Two Steps Forward (The Deacon's Family)

Two Steps Forward is proof once again that Suzanne Woods Fisher is a masterful storyteller and this time, she shares a romance between a young Amish widow and the 'once rebel' Amish cowboy Jimmy Fisher. Sylvie Schrock KIng has a young son and she is trying to raise him and a special breed of

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Arabian-Amish horses on her "desperately in need of a fixer-upper" farm. Jimmy becomes interested in Sylvie after he returns to Stoney Ridge but his very domineering mother seems determined to keep them apart. Edith Fisher Lapp may also be hiding a secret that could change many lives but there are few people in Stoney Ridge who are strong enough to stand up to her. Until.....

Two Steps Forward can be read alone but it is book three in The Deacon's Family series so it was fun to catch up with so many familiar characters from previous books. I especially loved the growth of Luke Schrock, who was once considered a bad boy but is now a Deacon. It is his idea to place a Baby Box near the Stoney Ridge Fire Department so that babies can be left in a safe environment and not be abandoned; he also guarantees that these babies will be raised by Amish families! I also enjoyed the courtship that Jimmy chooses in his effort to really get to know Sylvie. He begins a letter writing campaign to woo the young widow and proves what David Stoltzfus, the very wise Bishop of Stoney Ridge, tells Edith as he counsels her about another matter. "Words are a funny thing. They can make big things little. And they can make little things big."

Suzanne Woods Fischer has filled Two Steps Forward with the things readers have come to love in her books--romance, family love, Amish values, thought-provoking dialogue, and a reminder that everyone is capable of changing for the better.

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

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I have not read any of the books referred to by the author in the Cast of Characters. I felt a little bit lost without this previous exposure to the other stories, I gravitated to the story about Jimmy Fisher and Sylvie Shrock King and the one about Izzy Miller Schrock and her husband Luke Schrock.

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There are sixteen characters which is OK if you read about half the books referred to but not so good when you are starting out green to all of them.

I did appreciate learning about RH null blood which I had not heard of before. My mother had Rh negative blood which is more common but still only 15th of the world population. Also, I had some inkling about baby boxes which had been the Indiana news when I was growing up. I need not know tha t they started out in Finland with the intention of providing young families with a box for a baby to sleep in but also filled with many things needed by a new baby like diapers, clothing and baby toys. Why was I intrigued with that? When I was born, my bed was dresser drawer.

The two main stories were engrossing and I learned more about the Amish and how much they varied in what inventions were allowed and how some allowed to read the Bible but stricter groups reserved that for the Deacons and Bishops.

I would recommend this book to anyone who has already read some of the previous by the author rather than someone not familiar with the stories.

I received an Advanced Review Copy as a win from LibraryThing from the publishers in exchange for a fair book review. My thoughts and feelings in this review are my own.

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A delightful story. I love this author's writing style which draws me right in. There are developed characters and thoughtful pacing. It is such a charming story. I will share my full review soon.

This is a nice story about an Amish community in PA. It is not too preachy, just right. The Amish appear to have as much drama as the rest of us! But they have really good hearts.

Jimmy returns home to Lancaster County after the ranch where he worked closed. He meets Sylvie, young widow of Jake, and her young son. Sylvie wants to breed her Arabian horse with an Amish carriage horse, but Jimmy knows the horse is worth much more. The two are drawn to each other, but will Jimmy

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get cold feet or be able to go against his mother's wishes? The book contains a pro-life message. Readers of earlier installments in the series will be happy to find Bishop David as well as Luke and Izzy in this one. With the horse breeding angle, the story didn't feel as "Amish" as some books, but many readers will enjoy it. I received an advance review copy through LibraryThing Early Reviewer's program with the expectation of an honest review.

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Once again, I’ve enjoyed visiting the folks of Stoney Ridge. I feel this series is best read in its entirety, but each works as a standalone.

