The Fiddler

By Beverly Lewis

Book Description

Amelia "Amy" DeVries, a 24-year-old violinist, is disillusioned with life and love after the collapse of her long-running romance. Weary of endless rehearsals and performances, Amy sets out on a road trip through the Pennsylvania mountains. She leaves her cell phone behind so life's demands can't intrude on her solitude. She doesn't know, nor care, where she will end up.

When her car breaks down deep in the mountains, Amy realizes the flaw in her "no cell phone" plan. She abandons her car and walks the winding roads, searching for help. Following the smell of woodsmoke and the sound of music, she finds a rustic log cabin. There she meets a young Amishman, Michael --and through him a community--that will change her life forever.

My Review

This is the first book in the new Home to Hickory Hollow Series by Beverly Lewis.  As far as Amish books, this one was different.  I have always loved Amish fiction but was slightly disappointed in this book - quite a different reaction to earlier B Lewis books read.  It was definitely not one of my favorites.  I can't really put my finger on the reason why but the story was difficult to become interested in and it took effort to finish it.  My first thoughts are for you to read this book if given the opportunity or if you want to get it free from you local library but I would not recommend that you rush out to purchase the book.

The Amish character of Michael is in his twenties but still can't make up his mind about joining the church.  He is torn and admits that he has to make a decision.  In the end, he does - but it is very surprising.

Amelia is not Amish but is also straddling the fence about a decision in her life.  She is dissatisfied because her boyfriend and parents have dictated her life and she longs for something totally different.  She doesn't want to disappoint her parents (as Michael does not want to do) but doesn't seem mature enough at the beginning to tell them how she really feels.  There is a lot of time spent on Amelia, her musical ability, her upcoming tour, her secret "fiddling", etc.

I guess my overall conclusion is that this was written as "Amish" fiction but it was lacking in Amish content because a majority of the book dwells on Amelia, her life, her decision, etc.  I did find myself rooting for the "Happy Ending" and my idea of how it should be - which is not how it turned out.  So I was also surprised and disappointed at the ending. 

If you are a Beverly Lewis fan, you will enjoy the book just because she wrote it.  However, I am only giving this one a three out of five stars due to the reason above.  I will leave you with this thought - Beverly Lewis can do much better - and I'm sure she will in her future endeavors. 

NOTE:  I received this book from Bethany House publishing in exchange for my honest review.  The opinions stated here are my own and I was in no way influenced or expected to provide a good review.

Hope Springs

By Kim Cash Tate

About This Book

In a small Southern community where everyone is holding tight to something, the biggest challenge may be learning to let go.

Hope Springs, North Carolina, is the epitome of small town life—a place filled with quiet streets where families have been friends for generations, a place where there’s not a lot of change. Until three women suddenly find themselves planted there for a season.

Janelle Evans hasn’t gone back to Hope Springs for family reunions since losing her husband. But when she arrives for Christmas and learns that her grandmother is gravely ill, she decides to extend the stay.

Becca Anderson is finally on the trajectory she’s longed for. Having been in the ministry trenches for years, she’s been recruited as the newest speaker of a large Christian women’s conference. But her husband feels called to become the pastor of his late father’s church in Hope Springs. Will small town living affect her big ministry dreams?

And Stephanie London has the ideal life—married to a doctor in St. Louis with absolutely nothing she has to do. When her cousin Janelle volunteers to stay in Hope Springs and care for their grandmother, she feels strangely compelled to do the same. It’s a decision that will forever change her.

As these women come together, facing disappointments both public and private, they soon recognize that healing is needed in their hearts, their families, and their churches that have long been divided along racial lines. God's plan for them in Hope Springs—and for Hope Springs itself—is bigger than they ever imagined.

My Review

Well, once again I have a new author to love.  Kathy Cash Tate has it all in this book - Faith, friendship, family, romance - even race relations in the modern South.  This book will make you laugh, cry and will make you want your Faith to be stronger and your family ties to be stronger.  The book starts with family returning home for a family reunion.  Relationships begin to be repaired and re-woven.

There are a lot of characters in the book but they are very distinguishable - each different and each memorable and you will empathize with each in some way.  The author has the very unique capability to weave all of the characters together seamlessly - you don't feel as if something is missing.  Each character is developed without drawing away from the overall story or drawing away from the other characters.  The younger women - Janelle, Stephanie, Becca and Libby are the main characters who are dealing with changes and regrets in their lives.  The other characters are necessary to tell the story and reach the climax.  In addition, the flow of the book was well written - no disconnects - with each chapter moving along easily from the previous chapter.

The inclusion of race relations was an integral part of the story and, while it wasn't subtle, it was not the overall conflicting theme.  Mrs. Cash demonstrated a very true picture of most racial relations in the south.  It is not nearly as bad as the media and some people make it out to be.  But lines are still drawn by previous and older generations - lines that shouldn't be there.  Remember - there is no color in Heaven :-)

The element of Faith in the book serves just the right touch as well.  The two pastors of the two churches, Todd and Travis, complete the story.  There are small reference to immorality (infidelity & pre-marital relations) but it is not derogatory - although you see the characters related to the immorality work their way through their regrets, feelings and how to move towards redemption.  There is no foul language in the book as well - something I absolutely loved!  Thank you Mrs. Cash!

I definitely give this novel five out of five stars and I can't wait to read more of Kim Cash Tate's novels.

Disclaimer: I received a free copy from THomas Nelson Publishing for the purpose of an independent review.  I was not required to post a positive review, all opinions expressed are 100% my own.