Customer Reviews

Along Wooded Paths: A Big Sky Novel

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"Along Wooded Paths" A Big Sky Series by Tricia Goyer

A Big Sky Series, Book Two, "Along Wooded Paths" by Tricia Goyer does not disappoint at all. Book One is "Beside Still Waters" and is all about Marianna and her family moving from the plains of Indiana to the mountainous region of Montana. Each book can be read on its own, but to get the true feeling of this book, these books should be read as the series in order. By doing so gives us the true meaning of this complete story.
I love this series so much because of the way it is written. I love Tricia Goyer's style of writing, and in this genre, she has the characters come to life and jump off the pages at us. We can feel what they feel, think what they are thinking and even ask ourselves what the character are asking themselves. She has proven herself to be very talented at writing an Amish series, and these are by far no cookie-cutter stories like some Amish Fiction can be. This series of books is completely different from any of the other Amish books I have read so far. It is so different that it gets deep into the nitty-gritty of the characters. She even adds a little suspense in this story as it reads along.
I have read some of the reviews on this book and I want to address the romance, or some say, lack, thereof. There is not a lack of romance in this book at all, if you follow along, but more so what makes this book so good is the `anticipation and suspense' of the love that has developed and is developing, and the love to come, and with whom. If you want the traditional Amish romance that tends to turn out predictable, then go grab a different author's book where the stories all start to sound alike and are predictable. This book is not like that at all. Predictable, not at all! I guess I want to call this book a `mature', grown-up version' of Amish books and it deserves every bit of that title. I really hope to see Tricia Goyer writer more books in the Amish genre. This has been so refreshing and entertaining, kind of like a curve-ball in Amish Fiction! I like this a lot!
This book has brought us to a city in Montana where the Amish and the English interact and live among each other without the usual tensions that other Amish communities seem to have. They, the Englischers and the Amish all sit down together at the same tables in a restaurant and have dinner together. They are friends that can count on each other. You will find them doing things together, even going to prayer meetings together and having get-togethers. This is such an enjoyable read, maybe even more realistic than just fiction. The sense of community really shines through in this story.
In this series, Tricia Goyer has us feel what these characters feel and draws us right into their lives. Between the two books in this series, so far this book has been, by far, my favorite. I am dying to read Book Three, which will be called "Beyond Hopes Valley". I am sure, after reading this third book; it will then be my favorite! Each book just gets better and better.
In this book the story line has taken hold, developed and gets us living in Montana with these characters. This is a book I could sit down and read a second time and enjoy it just as much! How refreshing to read such a masterpiece in Amish Fiction! I sure hope she writes more of this genre! I found myself talking out loud to these characters' which only happens when I am really into a great book!
Now that Marianna and her family are living in Montana, they are all falling into the pattern of daily life. Marianna meets a man named Ben, who is an Englischer. He teaches Marianna that it is possible to have a personal relationship with God, rather than just the Amish way of thinking about God, and the Amish don't teach this concept. She is enjoying this very much; so much so, she even sneaks out one night in order to go to the prayer meeting. The prayer meeting is mixed with the Amish and the Outsiders. Marianna finds herself finding this prayer meeting very rewarding as she forms her own personal relationship with God, thanks to Ben who introduced her to it. She has found a sense of freedom in learning to have a personal relationship with God.
Marianna is being drawn closer to Ben. She really likes him, but there is still Aaron back in Indiana to whom she has pledged her heart to, yet she is finding she really likes it in Montana.
Even though this group of Amish that Marianna's family moved to here in Montana is so different from the `typical' Amish communities, they still follow the laws of the Amish, so if Marianna were to allow herself to fall in love and marry Ben, an outsider, she would be excommunicated from the church and her family, just like her brother, Levi, who in the end may or may not go back to being Amish. His parents are praying that he does return to the Amish community as they did lose two other children already, but I can't give spoilers on this great book. However, I do feel Ben loves Marianna. She would never hear of this, though, even though deep down this very same thought has crossed her mind, and she has wondered if perhaps she might love him. Neither of these characters has said anything about this subject to the other, just thought it, but she would never allow herself to fall in love with Ben because of the threat of the excommunication. She loves her family and her faith too much to be able to accept a life like that.
Marianna thinks of Ben as having served his purpose in that he has taught her to have a personal relationship with God. This is all that Ben can be. Nothing more, yet he does enter her thoughts. When Marianna returns to Indiana, Ben will always have a soft spot in her heart for him.
I wonder if Ben, and if I remember correctly, Ben has entertained the thought of whether or not he could become Amish. If that were to occur, then Marianna could fall in love with him. It is so unusual for an Englischer to turn Amish, though, that it rarely happens.
Later towards the end of the book, we see Aaron come to Montana to see Marianna. She is delighted. She decides to go back home to Indiana, planning on spending the rest of her life with him. She has a few misgivings. Why? Trust is one of those misgivings, but why does she feel this way? She happily leaves Montana, hugging and kissing all of her newfound friends' goodbye and leaves with Aaron to head back to Indiana to start planning her new life with Aaron, planning the Wedding. This is pretty much where our story leaves off without, again, giving any spoilers.
I cannot say enough or recommend this book anymore than I already have!
We do get a glimpse into Chapter One of the next, third book! This, I will leave for you to read! I think I can guess one thing, but I won't say! I can only say, again, I can't wait for Book Three to come out!
I hope for Amish Fiction lovers you get the opportunity to read this series and treasure it! It is one you will not put down till you have read it all. I HIGHLY recommend this book and give it 5 stars! Tricia Goyer has proven, once again, her writing skills are so talented!
I received this book for "FREE" from B & H Publishing through NetGalley, through their Book Reviewer's Program in exchange to read and write a review about this book. It is NOT required for my review I write to be either positive or negative, but, "of my own opinion." I was NOT provided with "ANY" monies to accept this book, "NOR" to read it, NOR were "ANY" monies given to me to write the review for this book. All that was `expected' of me was to enjoy the pure pleasure of reading it. Again, the opinions expressed for and about this book are `of my own opinion'. I am disclosing this information in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255, [...] Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Once you've grown tired of reading the same Amish love story over and over again with different names attached, pick up one of the books in Tricia Goyer's Big Sky series. Along Wooded Paths is an emotional story of a young Amish girl who has left her childhood home in Indiana and the man she is pledged to marry, to move to the wilds of Montana where the Amish and the Englischers live and work together in close community. As Marianna makes friends among the Amish and Englisch alike, she is drawn to Ben because of his close and genuine relationship with God, but he is not Amish. Marianna struggles with confusion as she compares what she's been taught to Ben's obvious relationship with God despite the fact that he's not Amish. TOn top of that, she fears she is falling in love with Ben and, to further complicate matters, Aaron arrives from Indiana to escort Marianna home with him. Now she has to choose not just between Ben and Aaron, but also between tradition and relationship with God. And can she have both?

