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 

The Stone Wall

 

GIVEAWAY

LEWIS, BEVERLY

THE STONE WALL

Anna Beachy is eager to begin a new chapter in her llfe as a Lancaster County tour guide in the picturesque area where her Plain grandmother once stayed. Anna wishes she could talk with her about those long-ago days, but the elderly woman suffers from Alzheimer's. Beyond a vague comment about an old stone wall, much about her grandmother's time there is a mystery. As Anna settles into her new community, she finds herself unexpectedly befriended by a handsome Mennonite tour guide and a young Old Order widower who manages a local horse retreat serving Amish children with special needs.

As Anna grows closer to both men, she's faced with a difficult choice -- one in potential conflict with the expectations of her parents. Will Anna discover true love and the truth about her grandmother's past in Lancaster County? Or Will she find only heartbreak?

My Review:

Classic Beverly Lewis. She has a way of making a story seem like a sharing of confidences between friends. I'm always spellbound by her understated word choice and the way the story gently unfolds. 

The Stone Wall is especially intriguing because of the diverse Anabaptist representation. Anna is Beachy Amish, her cousin is Old Order as is one of the young men she's interested in while the other is Mennonite. (And yes, that means there's a love triangle element to this story but we'll get to that in a second!)  

A fascinating part of this novel is the way it highlights the differences between each sect. Especially how they view one another -- there's acceptance but definitely a desire to keep apart. After all they divided for a reason, ain't so? :-)  I'm so used to reading Amish/Englisch 'forbidden love' romances that it was refreshing to see the culture clash coming from within rather than without.

So, yeah, back to that love triangle. Not my favourite trope, but Lewis handles it with with only a modicum of angst so I finished this read with my nails intact and a stable heart rate. I really like both suitors though,  so now I want to a book for the one that got left behind! I think that's only fair.

A surprise dual timeline is an added bonus featuring Anna's mammi in her rumspringa days. There are some uncanny parallels between the then and now though each young woman has to find her own way in the end.

A heartwarming inspirational romance.

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

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a paperback copy

If you would like a chance to win a copy The Stone Wall, 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 November 7 2020 . Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

The Timepiece

GIVEAWAY

LEWIS, BEVERLY
THE TIMEPIECE

As the only daughter, Sylvia Miller of The Tinderbox has always held a special place in her Old Order family, one Adeline Pelham jeopardizes when she shows up at the Millers' Hickory Hollow farm. It isn't that Adeline means to be a threat, but her very existence is a reminder of the painful secret that has so recently upended the Miller household. And with Sylvia and her mother still struggling to come to terms with that news, this is a challenging time to welcome an Englisher -- especially this Englisher -- into their midst.

Despite the Millers' unexpected hospitality, Adeline is well aware that she's treading on Sylvia's turf, and she feels guilty about doing so when Sylvia is grappling with issues of her own. Not only is Sylvia trying to rebuild her trust in her father, but she's uncertain what to make of her once-promising engagement to Titus Kauffman, who hasn't pursued her since she confronted him. Adeline wishes she could help Sylvia, but she's not sure that either she or Sylvia is ready for that level of closeness in their relationship.

Can God make something good come out of the mistakes of the past? Or does Adeline's arrival mark one too many surprises for the Millers and their Amish community?

My Review:

This is a sequel to The Tinderbox and you'll definitely need to read that book before this one since it's very much a continuation of the Miller family's story. The first novel ended on quite the cliffhanger so I was eager to get back among the Amish of Hickory Hollow to get some resolution and the author does a wonderful job of weaving all those loose threads into a satisfactory conclusion.

Beverly Lewis has such a timeless, classic approach to storytelling. She has a frank, no nonsense style that's perfectly suited to this genre. Multiple points of view showcase the drama from all sides and kept me engrossed right to the very end. And I loved the recurring role the community's Wise Woman continues to play as receptive listener and gentle adviser.

A beautiful story about family and faith and the power forgiveness has to affect them both. Beverly Lewis delivers another trademark inspirational story

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of  The Timepiece, 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 February 29 2020 . Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

The Tinderbox

GIVEAWAY

LEWIS, BEVERLY
THE TINDERBOX

I've marveled at Dat's ability to accept the Old Ways so readily, considering his modern upbringing. mamma says it's like he was born to be Amish. Maybe so, but all the same, I wished I knew something more about his past.

