The Tinderbox

by Beverly Lewis

On the day before her Amish parents' twentieth wedding anniversary, nineteen-year-old Sylvia Miller stumbles across the key to the old brass tinderbox her father keeps in his Lancaster County watch repair shop. Piqued by curiosity, Sylvia unlocks the cherished heirloom, not realizing that what she is about to discover will splinter apart her happy life.

Once Sylvia overcomes her shock, she confronts her father about the contents of the box. To her amazement, the respected convert to the Old Order admits that he is not fit to be a member of the Hickory Hollow Amish church--in fact, he never was.

Burdened by the weight of his deception, Earnest Miller reveals the details about his past to Sylvia--and to his wife, Rhoda. The long-kept secret alters everything for the close-knit family, and when word of Earnest's deceit reaches others in the community, the truth pits Amish neighbors against one another and threatens to dry up Earnest's livelihood--as well as to break up Sylvia's engagement to the preacher's grandson.

Can the Millers find a way forward through the turmoil to a place of forgiveness and acceptance?

Genres: Amish, Fiction, Christian Fiction, Amish Fiction, Christian, Romance, Family

306 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2019

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

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE TINDERBOX is book one of a new series by the Queen of Amish fiction, Beverly Lewis. Amish fiction readers who only read Lewis or Brunstetter will stand up and cheer! Those who read any Amish writer might cheer too.



Recently I've found Ms. Lewis's work to be subpar so I didn't go into this with high hopes. However, I fell quickly in love with Earnest. Wow, I hurt for him! I was stunned to see the Amish made a big deal over his visiting his own great uncle! That was cause for discipline? Really?





The hidden secrets were enough cause for the punishment but it ripped this family apart. However, the ending had you see why they needed to be and I can't wait til the second book in this series comes out. So much was unresolved.



Welcome back, Queen Beverly Lewis. THE TINDERBOX is a piece of brilliance.



I was given a copy free. All opinions are my own.

[Amy · Rating 2 out of 5]

A sweet and simple read - but not a not to be missed. I think that because the setting was an Amish one, the characters did not have depthful thinking process to them, and the plot was non-existent. But that may also be due to such a clash and distinction, between our current culture and the Plain Ways. It may be that the culture is depicted extremely well, and we are just used to so much more layered complication and excitement. I didn't love it. But if I had to read an Amish story, I think it served its purpose well.

[Mary Jackson _TheMaryReader · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a slow read to start out about half way if you will stick with it. It picks up and you will be happy that you read it. While it was not my favorite book by Lewis it is still woth the read.

I gave this book 3.5 stars and I hope the next book is more my speed.

I love this cover, Don't you all?

The Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are our own.

[Abigail Harris]

My Review:

Genre: Amish fiction.

My Rating: 4 stars.

My Recommendation: 16 up. Warnings below.

My favorite character/s: Hmm, I guess that would have to be Sylvia, she was an interesting character and I liked reading about her but I kinda disliked her relationship with her beau. It was like it was doomed from the start. *shrugs* That may just be me though.

My Verse for Sylvia is Matthew 6:21
For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. (King James Version.)

My Thoughts: I liked this book, I really did. It's just I didn't love it . . . But that's all on me. In no way is that because of the author. She did a wonderful job with this novel and I look forward to the next book in the series! Let's just go with it's not my cup of tea. Though that ending was slightly surprising and I NEED to read the next one! If you like Amish books you definitely need to check this one out! There was a good bit of intrigue to go along with the rest of the story and the ending has me wanting to read the next book so bad right now!

I'm giving it 3 stars but if the whole book had been like the last page I would have given 5 stars.


Spoiler Below!


Warnings: A character is divorced.

I received this book in exchange for my honest review and am truly happy to provide it! All the thoughts are my own.

