LIZZIE'S HEART book review

Lizzie's Heart 
by Susan Lantz Simpson

Fall in Southern Maryland’s Amish country is a time of fiery falling leaves, a bountiful harvest, and bracing, frost-touched days. It’s the perfect season for one irrepressible maidel to try an unexpected match . . .

Good-hearted and impulsive, twenty-year-old Lizzie Fisher has many chores—and secrets. She’s caring for kittens abandoned by their mother and practicing her drawing talent away from disapproving eyes. So the last thing she needs is someone like handsome Stephen Zimmerman constantly “helping” her out of trouble. But when she discovers they both have lovelorn siblings, she has an idea: why can’t she and Stephen bring his older brother and her older sister together? After all, how hard could matchmaking be?

Even though he’s the youngest son of an Old Order Mennonite family, Stephen is used to looking out for everyone else. Yet somehow the romantic schemes he and Lizzie cook up keep going awry—in ways that hint they may suit each other. But their deepening bond is both delightful and complicated. For bridging their differences will take bravery, compromise—and faith in their hopes and dreams . . .

MY BOOK REVIEW:
4 Stars: 4/5 Star Rating
        Lizzie and Stephen are quite the pair and they meet under highly unusual circumstances.   I won't reveal the exact circumstances as it would be a huge spoiler but it's a good one, and it may even involve danger.  Lizzie seems to constantly put herself in need of rescuing and Stephen always seems ready and able to come to the rescue....much like a "knight in shining armor" and much to Lizzie's chagrin.  They come up with a scheme to match their older siblings though and unite in this scheme, but maybe the real match is them!   Are they really made for each other and don't even realize it?  Will they ever see the truth?  Will they overcome the obstacles? He is Old Order Mennonite and she is Amish, but those two religious sects are very similar and it's not unheard of for them to marry, but they would have to work out many issues, and first they would have to fall in love, right????   This is quite an amusing story and readers will be sure to get a kick out of Stephen and Lizzie and their tale.   There are also cute fuzzy kitties included.  
I received a digital ARC of this book from netgalley and Zebra Publishing.  All opinions expressed are my own.  

About the Author:


Susan Lantz Simpson has been writing stories and poetry ever since she penned her first poem at the age of six. She has always loved the magic of words and how they can entertain and enlighten others. Her love of words and books led her to earn a degree in English/Education. She has taught students from Prekindergarten to high school and has also worked as an editor for the federal government. She also holds a degree in nursing and has worked in hospitals and in community health. She writes inspirational stories of love and faith and has published a middle-grade novel (Ginger and the Bully) in addition to her inspirational romances (Plainly Maryland Series and Southern Maryland Amish Romances Series). She was a finalist in the OCW Cascade fiction contest. She is a member of ACFW. She lives in Maryland and is the mother of two wonderful daughters. When she isn't writing, she enjoys reading, walking, and doing