasure, and I especially loved her wise observations about God, faith, and life in general.

I am so in love with this book! Stitches in Time is excellent Christian fiction, and I highly recommend it for all who enjoy reading about the Amish. I am giving it 5 stars, and I look forward to reading the next book in this series.

This book was provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group, Revell Division, through Interviews & Reviews.

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Reviewer: Deanne Patterson

Stitches In Time is the second book in the Deacon's Family series. I'd read the first book before this one, Mending Fences, for a better understanding of the story but not totally necessary.

I've also read some earlier books by Suzanne that have some of the characters in this book in it at an earlier age. It sure is fun to catch up with them in this new series.

Stitches In Time is a very well developed story with realistic characters. I felt my emotions run the gamut as I read the complex situations. This book was different than other Amish books I've read in the sense that it deals with adoption. Now I'm sure there are Amish adoption stories out there but I haven't read any before this one. In all situations encountered the author has them faithfully encountering their challenges.

The characters have hopes,dreams,failures and have reason to rejoice. Encouraging and highly recommended. I always feel greatly encouraged by the positive messages this author's books have.

This book was provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group, Revell Division through Interviews & Reviews.

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Reviewer: Abigail Harder

I loved the first book in this series and I highly enjoyed this sequel. I think I preferred the first book but I loved getting to see Luke and Izzy grow and strengthen into phenomenal characters. I also loved getting to meet more of Sam and even Mollie, who I think is new if I'm remembering correctly. 

The other side characters like Fern, David, and even loud mouth Hank were very enjoyable to read about again. I always love reading parts with Hank because his character makes me laugh a lot. David and Fern, like in the last book, were amazing and I always love reading about them. 

The message in this book was just as excellent as it was in the first and I loved getting to read more about the Amish community. I always love seeing their way of life and discovering the things that they do differently then we Englishers do. 

The faith content was superb as well. I remember liking that a lot in the first book as well. Mrs. Woods does a great job at creating a realistic Amish community, which I greatly appreciate. 

Overall, I enjoyed this book and I cannot wait for book 3! 

FTC: I received this book from Revell through Interviews and Reviews in exchange for my honest opinion. All thoughts are my own. I was not required to write a positive review.

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Reviewer: Marta Aldrighetti

Stoney Ridge. It's time to change the deacon, after the death of Amos Lapp.

Luke Schrock is one of the names suggested for the new deacon. Why? He is a newly married, only 25 years old and a troubled person!

Izzy, his wife, is very busy with her flock of sheep and the Stitches in Time shop. She told Luke:

"I'll deal with that when I have to. One thing at a time. One day's troubles are enough for anybody."

In the book, there are important topics (foster care, children in need of love, dreams, talking to understand and share and resolve problems), and nice sayings about daily living, such as:

"My father had a saying: Don't let your branches go out farther than your roots go deep. When that happens, you topple."

I like this book very much because it's easy and fast to read and realistic. The readers can feel the emotions of the beautiful and well-developed characters. I think I'll miss these characters!

I love the description of the yarn shop and the shepherdess Izzy, working with the wheel spinning to create wool-balls and then knit sweaters, I like to craft too!

This book was provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group, Revell Division, through Interviews & Reviews.

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