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Amish Seasons #3
Seeking Refuge
Will love be enough to heal their past?
Her secret kept them apart…
Will courage give them another chance?
Days before her wedding, a wrenching ordeal shattered Josie Fisher’s dreams…and she fled to her Amish hometown to start over. Now Tobias Mast has arrived with two goals: to find Josie and learn why she called off their wedding, and to buy a home. When the only house he can afford is next door to Josie’s farm, will she finally risk telling him her dark secret?
USA TODAY Bestselling Author
Her secret kept them apart…
Will courage give them another chance?
Days before her wedding, a wrenching ordeal shattered Josie Fisher’s dreams…and she fled to her Amish hometown to start over. Now Tobias Mast has arrived with two goals: to find Josie and learn why she called off their wedding, and to buy a home. When the only house he can afford is next door to Josie’s farm, will she finally risk telling him her dark secret?
USA TODAY Bestselling Author
224 pages, Mass Market Paperback
Published August 25, 2020
71 people are currently reading
91 people want to read
About the author
Lenora Worth
277 books381 followersLenora Worth has written 75 books for three different publishers. She reached a milestone when she received her 50th book pin from Harlequin. Her books have won both regional and national awards and she now has millions of books in print and is a NY Times, USA Today and Publishers Weekly bestselling author. Currently she is writing both Love Inspired and Love Inspired Suspense and Tule Publishing. Married to her childhood sweetheart, Lenora has two grown children and lives in Florida.
Pen name: Lenora Nazworth
Pen name: Lenora Nazworth
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
February 3, 2021
The main characters in this book are Josie Fisher and Tobias Mast. It was very emotional and I was bought to tears a time or two. It's not very often that I can be so drawn into a story that I feel what the characters feel. It was a story about being hurt and the slow process of healing and finally forgiving.
Josie Fisher was someone who suffered emotionally because of abusive situations in her life, both when she was a child and when she was in her Rumspringa. Josie had met the love of her life in Kentucky. She and Tobias Mast had set their wedding date when Tobias wanted her to attend a party given by one of his English friends. Through no fault of Josie's she was sexually assaulted that night. Ashamed and afraid to tell Tobias what happened she ran away and eventually went back to Campton Creek.
Three years later Tobias tracks her down and wants to find out why she left him without any explanation. He loves her and wants her back but Josie is still emotionally hurt and very fragile. She can't bring herself to tell Tobias what really happened to her that night . She can't tell him she has a daughter now because of that night. She still loves him but if she told him he would hate her. She can never marry him or even let him court her again. Can she ever stop blaming herself for what happened and put her past behind her? Would Tobias still love her or want her if he knew the truth?
I highly recommend this book to readers of Amish Fiction and Love Inspired books. I would advise that book two be read first before this one. The story is carried over from book two. Most of characters are in both books and will make for a better reading experience.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. A review was not requested. All opinions expressed here in this review are my own.
Josie Fisher was someone who suffered emotionally because of abusive situations in her life, both when she was a child and when she was in her Rumspringa. Josie had met the love of her life in Kentucky. She and Tobias Mast had set their wedding date when Tobias wanted her to attend a party given by one of his English friends. Through no fault of Josie's she was sexually assaulted that night. Ashamed and afraid to tell Tobias what happened she ran away and eventually went back to Campton Creek.
Three years later Tobias tracks her down and wants to find out why she left him without any explanation. He loves her and wants her back but Josie is still emotionally hurt and very fragile. She can't bring herself to tell Tobias what really happened to her that night . She can't tell him she has a daughter now because of that night. She still loves him but if she told him he would hate her. She can never marry him or even let him court her again. Can she ever stop blaming herself for what happened and put her past behind her? Would Tobias still love her or want her if he knew the truth?
I highly recommend this book to readers of Amish Fiction and Love Inspired books. I would advise that book two be read first before this one. The story is carried over from book two. Most of characters are in both books and will make for a better reading experience.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. A review was not requested. All opinions expressed here in this review are my own.
February 6, 2022
This was a book with a lot of emotional push and pull. It dealt with some very serious topics and the main characters carried guilt related to the various things that had happened in the past. I found myself frustrated at both Tobias and Josie at times. Even after they finally had their important conversation, there was guilt and confusion and both thought the other couldn't love them due to what had happened.
