The Crossroad

Amish Country Crossroads #2

by Beverly Lewis

Bestselling author Beverly Lewis's story of a journalist who must decide between joining the Amish life or leaving it forever.

Genres: Amish, Christian Fiction, Fiction, Christian, Amish Fiction, Romance, Historical Fiction

320 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2008

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

[Jeffrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was only my second Beverly Lewis read and after perusing through many of the reviews I was puzzled by some of the negativity in them, especially those who thought the author was over-proselytizing her own peculiar Christian beliefs.

Because this was a sort-of "story within a story," the unusual religious themes were an absolutely essential part of the story in explaining the struggle against some of the darker aspects of the Amish religious traditions.

Maybe I'm just getting old but neither did I find this a slow hard-to-get-into read as some others shared. I was drawn in immediately, could not put the book down, and stayed up past midnight to read it through.

The romance between the 'Englischer' Phillip and the beautiful Amish widow Rachael, blinded by a 'conversion disorder' is singularly unique and beautiful. Initially, their magnetic attraction to each other seems hopelessly impossible. Interwoven into this romance is the sinister story of the Amish 'pow-wow' healing arts which has pervaded Rachael's community for generations.

Phillip's desire to help this Amish widow regain her sight and recover from the trauma of the violent accidental death of her husband and young son soon goes way beyond that as he realizes he is in love with a woman from a totally different culture and world.

Rather than find fault with Beverly Lewis's handling of the Christian spiritual warfare necessary to confront false healing and religious ignorance, I found a strong and valuable Biblical truth streaming out of the story that "with God, all things are possible." And further...."You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free."

I was totally taken up with the quiet drama, the angst of an almost impossible romance, and the spiritual quest to free people suffering under spiritual bondage.

All this to say that I LOVED The Crossroad.....ALL of it!

[Beverly Strouth]

I love all of Beverly Lewis' books. I have read The Crossroad at least two times and enjoyed it immensely both times.

[Mayda · Rating 2 out of 5]

In this second installment in this series, Rachel is beginning to live again, finally moving past her grief. She wants to see again, and even discovers an attraction to the Englisher, Phillip. He in turn, is looking for what Rachel seems to have in her plain life. There is much proselytizing in this story which hinders the plot, making it slow moving. Finally, towards the end, things start to happen, but then, it seems rushed. The plot is thin and the characters lack development, but it does move the storyline from the first book to the third.

[Paulin · Rating 3 out of 5]

May 31, 2010
My 8th book installment for the month of May. Finished reading The Sequel to The Postcard yesterday but had to process it as I realized that in a way it parallel’s my life during this season of my life.

Can their love dissolve the barrier between two vastly different cultures?

I learned that the crossroads in our lives is actually a road to the cross. The Lord is just waiting for us to take the road to salvation, the road to redemption, and the road to transformation.

It is a step towards a better future, a leap of faith towards a future that is bright, filled with hope, a future that is in God’s hands giving Him the power to control everything.

I also learned that there are so many painful memories in life that we need to face bravely, fully, and head on. A lot of times we tend to rationalize away the negative emotions because as Christians we are not supposed to feel anger, hate, bitterness, yet they are what they are. They are how we feel. These are all honest feelings deep down inside when everything is stripped to the core. No amount of rationalizing, wishing it away will make it go away.

The good thing about it all is God will not condemn us for feeling this way, the thing is, we just have to be honest enough for Him to work beneath the surface, working in us, working through us to bring us healing, but God wants us to bring it to Him, openly, honestly, wholeheartedly but most importantly immediately.

The great thing through it all is that God do love us no matter what, just as He loved David enough to allow him to come into repentance even after he sinned and still call him a man after God’s own heart. God also allowed Job to express his hurts and pains to the point of cursing his own birth and still call him righteous and gave back to him twice what he lost.

The sad thing is most of the times when we bury the feelings or are in denial, they only pile up, and they become so heavy that we are emotionally crippled sometimes to the point of not functioning properly, not reacting truly and not responding righteously, because deep down inside we are damaged without letting on, we are broken and trying to hide it, we are wrecked and not allowing anyone else to see even ourselves. Hiding behind a laugh, hiding behind a wall.

