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The Heritage of Lancaster County #0.5
The Heirloom
This heartwarming prequel to The Shunning is a tender story of love, belonging, and the courage to move forward.
After her widowed father remarries, nineteen-year-old Clara Bender is no longer needed to help run his household. Marriage seems like her best hope of moving out, but there are few young men in her tiny Indiana Amish community. When she comes across letters from her mother's aunt Ella Mae Zook, she sets off to visit Lancaster County's Hickory Hollow to decide where her future lies.
Ella Mae is not quite ready to move from the farmhouse where she and her recently deceased husband spent over fifty happy years, but her children are eager to resettle her, making Clara's visit seem like an answer to prayer. The two women form a warm bond while restoring an heirloom wedding quilt and sharing their lives, with Ella Mae confiding about a tragedy from her courting years. Eventually, Ella Mae suggests Clara stay for the summer, allowing Ella Mae more time with her and giving Clara an opportunity to meet the area's eligible young men. But when the unexpected happens, will Clara find where her heart truly belongs?
After her widowed father remarries, nineteen-year-old Clara Bender is no longer needed to help run his household. Marriage seems like her best hope of moving out, but there are few young men in her tiny Indiana Amish community. When she comes across letters from her mother's aunt Ella Mae Zook, she sets off to visit Lancaster County's Hickory Hollow to decide where her future lies.
Ella Mae is not quite ready to move from the farmhouse where she and her recently deceased husband spent over fifty happy years, but her children are eager to resettle her, making Clara's visit seem like an answer to prayer. The two women form a warm bond while restoring an heirloom wedding quilt and sharing their lives, with Ella Mae confiding about a tragedy from her courting years. Eventually, Ella Mae suggests Clara stay for the summer, allowing Ella Mae more time with her and giving Clara an opportunity to meet the area's eligible young men. But when the unexpected happens, will Clara find where her heart truly belongs?
328 pages, Hardcover
Published September 12, 2023
126 people are currently reading
3309 people want to read
About the author
Beverly Lewis
259 books3,015 followersLibrarian 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."
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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Displaying 1 - 30 of 132 reviews
February 20, 2024
THE HEIRLOOM is the prequel to The Shunning by Beverly Lewis. I’ve never read The Shunning so I knew starting with THE HEIRLOOM was the way to go. This story is all about two Amish women who are grieving. Clara is grieving for her mom who was her rock. She misses her terribly. Her Aunt Ella Mae is also grieving for her husband who she isn’t quite ready to let go of. Ella Mae is not quite ready to move from the farmhouse where she and her recently deceased husband spent over fifty happy years, but her children are ready for her to downsize and move. So when Clara reaches out to her to come for a visit, it seems like Ella Mae’s prayers have been answered. If you have read The Shunning, THE HEIRLOOM is a great way to learn more about your favorite characters. If you are like me and haven’t read it, and love Amish fiction, you can’t go wrong with a Beverly Lewis book. She really knows her stuff!
While Clara is in Pennsylvania helping Ella Mae restore an heirloom wedding quilt, she never stops dreaming of returning home. But over time, she comes to love being in Hickory Hollow. All the while, she never loses hope or her faith. THE HEIRLOOM finds Clara struggling with staying there as her Dad wants her to come back home. Clara Bender’s mother died and her father quickly married a woman who isn’t exactly warm toward her grieving step-daughter. Her father hears about bad news in Ella Mae’s town and wants Clara back home. Why would she go back home when she feels so much more welcomed at her Aunt’s home?
THE HEIRLOOM is about Clara trying to learn more about her mother from her family. My heart broke for Clara. Her story is so heart tugging and filled with faith, devotion, and love that the reader can’t help but cheer for her. Beverly Lewis grabs hold of the reader’s heart and never lets it go! She made me sad, then the next moment I was smiling and giggling out loud! You can never go wrong with a Beverly Lewis book if you are a fan of the Amish genre. THE HEIRLOOM is a heart tugging story that will hold you hostage until the very last page. Once you start reading, it will be very hard to put down! Beverly Lewis surely knows the Amish people and their hearts!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House through Netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
While Clara is in Pennsylvania helping Ella Mae restore an heirloom wedding quilt, she never stops dreaming of returning home. But over time, she comes to love being in Hickory Hollow. All the while, she never loses hope or her faith. THE HEIRLOOM finds Clara struggling with staying there as her Dad wants her to come back home. Clara Bender’s mother died and her father quickly married a woman who isn’t exactly warm toward her grieving step-daughter. Her father hears about bad news in Ella Mae’s town and wants Clara back home. Why would she go back home when she feels so much more welcomed at her Aunt’s home?
THE HEIRLOOM is about Clara trying to learn more about her mother from her family. My heart broke for Clara. Her story is so heart tugging and filled with faith, devotion, and love that the reader can’t help but cheer for her. Beverly Lewis grabs hold of the reader’s heart and never lets it go! She made me sad, then the next moment I was smiling and giggling out loud! You can never go wrong with a Beverly Lewis book if you are a fan of the Amish genre. THE HEIRLOOM is a heart tugging story that will hold you hostage until the very last page. Once you start reading, it will be very hard to put down! Beverly Lewis surely knows the Amish people and their hearts!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House through Netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
November 26, 2023
Several years ago, I stumbled across my first Amish Romance, The Shunning, and entering Beverly Lewis’ Amish world captivated me and I’ve loved reading about the Amish people ever since. Imagine my delight to see that Beverly Lewis returned to that world to write a prequel about events before The Shunning with a new heroine seeking answers and finding a chance at friendship and romance in the homey and heartwarming Amish world.
The Heirloom begins in an Amish community some distance from Lancaster County’s Hickory Hollow when Clara Bender’s mother dies and her father rapidly remarries to a woman who isn’t exactly warm toward her grieving step-daughter. Clara’s reeling from all this and needs time and distance from the home that no longer feels like her place. She finds letters from her mother’s aunt, sees the closeness between the two women, and decides this is a good time to discover more of her mother from the aunt in Hickory Hollow.
I was taken from the start with Clara and her need to find her own place now that she’s at loose ends. Her desire to visit Hickory Hollow is complicated by her father not wanting her there because the two Amish communities have distinct differences in how strict they will be about the tenants and practices of Amish faith. He knows she’ll meet eligible men and hear about matters from Ella Mae, but he does let her go for the visit. He was right about Clara on that count because she does meet someone nice and wants to stay in Hickory Hollow, but she is also dutiful and will obey her father.
Clara’s timing is impeccable from her great-aunt Ella Mae’s perspective because Clara’s arrival means she doesn’t have to leave her home and resettle at the insistence of her children. Clara can take care of the household, get a grip on her personal concerns, and the two different generations of women form a bond not just of family blood, but of understanding and of course their shared belief in God and his work in their lives. Working on the heirloom quilt is a symbolic heart of it all. I couldn’t wait to get Ella Mae’s own story which she has been reticent about. There are dual plot lines that go back to Ella Mae’s youth so young Ella Mae touches the reader’s heart, too.
I like how much attention to detail and authentic the Amish community and faith feels as part of the story. Their desire to live away from the modern world to be close to God, their choice for simplicity of life, home, and work, and their tight-knit communities and families was all so vivid and as present as the characters. I’m not a sewing craft person or made from scratch always, but I get a yearning to try after reading about the Amish work- and yes, the delicious foods mentioned and made have me salivating, too.
For those looking for familiar faces from The Shunning, there is a Katie Lapp sighting and others. That said, they are background. I was happy to be back in the Hickory Hollow world and it seems there will be more books now. This will be for those who want full immersion into an Amish setting in their Inspirational Romance.
I rec'd an eARC via NetGalley to read in exchange for an honest review.
My full review will post at Books of My Heart on Nov 5th.
The Heirloom begins in an Amish community some distance from Lancaster County’s Hickory Hollow when Clara Bender’s mother dies and her father rapidly remarries to a woman who isn’t exactly warm toward her grieving step-daughter. Clara’s reeling from all this and needs time and distance from the home that no longer feels like her place. She finds letters from her mother’s aunt, sees the closeness between the two women, and decides this is a good time to discover more of her mother from the aunt in Hickory Hollow.
I was taken from the start with Clara and her need to find her own place now that she’s at loose ends. Her desire to visit Hickory Hollow is complicated by her father not wanting her there because the two Amish communities have distinct differences in how strict they will be about the tenants and practices of Amish faith. He knows she’ll meet eligible men and hear about matters from Ella Mae, but he does let her go for the visit. He was right about Clara on that count because she does meet someone nice and wants to stay in Hickory Hollow, but she is also dutiful and will obey her father.
