Well written story and you will love the characters. I couldn't put this book down. Highly recommend this book. It was a pleasure in reading this book.

In A Healing Touch, Suzanne Woods Fisher revisits the Amish of Stoney Ridge. Many characters are familiar to Fisher's readers. The LOUD and quirky, Hank Lapp and his wife, Edith. Bishop David Stoltzfus, brother to the main character, Ruth "Dok" Stoltzfus and her husband, Matt Lehman, a police officer.

This story has 3 main threads: Dok and her interactions with her patients; Widowed Bee Bennett who is diagnosed with breast cancer; Dok's office assistant Annie Fisher who is so shy she can't bring herself to interrupt Dok's appointments even with important information; and a baby boy who is abandoned on the steps of Dok's office. Fisher moves smoothly from story to story, interweaving the threads to show how completely immersed Dok is in the Stoney Ridge Community. She's a doctor who still makes house calls, even when they interfere with her own marriage.

I enjoyed stepping back into Stoney Ridge. Hank Lapp is always a hoot, and his interactions with everyone around him always cause some kind of mayhem. I also enjoyed Bee's story. Newly widowed and highly independent, Bee doesn't see her need for help, until a former competitor offers it without expecting anything in return. I also liked reacquainting myself with the man who won Dok's heart a few books ago, Officer Matt Lehman. His persistence in getting Dok to take in the abandoned baby boy shows that he is exactly the man Dok needs in her life.

Readers who enjoy Amish fiction, will enjoy a Healing Touch. While there is some romance in the stories, it isn't really the focus here. I would call this more women's fiction than romance, and each character shows growth, in all kinds of different ways. I definitely recommend this one!

When am Amish woman has a stillborn baby, do you know what is said about it? That the baby's life was complete. It was a strange thought. When you understand that, you'll understand how the Amish grieve.

Three threads of stories with the Healing touch. The Doc, Doc's assistant Annie, and Doc's patient Bee. Each of them are centered around Doc. Doc is now English, married, with a small practice in the Amish community where grew up Amish. Her brother is the Bishop and is wisdom comes in handy. The thread starts with her when a baby is abandoned at her office. This leads to her and her husband considering adopting the baby and the changes it will make in their lives. Annie is thinking about making a life change that does not include leaving the Amish but might leave her alone in her decision. And Bee a widower who lost her husband and is still grieving. When a man from her past comes to help her, she must overcome the bitterness she is holding on to.

I loved each their stories and how life is one big roller coaster. Even for the Amish.

A special thank you to Revel and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.

A Healing touch returns us to the Stoltzfus Englisher and Amish families where new challenges and relationships await.

Ruth "Dok" Stoltzfus is the kind of doctor who still believes in house calls, addressing not just her patients' physical needs but their emotional ones too. When newly widowed Bee faces a breast cancer diagnosis, Dok connects her with Fern Lapp for support. When her painfully shy assistant Annie finds herself drawn to a new calling, Dok goes to great lengths to help her achieve her dream. And when an abandoned newborn mysteriously appears at her office one frosty morning, Dok's world takes an unexpected turn as ripples of change touch several lives.

A Healing Touch is a captivating tale of compassion, resilience, and the bonds that form in surprising places. Bestselling and award-winning author Suzanne Woods Fisher invites you into a new story that's like medicine for the weary soul. Join Dok, Annie, and the tight-knit Stoney Ridge community as they navigate the twists of fate, discovering that sometimes the greatest healing comes from the heart. #netgalley

Ruth “Dok” Stoltzfus has her hands full caring for the Amish and English community. She grew up Amish, left the faith, but serves them now in a special, understanding way. Her brother is actually the community’s bishop in this story. Her medical office assistant, Annie, is a bashful young woman who finds her calling to become an EMT. This unusual career choice meets with resistance and Dok needs to help Annie with the hurdles.

Some of the cases include cancer and troublesome, persistent cough. There’s also a storyline of foster care and struggling marriage. The topic of grief after being widowed is also addressed. The main characters are Ruth, Annie and Bea.

I was sorry to get to the end of the book – I really enjoyed it and wanted it to keep going!

