Series: Home to Hickory Hollow #1
Published by Baker Books on April 10, 2012
Genres: Amish & Mennonite, Christian, Fiction, General, Religious, Romance
Pages: 326
New from #1 Bestselling Author Beverly Lewis
Amelia "Amy" DeVries, a 24-year-old violinist, is disillusioned with life and love after the collapse of her long-running romance. Weary of endless rehearsals and performances, Amy sets out on a road trip through the Pennsylvania mountains. She leaves her cell phone behind so life's demands can't intrude on her solitude. She doesn't know, nor care, where she will end up.
When her car breaks down deep in the mountains, Amy realizes the flaw in her "no cell phone" plan. She abandons her car and walks the winding roads, searching for help. Following the smell of woodsmoke and the sound of music, she finds a rustic log cabin. There she meets a young Amishman--and through him a community--that will change her life forever.
“The Fiddler” by Beverly Lewis takes us back to the heart of Hickory Hollow. A quaint Amish community, home to the beloved but shunned Katie Lapp from Lewis’ famous book “The Shunning.”
In this book, we meet Amelia Devries, a very accomplished classical violinist who, much to the disdain of her parents, her agent, and her boyfriend, has fallen in love with country fiddlin’. It seems Amelia lives to please everyone else and thus she struggles between following her heart and following the music.
When fate seems to throw Amelia and Michale Hostetler into each other’s paths, she finds herself running away to Hickory Hollow and is accepted as a guest into the home of Joanna, a warm and inviting young Amish woman who challenges Amelia’s ideas and beliefs. Amelia begins to question her life and her commitments. Ella Mae (remember this spunky and fun-loving character from “The Shunning?”) urges Amelia to examine her faith. Is she fulfilling her commitments for others only? Has she ever considered using her talents to honor God first?
In the meanwhile, Michael is questioning whether he should commit to the Amish church. He is torn, having been the sole influence on a wayward niece who is now in an abusive relationship with a good-for-nothing drunk. Michael longs to make right those wrongs while still doing what is best for himself. And of course, he really wants to get to know Amelia a little bit better!
Eventually both Michael and Amelia have to make big decisions regarding their faith and family. Putting God first and then their families lead them to a new path. Does that path push them together? I guess you’ll just have to read to find out!
This was a great read. I was torn on rating this book but in the end, I had to give it 4 stars only because I didn’t feel the same emotional pull to the characters the way that I have from other books by Mrs. Lewis. I think for me, it was just the characters in this particular story. I really wanted to get to know Joanna better so I am really looking forward to the next installment, “The Bridesmaid” which is to be released on September 11, 2012. I felt drawn to her and of course, I always look for any chance to visit with Ella Mae!
On a quick side note, Beverly Lewis made me proud with her mention of Suzuki Violin and Mark O’Connor in this book! My daughters are proud to be Suzuki students of the beautifully talented Ms. Rhonda Lorence who happens to be a fan of O’Connor and shares his book ” O’CONNOR Violin Method” with her students!
About Beverly Lewis
Beverly Lewis, raised in Pennsylvania Amish country and both a schoolteacher and an accomplished musician, has been an award-winning author for over a dozen years. Her acclaimed novel, The Preacher’s Daughter, was a 2006 Quill Book Award finalist in the romance category. Her books have appeared on numerous bestseller lists, including USA Today and The New York Times. She and her husband, David, live in Colorado.”
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