Book Club: Review of The Timepiece

This post contains affiliate links. For more information, please see my Terms of Use and Disclosure Policy page. Thank you.

Perhaps you were wondering what happened to the Miller family after everyone in Hickory Hollow found out Ernest had been previously married before joining the Amish? In The Tinderbox, we read of Ernest, his first marriage, and how the secret he kept caused pain and growth for his immediate family and the Amish community. In this sequel, The Timepiece, Beverly Lewis focuses on the appearance of Adeline Pelham, Ernest's daughter by his first wife and how this impacts everyone.

Over the course of thirty-nine chapters, we see how the arrival of Adeline impacts Ernest and his wife Rhoda, their daughter Sylvia, and the sons. Adeline agrees to stay with the Millers for a time before she needs to return for her college courses in Georgia. She asks a lot of questions to try to understand the Millers and the Amish in general. Sylvia also finds that— in forming a new relationship with her half-sister—she grows and changes occur within her immediate relationships.

A Page Turner 

Personally, I felt the story of The Timepiece flowed and was easy to read. The pace was smooth and I wanted to read the next chapter. I wanted to know how Adeline would react to attending Sunday service, if she would marry her fiancé, Brendon, and just who would Sylvia end up marrying herself? I enjoyed seeing Adeline grow closer to God and accept Jesus as she read the Gospel of John and her mother's own diary which spoke of her mother's spiritual journey. At one point, Adeline is driving to the Millers and is thinking about the life of Jesus. I loved that she had tears springing from her eyes as she thought about His Crucifixion. This touching reaction really brought her to life for me.

Beverly Lewis provided a nice conclusion to the story of the Millers, although she could go back and revisit them if she wanted to share the life of Sylvia or her brothers as they get older. I would recommend The Timepiece to readers who enjoy Christian fiction, stories set in the Amish community, or those seeking a comforting story of forgiveness and growth.

Do you want to read my review of The Tinderbox?

Book Club: Book Review of The Tinderbox

Disclaimer: I received this book for free from the publisher in return for my honest opinion. All thoughts and opinions are my own. This post contains affiliate links. For more information please see my Terms of Use and Disclosure Policy page. Thank you.

Having read only one other book by Beverly Lewis, I was happy to have the chance to review The Tinderbox from Bethany House. At the center of the story is the Miller family and a secret that could tear apart their lives. "As the long-kept secret emerges into the light of day, can the Millers find a way forward through the turmoil to a place of forgiveness?"

I must admit that I walk into the reading of any book about the Amish with wariness but also respect. I do not completely agree with the choices that the Amish make in regards to Christianity and I think that is part of the reason why, as much as I enjoyed reading the The Tinderbox, I had trouble with some of the events. The secret that Earnest Miller was hiding from his wife, family, and the rest of the Amish in his community brings about discipline from the church leadership. When Earnest seeks forgiveness from his Deacon, I am reminded that we only need seek forgiveness from God. The rules of the Amish and their interpretation of the Bible stir my heart.

The writing of Beverly Lewis is one that puts the reader at ease. I found The Tinderbox to be an easy read – before I knew it I had finished another chapter. I think any young woman would be able to read The Tinderbox and find something to speak to her. Whether one receives encouragement from the strength of Rhoda Miller (Earnest's wife) or the quiet introspection of Sylvia as she plans a future with her love, there are both men and women with whom readers might be able to identify.

The Story 

In The Tinderbox, we are introduced to the Miller Family – Earnest and Rhoda and their children: Sylvia, Tommy, Ernie, Calvin, and Adam. The story focuses upon the lives of both the parents and their daughter along with several other key individuals who help bring the entire plot to life.  Earnest was not born Amish but chose to join the life when he was seeking something. He learned the trade of clock-making and eventually took over the business of Isaac Smucker. Earnest was baptized into the Amish church and married Rhoda. They lived a rewarding life until the tinderbox in his clock-making office was opened and his past was found out by Sylvia. This would set in motion the events of the majority of the book.

There are wonderful scenes depicted throughout the book of the quaint lifestyle of the Amish – from the courting relationship of Sylvia and Titus as they go double dating and get ice cream to the jam-making session of the girls. I think these snapshots into the lives of the Millers and the Amish are what appeal to so many. There is also a look into the life of Rhoda's sister, Hannah, and her suffering due to a miscarriage. And finally, throughout the story, we see a community mourning the death of their leader – Mahlon Zook – who was so integral to the lives of not only the entire community but particularly Earnest.