Clara’s timing is impeccable from her great-aunt Ella Mae’s perspective because Clara’s arrival means she doesn’t have to leave her home and resettle at the insistence of her children. Clara can take care of the household, get a grip on her personal concerns, and the two different generations of women form a bond not just of family blood, but of understanding and of course their shared belief in God and his work in their lives. Working on the heirloom quilt is a symbolic heart of it all. I couldn’t wait to get Ella Mae’s own story which she has been reticent about. There are dual plot lines that go back to Ella Mae’s youth so young Ella Mae touches the reader’s heart, too.
I like how much attention to detail and authentic the Amish community and faith feels as part of the story. Their desire to live away from the modern world to be close to God, their choice for simplicity of life, home, and work, and their tight-knit communities and families was all so vivid and as present as the characters. I’m not a sewing craft person or made from scratch always, but I get a yearning to try after reading about the Amish work- and yes, the delicious foods mentioned and made have me salivating, too.
For those looking for familiar faces from The Shunning, there is a Katie Lapp sighting and others. That said, they are background. I was happy to be back in the Hickory Hollow world and it seems there will be more books now. This will be for those who want full immersion into an Amish setting in their Inspirational Romance.
I rec'd an eARC via NetGalley to read in exchange for an honest review.
My full review will post at Books of My Heart on Nov 5th.
August 27, 2023
The prequel to The Shunning was even better than I expected it to be. Nineteen-year-old Clara Bender felt unneeded when her widowed father remarries and with few prospects for herself in her small Amish community, she feels lost and hopeless. Until she finds letters her mother had kept which piqued her curiosity and gave her hope.
Clara showed bravery as she traveled to meet great Aunt Ella Mae who had written the letters to her mother, something I admired her for. The relationship they formed was sweet, heartwarming and what they both needed in their lives. If you like Amish fiction, I suggest you get a copy of this book as soon as you can.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley. Opinions are my own.
Clara showed bravery as she traveled to meet great Aunt Ella Mae who had written the letters to her mother, something I admired her for. The relationship they formed was sweet, heartwarming and what they both needed in their lives. If you like Amish fiction, I suggest you get a copy of this book as soon as you can.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley. Opinions are my own.
August 26, 2023
Beverly Lewis fans will delight in reading the prequel to The Shunning. Katie Lapp is featured in the novel, the author focused on Ela Mae's and Clara Bender's stories. While readers at first would wonder how the stories intersect, Clara's mother knew Ella Mae and valued their friendship. Seventeen-yar old Clara is coming to terms with her mother's death and father's quick remarriage. Her trip to Hickory Hallow is a blessing in order to get away from the challenging circumstances.
IN my opinion, #TheHeirloom is one of Lewis' best novels. It's well written, with charismatic characters and ,tugs at readers' heartstrings. As a fan of the author, viewing Lewis' trajectory, this novel wouldn't have been written early in her career.
Lewis has always been a prolific writer but the maturity and richness of the novel comes across and readers can tell that she loves the characters and setting. Thank you to #NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity read the early edition in exchange for an honest review. If this is the new direction Beverly Lewis is taking with her books, I'm looking forward to the next Hickory Hallow novel.
IN my opinion, #TheHeirloom is one of Lewis' best novels. It's well written, with charismatic characters and ,tugs at readers' heartstrings. As a fan of the author, viewing Lewis' trajectory, this novel wouldn't have been written early in her career.
Lewis has always been a prolific writer but the maturity and richness of the novel comes across and readers can tell that she loves the characters and setting. Thank you to #NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity read the early edition in exchange for an honest review. If this is the new direction Beverly Lewis is taking with her books, I'm looking forward to the next Hickory Hallow novel.
October 6, 2023
Like many people I first read The Shunning and the books that followed in the late 90's. I also saw the movies and enjoyed them as well. So naturally when I found out there was going to be a prequel I knew I had to get it and read it. I'm so glad I did.
The story in The Heirloom does not center around Katie Lapp who is the main character in The Shunning. Instead Katie is a side character and the main character is Clara Bender. Clara isn't from Hickory Hollow but she takes a trip to visit her aunt, Ella Mae Zook, who does live in Hickory Hollow.
While in Hickory Hollow Clara finds a sense of renewal. Even though the Hickory Hollow community is more strict than her district she finds a freedom that her very soul was craving. She is able to begin emerging from the grief of losing her mother and opening up to the prospect of not spending the rest of her life as an old maid.
I really liked that this was a completely new story. It takes place shortly before the timeframe of The Shunning which gives a lot more insight into what led up to Katie's story and why the punishment was so severe. Someone that hasn't read the previous series is going to thoroughly enjoy how seamlessly this storyline goes when they read the prequel first and then the series.
By the way, this would also make a good stand alone read if you aren't interested in reading all four books together. But for those of us that have already invested in the series, I say you are in for a real treat when you add this book to your reading list.
The story in The Heirloom does not center around Katie Lapp who is the main character in The Shunning. Instead Katie is a side character and the main character is Clara Bender. Clara isn't from Hickory Hollow but she takes a trip to visit her aunt, Ella Mae Zook, who does live in Hickory Hollow.
While in Hickory Hollow Clara finds a sense of renewal. Even though the Hickory Hollow community is more strict than her district she finds a freedom that her very soul was craving. She is able to begin emerging from the grief of losing her mother and opening up to the prospect of not spending the rest of her life as an old maid.
I really liked that this was a completely new story. It takes place shortly before the timeframe of The Shunning which gives a lot more insight into what led up to Katie's story and why the punishment was so severe. Someone that hasn't read the previous series is going to thoroughly enjoy how seamlessly this storyline goes when they read the prequel first and then the series.
By the way, this would also make a good stand alone read if you aren't interested in reading all four books together. But for those of us that have already invested in the series, I say you are in for a real treat when you add this book to your reading list.
May 13, 2024
This is a sweet Amish love story.
September 30, 2023
The Heirloom by Beverly Lewis
Heritage of Lancaster County #0.5/#0
10h 5m narrated by Libby McKnight, 328 pages
Genre: Amish Fiction, Christian Romance
Featuring: Dual Storylines, Old Order Amish, New Order Amish, Indiana, Pennsylvania, Denarian MC, Quinquagenarian MC, Grief, Heirloom Quilt, Stepmother, Courting,
Rating as a movie: PG
My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️🪡🐴
My thoughts:📱6% 38:44 Ch. 3 - I wasn't crazy about The Shunning and it has been more than a few years since I abandoned The Confession but this cover was too pretty to pass up. This prequel took a minute took line up. I'm still not there but I understand this isn't Katie's mom.
📱17% 1:44:47 Ch. 8 - So Katie has appeared, she's a teen, it seems like this story is set a few before the events in The Shunning. She got my interest with the unspeakable thing M I can guess but I want to know.
It was okay. The characters were good but a lot of the drama seemed melodramatic so it felt trite and unrealistic. This may be my last book by this author.
Recommend to others: Maybe. The stories aren't bad they just don't move me.
Heritage of Lancaster County
0. The Heirloom (2023)
1. The Shunning (1997)
2. The Confession (1997)
3. The Reckoning (1998)
Heritage of Lancaster County #0.5/#0
10h 5m narrated by Libby McKnight, 328 pages
Genre: Amish Fiction, Christian Romance
Featuring: Dual Storylines, Old Order Amish, New Order Amish, Indiana, Pennsylvania, Denarian MC, Quinquagenarian MC, Grief, Heirloom Quilt, Stepmother, Courting,
Rating as a movie: PG
My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️🪡🐴
My thoughts:📱6% 38:44 Ch. 3 - I wasn't crazy about The Shunning and it has been more than a few years since I abandoned The Confession but this cover was too pretty to pass up. This prequel took a minute took line up. I'm still not there but I understand this isn't Katie's mom.
📱17% 1:44:47 Ch. 8 - So Katie has appeared, she's a teen, it seems like this story is set a few before the events in The Shunning. She got my interest with the unspeakable thing M I can guess but I want to know.
It was okay. The characters were good but a lot of the drama seemed melodramatic so it felt trite and unrealistic. This may be my last book by this author.
Recommend to others: Maybe. The stories aren't bad they just don't move me.
Heritage of Lancaster County
0. The Heirloom (2023)
1. The Shunning (1997)
2. The Confession (1997)
3. The Reckoning (1998)
December 26, 2023
If there were a title for Queen of Amish Fiction, Beverly Lewis would be the reigning monarch. She has written many lovely books that depict Amish life. My favorite of hers would be The Daughters of Abram. When I got the opportunity to read Mrs. Lewis' latest book. I was excited. The Heirloom is the prequel to The Shunning. We finally get more of Ella Mae Hook, the amazing, strong, woman of conviction that is known as the "wise woman". We get more of her history and we meet her grandniece Clara Bender.