Along Wooded paths is book two in the Big Sky series. It can be read as a stand alone, but I think you will enjoy it more if you read Beside Still Waters (book one) first. Besides, after reading book two, you'll want to read book one anyway.

My Thoughts:
Along Wooded Paths, book 2 in the Big Sky Series picks up where Beside Still Waters, book 1 left off. Marianna Sommer left the Amish home and childhood love, Aaron Zook to move with her family to start a new life in a new Amish community in Montana. The new Amish community shares their daily lives with the Englisch that also live and work there. She is pulled between her Amish beliefs a new relationship with God that is unlike any she had ever thought possible. She have also become friends with an Englischer, Ben as they share their love for God. She be begins to have feelings that she know are not a possiblility if she is to remain Amish.
We often close our minds to new things especially if it involves religion and our roots. The author reveals that Marianna and her family had become prejudice to the outside world other than the Amish. Then they begin to wander could the Englisch actually have a relationship to God that would allow then to enter Heaven's Gates.
Tricia has done it again. Another beautiful Amish novel. I can't wait to read the next book in the series.
I recommend you read this book. If you have not read an Amish novel before this series would be an excellent place to start.

I gladly give this book a rating of 5 out of 5.

Disclosure:
I received a free print copy of this book from Litfuse. This review is my honest opinion.