Once I realized that Josie's manic reactions throughout the story were mostly due to the fact that she had been subjected to some very horrible things in her life, I felt as if I understood her better. However, I am happy with the way all of it came together in the end. I also think that I would have possibly understood Josie better earlier on if I had read the book that comes before this one.
(3.5 stars)
Once I realized that Josie's manic reactions throughout the story were mostly due to the fact that she had been subjected to some very horrible things in her life, I felt as if I understood her better. However, I am happy with the way all of it came together in the end. I also think that I would have possibly understood Josie better earlier on if I had read the book that comes before this one.
(3.5 stars)
August 29, 2020
Seeking Refuge is an inspiring story written by Lenora Worth in her Amish Seasons series. This story continues from her previous book Her Amish Child. This story definitely deals with forgiveness in all forms. The characters are fantastic and fit this story perfectly. The cover will definitely draw you in it is so sweet.
The love between siblings is a strong part of this story. Josiah will do whatever it takes to protect his sister Josie. They have both lived a hard life because of an abusive father and Josie has made some wrong choices along the way. With past mistakes behind her, Josie is trying to go on with life but finds healing hard. She was devastated when a young English boy took advantage of her and she ran from the love of her life Tobias. Now with the surprise appearance of Tobias, Josie is forced to deal with her fears. Tobias is determined to get to the truth of why Josie ran away from him and what he discovers just about breaks him. He is determined to make things right because he feels guilty for what happened to Josie but the journey is anything but easy. Both Tobias and Josie are seeking each other's forgiveness and want to heal from the tragic events.
I was not given a complimentary copy of this book to read and review. I was not approached to post a favorable response. I have rated this story with five stars for meeting my expectations of a wonderful story that I can highly recommend to others. This story is filled with love, family, faith, and forgiveness.
Congratulations to Lenora Worth on such an inspirational story for her readers enjoyment. I hope there will be another story in this series.
The love between siblings is a strong part of this story. Josiah will do whatever it takes to protect his sister Josie. They have both lived a hard life because of an abusive father and Josie has made some wrong choices along the way. With past mistakes behind her, Josie is trying to go on with life but finds healing hard. She was devastated when a young English boy took advantage of her and she ran from the love of her life Tobias. Now with the surprise appearance of Tobias, Josie is forced to deal with her fears. Tobias is determined to get to the truth of why Josie ran away from him and what he discovers just about breaks him. He is determined to make things right because he feels guilty for what happened to Josie but the journey is anything but easy. Both Tobias and Josie are seeking each other's forgiveness and want to heal from the tragic events.
I was not given a complimentary copy of this book to read and review. I was not approached to post a favorable response. I have rated this story with five stars for meeting my expectations of a wonderful story that I can highly recommend to others. This story is filled with love, family, faith, and forgiveness.
Congratulations to Lenora Worth on such an inspirational story for her readers enjoyment. I hope there will be another story in this series.
October 30, 2024
Her Secret kept them apart... Will courage give them another chance?
This story is about an Amish woman named Josie Fischer and an Amish man named Tobias Mast.
Tobias was in his rumspringa and was curious about the life of the English and befriended Drew Benington. At at party at his house a horrible act happened against Josie. She ran and didn't look back, until later when they cross paths again. Lots of guilt, shame, secrets, they all had to be dealt with. I really enjoyed this story. Happy ending too. Will be reading more from this author Lenora Worth.
This story is about an Amish woman named Josie Fischer and an Amish man named Tobias Mast.
Tobias was in his rumspringa and was curious about the life of the English and befriended Drew Benington. At at party at his house a horrible act happened against Josie. She ran and didn't look back, until later when they cross paths again. Lots of guilt, shame, secrets, they all had to be dealt with. I really enjoyed this story. Happy ending too. Will be reading more from this author Lenora Worth.
