The Beekeeper's Son (The Amish of Bee County)

It has been two years since Abigail Lantz's husband died and she decides it is time to move on. She moves her family to Bee County, Texas to live with her brother and to be near a childhood beau in hopes of a new beginning. Her daughter Deborah is less than thrilled. She misses their home in Tennessee, her friends and her beau. As soon as her mother and younger siblings are settled she is determined to head back home, all she is waiting on is a letter from Aaron. She soon discovers that the plans she thought she had in Tennessee have fallen through and now she is stuck in Texas and is trying to discover what God's plan is for her life.

Phineas King is a man covered in scars from a horrific accident that also killed his mother when he was eight years old. He has grown accustomed to the looks of shock and pity from everyone he meets. He chooses to keep to himself whenever possible and focuses his time on the bees that his family raises. He is bitter and doesn't think that anyone will ever love him or even want to look at him. When Deborah meets Phineas her first reaction is shock, but she looks past his scars and sees the man inside. She tries her best to try to get to know him, but Phineas is intent on pushing her away. Can they both put aside their disappointments and past hurts to find the joy that God has in store for their future?

I really loved this book! The author Kelly Irvin has a great writing style that pulled me right into the story! My heart broke for Phineas at the pain he has felt in his lifetime. I enjoyed Deborah's boldness and spirited personality. The story of Phineas and Deborah was great, but I also enjoyed the other character's and their stories. I would love to read more about Abigail and the new life she is beginning and I hope the author decides to write another book and expand more on her!

***This book was provided to me through the booklook bloggers program in exchange for my review.

56197104

This is the first book in The Amish of Bee County Series: The Beekeepers Son: by Kelly Irvin,
Phineas King was terribly scarred after an accident which killed his mother, since that time he has harden his heart and learned to live a solitary life, which strangely suits him fine after all he has his bee's .
Deborah Lantz will be counting the days until she can leave Bee County and go back to Tennessee where the rest of her family and friends are. Her Mother uprooted her and her three sisters and brother to live with her Uncle and Aunt after her Father died of a heart attack and her mother decided she could no longer keep up the farm on her own. Now they are in this small community of Bee county in the middle of Bee Counry where it looks like no one has been in a long time. It's brown, and drabe. Deborah is also very much waiting for a letter from Aaron her old beau in Tennessee, so she can return and they will be married. Will his letter come?
Abigail Lantz moved to Bee County with her four daughters and one son for a new start, hopefully with her old beau Steven. Abigail's husband died of a heartache a couple years before and her brother convinced her that Bee County Texas would bee the perfect spot to restart.
Soon after arriving in Bee County it becomes apparent God has other plans for Deborah, and Abigail. As Deborah and Phineas try to understand what God has in store for their life they also struggle with past sorrow and where they fit.
This book is an amazing look at how we maneuver through life's complicated difficulties on our road to find out how we find our path to happiness . How we trust our instinct and not second guess ourself. God always has a plan! I suggest you read this book it's wonderful. Look beyond the physical and see deep into the heart of someone. You might surprise yourself.

It has been two years since Abigail Lantz's husband died and she decides it is time to move on. She moves her family to Bee County, Texas to live with her brother and to be near a childhood beau in hopes of a new beginning. Her daughter Deborah is less than thrilled. She misses their home in Tennessee, her friends and her beau. As soon as her mother and younger siblings are settled she is determined to head back home, all she is waiting on is a letter from Aaron. She soon discovers that the plans she thought she had in Tennessee have fallen through and now she is stuck in Texas and is trying to discover what God's plan is for her life.

Phineas King is a man covered in scars from a horrific accident that also killed his mother when he was eight years old. He has grown accustomed to the looks of shock and pity from everyone he meets. He chooses to keep to himself whenever possible and focuses his time on the bees that his family raises. He is bitter and doesn't think that anyone will ever love him or even want to look at him. When Deborah meets Phineas her first reaction is shock, but she looks past his scars and sees the man inside. She tries her best to try to get to know him, but Phineas is intent on pushing her away. Can they both put aside their disappointments and past hurts to find the joy that God has in store for their future?

