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Sadie's Montana #2
Keeping Secrets
There’s horse trouble in Montana again. Only this time, horses aren’t being stolen, they’re being shot. No hard-working ranch horse or Amish horse and buggy is safe. Then Daniel appears—a visitor from Lancaster County. With cornflower-blue eyes and a strong, square jaw, he is everything that her boyfriend Mark is not. He’s funny, well-mannered, and completely dedicated to his family. Mark, on the other hand, finds it hard to tell Sadie the secrets of his past. He tells her pieces of the shadowy story, then won’t speak to her for weeks. Will Mark help her? Or is he one of the horse-hunters? Why, Sadie wonders desperately, are there so many secrets? Will the truth surface in this second book in Linda Byler's "Sadie's Montana" series, or is the truth too hard to bear?
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Skyhorse Publishing, as well as our Arcade, Yucca, and Good Books imprints, are proud to publish a broad range of books for readers interested in fiction—novels, novellas, political and medical thrillers, comedy, satire, historical fiction, romance, erotic and love stories, mystery, classic literature, folklore and mythology, literary classics including Shakespeare, Dumas, Wilde, Cather, and much more. While not every title we publish becomes a New York Times bestseller or a national bestseller, we are committed to books on subjects that are sometimes overlooked and to authors whose work might not otherwise find a home.
368 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2012
50 people are currently reading
344 people want to read
About the author
Linda Byler
86 books226 followersLinda Byler grew up Amish and is an active member of the Amish church today. Growing up, Linda Byler loved to read and write. In fact, she still does. She is well known within the Amish community as a columnist for a weekly Amish newspaper. Linda and her husband, their children and grandchildren live in central Pennsylvania.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
August 15, 2016
KEEPING SECRETS is the second book in Ms. Byler's Sadie's Montana series and readers will want to read the first book Wild Horses first as the books do not stand alone.
My thoughts, I wish Sadie would've encouraged the relationship with Daniel. I also wished she would've heeded the warnings her mother and father and co-workers and others gave her about Mark. But she didn't listen. There is a bit of a mystery -- who is the sniper killing the horses and why? Will Sadie be able to help Anna with her problems?
KEEPING SECRETS is not a well written book. The author head hops, switching points of view from one sentence to the next sometimes. We're in everyone's head, so I guess it could be called omnipotent point of view. It rather annoyed me at times, and sometimes I got so angry with Sadie I wanted to throw the book across the room.
I have the third book The Disappearances in my pile to review so that will be coming in a few more days.
If you like Amish and don't really care about point of view issues or um a girl who thinks she knows whats best for herself (as most young people do think) then you might want to read KEEPING SECRETS. I really did like the first book, Wild Horses, really well, but KEEPING SECRETS fell short.
My thoughts, I wish Sadie would've encouraged the relationship with Daniel. I also wished she would've heeded the warnings her mother and father and co-workers and others gave her about Mark. But she didn't listen. There is a bit of a mystery -- who is the sniper killing the horses and why? Will Sadie be able to help Anna with her problems?
KEEPING SECRETS is not a well written book. The author head hops, switching points of view from one sentence to the next sometimes. We're in everyone's head, so I guess it could be called omnipotent point of view. It rather annoyed me at times, and sometimes I got so angry with Sadie I wanted to throw the book across the room.
I have the third book The Disappearances in my pile to review so that will be coming in a few more days.
If you like Amish and don't really care about point of view issues or um a girl who thinks she knows whats best for herself (as most young people do think) then you might want to read KEEPING SECRETS. I really did like the first book, Wild Horses, really well, but KEEPING SECRETS fell short.
September 8, 2022
2 stars. The wedding at the end was informative, if nothing else.
March 9, 2018
BACK OF THE BOOK BLURB
There's horse trouble in Montana again. Only this time, horses aren't being stolen, they're being shot. Snipers are driving a blue pickup and seem to be shooting selectively. No Hard-working ranch horse or Amish horse and buggy is safe.
