The Shunning

The verdict is out

Beverly Lewis came highly recommended as an author, and I've enjoyed the stories I've read about the Amish....Plain Truth for one....I decided to pick this book up. (I made sure to start with the 1st in the series...I hate when I read a book and find out I started in the middle of a story!) So far, the verdict is out. The story is interesting enough, though a bit predictable. Without giving away too much...Katie is about to marry the local Bishop. She is an older (by Amish standards) bride, and worried that if she doesn't make this marriage she will be 'passed over'. You see, Katie has always had the problem with being attracted to beautiful, but forbidden "englisher' things....satin, guitar music, etc. She also lost her first love in a drowning accident. Days before the wedding, she finds a beautiful satin baby dress with the name 'Katherine Mayfield' inscribed...hidden away in the family attic! Her parents deny knowledge of the dress...but then hide it again. Katie has had doubts about the marriage all along, but believes she will 'learn' to love the Bishop. But chaos ensues when Katie learns the night before the wedding that she is NOT who she believes herself to be. As I said, the story is predicatable, and if you've read this far, you probably know that. If the story ended here, I would rate it as boring. But the story ends with an obvious lead in to a sequel...and for that reason is intriguing. IF that book and the next tie up loose ends in an entertaining, though possibly predictable manner, I will consider this book as one long lead in, and feel that possibly, the story could have been shortened into one or 2 books. But as I say...the verdict will not be in until I read the other parts of the trilogy. ( )

I love reading the stories of the Amish. Their lifestyle is so simple and less complicated. Being shunned however would be very difficult to go through. I've read several of these series but I think my most favorite is Abrams daughters. ( )

The Shunning
Beverly Lewis
This is the first book by Beverly Lewis I read. I enjoyed this story and was able to read all of the series quickly since I was a late comer to the series. It started me reading all of her series. I enjoyed the series and found it well written and highlights the best in a people. It is definitely written by someone who has a great love for these people. I have to say that it is a simpler lifestyle that resonates with me most and I acknowledge that I prefer a slower pace. I will keep going back to this simpler life in books. ( )

You know Amish novels are my guilty pleasure and this was one of the best Beverly Lewis novels I've read. I wanted to read it soon because Hallmark made a movie from the novel that's premiering on April 16th and I wanted to have read the book before seeing the movie.Katie Lapp has struggled with her Amish heritage for as long as she can remember, often wanting to just indulge in a simple song. After her beau dies tragically, she struggles even more despite the fact that she's engaged to the bishop in her town. The bishop! It's a big deal. Life gets even more complicated when she finds a fancy baby gown in her parents' attic, too fancy to be from an Amish child. Soon she must come to terms with her past and figure out what to do with her future.The novel was a very good and quick read, I read it in an afternoon. Things really got interesting about halfway through and I just plowed through the end. I can't wait to see what Hallmark does with the story in their movie.Of course, the whole thing ended with a cliffhanger and thus the potential for Katie, who suffered with herself so much in this novel, to find happiness. I was hoping just this once I could get away with reading just the first book in a series, but no, now I have to get the second book, The Confession. ( )

This is my third Beverly Lewis series. I found the whole process of preparing for an Amish wedding fascinating. I learn new things about their culture with every series I read. I didn't see the surprise ending coming, but am glad it happened and am looking forward to reading the next book. ( )