Ruth "Dok" Stoltzfus is the kind of doctor who still believes in house calls, addressing not just her patients' physical needs but their emotional ones too. This is really lovely, about healing touch and this is really really true in the age of digital and commercialized hospital.

“Difficult times end up making us the best we can be.”

A Healing Touch is a heartwarming (and sometimes heartwrenching) new addition to Suzanne Woods Fisher’s Stoney Ridge universe. It works perfectly as a standalone but if you’ve read any of the other books set here you’ll enjoy getting to hang out with your faves like Bishop David, his sister ‘Dok’, and of course the one and only HANK LAPP (if you know Hank at all, you’ll know why I all-capped him).

As is typical of a Fisher novel, we are walking into this community to find a handful of stories in progress among several primary characters, initially connected loosely by one person or event and then continuing on throughout the novel in their respective plot lines. I really enjoy this style of storytelling because it feels like I’m visiting Stoney Ridge in person and spending time with three or four characters as they live their lives. In A Healing Touch, as the title would suggest, all of the subplots have Dr. Ruth Stolzfus (aka ‘Dok’) as a connecting factor. There’s recent widow Bee Bennett and her new cancer diagnosis (as well as a blast from her past who shows up to help with the horses, and the practical Fern Lapp who helps Bee with her grief), Dok’s smart-but-shy young assistant Annie Fisher (along with Annie’s hypochondriac mother, and the handsome Amish EMT who opens Annie’s heart to more than one dream), and an abandoned newborn who upends Dok and her husband Matt’s lives. And y’all… SOMETHING IS REALLY WRONG WITH HANK LAPP. Oh my heart!

Each main female in A Healing Touch – Bee, Annie, and Dok – is well-crafted with developed layers that draw you in while you follow the compelling journeys they take on these pages. Themes of grief, loss, fear, forgiveness, and surrender are presented compassionately and sincerely and, while these are indeed deep topics and handled with the care they deserve, the book itself never becomes heavy. Emotional at times, yes. But the tone nevertheless remains uplifting and positive. And then, of course, there were moments of humor that made me giggle (as per usual when HANK LAPP is in the story). Like when Dok finds him high-stepping it in a hurry to flee the angry goose that has him in its sights…. or this exchange of dialogue:

“CALM as a CUCUMBER,” Hank bellowed.
“Unflappable,” Sarah said.
“Our ANNIE can NOT be FLAPPED,” Hank said.

Bottom Line: A Healing Touch by Suzanne Woods Fisher is touching and heartfelt, pointing readers to the mercy & grace of God even as it entertains us with relatable characters (including some beloved favorites) and engrossing subplots. Bee, Dok, and Annie experience layered character growth over the course of this novel, and I found that each woman spoke to my heart in some way. Fisher’s charming writing voice makes it easy to fully immerse yourself in this story and difficult to put it down. I enjoyed this visit to Stoney Ridge, including the dash of romance, and I’m already looking forward to the next one.

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)

An Amish woman named Fern was quite wise. She was a woman of few words but what she did say was powerful and to the point. Bea was hesitant to meet Fern. Was she ready to hear what she had to say?
Sometimes we spend too much time thinking of the negatives than the positives. We don't think of what we could gain but what we can lose. This was what some of the characters in this wonderful book thought. It can be scary to enter a new relationship after you have been hurt or lost a loved one. You might feel it is too risky to go for the new job or to try for a promotion.

An Amish girl, Anna, was willing to take the risk. Her mother was not. Conflict can occur when there is a difference of opinion. This could lead to heartbreak.

I enjoyed the book. The characters were realistic. I always love reading Suzanne Woods Fisher's books.

Five stars.

Dr. Ruth Stoltzfus works as a doctor in the Amish community. She relies on house calls to help her patients' physical and emotional needs. Dr. Ruth meets her patients where they are and ensures she does what is best for them. This was a great Amish story.

Will finish this review after Thanksgiving!

I loved going back to Stoney Ridge and characters that I've read about in previous books by Suzanne Woods Fisher.

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review. All opinions are my own.

Publication date: 1 October 2024

Another great Amish story from Suzanne Woods Fisher. I love seeing the Amish and English living together in community and learning about what that may look like. All the characters were real and relatable and I was truly invested in all of the storylines. It was also nice seeing previous Stoney Ridge characters turn up and to see a little more of their stories.