With her parents' twentieth anniversary approaching, eighteen-year-old Sylvia Miller finds her father's cherished brass tinderbox left unlocked. Against her better judgement, Sylvia opens the heirloom, not realizing that what she is about to discover will splinter apart her happy life and alter evyerthing for her close-knit Old Order Amish family. As the long-kept secret emerges into the light of day, can the Millers find a way forward through the turmoil to a place of forgiveness?

My Review:

"I tell you what...why not take a long walk and just talk to your Savior like He's walkin' alongside ya. I used to do this all the time, before I got up in years -- walk and talk with Jesus, our elder Bruder." (p 197)

Classic Lewis. There's just something about the way she tells a story that I find so comforting. It's like coming home with every single book. In The Tinderbox, Lewis explores the consequences secrets bring to an Amish family and their community. It's told from multiple points of view and I was surprised to find myself relating to Earnest (Sylvia's father) the most. Events slowly unfold as Lewis charms her readers with the idyllic day-to-day life of an Amish family...until a past secret comes to light and their lives are changed forever. Love how each character leans into the Lord rather than pull away from Him during their time of crisis -- such a beautiful example of reconciliation and love.

But beware, readers who suffer from cliffhangerphobia -- this story doesn't so much end as wind down, leaving one major plot thread dangling as well as introducing a whole new gigantic, earth shattering surprise in an epilogue that serves more like a prologue! Luckily, the sequel -- The Timepiece is due out this September.

"God doesn't love you 'cause you live a good life. He doesn't even love you because you're generous with your time and money." Martin drew in a deep breath, eyes softening. "God loves you, Earnest Miller, because He's your heavenly Father...and it's His nature to love." (p 200)

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

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of The Tinderbox, 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 May 11 2019. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

The First Love

GIVEAWAY

LEWIS, BEVERLY
THE FIRST LOVE

Jah, that was undeniably a difficult time, one that opened my eyes in countless ways. And my heart, most of all. It was a season of sorrow and searching, of questions and answers. It was the summer of my first love.

It's the summer of 1951, and Maggie Esh is in need of some hope. Sweet-spirited and uncommonly pretty despite struggling with illness, she is used to being treated kindly by the young men of her Old Order Amish church district. Yet Maggie wishes she were more like other courting-age girls so she could live a normal, healthy life. When tent revival meetings come to the area, the words of the preacher cause her to reconsider what she knows about faith. Can she learn to trust God even when hope seems a distant dream!

My Review:
"Remember to seek the Healer and not the healing. Whether you're ever healed or not, Christ Jesus is by far the most important gift." (p 147)

Definitely my favourite Beverly Lewis novel to date. Maggie's health issues mirror my own so I was quick to connect with her struggle to understand God's purpose in it all as well as her frustration at not being able to do the things she used to. A coming-of-age story that includes an incredible faith journey. I love how the revival meetings plays a role in her spiritual awakening and how she applies that new knowledge into her life, blessing those she loves in the process. So sweet and hope-filled.

Lewis also tells the story from Maggie's stepmother's point of view. Rachel struggles to fit into her new husband's family. It isn't easy since the children are still grieving over their mam's recent death. She faces everything from wary reserve to open hostility as she attempts to draw close to them.

This is Beverly Lewis at her best. There's such a gentle quality to her stories even though they deal with the grim realities we all have to face in this life. Opening one of her books is like listening to a traditional storyteller. The words just flow and soothe and I can actually hear the distinctive voice of each character as if I'm right there. A heartwarming, inspirational novel that gives voice to those of us who live with physical challenges.

"Honestly, I have to remind myself that physical limitations can actually be helpful -- even liberatin' -- when my deepest longing is to follow close after Christ. It sure teaches me to pray without ceasing." (p 273)

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

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of The First Love, 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 Sunday December 16  2018. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

The Road Home

GIVEAWAY

LEWIS, BEVERLY
THE ROAD HOME

As the sun begins to rise, Lena Rose leaned against the cool part of the bus window and gazed out at the familiar landscape of her life. I'm leaving my family and everything I know behind. She sighed, trying to keep her composure.

