Stitches in Time (The Deacon's Family #2)

Stitches in Time 

(The Deacon's Family #2) 

Paperback – ebook, audio, hardcover

October 1, 2019

by Suzanne Woods Fisher (Author)

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Revell 
• ISBN-13: 978-0800727529

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.

My thoughts (Reviewed by Marilyn):   Readers will find a poignant and heartfelt story within the pages of Stitches in Time. Suzanne Woods Fisher is one of my top favorite authors and this series, The Deacon’s Family, is becoming one of my favorite by her. I recommend readers read Mending Fences, book one, first; although, Stitches in Time can be read as a standalone. They’ll just appreciate knowing all the flaws, struggles and how faith has developed the cast of characters.

This book is Mollie and Sam’s story but it also focuses upon Luke, Izzy and others within in the community of Stoney Ridge. Luke was in disbelief that he had been given the lot to serve as deacon as he felt so inadequate with his past. As he gained insight and the wisdom of Bishop David Stoltzfus his perspective and confidence grew that God was truly caring for all. Just like Izzy was the shepherdess for her “woolies” God was the Great Shepherd no matter the trial someone was facing.

I appreciate the interweaving of Psalm 23 that Fisher wove into this phenomenal story. It was amazing to see how different characters claimed a portion of this Psalm for their life’s situations that were difficult and challenging. The Stoney Ridge community coming together to provide respite care for the group home of foster girls in an emergency situation was right on. Fisher’s research of the foster care system shined through. I could identify with the descriptive realism of the challenges the foster children and their foster families faced with my history of working with foster children, parents and their bio parents. I’m thankful in her author’s note she included myths and truths of our current foster care system. 

I didn’t want this story to end as I want to know how the characters are progressing from overcoming their past from childhood abuse, fighting cancer, low self esteem, infertility, sorrow, and other aspect of life. The journey of life is difficult but Fisher’s woven words from Biblical truths in this book will be gems to hang on to. The Amish lifestyle is just like any walk of life even though many think their lives are exempt and this tale is true to life in every aspect.  

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell a division of Baker Publishing Group. I was under no obligation to post a review but have expressed my sincere thoughts. I look forward to reading book three Two Steps Forward, when it is released.