The Wish

"Some people are simply born into the wrong family, I thought recalling my disappointing morning. "

Too often when we look at the outside of some families, it is easy to see that theirs might be much better than our own, such as the saying, the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence, but we know that is often not the case. This is just the premise behind Beverly Lewis' latest novel, The Wish. Leona Speicher believes that her best friend Gloria Gingerich has the best family in town. They are always expressing their love for one another without regard to how some of the Amish withhold public displays of affection. Leona just wished she didn't feel like an outsider in her own family. She feels more a part of the Gingerich family and often wishes that she might be a part of them. Her parents hardly talk with her at all, and she believes Gloria has the perfect family. Her mother talks to her like she wishes her own mother would and her father jokes with her and invites her into conversations just like one of their family.

But as we all know, things are not what they appear to be on the outside. Leona hopes that Gloria's brother Adam might take an interest in her and ask her to court her, believing her wish to be a part of the Gingerich family might happen by the way of marriage. Gloria is on the brink of her own relationship with Leona's cousin, Orchard John. But before prospects of love can emerge and grant the girls their wish, the Gingerich family is cast out of the church. Without knowing all the reasons behind the decision, Leona soon learns that the Gingerich family is making preparations to move away and no one gets the option of making different plans. Arkansas Joe, Gloria's father believes the family is better suited in moving back to Arkansas instead of staying in Lancaster County, now that they have been asked to leave the church. In fact, he's had all he can take of the strict Amish rules and believes his family would be better off if they all turned English instead.

I received The Wish by Beverly Lewis compliments of Baker Publishing Group and Net Galley. This isn't part of a series and makes such a statement as one of Beverly Lewis' stand alone novels. I love seeing things from a different perspective when a friendship is torn apart based on religious beliefs and an entire Amish family walk away from the church. It creates such a rift in knowing that once they turn, they are often shunned from the community and therefore not welcomed back or allowed any of the baptized members of the church to associate with them at all. It is interesting to see what the catalyst is and how it plays out in this heartwarming novel of friendship and redemption. "Forever friends are sometimes closer than kinfolk. A blessing for certain and well worth all 5 out of 5 stars in my opinion.

For more information about The Wish, Beverly Lewis, or where you can pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

The Wish by Beverly Lewis

You can find Beverly Lewis on Facebook to stay up to date on all her latest novels.

To read more reviews on The Wish, please visit Baker Publishing Group's website. 

The Confession

I'm a huge fan of family friend movies and LOVE the Hallmark Channel. Now I've got the perfect review and giveaway just for you. Beverly Lewis is one of the best selling authors on Amish fiction and has been blessed enough to not only have one of her famous series made into a movie with The Shunning but now the second in the The Heritage of Lancaster County Series, The Confession is now ready to be released on DVD on June 11th.

In this latest movie, we once again follow Katie Lapp (Katie Leclerc, TV's "Switched at Birth), who we left off in The Shunning learning that she was adopted by an Amish couple and was born English. Her birth mother was searching for Katie but her Amish parents kept both of them apart. Only when learning that her birth mother was dying of cancer, did Katie's Amish mother tell her the truth. Now we find ourselves at the beginning of that journey for Katie to find her mother, Laura Mayfield-Bennett (Sherry Stringfield, TV's "ER"), a socialite now living in New York. She learns from her doctors that she has only weeks left to live before she succumbs to cancer and her only wish in life is to find Katie.

Her husband, Dylan Bennett, is struggling with addiction to alcohol and gambling and she feels if he doesn't get help there won't be anything left of her estate and the foundation she's worked so hard to build. When her husband learns he is being cut out of the will, he is desperate  to satisfy his outstanding gambling debt with some ruthless loan sharks. He learns that Katie is searching for her birth mother, Laura Bennett and soon comes up with a plan to appease his gambling debt and get back in his wife's good graces again but hiring a stand in to act as the long lost daughter. Since Laura has never met the real Katie Lapp and is at the end of her life, she is desperate to believe that Katie has come home at last.