The story revolves around these two women who are grieving for a loved one. Ella Mae, her husband. Clara Bender, her mother. Ella Mae's family is pressuring her to move out of her house and Ella Mae is not quite ready. Clara has come to visit Ella Mae after her father remarried not long after her mother had passed away. Her father is concerned that she will be visiting a more strict Amish church and he doesn't want Clara to forget that by grace we have been saved, that relationship with Christ is important. Eventually, Clara wants to stay with Ella Mae in Lancaster County, but her father forbids it. Can she trust God and be obedient to her father's wishes, even though her heart is leading her elsewhere?
Together the two women navigate grief and Amish living. Being available to be a blessing to others and serve others while trusting in God to hear their prayers and place them each where they belong.
If you know the characters from The Shunning, this is a great read to learn more about your favorite characters. Even if you haven't read The Shunning or watched the movies, this is a great read for Amish fiction fans. No one writes it better than Beverly Lewis.
I received this book from NetGalley for this review. I was under no obligation to give a positive review. All opinions are on my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Description
This heartwarming prequel to The Shunning is a tender story of love, belonging, and the courage to move forward.
After her widowed father remarries, nineteen-year-old Clara Bender is no longer needed to help run his household. Marriage seems like her best hope of moving out, but there are few young men in her tiny Indiana Amish community. When she comes across letters from her mother's aunt Ella Mae Zook, she sets off to visit Lancaster County's Hickory Hollow to decide where her future lies.
Ella Mae is not quite ready to move from the farmhouse where she and her recently deceased husband spent over fifty happy years, but her children are eager to resettle her, making Clara's visit seem like an answer to prayer. The two women form a warm bond while restoring an heirloom wedding quilt and sharing their lives, with Ella Mae confiding about a tragedy from her courting years. Eventually, Ella Mae suggests Clara stay for the summer, allowing Ella Mae more time with her and giving Clara an opportunity to meet the area's eligible young men. But when the unexpected happens, will Clara find where her heart truly belongs?
Available Editions
EDITION Other Format
ISBN 9780764237560
PRICE $17.99 (USD)
PAGES 336
The story revolves around these two women who are grieving for a loved one. Ella Mae, her husband. Clara Bender, her mother. Ella Mae's family is pressuring her to move out of her house and Ella Mae is not quite ready. Clara has come to visit Ella Mae after her father remarried not long after her mother had passed away. Her father is concerned that she will be visiting a more strict Amish church and he doesn't want Clara to forget that by grace we have been saved, that relationship with Christ is important. Eventually, Clara wants to stay with Ella Mae in Lancaster County, but her father forbids it. Can she trust God and be obedient to her father's wishes, even though her heart is leading her elsewhere?
Together the two women navigate grief and Amish living. Being available to be a blessing to others and serve others while trusting in God to hear their prayers and place them each where they belong.
If you know the characters from The Shunning, this is a great read to learn more about your favorite characters. Even if you haven't read The Shunning or watched the movies, this is a great read for Amish fiction fans. No one writes it better than Beverly Lewis.
I received this book from NetGalley for this review. I was under no obligation to give a positive review. All opinions are on my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Description
This heartwarming prequel to The Shunning is a tender story of love, belonging, and the courage to move forward.
After her widowed father remarries, nineteen-year-old Clara Bender is no longer needed to help run his household. Marriage seems like her best hope of moving out, but there are few young men in her tiny Indiana Amish community. When she comes across letters from her mother's aunt Ella Mae Zook, she sets off to visit Lancaster County's Hickory Hollow to decide where her future lies.
Ella Mae is not quite ready to move from the farmhouse where she and her recently deceased husband spent over fifty happy years, but her children are eager to resettle her, making Clara's visit seem like an answer to prayer. The two women form a warm bond while restoring an heirloom wedding quilt and sharing their lives, with Ella Mae confiding about a tragedy from her courting years. Eventually, Ella Mae suggests Clara stay for the summer, allowing Ella Mae more time with her and giving Clara an opportunity to meet the area's eligible young men. But when the unexpected happens, will Clara find where her heart truly belongs?
Available Editions
EDITION Other Format
ISBN 9780764237560
PRICE $17.99 (USD)
PAGES 336
December 8, 2023
I have never been disappointed with any of Beverly Lewis books and series. This book was good from start to finish.
Clara tries to find where she fits after the death of her Mom and then (within a year ) the remarriage of her Father. The relationship she has with her father is rather strained. She goes to visit her Mom's Aunt Ella's Mae Zook. Finds a real home and love. It wasn't really addressed (no one said it out loud), but I think Clara's Father was a real hindrance to her happiness. Can't believe he would want her to come home and not marry and be childless. Seems more awful that to give her up to a church that is more strict. This is not unlike a person wanting to marry out of their faith. It all works in the end. It did answer questions from The Shunning.
Clara tries to find where she fits after the death of her Mom and then (within a year ) the remarriage of her Father. The relationship she has with her father is rather strained. She goes to visit her Mom's Aunt Ella's Mae Zook. Finds a real home and love. It wasn't really addressed (no one said it out loud), but I think Clara's Father was a real hindrance to her happiness. Can't believe he would want her to come home and not marry and be childless. Seems more awful that to give her up to a church that is more strict. This is not unlike a person wanting to marry out of their faith. It all works in the end. It did answer questions from The Shunning.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 28, 2023
The Heirloom is an amazing book! It’s one of my new favorites by Beverly Lewis.
I didn't realize it until I saw it on the back cover, but it said that this book is a prequel to The Shunning! The Shunning was the first book I ever read by Beverly
Lewis. I loved that aspect.
Ella Mae Zook was a major character in this story. She has appeared in several of Beverly Lewis’s books so it was fun reading The Heirloom and getting more of her story.
Clara was such a great character. She was so kind.
I was enjoying this book so much that I felt a bit sad when it ended.
I didn't realize it until I saw it on the back cover, but it said that this book is a prequel to The Shunning! The Shunning was the first book I ever read by Beverly
Lewis. I loved that aspect.
Ella Mae Zook was a major character in this story. She has appeared in several of Beverly Lewis’s books so it was fun reading The Heirloom and getting more of her story.
Clara was such a great character. She was so kind.
I was enjoying this book so much that I felt a bit sad when it ended.
November 18, 2023
This book was ever so satisfying. I loved how Ella Mae's story was woven in and through Clara's as she provided her trademark comfort and wisdom to her great-niece . . . as always, pointing her to Jesus.
I really liked Clara as well . . . her determination to honour God, the Ordnung, and her family, even when that choice would potentially destroy the longings of her heart. Another thing that brought poignancy to the story for me was the knowledge that Clara and I were approximately the same age. It was set in the summer and autumn of 1994, when Clara was 19, and I was just turning 19. Thinking about what I was like during that time of my own life made it very easy to relate to what Clara was experiencing, though, obviously, our growing up experiences were vastly different.
All in all, this is a perfect prequel to 'The Shunning', with the glimpses of Katie Lapp, and Daniel Fisher, and a beautiful tribute to the Wise Woman of Hickory Hollow, Ella Mae Zook.
4.5 stars
I really liked Clara as well . . . her determination to honour God, the Ordnung, and her family, even when that choice would potentially destroy the longings of her heart. Another thing that brought poignancy to the story for me was the knowledge that Clara and I were approximately the same age. It was set in the summer and autumn of 1994, when Clara was 19, and I was just turning 19. Thinking about what I was like during that time of my own life made it very easy to relate to what Clara was experiencing, though, obviously, our growing up experiences were vastly different.
All in all, this is a perfect prequel to 'The Shunning', with the glimpses of Katie Lapp, and Daniel Fisher, and a beautiful tribute to the Wise Woman of Hickory Hollow, Ella Mae Zook.
4.5 stars
February 6, 2024
I think I like her books with some mystery to them the best. This one had a tiny bit of mystery concerning Ella Mae Zook's teen years, but was still just a bit too gentle and slow-paced for my tastes. I did love the relationship that she shared with her great niece, Clara, and the gentle wisdom and unabashed faith in God she lived out.
November 29, 2023
A book that shows how your commitment to God can work your life into something better than you expect when you are willing to listen to his whispered guidance.
March 21, 2024
This was a very sweet book. It was a very nice prequel to this wonderful series.
September 16, 2024
Hm. Really conflicted about this one. This was written like 25 years after the original trilogy, and I'm assuming that given the recent resurgance of the popularity of Amish fiction, Beverly was motivated to come back to this series with a prequel-- I was wondering if this would have the same feel. Right off the back, the first thing you notice is that there are a LOT more chapters than in the main series, double the amount, in fact. This one also really centers on the women and the relationships between women, particularly the interplay between Ella Mae Zook, the wise-woman, and her great-neice, Clara. They bond because Clara is going through a rough breakup and Ella Mae is trying to cope with the grief of losing her husband and having to move out of her house and in with her adult children. The reader spends the whole book dealing with the tension and the unspoken implication that as they bond, Clara will decide to move in with Ella Mae as her companion, and that... doesn't end up happening.