Grieving the death of her Amish parents and the separation from her nine close-knit siblings, Lena Rose Schwartz consoles herself that her new life in Lancaster County won't be forever. Surely someday soon she will return to her beloved Michigan settlement, including her beau. But even as she holds on to hope for a reunion with those she loves most, she discovers that Lancaster holds charms of its own. Will she find the courage to open her heart to other possibilities?

My Review:

There's something about a Beverly Lewis book that screams hearth and home and family. I'm a content, happy reader for having shared a year in Lena Rose's life. Out of tragedy comes blessings, though it's hard to see them right from the start and my heart ached for the Schwartz siblings as they are divvied up among the community - all except for Lena Rose who is sent east to help cousins she barely knows.

But there's a gentle and open way about Lena that touches everyone she meets. Despite her own sorrows and worry, she's a keen observer of human nature and it isn't long before she has worked some magic among her new friends in Lancaster County. But that doesn't mean her longing for family and the familiar Amish community back in Michigan has grown any less.

With s a beau back home and an interesting fella in Lancaster County, it takes a lot of thought and prayer to figure out which road really leads home. 

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

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of The Road Home, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you add your email to a 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 Sunday May 13 2018. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

The Proving

GIVEAWAY

LEWIS, BEVERLY
THE PROVING

After five years as an Englisher, Amanda Dienner is shocked to learn her mother has passed away and left her Butterfly Meadows, Lancaster County's most popular Amish bed-and-breakfast. What's more, the inn will only truly be hers if Mandy can successfully run it for twelve months. Reluctantly, Mandy accepts the challenge, no matter that it means facing the family she left behind - or that the inn's clientele expect an Amish hostess! Can Mandy fulfill the terms of her inheritance? Or will this prove a dreadful mistake?

My Review:

Classic Lewis. There's an old-fashioned flare to her storytelling and reading one of her books always makes me feel like I'm sitting in a cozy kitchen listening to a story being told by an elderly Amish woman as she looks back on her life and imparts wisdom to her young listeners.

In The Proving (great title tie-in) Lewis explores the complicated dynamics of estranged sisters. Forgiveness is at the heart of this story -- and the freedom letting go of past hurts can bring. Mandy's on a year long journey of self-discovery as she comes to terms with her past and finds a new strength in her faith and family.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of The Proving, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you add your 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 easier for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday October 29 2017. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

The Ebb Tide

GIVEAWAY

LEWIS, BEVERLY
THE EBB TIDE

Sallie Riehl has dreamed of traveling at least once before settling down to join church, so she is thrilled at an unexpected summer opportunity to nanny in Cape May for a well-to-do family. However, saying even a temporary good=bye to Paradise Township means forgoing baptism another year, as wellas leaving behind a would-be beau. Yet the weeks in Cape May soon prove unforgettable as Sallie meets a Mennonite young man whose friendship she quickly begins to cherish. Has she been too hasty with her promises, or will she only find what her heart is longing for back home?

My Review:

Trademark Beverly Lewis. She has such a distinctive voice. Reading her novels is like listening to a traditional storyteller. It's easy to slip into the pages of one of her books and lose yourself in the story. And she always writes from such interesting perspectives. And her first lines are always killer hooks. Like this one:

"I was born with wanderlust in my heart."

Not the confession one would anticipate from a young Amish woman. It's that wanderlust that sets Sallie apart. Keeps her from taking baptism classes each summer, Has her working extra hours to save up some travel money. She wants one big adventure before she can settle back into life with the People.

A beautiful coming of age story.that celebrates the wisdom and peace of following God's leading on your life, despite how difficult the journey might be.

Book provided courtesy of Bethany House and Graf-Martin Communications.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of The Ebb Tide, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you leave your email address in your comment, please use AT or DOT instead of @ or . to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so it's easier for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday May 28 2017. Offer open to International readers. Good luck!

The Wish

GIVEAWAY

LEWIS, BEVERLY
THE WISH

"You really think this is a gut idea, goin' clear out there, spendin' time with folk who've left the People?"

Leona wondered if she was getting the carriage before the horse. Even so, she was willing to do whatever she could to bring Gloria back home -- where she belonged.

