The Proving by Beverly Lewis

After five years as an Englisher, Amanda Dienner is shocked to learn her mother has passed away and left her 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?

(excerpt from back of book)

I'm always a  little confused after reading a  Beverly Lewis novel and this one is no  exception. Although Lewis, undeniably, has talent as a writer crafting beautiful landscapes tapping  into simpler lives and the Amish way, I find many of her story lines predictable to the point that pacing  feels unbalanced and  the characters seem underutilized.

Case in point, Trina and Arie Mae had the potential for  wonderful counterbalances to  Mandy's wrestling with both past, present, and future. Given the backstory I was eager  to see how the sister's relationship would play out  amid the  larger family and community. However, Lewis rarely brought  in the family as more than plot opportunities and sisters interactions didn't seem to  have the emotional impact their history would imply.

The Proving  had  many characters that just seemed underutilized and therefore less than satisfying, perhaps due to my unfamiliarity with aspects of Amish culture? However, even that felt like a bit of  a missed opportunity as Trina's obvious lack of familiarity with the Amish could have served as an easy inroad for reader instruction and was rarely seen either.

For  fans of Lewis The Proving  should prove to be a pleasant  enough read, for those unfamiliar with the genre, there are too many unexplained nuances and missed developments for this to be  a satisfying introduction into the genre.

3 out of 5 stars

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

The Return by Suzanne Woods Fisher

Beautiful and winsome, Betsy Zook never questioned her family's rigid expectations, nor those of devoted Hans--but then she never had to. Not until the night she's taken captive in a surprise Indian raid. Facing brutality and hardship, Betsy finds herself torn between her pious upbringing and the feelings she's developing for a native man who encourages her to see God in all circumstances. 

Greatly anguished by Betsy's captivity, Hans turns to Tessa Bauer for comfort. She responds eagerly, overlooking troubling signs of Hans's hunger for revenge. But if Betsy is ever restored to the Amish, will things between Hans and Tessa have gone too far? 

Inspired by true events, this deeply layered novel gives a glimpse into the tumultuous days of prerevolutionary Pennsylvania through the eyes of two young, determined, and faith-filled women.

(excerpt from back of book)

I am not a natural fan of  Amish fiction. That's why it takes a very special author to draw  me back into that world. Suzanne Woods  Fisher is just such an author and The Return is the latest of her books to bring me in.

One of the things I appreciate most about Fisher's books  is her characters. Without fail she brings forward characters  with hopes, dreams, and emotions  that  transcend the genre and are simply human. In The Return she offers multiple characters, most  notably Tessa and Betsy. I really enjoyed Tessa's character and I have a feeling Fisher remembers that age well as she  writes it with such accuracy.  Tessa's hopes and dreams regarding  Hans, her  envy of Betsy, her own wrestling with her own maturing made for great  reading and held the story solidly together.

Betsy also shone in both in her own way  as she wrestled through grief and forgiveness as well  as  a contrast to both Tessa and Hans. While I found Tessa more engaging it's Betsy that  begs reflection and shows her strength in that manner.

The plot was also interesting. I appreciated Fisher's use of Bairn to advocate for both the settlers and the aboriginals in the story.  While I am unfamiliar with the events the story was based around, Fisher includes lots of fun details including the Conestoga wagons and horses as well as people  like Benjamin Franklin helped anchor the story within its setting helping and richness and depth to the events. I love  when a story adds enough history to inspire me to do further research and I've definitely been inspired to read up on the real life accounts.

Overall, Fisher has brought another solid book that serves to add to its series or act as an enjoyable stand alone.

4 out 5  stars

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

The Devoted by Suzanne Woods Fisher

Bright, curious, and restless, Ruthie Stoltzfus loves her family but is stuck in a sea of indecision about her future: Should she stay Amish? Or should she leave? She’s done all she can to prepare to go–passed the GED, saved her money–but she can’t quite set her journey into motion.

Patrick Kelly is a young man on a journey of his own. He’s come to Stoney Ridge to convert to the Amish and has given himself thirty days to learn the language, drive a buggy, and adapt to “everything Plain.” Time, to Patrick, is of the essence. Every moment is to be cherished, especially the hours he spends with Ruthie, his Penn Dutch tutor.

Ruthie’s next-door neighbor and cunning ex-boyfriend, Luke Schrock, is drawn to trouble like a moth to a flame. Rebellious, headstrong, defiant, Luke will do anything to win Ruthie back–anything–and Patrick Kelly is getting in his way.

