Sunday, April 2, 2017

The Ebb Tide: The Latest Novel by Beverly Lewis



The Ebb Tide is a new Amish novel by author Beverly Lewis.  Sallie Riehl is just shy of twenty years old and lives with her family in Paradise Township, Pennsylvania.  Sallie has yet to join the Old Order Amish community, because she has dreamed of traveling for years.  Her goal is a trip to Australia, and she has finally saved up enough money.  Sallie purchases her trip and announces to her family that she will be leaving in two weeks.  The Riehl family receives news that Aaron, Sallie’s four years old newphew, has a heart murmurer.  He needs tests and possibly surgery.  Vernon, Aaron’s father and Sallie’s brother, is worried about the costs.  Sallie knows what she most due and cancels her trip.  The money is put towards Aaron’s tests.  But when God closes a door, he opens a window.  Sallie is asked to be a nanny for the summer for young Autumn Logan in Cape May, New Jersey.  This will be Sallie’s chance to travel.  It would mean, though, putting off her baptism instruction classes for another year (much to her mother’s dismay).  Sallie’s parents agree, and she is quickly off to the seashore.  Sallie takes Autumn to visit the Cape May Whale Watch and Research Center and meets intern, Kevin Kreider.  Kevin is studying to be a marine biologist and is a Mennonite.  Kevin and Sallie start spending time together.  Sallie knows she can only be friends with Kevin, but she greatly enjoys his company.  At the end of the summer, Sallie returns home.  But she is not content upon her return.  Sallie needs to reflect and decide what she wants for her future. 

The Ebb Tide is a well-written and engaging novel.  I liked the characters and the setting.  Cape May sounds just beautiful.  I felt that the book had a good flow and was well-paced.  The religious aspect of the novel is not as light as in other Amish novels, but it is not dominant or overwhelming.  We are shown how prayer, love, faith and reflection can help (benefit) a person’s life and those around them.  I appreciated that the author included an epilogue that nicely wrapped up the story.  I give The Ebb Tide 4 out of 5 stars.  I found The Ebb Tide to be a lovely novel.  It is a nice break from what is going on in the world.  I did feel that it was a little too long, but, otherwise, I liked it.   I look forward to reading the next Beverly Lewis novel when it releases.  You can follow Beverly Lewis on Amazon and get email updates on her new releases.  If you enjoy Beverly Lewis' novels, check out the Beverly Lewis Book Club on Facebook.  The Ebb Tide will be available on Tuesday, April 4.

Thank you for stopping by and reading my review.  I am off to enjoy the Home Fires marathon on PBS.  May each of you have a special Sunday. I am currently reading Cut in Darkness by Heather Sunseri.  I will be back tomorrow to review The Promise Girls by Marie Bostwick.  Take care and Happy Reading!


Kris 
The Avid Reader

1 comment:

  1. If you have a minute, I’d really appreciate it if you took a look at Emily’s Virtual Rocket. This is a serious newsblog which has been taken from e-newspapers and e-magazines from around the world, with an emphasis on transgender issues. Also, with his election, I look for articles which critique Donald Trump.

    I hope you enjoy this. Please paste the following:

    Emilysvirtualrocket.blogspot.com

    If you like it, please consider putting it among your favorite blogs. I would greatly appreciate it.


    Emily

    ReplyDelete