Monday, May 2, 2011

The Judgement by Beverly Lewis

If you think that Amish Fiction is ONLY about bonnets, delicious food, and barn raisings, think again.   Beverly Lewis, the "founder of the Amish genre", crafts a story about faith and family values, set on a collision course that rivals the challenges of the "modern" world.

The Judgement is the second book in The Rose Trilogy.  It stands well enough on its own, but I can't imagine anyone not continuing on to (at least) book three.

The fragility of life and love is explored with honesty as the Kauffman family battle their mother's crippling illness, a daughter's separation from her Englisher husband, and another's struggle to find true love.

Through Ms. Lewis' writing, it becomes crystal clear that the so called "simple life" isn't always so simple.  Children, even Amish children,  go against the wishes and wisdom of their parents and suffer the consequences; something that as a parent of five teen- agers and twenty somethings- I can relate to.  (I found myself praying right along with the characters- head bowed and eyes closed.)

What I love about the Amish is their emphasis on doing the right (biblical) thing.  They do their best to live the truths of the Good Book.  Sometimes they mess up...

This book is one more reason why Beverly Lewis has taken the world by storm.


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


Watch the book trailer:

13 comments:

Karen Lange said...

I haven't read any of Lewis' books in a while, and now you've got me interested! Thanks for your thoughts about this one. May have to pick it up. :)
Have a great week,
Karen

Robyn Campbell said...

This tale sounds wonderful. I love stories like these Cheryl. Especially the Amish. (Love knowing there's an Amish genre. I guess it is, though.)I find their lives so interesting and I love reading even fictional accounts of Amish families. (Could I be a closet Amish wife?) Naaaa

But I do find them so interesting. Their total faith in God is what I try to have. They live on faith. I love that. Thanks for the review, my friend.

Cheryl Klarich said...

Hi Karen!
I was impressed at Beverly's portrayal of mean and difficult personalities... The character Hen, got herself into a difficult marriage and Beverly really nailed the painful process of separation- with all of the mean dialog that happens when people fall out of love.

There is hope too!! But resolution will probably come about in book three.

Cheryl Klarich said...

Robyn!
Me too! There was a scene where Hen goes back to her "english" husband's house and looks at her worldly clothes and things, and I was ready to trade in my jeans (almost) for the plain garb... I need make up though or I'm really scary...

Jennifer Shirk said...

I have never read one of her books but I see her name so often. This looks like a good one to start with. :)

Cheryl Klarich said...

Jennifer, I believe that this was the first Beverly Lewis that I've read also! She has more than 14million books in print!!! I now get why she's so popular; she writes from her heart.

Unknown said...

I can't WAIT to get home and read all of these books!!! Ah! So so so excited. Oh, I put the link to your blog on my facebook...mrs. lou saw it and loved your blog!

LOVE YOU SO MUCH! Great job on everything Mom! You're so awesome!

Tabitha Bird said...

Sounds like an interesting book, not usually my choice of genre, but a good one to keep in mind. Great review. :)

thank you for your comment on my blog. You really encouraged me in what you said the other day :)

Cheryl Klarich said...

Elfa!! I can't wait to get you home! Books and good food are waiting for you!!

Tabitha, always a joy to have you stop by.
I showed your photo of the ship wreck to my son and we agree; it should be hanging in a museum exhibit. It's that beautiful and haunting. Love you.

Rachna Chhabria said...

I like the books you introduce us to. Will keep this book in mind.

Cheryl Klarich said...

Thanks Rachna!
I read the books and respond from my heart.
Sometimes, most times actually, books touch a chord in my heart, causing me to respond in like mannor... to the place where I relate to the drama. Thank you for understanding that!

PatriciaW said...

Nice review, Cheryl. I've not been big on Amish fiction, but I recently read one and enjoyed it quite a bit. I'll have to read more.

Cheryl Klarich said...

Thanks Patricia!
I have grown fond of the Amish genre. Shelley Shepard Gray rocks it out- along with Mary Ellis and Beverly Lewis. Ah... the so called simple life...