The Bridesmaid Book Review

 

Home to Hickory Hollow

Book Two

SUMMARY:  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.

     Joanna Kurtz has made several trips to the altar, but never as a bride.  The young Amishwoman is a closet writer whose stories aren't her only secret.

     Eben Troyer hopes to make Joanna his bride - if he can ever leave his parent's farm in Shipshewana, Indiana.  Yet Eben's hopes to build a life with Joanna hinge on his brother's return from the English world . . . .

REVIEW: This was a good book but sometimes the story seemed to drag when it came to the long distance courtship of Joanna and Eben.  That said, I like the idea of them meeting on the beach, each with their secrets: her - writing stories; him - his camera and pictures.  I also like the bridesmaid storyline:  Joanna has been a bridesmaid three times which superstition means she will become an old maid and never marry.   When she and Eben start writing and developing a close relationship, Joanna wonders if this notion is just an old wives tale or if it will become true.
    You do not need to read the first first book to read this one.  It stands on it's own with a few references to the first book.

 This book was provided by Bethany House for review without compensation.

Beverly Lewis, born in the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch country, has more than seventeen million books in print.  Her stories have been published in eleven languages and have regularly appeared on numerous bestsellers lists, including the New York Times and USA Today.

The Fiddler Book Review

Home to Hickory Hollow

SUMMARY:  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.

REVIEW:  Amelia was a child prodigy on the violin.  Trained as a concert violinist since she was three, her whole life has revolved around practicing and performing solos with the top orchestras.  With little time to pursue her own interests, she steals away on occasion to perform in fiddling contests and concerts, and away from the watchful eyes of her manager, boyfriend, and parents.

     Michael is feeling pressure from his parents, family members and community to finally end his Rumschpringe (a time for Amish youth to see what the outside world is like) and officially join the Church.  At age 25, he should have already made his decision but his heart is pulled to things in the outside world - working on his education as a draftsman, listening to music, and the freedom life as an Englisher offers.

     This is an excellent story told by a master storyteller.  Beverly Lewis delicately blends Amelia and Michael's stories and shows us the similarities of their lives in the midst of major differences. The storyline of the Amishman and the Outsider developing a friendship that could lead to romance is different and refreshing.  The ending is not what I expected but I liked it. This is a wonderful story!!!

This book was provided by Bethany House for review without compensation.

Beverly Lewis, born in the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch country, has more than seventeen million books in print.  Her stories have been published in eleven languages and have regularly appeared on numerous bestseller lists, including the New York Times and USA Today.