Recommend for anyone who loves an Amish story.

Thank you to the Author, Publisher and NetGalley UK for a free ebook in exchange for an honest review.

I love reading stories that take place in Amish country. This blended a few stories that all took place within the same community. All had ties to the Amish in one way or another. A doctor who was Amish but now served the Amish. An abandoned baby taken in for emergency foster care. A young Amish woman who feels the calling to become an EMT despite this not being the norm in her church district. A woman who breeds horses has to go through radiation treatment for cancer. She gets the advice from a therapeutic Amish woman who guides her with her depression and with coming to terms with people on her past. Overall, a wonderful packed full read!!

A Healing Touch by the amazing storyteller Suzanne Woods Fisher is another captivating Amish Christian tale. The author takes readers back to Stoney Ridge where Amish and English both live together. I was excited to return there and catch up with the characters.

This book has so many things going on with different situations. It mainly focus on Ruth "Dok" Stoltzfus. She grew up Amish and left the community in order to become a doctor. Then she returned to take care of them.

This thought provoking novel tackles abandoned babies, illness, cancer, family matters, grief, widowhood, hope, and faith. It grabbed my attention quickly. I was so invested in the stories of the Amish and English beloved characters that I had trouble putting the book down. There are twists and turns to keep readers on their toes. The writing is superb and will transport you to the Stoney Ridge community. Be sure to read the Cast of Characters at the beginning. It will make you smile as you become acquainted or reacquainted with everyone.

I highly recommend this poignant novel. It has lingered in my mind for days, which is the sign of a great book. I love the life and Christian lessons it provides. It receives a 5 star rating from me. A copy was provided but these are my honest words.

Ruth "Dok" Stoltzfus is the kind of doctor that I wish we had more of. She truly cares for her patients. She listens to them and even makes house calls to see that they get the medical care they need. Unfortunately, she puts them ahead of her own needs and those of her husband. But, God in his own way has a plan to remedy that situation. A way that Dok would have never ever chosen, but it changed her in ways she would have never dreamed.
Dok's assistant is an extremely shy Amish girl, Annie, who feels or maybe even hears a calling from God. But, her parents want her to cease working for Dok come spring to help on their farm. Her mother, unnaturally clings to her, as well as manufacturing illnesses for herself. Can Dok get to the bottom of this?
Then, there is Bee who is still grieving the death of her husband. Now, she has a diagnosis of breast cancer. Dok sends her to Fern Lapp for some help. Fern has a special way about her of knowing how and when to say just the exact right thing for the moment without harping. Bee also got some most unexpected help with her horses while recovering from surgery and radiation treatments. Just maybe Bee will also find forgiveness and healing.
This was just an absolutely wonderful story with an amazing storyline and characters and a happy ever after ending. I would love to see a sequel to it!
I was given an advanced ecopy from the publisher, Revell, through Netgalley. I was under no obligation to leave a positive review.

This is a sweet story from multiple perspectives. I enjoyed reading the emotional healing and growth of the characters with a touch of Amish back ground. I particularly loved Annie's youthful voice. how smart and driven she is, and working through anxiety (which I relate to)!

A Healing Touch ranks as one of the best Amish books I have read. I loved the relationship between the Amish and English. There were several plots happening at the same time . The author did a great job intertwining them all. And each character’s story kept me wanting to read more. I was so glad that the characters were above middle aged. A Healing Touch was the first book I have read of Suzanne Woods Fisher. And it captured my attention so much that I will definitely be seeking out more.
This was entertaining and really heartwarming. However, it also enveloped really tough topics so might be a difficult for some to read. One of the characters had cancer and was dealing with the grief of losing a spouse. Another had to face a marriage that needed some repairs and a change of focus on priorities. One of the main characters lived with regrets and the desire for forgiveness. Adoption was also a topic. A Healing Touch really packed a punch and can provide some amazing discussions. It is challenging to write a review without spoilers as there were so many touching moments that really had me paying attention. It truly is entertaining and yet so very engaging . I was amazed when I finished and looking back see so many themes guiding and teaching throughout A Healing Touch.
I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley and the publisher with no obligations. The opinion expressed in this review are entirely my own.