Leona Speicher got the "sister" she always dreamed of the day Gloria Gingerich and her family moved to Lancaster County. The Arkansas newcomers seem to be the answer to Leona's prayers -- until Gloria's father is expelled from their Old Order Amish church for reasons no one will discuss. Much to Leona's dismay, the Gingeriches suddenly pack up and disappear. Then, after a silence of several years, Gloria unexpectedly contacts Leona, who makes up her mind to go after her friend. Yet Leona's fiancé -- the deacon's son -- is alarmed. Will Leona's dearest wish lead to her own undoing?

My Review:

Every time I open a book by Beverly Lewis I feel like I'm coming home. I don't know if it's because she is the first Amish fiction author I ever read or if her distinctive style just lulls me into another world -- maybe a bit of both. But I love it. Love feeling settled in a read, deriving comfort from a story well-told that leaves me with lots to ponder by the end. And The Wish fits that criteria perfectly.

While this is an Amish story, the issues at the heart of this tale are completely relatable to all of us. Leona is intent on helping a friend. She's pure of heart and earnest in her desire to help Gloria come back to the church. And while that journey is fraught with complications and difficulties for her friend, Leona learns an important lesson about being in relationship within her own family.

Gloria has been living a conflicted life -- ripped away from the Amish community she loved by her father's decree, she has been living Englisch for years. Suddenly faced with a pivotal decision she finds herself at a crossroads. Both Gloria and Leona are on a journey of self-discovery and that makes The Wish a compelling and thought-provoking read.

A sweet story sure to lift your spirit and fill your heart with the certainty of God's all encompassing  love.

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

 If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of  The Wish please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you post a comment and add your email address, please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in the address to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so that it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday October 16 2016. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

The Atonement

GIVEAWAY

LEWIS, BEVERLY
THE ATONEMENT

The mistakes of the past haunt Lucy Flaud, now twenty-five and beyond Amish courting age. Instead, Lucy focuses on volunteering in both the Plain and fancy communities of Lancaster County. Yet no matter how hard she strives, she never feels she's doing enough. Then her father strikes up an unexpected friendship with an Englischer in search of a simpler way of life Lucy forms a connection of her own with the thoughtful young man even as she rejects courtship with her longtime Amish friend. Is it too late to embrace redemption...and the power of love?

My Review:

There's nothing quite like a Beverly Lewis novel to settle a reader into a happy bubble of reading bliss. And this one starts out in a very profound way: Fill up the empty places in your heart... Words that Lucy strives to live by and, oh my, she has a lot of emptiness to fill! Past hurts are revealed by slow degrees as the story progresses and I loved trying to fit the pieces together in order to make sense of her desperate need to serve herself free of her sorrow. Her skewed idea of grace and forgiveness has taken over her life, creating a barrier between herself and her family and friends. It even carries her into the Englisch world where volunteer work is threatening to consume her.  But while she might find satisfaction in her labors, the peace she seeks continues to evade her.

Lucy's father becomes the unexpected catalyst for change though the journey towards recovery isn't an easy one. Lewis has created a compelling story with a solid cast of characters that bring meaning and insight into Lucy's broken world. An incredible testimony of the powerful impact of God's saving grace. The Atonement is a story to cherish. My copy has taken up residence on my keeper shelf. (Well, one of many shelves.)

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. in exchange for my honest review.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:
If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of  The Atonement please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you post a comment and add your email address, please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in the address to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so that it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday April 24 2016. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

The Photograph

GIVEAWAY

LEWIS, BEVERLY
THE PHOTOGRAPH

Eva Esch and her sisters are in a predicament. With the passing of their widowed mother, Eva's older brother plans to move his growing family into the Eden Valley farmhouse where they all grew up, leaving little room for his three single sisters. Unless they marry within the year, the only apparent option is for two sisters to go to Indiana to live with an elderly great aunt. Eva hopes to be married, but she isn't sure she wants to give up her sweet shop for the life of a farmer's wife. And she can't see how her prospects would be any better in Indiana.

When younger sister Lily disappears in the night, leaving only a brief note, Eva fears she has been wooed away from the People by an outsider. And when Jed Stutzman, a young Amish buggy maker from Ohio, shows up at Eva's market stand in Lancaster with a photo of a Plain young woman, Eva's world begins to tilt.