I received The Confession compliments of Sony Pictures, Affirm Films/Provident Films, and Edify Media for my honest review on this DVD and received no monetary compensation for a favorable review. The only flaw I saw in this movie is that the actress who played Katie Lapp (Danielle Panabaker) in The Shunning is different than in The Confession so if you are watching them back to back, there is a disconnect between the character of Katie Lapp. I prefer the first actress from The Shunning but the story overall is amazing. The depths to which the husband will go to make money off of his dying wife is extraordinary and has you rooting for her to throw him out and discover the truth. It's only when someone from Katie's past shows up that things get interesting in the Bennett household. Now I can't wait for the next movie in the Hickory Hollow series and hope that Katie can truly find happiness in either her English life or her Amish one.

This movie was directed by Michael Landon Jr and has a running time of approximately 88 minutes. I had the opportunity to review The Shunning on DVD and think this make a wonderful sequel to the series. If you haven't seen The Shunning, I would suggest watching that one first to understand the back story to Katie's Amish upbringing and why the desire to find her birth mother is so strong. I rate this one a 5 out of 5 stars in my opinion. For more information about The Confession, Beverly Lewis or where to preorder a copy of this DVD today, please click on the links below:

The Confession by Beverly Lewis

You can also find Beverly Lewis on Facebook to stay up to date with all her latest novels. 

You can find more amazing family friendly movies on Affirm Films website or Provident Films website.

The Guardian

Beverly Lewis is well-known for creating exceptional characters for us to get to know and enjoy and once more she delights her readers in taking us back to Hickory Hollow, Pennsylvania in her third book, The Guardian. Hickory Hollow is place where the Amish people live and dwell among the English, but separate themselves based on their religious beliefs. When tragedy befalls the community, they will rally together as a community to support and work through whatever issues they need to overcome any situation.

Maryanna Esh knows from experience how to deal with tragedy. When a farming accident claims the life of her husband, leaving her to raise her children alone, Maryanna finds comfort in knowing God will always provide. She sees no reason to search for love when she has a full time job raising her children and caring for her parents who live in the Dawdi Haus behind hers.

When a long trip home in the buggy late one afternoon finds all the children a bit sleepy and restless to get home, its all Maryanna can do to make sure they are comfortable. Her youngest Sarah, finds comfort in talking with her doll Kaylee and hanging over the back of the carriage looking at the sky and scenery as they pass by. Despite the warnings from her other children about Sarah's interest, Maryanna is preoccupied with getting them home as soon as she can. It's not until she notices the silence of the carriage, that all her children have fallen asleep lulled by the clip-clopping of the horses hooves and the gentle rhythmic swaying of the buggy.

When she arrives home, she finds that Sarah is no where to be found. Thinking she may have gotten out without her noticing, she frantically searches all over the property and realizes that Sarah must have fallen out as she fell asleep. She alerts her neighbors who soon begin a search for Sarah along with the entire community. Now worse than ever, Maryanna begins to question whether she has made the right decision with staying single when having a man in the house once more might bring about type of protection and caring her children need. She wouldn't have to manage as much on her own if she had a husband once more to help share the load of raising a family. If only God will bring Sarah home safe and sound!

When Jodi Winfield decides to spend a few weeks living in the Amish community until her teaching job begins again, she had hoped that the time apart from her relationship with her boyfriend might bring the answers she desperately needs about starting a family. Training for the marathon might keep her mind off things for awhile until she finds a little girl abandoned beneath a tree and can't imagine how she might of gotten there. Injured and missing her clothing, Jodi tries to find the answers but she can't understand the tearful pleas from the little girl who is speaking a language she doesn't understand. Is this the answer to her prayers to God?

I received The Guardian by Beverly Lewis compliments of Bethany House Publishers and Christian Fiction Blog Alliance for my honest review and did not receive any compensation for a favorable review. If you have never read a novel from Beverly Lewis, you'll want to pick this one up. She is a master at pulling at the heart strings of her readers and making them feel part of her characters lives so much, you just have to know what's going to happen by the end. You stick it out, not wanting to put the book down for one minute and this one shows such a powerful connection when the Amish and English worlds are joined by Sarah's disappearance and show us that despite all our circumstances, God's got something larger in mind when He answers prayer. I rate this one a powerful 5 out of 5 stars. This is the third book in the Home to Hickory Hollow Series, with the first, The Fiddler and then followed by The Bridesmaid. Beverly Lewis first introduced us to the setting of Hickory Hollow in her acclaimed best selling novel, The Shunning which was later turned into a movie to the delight of readers everywhere.

