The Letters: a novel by Suzanne Woods Fisher ~ The Inn at Eagle Hill; Book 1, ©2013

Begin a new series with Rose Schrock's new bed and breakfast at Mammi Vera's farmhouse ~ only it is Rose's care now that is expanded. Newly widowed, she reaches out to guide others in the love of the Lord through her hospitality. All is not dandy tho' with others in the community feeling this just shouldn't be done. An English tourist haven, indeed! Vera Schrock calls it a "stopping station for strangers."

   Naturally, Vera Schrock did not brood upon things of the past, the way some people dwelled on such things, but the old ways of her people still came to mind from time to time, often at unexpected moments. Such as this morning.
   Her daughter-in-law Rose did not follow the old ways. The old ways would never have approved of turning a home into a . . . stopping station for strangers. The old ways respected that the Plain people were set apart, that they were not to mingle with the English. The old ways . . . She could go on. And what was the point? No one listened to her. She was always the last to know anything, anyway.
   --The Letters, 48

Fortunately, Rose has a loving disposition and does not return sourness. Looking out for the welfare of others, it is now Rose and the children, and Mammi Vera. In giving, you receive abundantly ~ but perhaps not from the same source. Lovingly, Rose provides for daily care of her ailing mother-in-law, and is available to her children, praying for them as some begin to leave the nest to venture on-their-own. The eldest son, Tobe, has taken off to parts unknown before the death of his father seven months earlier. They had come to live with Mammi Vera a year earlier. And Bethany, unknown to Rose, is not working where she says she is, nor wearing her Amish clothing on the job. Bethany has longed to return to their former home ~ but there isn't one, having lost it to debt. Miriam, known in her new school as Mim, is a bouncy, direct young teen. The two younger boys, Luke and Sammy, like to squabble and "tear around," causing Mammi Vera to hush them.

Rose prays to the Lord for a Plan B. Overhearing in the grocer that an older couple has no place to stay for the night, Rose offers them a room ~ Bethany's she finds out when she returns from work. As the couple stay to their room and leave early morning, Vera is unaware of their house guests. Then... being rested and refreshed, the overnight boarders tell the man's relative and he asks to stay as he is coming to their area. Roomer number two. Wow! The Inn is not even ready yet and they're bulging at the seams. With the help of the near neighbor, their lower walk-out level is divided into two bedrooms, a bathroom, and a living room with a small kitchen. Stoney Creek now has a countryside Inn at Eagle Hill at the Schrock farm.

The values we leave our children
   are more important than the
      valuables we leave them.
   --Suzanne Woods Fisher, Amish Proverbs, 35

Now as the answer has come for paying off the debts of her deceased husband, Rose is ready to expand her heart. Vera has become more senile, requiring closer watching. Will bringing in others complicate their lives, or add to the treasures of each day?

The letters, likely you are wondering about the letters? A breath of fresh air. Come to the countryside of Stoney Ridge and find the happenings at the Inn at Eagle Hill. And, yes... there are eagles building an aerie in a high tree nearby to raise their young on this farm. Miracula fieri hic. Miracles are made here.

And we know that all things work together for good
       to them that love God, to them who are the
               called according to his purpose.
                   --Romans 8:28

Book 2 ~*The Calling*~ Follow Bethany's story in January 2014.

Suzanne Woods Fisher

Suzanne Woods Fisher is the bestselling author of The Letters, the Lancaster County Secrets series, and the Stoney Ridge Seasons series, as well as nonfiction books about the Amish, including Amish Peace. She is also the coauthor of an Amish children's series, The Adventures of Lily Lapp. Suzanne is a Christy Award finalist and a Carol Award finalist. She is the host of internet radio show Amish Wisdom and a columnist for Christian Post and Cooking & Such magazines. She lives in California. For more information, please visit suzannewoodsfisher.com and connect with her on Twitter @suzannewfisher.

***Thank you to Litfuse Publishing Group for inviting me to be part of the book tour for the first book in The Inn at Eagle Hill series. This review is written in my own words. No other compensation was received beyond the receipt of the novel, The Letters.***

Suzanne Woods Fisher is celebrating the release of the first book, The Letters, in her new series by giving away 2 iPads, 2 Kindle Fires and 2 Nook HDs! Wow!

Two grand prize winners will receive:

• An iPad
• The Letters by Suzanne Woods Fisher

Four second place winners will receive:

• A Kindle Fire HD or a Nook HD - winner's choice!
• The Letters by Suzanne Woods Fisher

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on August 17th. All winners will be announced August 19th at Suzanne's blog.
Win an iPad, Kindle or Nook from @SuzanneWFisher in “The Letters” Giveaway!

Don't miss a moment of the fun; enter today and be sure to visit Suzanne's blog on the 19th to see if you won one of the great prizes! (Or better yet, subscribe to her blog and have the winner announcement delivered to your inbox!)