Still, Sadie rides, despite daily warnings from Dorothy down in the kitchen of Aspen East Ranch. But Sadie's getting used to ignoring Dorothy's advice. Sadie's heart is set on Mark even though Dorothy tells her to steer clear after he ditches her in the middle of their first real date.
Then Daniel appears---a visitor from Lancaster County. He's funny, well-mannered, and completely dedicated to his family.
Mark, on the other hand, finds it hard to tell Sadie the secrets of his past.
Why, Sadie wonders desperately, are there so man secrets? Will the snipers be found? Will the truth about Mark surface, or is it too hard to bear?
MY REVIEW
This book is a tug at your heart story, it may be very emotional for some. I am enjoying this series, it's been a while since I've read the first book in the series and now I have to see about getting the last one in the series. This was an enjoyable read but I do think you should read the the series in order to get the full impact.
There's horse trouble in Montana again. Only this time, horses aren't being stolen, they're being shot. Snipers are driving a blue pickup and seem to be shooting selectively. No Hard-working ranch horse or Amish horse and buggy is safe.
Still, Sadie rides, despite daily warnings from Dorothy down in the kitchen of Aspen East Ranch. But Sadie's getting used to ignoring Dorothy's advice. Sadie's heart is set on Mark even though Dorothy tells her to steer clear after he ditches her in the middle of their first real date.
Then Daniel appears---a visitor from Lancaster County. He's funny, well-mannered, and completely dedicated to his family.
Mark, on the other hand, finds it hard to tell Sadie the secrets of his past.
Why, Sadie wonders desperately, are there so man secrets? Will the snipers be found? Will the truth about Mark surface, or is it too hard to bear?
MY REVIEW
This book is a tug at your heart story, it may be very emotional for some. I am enjoying this series, it's been a while since I've read the first book in the series and now I have to see about getting the last one in the series. This was an enjoyable read but I do think you should read the the series in order to get the full impact.
March 29, 2023
This was the second in a series about Sadie, an Amish girl who works for an "English" rancher. It is interesting to read about the Amish lifestyles and the interdependence between both very different styles of living. I like the way Linda described the changing of heart from both Amish and English people when they united to try to prevent the senseless killing of horse. She also touched on mental illness and the debilitating results of untreated illness.
December 18, 2012
Again Linda Byler takes you on a shocking and mysterious journey! Again with Sadie we are on a, at times, dangerous adventure! In this book Linda will break your heart, make you laugh, and shout for joy! The mystery surrounding Mark is revealed. Sadie is almost killed, again! And will Mark and Sadie end up happy and together. Or will there be someone else? Linda's characters are wonderful from the main to the minor! Excellent, wonderful book! A must read! Full of twists and surprises!
My songs for this book are: "When They Ring Those Golden Bells" by the Cluster Pluckers and "Leaning On The Everlasting Arms" by Alan Jackson
~ASC
John 3:15-16 (Read it, Believe it, and Be Saved!!!)
My songs for this book are: "When They Ring Those Golden Bells" by the Cluster Pluckers and "Leaning On The Everlasting Arms" by Alan Jackson
~ASC
John 3:15-16 (Read it, Believe it, and Be Saved!!!)
Read
September 24, 2012Just as good as the 1st book.
February 5, 2021
The first part of the book was a review of the first book in the series. The rest of the book was a repeat of everything that has already happened. The main character made choices and decisions that I do not feel are realistic (continuing to date someone whose temper is unpredictable, etc.). The storyline is too drawn out. I have read other Amish stories, and usually enjoy them. I do not plan to recommend this author to my fellow Amish story readers.
Other reviewers who stated that Linda Byler needs an editor are correct. There were some conversations that were difficult to follow because the turn taking and what was said did not line up.
I will read the third book in the series only because I want to be able to say I read all three books, and once I commit to something, I really commit. I hope the third book is better than the first two.
Other reviewers who stated that Linda Byler needs an editor are correct. There were some conversations that were difficult to follow because the turn taking and what was said did not line up.
