Child of Mine

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 "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 show more 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.
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I received an advance reading copy of this book from the publisher through the LibraryThing Early Reviewers program for an honest review. show less

Like a Quilt for Visiting Englischers to Work

I have a confession to make. I have recently learned that I can give away even books I loved reading and reviewing. Face it, most I will never read again, great though they were. This is NOT one of those!! David and Beverly Lewis have evoked so many emotions: maternal love(from many different characters, not necessarily biological);familial love; romantic love; anxiety; deceit,(so many people have secrets!); and finally the sweet relief of the ending. I just finished the book last night, but found myself re-opening it today, not for the review, but to re-immerse myself in the wonderful world of feelings the story produced.

Jack Livingston is an aviator gone AWOL from his dysfunctional family, show more only to find himself sudden guardian of his 8-yr old niece. He returns home and begins to raise Natalie (Nattie) in a Christian home as best he can with the help of her Amish nanny, Laura Mast.

The counterpoint story is of Kelly Maines, whose baby daughter was stolen and sold on the black adoption market 8 years ago. Kelly is working with a detective, plus a wonderful, wealthy older couple, and prays daily for help to find her long-lost daughter.

The stories begin to weave together like parts of an Amish quilt coming together. However, I have read stories of Amish folk who allow Englischers to work on a quilt while visiting a B&B, only to have the Amish folk take those less than accurate stitches out after the Enlischers leave. That's a good parallel for how this book plays out. Just as the pieces start fitting into place, the authors skillfully use their seam rippers and give information which makes that "quilt pattern" an impossibility and the reader has to start restitching new solutions. What a sweet relief when it all comes together at last!!

Some favorite take-aways? "Never forget. Faith is a light best seen in the darkness." "God can give us what we ask for, but He can't just give us character. Character is what we give God. Character is forged by faith and persistence and doing the right thing."

I received this book from bookfun.org in exchange for an honest review. show less

It's not very often that I tell other readers that a book is awesome, because when I do, I don't take the term lightly. For me to rank a book this way, I need to have my interest held all throughout the story; there needs to be several subplots expertly woven together with a few surprise twists that I don't anticipate. The characters need to be portrayed in such a way that I'm invested in their lives, while I come to care for them. When the book is finished, I still feel their presence and circumstances linger, so that I continue to think about them. Their lives and thoughts should influence my own. They should have something to say or experience that touches me right down to my soul. For me, Child of Mine delivers all the above show more criteria. I even went through a hefty pile of tissues in testimony of how stirred I was.

When I begin reading a story, there is usually a predominant question in my mind regarding the theme of the story. The cover of this book and its title suggested a few questions for me to ponder: Whose child? Which child? Who was claiming the child? When I opened the pages of the opening chapter, I was introduced to Kelly Maines. By the end of the chapter, I learned that Kelly has been seeking a specific child for the past eight years, but she was using methods that were not completely ethical. In the next chapter, the readers are introduced to Jack Livingston and his niece Natalie who likes to be called Nattie. Nattie was a precocious eight-year-old, lovingly cared for by her uncle and an Amish nanny, Laura Mast. At this point, I felt I knew where this story was heading.

In the final quarter of the book, circumstances take an abrupt turn, and for me instituted a series of new questions after the initial shock. Several times the expected became the unexpected, and I'm sure I said to myself, "Say...what?!" more than twice. The pace picked up dramatically, with frequent re-assessments of my original question of who's claiming whose child. The authors, after lulling readers into expecting one thing to happen and one history to have occurred, turn our expectations on their ears and switch directions entirely. I even flipped back pages a few times to see where I might have missed a clue or to verify what a person said. I love when an author does that, especially when it is written as smoothly as it was in this book.

Rest assured that while this book is not primarily a romance, there are portions of the story where romance is an important element. It just isn't the main feature. There is also some mystery that contributes to the twists and turns that reveal facts and change the flow of the story line. Happily, most loose ends are satisfactorily resolved. In addition, unlike many of Beverly Lewis's other books, having an Amish woman play one of the main characters does not mean this is a book about the Amish. It is just an incidental factor among many that makes this book so interesting to read.

