The Guardian

 

 

Back Cover

 

When Jodi Winfield comes to Lancaster to house-sit, the last thing she expects to find is a disheveled little girl alone on the side of the road.  The young teacher is mystified when she learns there have been no reports of a missing child, and the girl herself is no help, since she can’t speak English.  It’s as if the child appeared out of nowhere.

 

Then Jodi turns her attention to Hickory Hollow—and the cloistered world of the Old Order Amish—in search of answers.

 

Review

 

The Guardian is another lovely novel by Beverly Lewis.  Two viewpoints are intertwined throughout this novel – one from an Amish woman, and the other, an Englischer.  The novel starts out with a mother’s worst nightmare: having a child go missing. The anguish and heartbreak of the mother is easily felt, as well as the confusion and sadness of the child’s siblings when their mother cannot explain where their sister is.  Through it all, however, the mother stays strong in her faith and hope that her child will return well and safe, and a guardian angel is out there protecting her.

 

Readers are soon introduced to Jodi, a teacher, as she comes across a little Amish girl alone on the side of the road.  While she starts out trying to help the girl, and bring her home to her family, Jodi soon realizes that it will be the girl who helps her. 

 

Beverly Lewis has delivered yet another one of her classic, sweet Amish tales in her beloved Hickory Hollow in Lancaster County.  Hickory Hollow is where time stops, kindness is readily extended to a stranger, family values are fiercely protected, and God is highly revered.  As I have stated in other reviews of Beverly’s novels, her stories encapsulate “sweet escapes” to a place where one can learn to breathe again, away from busy work lives.  It is always a pleasure to read Beverly’s works and I will be looking forward to her next one.

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.  Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Undeniably Yours

Back Cover

When Meg Cole’s father dies unexpectedly, she’s forced to return home to Texas and to Whispering Creek Ranch to take up the reins of his empire.  The last thing she has the patience or the sanity to deal with?  Her father’s Thoroughbred racehorse farm.  She gives its manager, Bo Porter, six months to close the place down.

 

Bo knows he ought to resent the woman who’s determined to take from him the only job he ever wanted.  But instead of anger, Meg evokes within him a profound desire to protect.  The more time he spends with her, the more he longs to overcome every obstacle that separates them and earn her love.

 

Just when Meg realizes she can no longer deny the depth of her feelings for Bo, their fragile bond is broken by a force from Meg’s past.  Can their relationship—and their belief that God can work through every circumstance—survive?

Review

I loved this book.  I mean, I LOVED this book!  I breezed through this 378 page novel like nobody’s business.  I just couldn’t get enough! 

 

Where to begin?  The story was lovely and flowed very smoothly.  The characters were downright awesome and the dialogue was fabulously witty and sweet at all the right moments.  Bo Porter is the honourable knight in shining armour that every girl dreams about and Meg Cole is your typical girl who is trying to find her way, or calling, in life, and dealing with some insecurities along the way.  What I loved about Meg though, was even through her insecurities, she was ready to “take the bull by the horns” and work through everything.  She steps into her father’s shoes to run a huge and prosperous oil company; she didn’t back down and was willing to give everything a “try”.

 

And even after having a disastrous previous relationship, Meg was even willing to give Bo, a chance.  Their relationship starts out small before finally exploding into something so much more, like a slow burn that sparks into a wildfire.  The romantic tension between the two is shiver-inducing and mind-spinning (and yes - it's a clean romance!).  It is easily one of the best romantic novels I’ve read in a long time and will be going on my “favourites” list. 

 

All in all, a fabulous read, by a great and up-and-coming author, Becky Wade.  I’m so happy to see that this is the beginning of a new series.  Already can’t wait for the next novel!!

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.  Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group.