Beverly Lewis is known for her many stories featuring the Amish. Her latest book, The Guardian, is a true gem. I have read quite a few of her books and this one is my favorite so far. The characters are loveable and I found myself sharing in their joy and pain. I am also always intrigued by stories about the Amish life and their interactions with the "English," as they call the non-Amish.
Jodi
Winfield is enjoying house-sitting for her cousin and his wife in
beautiful Lancaster, Pennsylvania. It is the perfect way to pass the
summer before she begins her new teaching job in the fall. While out for
an early morning jog one day, she comes across a little girl sleeping
along the road. The child speaks no English but seems to trust Jodi
completely. With help from her cousin and even the little girl herself,
Jodi is able to return little Sarah to her family in the Amish community
of Hickory Hollow, but not before she and Sarah have become quite
attached to each other.
Maryanna Esh is delighted to
have Sarah returned to her after the little girl fell out of the back of
the buggy the previous night without Maryanna noticing. She is a little
unsure about the English stranger who returned her child, but finds
herself drawn to her nonetheless. As Jodi returns to visit the Esh
family again and again, the women find themselves becoming close
friends. Each has known the pain of loss, but dealt with it in very
different ways.
Jodi finds the Amish countryside
healing and begins to reopen her heart to God, and to other
possibilities she has refused to think of for a while. And Maryanna
allows herself to consider remarrying, not only for the sake of her
children but also for love.
I have found that you
should be able to walk away from any book worth reading with at least
one quote from it that you want to remember. Something that really speaks to your heart and soul and reveals a truth. So I will end this book
review of The Guardian with my favorite quote from the story:
" 'I've learned that sometimes I have to give up my right to know and simply believe that God's knowing is enough.' "
I received this book free from Bethany House publishers as part of their
blogger book review program. I was not required to write a positive
review. The opinions expressed are my own.