Finally, the spiritual aspect of a book's plot is important to me. I look to see if life's tough situations are realistically portrayed, the reactions to them true to life, and the lessons learned over time contribute to a character's development. This can happen with or without a person acknowledging God's role in their lives. I admire when an author doesn't make transitions sound too trivial or too easy. I also realize how realistic it is that some people will not heed God's nudges toward a closer relationship with Him. I feel the authors in this story hit upon a balance between the many types of responses possible to God's prompts without sounding overly preachy, idealistic or syrupy. I loved their ability to write soul-stirring fiction that challenges their readers to be introspective. I highly recommend this book for anyone who loves complex Christian fiction.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary review copy of this book from The Book Club Network on behalf of Bethany House Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”” show less

A young girl, Nattie, is orphaned at age four when her adoptive parents are killed in a tragic accident. Her single, carefree uncle, Jack Livingston, is chosen as her guardian. The young Amish woman, Laura Mast, who had been shunned by the Amish community, had worked for Nattie's parents. She continues as Nattie's nanny after the child goes to live with her uncle. A sad and struggling young woman, Kelly Maines, searches for years to find the daughter who was stolen from her as an infant and sold to "baby buyers". Compelling characters are brought together in an involving story line in "Child of Mine", an inspirational contemporary romance from the husband-and-wife writing team of David and Beverly Lewis. Irrepressible Nattie is an show more inveterate list-maker and a determined matchmaker. She wants a mother, and she thinks Laura would be the perfect choice to marry her uncle Jack. When Jack meets Kelly, however, she captures his immediate interest. Checking out one more lead from the private investigator she had hired to help her locate her daughter, Kelly makes her way to Jack's aviation business. Her original intention had been to tell him the truth of her visit, but something about Jack makes her hold back, and she pretends to want to take flying lessons. The more Jack talks about Nattie, the more Kelly hopes that the girl will turn out to be her own daughter. Laura, who has always been like a mother to Nattie, is harboring a secret of her own--a secret which will greatly affect all those around her. "Child of Mine" is a touching and intriguing story, a reminder of the roles that faith and fate play in all our lives. This is a heartfelt tale of loss and forgiveness, discovery and redemption, and at the center of the story there is one small girl with a big personality.

Review Copy Gratis Library Thing show less

I admit that I don't normally read Amish fiction; however, the premise of this book seemed intriguing at the time. I ended up being pleasantly surprised at some of the twists and turns that this book took, although I would have to say that the cover does give off a different air than the content of the book. While I'm not likely to read other books by the author, Child of Mine was entertaining, and raised good questions about parenthood and what it means to be a mother. The deception that initially takes place is a little uncomfortable, but I'm thankful that some of the characters realize the importance of coming clean as the story progresses. The characters experience different types of hardship and the authors are successful in show more helping readers to sympathize with the circumstances they are facing. This book does touch on Amish culture, but is not contained to that world. If readers are already fans of the authors, this book will prove to be an engaging and suspenseful read. show less

This one was pretty good---I didn't figure out the truth until page 321 so that's some pretty good mystery writing. But then, I didn't figure out the REAL truth until pg. 349. Ha! I felt Kelly's story was summed up way too quickly and neatly---that was frustrating. The book had a few annoying repeats and I had a REAL issue with the fact that no one at the lab was catching on to what Kelly was doing. In addition, her friends tell her she's being "unethical"...uhhh...it's a little more than that! I didn't think that was very realistic. I think she would have been investigated for sure.

Beverly and David Lewis have again combined their talents to write what is sure to be a best seller! I loved this story! I like the way the back story of how Kelly lost her daughter is slowly introduced…at first you don't know HOW they were lost to each other. It keeps you wondering…..and when it is revealed, it helps you understand Kelly's obsession with her search. What I also like is how this book is faith driven. It isn't until Kelly gives up doing things 'her way' that things finally start falling into place in her search. I won't give away any plot details, but there are a number of twists and turns…you think you have it figured out, then another twist is thrown in….more 'aha' moments! But I will say it is a story of a show more mothers unending love for her missing daughter, and the people she meets along the way and unexpectedly grows to love. Other characters have their own 'back stories' which makes things more interesting, and has you wondering who will end up with whom! Although things don't turn out as you may expect, there is a feeling of 'rightness' about it all….By the end of the book, you see the big picture and understand that 'all things work together for the good of them that love God'.
I really liked the characters…they grow on you…..in fact I want ANOTHER book to keep up with what is going on in their lives!!
Child of Mine should have been released around Mother's Day…. it is a great story that explores mother-child bonding, the capacity of a mother (biologic or not) to give love, and to put a child's needs first and foremost. (Warning: you will put aside chores to keep reading this book to the end!!) show less