Along Wooded Paths was the second book in the Big Sky Series and is probably best to be read after reading book 1 although I do think you'd still enjoy it as a stand-alone, just maybe not as much.

Marianna is now in Montana and her relationship with God continues to thrive and so does her situation with her family. Things begin to come together for Marianna and I'm excited to read what God is doing in her life. Her boyfriend Aaron from Indiana shows up in Montana and due to an accident ends up spending 6 weeks staying in her home with her family. This becomes hard on Marianna as she struggles to renew her relationship with Aaron yet remain faithful to what she has learned about God from Ben and the other English people of the town.

When I finished reading Along Wooded Paths, I had to just say back and take a deep breath!! Wow!! The ending leaves you guessing as things to come and yet satisfied with all that has happened so far. There were a lot of changes in Marianna's life and that caused some interesting events to take place in the book.

I really enjoyed getting to know the people of this small town in Montana that has both Amish and English there. You could tell that God was the center of this town and the heart of these people in the way there were always there for one another.

I especially enjoyed getting to know Ben. Ben is an English young man who has become a friend to many of the Amish and helps driving them around along with other tasks, he is also a talented singer and Marianna is mesmerized by his singing the one time she hears him sing.

Again I loved that Tricia Goyer explained why the Amish believe what they believed and I felt like I grew more connected to their lives and the story of Marianna and her family.

My only complaint of this book is the romance or lack of romance. There was so much going on Marianna and she really had a hard time in deciding who to love, Ben or Aaron and at times I just found that to be frustrating. There was so many great qualities of both men that it was hard for me to even choose who I liked and all I wanted was her to make a decision and move forward with a relationship. However, the tension and frustration is what made this book believable to me and therefore I think it was necessary for the story to flow as well as it did.
I will anxiously be awaiting book three to see what happens in Marianna's life. I highly recommend this book to fans of Amish fiction and Christian romance. You will not be disappointed.

Disclosure: I was graciously provided a free copy of this book from Litfuse in exchange for my honest review and opinion. All opinions are my own.

Along Wooded Paths is the second book in the series that follows an Amish young woman, Marianna, through the difficult choices she has to make throughout her life. Although I did not read the first book, I was able to get the hang of the story without problem, so don't let that dissuade you from picking the book up.
The story is well-paced, never allowing the reader to grow dull. There isn't too much tension, since we don kind of know what Marianna will choose, even from the beginning, but it is not boring to read about her struggles. What I found a tad frustrating was her indecisiveness as a character flaw. Her seeming love for two different men get annoying when she has no clue what she wants. She feels guilty about loving both, yet she also feels jealous when any other woman pays attention to either one of her beaus. You just want to shake her and tell her to pick one already! This was probably done on purpose by the author, but I found it a bit overdone.
The writing itself is very nice, simple, yet full of intricate moments that add depth to an otherwise clichéd plot. If you like sweet romance novels, then this one might be a perfect fit for you.

Tricia Goyer is the author of thirty 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 MomSense 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 FamilyLife.

I've followed Tricia's work for years. I remember reading her MOPS articles. WWII books. Writing geared for marriage. Book encouragement for moms. Her latest, Along Wooded Paths, is Book 2 in her Amish Big Sky series. It really helps if you read Beside Still Waters first. Anyway, I write all I do about Tricia to show you her talent. Most authors stick to a genre and don't waver too far from it. Few dance between fiction and non and when they do, the results aren't often great. Tricia is a clear conduit of the Lord's pen. She's gifted in words I can't even adequately communicate. The next writing project I'm half-watching for her to announce is her plan to align herself with speculative or fantasy. She's a master in each genre she writes. I am a reader and I'm telling you, she truly has His favor and is a tremendous talent. You need to get your hands on all her books and devour them. Seriously.

That said, Along Wooded Paths treats readers to Amish life in Montana for Marianna Sommers and her family. The more Marianna adjusts to her new life in the mountains the more questions she has. Thanks to a deepening friendship with an Englischer she's drawing closer to God through His Word. Her family grieves previous losses to the world so their concerns are constant. Tension elevates when the Amish man Marianna thought she was going to marry in Indiana arrives in her Montana town.