I enjoyed Jimmy, connected with Sylvie, and really enjoyed seeing Izzy and Luke again! These characters are full and relatable, and I seem to learn so much

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when reading these stories. There is a mixture of witty and deep issues, and elements of romance, warmth, and strength.

With themes of family, acceptance, and faith, Two Steps Forward is a satisfying end to the series, and perhaps my favorite of the three.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher.

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I loved being back with this group of Amish, they now feel like family, and I have come to know them.
Our bad boy Luke is now back, and wow, what a change, he has now grown up, but the story does focus a lot on his loving wife Izzy.
The author also gives us Sylvie, and Edith’s returning son Jimmy,

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and how they try to save Rising Star Farm, watch out for termites!
Now if you haven’t read the past two books, don’t worry enough information is given that you won’t be lost, but warning you will have to get the other two books, they are that good!
We have several tough topics here, with abandoned babies, but we are also shown what a great bishop David is, I loved what he does! Also, Hank with his words all in caps as he is I take it a bit hard of hearing!
Don’t miss the conclusion to this great series

I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Revell, and was not required to give a positive review.

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I am a fan of this author's. If you enjoy reading Amish stories or just a good story in general, than, you will want to check out books from this author. This is the first book I have read in this series. This book can be read as a stand alone novel.

I instantly connected with the characters.

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Although, I must admit that Hank did get on my nerves. He was always talking in CAPS as if he was yelling. In a way, he may have been yelling or just really loud. I just did not like whenever he talked it was all in CAPS.

Everyone had a story that was close to them. You could not help but feel for each and every one of them. In honestly; I had no favorites as I liked everyone. By the end, everyone had found redemption, while learning forgiveness and second chances.

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Two Steps Forward by Suzanne Woods Fisher is the third (and final) book in The Deacon’s Family series. While Two Steps Forward can be read on its own, you will be missing out on two delightful books. Reading The Deacon’s Family series in order allows you to get to know Luke, Izzy, Bishop David,

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Hank, Edith and the other characters in Stoney Ridge. I have enjoyed following Luke’s journey and it is not over yet. Jimmy Fisher is returning to Stoney Ridge after the ranch he was working on in Colorado went belly up. He discovers that his mother, Edith has turned his bedroom into a scrapbooking room which has Jimmy sleeping on a lumpy sofa in the basement. Sylvie Schrock King is a widow raising four and a half year old, Joey on her own along with trying to take care of Rising Star Farm. Sylvie offers Jimmy a job which he accepts over his mother’s protests. Jimmy is eager to work with Prince the Arabian horse Sylvie uses to pull her buggy. When Izzy and Fern read about a second infant who died after being abandoned, they implore Luke to come up with an idea. Izzy is happily married to Luke and loves their adopted girl, but she feels a loss over never knowing her own father. She approaches her mother in hopes of learning more about her biological father. Two Steps Forward is a delightfully entertaining novel. There is humor, joy, love, frustration and despair. There is also faith in the Lord. They know that God is there watching over them and will take care of them. I liked getting to know Sylvie. She had a rough childhood in a conservative Amish group and frequently quotes phrases from the Bible. Sylvie is good with animals and strays have a way of finding their way to Rising Star Farm. Jimmy is an upbeat man who is a hard worker and a charmer. His dimples and charm help him with women, but Jimmy has trouble with making a permanent commitment. I like how the book brought attention to the issue of abandoned babies. While there are Safe Haven laws, there are still babies left in restrooms and dumpsters. Two Steps Forward is well-written with engaging characters set in a special Amish community. This is a book that had me smiling and laughing often while reading it with the occasional frown (thanks to Edith). I am going to miss Stoney Ridge and the people who reside there (even Hank Lapp). Two Steps Forward is a brilliant conclusion to The Deacon’s Family series. Two Steps Forward is a charming tale with baby boxes, a hen pen, a jumble of junk, a bright boy, a meddling mother and a benevolent bishop.