I will read the third book in the series only because I want to be able to say I read all three books, and once I commit to something, I really commit. I hope the third book is better than the first two.
March 6, 2020
Great book and sequel to Wild Horses. Only minor things I had with this book was Linda Byler needs an editor as I seen a lot of mistakes in this book also they never gave the conclusion as far as if the shooters who was were killing the horses were ever caught unless of course she plans on doing that in the next book The Disappearances and if that's the case then so be it. Other then those 2 things I so enjoyed reading more about Sadie and Mark's relationship and also Mark's reconciled relationship with his mother.
March 31, 2022
Keeping Secrets find some unusual happenings surrounding the Amish community in Montana. Sadie is working for a rich rancher which seemed different for an Amish girl, Plus she’s not listening to the adults about riding her horse alone and freely even with snipers shooting horses in the area. She’s caught up with a man that had left the Amish going against her parents request. There’s inconsistencies in the story with multiple point of views from the vast variety of characters.
A friend loan me with book thinking I would enjoy it since it was written by an Amish author.
November 16, 2021
Keeping Secrets is the second book in the Sadie's Montana and I am loving it all. Like many of us we are faced with whether to go for the good guy or the one that seems like he has a very lot of secrets. We are suppose to obey our parents but sometimes we have to bump our heads to get what it was that they were trying to protect us from. I only hope that she will be able to keep her horse safe. I wonder why the horses are being killed. I would recommend this book to read. On to the third book.
December 19, 2018
Wow. what a difference from Book 1 to Book 2. Wondering if the same person wrote it. I could not get into it and I really liked Book 1. Something was off and different in the writing. I'm going to try Book 3 because I have all three in the series. Very disappointed with this one. I may have marked "finished" but I did not completely finish. I skipped around to the end by page 50.
December 17, 2017
Someone is shooting horses in Montana and it seems there are after Sadie's horse, Paris. Sadie learns about Mark's past and travels with him to tend his dying mother.
January 22, 2019
This series is so different from other Amish fiction. Really worth reading.
March 4, 2021
Kept my interest.
April 2, 2023
This is really awful. Sadie marries the abusive Mark and is happy about it. I sincerely hope she gets rid of him in Book 3.
Beyond that, characters are flat and boring.
Beyond that, characters are flat and boring.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 27, 2024
A very enjoyable series
September 15, 2025
Mark Peight is slop.
December 18, 2020
A Wedding, a Funeral, Lots of Colorful Characters!
This book is part 2 of the Sadie's Montana trilogy. There is lots happening. Horses are still being targeted. Young people are still falling in love. The colorful characters are still as colorful as ever; some may be even more colorful. Love is in the air. Many loose ends are tied up, but more develop. Enjoy the read.
This book is part 2 of the Sadie's Montana trilogy. There is lots happening. Horses are still being targeted. Young people are still falling in love. The colorful characters are still as colorful as ever; some may be even more colorful. Love is in the air. Many loose ends are tied up, but more develop. Enjoy the read.
November 5, 2013
There's horse trouble in Montana again in this second installment in Amish author, Linda Byler's, series, "Sadie's Montana." Someone is shooting horses and Sadie is determined to find out who it is. That is until she begins to suspect that Mark, her boyfriend, may be involved. Will Sadie discover the truth? Will it be too hard to bear?
Only this time, horses aren't being stolen, they're being shot. Snipers are driving a blue pickup and shooting selectively. No hard-working ranch horse or Amish horse and buggy is safe. Still, Sadie rides, despite daily warnings from Dorothy down in the kitchen of Aspen East Ranch. But Sadie's getting used to ignoring Dorothy's advice. Sadie's heart is set on Mark even though Dorothy tells her to steer clear after he ditches her in the middle of their first date.