[Mayda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sylvia is a young Amish woman, anticipating her engagement and just generally enjoying life and her family. But then, like Pandora’s box, she opens a tinderbox belonging to her father that changes everything for herself and her family. Her father, Ernest, came from the English world twenty years ago to become Plain, and he married an Amish woman. But for all those years, he held a secret in his heart that was exposed when Sylvia snooped in the box. There were dire ramifications, not only for Earnest but also for his entire family. What happened with him while he was in the English world and what that meant for him and his family now is well told in this story. But what the future holds for them won’t be disclosed until the next book. This installment also has an unexpected occurrence, something surprising to them all. Interesting characters people this intricate plot, and as Beverly Lewis does so well, readers are soon drawn into the story and into the Amish community.

[RebekahAshleigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beverly Lewis has done it again! She writes such amazing books. They always keep my attention and I love them so much. "The Tinderbox" was no exception. It was a story of family and faith, hardship and uncertainty, community and mystery. I enjoyed it so much. This story does end at a horrible spot though so I am especially excited for September when the sequel, "The Timepiece", will release! I highly recommended this book!!

[Maureen Timerman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes, I enjoyed this read, and be aware that all of the answers are not forth coming, there is a sequel coming in September 2019, and I am looking forward to it!
What a can of worms this young woman releases when she does what she is old enough to know better, and ready to join the church, but she opens a forbidden object that will change hers and her families lives forever.
This is just the beginning of the iceberg, and loved how as we get to the end of this book, there are more bombshells dropped.
Watch as the community’s relationships and opinions change, and yes, they are human, and all are sinners.
This is a very interesting book; the pages flew and I was too soon at the end!

I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Bethany House, and was not required to give a positive review.

[Shirley Chapel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!!! Not since Beverly Lewis' book, The Shunning , have I been so caught up in any of her stories as I was this one. Totally a five star rating from this reader. Awesome reading experience as far as I'm concerned. How could it be any better?
Earnest Miller grew up in the fancy English world. His grandparents however were plain Mennonites and had a lot of influence in young Earnest Miller's life. So when he was a young adult in college and he was hurt by someone he trusted and loved, he made a big change in his life. He went through a time of proving and then joined the Amish church. Soon he started to court a lovely Amish girl that he'd met at a road side vegetable stand. After a time they were married and started having children.
Earnest became a respectable Amish man in his community. In fact folks forgot he once was from the English world. But there was a secret that Earnest hid from his family and the Amish church. A secret that had the power to hurt his family should anyone discover the real truth that he was hiding, locked away in his Tinder Box. A secret that robbed Earnest of his peace of mind and drove him into deep conviction.
The motto of this story is not to keep hidden secrets from those you love and also the importance of having a forgiving heart. I thought it was a heart warming story that taught a good lesson on the importance of honesty with those you love. I loved the unpredictable twist near the end of the story that will leave readers anxious for the compelling conclusion to The Tinder Box. Wait for The Timepiece , available in September of 2019.
All readers of Amish Fiction and fans of Beverly Lewis will want to read the Tinder Box. I highly recommend it to my Goodreads friends. This book is one of the Authors best books.
I borrowed The Tinder Box from the local library. A review was not requested. All opinions shared here are my own truthful thoughts about this story.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

One act of curiosity by Sylvia has ripple affects for the whole community. I enjoyed this story and it’s ability to show how our dishonesty or avoidance of issues can affect those we love. The full story is not told here, however. You must read the sequel, The Timepiece, to discover how the situation turns out. The book is good, but that was disappointing.

[Trixi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sylvia Miller snoops in her father’s Tinderbox, setting the course for a twenty-year-old secret to threaten to tear apart her family, her parents’ marriage and her community. It shakes the very core of everything she’s believed and has the potential to implode her relationship with her Dat. How can they all weather the coming storm?