Oh how foolish we are to think we can get away with it! It is indeed true to no matter how we keep the secret, there is no secret in this world that doesn’t eventually come out. So, better to open up and be honest at once and kneel it in front of Jesus so that He can work it out at the soonest possible time in us. Then we can go through life with peace, joy, love and then understanding!

First comes peace. Then joy. Then love. And finally understanding! First, stop the unrest, the uneasiness; find peace. From that place, where breathing will be easier, the joy will flow. Now with peace and joy, love may follow. Then only when we are close enough to love will we understand, will we even care to understand.

“Sometimes the familiar can be a hard place to go back to. So how then can I believe that a place so familiar could be a “bend in the road”? Sometimes you may dwell on the past; it may loom so large that you can’t seem to help but live with it everyday. That’s the kind of thing you have to knock lose with a stick and then cover it over deep with God’s grace. God is more powerful than even the toughest memories. When you plow through, when you’re determined to follow Christ, you’ll discover God’s presence. And THAT is a powerful thing!“ ‐ Chonda Pierce

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

#AmishinApril

[Kimberly · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars. A good follow up to book one. After reading other's reviews, I have to laugh about them saying it is too religious. Um, it is marketed as Christian fiction so....

[Linda Galella · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lesson in faith and patience combined with a whole lot of family dynamics.

“The Crossroad” is book 2 and the conclusion of Beverly Lewis’s Amish Crossroads Series. Both books can be read as independent novels but together they are a much stronger and compelling story.

Rachel continues to mourn the death of her husband and young son as well as the loss of her vision from an accident that occurred one early morning when her family traveled to the market. Only she and her then 4 year old daughter, Annie, survived this tragedy. Out of necessity, Rachel and Annie live with her parents at their B&B helping when and where able. It’s there she met Philip, an Englischer reporter, who uncovered a family mystery about a postcard and the “gifting” of healing that’s supposedly a family thing passed down thru the generations.

The healing gift plays heavily in this story as does forgiveness, trust and true, biblical salvation. I don’t find Lewis’s style to be preachy at all, it’s more like discovery and she uses Rachel’s cousin, Esther and Lavina, to deliver scripture references for them to discuss. Philip and Adele are exchanging letters in another arc that’s fostering friendship and encouraging a potential love relationship.

More complex than other stories, I enjoyed the multiple arcs and how they wove together. I wasn’t a big fan of the over use of cutesy Amish phrases that felt forced into many conversations. It’s for that reason that I deducted a star from my rating. BL is better than that. Nonetheless, “The Crossroad” is a story that’s worth of your time and attention, for sure and certain📚

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Second in a series... quick read...amish romance.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this was better than the first. A little tedium in there, but it was a good read.

[Charlotte Flanagan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a good story! I loved it and give it 5++ stars!

[Jeni Enjaian · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this book only because the first book in the series avoided being terrible enough for me to place this one in the donate pile without rereading it. Unfortunately, this book continues to be plagued with Lewis' inability to dig deep and explore what true character development actually means. On top of that, the epilogue that concludes each book wraps everything up with a sickeningly sweet deus ex machina turn of events. I will admit that I definitely skimmed this one. I believe that by skimming the book, I got about as much out of the book as was present, that's how much depth it lacks.

[Louise · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful novel set in the heart of Amish country and the "sequel" to "The Postcard".

"After the dramatic conclusion to his discovery of a long-lost postcard, journalist Philip Bradley simply cannot forget the Amish people he met while on assignment in Pennsylvania-particularly Rachel Yoder and her young daughter, Annie. Rachel's cheerful outlook, in spite of her blindness, and her appealing, uncomplicated lifestyle beckon Philip amid the high-paced existence of his New York career.

Philip's newfound knowledge of the true reason for Rachel's loss of sight spurs him on to uncover what he can about the possibility for a cure. In Lancaster County, Rachel has her own ideas about the way her vision might be restored, and it doesn't include the local healer and his black box. No, Rachel firmly believes the God she serves is the only One who can grant her sight, but as the memories of the trauma she suffered begin to resurface, Rachel questions whether she can bear the agonizing road to recovery.

Drawn back to Lancaster County over the Christmas holidays, Philip struggles with the vast gulf separating him from the beautiful Plain woman. Rachel has suffered unbearable heartache; will his growing affection for her only bring more of the same? Or must Philip and Rachel sacrifice a future together for the sake of all they know and love."