Final Thoughts 

If you are already a fan of Beverly Lewis, I would recommend picking up The Tinderbox. If you enjoy reading fictional stories about the Amish, this book might also be of interest to you. I found it to be an easy read and one that I finished rather quickly (which for me is a sign that I am enjoying the book). There is also quite a shock at the end of the book – so keep reading to see what happens – and see why there is a sequel arriving in September 2019.

Looking for more book reviews about works from Bethany House?

I have enjoyed reviewing several books from Bethany House including Far Side of the Sea and another book by Beverly Lewis – The Road Home.

Book Club: Reviewing The Road Home by Beverly Lewis

Disclaimer: I received this book for free from the publisher in return for my honest opinion. All thoughts and opinions are my own. This post may contain affiliate links. For more information please see my Terms of Use and Disclosure Policy. Thank you.

This was the first time I have read any books by Beverly Lewis and I was pleasantly surprised. In The Road Home, we follow the journey of Lena Rose Schwartz after the death of her parents, as she travels from the Amish community of Centreville, Michigan to the Leacock Community in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. The book details Lena Rose's yearning for her nine siblings who remained in Centreville, her experiences helping her cousins Harley and Mimi Stoltzfus, providing companionship to Solomon, Lydia, James, and Rebekah, and her growing friendship with Arden.

From the beginning of the book we are introduced to a host of characters and in general I feel it was rather easy to feel connected to them. The only characters with whom I had some difficulty developing a connection were some of Lena Rose's siblings. This may or may not have been intentional as I feel that Lewis spent more time introducing and describing the siblings that Lena Rose seemed more involved with back in Centreville – Chris and Emma.

photo by M.Y.

I would have appreciated a bit more detail explaining the differences that Lena Rose notes between her former life – different clothing, different carriages than the horse and buggy, etc. – to that of the life in Lancaster County. Perhaps I am at a disadvantage not having read other books by Lewis. In fact, I have not read a lot of fiction or non-fiction relating to the Amish community even though we do not live far from Lancaster County.

I enjoyed reading about Lena celebrating the different holidays with Harley and Mimi and the rest of the family and friends in Lancaster County. While my heart was sad for her character missing home, I was glad to see she was accepting God's current path or plan for her. She was finding a way to make positive impacts in her temporary home by helping Rebekah, cleaning James' home, and also participating in the various youth activities like singing, hay rides, and ice skating. In fact, one of my favorite descriptions is about the hay ride during the winter.

I would recommend The Road Home by Beverly Lewis from Bethany House to individuals looking for Christian fiction that includes a bit of clean romance and is inspirational. After reading The Road Home, I will be looking for other books of Lewis' to read as well.












I am a member of the Bethany House Blogger Review Program.

Book Club: Review of My People, The Amish: The True Story of an Amish Father and Son

Disclaimer: I received a FREE copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. This post contains affiliate links. For more information, please see my Terms of Use and Disclosure Policy page. Thank you.

My People, The Amish: The True Story of an Amish Father and Son by Joe Keim was a very enjoyable read for me. I received an early review copy in return for my honest opinion and I would recommend this book to those individuals who are interested in the life and culture of the Amish, the life of people working through their own journey to a relationship with Jesus Christ, and those who have struggles with their own families. 

Living within a few hours of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, I found Keim’s book interesting fro the start. I have been visiting the area, “Amish Country,” since a sixth grade field trip and found the Amish fascinating to learn about and my opinions of their culture matured with me. Many people find them ‘quaint,’ but the very things that promote this stereotype seem to be the beliefs and aspects of their life that people who leave the Amish struggle with – whether for religious reasons or just because they want the English lifestyle. 

Girl's Room at the Amish Farm and House, Lancaster, PA

Keim’s journey in My People, The Amish, as he describes his childhood, youth, and adulthood, is moving as he finds a close relationship with Jesus and starts the MAP Ministry (Mission to Amish People). 

Many of Keim’s stories about his families can also be applicable for our own lives. One example is how he and his wife, Esther, relate to their own children, Jonathan and Rachel, raise them to be godly individuals, and pray over them and their families. 

Another great aspect of the My People, The Amish, is the use of multiple Bible quotations throughout as Keim recounts his journey. 

My only complaint is the structural organization as parts of the past, life living within the Amish community in Ohio, are told as they relate to more recent events in the life of Keim. At times it is a little confusing but not to the point that it is a huge distraction. 

Keim’s message of encouragement to never give up is a wonderful one that is needed in today’s world.