My Review:

There is an understated elegance in the way Beverly Lewis tells a story. The unique cadence of her writer's voice washes over me the second I start reading. It feels like a homecoming of sorts. And this time home is Eden Valley, Pennsylvania. 

Winds of change are sweeping over the Esch family and Eva struggles to hold her own in the midst of the unknown. This is a bittersweet story laden with plenty of emotion and uncertainty as events unfold in this close-knit Amish community. Both Eva and Jed struggle in the aftermath of grief, trusting in the sovereignty of God to sustain them. I love the gentle way their love story unfolds. Definitely a sweet romance that is sure to please Beverly Lewis fans.

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of The Photograph please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you post a comment and add your email address, please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in the address to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so that it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday September 27 2015. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

The Love Letters

GIVEAWAY

LEWIS, BEVERLY
THE LOVE LETTERS

Though from the Beachy Amish herself, Marlena meets Ellie Bitner, an Old Order Amish mother who offers quilting and needlepoint classes. They soon form a bond, and Marlena is drawn into the circle of Ellie's family. Ellie's handsome cousin seems rather taken with Marlena, but after her recent breakup, she is cautious where her feelings are concerned.

But things begin to change when Ellie's young son Jacob discovers an older homeless man camped out in the nearby abandoned mill. Suffering from some cognitive disorder, the man has few prospects and fewer possessions--among them a small clutch of letters apparently from his own courting days. Could these letters be the key to the old man's identity? And can they bring healing and hope to Marlena and Ellie as well?

My Review:

I love the way this author's writing voice immediately coaxes me into another world. I feel like she's sitting next to me, relating the tale in the age old oral tradition of a classic storyteller. And, of course, I'm hanging onto her every word.

Lewis weaves seemingly diverse story threads together to create an unforgettable celebration of the power that comes from the many facets of love. Young Jake and a collection of love letters are the catalysts that stir things ups for a number of characters -- each on a journey of discovery; finding strength and courage in unforeseen places. A breathtaking read.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of The Love Letters please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you post a comment and add your email address, please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in the address to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so that it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday August 16 2015. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

Sanctuary

GIVEAWAY

LEWIS, BEVERLY
LEWIS, DAVID
SANCTUARY

Melissa James has a picture-perfect existence--or so it seems. In reality, she has been looking over her shoulder her entire life. Just as her secrets are about to catch up with her, she seeks a haven in Pennsylvania Amish Country. Will her stay bring her peace, or will it bring danger to the Plain community?

My Review:

Originally published in 2001, this is vintage Lewis. And hard to categorize. It's a little bit Amish, a little bit suspense, a little bit romance and a whole lot of page-turner. Honestly, I was completely whisked away by the story. A sense of frantic edginess pulsates from the very first page and I was hooked. Why is Melissa fleeing her ideal existence, not to mention the love of her life? The authors leave a clever trail of breadcrumb clues -- delectable hints that helped me slowly put the pieces together. So there's definitely that sense of suspense and danger throughout the entire book.

But Sanctuary is also a journey of faith. Melissa manages to find breathing space in Amish country (at least she thinks she has) and her friendship with some Plain sisters as she rents a room from a Mennonite woman is the catalyst for a change in her spiritual outlook.

Told from multiple viewpoints, Sanctuary hurdles its way through to a breath-taking conclusion. Honestly, I didn't know how it would work out until the very end. Such a treasure of a read and so fun to read Lewis at the beginning of her career.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Sanctuary please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you post a comment and add your email address, please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in the address to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so that it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday April 4 2015. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

The River

THE RIVER

LEWIS, BEVERLY
THE RIVER

She looked once more at the dreaded river. Since Anna's death, it had been such a barrier . . . a place and a moment she could not seem to move past.
           
A line I can't move beyond...
The River

Tilly and Ruth, two formerly Amish sisters, are plagued by unresolved relationships when they reluctantly return to Lancaster County for their parents' landmark wedding anniversary. Since departing their Plain upbringing, Tilly has married an Englisher, but Ruth remains single and hasn't entirely forgotten her failed courtship with her Amish beau.

Past meets present as Tilly and Ruth yearn for acceptance and redemption. Can they face the future in the light of a past they can't undo?

