The Covenant/The Betrayal/The Sacrifice/The Prodigal/The Revelation

Abram's Daughters #1-5

by Beverly Lewis

ABRAM'S DAUGHTERS introduces readers to an Old Order family, a close-knit community and a devout people whose way of life and faith in God is as timeless as their signature horse and buggy. Set against the backdrop of post-World War II, this compelling saga spans three generations of a Lancaster County Amish family. Abram Ebersol and his devoted wife are raising four courting-age daughters on a firm foundation of Plain tradition, and they expect their girls to carry on that heritage by joining the church and making a covenant with God. But the "running-around" years known as rumschpringe are often a time of sowing wild oats. Each of Abram's daughters, choosing her own path, must come to terms with the Old Ways of thinking and living. And sometimes that path has detours and forks in the road with unknown destinations...

Book Details: Format: Paperback Publication Date: 7/1/2005 Pages: 1744

Genres: Amish, Christian Fiction, Christian, Fiction, Amish Fiction, Romance, Religion

1744 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2004

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

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."

Reviews

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read all five of these one right after the other. I couldn't put them down. My sister-in-law let me borrow them and at first I thought that being about Amish life they might be a little boring, but they were not at all. There was plenty of suspense combined with a good interesting insight into Amish culture.

[Southern Mama · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve read all of Beverly Lewis’ books. And this is my favorite series of all her books. It’s truly “a stay up late because you can’t put the book down” kind of story. Soooo good! Bravo Beverly 👏👏👏

[Jason Bryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

OK, this may seem like an odd reading choice, but my wife got me to read it, and I loved it. Full of heart, emotion, mystery, love. I'm a grown man, and one part in this series had me shedding big crocodile tears.

[Deana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have not found one of these books I did not enjoy,I love reading about the amish and this series was one of my favorite.

[Gloria L. Kincer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series!

I read the first two books from the electronic local library and was sad to not be able to finish the series. Then the entire series became available at a price I couldn't resist so I read all five books, one right after the next. Reading about this family and their trials, and how they overcame them with God's help has helped me immensely!!

[Teresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beverly Lewis knows how to make you adore her characters and suck you right in to the store lines of her books. I enjoyed each and every book in this five book series and really wanted to know what happened to the lives of the family as it grew and aged. I hated to see it end. I so enjoyed this series of books.

[Christartist · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thebtruthb shall set you free, no matter the cost.

I always love Beverly Lewis's writing. The characters come alive. This series has so many great themes of lies and confession, hurt and forgiveness, legalistic and the grace of God. The constant thread throughout is trusting in God's sovereign plan

[Bobbi Phillip · Rating 2 out of 5]

This 5 - series book collection could have been covered in one book, and it would have a much better review from me. It lagged on and on and on and on... well, you get the picture. By the time I got to the last book, I had had enough! A ton of storylines. It was very soap-opera-ish. Couldn't finish.

[Evelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Life and Love

Abram's Daughters sets forth the relationships, joys, pains of life seen through each daughters life. More than that it gives insight into the strengths and weaknesses of the Amish way of life and each character's relationship with God.

[Geo Hendrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was good, all 5 books. There were a few turns that supported me. Many were predictable. That's why when Beverly got me I liked them even more. I kept wanting to find out what was going to happen next.

[Sharilyn Walters · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent set

I loved this series. Once again the characters and narrative surrounding them are so vivid I almost expect to meet them at the Farmers Market!!

[Jeanne Bowles · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very intricate series of books with good continuity. I learned a lot about Amish religion and culture.

[Pami · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book makes you feel good when you are reading I hope there will be another book to this series.

[Mari Pickrel · Rating 4 out of 5]

No reviews

[Becca · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read this series at least 5 times and I am never bored with it.

[AngieA Allen · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Mom recommended this book series to me and my daughter gave me the boxed set for Christmas. I read them one after the other and enjoyed them very much. It was one of those things where you wish there was just a little more! Set in Amish country in post WWII Lancaster County, PA, we follow the daughters of Abram as they come of age, go courting and make decisions for their future. At times, fate intervenes and the choices are removed from their control. I have been interested in Amish culture for many years and found these novels replete with accurate information. The author is of Amish ancestry and has done her homework, right down to interviewing and using practicing Amish for consulting information. These people are wonderfully human and striving to be the best they can be. They recognize and attempt to rectify mistakes. They realize the decision they made in the moment may have been the wrong one. We often fear what we don't understand. While I have never feared the Amish, I do feel I understand a little better the ties that keep the community viable in a modern world. Really enjoyable read.

[Arlene S · Rating 3 out of 5]

Got these from mom ( except not last one in series called The Revelation, which may tie it all together). Light reading ( and perhaps somewhat predictable, or, is it just that the foreshadowing is not that subtle?). The series kept me mostly interested, but with the caveats to follow. It had a somewhat "stretched out" feeling-- to say, "let's make this story into a series" aspect, which had me wishing for a little more momentum in plotting. In fairness, this could have something to do with the fact that I read them on vacation as a group, not waiting for publication over time. I think i would have preferred one big saga book, although that is not the marketing way these days; but the "stretching" sometimes seemed a little forced. Also, the writing is somewhat simple (no "fancy" phrases or lyrical poetic spareness here), perhaps matching the Plain (Amish) people of the setting. So, it's good for an escape, but perhaps better in smaller doses. Descriptions of the insular society, of necessity, do not bring in a wide range of characters or world events, but instead portray a domestic drama ( or romance).

