The Keeper by Suzanne Woods Fisher - a Blog Tour

I don't think I have ever read a Suzanne Woods Fisher book I didn't like, but much like my favorite Animal Farm quote "All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others," some of Suzanne's books are good and some of her books are "more good" than others. The Keeper was one of the "more good" ones.

It took approximately two paragraphs about him for me to become yet another woman who fell victim to the charms of The Bee Man, Roman Troyer. He was an absolutely wonderful character. Despite the fact that Suzanne attempted to paint him as a roamer, it was evident from the start that he possessed an outstanding moral fiber despite his ability to flirt.

Julia Lapp took a bit more to like. She irritated me a bit with her "I know all" attitude in the first few chapters, but she straightened up admirably after a few. I particularly liked the way she took care of her brother and sisters and doted over Menno, the other boy I love, love, loved in this book. I can't reflect too much on Menno cause I don't wan to give away the book, but know that he is sunshine personified.

Little sister MK also provides an interesting tone to the book as does Sadie Lapp. I see that Sadie is going to be the main character in the next Stoney Ridge book and will presume that MK (the third sister) will star in the third and last volume in the set. I just read the teaser for Sadie's book, and I can't wait for it as I always felt like I wanted to understand Sadie's head more.

A bit about the book (in my own words):

Julia Lapp has basically been in charge of the family farm and orchards while her father deals with a weaking heart. Her mother had passed away some years before. Julia also watches over sisters Sadie and MK and a "special" brother, Menno as well as an eccentric uncle. She thought she was all set to marry a boy named Paul when he breaks it off after talking with The Bee Man. Julia sets out to make the Bee Man sorry after she feels like he must have talked her fiancee out of marriage because he had intentions of his own. Through it all her family deals with their father's health problems and a heartwarming and terrifying new maid.

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

Disclosure: I received a review copy of this volume.