I'll just come out with my main beef with this book's plot: the ending. Even though you know what you're getting when it comes to Amish fiction, (extremely conservative ideology and heavy religious tones) there was still something charming about this book that made it hard to hate. The writing itself was really vivid and descriptive, but THE ENDING, oh my gosh. The book ends with Clara transferring her church membership to Hickory Hollow, an ultra-fundamentalist sect of the Amish church. She's already Amish, and baptized, mind you, but now she has to prove herself AGAIN so that she can enter this other parish within the same religious sect. It's like Hickory Hollow was splintering off and creating their own specific religious sect. So weird. I can't help but feel the moral of this story was that young women should leave their progressive home-towns and loving supportive families to move to ultra-conservative religious enclaves that directly reduce the amount of rights that women have within the society, all in order to get married-- that young women are the ones who should sacrifice their rights, material well-being, and support systems, for the sake of the man in the relationship. I kept thinking the conflict at the end of the book was going to lead to Clara's boyfriend going 'You don't have to leave your town for me! I'll move here for YOU, sweetheart!'... except he didn't. He was loyal, but it was in a 'I'm not leaving without you until your dad consents to let you come back to Hickory Hollow with me, I'll wait as long as it takes!'... The book ends with her getting accepted into his ultra-restrictive church and moving to his community.. which is NOT a happy ending, by the way, because we know what goes on to happen in the main series! The ultra-conservative, ultra-orthodox, fundamentalist leader of this parish shuns Katie for mourning her dead boyfriend and for running out of her wedding to the PARISH LEADER. Literally shuns and psychologically tortures a young girl for not submitting to this relationship with a huge power differential, ie., a 20 year old girl and the 40 yo RELIGIOUS LEADER OF HER COMMUNITY. Clara moving to this parish is not a happy ending! Anyway, this ending left me cold and uncomfortable. Ideally, Aaron would have moved to First Light, not the other way around.
This book directly confronted the issue of incest within Amish communities, but not in the way you'd expect, i.e., the sex abuse of women and girls that happens within Amish families. In small hyper-religious enclaves that aren't allowed to consort with outsiders, you end up with the problem where eventually, everyone in the community is related. (Ever heard of Mormon face? Yeah.) Young people who want to date will end up finding out that they're actually cousins, and need to go outside of the community to find fresh blood. Clara's break-up is because of an incident like this, and she's so humiliated that she can't bring herself to tell anyone, but eventually opens up to her great-aunt Ella Mae. She's hoping to meet a nice young man in Hickory Hollow, and wow, that was easy! A guy asks her out for a ride at her very first social event. I really thought she was going to end up with Tom, but then she ends up dropping him after the buggy accident and getting with Aaron instead-- which I didn't expect. Tom was way more interesting of a character. I like that Aaron was a writer, and was very tender with Clara, but he seemed flat compared to Tom's bombast. And while Aaron was loyal, it still didn't make any sense that he didn't volunteer to move to HER community. What's that bible verse about a man leaving his father and mother and cleaving to his wife? Why was Clara the one to leave and make all the sacrifices?
Also, you know what makes me laugh? How often tragic buggy accidents happen in Amish-fiction books-- and they usually don't involve cars! But hey, Beverly must have gotten inspired by the past two decades of buggy accidents in Amish-themed books, because the buggy vs. train accident was a big part of Ella Mae's backstory and apparently the 'missing reason' for why Hickory Hollow's parish got so strict. So after the buggy accident, the religious leadership are like 'What caused this! It must be the corrupting influence of the outside world! It can't be that our men and boys are reckless and undisciplined all on their own! It can't be a failing of our male disciples, it must be the outside world! Let's solve this by making the GIRLS wear longer dresses and take away their music and other privileges! That will make the boys less likely to act out!' Even Ella Mae, in the text, is aware that this is ridiculous. It's like shock doctrine, in a way. While everyone is reeling from this buggy tragedy, the conservative religious patriarchs take their chance to do what they wanted to do anyway: Impose even harsher restrictions on the young girls living in their communities.
Another big cricitism: You have to be careful when writing a prequel, because they can create problems that change the main story and make the main story's plot-line dumb. So wait, follow me here. Clara is from another Amish parish that allows music and instruments. Katie is aware that most Amish communities allow instruments in this prequel. So why did the Katie in the main series, just a few years later, suddenly forget that these other communities exist? Why did she need to run away from the Amish church at all and stay with Mennonite family members in the first place then? Why did she have to break Amish? This prequel literally destroys the foundation of the main-line books. It also ruins the touching moment between Ella Mae comforting Katie in the main series-- because in the prequel it's revealed that Ella Mae went through being shunned as a teenager, but in the main series, SHE DOESN'T TELL KATIE ABOUT THIS. Even though it would be a great opportunity to relate to her and comfort her about their mutual experience.
And again, Beverly is really heavy-handed with her own religious beliefs in these books. The narrative keeps insisting that the main character has more of an understanding of TRUE christianity than the other Amish do, and keeps suggesting that the Amish don't... read the bible? All the other amish characters are surprised and alarmed at Ella Mae praying out loud (Like evangelical protestant Beverly Lewis does) and are alarmed to find out that Clara studies bible verses and has them memorized. It's also mentioned that bible studies are forbidden-- which is a weird thing to suggest about a strict religious sect known for being extremely pious. But Bev was crazy enough to suggest that the Amish don't know Jesus in the main series. Weird.
These books betray a fundamental misunderstanding of the Amish and their way of life/religious beliefs-- and this is perfectly encapsulated in the ending, when the new wife/stepmother of Clara openly defies and un-mans her husband by disobeying him in front of other people, which was unrealistic and jarring. Especially since, objectively, Clara's dad is actually RIGHT not to want Clara to move to Hickory Hollow. He tried to stop her from getting trapped in this hyper-patriarchal ultra-conservative enclave. Love shouldn't cloud your vision to the point you get yourself trapped in a situation like that.
But you know, even though the content had a really bad message, I was so charmed by the scenery and the love portrayed between Ella Mae and Clara that I have to give it four stars. It really captured the Amish lifestyle, the food, the kindship, and the rot at the heart of the religious values they practice.
I wonder if this will ever by adapted for TV by hallmark, the Train vs Buggy scene would be exciting for sure!
I'll just come out with my main beef with this book's plot: the ending. Even though you know what you're getting when it comes to Amish fiction, (extremely conservative ideology and heavy religious tones) there was still something charming about this book that made it hard to hate. The writing itself was really vivid and descriptive, but THE ENDING, oh my gosh. The book ends with Clara transferring her church membership to Hickory Hollow, an ultra-fundamentalist sect of the Amish church. She's already Amish, and baptized, mind you, but now she has to prove herself AGAIN so that she can enter this other parish within the same religious sect. It's like Hickory Hollow was splintering off and creating their own specific religious sect. So weird. I can't help but feel the moral of this story was that young women should leave their progressive home-towns and loving supportive families to move to ultra-conservative religious enclaves that directly reduce the amount of rights that women have within the society, all in order to get married-- that young women are the ones who should sacrifice their rights, material well-being, and support systems, for the sake of the man in the relationship. I kept thinking the conflict at the end of the book was going to lead to Clara's boyfriend going 'You don't have to leave your town for me! I'll move here for YOU, sweetheart!'... except he didn't. He was loyal, but it was in a 'I'm not leaving without you until your dad consents to let you come back to Hickory Hollow with me, I'll wait as long as it takes!'... The book ends with her getting accepted into his ultra-restrictive church and moving to his community.. which is NOT a happy ending, by the way, because we know what goes on to happen in the main series! The ultra-conservative, ultra-orthodox, fundamentalist leader of this parish shuns Katie for mourning her dead boyfriend and for running out of her wedding to the PARISH LEADER. Literally shuns and psychologically tortures a young girl for not submitting to this relationship with a huge power differential, ie., a 20 year old girl and the 40 yo RELIGIOUS LEADER OF HER COMMUNITY. Clara moving to this parish is not a happy ending! Anyway, this ending left me cold and uncomfortable. Ideally, Aaron would have moved to First Light, not the other way around.
