What happens when you take two spanking-new doctors and drop them into Amish country? That’s the premise behind my latest book, A HIDDEN HOPE, and it’s a recipe for chaos, confusion, and a little comedy.
Meet Ruth “Dok” Stoltzfus, a seasoned physician who's been making house calls to Amish families for years. She knows her patients, understands their culture, and has earned their trust through years of respectful care. But Dok needs help with her bursting-at-the-seams practice, so she brings in two medical school graduates as residents.
And here’s where it gets interesting: one graduated at the top of her class, the other at the bottom. Both are completely new to Amish traditions and customs. You can probably guess where this is heading.
The idea for this story came from thinking about how much medicine relies on communication and cultural understanding. When you don’t speak the same “language”—whether that’s literal language or cultural expectations—things can go sideways pretty quickly.
I loved exploring how book smarts don’t always translate to real-world success, especially when patients live by completely different rules than anything studied in medical school. Charlie King, the resident who struggled academically connects naturally with patients, while star student Wren Baker finds herself completely lost when textbook knowledge meets real life—Plain-style.
The Amish setting was perfect for these cultural misunderstandings. Their traditions, their approach to healthcare, their way of life—it’s all so different from what these young doctors expect. Cue the misunderstandings, some misdiagnoses, and a lot of moments that had me grinning as I wrote them.
But underneath the amusing moments, something deeper is happening. Dok becomes the bridge between worlds, helping her residents understand that being a good doctor isn’t just about applying memorized medical knowledge—it requires listening, especially to what isn’t being said.
A HIDDEN HOPE is ultimately about learning, growing, and discovering that sometimes the best teachers aren’t found in classrooms. Sometimes they’re sitting in farmhouse kitchens, sharing their wisdom over a cup of coffee and a slice of shoofly pie.
Speaking of food, what better way to end this post than with a well-loved Amish recipe?
Ham & Noodle Casserole
This is a dish inspired by Sadie Lapp, a favorite character in my Amish fiction novels, all set in Stoney Ridge. Sadie’s mother had been teaching her how to cook when she passed away in an untimely death. Sadie took over cooking for the family but she only knew five recipes. The Lapp family knew what day of the week it was because of what Sadie was cooking. Ham & Noodle Casserole was her Monday night staple.
2 and a half cups diced ham
8 ounces egg noodles (cooked and drained)
2 cups shredded Swiss cheese
1/3 cup diced green pepper
2 tablespoons diced yellow onion
1 cup sour cream
1 teaspoon salt
1 can cream of celery soup
Lightly mix ingredients until they are well-blended. Put in a 2 quart greased casserole dish. Sprinkle breadcrumbs over the top, if desired. Bake at 375 degrees for 30 minutes.
With the arrival of three unexpected newcomers to Stoney Ridge comes an array of secrets and emotions brewing just beneath the surface.
Supervising two newly minted medical residents might be the toughest challenge Ruth "Dok" Stoltzfus has ever faced. Wren Baker, sharp and ambitious, graduated at the top of medical school with a hidden agenda in tow. Charlie King, at the bottom of the class, is determined to succeed--though Dok isn't convinced he's got what it takes. Then there's traveling nurse Evie Miller, whose quiet love for Charlie doesn't go unnoticed, especially by Wren.
Boarding at Windmill Farm, the trio struggles to balance modern medicine with Plain living. Between medical emergencies, cultural misunderstandings, and brewing romantic tensions, Dok finds herself juggling far more than she bargained for. Soon the stage is set in the small Amish community of Stoney Ridge for plenty of professional and personal complications.
Amish | Romance [Revell, On Sale: October 7, 2025, Paperback / e-Book, ISBN: 9780800745295 / eISBN: 9781493451425]
Suzanne Woods Fisher is a Christy finalist, a Carol and Selah winner, a two-time ECPA Book of the Year finalist, and Publishers Weekly and ECPA bestselling author of more than forty books. Her genres include contemporary and historical romances, and Amish fiction. She and her husband live in a small town in California. Most friends act a little nervous around Suzanne because they usually wind up in one of her novels. She has four grown children and enough grandchildren to keep her young. Visit Suzanne on her website. She loves to connect with readers!
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