I really loved this book! The author Kelly Irvin has a great writing style that pulled me right into the story! My heart broke for Phineas at the pain he has felt in his lifetime. I enjoyed Deborah's boldness and spirited personality. The story of Phineas and Deborah was great, but I also enjoyed the other character's and their stories. I would love to read more about Abigail and the new life she is beginning and I hope the author decides to write another book and expand more on her!

***This book was provided to me through the booklook bloggers program in exchange for my review.

56197104

This is the first book in The Amish of Bee County Series: The Beekeepers Son: by Kelly Irvin,
Phineas King was terribly scarred after an accident which killed his mother, since that time he has harden his heart and learned to live a solitary life, which strangely suits him fine after all he has his bee's .
Deborah Lantz will be counting the days until she can leave Bee County and go back to Tennessee where the rest of her family and friends are. Her Mother uprooted her and her three sisters and brother to live with her Uncle and Aunt after her Father died of a heart attack and her mother decided she could no longer keep up the farm on her own. Now they are in this small community of Bee county in the middle of Bee Counry where it looks like no one has been in a long time. It's brown, and drabe. Deborah is also very much waiting for a letter from Aaron her old beau in Tennessee, so she can return and they will be married. Will his letter come?
Abigail Lantz moved to Bee County with her four daughters and one son for a new start, hopefully with her old beau Steven. Abigail's husband died of a heartache a couple years before and her brother convinced her that Bee County Texas would bee the perfect spot to restart.
Soon after arriving in Bee County it becomes apparent God has other plans for Deborah, and Abigail. As Deborah and Phineas try to understand what God has in store for their life they also struggle with past sorrow and where they fit.
This book is an amazing look at how we maneuver through life's complicated difficulties on our road to find out how we find our path to happiness . How we trust our instinct and not second guess ourself. God always has a plan! I suggest you read this book it's wonderful. Look beyond the physical and see deep into the heart of someone. You might surprise yourself.

I was once a professional beekeeper. We had 100 hives between what we owned and managed, some in Vermont, some in New York. It's a facinating hobby and profession. With the title and great cover, I was expecting to see some good beekeeping facts and lifestyle in this book, and I did, but they were not all accurate I am sorry to say. That being said, this was a very good story that's easy to recommend. I love that Amish stories discuss God in their everyday lives and make Him part of every situation. It's also a great romance for two families, both mother and daughter, father and son.

Deborah's father died and her mother Abigail decided to move their family to Texas where her brother was, and an old beau as well. The old beau would like to marry Abigail, but she finds new competition for her attention in another member of the community.

Deborah is determined to go back to Tennessee once her mother gets settled. They left friends, family and a special someone behind. Phineas was in a horrible accident years back, but is still not mentally healed. Physically he was terribly scarred on his face and head, and doesn't think anyone could ever love him. He and his father find solace and financial security in beekeeping.

This book is about the journey they take and how God has a plan for us all, even if it's not what we expected. Or where. And that at some point we have to take a chance, trust, and sometimes start over again.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the Zondervan Fiction - Netgalley book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”. http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html

Did you ever wonder what would have happened if you had chosen bachelor #1 instead of bachelor #2… I write a great many reviews each month — and I do my best to never reveal any spoilers, but I think I can mention a few special characters — without spoiling anything for you.

For example, this book is about Deborah Lantz and Phineas King… obviously.

I really enjoyed getting to know Deborah and her family — and Phineas and his family. Kelly writes about them beautifully… I could feel Phineas’ embarrassment when he thought Deborah had screamed at the sight of his face — but she was just as embarrassed because of her clumsiness.

Now, the question is… is Phineas bachelor #1 or bachelor #2?