This book directly confronted the issue of incest within Amish communities, but not in the way you'd expect, i.e., the sex abuse of women and girls that happens within Amish families. In small hyper-religious enclaves that aren't allowed to consort with outsiders, you end up with the problem where eventually, everyone in the community is related. (Ever heard of Mormon face? Yeah.) Young people who want to date will end up finding out that they're actually cousins, and need to go outside of the community to find fresh blood. Clara's break-up is because of an incident like this, and she's so humiliated that she can't bring herself to tell anyone, but eventually opens up to her great-aunt Ella Mae. She's hoping to meet a nice young man in Hickory Hollow, and wow, that was easy! A guy asks her out for a ride at her very first social event. I really thought she was going to end up with Tom, but then she ends up dropping him after the buggy accident and getting with Aaron instead-- which I didn't expect. Tom was way more interesting of a character. I like that Aaron was a writer, and was very tender with Clara, but he seemed flat compared to Tom's bombast. And while Aaron was loyal, it still didn't make any sense that he didn't volunteer to move to HER community. What's that bible verse about a man leaving his father and mother and cleaving to his wife? Why was Clara the one to leave and make all the sacrifices?
Also, you know what makes me laugh? How often tragic buggy accidents happen in Amish-fiction books-- and they usually don't involve cars! But hey, Beverly must have gotten inspired by the past two decades of buggy accidents in Amish-themed books, because the buggy vs. train accident was a big part of Ella Mae's backstory and apparently the 'missing reason' for why Hickory Hollow's parish got so strict. So after the buggy accident, the religious leadership are like 'What caused this! It must be the corrupting influence of the outside world! It can't be that our men and boys are reckless and undisciplined all on their own! It can't be a failing of our male disciples, it must be the outside world! Let's solve this by making the GIRLS wear longer dresses and take away their music and other privileges! That will make the boys less likely to act out!' Even Ella Mae, in the text, is aware that this is ridiculous. It's like shock doctrine, in a way. While everyone is reeling from this buggy tragedy, the conservative religious patriarchs take their chance to do what they wanted to do anyway: Impose even harsher restrictions on the young girls living in their communities.
Another big cricitism: You have to be careful when writing a prequel, because they can create problems that change the main story and make the main story's plot-line dumb. So wait, follow me here. Clara is from another Amish parish that allows music and instruments. Katie is aware that most Amish communities allow instruments in this prequel. So why did the Katie in the main series, just a few years later, suddenly forget that these other communities exist? Why did she need to run away from the Amish church at all and stay with Mennonite family members in the first place then? Why did she have to break Amish? This prequel literally destroys the foundation of the main-line books. It also ruins the touching moment between Ella Mae comforting Katie in the main series-- because in the prequel it's revealed that Ella Mae went through being shunned as a teenager, but in the main series, SHE DOESN'T TELL KATIE ABOUT THIS. Even though it would be a great opportunity to relate to her and comfort her about their mutual experience.
And again, Beverly is really heavy-handed with her own religious beliefs in these books. The narrative keeps insisting that the main character has more of an understanding of TRUE christianity than the other Amish do, and keeps suggesting that the Amish don't... read the bible? All the other amish characters are surprised and alarmed at Ella Mae praying out loud (Like evangelical protestant Beverly Lewis does) and are alarmed to find out that Clara studies bible verses and has them memorized. It's also mentioned that bible studies are forbidden-- which is a weird thing to suggest about a strict religious sect known for being extremely pious. But Bev was crazy enough to suggest that the Amish don't know Jesus in the main series. Weird.
These books betray a fundamental misunderstanding of the Amish and their way of life/religious beliefs-- and this is perfectly encapsulated in the ending, when the new wife/stepmother of Clara openly defies and un-mans her husband by disobeying him in front of other people, which was unrealistic and jarring. Especially since, objectively, Clara's dad is actually RIGHT not to want Clara to move to Hickory Hollow. He tried to stop her from getting trapped in this hyper-patriarchal ultra-conservative enclave. Love shouldn't cloud your vision to the point you get yourself trapped in a situation like that.
But you know, even though the content had a really bad message, I was so charmed by the scenery and the love portrayed between Ella Mae and Clara that I have to give it four stars. It really captured the Amish lifestyle, the food, the kindship, and the rot at the heart of the religious values they practice.
I wonder if this will ever by adapted for TV by hallmark, the Train vs Buggy scene would be exciting for sure!
October 3, 2024
This book had NO RIGHT to be as good as it was!!! I honestly got it as an inside joke with my friends and then got SO invested. The carriage crash??? NO!
I’m so happy I jokingly joined this world. I already passed along the book to my sister and have the next one reserved at the library.
I’m so happy I jokingly joined this world. I already passed along the book to my sister and have the next one reserved at the library.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 18, 2023
The Heirloom by Beverly Lewis
Summary:
This heartwarming prequel to The Shunning is a tender story of love, belonging, and the courage to move forward.
After her widowed father remarries, nineteen-year-old Clara Bender is no longer needed to help run his household. Marriage seems like her best hope of moving out, but there are few young men in her tiny Indiana Amish community. When she comes across letters from her mother's aunt Ella Mae Zook, she sets off to visit Lancaster County's Hickory Hollow to decide where her future lies.
Ella Mae is not quite ready to move from the farmhouse where she and her recently deceased husband spent over fifty happy years, but her children are eager to resettle her, making Clara's visit seem like an answer to prayer. The two women form a warm bond while restoring an heirloom wedding quilt and sharing their lives, with Ella Mae confiding about a tragedy from her courting years. Eventually, Ella Mae suggests Clara stay for the summer, allowing Ella Mae more time with her and giving Clara an opportunity to meet the area's eligible young men. But when the unexpected happens, will Clara find where her heart truly belongs?
Review: 5-Star
First, I want to say I didn’t not read the summary before requesting to review this book. Miss Beverly is one of those Authors I’ve never seen a bad book come from so I requested it solely off her name. This book is one of those books you start reading and can’t put down until you finish it. And I mean once I started it, I couldn’t put it down and read it from front cover to the end all in one sitting and yes, the sun was raising when I was just finishing up the book and went and got a few hours of sleep. As always with Miss Beverrly’s books the story line grabs you and you are sucked into the Amish world. The Characters feel so real they could be your next-door neighbor, or the person who lives down the street. The flow of the story line is flawless. The way you can feel each emotion and picture the scenes in your head makes it like watching a movie or tv show. As I said before I didn’t read the summary so I didn’t know this was a prequal, but part way through the book you can tell that it is and it just warms your heart even more.
Thank you, Miss Beverly, for always taking us a on journey worth our time and money.
I received this book for free for my Honest Review from NetGalley
Summary:
This heartwarming prequel to The Shunning is a tender story of love, belonging, and the courage to move forward.
After her widowed father remarries, nineteen-year-old Clara Bender is no longer needed to help run his household. Marriage seems like her best hope of moving out, but there are few young men in her tiny Indiana Amish community. When she comes across letters from her mother's aunt Ella Mae Zook, she sets off to visit Lancaster County's Hickory Hollow to decide where her future lies.
Ella Mae is not quite ready to move from the farmhouse where she and her recently deceased husband spent over fifty happy years, but her children are eager to resettle her, making Clara's visit seem like an answer to prayer. The two women form a warm bond while restoring an heirloom wedding quilt and sharing their lives, with Ella Mae confiding about a tragedy from her courting years. Eventually, Ella Mae suggests Clara stay for the summer, allowing Ella Mae more time with her and giving Clara an opportunity to meet the area's eligible young men. But when the unexpected happens, will Clara find where her heart truly belongs?
Review: 5-Star
First, I want to say I didn’t not read the summary before requesting to review this book. Miss Beverly is one of those Authors I’ve never seen a bad book come from so I requested it solely off her name. This book is one of those books you start reading and can’t put down until you finish it. And I mean once I started it, I couldn’t put it down and read it from front cover to the end all in one sitting and yes, the sun was raising when I was just finishing up the book and went and got a few hours of sleep. As always with Miss Beverrly’s books the story line grabs you and you are sucked into the Amish world. The Characters feel so real they could be your next-door neighbor, or the person who lives down the street. The flow of the story line is flawless. The way you can feel each emotion and picture the scenes in your head makes it like watching a movie or tv show. As I said before I didn’t read the summary so I didn’t know this was a prequal, but part way through the book you can tell that it is and it just warms your heart even more.
Thank you, Miss Beverly, for always taking us a on journey worth our time and money.
I received this book for free for my Honest Review from NetGalley
August 9, 2023
When I was a teenager, my mom sent me to her bookshelf and told me to start reading the many Janette Oke books that were prettily lined up side-by-side. (It was probably summer vacation, and I was probably driving her insane, lol.) I fell absolutely in love with those books, and with reading. I feel like I have been on a search ever since, to find books that impacted me in the same way. Not being especially familiar with Beverly Lewis personally (though I had heard of her), I was so excited to dive into this book.