Oh, how welcome it is to return to Stoney Ridge, catching up with old friends & making new ones, too!
The book has several storylines, providing the opportunity for new narrators - & not necessarily Amish ones - which adds to the interest.
There are characters I can identify with in one way or another, making it easy to empathise (& maybe also do some soul-searching...)
I always learn new things in this author’s books – about birds, about ice-cream, in this case about medical conditions – but who would ever have guessed the denouement?!?
Another excellent volume to add to Suzanne Woods Fisher’s impressive achievements, all of such a high standard : definitely in my very top Christian authors : )

I thoroughly enjoyed A Healing Touch. What a beautiful story. I do find Amish culture fascinating and Suzanne Woods Fisher does a great job of drip feeding the details into the plot. There were several storylines in this book with a marriage on the rocks, a life paused by grief and another stifled by expectation.

Cleverly, all three plots intersect at different places with the Dok and her husband at the center of everything. Dok and her husband Matt have long focused on their careers and not their relationship. But a newborn baby left on her clinic doorstep changes everything for them. Then there’s Bree who has the double blow of being widowed and diagnosed with cancer. A man from her distant past steps in but both need to find different types of healing to allow a new future to be revealed. For Bree, much of the work comes around an Amish table.

And then there’s Dok’s assistant who feels called to be an EMT, but no one from her church has ever done such a thing. A hypochondriac mother doesn’t help. But a handsome Amish EMT from another district could hold the key. Between the clever stories, the Amish details and the beauty of the different resolutions, this is a lovely book. I wish the author had taken a little more time with the ending, but that’s my only complaint. And wanting more isn’t really a bad complaint at all!

I received a copy of A Healing Touch from the publisher via NetGalley, the opinions are my own.

Rating: 5 stars ~ Genre: Amish, suspense, medical ~ Pages: 297 ~ Publish Date: 1 Oct 2024
Subtitle: Amish Fiction about a Small Town Community Doctor and an Abandoned Baby

Oh my gosh. My dream story. Amish fiction. With a mystery. The main character is a doctor, Ruth “Dok” Stoltzfus. She reminds me of the country doctor I had until I went off to college. House calls? Dr. B made them. He rode in on a snow plow because I had pneumonia. He drove my mother and me to the hospital when my appendix was about to burst. Emotional? Well, sorta. I had numerous ear infections as a kid and would tell me he was finding sweet potatoes in my painful ears.

Yep, “Dok” Stoltzfus is my kind of doctor. I read the description I knew I wanted to read this book. You are correct. Her surname is Stolzfus and was raised Amish leaving for school before baptism. The story opens with an Amish farmer patient, Levi Yutzy. You might not believe he assures “Dok” there is no need to reattach his finger. By the way, “Dok” does not agree. My daddy once missed a step descending from a combine and ended up with busted ribs. Did he see Dr. B? Nope. He had my mother bind the ribs with a sheet and returned to combining wheat.

“Dok” doctors the Amish and the ‘English’. She knows her patients. Including ‘Englisher’ Bee who is newly widowed. And sadly has a breast cancer diagnosis. Dok’s handling of the situation is unique.

Her assistant, Annie, is Amish and loves her job. Her ‘daad’ does not like Annie working for an Amish turned ‘Englisher’. Annie is a natural and you will like her.

Oh, and a newborn baby boy is left at her office doorway one cold morning. And Dok’s husband, Matt, has a solution to the baby’s immediate care. Dok isn’t so sure.

You might think there is just too much going on for one story. No. This story is a page-turner. I didn’t want this book to end and I hope Suzanne Woods Fisher plans a sequel. All of the above is woven together with skill. Okay, I admit it. I loved this one. Every bit of it.

I received a complimentary DRC (digital review copy) of “A Healing Touch” via NetGalley from the publisher, Revell. A positive review was not required; the opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

Rating: 5 stars
Cover: An Amish woman holding a baby which hints at the subtitle.
Pages: 297
Publish Date: 1 October 2024
#AHealingTouch #NetGalley #SuzanneWoodsFisher