The Atonement by Beverly Lewis



"It's not in your power to redeem yourself. Just ain't possible."(254)



Title:  The Atonement
Author: Beverly Lewis
Publisher:  Bethany House
Release Date: March 29, 2016
Genre:  Amish Contemporary Fiction 


ABOUT THE BOOK


Jah, Lucy thought. Tobe would have known what to say.

"But what would he say to me if he knew the truth?" she murmured into her hands, leaning on the desk.

Alas, that was something she could not afford to find out.

The mistakes of the past haunt Lucy Flaud, now twenty-five and beyond Amish courting age. Instead, Lucy focuses on volunteering in both the Plain and fancy communities of Lancaster County. Yet no matter how hard she strives, she never feels she's doing enough. Then her father strikes up an unexpected friendship with an Englischer in search of a simpler way of life. Lucy forms a connection of her own with the thoughtful young man even as she rejects courtship with her longtime Amish friend. Is it too late to embrace redemption . . . and the power of love?

                                                                                                                                                                      

MY THOUGHTS

Beverly Lewis has a gift to write Amish stories that relates to its culture, as well as to us Englischers with depth and perception.  The Atonement is no different. The simplicity of the Amish life doesn't necessarily mean their lives are simple. No, not the least, because as humans, we are complicated and sinful in nature. We were given the gift of choice, and with that choice, sometimes our decisions may bring about pain and rejection. It can create a boulder-sized hole in our soul as forgiveness seems far and redemption even further. That is what we have with The Atonement. Lucy have bottled up her past by keeping herself busy with her volunteer work. In truth, she's struggling emotionally with herself, her family, mainly her dad, and ultimately with God. Will she be able to atone her past sins by trying so hard to do good?

"'I'm always too late.'
'I understand that, but it's been my experience that God is never too late.  Sometimes it seems like the eleventh hour has just chimed, and then the answer come." (192)

The Atonement is simple, yet complex. Its character development is the highlight that makes this book a great one. There's no major drama or plot adventure, but there's enough grace and emotional turmoil from various characters that rends itself a novel to appreciate.  I pray that this novel will speak to you as God intend it to be used. Sometimes, God will use the unexpected to make His point.

"Sometimes we hold our sin too close, making it harder to relinquish it to God...The Lord's a mender of hearts...if we just ask for His forgiveness and turn from our sins." (260)
"Most everything is a risk to some degree or other. Nothing's guaranteed except the love of our Father in heaven." (201)

"Be thankful for all things..." (262) 


NOTE:  I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher, Bethany House for an honest review.  All opinions expressed are my own.  For my review policy, please see my Disclosure page.


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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Photo courtesy of Gene Photography
Beverly Lewis, born in the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch country, has more than 17 million books in print. Her stories have been published in eleven languages and have regularly appeared on numerous bestseller lists, including the New York Times and USA Today. Beverly and her husband, David, live in Colorado, where they enjoy hiking, biking, making music, and spending time with their family. 

TO CONNECT WITH BEVERLY:  website,  facebook





                                                                                                                                                                      


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