The Orchard

GIVEAWAY

LEWIS, BEVERLY

THE ORCHARD

"She realized there was peace right here in the midst of this heavenly sort of place, despite the unpredictable storm churning around her family."

For generations, Ellie Hostetler's family has tended their orchard, a tradition her twin brother, Evan, will someday continue. But when Evan is drafted for the Vietnam War, the family is shocked to learn he has not sought conscientious objector status, despite their Old Order Amish belief in non-resistance. The faraway war that has caused so much turmoil and grief among their English neighbours threatens too close to home. 

As Evan departs for boot camp, Ellie confides her disappointment to Sol Bontrager, the brother of her best friend and cousin to her new beau, Menno. In contrast to Evan, Sol is a conscientious objector. Despite Ellie's attraction to Men, she finds herself drawn to Sol's steady presence as they work together in the orchard. Suddenly, if feels as if everything in Ellie's world is shifting, and the plans she held so dear seem increasingly uncertain. Cans she and her family find the courage to face a future unlike the any they could have imagined?

My Review:

There's just something about the way Beverly Lewis tells a story. Unhurried. Gentle. Quiet. Filled with charm and infused with faith. 'The Orchard' isn't a nail-biting pager turner and yet it was compelling all the same. 

Set mainly at the Hostetler family orchard, we follow Ellie through the seasons -- the story spans more than a year. She is happily isolated from the political turmoil of the time (Vietnam War)...but that doesn't last for very long. Not when her twin brother has been drafted and there is a spree of attacks on Amish men with conscientious objector status in the community. 

The historical details were interesting as I didn't know much about this time in American history (I'm Canadian.) A draft lottery? And the juxtaposition between the civil protests over the war (meaning the majority of citizens wanted peace) pitted agains the vicious beatings of pacifists. 

We see it all through Ellie's eyes as she grows into her faith and struggles to come to terms with her wayward brother. Lots of lovely family scenes -- her grandfather is a riot! And wonderful faith discussions full of simple truths. And what would a Beverly Lewis book be without a sweet romance?!

A captivating tale told in traditional storytelling style.

Book provided courtesy of Baker Publishing and Graf-Martin Communications Inc.

 

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a  paperback copy.

If you would like a chance to win a copy of  The Orchard , leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it's easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday September 24 2022 . Offer open to