Series: The Heritage of Lancaster County #3
Published by Bethany House Publishers on August 1st 2000
Genres: Amish & Mennonite
Pages: 288
The 'Heritage of Lancaster County' trilogy re-creates the simple life of the Amish. Its themes of hope and reconciliation show us that even when we think we are far away, God's love is always present.
Shunned from the Amish life she once knew, Katherine Mayfield finds solace in her volunteer work and the delights of the modern world. Unknown to Katherine, her long-lost love, Daniel Fisher, is desperate to locate his sweetheart girl, only to be frustrated at nearly every turn. Once again, Katherine is compelled to face the heritage of her past and recognize God's love in unexpected places.
“The Reckoning’ concludes The Heritage of Lancaster County Trilogy, following ‘The Shunning’ and ‘The Confession’. I was very pleased with how this series was wrapped up after my slight disappointment in Katherine in book two. I wasn’t disappointed in the writing but in the character herself as I tend to develop a relationship with the books I lose myself in.
‘The Reckoning’ starts out with a look into Katherine’s life as the Mistress of the Mayfield Manor and her continual struggle to fit in, even in the society she thought she so wanted. There’s just something missing in life for Miss Katherine and she has yet to put her finger on what that is. Partly due to Daniel, her old love that she had thought was dead, has shown back up in her life, claiming he is still in love with her and always has been. However, Katherine has herself a new beau, the aristocratic artist named Justin Wirth. Katherine’s romance with Justin was frustrating for me to read. I didn’t trust him or his intentions and I felt that he didn’t have Katherine’s best interests in his heart.
Meanwhile, life in Hickory Hollow, Katherine’s old Amish community, has continued to go on. Mary’s romance with the Bishop has blossomed and she has settled in as his wife and a mama to his children. Rebecca seems to slowly be recovering from the immense loss she endured with losing Katie to the English world. Annie is coming to terms with her brother Daniel’s betrayal and sadness over his shunning. Ella Mae, perhaps my favorite character in this book, has suffered a stroke and is nearing the end of her life. It is Ella who holds the key to Katherine’s salvation and in finding her true purpose in life. Not as the fancy and worldly “Katherine” but as the sweet and humble “Katie Girl”.
I was thrilled with the conclusion to this story. I just never saw Katie returning completely to her Amish roots, I was actually happy that she didn’t. But I also am glad that she didn’t choose to stay and live out her life as an extravagant rich lady. I would have never been able to accept her as anything else but “Plain”. It was truly the best compromise for her. A fantastic series and I look forward to reading more by Beverly Lewis.
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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