Suzanne Woods Fisher is the award-winning, bestselling author of more than forty books, including The Sweet Life, The Secret to Happiness, and Love on a Whim, as well as many beloved contemporary romance and Amish romance series. She is also the author of several nonfiction books about the Amish, including Amish Peace and Amish Proverbs. She lives in California.
I this interview, Suzanne talks with us about her latest Amish Romance book, A Healing Touch.
FF: Can you please provide a brief summary of your novel, A Healing Touch?
Meet Dok Stoltzfus, your family doctor with a heart of gold. She’s not just about curing bodies—she’s all about healing souls too. From connecting patients with support to facing unexpected twists, Dok touches lives in ways nobody expects.
FF: A Healing Touch focuses on the life of Ruth “Dok” Stoltzfus. Can you please provide some background information on your protagonist?
Dok said goodbye to her Amish roots as a teen to chase higher education and later, in her fifties, opened her own medical practice back in Stoney Ridge, where she reconnected with her estranged family. With that no-nonsense attitude shaped by her Amish upbringing, she’s become a devoted healer, blending traditional values with modern medicine.
FF: Dok was raised Old Order Amish. Even though she left to pursue higher education, how does her background affect her relationship with both her Amish and English patients?
Dok’s roots in the Old Order Amish community, along with her ability to speak Penn Dutch, give her a unique perspective on traditional values and close-knit communities. This background helps her build strong connections with both her Amish and English patients, making them feel understood and respected, no matter their background.
FF: How does Dok treat her patients differently than “typical” doctors?
Dok’s the kind of doctor we all wish we had—old-fashioned in the best way possible. She’s all about that personal touch, making house calls and taking the time to really listen to her patients. Plus, she’s open to non-traditional medicine, making sure everyone gets the care they need, the way they want it.
FF: In A Healing Touch, Dok interacts with a variety of patients. What are a few of her cases that you bring to life in the pages of your book?
Dok juggles a variety of cases. There’s a teen struggling with severe anxiety, a brave little boy needing stitches after a tumble, and an unexpected home birth of a premature baby.
FF: Your novels are very character driven. Who is your favorite character in A Healing Touch?
Annie, an Amish young woman, is Dok’s assistant. Extraordinarily capable, yet she suffers from a crippling shyness. She doesn’t let it stop her from pursuing her dream, though.
FF: There is an unexpected angle found within A Healing Touch. How does Dok’s marriage to a local police officer come into play in the story?
Dok’s marriage to a caring police officer plays a crucial role as he goes the extra mile to help others, like bringing home an abandoned newborn to foster.
FF: A Healing Touch is set in the tight-knit community of Stoney Ridge. When did you first begin writing about this community and how has it changed over the years?
I introduced readers to Stoney Ridge in my first Amish fiction book, The Choice. Over time, it’s grown into more than just a setting—it’s like a character, a welcoming place where readers love catching up with old friends and making new ones. Stoney Ridge has truly become a small town with a big heart.
FF: A Healing Touch delves into the topic of healing both emotionally and physically. Are there other lessons that readers can learn from reading your novel?
This story isn’t just about physical and emotional healing—it’s also about learning to let go of things that hold you back or don’t belong to you. Through Dok’s journey and the experiences of the characters, readers can discover the importance of embracing change as part of their own healing process.
FF: What do you love most about writing Amish fiction?
Beyond the bonnets and buggies and beards, there’s a whole lot more to the Amish way of life. Digging into their culture offers valuable insights and stories that go beyond surface stereotypes. You don’t have to go full-on Amish to appreciate their values and traditions—they offer timeless wisdom that anyone can embrace in their own life.
A Healing Touch
Suzanne Woods Fisher
Revell
Genres: Amish Romance
Release Date: October 1, 2024
ISBN-10: 0800745280
ISBN-13: 978-0800745288
Book Summary:
A captivating tale of compassion, resilience, and the bonds of love and friendship
Ruth “Dok” Stoltzfus is the kind of doctor who still believes in house calls, addressing not just her patients’ physical needs but their emotional ones too. When newly widowed Bee faces a breast cancer diagnosis, Dok connects her with Fern Lapp for support. When her painfully shy assistant Annie finds herself drawn to a new calling, Dok goes to great lengths to help her achieve her dream. And when an abandoned newborn mysteriously appears at her office one frosty morning, Dok’s world takes an unexpected turn as ripples of change touch several lives.
Bestselling and award-winning author Suzanne Woods Fisher invites you into a story that’s like medicine for the weary soul. Join Dok and the tight-knit Stoney Ridge community as they navigate the twists of fate, discovering that sometimes the greatest healing comes from the heart.
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