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I received Two Steps Forward by Suzanne Woods Fisher as part of the Early Reviewers program. I believe this is part of a series of books from the The Deacon's Family series, however, this book can definitely be read as a stand alone story. Sylvie King, Amish mother and widow, owns a farm and gets

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farm help when she least expects it which turns her world upside down. Two Steps Forward is a well written book with wonderful characters and an interesting story-line. Suzanne Woods Fisher shares a great story with Amish background that will keep the reader engrossed.

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Sylvie has taken a chance by hiring Jimmy Fisher to come and work on her farm. He knows horses and got introduced to her while admiring her buggy horse. Sylvie has her hands full running the farm and trying to keep her neighbor (Jimmy's mom) from trying to take the farm. As the work together to try

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to get the farm back in shape and to get the finances shored up they become closer.
I really enjoyed the characters in this book. While it is book three and characters from the other books appear, it can be enjoyed without having read the other books.
I received a copy of the book to read, the review is mine.

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Two Steps Forward is the very satisfying conclusion to the Deacon’s Family series by Suzanne Woods Fisher. With her trademark easy style and wit, I enjoyed my return to the Stoney Ridge community and the characters I have grown very fond of throughout this series. There are a few newcomers in

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this book, but fans of Fisher’s other books will be glad to see the return of Jimmy Fisher who has in some ways grown up since he left the Amish community for Colorado years before. This book was just what I needed to read — sweet and gentle, yet with spiritual truths that spoke to my heart. Recommended!

The Deacon’s Family series has been a treat to read. I have enjoyed seeing Luke Schrock grow in his role as deacon, as well as husband. Several years have passed since the storyline in book 2, Stitches in Time, concluded. Luke’s cousin has moved to Stoney Ridge to find a place for herself and her young son. Jimmy Fisher’s return home impacts Sylvie’s life and future. Relationships are a strength in this novel, and I enjoyed seeing the interactions between husband and wife, family members, and friends. Like any community or family, there are plenty of squabbles, but the way the Amish in this book handled them was refreshing and a reminder of how Christ wants His people to interact. The theme of putting hands and feet to our convictions was also very moving, as the community steps out in faith to impact the world around them, even as they believe they should be set apart. I loved Fisher’s use of the Amish as a study of how all of God’s people can make a difference just one life at a time.

Although Two Steps Forward can be read as a standalone, I recommend starting this series with book 1. They character development and the story lines naturally flow from one book to another. And with 3 published, you’ll have plenty of good reading ahead!

Recommended.

Audience: adults.

(Thanks to Revell for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

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Able to be read as a standalone, Suzanne Woods Fisher’s “Two Steps Forward” is the third and final book in the Deacon’s Family series. Having read the previous book but not the first one, I was still able to follow along without any trouble. This is one aspect of Fisher’s writing that I

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appreciate the most, that the characters are fluid throughout the various series, yet the books can be read out of order. Appended to the front of this story is a cast of characters list, which I always find helpful, particularly in novels like this that do have repeating figures.

Horses are among my favorite animals, second only to dogs, and I loved their presence in “Two Steps Forward.” While it isn’t, of course, unusual to feature horses in some capacity in an Amish novel, this is the first book I’ve read that dealt with the Amish running a horse-breeding farm. Sylvie King makes for an interesting heroine, not because she rebels against her community’s rules or values, but for the fact that she has a way with animals. She is a horse whisperer of sorts. Furthermore, she is a single mother and widow who can manage the animals and her little boy with patience and gentleness. She makes an interesting contrast to Jimmy Fisher, who worked on a ranch yet doesn’t have the same instinctual aptitude that she does. Edith, Jimmy’s faultfinding mother, makes life harder for Sylvie as Sylvie works to clean up the outbuildings and property of Rising Star Farm.