For more information about The Guardian, Beverly Lewis or where to pick up this stand-alone novel today, please click on the links below:

The Guardian by Beverly Lewis

You can also follow Beverly Lewis on Facebook to stay up to date with all her latest novels.

To read more reviews on The Guardian from the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance book tour, please click here.

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Bethany House Publishers; 1 edition (March 26, 2013)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764209795
• ISBN-13: 978-0764209796
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 1.1 x 8.5 inches

The Bridesmaid

Joanna Kurtz isn't getting any younger and it seems like her only request lately is to be a bridesmaid for someone else's wedding. Now that she's 24, she feels like that's all she will ever be. It doesn't help that all her friends are getting married or that they are currently seeing someone that more than likely they will marry in the future, but not Joanna. She doesn't even have any one who seems to be interested.

So she finds enjoyment in the only thing that she can, and that's writing in her journal. Whether she is using it as a diary or adding to her collection of fictional stories, she finds it gives her an outlet of something to keep her mind occupied until God changes that. When she meets a young Amish man, Eben Troyer during a trip to the beach, they immediately connect. He has a love for photography and hers is writing. However they are both from different states and it means courting for both of them could pose an issue. Eben is the only remaining male son in his family, after his brother left to follow after some English pursuits. While they await his hopeful return someday, Eben's father is relying on him to help out around the farm in Indiana.

Joanna lives in Hickory Hollow, Pennsylvania and has always longed to marry and raise a family here. For now, her only consolation is to spend time writing letters to Eben until God either answers their prayers to send the prodigal son home to Indiana to help out with the family farm or shows them another path for their future.



In the latest novel in the Home to Hickory Hollow series by Beverly Lewis, The Bridesmaid is the second addition to this delightful community of Amish residents. You can feel the pain and loneliness of Joanna when even her younger sister Cora Jane seems to mock her as always being a bridesmaid and never a bride. Will she always remain single or will God make a path known for her? Why does it seem like Cora Jane can't seem to be happy for her even when she announces that Eben is coming for a visit? You'll have to pick up a copy of The Bridesmaid by Beverly Lewis and find out.

I received a copy of the Bridesmaid compliments of Christian Fiction Blog Alliance and Bethany House Publishers for my honest review. I've been a huge fan of Beverly Lewis' Amish novels and I couldn't wait to read this one. As someone who sees others around her getting married and then being labeled as an Old Maid, you can sympathize with Joanna when all her prospects seem to be empty until she meets Eben. Not only is he interested but he can relate to her artistic talents as well, despite what others may think. The only issue is how they can get together when faced with seemingly impossible odds that seem to constantly keep pushing them apart. That's the beauty of Beverly's stories is she makes her characters so likeable, you find yourself rooting for them all the way. I rate this one a 5 out of 5 stars and can't wait for the next novel in this series!

For more information about The Bridesmaid, Beverly Lewis, and where to pick up a copy of this book today, please click on the links below:

The Bridesmaid by Beverly Lewis

You can also find more reviews on The Bridesmaid by visiting Christian Fiction Blog Alliance's tour page.

You can stay up with the latest from Beverly Lewis through her Facebook page.

• Paperback: 316 pages
• Publisher: Bethany House Publishers (September 11, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764209787
• ISBN-13: 978-0764209789

The Fiddler

Beverly Lewis' latest Amish novel, The Fiddler introduces us to a new series, Home to Hickory Hollow where she imaginary setting she created for the Shunning was born. Here we meet at an unusual crossroads between the English world and the Amish one.

Amelia Devries has been living a dual life. One for her father as an accomplished concerto violinist, and that of Amy Lee, a country fiddler. What is a catalyst for Amelia is how to bridge the communication gap between her father's dreams for her and her love of making music without the pressure or stress of being at the top of her game all the time. Not only that she is struggling with finding the love that she had for her boyfriend Bryon, also a musician. Perhaps God will provide the answer she seeks.