(excerpt from back of book)

It's official. While I may not be a fan of Amish fiction as a genre, I am an enormous fan of Suzanne Woods Fisher! 

Honestly, her series The Bishop's Family  has completely won me over between the solid and endearing characters, the plot line with teachable moments that make me feel as though I'm at the Stoltzfus table rather than being preached at, and the absolutely wonderful Stoney Creek providing the perfect setting.

One of Fisher's strengths is her characters. I jumped for joy when I realized that, unlike it's predecessors, The Devoted showed a heavier emphasis on Ruthie and Jesse.  Jesse has been my series underdog and I adore watching his growth as he navigated life with apprentices and finally addressed his situation with Mim. Ruthie also came  into her own in this book, I really appreciated th honest wrestling Ruthie undergoes when she considers her future,  Fisher may have her family written firmly within the Amish genre but Ruthie's struggle to find her place is one anyone who's wrestled with where their life is going can relate with.  

While the 2 year gap in plot between The Quieting  and The Devoted was jarring at first it really did make good sense story wise as the younger siblings had to develop properly before they could take center stage and the quick summery and reminiscing was more than enough to make up the gap.

Once again I found myself caught up in Fisher's story line. This is another one of her strengths and one that I feel more secure in pointing out as I see the story unfolding throughout the series and not just within a self contained novel. I love how Fisher's stories don't feel like a story and a sermon, While she incorporates so many teachable moments, I often felt like a friend or family member sitting around the table and joining in on one of David's discussions. I love that! I've read so many stories where the flow and immersion into a story are disrupted in order to add a sermon or some sort of biblical teaching, Fisher's ability to weave these together so beautifully just adds to the experience. In fact, this entire book was a beautiful example of weaving and balance, Between Ruthie considering of life outside and Patrick's exploration of Amish life, Dok's life  in and out of Stoney Ridge, and David's tension over community life  there was more than enough to keep this reader hooked until well after midnight.

If anyone's looking for a great autumn read or maybe getting a jump start on Christmas shopping. The Bishop's Family  is a solid series full of characters who leap off the page as they wrestle with life in a way that will be identifiable to so many.

4 out of 5 stars

I received this book as part of the Revell Reads book tour in exchange for my honest opinion."

The Stoltzfus family faces serious problems, both in the church and at home. Everyone in the community expects minister David Stoltzfus to fix things–fast. But David doesn’t work fast. He prefers to wait for God to work in individual hearts. However, even he is left wondering if the solution to their most pressing problem might be a Quieting.

When David’s mother arrives, uninvited, more upheaval is in store. She has matchmaking plans for everyone in the family, including David and her eligible granddaughters–and especially for David’s niece Abigail. When Abigail stumbles onto a curious connection during her genealogical research, it could help David solve one problem–but will it create another?

Excerpt from back of book

A few months ago I found myself drawn into the The Imposter the first book of Fisher's latest series The Bishop's Family. At the time I found it to be a solid Amish fiction and one that would be well liked within that genre's fans.

With the coming of book 2 The Quieting, I was pleasantly surprised to see that, not only has Fisher managed to recapture all of the strengths and charm of book 1 but expanded the Stoltzfus family in such a way to make them even more real, relatable, and readable. I'll certainly be recommending this book to friends, starting with you ;)

For a little twist, I'll start with what I didn't like. The characters I fell in love with in The Imposter (namely Katrina and Thelma) were hard to find in this book due to space. So the continuity lover in me found myself longer for more than just the occasional pop in to update us on the baby.

Otherwise I loved this book.

Jesse (another favourite character from the first book) featured heavily in book 2 and is well set up for a feature book of his own down the road (which I'm already eagerly hoping for since book 3 is about Ruthie). His character development has been so real and beautiful that I find myself smiling over his predicaments and wondering how much of that charm I may see out of my youngest down the road (better to prepare early ;) )

Abigail was another highlight in this book. She reminds me, to be honest, of some people I know on the upper end of the autism spectrum, although I can't say that was the intent of the author. Still I love her unique perspective and how that didn't hinder her from carrying this story. Again, Fisher seems to excel in highlighting the painful ins and outs of coming of age in a way that makes her characters beautifully human and so easily connectable to a wide range of readers.