Through Sylvie’s story and the related stories of other characters readers will recognize from prior books, Fisher demonstrates the self-sufficiency, determination, grace, and unwavering loyalty of the Amish. Discussion questions at the end of the book take readers deeper and are worthwhile whether reading in a group or individually.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell and was under no obligation to post a positive review. All opinions are my own.

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In this heartwarming, soul-searching tale, Suzanne Woods Fisher invites us back to Stoney Ridge. In Two Steps Forward, we see Luke Schrock maturing as a deacon; Izzy still looking for her missing childhood, and Jimmy Fisher returning from Colorado. Unsure of his plans, Jimmy accepts an unexpected

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offer from widow Sylvie Schrock King to help with her horse and farm.

Sylvie is a very likable character. She is independent, a hard worker, and she will defend and protect those she loves. For her, the question seems to be, is Jimmy worth loving?

I really couldn’t decide how I felt about Jimmy. Fisher drew him in such a way that I liked him, felt sorry for him, but despised and wanted to be done with him.

The creek, which divides Sylvie’s property from Edith Fisher Lapp’s, is slowly meandering closer and closer to Edith’s house. Perhaps symbolic of the way Edith’s sphere of influence gets smaller and smaller the more in control of others she tries to be.

Edith is NOT a nice person, but Bishop David Stolzfus gives her lots of room (grace) to be herself. In our time in Stoney Ridge, I have enjoyed watching his people-handling skills, honed by hours of prayer. David is a very patient and wise bishop and is teaching Luke well by example.

While Luke has grown by leaps and bounds, Izzy is still chained to her unfulfilled childhood longings. Will she ever feel that she can move on without the ability to settle her past?

Themes include righting wrongs towards others (mending fences); forgiveness (can those already given grace pay it forward?); protecting those who can’t defend themselves (adoption or fostering). It’s important to take action, realizing by being part of the solution, we can help people, one by one.

Yet, a fourth theme was the importance of a loving father in the home.

I totally enjoyed this story and recommend it. That being said, I wish there had been one less twist at the end.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell and the author through NetGalley. This in no way affects my opinions, for which I am solely responsible.

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Have you ever been caught off guard, that you got emotional from a book? Well if you did not know Suzanne Woods Fisher books. This one made me get emotional in a good way. Though I was in tears trying to read a few chapters. I would wipe them away and try and continue reading the book. Well, this

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did not help. It just keeps happening. Though I can say they were happy tears over sad ones. What triggered them I do not know.

It was something that the author wrote in the chapter that made me start the tears. This book “Two Steps Forwards” is written well. The storyline behind Issy in this book is done well. Sylvie King and Jimmy Fisher's storylines were decent. It was not that much that it made me emotional. That does not mean that it was written well.

I do enjoy it when there is a repeat of characters that come from previous books. The storylines do flow well. You can read these books out of order. They can read as standalone. The background does get explained a bit as you read.

I have read “Mending Fences” which is the first book of this series. Two Steps Forward is better than the first one only because it got me a bit more emotional. I would still read the first book as well of this series as I would love to pick up the second book of this series which is called “Stitches in Time”. If you would like to you read my review of Mending Fences.

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I have read all of the books in this series and thoroughly enjoyed them. Jimmy Fisher has been a recurring character in several of Fisher's series, and it has been interesting to watch him mature from a very ornery young Amish boy to the mature man that he becomes by the end of this book. Of

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course, there is the usual romance along with the suspense of whether it will finally take root this time for Jimmy or if he will make another mess of things. Sylvie's character was well-written and included some surprising plot twists. The end of the book was quite unexpected. The big question is, have we heard the last of Jimmy Fisher, or will he reappear in a later series?

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I would suggest you read the first two books in The Deacon’s Family series because I find it is always better to start at the beginning of a series. That said, if you read this book first, it is easy enough to follow along.

Jimmy has returned to Stoney Ridge where he finds his charisma has no

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effect on Sylvie . As a recent widow, her only concern is her son and keeping the farm going. She hires Jimmy because of his knowledge of horses, tho nosy Edith has a lot to say about him, Sylvie, and her parenting skills. It was great to visit my Stoney Ridge friends again. I’m going to miss them.