My Review:

Fascinating study of a fractured Amish family as they struggle to overcome past hurts. Tilly and Ruth are on the outside looking in, yearning for a close relationship with their parents and siblings without giving up their lives as Englishers. It's a delicate balance that few manage to achieve. Every member of the family reacts to the young women differently. Kindness and condemnation make their homecoming an emotional one.

Tilly has the most difficult time and I championed her from the very beginning. A tenuous relationship with her father continues to decline and culminates in an astonishing revelation. The author figuratively hit me over the head with a two-by-four. I'm still reeling. A spellbinding tale about family and faith and second chances.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of The River leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you post a comment and add your email address, please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in the address to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so that it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday September 21 2014. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!


 Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Child of Mine

GIVEAWAY

LEWIS, BEVERLY
LEWIS, DAVID
CHILD OF MINE

Flight instructor Jack Livingston has been raising his eight-year-old adopted niece, Natalie, since the accident that took her parents' lives. When he travels, Natalie is tenderly cared for by her Amish nanny, Laura Mast, who loves the little girl as her own.

Eight excruciating years ago, Kelly Maines's baby was kidnapped. Determined to find her child, Kelly has tirelessly pursued every lead to its bitter end. And now, with the clock ticking, one last clue from a private investigator ignites a tiny flame of hope: Just a few miles away lives a young girl who matches the profile.

Can this be, at long last, Kelly's beloved daughter?

My Review:

An intriguing story that alternates between Kelly's desperate search for her kidnapped daughter and Jack's life raising his orphaned niece. The plot thickens as their stories intersect. Far from predictable there's a few surprising twists that left me gasping out loud.

A touching story that explores the depths of a mother's love. Kelly's situation is heartbreaking -- her life has been on hold for eight years as she searches for her missing daughter. She clings to her faith but that doesn't stop her from taking things into her own hands. Her struggle to let go and let God is palpable.

Jack and Natty are an awesome duo. There's some laugh out loud moments between those two. And Natty's Amish nanny makes a unique addition to their little family. But love is complicated and each of the Lewis's character faces the challenge of  finding peace with their own situation.

An incredible, rich, hopeful read.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Child of Mine please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you post a comment and add your email address, please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in the address to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so that it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday June 22 2014. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group".

The Secret Keeper

GIVEAWAY

LEWIS, BEVERLY
THE SECRET KEEPER

With her love for all things old-fashioned, Jennifer Burns has often been told she's an "old soul," but no one is prepared for the young woman's decision to set aside her modern life in favor of the Old Order Amish world. Yet Jenny does exactly that, adopting Plain dress and settling in with Samuel and Rebecca Lapp while she works as a mother's helper for the bishop's wife--a far cry from her former job as an x-ray technician.

The people of Hickory Hollow are curious about the beautiful young seeker among them, one handsome Amishman in particular. But he is not the only man vying for Jenny's affections, and Jenny faces many challenges in the Proving time the brethren have set for her...challenges of the heart, as well as the spirit.

Will Jenny's secrets keep her from the peace she longs for? Or will they lead the way home?

My Review:

I found this a fascinating read on some many levels. First, getting to follow a "Seeker" as she explores the notion of living an Amish lifestyle with the goal of actually converting. I think most Amish readers have harbored at least a smidgen of that kind of yearning and being able to read about Jenny's progress was a bit like living a dream.

Another attention grabber is that Jenny isn't the only seeker. Yes, she's the only Englischer bent on converting to the Amish faith, but that doesn't mean that other characters around her aren't seeking in their own way. There are wonderful faith-wrestling questions in the pages of this book that challenged me to think.

And Jenny isn't the only one harboring secrets. This is a story that explores the impact secrets can have on a life and a community. More fascinating stuff to ponder.

Then there's the sweet romance that's really just icing on the cake. It finishes off an exquisite read in a most satisfying way. There's a reason Beverly Lewis is considered #1 in Amish fiction.

Giveaway Opportunity:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of The Secret Keeper please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you post a comment and add your email address, please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in the address to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so that it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday October 20 2013. Offer open to international readers. Good luck! 