Then Daniel appears—a visitor from Lancaster County. With cornflower-blue eyes and a strong, square jaw, he is everything that Mark is not. He's funny, well-mannered, and completely dedicated to his family. Mark, on the other hand, finds it hard to tell Sadie the secrets of his past. He tells her pieces of the shadowy story, then won't speak to her for weeks. Sadie's troubles continue at home when she discovers that her youngest sister, Anna, is struggling with bulimia. As Sadie's world spins out of control, her palomino, Paris, remains her sole confidant. But does Sadie put Paris in danger every time they go riding? Or, together, can they discover who these mysterious snipers are? Will Mark help her? Or is he one of the horse-hunters? Why, Sadie wonders desperately, are there so many secrets? Will the truth surface, or is it too hard to bear?
My Review:
This novel had a twist that I didn't expect from this genre; it was an Amish mystery/western! Horses are being shot (like really, how many books have that sort of thing going on?) and our heroine Sadie, is on the case. No horse is safe - Amish or otherwise. Despite warnings from her friends, Sadie stubbornly keeps riding every day, and doesn't care that it could cost her everything.
My interpretation of Sadie's character is a young woman who listens to advice, and still does whatever she wants. That's not necessarily a bad thing, but when it comes to life or death - Sadie is as stubborn as they come! Every chapter of the book breathed excitement, adventure, and action. Byler kept my attention with her authentic interpretation of Amish life, ranch life, and bringing the characters to life with her overall portrayal and depiction of the story.
This book was provided by the publisher for free in exchange for an honest review.
Only this time, horses aren't being stolen, they're being shot. Snipers are driving a blue pickup and shooting selectively. No hard-working ranch horse or Amish horse and buggy is safe. Still, Sadie rides, despite daily warnings from Dorothy down in the kitchen of Aspen East Ranch. But Sadie's getting used to ignoring Dorothy's advice. Sadie's heart is set on Mark even though Dorothy tells her to steer clear after he ditches her in the middle of their first date.
Then Daniel appears—a visitor from Lancaster County. With cornflower-blue eyes and a strong, square jaw, he is everything that Mark is not. He's funny, well-mannered, and completely dedicated to his family. Mark, on the other hand, finds it hard to tell Sadie the secrets of his past. He tells her pieces of the shadowy story, then won't speak to her for weeks. Sadie's troubles continue at home when she discovers that her youngest sister, Anna, is struggling with bulimia. As Sadie's world spins out of control, her palomino, Paris, remains her sole confidant. But does Sadie put Paris in danger every time they go riding? Or, together, can they discover who these mysterious snipers are? Will Mark help her? Or is he one of the horse-hunters? Why, Sadie wonders desperately, are there so many secrets? Will the truth surface, or is it too hard to bear?
My Review:
This novel had a twist that I didn't expect from this genre; it was an Amish mystery/western! Horses are being shot (like really, how many books have that sort of thing going on?) and our heroine Sadie, is on the case. No horse is safe - Amish or otherwise. Despite warnings from her friends, Sadie stubbornly keeps riding every day, and doesn't care that it could cost her everything.
My interpretation of Sadie's character is a young woman who listens to advice, and still does whatever she wants. That's not necessarily a bad thing, but when it comes to life or death - Sadie is as stubborn as they come! Every chapter of the book breathed excitement, adventure, and action. Byler kept my attention with her authentic interpretation of Amish life, ranch life, and bringing the characters to life with her overall portrayal and depiction of the story.
This book was provided by the publisher for free in exchange for an honest review.
January 1, 2015
SUMMARY:
There’s horse trouble in Montana again. Only this time, horses aren’t being stolen, they’re being shot. Snipers are driving a blue pickup and shooting selectively. No hard-working ranch horse or Amish horse and buggy is safe. Still, Sadie rides, despite daily warnings from Dorothy down in the kitchen of Aspen East Ranch. But Sadie’s getting used to ignoring Dorothy’s advice. Sadie’s heart is set on Mark even though Dorothy tells her to steer clear after he ditches her in the middle of their first date.