September 6, 2020
You can't go wrong with a Lenora Worth-penned book. "Seeking Refuge" is a case in point. Josie Fisher and Tobias Mast were in love and planning to marry, until Josie suddenly disappeared from his life. She couldn't tell him of her unspeakable pain, and he didn't understand her leaving. Three years down the line, when his obligation to his father is completed, Tobias sets his sights on getting Josie back. Can he deal with what happened to her and win her heart once again?
Josie has spent the last three years grieving for all she has lost. Tobias was at the top of the list but she can't see any other options open to her. She has hidden herself away, fearing that her story will reach Tobias' ears. When her past comes crashing into her present, is she strong enough to stand once he learns exactly why she ran in the first place?
This story gripped my heart, as I grieved with Josie for all she lost at one man's hands. I also grieved for Tobias, as he came to grips with his part in the debacle, small as it was. I especially appreciated his willingness to prove "in a million little ways" his steadfast love for Josie.
I absolutely recommend this one!
Josie has spent the last three years grieving for all she has lost. Tobias was at the top of the list but she can't see any other options open to her. She has hidden herself away, fearing that her story will reach Tobias' ears. When her past comes crashing into her present, is she strong enough to stand once he learns exactly why she ran in the first place?
This story gripped my heart, as I grieved with Josie for all she lost at one man's hands. I also grieved for Tobias, as he came to grips with his part in the debacle, small as it was. I especially appreciated his willingness to prove "in a million little ways" his steadfast love for Josie.
I absolutely recommend this one!
October 2, 2020
A good read. Days before Josie was the marry her love Tobias, a tragedy occurred that caused Josie to flee back to her hometown and her remaining family. Several years later Tobias has arrived in her hometown looking for Josie. Will she be able to face him and reveal her secret?
A book about love and forgiveness.
A book about love and forgiveness.
September 18, 2020
Great book loved it, read it in 2 hours, could not put it down. One of my go to Amish Authors.
March 21, 2022
DNF @48 pages.
I have never been so LOST in my life. I get that this is #4 in a series, but a little help in knowing the premise of things would be nice. This does not in *ANY* way stand alone. And the writing is really bad t'boot.
First page: "The early daffodils and dandelions... lifted their heads to the sun, The old oaks and red maples were lush with new leaves." If there are lush leaves? It's not daffodil time. Leaves are May, Daffodils are late March.
Josie tells Tobias in a flashback that she was from Ohio, and went to Kentucky with a friend (maybe in a previous book? Or just backstory here? We don't know). She fell in love with Tobias in Kentucky, was raped by his Englisch friend, took off two months before their wedding, and then went 'home'. Then it says Tobias sold his father's farm in Kentucky and headed to find Josie... IN PENNSYVLANIA. *WHAT* the what!?
Then later we find out she grew up in Pennsylvania. But that wasn't conveyed to the reader initially, so we're ALL shades of screwed up trying to figure out how she could be from Ohio and Pennsylvania at the same time. Until we read that her brother took her to Ohio after her parents died in a fire. Which apparently was covered in another book, but not here.
Which brings us to the next stupid thing: We're told that Josie can't go in the house she grew up in, because her parents died tragically in a fire. THEN we're told they were out in the barn fighting, and tiny Josie brought out a lamp (WHY???) and broke it and started the fire so... she can't go in the farmhouse, now. Because her parents died in a barn fire, she can't go in a house. Makes. No. Sense. The house wasn't where they died, hello.
Then we have Naomi inviting Josie to walk her to supper, but Josie says she wants to wait for Josiah to tell her about the house sale. After a back-and-forth, Naomi says, "The sooner we get to supper, the sooner we can hear what Josiah has to say." ?!?!?!?! GAH!!! Then *WHY* was she waiting for Josiah, if he was going to be at supper?!
We're also told the heroine had the baby (from the rape), then dropped the baby off at her brother's door (last book?) and he "found her in the hospital with pneumonia". But then pg 42 says he "found her with the baby in the old house". The one she can't go in? Because her parent's *didn't* die in there? What about the pneumonia and finding her in the hospital?!?!?! I... apparently need the last book to explain, because none of it made *ANY* sense.
Additionally, Josie couldn't have her baby back after abandoning it at her brother's, because... I... don't get it. Her brother and his wife are raising it in the SAME HOUSE that she's living in, now, and she's miserable about it, but she has no husband or home of her own, so she can't be a mother, apparently. Wait, what!?!?! That makes NO sense to me.