But wait — there’s another couple… the reason for moving from Tennessee to Texas is so widowed mom-of-5 Abigail Lantz can marry up with Stephen Stetler. When I started writing about bachelors #1 and #2, I was actually thinking of Abigail, her deceased husband, and Stephen.

Hmmm… and the question is… is Stephen bachelor #1 or bachelor #2?

And will everything work out — or will there be a need for bachelor #3?

Be warned – you won’t want to put this book down. If you pick it up, do so when you have a good opening of space to sit back and enjoy the story! I had so much fun reading this book. I began yesterday evening and I honestly didn’t put it down until I was done. I even finished the last few chapters in bed, using my iPhone flashlight.

And believe me, you are going to LOVE the story! Aside from the fact that Kelly Irvin is an amazing writer, it’s a fantastic story!

Kelly has created a wonderful community in Bee County Texas. The characters are a little surprising at times (for Amish folk)… with their whining, questioning, assertive personalities. But this is exactly what makes them real to the reader! When Deborah mentions sharing a room and having to deal with someone else’s sweat and bad breath – well, it certainly made it real to me!

Read it for yourself!

Phineas is an Amish man and the beekeeper’s son. Phin was eight when riding in a van and a semi truck hit the van. Phin went through the windshield then got thrown up to the bumper of the truck and then was thrown down on the paved road. Phin’s mother had been killed and Phin had almost died as he had landed on his face. Some others that had been in the van also got hurt but nothing like Phin had. It had been twelve to thirteen years ago. Phin’s face and arms were really scarred up. Phin hadn’t talked very much before the accident but now he talked even less. Deborah had come with her mother Abigail and five siblings from Tennessee to Texas for an old boyfriend that Abigail had known before she married Deborah father who had passed away. Phin does not believe anyone will ever see past his scars and is mainly a loner. Deborah is very homesick and wants to go back to Tennessee but wants to see her mother happy also.
I enjoyed this story alot. It wasn’t to long before you knew what this story was about and reminded you of which was a Beauty and The Best scenario Amish style. Also to have Phin refind his faith in God and for Deborah to follow God’s path for her. I enjoy Amish stories and really liked this one as it was a little different then most. Their was the extra challenge of Phin losing his mom so young and his scars and Deborah being so unhappy when she first got to Texas. I liked the ins and outs of this story alot and i recommend this story.
I received an Arc of this story for an honest review.

I read the novella in the collection by Amy Clipston, Ruth Reid and Kelly Irvin before I read this. So I knew somewhat who would marry whom when I went into the story. That contributed to the predictability of this story, so it was all my fault. I remember reading an early book by this author and thinking that the hits just keep coming. And it is true in this story. One, right after another, a tragedy occurs. The writing was stellar, but really had no passion in it. It didn't come alive for me.. Unfortunately, I didn't fall in love with any of the characters. I didn't like Stephen, whom Mamm planned to marry - and Abigail herself was disenchanted with him. But what would be the final straw, the one that ended the deal? I had to keep reading to find out. I liked Deborah and Phineas (not real sure how to pronounce that. Fin-E-as? Fin-ease?) and the bee-keeping aspect was interesting. I wondered what it would take for Amish to settle in a non-agricultural friendly area, in the hot, hot desert of southern Texas... It takes a special type, for sure. If you are interested in Amish fiction or of Kelly Irvin, then pick up a copy of THE BEEKEEPER'S SON. Ms. Irvin excels in description, making the heat and the citadel bug "screaming" come alive. I could see the prickly pear cactus and see the dust rising.

Sunday, June 21, 2015
The Beekeeper's Son by Kelly Irvin, © 2014
The Amish of Bee Country series, Book 1

A change is coming to Bee County, Texas!
Wondering how this desolate looking place can be a harbor for anything to anchor them down, Deborah Lantz looks backward to what she has known, not seeing the richness before her. "All in the perspective," those who live here would say to this newly arrived family.

Beauty in the eyes of the beholder.

