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Plainly Maryland #2

Plain Discovery

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Members of Esther Stauffer’s Southern Maryland Amish community have been struggling to recover from various maladies despite seeking medical care from the substitute doctor who has been filling in for the town's regular physician. Something strange--something potentially deadly--is going on, and Esther aims to find out what it is. If she can't obtain answers from the doctor, she'll simply have to launch her own covert investigation.


On the heels of the trouble with her community, Andrew Fisher has returned to town, and he’s one more thorn in her side, one more aggravation to deal with. She still views him as the mean-spirited boy who teased her mercilessly and who later lied to her, shattering her dreams. She has no intention of allowing him into her life or her heart.


Somehow, though, circumstances make him the only person she can confide in. Because of her concern for her community, she lets down her guard to reveal her suspicions and to trust him with her secret plans. And slowly, old feelings return.


When her amateur sleuthing goes awry, and her own life is endangered, Esther must rely on her quick wits to save herself, her people, and her hope for love.

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Published June 30, 2018

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36 people want to read

About the author

Susan Lantz Simpson

24 books96 followers
USA Today Bestselling 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). Her novella, The Christmas Fudge Miracle is included in the USA Today Bestseller Amish Christmas Miracles Collection. 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 needlework.


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5 stars
15 (65%)
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6 (26%)
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2 (8%)
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
Profile Image for Maureen Timerman.
3,241 reviews491 followers
June 19, 2018
Once again, this author has pulled me into her story, and look forward to her next book, she is that good.
We are in a Maryland community of Amish back with some old friends, yes this is the second book in this series, but definitely can be read alone.
We are offered a bit of mystery, scary when I think about it, a bit of romance, danger, and immersion into this caring group of people.
This one will keep you page turning and surprises abound! Enjoy!

I received this book through Net Galley and Vinspire Publishing, and was not required to give a positive review
Profile Image for Lori.
1,892 reviews134 followers
August 14, 2018
I picked up Plain Discovery because I enjoy Amish fiction.
To me, Plain Discovery is full of action and mystery.
Esther is my favorite. She's stubborn, sometimes prideful. But then again, aren't we all?
In many ways, Esther is lot like me in that regard. It's why I like her.
Esther learns many lessons along the way.
Profile Image for Kristina Anderson.
4,072 reviews82 followers
November 20, 2018
Plain Discovery by Susan Lantz Simpson is the second book in Plainly Maryland series. Esther Stauffer lives in St. Mary’s County, Maryland where she is worried about her niece and nephew. David and Ella have been diagnosed with Celiac disease and, on the right diet, they do well. However, they have been losing weight, tired and listless recently and Dr. Kramer, who is substituting for Dr. Nelson, has been unable to find a cause for their decline. Andrew Fisher has returned to town and he is not someone Esther wishes to encounter. He teased her terribly when they were in school and Esther cannot get past how her tormented her to see that Andrew has grown up. To make matters worse, family members keep pushing Andrew and Esther together. Esther learns that other members of the community have been ill and are not getting better despite the medication prescribed by Dr. Kramer. She does not know what is going on, but Esther intends to get answers. Despite her misgivings, Esther teams up with Andrew to investigate their substitute physician.

Plain Discovery may be the second installment in the Plainly Maryland series, but it can be read alone. I thought the story was well-written with steady pacing. The characters are likeable and relatable. Esther is an intelligent young woman who enjoys working with plants (it is her gift). She loves her family and community. When she sees that sick people in her community are not getting better, she knows that something is off. Andrew has returned to St. Mary’s County and he would like to get to know Esther. However, Esther has a hard time overcoming how he treated her when they were children. She has yet to learn the difference between teasing and cruelty (bullying). I enjoyed the authors casual writing style that made Plain Discovery easy to get into and read. I preferred Plain Discovery to Plain Haven (first book in this series). The Christian elements are woven into the story (forgiveness, faith, prayer, God’s will) and enhance the story. I appreciated that Plain Discovery was not just a predictable romance. There is a mystery to solve and it helps bring our two main characters together. I am giving Plain Discovery 4 out of 5 stars.

Profile Image for Lori.
1,892 reviews134 followers
September 30, 2019
I really enjoy Susan's books.
I love that she adds mystery, humor, and forgiveness and most of all Grace in all of her novels
And can't forget she adds a tad of action in there too.
Her characters are easy to make friends with and you won't want to say goodbye to them after the book is finished.
I can't tell you how much I enjoyed this book!! She's a swell author.
I very much recommend this book
My thanks to Netgalley. NO compensations were received. All opinions are my own.
Profile Image for AMY DIANA MCKINNEY.
8 reviews
August 7, 2018
Another great story!

Loved this book sharing familiar scenarios, plants, and Amish ways. I admire that it portrayed women with strength and conviction within the confines of a society thought to be patriarchal and controlled. The tempo doesn't disappoint- following the mystery brewing demonstrates the inevitability of what living in the modern world and its evils entail.
Profile Image for Sylvia.
1,578 reviews75 followers
July 25, 2019
I loved this book!! Great story!! Can't wait to read the next book in the series!!
Profile Image for Linda Geertsma.
10 reviews4 followers
January 21, 2021
Excellent read again... Love continueing a story like this ... All the characters are lovable ...
on to book 3 now
1,016 reviews9 followers
February 26, 2022
OWN ON KINDLE BOOK # 2 of 3 book boxed set
Profile Image for Sandra.
195 reviews2 followers
August 8, 2022
2nd in series where Esther is challenged to change her heart about love
Profile Image for Pamela Pavkov.
1,263 reviews22 followers
July 8, 2018
Plain Discovery is an amazing story written by Susan Lanta Simpson in her Plainly Maryland series. This book is the second in her series and continues with several characters from the first book but adds some new ones that really brings this story to life. This storyline has us wondering why the Amish community seems to be having difficulties recovering from different illnesses.

The characters are very likeable and really add a lot of lifelike qualities to the story. I really enjoyed the character of Esther because she is intelligent, strongwilled, and really loves her family and community. Esther knows something unusual is hapening with the members of her Amish community but is baffled as to what it is. During her adventure to discover the source of the illnesses she is slowly drawn to a childhood friend who use to tease and taunt her to no end. It is amazing how Esther unravels this mystery.

I was not given a complimentary copy of this book to read and review. I was not approached to post a favorable review at anytime. I have rated this book with five stars because of meeting my expectations of a quality story I can highly recommend to anyone who loves the Amish genre.

CONGRATULATIONS to Susan Lantz Simpson for delivering another amazing story for her readers to enjoy. I will be watching for the third book in this series to release.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews

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