Also drawing on Fisher's strengths in this series is the ongoing romance of David and Birdy. Most Amish fiction seems to have some romance in it and The Quieting  has more than enough for readers to find at least one couple to root for, that said, I appreciate how the relationships have struggles and may not fit the norm. There were more than a few times I marveled at Birdy's strengths and David's cluelessness but, again, just made the story more believable. Honestly, I'll read book 3 just to make sure these two are doing okay.

Amish fiction is not for everyone. But if you're looking for a book about family, coming of age, or life with great character development and relationships, give this series a try and see if you don't just become the next person to find yourself at home in Stoney Ridge.

4.5 out of 5 stars

I received this book as part of the Revell book tour in exchange for my honest opinion. The views expressed are my own

The Atonement - Beverly Lewis

Lucy Flaud has a past that haunts her.

Despite the years passing, time has not healed her wounds nor repaired her relationships with her family, her community, or God. Instead she pours herself into her charities and sister's family trying to find a peace that eludes her. When her father Christian begins going to a support group with Englischers, Lucy finds herself pulled into a crossroads where her past can either engulf her future or redemption can pull her into the present - if she's brave enough to risk it.


Ack! I'm so torn on this book.


I've said it before, Amish literature is not my favourite. That said, there's something intriguing in the simpler way of life that still bears witness to deep and complex emotions.


This book confuses me though it has some wonderful strong story-telling elements and then some elements that continually jarred me out of the narrative.


I really did enjoy the gradual storytelling. Although most readers could probably guess what Lucy's secret was early on, I enjoyed how Lewis gives glimpses, little tidbits through observers and most importantly Lucy. It felt real and very close to how someone with a trauma or grief would unravel their story.

I also enjoyed Lewis' twist on Christian's motivation for attending the group and the honest wrestling presented by his character. That mixture of strength and brokenness was a great addition to the cast of characters.



The text, however, distracted from the story. The language felt more jarring than usual and I often wanted to correct the spelling before I comprehended the sentence itself. In fact, partially because of this Dorothea and the story of the bridge felt like a stronger element to the story then the illustration it was supposed to serve for Lucy.



Lucy was a darling mystery but again, it sometimes felt jarring as some behaviours seemed so conflicting despite the readers ability to see the greater picture. This could be, in part, due to my own unfamiliarity with the Amish way of life but, since the book was not written to an Amish audience a little more explanation of the rationale behind key decision would have been welcome, especially with so many Englischers running around the plot to form natural points of connection.

3 out of 5 stars

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

Hannah's Choice: A Novel (Journey to Pleasant Prairie) by Jan Drexler

Every once in awhile, in an attempt to vary my reading material, I make the foray back into Amish fiction. I fully recognize the popularity of the genre even if it mystifies my own reading tastes :)

When I encountered Jan Drexler's Hannah's Choice it seemed as good a time as any to dip my toe back into the world of literary Amish.

Hannah's Choice follows the story of a young Amish woman named Hannah whose family finds themselves at a crossroads. Their county has undergone vast changes with the arrival of new neighbours from a variety of faiths (Quaker, Mennonite, Methodist, etc), the arrival of the abolitionist movement, and the changes and losses which have shaped the Yoder's themselves over a difficult decade.

Rather than risk the temptation of an increasingly modern and varied county, Hannah's father decides to move west with two other families in an effort to give his family the chance to live a life faithful to Amish beliefs. For Hannah, this merely increasing the pressure to find her place as she finds herself torn between past and future, friends and family, and everywhere in between.

Overall, Drexler presents a fun and well rounded story for fans of the Amish fiction genre. Her characters are developed and are believable in their roles from Hannah's coming of age quandaries and her desire to determine what it means to be faithful to Annalise and Christian's worry for their children.  The plot had enough storyline to be engaging between the isseus surrounding the move, Hannah's choice between Adam and Josef, and Liesbet's rebellion.
The setting was serene and I could easily picture myself walking through the woods as I read.

That said, I simply couldn't muster up any excitement over this book. The dialogue, the religious quandaries regarding the Bann, the struggle to remain Amish held no connections for me personally and the story itself wasn't able to rise out of it's setting enough like some others in the genre to pull me in regardless of the genre. It was too locked in.


If you're a fan of Amish fiction, Jan Drexler will provide hours of enjoyment as you immerse yourself into the world of the Yoders. 3 out of 5 stars

I received this book for free in exchage for my honest opinion through Nuts About Books, The opinions expressed are entirely my own.