Stitches in Time ~ Review

Stitches in Time
The Deacon's Family #2
By Suzanne Woods Fisher

Luke Schrock is about to have the worst possible thing happen to him - he is about to become Stoney Ridge's newest deacon. Yup, super scary thought at least in Luke's mind and in at least half the community's too. But Luke has grown up from the troubled prankster who tormented all who had the misfortune to know him. And as his first project as a deacon, he urges members of the church to open their homes to children within Lancaster's foster system.

Mollie Graber is simply beside herself when Luke makes known his promise to Amos Lapp - she would simply LOVE to open her home to a pair of sisters in need of a loving home. And she's determined to make sure this dream becomes a possibility even if she has to bug Luke every day about it.

Sam Schrock is the brother most people don't notice, not after all of Luke's antics and he likes it that way. The one person he wants to notice him is Mollie, Stoney Ridge's newest teacher doesn't associate him with Luke's troubled years and that suits him just fine. Sam spends most of his time retraining and calming the young Thoroughbreds that he and his stepfather Galen King bring home. He just can't understand why Mollie is willing to set herself up for a world of hurt by opening her small home to foster children. He knows her heart is behind it but he knows she doesn't realize the potential trouble she is inviting in.

This is another lovely visit to Stoney Ridge that those familiar with Suzanne Woods Fisher's work will enjoy. If you are unfamiliar with her work this would be an okay book to read even though it is the second book in the series one can easily follow along (you can go back and read all the other Stoney Ridge books later). This book was particularly interesting as homes are opened to young girls who are need of temporary homes. These girls aren't Amish so it makes for a few interesting interactions between the characters. It's hard to believe that a previously almost unlikeable character can become a favorite but Luke is definitely one of those characters (I've known a few people who are like this so I know this is possible and not just a bit of fiction on the author's part). This book definitely gives one a sense of home and comfort throughout.making for a pleasurable experience.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion - all thoughts expressed are my own.


About the Book:

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.