When a sudden thunderstorm leaves her lost on a back country road, she finds herself with a flat tire and no phone service for her cell phone. Once the rain lets up a bit, she finds her way to a mountain cabin where an Amish young man, Michael Hostetler offers her shelter from the storm.

Michael has been struggling with the same issues as Amelia, having to live a life that would please his parents who hope that by now, he'd be baptized in the Old Amish Order and find himself a nice Amish young girl to begin a family with. Yet Michael finds a yearning for school and learning, taking on line courses in college. His struggle while running away from his old life is to find a place where he believes God is calling him, and what he doesn't expect is to find it in the music Amelia plays for him.

I received The Fiddler by Beverly Lewis compliments of Christian Fiction Blog Alliance for my honest review and was so captivated by the peace and tranquility of not only Amelia's music but also for the people in Hickory Hollow. My favorite character is Ella Mae, considered by the Amish to be the Wise Woman, with an answer to what troubles you most. Her advice to Amelia when she believes she has lost the gumption to confront her father?

"The gumption, my dear, comes when you believe in your decision so much you simply have to follow your heart, come what may. If ya believe God's nudging you in a certain direction, you best follow that, no ifs, ands, or buts."

How I wish there was such a mentor in my own personal life and found myself sitting on the porch swing with Ella Mae while I was reading this. How could I not stay and sit awhile just talking to her about life? This is what makes this such a wonderful and compelling novel for anyone to read. The characters even though they are fictional, feel alive as if they have a home next door to you, just waiting for you to stop on over for a visit, and that's just what you'll get when you open the book. I rate this one a 5 out of 5 stars and will be sure to follow this series all the way through to the end.

For more information on this book, the incredibly talented author, and where to pick up this book today, please click on the links below:

The Fiddler by Beverly Lewis

You can also find Beverly Lewis on Facebook by clicking here.

The Mercy

In Beverly Lewis' final book in The Rose Trilogy series, The Mercy, picks up just right where The Judgment left off. By the way, if you haven't read the previous two books in this series, Beverly provides a prologue that gets the reader up to speed, but trust me, you'll definitely want to go back and read the other two in the series, The Thorn and The Judgment.

The story finishes up the stories surrounding Rose and Hen, two sisters that are at a crossroads in their life. For Hen, she struggles with the life she walked away from as she married an English man. Torn between her old ways and her new life, she wants the life of simplicity she found growing up Amish. The problem is that her husband, Brandon has no desire to live that way nor will he stay married to Hen if she insists on remaining at her parents. He will also take custody of their daughter, Mattie Sue if she won't come home. After a devastating accident that almost took, Brandon's life, he's been recovering with Hen and Mattie Sue at her parent's Amish farm. Hoping that God will work on his heart, Hen continues to pray for him and helps take care of him. But will this change of lifestyle and prayer work to heal Brandon and Hen's marriage?

Rose is struggling with finding a man who will complete her life now that she has released Silas Good from his engagement to her to marry Rebekah instead. Only she is still locked to her past, with the only boy she has ever given her heart to, Nick. A boy that has now left the Amish community after the death of his brother Christian. Nick is the adopted son of Bishop Aaron Petersheim and with Nick's absence leaving so many unanswered questions, the Church board wants to silence Aaron for good, taking away his title of Bishop since he can't seem to control his own family, what good will he do for those in the community as a leader of the church. However, Nick has no desire to return home and wants to pursue a college education instead. Will Rose be able to ever forget Nick long enough to find love in her own future?



I received The Mercy by Beverly Lewis compliments of Christian Fiction Blog Alliance for my honest review and LOVED it! I love how Beverly completed the lives of the characters she made us fall in love with in the Thorn. Through difficult times, tears and lots of prayer, these characters have become a part of our own lives. I personally felt part of this community as though I spent my life growing up Amish with them. I think that is what makes Beverly's novels so popular. This is now a permanent part of my own personal library and one I hope you'll all take the time to read and enjoy as much as I have. For that reason, this one rates a 5 out of 5 stars.

For more information on this book, the author or where you can get a sneak peek into the first chapter, click on the links below:

The Mercy by Beverly Lewis

You can also follow Beverly on Facebook by clicking here.