Y'all. I finally found the Lost City (*ahem* Book *ahem*) of Atlantis.
The book follows the story of Clara, who not only recently lost her mother, but her husband too. Feeling a little lost and overwhelmed, she decides to visit her great aunt Ella Mae. The relationship that blooms between these two, and the way that the author weaves their stories with our amazing Father in Heaven...there are no words. I walked away from this book with a deeper understanding of our Lord and all the warm fuzzies that I have missed all these years. This book is like a warm snickerdoodle. A definite recommend!
Y'all. I finally found the Lost City (*ahem* Book *ahem*) of Atlantis.
The book follows the story of Clara, who not only recently lost her mother, but her husband too. Feeling a little lost and overwhelmed, she decides to visit her great aunt Ella Mae. The relationship that blooms between these two, and the way that the author weaves their stories with our amazing Father in Heaven...there are no words. I walked away from this book with a deeper understanding of our Lord and all the warm fuzzies that I have missed all these years. This book is like a warm snickerdoodle. A definite recommend!
August 5, 2024
This heartwarming prequel to The Shunning which I read back in 2014. It's been a while and I don't remember many details of the series but this prequel was really good. I do love a good Beverly Lewis Lancaster County Amish fiction. Lovely characters that you love to root for. A wonderful story of redemption and love and finding your life, even if others are not sure you are doing what is best.
Using this book for the The 52 Book Club 2023 Challenge prompt #52 - Published in 2023
Using this book for the The 52 Book Club 2023 Challenge prompt #52 - Published in 2023
December 6, 2023
I've been a passionate fan of Beverly Lewis's books for 15 years and have read all of her previous books and series. The Heirloom is my favorite. This is a fantastically written story that whisks readers back to Lancaster County where we meet new characters and reconnect with old favorites. I especially loved the peek we got into Ella Mae's past. This is a captivating story that is brilliantly paced. Bravo, five stars are simply not enough for this book!
October 13, 2023
Loved the characters and how well everything flowed together.
" pray more and worry less"
Another excellent read.
I enjoyed reading this story
" pray more and worry less"
Another excellent read.
I enjoyed reading this story
November 16, 2023
Loved This Book, Enjoyable Characters, and Interesting Relationships
I enjoy Amish fiction but had never read any novels by Beverly Lewis. After reading the description of the The Heirloom, I wanted to read her newest book. I am so glad I did!
The Heirloom tells the story of Clara Bender and her great aunt Ella Mae Zook. Clara’s world has changed since her mother’s death a year ago. In the months after her mother’s passing, Clara had grown closer to her father. But since he remarried a couple of months ago, things had changed and home didn’t feel the same. At nineteen years old, Clara knew that one day she would leave home. The prospects for a good match in her community were not promising because eligible men about her age were not available.
While clearing out her mother’s desk, Clara found letters her mom had exchanged with aunt Ella Mae. It seemed they had a very close relationship and a deep connection. That got Clara to thinking, perhaps she could go visit her great aunt in Pennsylvania for a couple of weeks. Get to know her and connect over their shared love for Clara’s mom. Her dad is reluctant to let Clara go but relents with the understand that she will be back in a couple of weeks. His concern is that the Amish community in Hickory Creek is much stricter than the one in First Light, Indiana. That was one of the reasons they had moved.
I absolutely loved reading The Heirloom. I enjoyed the main characters Clara and Ella Mae and the people surrounding them. I found the storyline compelling and moving. Clara’s grief was relatable and Ella Mae was such a kind and caring person to all who were around her. Both characters were thoughtful, hardworking, and other centered.
What I appreciated the most about this book is the aspect of their Christian faith. It was part of their everyday life and impacted how they lived. I have read other Amish fiction and have often thought it seemed like faith based on works, instead of faith that bears the fruit of repentance and good works. That part of the Amish faith was explored in this book. Not in a heavy-handed manner, but in thoughtful way. I appreciated that the Gospel of Christ was clearly shared. It was enjoyable to see young people building relationships that were pure.
The Heirloom by Beverly Lewis was so enjoyable. The characters and relationships were well developed. This novel had a richness you don’t often find in books. Not everything was sunshine and flowers, there were some difficult subjects addressed. I was very moved by Clara and Ella Mae’s story, and found myself grieved and wondering how the story would turn out. I trusted the author no matter if it had a good ending or a sad ending, she handled the story and characters well.
I highly recommend The Heirloom by Beverly Lewis. It was enjoyable, rich, and thought provoking. So glad that I found this author whose work is new to me and look forward to reading more of her books.
I would like to thank Bethany House Publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to read complimentary copy of The Heirloom by Beverly Lewis. I was under no obligation to give a favorable review.
I enjoy Amish fiction but had never read any novels by Beverly Lewis. After reading the description of the The Heirloom, I wanted to read her newest book. I am so glad I did!
The Heirloom tells the story of Clara Bender and her great aunt Ella Mae Zook. Clara’s world has changed since her mother’s death a year ago. In the months after her mother’s passing, Clara had grown closer to her father. But since he remarried a couple of months ago, things had changed and home didn’t feel the same. At nineteen years old, Clara knew that one day she would leave home. The prospects for a good match in her community were not promising because eligible men about her age were not available.
While clearing out her mother’s desk, Clara found letters her mom had exchanged with aunt Ella Mae. It seemed they had a very close relationship and a deep connection. That got Clara to thinking, perhaps she could go visit her great aunt in Pennsylvania for a couple of weeks. Get to know her and connect over their shared love for Clara’s mom. Her dad is reluctant to let Clara go but relents with the understand that she will be back in a couple of weeks. His concern is that the Amish community in Hickory Creek is much stricter than the one in First Light, Indiana. That was one of the reasons they had moved.
I absolutely loved reading The Heirloom. I enjoyed the main characters Clara and Ella Mae and the people surrounding them. I found the storyline compelling and moving. Clara’s grief was relatable and Ella Mae was such a kind and caring person to all who were around her. Both characters were thoughtful, hardworking, and other centered.
What I appreciated the most about this book is the aspect of their Christian faith. It was part of their everyday life and impacted how they lived. I have read other Amish fiction and have often thought it seemed like faith based on works, instead of faith that bears the fruit of repentance and good works. That part of the Amish faith was explored in this book. Not in a heavy-handed manner, but in thoughtful way. I appreciated that the Gospel of Christ was clearly shared. It was enjoyable to see young people building relationships that were pure.
The Heirloom by Beverly Lewis was so enjoyable. The characters and relationships were well developed. This novel had a richness you don’t often find in books. Not everything was sunshine and flowers, there were some difficult subjects addressed. I was very moved by Clara and Ella Mae’s story, and found myself grieved and wondering how the story would turn out. I trusted the author no matter if it had a good ending or a sad ending, she handled the story and characters well.
I highly recommend The Heirloom by Beverly Lewis. It was enjoyable, rich, and thought provoking. So glad that I found this author whose work is new to me and look forward to reading more of her books.
I would like to thank Bethany House Publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to read complimentary copy of The Heirloom by Beverly Lewis. I was under no obligation to give a favorable review.
September 7, 2023
I have read this author's books since she started writing them. She is the one who started me reading Amish fiction. What I like about her books is how realistic they are. I love her writing style. The situations portrayed are realistic and believable. And I can always learn something about the Amish culture from her books. They are always very well researched.
Having read her book The Shunning and the rest of that series when it was first published many years ago, I was thrilled to see a prequel to this series in The Heirloom.
Clara Bender lives in Hickory Hollow, Indiana, and her widowed father is newly remarried. I didn't like her new stepmother when we first met in the book. Her character is portrayed as unlikeable, as many stepmothers are portrayed. She doesn't make much of an effort to get along with Clara or empathize with her.
Missing her mother, Clara reads some letters that were bundled away and sent from her aunt to her mother over the years. The two had a close and loving relationship. Clara contacts her aunt about a visit, as she wants to get to know her and hear more about her mother in her younger years.
I loved it when letter writing was popular and used to write and receive letters from my grandmother. The pretty stationery was always a treat to see. Clara's father isn't crazy about her going to visit her aunt because it's a different church district and the rules are different in that district. He relents when she makes plans to stay for a short amount of time.
Once arriving, I enjoyed getting to know the aunt, and we see a bit of a timeslip as we are taken back in time to her aunt's youth and get to meet some of the youngsters her aunt knew. Just like with today's youth, there were the reliable and steadfast youth and the braggarts and show-offs. We see from this why the bishop back then made the rules so strict after some mishaps, and this explains why Clara's aunt is the way she is and also why she doesn't speak of this time period with anyone.
I enjoyed reading about fixing the heirloom quilt and its repair process.