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Life hasn’t turned out as he expected, and Jimmy comes home, not really knowing what else to do. His mother is always telling him what he should do, but he tends to ignore her. Getting a job at a neighbor’s farm leads to much trouble in more than one way. His mom and his new boss, Sylvie, are

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usually at odds with each other, but Jimmy soon discovers he is more than little attracted to Sylvie and her ways, especially where horses are concerned. Jimmy suffers from that old complaint - cold feet - and it just about spoils everything. Meanwhile, Izzy and Luke have a mission of their own: to save unwanted babies. The author has packed a lot into this one book. Social issues, responsibilities, grudges, secrets, and romance all have a place in this tale. It’s a satisfying conclusion to this series, but one has to hope that the author will revisit these delightful characters again with another series.

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MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK

Continuing the Deacon Family Series, Suzanne Woods Fisher gives readers the third book in the series. Sylvie run a horse breeding business, and sometimes it is a constant battle with her neighbor, Edith. And to make matters worse, she is not sure how Edith will react about

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Sylvie hiring Jimmy, Edith’s son. But Jimmy is just who Sylvie needs because of his knowledge of horses. But he doesn’t come with a very good reputation. It will be interesting to see how these two get along. 85

Suzanne Woods Fischer is an outstanding writer and I always enjoy her stories very much. This one was especially interesting to me because the horse breeding business added new light and live to the story. It’s not something that is usually the subject of an Amish story. I thoroughly enjoyed Jimmy and Sylvie taking care of the farm and horses, and Sykvie’s little boy is adorable, as Jimmy thinks so as well. There is a lot of heartache and confusion over the farm property. It seems Edith tries to be in control of something that doesn’t belong to her, and she treated her deceased son horrible as well as treating his widow Sylvie. Edith is a miserable person, and tries to make everyone else that way. Not my favorite character at all. But Ms. Fisher weaves all of this together and gives a sweet and likeable ending everyone will enjoy.

I want to thank the author/publisher for a copy of this book. I am not required to write a positive review, the opinions here are mine alone. I am disclosing this with my review in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

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MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK ibjoy1953

Love Overboard is a really nice short and sweet romance read. Caitlyn found herself in a shockingly embarrassing Alaskan cruise, one that was suppose to be with her sister, but turned out very differently. In the beginning, I grew to like these characters, and the

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plot kept me wanting to keep reading to know the ending. The cruise was a fun setting, though the atmosphere was not the fun happy place Caitlyn wanted to be. Her sister was to be her roommate, not a strange guy she had never met named Greg. But she was determine to take the crhise anyway, but she didn’t aimed for it to change her life completely like it did.

I think this is more of a novella, because it is rather short. And I enjoy a short book at times when I don’t have the time to read a full book. For me, it seemed that the characters didn’t fully develop as deep as I wanted them to. But all in all it is a great romance to read. I encourage you to check this book out for a fee hours of entertainment and enjoyment.

I would like to thank the author/publisher for a copy of this book. I am not required to write a positive review. The opinions here in this review are totally mine alone. I am disclosing this with my review in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

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I enjoyed this Amish Romance.I received this copy for free and I voluntarily chose to review it. I've given it a 4.5* rating only because their story doesn't seem to be finished. I know this is part of a series and it addresses some heavy issues. One of the women is led to fight for the unborn

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lives. As someone who has worked to save the unborn, I understand the drive. As someone who has also lost three babies, I know how deep the sorrow goes from than. And from the healing of that, I understand that each human, from unborn to the elderly, must decide for themselves wheather to live or not. While in a woman's body, that baby has a soul that answers to a higher power. I realize not all agree, I also know that some who choose abortion, have to deal with depression also. If you agree or not, I also have the right to say what I believe. Unless you are responding to this book, do not respond.

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