The River by Beverly Lewis

She looked once more at the dreaded river. Since Anna's death, it had been such a barrier...a place and a moment she could not seem to move past.

A line I can't move beyond...

The River

Tilly and Ruth, two formerly Amish sisters, are plagued by unresolved relationships when they reluctantly return to Lancaster County for their parents' landmark wedding anniversary. Since departing their Plain upbringing, Tilly has married an Englisher, but Ruth remains single and hasn't entirely forgotten her failed courtship with her Amish beau.

Past meets present as Tilly and Ruth yearn for acceptance and redemption. Can they face the future in the light of a past they can't undo.


About The Author: 

Beverly Marie Jones (Lewis) was born in the heart of Amish country—Lancaster, Pennsylvania. At the tender age of nine, she began writing short stories and poetry. Prior to that, she made up lyrics to the "little fingers" piano pieces she learned, at the age of five.
"My mother saved everything I wrote, even the stories I dreamed up during my grade school years," Beverly says. One such tale is semi-autobiographical, about a young girl whose parents can no longer afford to give her piano lessons. The manuscript was 77 pages long and titled "She Shall Have Music," penned under the shade of a lone willow tree. "Reading, writing, and playing piano have been top three on my list of favorite things," she says.
Booksellers across the country, and around the world, have spread the word of Beverly's tender tales of Plain country life. A clerk in a Virginia bookstore wrote, "Beverly's books have a compelling freshness and spark. You just don't run across writing like that every day. I hope she'll keep writing stories about the Plain people for a long, long time."
A member of the National League of American Pen Women, as well as a Distinguished Alumnus of Evangel University, Lewis has written over 80 books for children, youth, and adults, many of them award-winning. She and her husband, David, make their home in Colorado, where they enjoy hiking, biking, and spending time with their family. They are also avid musicians and fiction "book worms."


My Review:

Tilly has tried to put her past behind her, she is happy now living with her husband and twin daughters. She still lives rather plain, but does live in the English world. She has one member of her Amish family living English near her, and enjoys Ruth and her new life.
Tilly was the black sheep of her Amish family; she blamed herself for the death of her baby sister Anna. When the note comes that the family is holding an anniversary party for her parents, she doesn’t want to go. Ruth also has decided they will not attend.
Then comes a call to Ruth about their Dad’s health, and their decisions are reevaluated, and both go home to face the family. Can’t even imagine, you feel almost split in two. Leaving behind your safe life, and wanting to see your family, but knowing how they feel about your leaving.
This is the story of secrets, forgiving, and a loving relationship with God. How life changes and feelings are soothed when we submit to God’s will, not our own. A very hard, fulfilling way to live, with God in the center, but will all be able to accept what he wants?
A different Amish story here, things are not always as they appear, and not just Tilly blames herself, others also feel responsible, and all need forgiveness. Will this family ever find peace, a locked room, a stolen cap, and an old love?
This is a great page-turner of a read, I wanted to find the answers to the clues that were offered, and what a surprise. Also the title of the book, and the effect that the River has on this story. Enjoy!

I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Bethany House, and was not required to give a positive review.