Beside Still Waters - Tricia Goyer (review & Giveaway!)

4 STARS

About the book - Marianna Sommer believes she knows where her life is headed. Nineteen years old and Amish, her plan is to get baptized into the church, marry Aaron Zook, and live in the only community she's ever known.

When Marianna's family moves from Indiana to Montana she discovers life and faith will never be the same. As she builds an easy friendship with local guy, Ben Stone, Ben not only draws her heart, he also gets her thinking about what loving God and living in community is all about.

About Tricia - Tricia Goyer is the author of twenty-six books including Songbird Under a German Moon, The Swiss Courier, and the mommy memoir, Blue Like Play Dough. She won Historical Novel of the Year in 2005 and 2006 from ACFW, and was honored with the Writer of the Year award from Mt. Hermon Writer's Conference in 2003. Tricia's book Life Interrupted was a finalist for the Gold Medallion in 2005. In addition to her novels, Tricia writes non-fiction books and magazine articles for publications like Mom Sense and Thriving Family. Tricia is a regular speaker at conventions and conferences, and has been a workshop presenter at the MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) International Conventions. She and her family make their home in Little Rock, Arkansas where they are part of the ministry of Family Life. Visit www.triciagoyer.com for more info.

My Review - This is a very nice read. There is nothing earth shaking or exciting, it is just a really nice book to read. It gives a very good inside look at how the Amish live. It also shows how different they can be from area to area. I think our Amish here in NY are a little more the easy going Amish of Montana rather than as strict as Indiana. 
The descriptions in this book are very good, I really felt like I was right there in the mountains of Montana. I could clearly picture the houses, fields, and buggies. I love books where the Author has painted a great canvas of their story. And Tricia does this very well.
The character development is equally great. You definitely get a feeling for the whole family. You really fall in love with Marianna as you follow along on her life journey. As far as Aaron goes, I am sure in the Amish world he is a really great catch but I just didn't really care for him. I did, however, love Ben Stone! What a wonderful young man Tricia made him out to be.
 
 Thank you "Litfuse" for giving  me the opportunity to review this book!

Link to buy the book: http://triciagoyer.com/contemporaryfiction.html#BesideStillWaters  

Visit - HERE for a complete list of Blogs on this Blog tour.

To celebrate the release of the first book in the Big Sky Amish series Tricia is giving away 10 copies of Beside Still Waters and a pair of super cute antique Amish salt & pepper shakers.

Visit Tricia's website for a chance to win - HERE

BONUS! Each person who enters the giveaway will receive a FABULOUS Montana Amish Calendar. Hurry, it’s only available while supplies last!

My Giveaway - I am giving away my copy of the book "Beside Still Waters" - (This is an ARC)

* Please comment here with your email address or email me at forevereading at gmail dot com

* Please be from either the US or Canada
* Please become a follower if you are not already.

* Winner will be chosen and announced on April 12th

* Winner will have 48 hrs. to respond to claim their book.