The Shunning - DVD Giveaway and Review

Katie Lapp (Danielle Panabaker) has always struggled with the rules that define her sheltered Amish community, but when a wealthy outsider (Sherry Stringfield, TV's "ER") begins asking questions about her family, Katie begins to wonder about her origins.

When Katie struggles with the decision of whether or not to marry Bishop John Beiler, a good Amish man after trying hard to keep with the Amish ways. Her love of music and playing the guitar is something she promised she gave up until her brother finds her playing it one day in the loft above the barn and reminds her, what her father will do if he finds out. Katie believes that there is something to this gift of music that God gave her.

What connection does this woman have to her life...and how will the unraveling secrets challenge Katie's faith? Beverly Lewis' The Shunning is a powerful, personal journey of discovery based on the famous novel by New York Times best-selling author. The film is based on the celebrated first novel of the best-selling "The Heritage of Lancaster County" book series.

Beverly Lewis, born in the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch country, is the New York Times bestselling author of more than eighty books. Her stories have been published in eleven languages worldwide. A keen interest in her mother's Plain heritage has inspired Lewis to write many Amish-related novels, beginning with "The Shunning," which has sold more than one million copies. In 2007, Lewis' "The Brethren" was honored with a Christy Award.



I received The Shunning by Beverly Lewis on DVD compliments of Propeller and the Hallmark Channel for my honest review and LOVED this one. Being a huge fan of Amish fiction and their simple way of life, I was captivated to see how this storyline would play out. I felt for Katie's desire to please her family but also the struggle of what she believes God would want her to use her gift of music for. This is a perfect story that shows the simplicity of the Amish lives and how their faith plays a huge role in what they do and believe. Hands down this is a perfect movie for the entire family and rates a 5 out of 5 stars. This one will be watched over and over again by our family!

For more information about is movie, please click on the links below:

The Shunning DVD by Beverly Lewis and directed by Michael Landon Jr

You can also find The Shunning on Facebook by clicking here.

Thanks to the generous folks at Propeller and Hallmark Channel, they are providing a copy of this DVD to one lucky follower of my blog, Reviews From The Heart. Here's what you need to enter:

1. Be a follower of my blog, Reviews From The Heart.

2. You must be a resident of the US or have a US shipping address. Please No P.O. Boxes.

3. I need a way to contact you if you are the lucky winner of this giveaway, so please be sure to include your email address. You can use the words (at) and (dot) instead of the symbols.

4. Please leave a comment telling me why you'd love to win a copy of this DVD. The giveaway will end on September 26th.

The Judgment

We pick up where we left off in the book The Thorn with Rose Ann Kauffman, who struggles with the close and intimate friendship she shared with Nick, the foster son of the Bishop, who left town the eve of his brother Christian's accident. The town believes that Nick is to blame and they are holding the Bishop accountable for seeing that Nick returns home and makes amends for Christian's death.

The town believes that Nick never truly wanted to be a part of the Amish life. Yet Rose knows deep in her heart the kindness that is within Nick. After all their late night rides as children growing up, she longs for the day when she might see him again. Yet love of a new kind is lingering in Rose's future, a proposal from Silas Good. Only when the love of his life, Rebekah, returns to town to help with the upcoming birth of twins to her family, will he stay true to Rose?

Hannah or Hen still remains estranged from her husband Brandon Orringer. Taking her daughter Mattie Sue back to her plain ways, she struggles with her father in knowing which path is the right one to take to repair her marriage. What lies at the heart of the matter, is that Brandon is set on his English ways and keeping both Hen and his daughter in his home without the Amish influence. He shows up unexpectedly to speak to her father, only to inform him that he is giving Hen two weeks to come to her senses or he will begin divorce proceedings and will seek full custody of Mattie Sue.

In the sequel, The Judgment by Beverly Lewis, we see what becomes of the Kauffman sisters Rose and Hen in their struggles to do what is best in the heart but as in the eyes of God in this beautiful Amish romance novel. I love that Rose can hold on to great memories of Nick, despite all the negativity that townspeople have about him and tries her very best to help her sister Hen resolve the issues in her marriage being married to an English man. She tries to teach her that she must remember what brought them together and what is best in God's eyes for them all.

