Suzanne Woods Fisher begins her Stoney Ridge Seasons series with The Keeper, now available from Revell Books.
Synopsis
Julia Lapp has planned on marrying Paul Fisher since she was a girl. Now twenty-one, she looks forward to their wedding with giddy anticipation. When Paul tells her he wants to postpone the wedding–again–she knows who is to blame. Perpetual bachelor and spreader of cold feet, Roman Troyer, the Bee Man.
Roamin’ Roman travels through the Amish communities of Ohio and Pennsylvania with his hives full of bees, renting them out to farmers in need of pollinators. He relishes his nomadic life, which keeps him from thinking about all he has lost. He especially enjoys bringing his bees to Stoney Ridge each year. But with Julia on a mission to punish him for inspiring Paul’s cold feet, the Lapp farm is looking decidedly less pleasant. Can Julia secure the future she’s always dreamed of? Or does God have something else in mind?
Enjoy meeting the mysterious Roman and feisty Julia!
Brief physical descriptionRoman Troyer—the Bee Man. Rome is 25, dashingly handsome (and well aware of that fact). One interesting characteristic: he has gray hair.
Julia Lapp—The oldest daughter in the Lapp family, Julia is 21, attractive—and she knows it, too.
Actor/famous person
Think: Richard Gere—young and handsome with a headful of salt and pepper colored hair.
Think: Sandra Bullock in “The Proposal”
Strengths and weaknesses
Roman Troyer is a mysterious character. He is a migratory beekeeper and roams from community to community with his bees. Although he is thoroughly Amish, he is a solitary person and intensely private.
Julia Lapp takes herself seriously. She has to! Quite a lot of responsibility rests on her shoulders. She takes comfort in her plans for the future–until the Bee Man arrives in town and messes everything up.
Quirk (if any)
Rome: Women are drawn to Rome—except for Julia Lapp. He can’t understand why she isn’t crazy about him.
Julia: She doesn’t mean to be funny, but she is.
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| Credit: stock.xchang |
Your inspiration for the character
On my very first visit to Lancaster County, I came across an Amish farm with a red wind mill. I stopped in, visited with the family, and a friendship developed. In the back of my mind, I always wanted to create a story about an Amish family that doesn’t quite fit your perception of the Amish. I mean, what kind of family has a red wind mill? Interested? Meet them in “The Keeper.”
Background to the story
Roman Troyer is an Amish migratory bee keeper who guards his bees—and his heart—carefully.
Julia Lapp has life planned out—she is going to marry Paul Fisher, he will move to Windmill Farm and fill the gaps that her father’s illness has created. Along comes the Bee Man—who convinces Paul to postpone the wedding. Julia is livid! And determined to woo Paul back.
Relz Reviewz Extras
Reviews of The Choice and The Waiting
Visit Suzanne’s website and blog
Buy Suzanne’s books at Amazon or Koorong
January 20, 2012 at 7:29 pm
That has got to be about the best book trailer I've seen. I don't usually read Amish fiction, but it soooo set the mood. Loved it!