Then Worth tells us how during the last conversation Tobias had with Josie before she ran from Kentucky, he was talking about building his own house on his own land with her... except that's not how the Amish work - he would've stayed and worked his father's land, with his parents in the dawdi haus, as his brother already had a farm in Illinois. Additionally, his dad was in poor health and died (which held him up in going to find Josie)... so his death meant he would've had that house, anyhow... so WHY would he have built his own house?!
I don't know. It was such a hot, indiscernible mess, I was out less than a quarter of the way through. It's just not worth struggling to figure out what happened before, especially when the writing makes everything seem contradictory.
I have never been so LOST in my life. I get that this is #4 in a series, but a little help in knowing the premise of things would be nice. This does not in *ANY* way stand alone. And the writing is really bad t'boot.
First page: "The early daffodils and dandelions... lifted their heads to the sun, The old oaks and red maples were lush with new leaves." If there are lush leaves? It's not daffodil time. Leaves are May, Daffodils are late March.
Josie tells Tobias in a flashback that she was from Ohio, and went to Kentucky with a friend (maybe in a previous book? Or just backstory here? We don't know). She fell in love with Tobias in Kentucky, was raped by his Englisch friend, took off two months before their wedding, and then went 'home'. Then it says Tobias sold his father's farm in Kentucky and headed to find Josie... IN PENNSYVLANIA. *WHAT* the what!?
Then later we find out she grew up in Pennsylvania. But that wasn't conveyed to the reader initially, so we're ALL shades of screwed up trying to figure out how she could be from Ohio and Pennsylvania at the same time. Until we read that her brother took her to Ohio after her parents died in a fire. Which apparently was covered in another book, but not here.
Which brings us to the next stupid thing: We're told that Josie can't go in the house she grew up in, because her parents died tragically in a fire. THEN we're told they were out in the barn fighting, and tiny Josie brought out a lamp (WHY???) and broke it and started the fire so... she can't go in the farmhouse, now. Because her parents died in a barn fire, she can't go in a house. Makes. No. Sense. The house wasn't where they died, hello.
Then we have Naomi inviting Josie to walk her to supper, but Josie says she wants to wait for Josiah to tell her about the house sale. After a back-and-forth, Naomi says, "The sooner we get to supper, the sooner we can hear what Josiah has to say." ?!?!?!?! GAH!!! Then *WHY* was she waiting for Josiah, if he was going to be at supper?!
We're also told the heroine had the baby (from the rape), then dropped the baby off at her brother's door (last book?) and he "found her in the hospital with pneumonia". But then pg 42 says he "found her with the baby in the old house". The one she can't go in? Because her parent's *didn't* die in there? What about the pneumonia and finding her in the hospital?!?!?! I... apparently need the last book to explain, because none of it made *ANY* sense.
Additionally, Josie couldn't have her baby back after abandoning it at her brother's, because... I... don't get it. Her brother and his wife are raising it in the SAME HOUSE that she's living in, now, and she's miserable about it, but she has no husband or home of her own, so she can't be a mother, apparently. Wait, what!?!?! That makes NO sense to me.
Then Worth tells us how during the last conversation Tobias had with Josie before she ran from Kentucky, he was talking about building his own house on his own land with her... except that's not how the Amish work - he would've stayed and worked his father's land, with his parents in the dawdi haus, as his brother already had a farm in Illinois. Additionally, his dad was in poor health and died (which held him up in going to find Josie)... so his death meant he would've had that house, anyhow... so WHY would he have built his own house?!
I don't know. It was such a hot, indiscernible mess, I was out less than a quarter of the way through. It's just not worth struggling to figure out what happened before, especially when the writing makes everything seem contradictory.
February 27, 2025
An Amish story of Second chances is a favorite to me. I loved this story of love, tragedy, and forgiveness . A must read if you love Amish fiction.