I received this book compliments of Christian Fiction Blog Alliance for my honest review and must say I felt right at home once more with Beverly Lewis' characters in The Judgment once more as they manage through some difficult seasons together as a family. This one rates a 5 out of 5 stars again! If you haven't read the Thorn, you may want to pick this one up first to read to gain an understanding of the characters histories although you can read this one as a stand alone as well and still enjoy it.

This book is available in hard cover, paperback and eReader formats. Here's even more great information about the book, the author and a first chapter glimpse as well.

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing The Judgment Bethany House (April 5, 2011) by Beverly Lewis
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Not until her own children were well into middle school did Bev seek to publish her work, first in magazines such as Highlights for Children, Dolphin Log, and Guideposts for Kids. Her first book followed in 1993—Mountain Bikes and Garbanzo Beans—presently retitled Big Bad Beans (book #22 in the popular CUL-DE-SAC KIDS series of chapter books—see list of Bev's children's books).

Beverly's first venture into adult fiction is the best-selling trilogy, THE HERITAGE OF LANCASTER COUNTY, including The Shunning, a suspenseful saga of Katie Lapp, a young Amish woman drawn to the modern world by secrets from her past. The book is loosely based on the author's maternal grandmother, Ada Ranck Buchwalter, who left her Old Order Mennonite upbringing to marry a Bible College student. One Amish-country newspaper claimed Beverly's work to be "a primer on Lancaster County folklore" and offers "an insider's view of Amish life."

Booksellers across the country, and around the world, have spread the word of Bev's tender tales of Plain country life. A clerk in a Virginia bookstore wrote, "Beverly's books have a compelling freshness and spark. You just don't run across writing like that every day. I hope she'll keep writing stories about the Plain people for a long, long time."

A member of the National League of American Pen Women, as well as a Distinguished Alumnus of Evangel University, Lewis has written over 80 books for children, youth, and adults, many of them award-winning. She and her husband, David, make their home in Colorado, where they enjoy hiking, biking, and playing with their three grandchildren. They are also avid musicians and fiction "book worms."

ABOUT THE BOOK

Rose Kauffman is engaged to Silas Good, a well-liked Amish fellow, so why does she still pine for Nick Franco, the former foster son of the bishop? Especially now that Nick has left the Amish community under a cloud of suspicion after the death of the bishop's biological son? Will Rose marry Silas, even while struggling with romantic feelings for Nick? Meanwhile, Rose's older sister, Hen, has returned to live at her parents' farm with her young daughter. Hen and her modern husband, Brandon, are separated by mutual agreement, although he is threatening to sue for custody of their daughter if Hen does not return soon. Will the judge rule in Brandon's favor? Is there any way Hen can reestablish her place among the People without sacrificing her marriage?

If you would like to read the first chapter of The Judgment, go HERE

The Thorn

Rose Ann Kaufman was raised in the Amish country in Pennsylvania and growing up on all the traditions that life had to offer. A life of hard work that lasted until the sun began to set. A life of raising fresh produce, caring for all the farm animals and above all, caring for her crippled Mamm (mother) who had a carriage accident one day while heading to the Farmer's Market. It's all Rose can do most days, cooking for her Mamm and offering to gather her warm blankets when the Fall winds begin to blow while her father continues to work plowing the fields. At the age of 21, Rose's hope of attending the Singings on Sunday in hopes of catching an Amish man's eye is fading since caring for her Mamm consumes most of her time.

She lives a life of regrets thinking back to the cold morning 11 years ago when she watched her mother, carefully disappear into their families gray carriage, carefully hiding the money tin that she would use to make change for the customers and loading the squash and other summer veggies up in the wagon bed. Something about that morning lingers in Rose's mind as though she knows that the look she shared with her Mamm's eyes that morning would be the last time things would ever be the same.

Growing up as an adopted son of the Bishop in an Amish home was down right difficult for Nick. Having been abandoned by his father at birth and losing his mother fairly recently has made him withdraw inside of himself as he tries to find ways to fit in at the Kaufman's working in their barn and helping Solomon out plowing in the fields. Seeing as there was no other family members willing to take him in, Nick became the newly adopted son for the Bishop and his wife Barbara. However, seeing Nick as competition in the house, Christian, the Bishop's natural son, only has hatred for Nick knowing that taking over in his father footsteps will likely fall to Nick if he can conform to the Amish lifestyle and accept God into his life.

