Susanna's Surprise (Amish Girls Series - Book 4)

By Jennifer (J.E.B.) Spredemann

After years of feeling something is missing from her life, Susanna Hostettler discovers that she once had an identical twin sister. As answers to her questions unfold, Susie's brother Levi uncovers a secret that will not only surprise Susanna, but her family as well. Jonathan Fisher has his eyes set on Susie, but can he convince her to give him a chance? Approx. 118 pages, Inspirational teen fiction

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jennifer (J.E.B.) Spredemann
• Release date: Apr 24, 2015
• ISBN: 9781310700125

Jennifer (J.E.B.) Spredemann

USA Today Bestselling Author Jennifer (J.E.B.) Spredemann seeks to pen compelling stories that captivate readers and bring glory to GOD. She has penned over forty Amish fiction titles in her “cant-put-down” writing style. She resides in Indiana Amish Country with her family on a former Amish farm where the documentary Breaking the Silence was filmed. "...Spredemann weaves a thread of love and intrigue into a quilt of faith and values." - reader reviewGrab a FREE story when you join my newsletter! Go here: https://www.jenniferspredemann.com/ABOUT MY BOOKS...It seems like every series I've written has been unique:AMISH GIRLS SERIES: (co-authored with my daughters) is a fun series set in Pennsylvania and is geared for teens (although many of my older readers have said they thoroughly enjoyed it!) (8 books + 2 tie-ins)AMISH BY ACCIDENT TRILOGY: Amish by Accident was originally a stand-alone book (my first book released!) It was SO different (that was my crazy imagination kicking in), I was unsure how readers would respond (or if anyone would even read it, LOL). And then the reviews started coming in! As of today, the book has 700+ Amazon reviews with a 4.5 STAR average! PRAISE THE LORD!!! I ended up writing a sequel and a prequel, thus the trilogy. :) (3 books)AMISH SECRETS SERIES: Oh, boy! This series tackles some pretty intense topics that you likely won't read about in your mainstream Amish fiction books. The first book in this series, An Unforgivable Secret is currently FREE in ebook. This was another one that I was unsure how it would resound with readers. It currently has 1900+ Amazon ratings and reviews with a 4.5 STAR average! GOD IS GOOD! (7 books)AMISH FAIRY TALES: (originally "FAIRLY" TALES, on purpose, but not everybody "gets" my twist on words) Basically, loose retellings of Cinderella and Beauty and the Beast, Amish-style (2 books, #3 on the backburner)KING FAMILY SAGA : the Bible stories of Isaac & Rebekah; Jacob, Rachel, & Leah; Joseph; Ruth; and David loosely told in an Amish context. (5 books so far)AMISH COUNTRY BRIDES: Sweet faith-filled romances set in Indiana (12 books)STAND-ALONE STORIES: Her Amish Identity (previously known as Love Impossible), An Unexpected Christmas Gift (Unlikely Singing loosely ties into this sweet love story)UNLIKELY SERIES: Unlikely Santa (An Amish Christmas Story), its sequel Unlikely Sweethearts, Unlikely Singing, and Unlikely Season - LOVED writing this series.AMISH COLLABORATIONS: Amish Christmas Miracles Collection (2020), More Amish Christmas Miracles (2021), Amish Spring Romance (2022)Coming 2023 (Lord willing!): AMISH COURTSHIP SERIESA Forbidden Amish CourtshipA Widower's Amish CourtshipTBA

Book preview

Susanna’s Surprise

Amish Girls Series – Book 4

J.E.B. Spredemann

Smashwords Edition

Copyright 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 - Present by J.E.B. Spredemann

All incidents and characters in this book are completely fictional and derived by the authors’ imagination. Any resemblance to actual incidents and persons living or dead are purely coincidental.

All rights reserved. No part of this work/book may be copied, transmitted, or stored in any form or by any means, except for brief quotations in printed reviews, without prior written consent from the author/publisher.

Disclaimer: The herbal information in this book was derived by the author’s (J.S.) education and experience as a Nutritional Herbologist, but is written for fictional and informational use only. No herbal information in this book is, in any way, meant as a prescription or medical advice. This information has not been approved by the FDA, AMA, or any other government agency. It is your constitutional right to prescribe for yourself, if you choose to do so. The author assumes no responsibility for the treatments in this book, if you should choose to implement them. Therefore, the government requires the recommendation that you see your health care provider if you have any medical concerns/issues.

Published in California by Blessed Publishing.

http://www.jebspredemann.com

All Scripture quotations are taken from the King James Version of the Holy Bible, are not subject to copyright laws, and may be freely copied and/or quoted

Cover design by J.E.B. Spredemann.