I enjoyed the tension and the mounting stakes Marianna faces. The beautiful setting Tricia painted in Book 1 continues to be a quiet, endearing character in Along Wooded Paths. I recommend while you are following my suggestion to find Tricia Goyer's books you make sure Beside Still Waters and Along Wooded Paths are at the top of your list.

For more about Tricia and her other books visit [...]

About the book:
All she wanted was a simple Amish life . . . But now Marianna Sommer finds herself depending on Englisch neighbors. Although proud of living apart from the world, she and her newly relocated Amish family have discovered that life in the remote mountains of Montana requires working together.

As Marianna begins helping those different from herself--and receiving their help--her heart contemplates two directions. She's torn between the Amish man from Indiana whom she has long planned on marrying and the friendly Englischer who models a closer walk with God than she's ever seen before.

Who should have young Marianna's heart? What is God asking her to sacrifice? Her traditions? Her community? The answer is found along the wooded paths.

This book was provided to me for review by B&H publishers and much of the information apart from my review comes from Litfuse Publicity Group.

Marianna Sommer has adjusted to life in Montana and she loves it there. She's settled in, making new friends with both English and Amish, and she has a job with a great boss that she loves.

She's also still struggling with her feelings for Ben--the English man who introduced her to God. Her parents fear that Ben will steal her heart, so without telling her Dat, Memm invites Aaron, Marianna's "fiancé" to visit. There's an accident and Aaron ends up breaking his leg, and stranded at Marianna's house. Marianne is upset and bothered by this, but she has no choice but to care for Aaron.

Will this enforced lengthy visit win her heart back to Aaron? Or will Ben win? Either answer means a heartbreak.

I read Ms. Goyer's first Amish book Beside Still Waters and feel this book is ten thousand times better. While Beside Still Waters is etched with sadness, ALONG WOODED PATHS is full of hope, of encouragement, and even joy, despite the decisions that Marianna must make.

Both Aaron and Ben are good men and I didn't really have a strong feeling which man should win Marianne's affections until the end - then I knew who I wanted to win. I'm looking forward to reading the last book in this series to see if it will end the way I think it'll end. There's some yummy sounding recipes included at the end of the book as well as a preview for the third book, coming in April 2012.

If you like Amish fiction, don't miss ALONG WOODED PATHS.

My mother had given me the first book in this series as a gift, and after I read that, I had to read this one right away. It picks up right where the other left off, and I got sucked in and couldn't put it down. Its a good, wholesome read, not like the other Amish novel books I had read (in a good way) and just all around very enjoyable. I can't wait until the next book is out. I will say that sometimes the way some of the characters speak (mainly the "Englisch" ones) is a little overly-romantic. Specifically one of the lead male characters talks a little old fashioned. People that age don't really speak in that manner, but its not something that bugged me enough to put the book down and not read any further. It just made me not really picture the book taking place in modern times. I did love it and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good Christian based Amish fiction book.

After reading the first in the Big Sky Series, I knew I had to get ahold of book two.

I wasn't disappointed! The story for Marianna continues as she searches for the right way, the best way, to live her life as an adult. She's conflicted and confused, thinking she's in love with two men. No more spoilers other than that: read the book!

I'm looking forward to April 2012 when the third book comes out! If you love inspirational novels, read this one (plus others!) by Tricia Goyer.

"Along Wooded Paths" by Tricia Goyer is unlike any Amish book I have ever read. Typically the Amish are portrayed as steadfast and unwavering, except those few who convert to the English life-style. This author gives us an inside look at the struggles of one woman, Marianna, as she tries to choose between a God-fearing Englischer or the Amish man she left behind in Indiana, who has come for a visit. It's nice to know that the Amish are normal people with normal struggles when dealing with right and wrong - or sometimes just good and better.

At first I wasn't sure I was going to like this story. Marianna comes off a bit selfish in the beginning and that kind of threw me. I kept reading, however, and am glad I did so. She realizes her self-centeredness and puts aside her own struggles to help others. I, too, sometimes focus to much on myself and forget that others have needs greater than my own. In the end, she makes the choice that is right for her (no spoilers allowed here).

It is the second book in the Big Sky series, but it read as a wonderful stand-alone novel. I look forward to book three.