Immediately, warning signs prevail; I hope Abigail Lantz will heed them! Concern for her children and her heart, I want better for them than is portrayed in the beginning moments and days. Can what has been left behind truly be worse? She has it right. She has been seen as an image and not a real person in the memory of one who has built her up to more than she can be. Oh, to be recognized for who she is. She is more than a commodity. She is flesh and blood and worthy of love, true love that endears and beholds.

I liked how this story unveiled, gently and beautifully as risks are taken to be known. Walls come down as we let others in to reveal themselves in the safety of our sight unhinged by preconceived notions. A very good story of building trust, not rushed but daily being open a little more.

Kelly Irvin is the author of the Bliss Creek Amish series and the New Hope Amish series. She has also penned two romantic suspense novels, A Deadly Wilderness and No Child of Mine. Kelly has been married to photographer Tim Irvin for twenty-six years. They have two young adult children, two cats, and a tank full of fish. In her spare time, she likes to write short stories and read books by her favorite authors.

***Thank you to author Kelly Irvin and to Zondervan/HarperCollins for sending me a copy of The Beekeepr's Son for review. This review was written in my own words. No other compensation was received.***

The Beekeeper’s Son is a wonderful beginning to a new series. I had not read any books by this author before, but I will definitely be reading other books by her in the future. I enjoyed the story from the start to the finish.

The vivid descriptions of the south Texas landscape really made the story come alive to me. I could feel the sun burning down from the sky and the parched land under the characters feet. The descriptions and interactions of all of the characters felt very real to me, as well. This book is packed with emotion and situations that these individual must sort out.

The reader meets Deborah at the beginning of the book and it is clear that she is not happy to be moving to this small community that is so unlike her thriving home back in Tennessee. She is lonely, homesick, and heartsick over a young man she left behind. Watching Deborah’s journey as she lives, day in and day out, in this new location and tries to discover what God has in store for her, her siblings, and her widowed mother is very interesting.

Another main character in the book is Phineas, a young man who is horribly scarred and has become somewhat of a loner. He does not think there will ever be someone who can look on him without either disgust or pity shining in their eyes. His self-doubts are there throughout the whole book. It is not something easily overcome. Seeing his interactions with Deborah, which started off on a bad note to begin with, were some of my favorite portions of the story.

There is also a wonderful thread running through the book about Deborah’s mother, Abigail. She is the reason that the family moved to Bee County. An old suitor wants to court her and she must try to determine the path that God wants her to take. Does she follow her head or her heart? Is this man the person God wants her to be with? Her situation, and watching her search for the right step to take, was also a really good storyline.

This is a great start to the series and I look forward to reading the future books set in Bee County.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. These opinions are my own.

This was a very enjoyable well-written story! There were actually two romances or triangles in the story, one with Deborah's mother and her indecision about Stephen while she feels drawn to another man and Deborah's hope that she can go back home to the man she's been seeing, but she's also intrigued by Phineas. There were a lot of cute moments in both. We get the mother's perspective, along with Deborah's and Phineas's and I love knowing what each is thinking. My heart broke for Phineas and the guilt and shame he lived with because of the accident that took his mother's life, but also his hurt for how others saw him and sometimes treated him. He figures he's safer just staying away. I felt for Deborah, too, having to move to this dry and ugly place when her home was so beautiful. I admired that she tried to look on the bright side and make the best of things. I found her relationship with Phineas somewhat amusing because he got on her nerves so easily. I was frustrated with Stephen and how he treated her mother and her siblings. I have a hard time understanding being submissive to someone who doesn't have the right to treat people that way and isn't putting their well-being first.

The scenery was described so well I felt like I was there in the humidity and dirt, which was kind of a nice change of pace from the reality of snow! The poor community in Texas was also very different from the other Amish stories I've read. The other communities seem wealthy and pampered by comparison. The people here even go to Mexico for doctors and dentists because it's so much cheaper and they're desperately trying to keep costs down! Their community is also much smaller than others. I really liked the focus on inward beauty and also how beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I also liked the reminder that God has a plan. I highly recommend this book if you Amish or romance stories.