When I first discovered Amish fiction early in my Christian fiction reading, Beverly Lewis was the author who introduced me this whole new world. I had devoured everything I could find by her! She’s always written with passion and a healthy respect for the Amish lifestyle. Therefore, I eagerly read this latest novel, barely wanting to put it down lest I miss something happening in the pages. And there’s a whole lot happening here to make your head spin! My heart ached for each hurt the characters experienced, for each doubt and fear and for strained relationships where there had been peaceful harmony. I think what I admired the most, is how they clung even closer to God and His promises in His word. Their faith never wavered and their struggle with their human emotions is something we all deal with from time to time. Sylvia, Earnest, and Rhoda Miller are characters that I could easily see meeting if I ever visited the Amish community they were a part of. Though they went through fiery trials, each took it with a measure of grace and grew in faith as they depended on God to help them through it. I know I hate to see characters go through hard things, but I love seeing their growth in the end as it gives me hope in my own trials! Forgiveness, redemption, and restoration are strong themes in this one. Lastly, though I don’t like cliffhangers at the end of a book, there was enough closure to satisfy me and looking forward to The Timepiece coming September 2019.

This one’s for Beverly Lewis fans, Amish fiction fans and those who want an emotionally charged, faith-filled book with characters to care about.

*I received a complimentary copy from Bethany House via Netgalley and was not required to leave a favorable review. All opinions are my own. *

[Kav · Rating 4 out of 5]

"I tell you what...why not take a long walk and just talk to your Savior like He's walkin' alongside ya. I used to do this all the time, before I got up in years -- walk and talk with Jesus, our elder Bruder." (p 197)

Classic Lewis. There's just something about the way she tells a story that I find so comforting. It's like coming home with every single book. In The Tinderbox, Lewis explores the consequences secrets bring to an Amish family and their community. It's told from multiple points of view and I was surprised to find myself relating to Earnest (Sylvia's father) the most. Events slowly unfold as Lewis charms her readers with the idyllic day-to-day life of an Amish family...until a past secret comes to light and their lives are changed forever. Love how each character leans into the Lord rather than pull away from Him during their time of crisis -- such a beautiful example of reconciliation and love.

But beware, readers who suffer from cliffhangerphobia -- this story doesn't so much end as wind down, leaving one major plot thread dangling as well as introducing a whole new gigantic, earth shattering surprise in an epilogue that serves more like a prologue! Luckily, the sequel -- The Timepiece is due out this September.

"God doesn't love you 'cause you live a good life. He doesn't even love you because you're generous with your time and money." Martin drew in a deep breath, eyes softening. "God loves you, Earnest Miller, because He's your heavenly Father...and it's His nature to love." (p 200)

Book provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications.

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

"No one has to know," she whispered.

And yet they did, and they would. When Sylvia Miller unlocked her father's antique tinderbox, a plethora of memorabilia from her beloved father's English past assaulted her senses, only it was what was carefully wrapped in the bottom of the box that would create a firestorm of unpleasant repercussions. Her once tight-knit Old Order Amish family was about to be torn apart. If only she had left well enough alone.

Earnest Miller is grief-stricken when his close neighbor and confidant passes away, but that pain doesn't come close to what his wife is going to feel when the truths that the tinderbox have hidden for two decades come to light. And they must, for someone has opened his box. Will Rhoda ever forgive him? Has his determination to protect his family, eventually going to destroy them?

Quite honestly, this story is not going to endear many readers to the harsher side of the Amish community. It was a struggle to read at times. Is there hope for forgiveness and restoration? Absolutely, but it comes with a price, along with lingering shades of hypocrisy within the Order.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. The opinions stated above are entirely my own.

[Tracy Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another wonderful story by Beverly Lewis. I always enjoy getting to know her characters and see how they handle different life situations with lots of love and faith. Follow Earnest Miller's story as mementos from his Englisch days come to light and he must deal with the consequences of keeping them to himself for so long. Will his past come between him and his family and community or will their hearts be kind, loving, and full of forgiveness? Come find out and be sure to look for the next part of the story coming out in September, The Timepiece! Happy reading everyone!!

