Beverly Lewis (1) (1949–)

Sometimes location is a big draw for a book. I will read anything Beverly Lewis writes, but I was tickled pink to see that the novel starts out in Centerville, MI!! This is a place not far from me, and I looked for nuggets of familiarity. I was happy to see that the covered bridge, unusual for this area, merits a mention.

I was also happy to see the inclusion of the “Blizzard of ‘78.” Possibly mistimed to fit the story, the blizzard is infamous around these parts for its ferocity and show more unusual intensity, even here in Michigan.

Lewis has a warm, welcoming writing style that pulls the reader into the story and makes her/him feel part of the family or community described.

It can be easy to adopt the attitudes of those around you. Indeed, immersed in the world of Lena and her family, I first felt love; then heart-wrenching sadness; a strong yearning for loved ones, and desperation borne of that love.

I loved the way that Lena decides, miserable as she is, to “bloom where she is planted.” She has such a positive effect on others around her, even though her heart is breaking inside.

In her own gentle way, Lewis weaves her faith message seamlessly throughout the book. It never seems forced, only natural, presented in small, tasteful bites.
...”Lena wondered if she ought to pray about something so minor. Cousin Mimi likely would. She talks to God about practically everything...”

If you like Christian Amish stories recounted by one of the best, pick up your own copy of Beverly Lewis’s The Road Home. I received a complimentary copy from the publisher and NetGalley. This in no way affected my opinions, given voluntarily, for which I am entirely responsible. Also, I am not related to the author. show less

It's not a book I would have chosen to read. It was pressed into my hands by a friend who insisted I must read it. I was surprised! Lewis, the child of an English and a former Amish, grew up in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, near the Amish community she describes in The Orchard. I knew some about the Amish from television documentaries---and also from reading an account of the school house murders of 2006, when 5 Amish school girls were murdered and 5 others severely wounded. Lewis's show more young-adult romance tackles big issues: peace, war, conscientious objectors, cross-cultural romance. I suppose my disinterest in the genre is what led me to have such low expectations for Lewis's writing. Boy was I wrong! Perhaps she is not a genius, but she is most certainly a master of her craft. Not a single character was introduced extraneously, nor a single thread left dangling. The plot is tight, complex, and engaging. show less

Narrated by Rachel Borchan. If I want to know if the boy and girl get together, I'll have to read the whole series! As it is, I listened to this "bonnet romance" out of curiosity. There's more density to "The Parting" than Caleb and Nellie's budding but endangered romance. The title can also refer to the growing schism between the Old Order and those who want to use tractors and cars, and those who've found Jesus as savior. There is also the mysterious drowning of Susie, Nellie's sister, show more which weighs heavily on the family as rumors swirl throughout the community. It's a wholesome romance (Caleb and Nellie discuss their favorite cookies on their second date...the Amish sure have a thing for chocolate chip!) and more substantial than I expected. Although the background was there for Reuben and the others to find salvation in Jesus, I found the conversion rather abrupt. The narrator reads in a plain-spoken, young girlish tone, just right for this particular character and setting. show less

I'll admit, upon running across this book's lovely cover for the first time, I expected a good enough story, seeing the authors' names on it, but I didn't expect my heart to get involved. "Another Amish tale," I thought, as while the closest I've gotten to actually experiencing a Lewis Amish tale was watching Saving Sarah Cain, a film I enjoyed based on a novel by Beverly Lewis, I remember back when it seemed that the Christian Fiction section at my favorite bookstore was fast becoming the show more "Amish and Post-Apocalyptic Christian Fiction" section with less and less room for anything else. While I have nothing big against those book themes, the takeover at that bookstore and others had a fad-like scent, in my opinion, and I tend to steer clear of what would seem too much like hopping on a bandwagon, in case a fad will be just that, without any staying power.

However, Child of Mine is more of a contemporary romance with Amish elements, and even suspense elements, stirred in, and my heart couldn't help getting involved with these characters after all. I enjoyed the gradual unfolding of the unknowns about Kelly, Jack, and Laura: imperfect people feeling their way through a journey with imperfect circumstances to face, having to learn how to trust God, and other people, the more. After all, "Faith is a light that's best seen in the dark."

On one hand, Jack's heart seemed to be "breaking" frequently, at this moment, then again at another, and during the final third or fourth of the novel, he settled on so many different conclusions that I was reluctant to keep on believing him. On another hand, there was a bit of "throw in some new information after the fact in order to support the fact" storytelling where I would've liked foreshadowing better.

Yet, in all, this was a satisfying story that took me on a good amount of emotional turns without losing its course, and it painted a compelling picture of how, at the end of the day, love wins out. Hats off to David and Beverly Lewis for this collaboration!

Oh--and don't be surprised when I do read a little more Amish fiction. I guess it's about that time.
____________
I received an advance reading copy of this book from the publisher through the LibraryThing Early Reviewers program for an honest review. show less