The Covering: Book Two in the Bond Woman Series

by Janice Dembosky

Unlike typical “Amish books,” The Covering and its prequel, the Bond Woman, neither romanticize nor condemn the life style of the Old Order Amish. Instead, these stories deal with the imagined but realistic struggles of individuals living not just under Amish law but also “on the Outside.” The Covering is the continuing story of Hannah Miller, an Amish woman who left her kin and community because of her love for a man on “The Outside.” Hannah, whom you came to know as “the Bond Woman” in a novel by the same name, now seeks The Covering of marriage for herself, the covering of a father for her illegitimate son, Joey, and the covering of God’s grace for the sins she believes she has committed, albeit for love. Hannah seeks reconciliation with the Old Order Amish community from which she was cast out seven years ago, but those who remember her refusal to repent on that day are reluctant to accept her. As with others put under the Meidung, Hannah had been rigorously shunned by the community, as the Amish Law demanded; but they also remember the curse that the Amish bishop called down upon her, committing her to the Devil and his fallen angels. When misfortunes begin to occur in the Amish settlement, after Hannah’s return, they blame Hannah and the curse that she carries with her. Despite tangible blessings in her life, Hannah, with her Amish upbringing, also fears the power of the curse on her and on those who dare to love her. The Covering considers the Can curses be turned into blessings by a greater power, the power of love? As with The Bond Woman, The Covering is a fascinating story with unpredictable twists and turns of plot that will, again, keep the reader spellbound.

433 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 1, 2016

About the author

Janice Dembosky lives with her husband, Everett, on their farm in rural Pennsylvania. Their three children are adults with families of their own, and Janice has retired from her profession as an English teacher. In between (and even during) traveling adventures, she enjoys her favorite pastime -- writing. She has published magazine articles, but The Bond Woman is her first novel. She explains, "My mother was terminally ill and complained to me that she had always hoped that I would publish a book before she died. To appease her, I began writing The Bond Woman, reading her chapters each time I came to sit with her on weekends. She found the story fascinating but did not hesitate to offer suggestions, many of which I carried out. This is why I call her my first encourager and editor. After my mother died, I put the manuscript away and didn't resurrect it until the time for grieving and honing my creative writing skills through coursework had passed. I dedicate this, my first novel, to my mother, Anna R. Socol Bonacci." Janice is already working on a sequel to The Bond Woman.

Reviews

[Brenda Deljanovan]

The Covering is every bit as good as it's prequel, The Bond Women! I truly couldn't put this book down and when I finally had to, I found myself still totally immersed in the life and times of Hannah Miller! This is one of my favorites for sure! I would give it a six star rating if I could. It's just that good!

[Suzanne Page]

Book two in a wonderful series. Very hard to put down once started. All three books are very well written and I highly recommend them.

[Wendy Anderson]

I am totally enamored of Hannah and her trials and tribulations. I can’t wait to start the third book.

[Cathy Ryan]

I loved both books and look forward to reading more books by this author. The books grabbed my attention from the first page to the last page.

I will be keeping my eye out for another wonderful book. Janice Dempsey is one of the best authors I have read in a long to.e.