[Catyche · Rating 1 out of 5]

Awful. Just awful. Usually Beverly Lewis is a wonderful writer and her books have vivid and beautiful language combined with good plot development with Christian plot lines involving the Amish. But this was just a treatise on Lewis' pentecostal beliefs that didn't make much sense in the context of a young Amish woman's life. This read more like a bizarre recruitment tool rather than an entertaining YA novel dealing with the "Plain" life. Completely unreadable (for me). I expected much better of her. And I had such high hopes for the book too! Maybe one day I'll try again to read this but I'm not holding out much hope for that.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

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

[Darlene Nichols · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really did enjoy this story with Rachel and her family in the Postcard and the Crossroad. I really got into each character and felt her pain with her situation. I recommend this series as a good read.

[Veda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started reading this book when it was first published, then life got in the way and I had never finished it. Beverly Lewis, always writes wonderful books, and this one had a few things happen I wasn't expecting. And the ending was what I was hoping for, but not counting on.

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amish fiction at it's best. Always a good clean read. Thank you.

[Anne Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book starts where The Postcard ended. Rachel is still blind and living with her parents and daughter Annie at their B&B. Susanna, Rachel’s mother, still believes the powwow doctor, Blue Johnny, can cure Rachel of her blindness with a superstitious spell. But Rachel is determined to do God’s will and pray that she will see again.
Philip Bradley is in New York City at his magazine job, but he can’t get his mind off of Rachel. He’s even researched what can be done for Rachel’s blindness, caused by a traumatic event. He wishes he could share what he found with Rachel. He still keeps in touch with Adele Herr. She invites him to a Christmas gathering at her nursing home, and that allows Philip an opportunity to return to Reading and Lancaster. It’s actually odd to me that Adele is portrayed as a sick old woman in a nursing home, and Lavina, who actually was a year older than Gabe Esh in school, is perfectly fine, only slow in the mind, not having done well in school.
So for most of the story, we go back and forth with the Old Order Amish, like Susanna and Bishop Seth Fisher, who believe in the powwow dr. Susanna is actually portrayed as being always mad about something, especially with Rachel. It seems strange that they aren’t more God fearing, like Rachel. I guess the old order has difficulty not following traditions, even though the powwow doctor is clearly too superstitious. Rachel seems to have more sense and more God centeredness. But when Bishop Seth Fisher is on his death bed, Lavina and Rachel’s father visit him, and Lavina supposedly prays and gets all the evil out of Seth. Seth admits he put a hex on Gabe forty years ago, and then Gabe died. When Seth passes on and word gets around that Seth asked for forgiveness for his superstitions, Susanna comes to her senses and doesn’t put importance in powwow doctoring anymore.
Meanwhile, Philip comes to visit Rachel on Christmas and they both go to visit Adele. They spend more time together, slowly realizing they are falling in love. But first Rachel must face her fears and ride with Philip and her cousin Esther and her husband to the crossroad where her husband and son were killed. She makes herself remember the accident, and prays for her sight to return. Her sight does return, but it happens when Philip is going to return to New York. On his way back to his home, Philip realizes he loves Rachel and is willing to become Amish and live in Lancaster. He returns to Rachel, they both admit they love one another, and surprisingly, Rachel’s parents are happy with these turn of events. Rachel and Philip move in to Lavina’s large farm house since she doesn’t need all the room, and Adele becomes well enough to move in too!

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book but The Postcard was a must better story. I do believe that a father's sin has consequences through the third and fourth generation (Ex 20:5 ). But let us not forget Ex 20:6 that says that God will show lovingkindness to a thousand generations that love God and keep His commandments. I believe the author just focused on part of what the Bible says and missed the grace and mercy God demonstrates in the second part of the sentence. It would have been great for the author to bring this out because the testimony of Gab was a great influence on the other characters. Gab is a clear example of Ex 20:6.

[Becky · Rating 2 out of 5]

Didn't read the first book, but there was enough exposition that I caught up. The most surprising thing about this book for me is how little it is about a romance between Phillip and Rachel. Phillip is barely in this book. I'm interested in trying a different Amish romance author to see if there is actually any romance in those ones. This book is mostly about how the Old Ordee Amish are wrong about God, which also strikes me as strange. I don't know how representative this book is of the genre, but I didn't expect it to portray this Amish so negatively. The Old Order Amish women in it are also catty as hell.