Rose and Nick have had many years to grow as friends since working in the barn together. Rose has been able to draw Nick out of his depression and has been able to get him to talk to her even though he hardly says anything to anyone else. After all the Bishops attempts to see him come to the church, the Bishop thinks Rose may be his only hope to seeing the life God has to offer. So the Bishop talks to Solomon, Rose's father and tells him of the struggles Nick has been having and that Rose may be the link to getting Nick to change. Will Rose be willing to help?

Rose's sister Hannah, has left the Amish life for a more modern one and has married outside the church to her one and only love Brandon, who rescues her from a blizzard and offers to show her the way home. Only since leaving her Amish life, Hannah, senses something pulling her back to her old ways and back to the God she was so willing to give up. How far will Hannah be willing to go for God and her marriage?

In the book, The Thorn by Beverly Lewis, you are taken back to a much simpler life in the Amish country and find yourself immersed in the difficult choices facing both Rose and Hannah about the futures. I found myself captivated by both of their different and unique situations and the people involved in each choice they have to make. In this first book of the Rose Trilogy by Beverly Lewis you will be woven into their lives right until the end. I received this book from Christian Fiction Blog Alliance for my honest review and can't wait for the next book due out in the Spring of next year. I would easy rate this book a 5 out of 5 stars! This is your classic Amish Christian Romance novel! For a first hand glance at the author and a sneak peek into chapter one, read more below:

This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
The Thorn Bethany House (September 7, 2010)
by Beverly Lewis
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Not until her own children were well into middle school did Bev seek to publish her work, first in magazines such as Highlights for Children, Dolphin Log, and Guideposts for Kids. Her first book followed in 1993—Mountain Bikes and Garbanzo Beans—presently retitled Big Bad Beans (book #22 in the popular CUL-DE-SAC KIDS series of chapter books—see list of Bev's children's books).



Beverly's first venture into adult fiction is the best-selling trilogy, THE HERITAGE OF LANCASTER COUNTY, including The Shunning, a suspenseful saga of Katie Lapp, a young Amish woman drawn to the modern world by secrets from her past. The book is loosely based on the author's maternal grandmother, Ada Ranck Buchwalter, who left her Old Order Mennonite upbringing to marry a Bible College student. One Amish-country newspaper claimed Beverly's work to be "a primer on Lancaster County folklore" and offers "an insider's view of Amish life."

Booksellers across the country, and around the world, have spread the word of Bev's tender tales of Plain country life. A clerk in a Virginia bookstore wrote, "Beverly's books have a compelling freshness and spark. You just don't run across writing like that every day. I hope she'll keep writing stories about the Plain people for a long, long time."

A member of the National League of American Pen Women, as well as a Distinguished Alumnus of Evangel University, Lewis has written over 80 books for children, youth, and adults, many of them award-winning. She and her husband, David, make their home in Colorado, where they enjoy hiking, biking, and playing with their three grandchildren. They are also avid musicians and fiction "book worms."

ABOUT THE BOOK

Lancaster County, with its rolling meadows and secret byways, may seem idyllic, but it is not without its thorns. THE ROSE TRILOGY is the stirring saga of two Amish sisters on the fringes of the church, and the unforeseen discoveries that change their lives.

Rose Kauffman, a spirited young woman, has a close friendship with the bishop's foster son. Nick dresses Plain and works hard but stirs up plenty of trouble too. Rose's sister cautions her against becoming too involved, but Rose is being courted by a good, Amish fellow, so dismisses the warnings.

Meanwhile, Rose keeps house for an English widower but is startled when he forbids her to ever go upstairs. What is the man hiding? Rose's older sister, Hen, knows more than she should about falling for the wrong man. Unable to abandon her Amish ways, Hen is soon separated from her very modern husband.

Mattie, their young daughter, must visit her father regularly, but Hen demands she wear Amish attire--and speak Pennsylvania Dutch, despite her husband's wishes. Will Hen be able to reestablish her place among the People she abandoned? And will she be able to convince Rose to steer clear of rogue neighbor Nick?

If you would like to read the first chapter of The Thorn, go HERE.