Two Steps Forward

Two Steps Forward by Suzanne Woods Fisher is the third (and final) book in The Deacon's Family series. While Two Steps Forward can be read on its own, you will be missing out on two delightful books. Reading The Deacon's Family series in order allows you to get to know Luke, Izzy, Bishop David, Hank, Edith and the other characters in Stoney Ridge. I have enjoyed following Luke's journey and it is not over yet. Jimmy Fisher is returning to Stoney Ridge after the ranch he was working on in Colorado went belly up. He discovers that his mother, Edith has turned his bedroom into a scrapbooking room which has Jimmy sleeping on a lumpy sofa in the basement. Sylvie Schrock King is a widow raising four and a half year old, Joey on her own along with trying to take care of Rising Star Farm. Sylvie offers Jimmy a job which he accepts over his mother's protests. Jimmy is eager to work with Prince the Arabian horse Sylvie uses to pull her buggy. When Izzy and Fern read about a second infant who died after being abandoned, they implore Luke to come up with an idea. Izzy is happily married to Luke and loves their adopted girl, but she feels a loss over never knowing her own father. She approaches her mother in hopes of learning more about her biological father. Two Steps Forward is a delightfully entertaining novel. There is humor, joy, love, frustration and despair. There is also faith in the Lord. They know that God is there watching over them and will take care of them. I liked getting to know Sylvie. She had a rough childhood in a conservative Amish group and frequently quotes phrases from the Bible. Sylvie is good with animals and strays have a way of finding their way to Rising Star Farm. Jimmy is an upbeat man who is a hard worker and a charmer. His dimples and charm help him with women, but Jimmy has trouble with making a permanent commitment. I like how the book brought attention to the issue of abandoned babies. While there are Safe Haven laws, there are still babies left in restrooms and dumpsters. Two Steps Forward is well-written with engaging characters set in a special Amish community. This is a book that had me smiling and laughing often while reading it with the occasional frown (thanks to Edith). I am going to miss Stoney Ridge and the people who reside there (even Hank Lapp). Two Steps Forward is a brilliant conclusion to The Deacon's Family series. Two Steps Forward is a charming tale with baby boxes, a hen pen, a jumble of junk, a bright boy, a meddling mother and a benevolent bishop.