After spending sixteen years in prison, Marie Cooper is forced to return to Sugarcreek, deep in Amish Country. Forced to take the only job available to her, she finds herself working for wealthy Nathan Bouteright. As her late husband’s memory continues to follow her, who will hold the key to unlock so many unanswered questions about her past? Will she be able to help Emma and Daniel come to terms … terms with who they are, and can they forgive the one person who played God with their lives?
When Marie struggles to get Nathan to trust her, will it be his four-year-old son Amos who shows them there is more to a person than what is on the outside? Or, will a letter from her deceased mother help her find her way back to her faith and the exact place she dropped her thread of obedience?
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Secrets of Willow Springs Book 2 by Tracy Fredrychowski is everything I expected and so very much more!
All I can say is pick up this book, grab your favorite cup of coffee, tea, or hot coco, a pack of Kleenex, your cozy quilt and get ready for a wonderful story that will transport you right into Willow Springs. If you have not been blessing to read Book 1 you may want to as it will give you so much back story into this amazing series. Right from the beginning you will feel the love and at the same time heartbreak that draws these characters together in a unique way and yet you will not know why or how which makes this book so very interesting. The scripture, as well as the heart felt emotion the characters go through will pull you in and wrap around your heart, I truly felt as if I was sitting on the porch, at the table with all them as they were sharing a meal and talking about their day. Most of all this book is one of great Forgivness that teachers us that as difficult as it is at times we really need to step back And let God guide our steps, and go back to where we lost our way with our faith so we can get back on his path for our life and our faith. If I could give this book more than 5 stars I would, I highly recommend not only this book but book 1 and I’m looking forward to Book 3 as well.
“God often puts us in situations where we have nowhere left to look but up.”
“The ties that bind you as a family will never go away.”
This is one absolutely heartfelt story that gave way to a beautiful, superb and phenomenal story with three dimensional characters that came to life. I was immerse into the story from the beginning wanting to see how each character was going to fare as they faced the hidden secrets and unanswered questions of the past 16 years. The characteristics of longing and searching for answers gave way to tense and tender moments as the story unfolded. There were struggles, painful words overheard but yet a longing to be able to connect the past which was part of the history in Sugarcreek, Ohio. Tracy Fredrychowski penned vivid descriptive scenes, heartfelt and sincere letters for characters to read, interweaving of scriptural references and a beautiful faith and forgiveness message that is found among the Amish/Mennonite community. There’s the message that God is in control and orchestrating difficult times to show His love, mercy, grace and peace when surrendering to following Him.
Each character from Rosie to Amos, the oldest and youngest members, had a part to bring healing, renewed faith, forgiveness and finding love in the midst of all the dark past. I appreciate the way the story flowed freely with many emotions and reaching for tissues often, as I was right in the midst of each scene no matter which character was involved. The characters found in Secrets of Willow Springs have become like family members. I appreciate this book included chapter one of book three to gain a glimpse of what was transpiring several months later.
I received a complimentary e-book from the author and was under no obligation to write a positive review. All thoughts are my own. Tracy Fredrychowski is a new author in the Amish fiction world, but her books are filled with all the qualities that make a beautiful Christian read. I look forward to more books in the future by Tracy Fredrychowski.
I’m really enjoying Tracy’s books! I can’t wait for the next in this series. Readers of Amish fiction will enjoy this intriguing series.
Tracy Fredrychowski is a new to me author and I couldn’t be more pleased to have read this book. I thoroughly enjoyed the story of Marie Cooper and her estranged children. It’s certainly different than some other Amish fiction that I have read which is why I enjoyed it so much.
The author gave her characters real challenges in their lives, a mother who is released from prison after 16 years, who is forced to live and find work in an Amish community all the while tying to reconcile with her children.
What I loved about this book is the grittier storyline, the thought that all of us lived charmed , perfect lives with no problems is silly so I was happy to see this Amish community reactions to Marie’s presence. Nathan had an especially difficult time having her in his home and caring for his family which seemed to ring true to me. I know that I would share his feelings at first until I became more comfortable with the situation.
I was surprised by the twists but that’s the purpose of them, right? I was not surprised by how much I enjoyed this well-paced, well-written novel and look forward to more of this authors work. I loved the characters, the storyline and the lovely setting.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
“Now here I am, on my sixteenth birthday, thinking I don’t belong. I don’t know how to be anyone else other than Amish Emma Byler.”
Secrets of Willow Springs 2 explores the many conflicting emotions experienced by Emma Byler shortly after her sixteenth birthday. Discovering that she was adopted as a baby by an Amish family, finding out that her friend is actually her brother, and learning that her biological mother has recently been released from prison…who wouldn’t be torn and confused? Emma Byler faces all of this but she is a very mature sixteen and she feels certain that this is “Gott’s” plan. She is also determined to lead her birth mother back to believing in God because spousal abuse and a long prison term have convinced Marie Cooper that she isn’t deserving and that God has forgotten her.
Author Tracy Fredrychowski completely drew me into the lives of Emma Byler , her brother Daniel Miller, their mother Marie, and the events of their very complicated pasts. One by one, the author peeled back the layers and allowed me to see a young wife’s struggle to protect herself and her children and later, her desire to provide good homes for them while she was incarcerated.
There are many Amish and Mennonite characters who are also involved in the lives of Emma and Daniel and as the details are uncovered, there are multiple surprises. As the circumstances become known, I was reminded that there are no coincidences in life…they are all God’s planning. There are a lot of fears and tears but a remark by a very wise person says it all…”The ties that bind you as a family will never go away.”
Most of us have had secrets in our past and there are many among the people of Willow Springs, Pennsylvania and Sugarcreek, Ohio. As they are uncovered, we readers are treated to a wonderful story of faith, hope, love, and forgiveness. Secrets of Willow Springs 2 warmed my heart as it tugged at my heartstrings and I definitely want to return to Willow Springs when book 3 becomes available!
I received a copy of this book via the author. I was not required or asked to leave a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own and are honestly given.
Through the years I’ve read and reviewed quite a bit of Amish fiction by many different authors, and this series by Tracy Fredrychowski is one of the best Amish fiction series I’ve read to date. I found myself completely caught up in the storylines of Emma, Daniel, and Marie. There were some twists in this plot that I did not see coming, and it was amazing how all the details in their stories came together. By the time I finished this book, I felt as if I knew the people of the Willow Springs and Sugar Creek communities.
There’s just the right blend of family drama, faith, hope, and love in this story. Highly recommend this series to all who enjoy Amish fiction or just love a good story.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.