I received this book free from BookLook Bloggers in exchange for an honest review.

Deborah Lantz, her mother, and siblings move from Tennessee to Bee County, Texas to start over. Her father died two years ago, and her mother is considering marrying her old beau, Stephen, who now lives in Texas. Deborah is disappointed, to say the least. Texas is hot, dry, and barren--so unlike her home. Besides, she left behind Aaron, the young man she hoped would ask her to marry him.

Phineas King spends his time caring for the bees his family raises or bird watching. He is convinced no woman will ever want to marry him since he bears horrible scars from an accident that took his mother's life. Against his better judgement, he finds himself thinking about Deborah constantly.

When Aaron does not send for Deborah but rather moves away to continue a life without her, Deborah resigns herself to staying in Bee County. Her attraction to Phineas grows, but she doesn't know if she will ever be able to break through the wall Phineas has built around himself. She looks beyond his scars to see the caring man Phineas really is.

Will Deborah and Phineas be able to accept the things in their lives they cannot change and discover if God has different plans for them--plans to be together. Will Deborah's mother realize Stephen is not the man for her and forge a relationship with a different man she has grown to love?

In The Beekeeper's Son, Kelly Irvin tells a wonderful story of hope, trust, and love. Her characters are well-developed and believable and bring home the message that we are all beautiful, unique, special children of God. If I could give this book more than five stars, I certainly would. Thank you, Kelly, for a touching story with a powerful message.

Susan Simpson, Author

Being a beekeeper got me pretty excited to read this book. I also enjoy Amish fiction.

One of the characters is Phineas King who was in a terrible accident that killed his mother and left him disfigured and with emotional scars. The accident has made him a loner who prefers the company of his bees rather than people. He is use to people staring at him, feeling sorry for him, and the look of shock on his badly scarred face. He doesn’t see how anyone would ever love a man that looks like he does. Phineas is a gentle and kind man who truly notices God’s creation.

Phineas then meets a new woman who has relocated to the community Deborah Lantz. Deborah is not so happy about moving to Bee County, Texas as she is leaving behind her dreams of a life with Aaron. Her widowed mother Abigail and siblings are planning on starting a new life with their soon to be step-father, Stephen.

Abigail has a change of heart after spending time with Stephen and meets Mordechai who is spirited, compassionate man who captures her and her children’s heart.

Overall, this is a wonderful story that shows God’s love in all things. Predictable plot, but a fun story regardless.
The only thing I didn’t like was that I was expecting more on beekeeping. Beekeepers are very passionate with their bees. I was hoping for more details and facts to educate others about bees and in keeping bees. There were some open doors to give out tidbits of bees and beekeeping without overwhelming another person who knows nothing about bees or beekeeping. That is my only complaint as I feel passionate about educating and telling others about God’s amazing creation with bees.

Disclosure of Material Connection: BookLook Bloggers-Thomas Nelson Publishers provided me this Book free as part of their book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have or my own.

"The Beekeeper's Son" by Kelly Irvin is a wonderful Amish Romance novel filled with suspense and drama. As you know from reading my other reviews, I am an admirer of Amish fiction. This book takes it to a whole new level to the point that I can't wait to read the rest of this new series. Kelly Irvin has clearly outdone herself and gained a fan.
The main characters, Deborah and Phineas, have come to terms with the fact that their lives haven't quite turned out how they had planned. As the go about their daily lives with the expectations that they are stuck where they are, they begin to find out that God's plan for their lives is much better than anything they could have thought up for themselves. Only by working through the past and moving ahead, can they really experience what God has in store for them.
I would definitely recommend this book to anybody who likes Amish fiction with romance and suspense. I didn't know that there were Amish communities in Texas and that added a new and interesting aspect to the book. I'm looking forward to reading the next one, and the one after that and after that. :)

Disclaimer: I received this book for free from Booklook Bloggers in exchange for an honest review.