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sylvia is engaged and looking forward to her wedding, when she finds the locked tinderbox that she was told by her father to never touch. She finds the key and looks into it. What she finds changes her family's life forever. Again the rules of the Amish seem to harsh, more to ruin people's lives than help them. I didn't like the way the book ended with a cliffhanger so you can't find the plot until the next book comes out.

[ForgetMeNot(Katie Cooley) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the setting of this book, the Amish lifestyle has always been appealing to me in a way. I just wasn't a fan of the plot.

[Nell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story. It seemed a little long in places, but enjoyed the book.

[Jennie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a different type of Amish story. Sylvia is the oldest and only daughter of Ernest and Rhoda. They have four other children. Ernest used to be English and has a secret that he has kept from his family all these years. The secret was discovered in the tinderbox. There's a surprise ending and a sequel due in September. Can't wait!!

[Samantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is more about Sylvia's parents specifically her father's past. He was an Englisher who becomes Amish but keeps some of his past hidden until Sylvia starts questioning. It is about family and overcoming hardships. Sylvia's personal story will be continued in the next book.

I enjoy Beverly Lewis books but this one was not a favorite.

[Suzanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

2 1/2 stars. I've read Beverly Lewis for years, and she's just changed over the past few years. The storyline was promising at first, but ended up "meh." I found myself getting really frustrated and irritated with the characters and the issues they were dealing with; trying to keep in mind the cultural differences of the setting, it still seemed a far reach on several fronts.

[Sandy Larivee · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book was good but the last several chapters were rushed. I realized at the end it was due to another book coming out because the story is continued. That’s what disappointed me.

[Lydia Howe · Rating 3 out of 5]

WHY I CHOOSE THIS BOOK

I've heard about Beverly Lewis books for years. From everything I've heard I knew she didn't write my style books, but I still was curious and wanted to give them a try. When this one was offered to me I thought it sounded interesting without sounding too romantic, so I requested to review it. 

WHAT I THOUGHT ABOUT THIS BOOK

When I thought Miss Beverly's books wouldn't be my style I was correct. But, as I read this book I found it surprisingly interesting. So, let's hit my three pros and three cons.

Pros:
1. The worldbuilding was amazing. This was my favorite part of the book. Whenever I picked up The Tinderbox I felt my world slip away as I entered the story in the book.
2. The differences in speech were done well enough that it emersed me in the story instead of confusing me. I've read a couple of books featuring Amish over the years and the authors always throw in some Pennsylvania Dutch words here and there to make it seem authentic. Most of the time though, those attempts just annoy me. But, in this book, they felt natural and helped the story along. 
3. Although how everything played out annoyed me, I thought that everything the characters did seemed like very reasonable actions. The characters felt real and multi-layered, and I did like the relationships they had with each other. 

Cons:
1. This book was nice and idyllic, which I'm sure was the point. For me though, I like a bit more of a plot. I guess if I cared more about the characters then I would have been more invested in how their lives played out. As it was though, I found the pace too slow. 
2. How things were dealt with - while being very realistic - bothered me. Of course, this is 100% preference and probably wouldn't bother everyone the same way. 
3. Neither the "reveal" to the secret nor the plot twist (I think that's what it was?) surprised me at all. 

CONCLUSION 

If this was a book written by one of my favorite authors I probably would have given it two stars because it wasn't my style. As it was, I was very pleasantly surprised although I don't think I'll be reading more of Miss Beverly's books. I am impressed by her writing though, and especially her worldbuilding. 

**Content note: Two of the POV characters are a married couple that are having issues - as the back cover says. I thought everything was tastefully written, but it does allude to how bad their relationship problems are affecting every part of thier lives. 

RATING

I’m giving The Tinderbox three out of five stars – Thank you to Bethany Publishers for giving me a book to review. 