Table of Contents

Books By J.E.B. Spredemann

Authors’ Note

Unofficial Glossary of Pennsylvania Dutch Words

Characters in Susanna’s Surprise

Chapter 1 – Boys

Chapter 2 – Jonathan Fisher

Chapter 3 – The Secret

Chapter 4 – Birthday

Chapter 5 – The Unexpected

Chapter 6 – The Revelation

Chapter 7 – The Resemblance

Chapter 8 – The Decision

Chapter 9 – The Announcement

Chapter 10 – The Discovery

Chapter 11 – The Accident

Chapter 12 - Sisters

Chapter 13 – Amish Life

Chapter 14 – The Wedding

Chapter 15 – The Choice

Annie’s Decision

BOOKS BY J.E.B. SPREDEMANN

AMISH GIRLS SERIES

Joanna’s Struggle

Danika’s Journey

Chloe’s Revelation

Susanna’s Surprise

NOVELLAS

Amish by Accident*

(Amish Secrets Series)

An Unforgivable Secret*

COMING SOON!

(From Amish Girls Series)

Annie’s Decision

Abigail’s Triumph

Brooke’s Quest

2014

Learning to Love – Saul’s Story*

To our Readers

Authors’ Note

It should be noted that the Amish people and their communities differ one from another. There are, in fact, no two Amish communities exactly alike. It is this premise on which this book is written. We have taken cautious steps to assure the authenticity of Amish practices and customs. Both Old Order Amish and New Order Amish are portrayed in this work of fiction and may be inconsistent with some Amish communities.

We, as Englischers, can learn a lot from the Plain People and their simple way of life. Their hard work, close-knit family life, and concern for others are to be applauded. As the Lord wills, may this special culture continue to be respected and remain so for many centuries to come, and may the light of God’s salvation reach their hearts.

Unofficial Glossary of Pennsylvania Dutch Words

Ach – Oh

Ausbund – Amish hymn book

Bloobier – Blueberry

Boppli – Baby

Bopplin – Babies

Bruder – Brother

Dat, Daed – Dad

Dawdi – Grandfather

Denki – Thanks

Der Herr – The Lord

Dochder – Daughter

Dokter – Doctor

Dummkopp – Dummy

Englischer – A non-Amish person

Ferhoodled – Mixed up, Crazy

Fraa – Woman, Wife

Gott – God

Gut – Good

Gross Dawdi – Great Grandfather

Guten Mayrie – Good Morning

Haus – House

Hiya – Hi

Hullo – Hello

Jah – Yes

Kapp – Prayer Covering

Kumm – Come

Lieb – Love

Liede – Song

Mamm – Mom

Mammi – Grandmother

Mei Lieb – My Love

Mein Liewe – My Dear

Mudder – Mother

Nee – No

Ordnung – Rules of the Amish Community

Rumspringa – Running around years

Schweschder – Sister

Vadder – Father

Vorsinger – Song Leader

Wilkom – Welcome

Wunderbaar – Wonderful

Characters in Susanna’s Surprise

The Hostettler Family

Judah – father, bishop of Paradise

Lydia – mother

Nathan – oldest brother

Levi – older brother, protagonist of Chloe’s Revelation

Joshua – Susie’s older brother

Susanna – protagonist

Paul, Elizabeth, Ella, Micah, and Yonnie – other siblings

The Thompson Family

Katrina – mother

Andrea – daughter

The Fisher family

Gideon – father

Esther – mother

Isaac & Rachel – oldest son & wife

Grace – oldest daughter

Joanna – protagonist of Joanna’s Struggle, youngest daughter

Jonathan – youngest son, instigator of mischief

The King Family

Philip – father

Naomi – mother

Danika – daughter, protagonist of Danika’s Journey

Katie – daughter

P.J. – son

The Yoder Family

Jacob – deacon, father

Sarah – mother

Eli – son, protagonist of Danika’s Journey

Annie – daughter, Susanna’s best friend

The Lapp family

Sadie – oldest daughter

Andrew – oldest son

Others

Matthew Riehl – boy Susie likes

Chloe Esh – protagonist of Chloe’s Revelation, Levi’s aldi

Brandi – Katrina’s co-worker

Angela – Brandi’s daughter and Andrea’s friend

Chapter 1 – Boys

"...he deviseth mischief continually..." Proverbs 6:14b

Susanna Hostettler sat on a rock in the school yard, deep in thought. Lunch was nearly over and she yearned for some quiet time. It seemed the older she became, the more she relished time alone. Of course, growing up in the home of the bishop, along with eight other siblings, scarcely provided moments for reflection. She had to take what she could get, even if it occasionally meant separating herself from her friends.

Hey! came a loud voice from behind her. She jumped slightly and whirled around to face Jonathan Fisher, who was grinning earlobe to earlobe. Why did Jonathan always have to ruin her peace and quiet?

Scared ya. Jonathan timidly held out a small wildflower. He obviously fancied Susie, but to his disappointment, she had no interest in him at all.

What do you want, Jonathan? Susie was quickly becoming annoyed at the distraction. She wasn’t usually rude, but lately Jonathan had been getting on her nerves. She never knew what Jonathan would do next or whether or not he was up to mischief, and she certainly didn’t want to find out.

I just wanted to give ya this flower, he answered sweetly.

"Nee, denki. If I wanted a flower I would have picked one myself." She flounced over to her friend Annie, who’d been sitting on the steps of the school house observing Jonathan’s antics. Susanna felt just a twinge of guilt when Jonathan hung his head and walked away.

Jonathan glanced back at Susie wondering what else he could do to get her attention. Sooner or later, he was determined to make Susanna Hostettler his girl. And