[Taryn Spearey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great book by Beverly Lewis! Philip and Rachel are in love with each other. However, there is one thing standing in the way of them being together; Philip isn't Amish.

Philip does leave Rachel behind and almost goes back to New York. My heart became so full of happiness when he changed his mind and drove back to Rachel. The two make a really nice pair, in my opinion.

One of the best parts of the book for me was when Rachel miraculously received her sight back again. Also, when she looked at Annie and told her daughter to give her a hug, that also was a fee good moment in the book.

All of the story was fantastic!

[Debbie Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a good book. Really good. I enjoyed this second book in the series. Love the characters and plot and was anxious to see if Rachel and Phillips would get together. A feel good book... just what I needed to read in times like these. Some highs and lows, some conflict and problems to solve... satisfactory, happy ending.

"You great-uncle would be shoutin' for joy... if'n he could see you now-one of his own family standin' up for Jesus right under Bishop Seth's nose. Just goes to show... no matter how hard the ol' enemy tries to stamp out the torch of truth, God always raises up someone to carry it along." (ch 2)

[Eileen Carter · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is the sequel to Beverly Lewis "Postcard". Rachel is still unable to see. She desperately wants to see but trusting in the Lord to heal her. She is not interested in the powwow doctor Blue Johnny, even when her mother tries to sneak a healing. Philip can't get over Rachel and the Plain life. He finds himself back in Bird in Hand which in turns finds him seeing Rachel again. What will become of this? Is there chance of love ? Will Rachel ever see?
This book is a great read whether you read the Postcard or not.

[Karen · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was an interesting book. I thought the "powwow doctoring" was weird and I wondered if that is something the Amish people really do. I looked on Google and it is. But I was glad the book focused more on turning to God. Rachel had such faith that she would be healed by God so she could see again. Just the process of going through that was very inspirational. Loved the ending - Philip ends up going back for Rachel even though he does not know she can see again. A happily ever after ending. :)

[Sharon Heaverly · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Crossroad by Beverly Lewis is the sequel to her book, The Postcard.

I found both books enjoyable as I really like reading about the Amish culture. I like the way Beverly Lewis writes about the Amish in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania because I live in Pennsylvania and visited the Lancaster area several times.

If you like reading and learning about Amish life, you will certainly like reading Beverly Lewis novels.

[AnnaLee Conti · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Sweet Love Story and a Powerful Message of God's Love

I must completed reading The Postcard and The Crossroad, books 1 and 2 of Beverly Lewis's Amish Country Crossroads. The two books make one complete remarkable story of how God brought a young Amish mother through a terrible tragedy to find happiness a second time as well as bringing spiritual healing to her extended Amish family and beyond. I highly recommend these books.

[Madeleine Pilcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was by far my favorite Beverly Lewis book! It focused a lot on the powwow doctoring that goes on in Amish community, and exposing it for what it is. I loved how it showed the redemption of those who had practiced it for so long and the awakening of the whole community to the evilness of it. And the way it shows God’s providence working in the hardships Rachel endures until the end when she has regained everything she lost, is truly amazing!

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is the sequel to The Postcard. It continues to follow the story between plain Rachel and New Yorker Philip. It also wraps up the journey of Rachel’s traumatic loss of her eyesight and her faith that’ll she’ll see again.

I just loved the whole bed and breakfast setting and how the author really brought the tight knit Amish community to life. If you enjoy simple living and have a belief in God, you’ll enjoy this book.

[Debbie · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was disappointed in this book for several reasons: 3 story lines happening interwoven into each other. The author brought them all to a conclusion in the epilogue, which seemed rushed. Usually, there is a lesson to be learned and this one fell flat. Usually Beverly Lewis's books are about Grace and Forgiveness vs. man-made regulations and working your way to being saved.

[Marie Harrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started reading this book only to realize that it was book 2 in a series of 3 books. Fortunately, Ms. Lewis gave enough background so that I did no have unanswered questions. This book provided additional details abut the Amish faith that I found interesting. My favorite parts of the book are the details of the character's strong faith in God.