[Kristina Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Tinderbox is different from other Amish novels. It addresses unique issues. Sylvia is eighteen years old and has been courting Titus Kauffman, the preacher’s son. She is sure that he will propose soon. Sylvia has always been close to her father, but she does not understand why he is reluctant to discuss his past. When Sylvia gets the opportunity to look inside her father’s tinderbox, she cannot resist. Little did she know that her snooping would unleash a host of problems. In The Tinderbox we see what happens when an old secret is revealed and its repercussions. There is quite a bit going on in the story. Besides the secret, we have Sylvia’s relationship with Titus, Rhoda’s sister has suffered a miscarriage, and Preacher Mahlon Zook is dying. Mahlon Zook has cancer and he is the man who welcomed Earnest into the community. They have always been close, and his death is upsetting to Earnest. He needs to be there for the Zook family while dealing with his own problems. Titus is one individual I was not fond of in the story. As the story progresses, Titus’s disposition is revealed (I do not want to give anything away). The Tinderbox is well-written (as are all of Beverly Lewis’s novels) and the story progresses at a gentle pace (a little slow for my taste). The characters are developed and realistic. What I call Christian elements (prayer, faith, Scripture) are an intrinsic part of the story and the characters’ lives. We see how this secret causes issues of trust and creates a division. Is it possible to forgive and move forward? I like this phrase from The Tinderbox that addresses this issue “forgiveness is one of the greatest forms of love”. My favorite phrase from the book is “Remember, we’re connected to our heavenly Father by threads of love we can’t always see.” The ending will astonish readers and have you eager to read The Timepiece. The Tinderbox is a moving and intriguing Amish story.

[Hanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fun and easy read: I enjoyed it a lot! It was also not typical for Amish fiction, and that was also really nice. So much Amish fiction is . . . essentially the same thing, all the time, and this one was different, so that was really nice.

Sylvia was an interesting character, although she did fall a bit flat in my perception. She is about to get married when she discovers a big secret of her father's in his old tinderbox, and then Things Happen™.

This book was interesting because it took a glimpse into life in the Amish community, and made it less perfect than it seems on the outside. The Amish community is harsh, and it is not forgiving to those who trespass.

This book was HEAVY. With as quickly as I read through the book, it would have seemed that the book was light and easy to read, but it was not the case. The story was hard to read sometimes, and that was because of the characters. The characters were very well written: they seemed real and had their own struggles and fears.

There was a plot twist at the end, which was quite inTereSting! The book ended on a cliffhanger that will be continued in the next book. Overall, I enjoyed this book as an Amish fiction story: it was out of the ordinary and it gave a better look into actually living life as an Amish person. The characters were also well written and did not fall flat.

My Rating-
3/5

(would be a 4/5 or 5/5 when rating Amish fiction, I just don't normally rate Amish fiction /that/ high on my personal ratings).

Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review; I was not required to write a positive review.

This review first appeared on: https://losingthebusyness.wordpress.c...

[Andrea Cox · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story was very much tied to the family. The turmoil, the dissension, the love, and the togetherness all came together to create a realistic family going through tough times that have the potential to split them apart. I liked that broken trust and finding true trust in God were highlighted. It was neat to see the domino effect: One choice by one person makes changes for so many people. This is true in real life, and it was well reflected here in this book.

Perhaps my favorite aspect of this story was that there were two couples whose stories were basically parallel to each other. One couple had 20+ years of experience but the other was just starting out with a courtship. It was wonderful to see the contrast between the two relationships as well as how similar both could be since emotions know no age.

I was shocked there was a single expletive in this book. This is the first time I’ve ever seen such a vulgar word in a Beverly Lewis book.

Content: one expletive

[Marilyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading a couple of reviews for The Tinderbox, I knew this was a book I had to read. I had been disappointed in recent books I read by Beverly Lewis, but this one was a winner. I appreciated prior characters from her earlier Amish fiction series alive or at least mentioned in this book.