Josie Fisher is to be married to the only man she has ever loved but a few weeks before her wedding, she leaves during the night without leaving a note or anything. No one knows where she is and why she left. Tobias Mast, her finance is left wondering what has happened to Josie to make her leave without a word. He has a sick father he can not leave to find Josie. Several years later Tobias’s father dies and he sells the family home after hearing from a friend that Josie is living with her brother in her home town. Tobias is determined to find Josie and learn what he had done to cause her to run away. When Tobias learns the truth from Josie will he still want to marry her or will he be the one leaving her behind?
Josie Fisher is to be married to the only man she has ever loved but a few weeks before her wedding, she leaves during the night without leaving a note or anything. No one knows where she is and why she left. Tobias Mast, her finance is left wondering what has happened to Josie to make her leave without a word. He has a sick father he can not leave to find Josie. Several years later Tobias’s father dies and he sells the family home after hearing from a friend that Josie is living with her brother in her home town. Tobias is determined to find Josie and learn what he had done to cause her to run away. When Tobias learns the truth from Josie will he still want to marry her or will he be the one leaving her behind?
May 10, 2021
This was a difficult book to read due to the nature of the story. I felt that Josie could have used some serious counseling. Shy and quiet and unable to communicate her feelings or the truth, it seemed like she was being punished for things beyond her control, or perhaps punishing herself. Thankfully she had Tobias who would not give up on her and finally got her to tell him the whole truth. They could have saved themselves from a lot of heartache if they had just sat down and talked. I am glad that in the end, it all worked out.
June 18, 2024
Lenora Worth has penned a gripping story about true love but with a real world feel. It's not a fairy tale. Josie and Tobias were meant to marry until....Josie flees after a devastating incident leaving Tobias behind and in the dark about why. Several years later, Tobias sets out to find her and figure out what happened. Can he win her back? Can he forgive her? Can Josie forgive herself? Can she get over old hurts? Will messy circumstances prevent a reconciliation? The setting provides a fascinating look at Amish culture as well as a captivating tale of love gone wrong. A great read.
Read
October 22, 2020Poorly written. At times, hard to follow story lines, and particularly hard to follow characters. Sometimes a name is just thrown into the story and you have to try to figure out who this person is. Hard to follow places and events as well.
Don't bother with this author again.
Don't bother with this author again.
March 28, 2025
wow
An amazing read. I enjoyed watching a couple go from being a couple because of someone they thought was a friend and found out he was so evil. Then because he had to know if the love of his life would still have him, even though he didn’t know why she ran away.
An amazing read. I enjoyed watching a couple go from being a couple because of someone they thought was a friend and found out he was so evil. Then because he had to know if the love of his life would still have him, even though he didn’t know why she ran away.
July 13, 2020
This book is one that holds your interest from page one. It goes along with some of her other books,,,Very good
August 9, 2020
Good book. Very good writing and you can actually imagine the descriptions in your mind.
August 31, 2020
Good book
Read
September 2, 2020Categories
Inspirational Romance, Contemporary Romance, Amish & Mennonite, Wholesome Romance
Miniseries
Amish Seasons (Book #3)
Inspirational Romance, Contemporary Romance, Amish & Mennonite, Wholesome Romance
Miniseries
Amish Seasons (Book #3)
Read
September 2, 2020Categories
Inspirational Romance, Contemporary Romance, Amish & Mennonite, Wholesome Romance
Miniseries
Amish Seasons (Book #3)
Inspirational Romance, Contemporary Romance, Amish & Mennonite, Wholesome Romance
Miniseries
Amish Seasons (Book #3)
January 29, 2022
I absolutely loved this story and can't wait for more by this author.
I couldn't put it down.
I couldn't put it down.
February 20, 2022
Amish romance.
September 30, 2023
I could not put this down!!
April 7, 2024
Healing
Although Seeking Refuge deals with a sensitive topic, it is a story of love, redemption, forgiveness, healing, and second chances.
Although Seeking Refuge deals with a sensitive topic, it is a story of love, redemption, forgiveness, healing, and second chances.
January 25, 2025
This one was a heartbreakingly beautiful read from start to finish. Couldn’t put it down.
March 9, 2025
very good book
December 13, 2022
Josie ran away from home before she was to marry Tobias Mast. She went home to where her brother was living and left her baby on his doorstep. She did not want anyone to know she was with child.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews