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The Fiddler (Home to Hickory Hollow, Bk 1)
The Fiddler - Home to Hickory Hollow, Bk 1
Author: Beverly Lewis
Amelia "Amy" DeVries, a 24-year-old violinist, is disillusioned with life and love after the collapse of her long-running romance. Weary of endless rehearsals and performances, Amy sets out on a road trip through the Pennsylvania mountains. She leaves her cell phone behind so life's demands can't intrude on her solitude. She do...  more »
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ISBN-13: 9780764209772
ISBN-10: 0764209779
Publication Date: 4/10/2012
Pages: 326
Rating:
  • Currently 4.3/5 Stars.
 53

4.3 stars, based on 53 ratings
Publisher: Bethany House
Book Type: Paperback
Other Versions: Hardcover
Reviews: Member | Amazon | Write a Review

Top Member Book Reviews

reviewed The Fiddler (Home to Hickory Hollow, Bk 1) on + 353 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
I have not read a lot of Beverley Lewis books. Only the shunning series. I enjoyed this read but had thoughts of my own of the ending. I was wrong. Just a sweet story of two people finding their place in Gods plan for thier lives.
myersjewels avatar reviewed The Fiddler (Home to Hickory Hollow, Bk 1) on + 58 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
I have read many of Beverly Lewis works: the Abrams Daughters series, The Heritage of Lancaster County series, Annies People series, and The Courtship of Nellie Fischer series to name a few. So it was with great anticipation that I looked forward to her latest novelThe Fiddler.

When I received my review copy in the mail I was immediately captivated by the cover. It was bright and cheery and captured my interest immediately. The artwork is good, which is important to me. I quickly set aside time to read and started in on this book with enthusiasm. This book took me by surprise and was nothing like the other Amish reads from Mrs. Lewis. It was a completely different take on the Amish community and their mix with the modern world in a decidedly refreshing way. We meet several new characters as well as old friends from the Hickory Hollow setting of The Shunning and feel a kinship with them from the beginning for that reason. The authors writing was as good as any of her other works and flowed smoothly throughout the story. I finished the book in record time and was satisfied with the ending.

But as I reflected back on it, I cannot say that I was as drawn into this newest book as I have been with Lewis past novels. The story just did not stick with me as the other novels I mentioned earlier have done. I did not feel as closely connected with the characters as I have done in the past and the love story was a little flat for me after reading her other books. There was really nothing wrong with the story I just did not connect as deeply with it as with most of her other writings. Thinking back I realize that I felt the same way when I began reading The Thorn from The Rose Trilogy and did not bother to read the other books in that particular series.

Upon further analysis maybe I have simply read too many Amish books and they are all beginning to sound alike to me. After all, with all of the Amish fiction that is flooding the market today, you can find them everywhere. But no matter how many of them I read, the first sets of books written by Beverly Lewis are just simply the best out there. I have re- read those several times and they always speak to me. While I understand her need for new topics to explore, these newer books do not hold the magic I found in the first works. Therefore, I give The Fiddler four stars instead of the five I have given all the others.

I received this complimentary copy from Bethany House Publishers for this review. A positive review was not required and the opinions expressed here are my own.
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reviewed The Fiddler (Home to Hickory Hollow, Bk 1) on + 63 more book reviews
"The Fiddler" by Beverly Lewis- Home to Hickory Hollow series- book review

Beverly Lewis has done it again, taken us into the lives of an Amish community and the clash with the English people near by. This time the theme is instrumental music, which is excluded from the Old Order Amish, but is the livelihood of professional violin player, Amelia Devries.

Amelia meets Michael Hostetler, an Amish young man, during a rain storm following a fiddle competition. Through out their weekend together, the two explore their current lives, goals, family expectations and responsibilities. Each has to also deal with the traditions of their religion and how that impacts their decisions.

Following their brief visit, both return to their jobs and families but continue to remember the decisions they made while in Hickory Hollow, and how they could be friends.

This book, more than others I have read about Amish/ English conflicts, seemed to show the negative aspects of the Amish traditions of being removed from all things modern: most notably- use of electricity, cars, music, computers, etc. And the consequences of the Amish for using these "off-limits" items, namely banning- completely cut off from family and friends, forever.

The book would make a great summer road trip take-along. It is easy to read and I was quickly engaged in the story line. I will look forward to reading the next installment in the series "The Bridesmaid" to be available Sept, 2012.

Disclaimer: This book was provided to me from the publisher, Bethany House. All opinions expressed are my own.


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