Ok, two good ones in a row...Mrs. Lewis gets another four star from me.

I liked this story because it taught a lot about the Amish customs. I'm sure the author gets tons of questions all the time about "real Amish" and it was neat to have some of those answered here. I've been reading Lewis' novels since I was fresh out of high school so now, at 40, I feel like I have a pretty good idea of "Amish life according to Lewis." I learned a lot with this newest read, though.

I also really loved it that an "older" couple is pregnant in the story. Fantastic. ( )

The Timepiece by Beverly Lewis

Sylvia Miller is a young Amish girl with big hopes and dreams. She lived through a family secret that could have destroyed her family. Now Adeline Pelham, an Englisher shows up at the Miller home. Sylvia's Mother welcomes her with open arms, but it may take time and God's will for Sylvia to accept this young lady.

This is the second book in a series and continues the Miller's Story. The plot is interesting, moves at a fast pace with well developed characters. Sylvia is very likable as well as her parents and brothers. Adeline is likable as well. She is modern and tries to learn of the "plain" (Amish) ways.

I was hooked from the first page until the end. Great as a stand alone, but I strongly suggest reading The Tinderbox First. Overall I enjoyed The Timepiece and recommend to those who like Amish stories. ( )

Although Earnest grew up in a church similar to the Amish, he didn't join until after his divorce. Twenty years after his marriage to Rhoda, his past caught up with him, and he just served 6 weeks under the bann because of his sin. Imagine his surprise when Adeline shows up claiming to be a daughter from that first marriage--a daughter he never knew existed. She always assumed her stepfather was her father, so she was surprised to read about it in her mother's diary. She sought Earnest. While it is clear from the beginning Adeline loves worldly things too much to become Amish, her time spent with her Amish family will leave a mark upon her life. Earnest's other daughter Sylvia questions her relationship with her fiancée, Titus, when he seems more interested in outward appearances than on them. Sylvia decides to postpone joining the church until she feels forgiveness in her heart toward Titus and toward his family's treatment of her father during his bann. The book shows Adeline's desire to find what she is missing, and Sylvia's struggles to find the true meaning of love. I enjoyed this book that appears to be a revisit of a family the author wrote about in a previous book. Someday I hope to find the earlier book and see this family at an earlier period in time. ( )

This novel continues the story Ernest the clockmaker and his family that began in “The Tinderbox.” They now learn about Ernest’s English daughter, Adeline, who is a surprise to them. But Adeline is welcomed and embraced by all of them, and true affection is evident with them all. However, others, namely Sylvia’s fiancé and his family, are not so accepting. In this well-written tale, several thought-provoking themes are explored. Sylvia must decide if her love for her English sister overrides what her fiancé tells her she should feel and do. Rhoda, Ernest's wife, is surprised by her husband’s first daughter, and has to decide how she will react to her. And throughout the story, both Ernest and his family, including Adeline, rely on their faith in God, that they will be able to be a family that will be acceptable in both the English world and the Amish community. ( )

This book was a nice, quick, homey read. I liked the fact that the Millers were accepting of Adeline and wanted her to believe in Jesus, but didn't ask her to be Amish. ( )