[Clara Roberts · Rating 2 out of 5]

Lewis's writing style is too slow paced for me. She lacked description at certain pivotal points. I had to Google to learn some important information about the Amish practies and the meaning of Ordnung, Ausbund, etc. I could visualize many of the barn scenes as well other farm activies because I grew up doing farm chores. Those scenes, the women frolics and others need more descriptions. Example, the difference between a pony cart and a carriage would have been interesting. I think I know but I feel that most people would have no idea of the differences. I am interested in the Amish and their brethern the Mennonites because of the Mennonites willingness to go to the most remote area of the world to tell others about Jesus Christ. They suffe more deaths on the mission field that any other group.

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series was the first of many I've read about the Amish culture. I've since read more, watched documentaries and fictional movies, and made a trip to an Amish community. Such a different lifestyle, so hard to imagine how difficult it must be, as well as how fundamentally liberating. To not be tied to our tv's, cell phones, iPods, and, ah-hem, computers, must be very liberating. Yes, I understand the inconveniences and difficulties of not having those things, but to put our trust and faith on God and family alone, rather than Things We Must Have... I love most of Beverly Lewis's books. Some are reminicient of '80's romances, but most are set in the Amish community, describing for us Englishers their difficult, yet Plain lifestyle.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

The whole series is amazing. It has similar human struggles which you might find in any other drama--teenage rebellion, unplanned pregnancy, family secrets, star-crossed lovers, and personal sacrifices. I find the Amish lifestyle fascinating, and there are strong moral themes woven throughout the book and a wide cast of characters, some of whom stick to the straight-and-narrow and others who decide to stray. The characters are diverse and interesting; they battle at times with the stringent boundaries of their society, the needs and wants of their family, and their relationships with loved ones and the Lord. I also love that you get to follow this family over a stretch of years, especially Leah.

[Jodie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this whole series since I am completely in awe of the Amish community. I admire them as a people, their beliefs, their structure in this world of un-structuredness (is that a word?), their love of family & God. I love driving through the Lancaster countryside and seeing their horse & buggies, the simple dresses & kapps, etc.

The girls in this book drew me in even more - Sadie, Leah, Mary Ruth and Hannah. And of course, Jonas. I couldn't put this book down or the ones that followed it.

I chose fiction/nonfiction because it's both. It's a made-up story about the Amish (who are not made-up.)

[Dorry Lou · Rating 4 out of 5]

These books do hold your attention. I found this one very sad as it was exactly what it said "Betrayal" and not just 1 person but several. It continues on with Sadie & Leah and their family. There are 2 other younger sisters getting to dating age also. Leah has been in love with Jonas, a 2nd cousin from childhood and he is in love with her too. Her father Abram has wanted her to marry another person and has made it very clear. I learned lots about the Amish culture from these books. This book ended with you wanting to know more also. As I said before it was sad to me so I have not started on book #3 yet.

[Trisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this series. The books are really quick reads - book candy. I did like the story and the characters. I found this series to be very clean and uplifting. There were a couple of slow sections where I just skimmed, but overall I enjoyed them. I loved the character Leah. I have always been interested in and fascinated by the Amish culture, and I learned lots about it from reading these books.

[Teresa Ruckman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this saga. It gives a great look into the lives of the Amish characters. It has a great ending, I wish the books would continue to 15 instead of stopping at 5. The only aspect I didn't like was at times Mrs. Lewis was a bit too descriptive of the natural surroundings for my taste. I found myself too excited about the upcoming revelation to actually read how beautiful the fall leaves were. I highly recommend this series and I'm looking forward to reading her again.

[Deborah Reed · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an AWSOME series. It is about an Amish family, and the trials of their daughters. I had a hard time getting into the book at first, but after the first few chapters, I couldn't put them down... I finishes the 5 book series in a week and a half. they really gave me insight to the Amish world, and was just fabulous!!

[Riann Koldewyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this series on a recommendation. It was very interesting reading about the Amish culture, customs and rules. The story good, but it took a really long time to tell it. I gave it only three stars because although I moderately enjoyed the series, I would not read it again...which is saying something for me!

[Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good series. A little hard to keep on reading till the end, mostly because I had to wait for them at the book store and/or Library to keep going. But it was very good. Had a *great* twist in the plot and some MYSTERY!

(Have you figured out that Beverly lewis is one of my favoirte authors yet? ;D)

[Alicia · Rating 3 out of 5]

These books are based on life in the Amish community. It was an interesting glimpse into how they live and think, but I was never too captivated by the story line. In fact, the 4th of the 5 books was not available at the library so I just skipped it but never felt like I missed too much. The writing and characters are interesting though.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love all of Beverly Lewis's Books. I have read almost all of them. She writes so well about the Amish. I learned the same from all her books and that is how the Amish live. She writes just like you are there. It has been a while since I read these books. I usually buy them right when they come out and I read them right away.

[Beth Browne · Rating 5 out of 5]

My friend recommended this, or I'd never have picked it up. She told me to take all five books, but I was so sure she was nuts (an Amish romance? Give me a break!) that I refused. She said I would regret it and she was right. I couldn't put it down and couldn't wait to get the rest of the books. They are wonderful!!