Earnest Miller’s hidden secret caught up with him in an unexpected way after twenty years. All the events that transpired after his secret was exposed brought pain and hurt that would take time to heal his family and community. When faith, hope and love were being restored another bombshell was exposed that was left unsolved. Thus, it’s nice to know the conclusion to the Miller family’s saga will be released in September 2019 with the story found in The Timepiece.

A friend loaned me this book. I was not required to write a review but have shared my own opinion.

[Kimmie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed the book, as I do all Beverly Lewis.

I appreciate the commitment of the Amish, but I just don’t always see grace. Reading so many passages in Romans makes me think the Amish are too legalistic.

I guess I am to used to speaking what I think, which isn’t always a good thing. BUT… I think if people talk things out and get them out in the open, issues would resolve much quicker.

The book shows the faithfulness of family members, but not fellow followers of Christ. I don’t like the “judginess” and I don’t believe cutting off anyone will bring us closer to God.

I feel like I’m judging the Amish more than the book. The book was great and I enjoy reading Amish fiction. I’ve never lived it, so I don’t know anything first hand. There are many qualities that I feel would draw people closer to Christ instead of the world, which is what I love the most. We could use a dose of this kind of withdrawal from the world.

[J.L. Slipak · Rating 5 out of 5]

MY THOUGHTS:

I received this book in exchange for my honest review.

This is not my first Beverly Lewis book. I have read and enjoyed her work before. If you like clean writing and good stories, then you may want to give this author a try.

This author has a clear writing style that you’ll easily enjoy. Her voice weaves you into a world and draws you into the character’s life effortlessly. The plot doesn’t wrap up entirely suggesting perhaps, there will be a series? However, the character reaches her goals.

The premise hooked me in. A family mystery spiced up with what I would consider an unusual (sometimes better) lifestyle, is perfect for a rainy day of reading and rest. I read this book through quickly.

If you love clean writing, this book is for you.

[Marta Ratliff · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Tinderbox is definitely a 5 star read. Beverly Lewis never disappoints me! The Miller family was going along fine, until they ran into a BIG bump in the road. They made it through with a lot of hard work and help from God. Afterwards there is another big surprise that comes along. I can't wait for the next book to see how this all ends. In the meantime I will be hanging by the seat of my pants!

[Gina Holder · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been a long time fan of Beverly Lewis’s Amish books, back to when I was a teenager. I’ve collected almost every book she’s written, though I haven’t cracked one open in years. I was very excited to get the opportunity to read and review Mrs. Lewis’s newest release and I was not disappointed. The story moves slowly, taking several chapters to get build up before introducing the secret that will potentially destroy their family. The story jumps between the points of view of Sylvia, her mother, and her father, this technique gives us a well-rounded look at the circumstances and emotions surrounding the events of the story.
The theme is the destructiveness of deceit and burying the past. It is better to be upfront and honest about past failures and allow someone to make their own decisions about how they feel about it, then to hide things only to have them come out later and hurt the ones we love. It will be interesting to see how this revelation affects both Sylvie’s parents and her own relationship with her fiancé.
It’s important to understand the Amish’s beliefs to fully grasp the impact of this story. This secret, while in our world may not be considered a big deal, to the Amish is very serious and something that is not done in their communities. Breaking their rules is considered a serious offence and is dealt with harshly. Can you imagine having someone you love put under the “Ban” and not being able to talk with them or eat with them?
I was surprised when I realized this book was not the end of the story, the second installment comes out this fall! I can’t wait to find out what happens when the story continues in “The Timepiece.”

[Sunnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A box full of hidden secrets. A life of secrets. A very touching story. I have loved everything Beverly Lewis. This book touches on a heart wrenching secret kept by Sylvia's father, formerly Englisch and not born into the Amish faith. When Sylvia discovers the contents of the box, a life full of secrets starts to unravel.

It is a really good book. I loved it and can't wait for the next book in the series. If you enjoy Amish fiction, you will definitely enjoy this book.

I received an ebook copy from NetGalley. All thoughts are my own.