Mark, on the other hand, finds it hard to tell Sadie the secrets of his past. He tells her pieces of the shadowy story, then won’t speak to her for weeks. As Sadie’s world spins out of control, her palomino, Paris, remains her sole confidant. But does Sadie put Paris in danger every time they go riding? Or, together, can they discover who these mysterious snipers are?
Why, Sadie wonders desperately, are there so many secrets? Will the truth surface, or is it too hard to bear?
REVIEW: This is the second book in the Sadie's Montana series. I have cut back on the amount of Amish fiction I read as I began to find so many of them very formulaic. But I found the first in this series great, and Linda Byler continues her standard in this second of the series. The characters have much more depth and the storyline is much more complex. The two main characters, Sadie and Mark, are polar opposites; but the attraction is still there. Mark has deeply buried pain from his experiences growing up which makes him doubt his ability to trust and his faith. Sadie has come from a close knit, loving family and hopes her love and faith can break through the brick wall with which Mark is surrounding himself. The plot line involves mystery and family issues which Byler weaves into the main story line very well. I look forward to reading the next in this series.
FAVORITE QUOTES: "God acts like a missing parent sometimes. He's often hard to find. At first, you have to survive on bits and pieces. A sunset, for instance. Or a sunrise. Little things sort of pierce your armor of hardness, but it's elusive.
"Perhaps forgiveness was like love. It came in small portions, but it was the exact amount you needed, poured out by a loving Father above. Life is imperfect. To believe that painful things could be completely washed away, never to return, was wishful thinking. The painful things of the past remained, but with forgiveness and love, you could lock them away if the key to that lock could be maintained by love. It was God who supplied the key of love yet again. He was always there. So was love."
There’s horse trouble in Montana again. Only this time, horses aren’t being stolen, they’re being shot. Snipers are driving a blue pickup and shooting selectively. No hard-working ranch horse or Amish horse and buggy is safe. Still, Sadie rides, despite daily warnings from Dorothy down in the kitchen of Aspen East Ranch. But Sadie’s getting used to ignoring Dorothy’s advice. Sadie’s heart is set on Mark even though Dorothy tells her to steer clear after he ditches her in the middle of their first date.
Mark, on the other hand, finds it hard to tell Sadie the secrets of his past. He tells her pieces of the shadowy story, then won’t speak to her for weeks. As Sadie’s world spins out of control, her palomino, Paris, remains her sole confidant. But does Sadie put Paris in danger every time they go riding? Or, together, can they discover who these mysterious snipers are?
Why, Sadie wonders desperately, are there so many secrets? Will the truth surface, or is it too hard to bear?
REVIEW: This is the second book in the Sadie's Montana series. I have cut back on the amount of Amish fiction I read as I began to find so many of them very formulaic. But I found the first in this series great, and Linda Byler continues her standard in this second of the series. The characters have much more depth and the storyline is much more complex. The two main characters, Sadie and Mark, are polar opposites; but the attraction is still there. Mark has deeply buried pain from his experiences growing up which makes him doubt his ability to trust and his faith. Sadie has come from a close knit, loving family and hopes her love and faith can break through the brick wall with which Mark is surrounding himself. The plot line involves mystery and family issues which Byler weaves into the main story line very well. I look forward to reading the next in this series.
FAVORITE QUOTES: "God acts like a missing parent sometimes. He's often hard to find. At first, you have to survive on bits and pieces. A sunset, for instance. Or a sunrise. Little things sort of pierce your armor of hardness, but it's elusive.
"Perhaps forgiveness was like love. It came in small portions, but it was the exact amount you needed, poured out by a loving Father above. Life is imperfect. To believe that painful things could be completely washed away, never to return, was wishful thinking. The painful things of the past remained, but with forgiveness and love, you could lock them away if the key to that lock could be maintained by love. It was God who supplied the key of love yet again. He was always there. So was love."
May 18, 2012
This is book 2 in the Sadie's Montana series by Linda Byler
There's horse trouble in Montana again. Only this time, horses aren't being stolen, they're being shot. Snipers are driving a blue pickup and see to be shooting selectively. No hard-working ranch horse or Amish horse and buggy is safe.