The Guardian

GIVEAWAY

LEWIS, BEVERLY
THE GUARDIAN

When Jodi Winfield comes to Lancaster to house-sit, the last thing she expects to find is a disheveled little girl alone on the side of the road. The young teacher is mystified when she learns there have been no reports of a missing child, and the girl herself is no help, since she can't speak English. It's as if the child appeared out of nowhere.

Then Jodi turns her attention to Hickory Hollow -- and the cloistered world of the Old Order Amish -- in search of answers.

My Review:

A profound story that will reach beyond the pages and wrap itself around your heart. Lewis is a master storyteller and she has taken readers back to that magical place of her imagination, Hickory Hollow. I still feel the peace of the community settled over me. I love how the author manages to evoke 'memories' in my mind. I become so immersed in the story that I am convinced I know the people and places I am reading about.

Lewis moved me to tears at the end. Good tears -- joyful ones full of hope and the thrill of God's majesty. Jodi's journey touched me in a compelling way. A story revolving around a complex struggle that gradually simplifies as she is drawn closer to one special Amish family. There is such tenderness and care in the writing. And divine truths abound amidst two intriguing romances. Simply a brilliant read.

Giveaway Opportunity:
If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of The Guardian, please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you post a comment and add your email address, please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in the address to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so that it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday April 7 2013. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

The Bridesmaid

GIVEAWAY

LEWIS, BEVERLY
THE BRIDESMAID

Twenty-seven-year-old Joanna Kurtz has made several trips to the altar, but never as a bride. The single young Amishwoman is a closet writer with a longing to be published--something practically unheard of in her Lancaster County community. Yet Joanna's stories aren't her only secret. She also has a beau who is courting her from afar, unbeknownst even to her sister, Cora, who, though younger, seems to have suitors to spare.

Eben Troyer is a responsible young Amishman who hopes to make Joanna Kurtz his bride--if he can ever leave his parents' farm in Shipshewana, Indiana. Yet with his only brother off in the English world, intent on a military career, Eben's hopes for building a life with his dear Joanna are dimming, and patience is wearing thin. Will Joanna ever be more than a bridesmaid?

My Review:

A simple love story rife with complications. How's that for an oxymoron? Loved this gentle read steeped in family and faith but not without moments of angst. In fact there's a certain secondary character who caused me no end of grief! She made me want to barge right into the Kurtz home and take control of the story!  

Lewis is such a solid writer of Amish fiction and I love the depth in character and plot that make her stories so satisfying. This one is beautifully told and a wonderful read Amish lovers everywhere won't want to miss.

Giveaway:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of The Bridesmaid, please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you post a comment and add your email address, please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in the address to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so that it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday September 23 2012. Offer open to international readers.

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group".   

The Fiddler

GIVEAWAY

LEWIS, BEVERLY
THE FIDDLER

Come home to Hickory Hollow, Pennsylvania--the beloved setting where Beverly Lewis's celebrated Amish novels began--with new characters and new stories of drama, romance, and the ties that draw people together.

A wrong turn in a rainstorm leads Englisher Amelia Devries to Michael Hostetler--and the young Amishman's charming Old Order community of Hickory Hollow. Despite their very different backgrounds, Amelia and Michael both feel hemmed in by the expectations of others and struggle with how to find room for their own hopes. And what first seems to be a chance encounter might just change their lives forever.

My Review:

While this is the first in a new series, I have the feeling that Lewis fans will recognize Hickory Hollow and some of its engaging residents. Though I'm not well-versed in Lewis' other works (a sad fact I intend to remedy immediately) I was quickly enamored with a few wonderful secondary characters. I'm betting that readers who have already made their acquaintance will be thrilled to renew it in The Fiddler.

The story starts in the midst of emotional turmoil for both Amelia and Michael and Lewis just keeps on upping the angst all the way through. Both are from extremely different backgrounds but are struggling with the same issue -- how to remain true to themselves in the face of parental expectations. This constant inner battle makes for a fascinating read -- as does their immediate attraction for one another. I was torn through the whole book not knowing how I wanted it to end -- or if I ever wanted it to end!

I do know one thing though -- I'm definitely in love with Hickory Hollow and intend to visit it again soon!

Giveaway Opportunity:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of The Fiddler please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. Remember to put the title in the address line so that it's easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday April 22. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group".