After acclimating herself to her new homestead in the Lancaster area, she and her aunt would like her to stay longer. Also, the new beau she has wants to grow closer to her. He is a strong man of faith. I enjoyed seeing how Clara and her aunt drew closer in their relationship with each other and with God. Clara goes through some uncertainty when she decides she wants to make this her permanent home, and her father can't agree to her staying in Lancaster for many reasons. Because of her upbringing, she will not disobey her father. But God always has our best interests and will bring us through our trials and tribulations.
This is an excellent book. This author, with her steadfast faith, never fails to write an inspirational book.
I was given a complimentary copy from Bethany House Publishers through Interviews & Reviews. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Having read her book The Shunning and the rest of that series when it was first published many years ago, I was thrilled to see a prequel to this series in The Heirloom.
Clara Bender lives in Hickory Hollow, Indiana, and her widowed father is newly remarried. I didn't like her new stepmother when we first met in the book. Her character is portrayed as unlikeable, as many stepmothers are portrayed. She doesn't make much of an effort to get along with Clara or empathize with her.
Missing her mother, Clara reads some letters that were bundled away and sent from her aunt to her mother over the years. The two had a close and loving relationship. Clara contacts her aunt about a visit, as she wants to get to know her and hear more about her mother in her younger years.
I loved it when letter writing was popular and used to write and receive letters from my grandmother. The pretty stationery was always a treat to see. Clara's father isn't crazy about her going to visit her aunt because it's a different church district and the rules are different in that district. He relents when she makes plans to stay for a short amount of time.
Once arriving, I enjoyed getting to know the aunt, and we see a bit of a timeslip as we are taken back in time to her aunt's youth and get to meet some of the youngsters her aunt knew. Just like with today's youth, there were the reliable and steadfast youth and the braggarts and show-offs. We see from this why the bishop back then made the rules so strict after some mishaps, and this explains why Clara's aunt is the way she is and also why she doesn't speak of this time period with anyone.
I enjoyed reading about fixing the heirloom quilt and its repair process.
After acclimating herself to her new homestead in the Lancaster area, she and her aunt would like her to stay longer. Also, the new beau she has wants to grow closer to her. He is a strong man of faith. I enjoyed seeing how Clara and her aunt drew closer in their relationship with each other and with God. Clara goes through some uncertainty when she decides she wants to make this her permanent home, and her father can't agree to her staying in Lancaster for many reasons. Because of her upbringing, she will not disobey her father. But God always has our best interests and will bring us through our trials and tribulations.
This is an excellent book. This author, with her steadfast faith, never fails to write an inspirational book.
I was given a complimentary copy from Bethany House Publishers through Interviews & Reviews. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
September 4, 2023
Clara Bender is saddened after her mother's death. After a short time, Clara's father remarried. Clara does not feel wanted in the home anymore. Her new stepmother is very distant in dealing with her. Clara remembers her mother mentioning the close relationship that she had with Clara's great-aunt. She longs to be loved again. Clara decides to write to her aunt, Ella Mae Zook.
To her amazement, Ella Mae writes back and invites her to her home for a visit. Ella Mae has been very disturbed with her son and his wife. They want Ella Mae to move out of this house. Ella Mae has so many memories that she shared with her departed husband. Ella cannot let these memories go.
Being a very respectful girl, Clara asks her father if she could go and visit Ella Mae. Her father has difficulty letting Clara go, but eventually gives his permission. Oh, the warm welcome Clara received! Clara feels the closeness that her mother shared with Ella Mae. They develop a very close bond.
Clara acclimates to her new surroundings and meets a handsome Amish boy. He asks to take her home. On the way home, this young man shows Clara how fast he can drive his buggy. Clara does not like to go this fast. He wants to see her again, but Clara tells him she does not want to be in a racing buggy. A dear friend is hurt, and Clara's relationship with this young man falls apart.
Time goes by very quickly. Clara fell in love with her new surroundings and with Ella Mae. She wrote to her father that she wanted to extend her time with her great-aunt. Her father hears about bad news in Clara's new area and wants her back home. The father is also concerned about Clara's new church - their rules are very different than what she grew up to hear.
I love Beverly Lewis' books. She writes such good literature. She understands the hearts of the Amish people very well. She also brings out the Gospel message very clearly in her books.
I highly recommend this book. I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Revell through Interviews & Reviews for my honest opinion.
To her amazement, Ella Mae writes back and invites her to her home for a visit. Ella Mae has been very disturbed with her son and his wife. They want Ella Mae to move out of this house. Ella Mae has so many memories that she shared with her departed husband. Ella cannot let these memories go.
Being a very respectful girl, Clara asks her father if she could go and visit Ella Mae. Her father has difficulty letting Clara go, but eventually gives his permission. Oh, the warm welcome Clara received! Clara feels the closeness that her mother shared with Ella Mae. They develop a very close bond.
Clara acclimates to her new surroundings and meets a handsome Amish boy. He asks to take her home. On the way home, this young man shows Clara how fast he can drive his buggy. Clara does not like to go this fast. He wants to see her again, but Clara tells him she does not want to be in a racing buggy. A dear friend is hurt, and Clara's relationship with this young man falls apart.
Time goes by very quickly. Clara fell in love with her new surroundings and with Ella Mae. She wrote to her father that she wanted to extend her time with her great-aunt. Her father hears about bad news in Clara's new area and wants her back home. The father is also concerned about Clara's new church - their rules are very different than what she grew up to hear.
I love Beverly Lewis' books. She writes such good literature. She understands the hearts of the Amish people very well. She also brings out the Gospel message very clearly in her books.
I highly recommend this book. I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Revell through Interviews & Reviews for my honest opinion.
September 7, 2023
The Heirloom by Beverly Lewis is a special story that is a prequel to The Shunning. I thought the story was well-written and it had a good flow. The characters were developed and relatable. Katie Lapp is in the story, but The Heirloom focuses on Clara Bender and Ella Mae Zook. I liked both characters. Clara and Ella Mae may be decades apart in age, but they got along so well. The pair have a special relationship. I like how a family quilt that needed to be repaired played into the story. Ella Mae and Clara are quilters (another thing they have in common) and can repair quilts that need some love. I enjoyed the description of this family quilt. We get to see how the rules can differ from one Amish church district to the next. The differences can include the style of dress, the type of caps, gizmos allowed in courting buggies, scooters versus bicycles, and so on. Unfortunately, sometimes a bishop can be too strict which causes people to move. I can understand why Clara’s father is worried about Clara finding a beau and possibly settling down in such a strict district. I could understand Clara’s grief over the loss of her mother. She is having a hard time seeing someone come in and take her mother’s place in the house. It is hard losing a parent and you will continue to miss them every day. Ella Mae is dealing with the loss of her husband and her children are pushing her into doing something she is not ready to do. Ella Mae is a special woman who offered wise words, encouragement, and support. One of my favorite phrases from The Heirloom is, “God cares ’bout even the little things, she always said. Big or little, if they matter to you, dearie, they matter to Him.” The Heirloom has a sweet ending, but there is a detail or two that I wish had been different. This is a special Amish tale that deals with family, friendship, forgiveness, hope, grief, love, and faith. The Heirloom is a touching Amish tale with distressed daughter, loving letters, a family friend, a bouncing buggy, youth group gatherings, a bothered bishop, and a devoted God.
August 22, 2023
This is the prequel to The Shunning.
I was very excited to see this book and I just had to have it!
I absolutely adored this book, too! So good! I couldn't put this book down!
I finished it a day!
I enjoy Lewis' books and this one is no exception.
Lots of inspirational messages that I loved as well.
Clara was an interesting character.
In a way, I felt sorry for her and I felt that she was the innocent one.
She needed this journey to find out who and where she really belongs.
I decided to throw this in because I can relate to this quote as I'm sure most of us can.
We never get over missing our loved ones. Mamas are special. Mine was. I still miss her to this day.
“You’ll always miss her, dearie. It’s natural when ya love someone so much. We never get over such great losses, but we eventually get through them with the Lord’s help.”
Ella Mae was an equally interesting woman. I loved her wise words of wisdom, support and encouragement
I especially loved how Ella Mae stood her ground on certain things.
This is Ella Mae's and Clara's story of learning how to learn and live again without their loved ones in their lives.
Lewis has written a beautiful story about family and friendship along with redemption, forgiveness and hope.
I didn't want this story to end. I hated to say goodbye to my new friends and old ones too.
You might want to keep a box of tissues nearby too.
I am looking forward to her next story.
5 stars for a well written book. I highly recommend!
Such a gorgeous cover too! I love book covers!
My thanks for a copy of this book
I was NOT required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.
I was very excited to see this book and I just had to have it!
