~ BETHANY HOUSE 'THE ROAD HOME' ~

~ FRIDAY FICTION FEATURE ~
'THE ROAD HOME'
by Author Beverly Lewis
-- POST INCLUDES BOOK SPOTLIGHT,
AUTHOR BIO, LINK TO EXCERPT
& REVIEW --

ABOUT THE BOOK:
As the sun began to rise, Lena Rose leaned against the cool pane 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?

LINK TO EXCERPT {courtesy of Bethany House}:
EXCERPT OF 'THE ROAD HOME'

REVIEW FROM CHRISTIAN MARKET:
"Lewis's new book is a stand-alone Amish novel filled with charming characters and surroundings amid a heartwarming storyline of love, overcoming grief, and trusting God with our future."

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Beverly Lewis, born in the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch country, has more than 17 million books in print. Her stories have been published in 12 languages and have regularly appeared on numerous bestseller lists, including the New York Times and USA Today. Beverly and her husband, David, live in Colorado, where they enjoy hiking, biking, making music, and spending time with their family. Learn more at www.beverlylewis.com.

LINK TO Q & A WITH THE AUTHOR {courtesy of Bethany House}:  Q & A WITH AUTHOR BEVERLY LEWIS

MY REVIEW:
I have read many of Beverly Lewis's Amish novels over the past fifteen years or so. I especially enjoyed The River, The Love Letters, The Photograph, and Ebb Tide. I am happy to add The Road Home to my list of favorites!

This stand-alone story is set in Centreville, Michigan, at the end of August, 1977. The main character, Lena Rose, is the eldest of ten children in an Amish farm family. She is nineteen years old when the story begins, and she is infatuated with her new beau, Hans Bontrager.

The Prologue to the story provides a look into Lena Rose's life and her relationship with her parents and siblings. On the third page of Chapter One tragedy strikes. The unimaginable happens, and the lives of the ten Schwartz siblings are changed forever. Lena Rose reluctantly moves away to live in Pennsylvania with her father's second cousin, Harley, and his wife, Mimi.

In her new home, Lena Rose works as a seamstress with Mimi to help the older woman make and mend clothes for the Amish families living in their community. Soon, Lena and Mimi form a close bond based on trust and faith. I enjoyed the rapport and relationship between these two women.

I connected with the character of Lena Rose when she began visiting the elderly and infirmed members of her new community. She brought kindness and cheer to others in need of a loving smile and a helping hand. After a few incidents where Lena Rose made a difference in the lives of others I realized why I admired with this young woman . . .

Lena Rose reminds me of my favorite aunt. My Aunt Carolyn was an exceptional friend and neighbor to those in need. She was the most thoughtful person I've ever known. I can remember my aunt going out to visit people from her church and her neighborhood when things weren't going so well for them. And you can be certain she never showed up empty-handed! Usually she brought fresh fruit or vegetables from her garden, and sometimes she brought fresh-baked homemade cookies or a pie. Just like Lena Rose, she was patient with and compassionate to others in need of a special angel.

I don't want to spoil any of the story for readers so I will skip sharing the major events in the book. God's plan for Lena Rose's life is not fully revealed until the final chapters of the book. She traverses many hills and valleys during her time in Pennsylvania, and her faith and hope are tested time and again.

This is another beautifully-written book by Beverly Lewis. The main character is admirable, and the surrounding characters enrich the story well. I feel this author is a master at writing fluid dialogue, and I enjoy the manner in which she slips in information about the Amish way of life throughout the story.

Highly-recommended for fans of Amish fiction, Christian fiction, inspirational romance, historical fiction, clean fiction, and clean romance!

DISCLOSURE FROM BLOGGER:  I was given a paperback copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I have not been compensated for posting my review here or on any other site.

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COMING UP SOON ON 'READING, WRITING & STITCH-METIC':

-- Saturday, June 9th: Blog Tour Stop for 'Whispering Winds of Spring'. Post includes book spotlight, snippet, and giveaway. Tour hosted by Singing Librarian Book Tours.

-- Monday, June 11th: Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday Non-Fiction Sewing Feature! I'm featuring one of my favorite new sewing/crafting books for middle-graders and teens, 'Stitch Camp'. Post includes book spotlight, author bios, my review, and a print copy giveaway (US only, one copy) sponsored by the publisher, Storey Publishing.

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