The Ebb Tide: The Latest Novel by Beverly Lewis

Happy Sunday!  On Tuesday, April 4 some new novels will be available to read.  They include Of Books and Bagpipes by Paige Sheldon, A Frying Shame by Linda Reilly, The Last Chance Olive Ranch by Susan Wittig Albert, Occult and Battery by Lena Gregory, Ruddy Gore by Kerry Greenwood, The Ebb Tide by Beverly Lewis, Dying on the Vine by Marla Cooper, Behind the Scenes by  Jen Turano, Caramel Crush by Jenn McKinlay, Southern Fried by Tonya Kappes, Cut in Darkness by Heather Sunseri, Silence of the Jams by Gayle Leeson, Miss Julia Weathers the Storm by Ann B. Ross, Town in Maple Madness by B.B. Haywood, The Chapel Car Bride by Judith Miller.  That is quite a list.  I have pre-ordered several of these books.  Now I just need time to read them!

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