"The Beekeeper's Son" by Kelly Irvin, book review

Only because she has been trained to obey her mother, Deborah has moved to Bee County, Texas. But she is counting the days until she can return home. Her father died 2 years ago, and since then it has been tough, real tough. But when Steven comes to a relative's wedding and renews his interest in her mother, they sell the farm and move to be near him, with the understanding that they will marry.

Phineas King is the bee keeper's son. As a young child he was injured in a car accident that claimed the life of hi mother, and left him with visible scares on his arms and face. While the Amish do not put a lot of stock in physical beauty, Phineas just knows that no young woman will ever look at him as a possible husband. So he has become satisfied with his life in the fields with the bees. Until Deborah arrives.

This is a well written story of how people deal with loss and over come it. I enjoyed the story and would like to read another book with these characters.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher, Zondervan. All opinions expressed are my own.

A beautiful story about being open to following God's path instead of your own. Both Deborah and Phineas have internal conflicts that cause them to look back instead of forward. They are so mired in what could have been that they nearly miss out on the glorious future God has planned for them. I really took that message to heart. And I'll smugly admit to learning the lesson way ahead of the hero and heroine. :-) At their expense, of course.

There's great tension and conflict within the pages of this book-- so stark at times that it matches the equally stark Texan countryside. An unusual and alluring setting for an Amish story. The author has created a fascinating community in Bee County, Texas. It is struggling to remain viable despite an increasing number of families leaving for more thriving Amish communities. I loved the modern day pioneer spirit of those who stayed. A fresh angle for this genre and it makes for a compelling read!

Upon first glance, you might expect The Beekeeper's Son to be a typical Amish romance. Rest assured that it's quite different! I haven't seen an Amish book before that mentioned Tennessee or Texas, so my ears perked up right away with that. When I read about Phineas, a man who still bears the scars of a childhood accident, it reminded me of a man I once knew from church camp. He was a tremendously charismatic youth leader; we all loved him and respected him. He was so much fun to be around, and his love for Jesus was contagious. After getting to know him, you would never even notice the burn scars that covered every visible part of his skin. Phineas made me realize how much emotional turmoil must be suffered beneath the surface. The Beekeeper's Son's deeply spiritual message, filled with warmth and love, just captured my heart. Author Kelly Irvin has a captivating writing style. This is a don't-miss book! I received this book to review. Opinions shared here are 100% mine.

Kelly Irvin has penned a beautiful novel in "The Beekeeper's Son". Set against the backdrop of the harsh Texas climate, this story of a family looking for a new start contains everything I love in a book. Irvin has created strong characters in Phineas, Deborah, Mordecai, Abigail and Stephen. She has a knack for winding you into the storyline and making you care about what you are reading.
Deborah can't understand her mother's decision to travel from Tennessee to Texas to meet up with an old beau after her father has died. Deborah, at 19, has every intention of returning to Tennessee after her mother and brother and sisters are settled into their new life, and it can't happen soon enough for Deborah, even though she gets off to a bad start with Stephen.
Being content with the current state of your life is a concept I have experience with, and I understand Deborah's questions to God, and about His will. This is a wonderful book, and I enjoyed every page.

Author Kelly Irvin gave us another fantastic book in The Beekeeper's Son. This book held my attention from the beginning and is so fascinating. I love Author Kelly Irvin's style of writing and it makes her books very well-written. The specific details and descriptions makes the characters seem realistic and that I'm literally experiencing the same joys and troubles. For me, The Beekeeper's Son was unpredictable and has a couple of surprises, which I extremely enjoyed. I highly recommend reading this book. I love and enjoyed The Beekeeper's Son and feel Author Kelly Irvin wrote a fantastic book to start a new series called The Amish of Bee County. The Beekeeper's Son is Book One and I'm unquestionably looking forward to Book Two in this series.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher and the author in exchange for my honest review. This review is one hundred percent my opinion.