Still, Sadie rides, despite daily warnings from Dorothy down in the kitchen of Aspen East Ranch. But Sadie's getting used to ignoring Dorothy's advice. Sadie's heart is set on Mark even though Dorothy tells her to steer clear after he ditches her in the middle of their first real date.
Then Daniel appears - a visitor from Lancaster County. He's funny, well-mannered, and completely dedicated to his family.
Mark, on the other hand, finds it hard to tell Sadie the secrets of his past.
Why, Sadie wonders desperately, are there so many secrets? Will the snipers be found? Will the truth about Mark surface, or is it too hard to bear?
About the author: Linda Byler grew up Amish and is an active member of the Amish church today. She is the author of bestselling Amish romance novel series, Lizzie Searches for Love.
Check out more books at www.GoodBooks.com
I loved reading this book I couldn't put it down! I had it read in 3 days. Linda Byler's books like many other Amish novels grab the reader's attention right from the start and you don't want to put down the book till you find out the ending. All her books have had happy endings.
There's horse trouble in Montana again. Only this time, horses aren't being stolen, they're being shot. Snipers are driving a blue pickup and see to be shooting selectively. No hard-working ranch horse or Amish horse and buggy is safe.
Still, Sadie rides, despite daily warnings from Dorothy down in the kitchen of Aspen East Ranch. But Sadie's getting used to ignoring Dorothy's advice. Sadie's heart is set on Mark even though Dorothy tells her to steer clear after he ditches her in the middle of their first real date.
Then Daniel appears - a visitor from Lancaster County. He's funny, well-mannered, and completely dedicated to his family.
Mark, on the other hand, finds it hard to tell Sadie the secrets of his past.
Why, Sadie wonders desperately, are there so many secrets? Will the snipers be found? Will the truth about Mark surface, or is it too hard to bear?
About the author: Linda Byler grew up Amish and is an active member of the Amish church today. She is the author of bestselling Amish romance novel series, Lizzie Searches for Love.
Check out more books at www.GoodBooks.com
I loved reading this book I couldn't put it down! I had it read in 3 days. Linda Byler's books like many other Amish novels grab the reader's attention right from the start and you don't want to put down the book till you find out the ending. All her books have had happy endings.
January 21, 2014
This book was a really good book to read because it told a story of love and forgiveness. The two main characters were Amish but had totally different experiences within the Amish religion. Sadie was raised by two loving parents and had a close relationship with her family. Mark on the other hand had a totally different experience. His mother left him and his four siblings and the Amish faith. His father died and all the children ended up in foster care. This book explains the struggles of this young mean to forgive his mother and eventually trust love again. This book made me cry and laugh. In the end, I wanted to know more about what would happen to these two people.
March 20, 2015
Clean reading.
Nice to read a book without all the kinky sex distorting the real romance and the story. I'm not against making love when two people love each other. Adding suspense adds to a great book..
Nice to read a book without all the kinky sex distorting the real romance and the story. I'm not against making love when two people love each other. Adding suspense adds to a great book..
December 14, 2015
Fun Read
I hate when books make Amish sound horrible lately. This was a heart wrenching story of neglect, child abuse and family love. It would have gotten a 5 but they left out the answer to the plot.
I hate when books make Amish sound horrible lately. This was a heart wrenching story of neglect, child abuse and family love. It would have gotten a 5 but they left out the answer to the plot.
November 30, 2013
another wonderful work from Linda Byler
July 1, 2013
Horses being killed! A bit of mystery
August 11, 2016
I thoroughly enjoyed the second book of the series and look forward to reading the third one when it is available from the library. They are quite popular!
May 13, 2014
A great read. Deals with abuse in a very inspirational manner.
July 27, 2014
Book two of three. Not as good as book one. The story seemed to drag on. Hope book three is better.
April 23, 2017
The only thing I didn't like was how they never told you who was killing the horses and they never were caught. Seems weird that part would be careied into the third book if that's the case... otherwise its a good story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews