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

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• 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

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