How can I describe this powerful book? It’s more than an engaging story about scarred individuals who struggle to trust so they can heal. It skillfully explores human emotions and longings—especially for love and acceptance. Losses can be as much of a handicap as a physical disability, yet this novel demonstrates how those who try can eventually triumph in their trials. Every character seems well-developed and truly make me care, even finally for Stephen, the man who seems lacking in compassion. So many events occur that ratchet up the intensity, but I won’t spoil it by listing them here, only mention that a tender love story emerges in the midst of it all. Perhaps the beekeeper and his son will find their hearts’ deepest desire.

A beautiful Amish story of Deborah and Phineas. Both young people have experienced loss and disappointments. Phineas has scarred hands and face and chooses the solitary life of tending his father’s bees rather than see the look of pity Deborah would have when she sees him. He’s certain she can’t be interested in him even as he secretly wants to see her. Deborah has a daunting task to convince Phineas that she loves him despite his disfigurement while at the same time he continues to be convinced he is unlovable. Vivid settings descriptions of a barren south Texas and well developed characterizations of the hero and heroine as well as secondary characters. Kelly Irvin is a superb storyteller.

The Beekeeper’s Son didn’t suck me in instantly. Honestly, I read the first few pages and put it down several times because I just couldn’t get into it. But, I knew that I had to write a review in order to stay active in the Booklook program. So, with determination to finish it, I grabbed it one night around eight after the kids were in bed and the next time I looked at the clock it was about two am. I was almost finished but I couldn’t keep my eyes open anymore, I finished it as soon as I woke. I think somewhere around page ten I was sucked in and had to know what happened. I’m sure by the cover picture and the title you can gather it’s probably going to be a story involving a young Amish woman and a beekeeper’s son, it is, but it’s so much more than that. This book took so many twists and turns that I never saw coming.

Abigail Lantz, is a widowed mom of five, that has packed her family up and moved from beautiful Tennessee to dry deep south Texas at the urging of her brother. Hoping to rekindle a love with her former beau, Stephen, things don’t go exactly as she had planned. For one, her oldest daughter, Deborah is extremely homesick and determined to get back to Tennessee. The only thing Deborah has remotely shown any interest in is Phineas King the beekeeper’s son. The problem with that, is that Phineas horribly scarred from a wreck that claimed his mother’s life avoids people at all cost.

In the end neither of the three could’ve imagined the path God had laid out for them.

Disclaimer- This book was sent to me for free in exchange for my honest opinion. I am under no obligation to write a favorable review.

I really enjoyed the story of The Beekeeper's Son. Watching the evolution of several characters truly led to my enjoyment. Deborah went from being a typical teen who was self-focused into a loving woman ready to make a sincere life commitment in marriage. Phineas had such an amazing transformation throughout the book as he moved from being absorbed with anger and self-pity into being the caring, loving man who was ready to take on the world and marriage. The added bonus of watching their parents come to terms with loss and find love again made me want to find out what eventually happens in their lives. I look forward to reading other offerings from Kelly Irvin. This story is filled with proof that through God all things are possible.

I found this to be a captivating story. Change is difficult, but God loves to work through the difficult to give us the desires of our heart. Deborah and Phineas struggled to get past their disappointments, and their doubt in the God whom they've been taught to trust. I just love Mordecai with his useless, but interesting facts. With all of the Amish romance novels out there, I wondered if there could a fresh look through their eyes, but Kelly Irvin has managed it once again.

I received this book from the author/publisher in exchange for an honest review.

I adore this book! It was a wonderful story! It was real. It was a page turner. I could hardly put it down. I enjoyed all the Amish information. I loved their faith in God! That is a must for me!!! I am always for the underdog so I was cheering for Phineas. He was surly but had such a good heart. I am so happy a girl who is not shallow could see his beauty. I hope there are more books from Bee County. ~Thank you~