I absolutely adored this book, too! So good! I couldn't put this book down!
I finished it a day!
I enjoy Lewis' books and this one is no exception.
Lots of inspirational messages that I loved as well.
Clara was an interesting character.
In a way, I felt sorry for her and I felt that she was the innocent one.
She needed this journey to find out who and where she really belongs.
I decided to throw this in because I can relate to this quote as I'm sure most of us can.
We never get over missing our loved ones. Mamas are special. Mine was. I still miss her to this day.
“You’ll always miss her, dearie. It’s natural when ya love someone so much. We never get over such great losses, but we eventually get through them with the Lord’s help.”
Ella Mae was an equally interesting woman. I loved her wise words of wisdom, support and encouragement
I especially loved how Ella Mae stood her ground on certain things.
This is Ella Mae's and Clara's story of learning how to learn and live again without their loved ones in their lives.
Lewis has written a beautiful story about family and friendship along with redemption, forgiveness and hope.
I didn't want this story to end. I hated to say goodbye to my new friends and old ones too.
You might want to keep a box of tissues nearby too.
I am looking forward to her next story.
5 stars for a well written book. I highly recommend!
Such a gorgeous cover too! I love book covers!
My thanks for a copy of this book
I was NOT required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.
October 28, 2023
This book is part of “The Shunning” series, and if you’re familiar with Beverly Lewis you will know which series that is. It was my introduction to Beverly Lewis and to Amish fiction. This book does not need to be read first. I had read the other three in the series many years ago, and enjoyed this one, probably more than I would have, had I read it before the rest of the series.
This book follows Clara Bender who feels like she’s not needed at home, after her father remarries. There are very few young men in her tiny community in Indiana, so marriage seems to be out of the question. She comes across some letters from her mother’s aunt Ella Mae Zook and decides to go visit her in Lancaster County.
Ella Mae Zook is not ready to move out of her farmhouse where she and her recently deceased husband spent fifty years together, but her children are eager to resettle her. When Clara shows up, she seems to be an answer to prayer, and Ella Mae can keep her house for longer.
Clara and Ella Mae share a bond while restoring an heirloom wedding quilt and sharing their lives. Ella Mae suggests Clara stay for the entire summer, allowing her to meet the eligible young men in the community.
*****
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Ella Mae Zook has always been sort of a mystery whenever she’s appeared in other Beverly Lewis books, but she was also a very dear character to me. I would love to sit at her feet and hear all about her life. Characters from The Shunning, The Confession, and The Reckoning appeared in here, but weren’t the focus of the story. Beverly Lewis’ books are a relaxing, settle-down-under-a-blanket books for me, and this one was as well.
October 9, 2023
First off, you don’t need to have read The Shunning or subsequent books set in Hickory Hollow in order to enjoy this ‘prequel.’ If you are a Beverly Lewis fan, however, Ella Mae Zook has already captured your heart and you will be thrilled to delve into her story pre ‘The Shunning’ era.
Life experiences have contributed to Ella Mae’s standing as the Wise Woman of Hickory Hollow. For decades she has served her community with sage advice, patient understanding and boundless compassion and now we’re finally offered a peek into this beloved character’s past.
Plus we get grandniece Clara’s story as well. Loved the contrast in ages of our two heroines and the inspiring friendship that develops between them. They are both at transitional points in their lives. Both grieving someone they loved. Both leaning on God to see them through, even when they can’t understand the why’s. The kind of faith thread that buoys a reader up and inspires her to reflect on her own transitioning times and how she can follow God’s leading in the midst of the confusion.
Lewis has a lovely, unhurried oral storytelling lilt to her writing. I always feel like I’m sitting with her characters over a cup of tea, listening raptly as they tell me their stories. It makes for a charming timeless tale that gently unfolds. Classic Lewis.
Book provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications Inc.
https://kavsbestreads.ca/2023/10/09/t...
Life experiences have contributed to Ella Mae’s standing as the Wise Woman of Hickory Hollow. For decades she has served her community with sage advice, patient understanding and boundless compassion and now we’re finally offered a peek into this beloved character’s past.
Plus we get grandniece Clara’s story as well. Loved the contrast in ages of our two heroines and the inspiring friendship that develops between them. They are both at transitional points in their lives. Both grieving someone they loved. Both leaning on God to see them through, even when they can’t understand the why’s. The kind of faith thread that buoys a reader up and inspires her to reflect on her own transitioning times and how she can follow God’s leading in the midst of the confusion.
Lewis has a lovely, unhurried oral storytelling lilt to her writing. I always feel like I’m sitting with her characters over a cup of tea, listening raptly as they tell me their stories. It makes for a charming timeless tale that gently unfolds. Classic Lewis.
Book provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications Inc.
https://kavsbestreads.ca/2023/10/09/t...
October 11, 2023
For now the memories made here are a shelter in my storm of sadness.
Clara Bender is still in mourning over the loss of her mother. Her father is now remarried and is going on with his life. Clara is still in limbo. Going thru her mother's desk, she finds letter from an aunt from her mother's community where she grew up. The letters bring Clara comfort and she longs to meet her aunt Ella Mae that her mother obviously loved so much. With some hesitation, her father allows her to visit her aunt in Lancaster County with the promise to come home.
Ella Mae has been going thru her own mourning over the loss of her husband and her children wanting her to move from the big house. She can't release the house because of the memories of what her family built on that house. Ella Mae and Clara uncover an old quilt that needs restoration and the restoration of the quilt becomes their restoration to a new beginning.
Ella Mae meets many friends and a few special friends. She is welcomed in the community that her father questions their faith and what their faith is based. (work vs grace) Work and grace have been pitted against each other for years so this was a good reminder of how they work together instead of against each other. I enjoyed getting to know Ella Mae and Clara and how they came to their own restoration.
A special thank you to Bethany House and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.
Clara Bender is still in mourning over the loss of her mother. Her father is now remarried and is going on with his life. Clara is still in limbo. Going thru her mother's desk, she finds letter from an aunt from her mother's community where she grew up. The letters bring Clara comfort and she longs to meet her aunt Ella Mae that her mother obviously loved so much. With some hesitation, her father allows her to visit her aunt in Lancaster County with the promise to come home.
Ella Mae has been going thru her own mourning over the loss of her husband and her children wanting her to move from the big house. She can't release the house because of the memories of what her family built on that house. Ella Mae and Clara uncover an old quilt that needs restoration and the restoration of the quilt becomes their restoration to a new beginning.
Ella Mae meets many friends and a few special friends. She is welcomed in the community that her father questions their faith and what their faith is based. (work vs grace) Work and grace have been pitted against each other for years so this was a good reminder of how they work together instead of against each other. I enjoyed getting to know Ella Mae and Clara and how they came to their own restoration.
A special thank you to Bethany House and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.
December 24, 2023
A read as cozy as an Amish quilt you can snuggle up with and float away into the story.
Clara Bender doesn’t know what to do with herself when her father remarries and she isn’t needed to take care of the house anymore. Her small Amish community doesn’t provide many options for marriage, so she sets off to visit her mother’s aunt in Lancaster County’s Hickory Hollow. When Clara arrives, her aunt Ella Mae feels it is an answer to a prayer after her own children have left and she is trying to move on with her own life. She now helps Clara meet the area’s eligible young men and might end up finding love herself.
Beverly Lewis takes readers back to some of her earlier characters from past reads and anyone who has read her books will enjoy this one. Amish fiction is written for a specific group of readers and those that pick these up will fall into a world that is more primitive and so different from what is normal everyday life for most of us. The amount of time that Lewis obviously spent crafting the plot and love story made the book so easy to read and the characters act naturally. This book has nothing that would be unacceptable for the Christian fiction audience. I recommend this book to readers that enjoy books by Beverly Lewis and Amish fiction in general.
I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.
Clara Bender doesn’t know what to do with herself when her father remarries and she isn’t needed to take care of the house anymore. Her small Amish community doesn’t provide many options for marriage, so she sets off to visit her mother’s aunt in Lancaster County’s Hickory Hollow. When Clara arrives, her aunt Ella Mae feels it is an answer to a prayer after her own children have left and she is trying to move on with her own life. She now helps Clara meet the area’s eligible young men and might end up finding love herself.
Beverly Lewis takes readers back to some of her earlier characters from past reads and anyone who has read her books will enjoy this one. Amish fiction is written for a specific group of readers and those that pick these up will fall into a world that is more primitive and so different from what is normal everyday life for most of us. The amount of time that Lewis obviously spent crafting the plot and love story made the book so easy to read and the characters act naturally. This book has nothing that would be unacceptable for the Christian fiction audience. I recommend this book to readers that enjoy books by Beverly Lewis and Amish fiction in general.
I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.
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