#AtoZChallenge: Amish fiction: 'Abram's Daughters' by Beverly Lewis

Uplifting Reads is a newer blog that wasn't around for last year's A to Z Challenge. I decided to try to enter it this year and see what I can do. Unlike some of my other book blogs, I don't really have a particular theme, beyond that of the blog, itself. I hope that together we can find some interesting inspirational reads together!

I decided to kick things off today with a shout out to Amish fiction, which is one of my favorite genres. I don't know why I like it so much, but I do. Perhaps it is because it is a refreshing change from all of the sex and craziness that exists in so many books today. I need a bit of variety in my reading world. 

There is so much innocence in the Amish books, but plenty of mystery and betrayal and naughtiness, as well. 

I am currently in the middle of reading the 'Abram's Daughters' series by Beverly Lewis. The first book in the series, The Covenant, was free for Kindle for a while. I liked some of her other books and figured I could give this one a try. Before I had a chance to read it, though, I came across the entire set at my favorite local used bookstore, for just $30. Plus, I had coupons. 

I have a mountain of other reading that I am doing for all of my reviews, so I sneak in a chapter here and there. I am almost halfway through the second book in the series. I am also hopelessly addicted to it. A) I enjoy holding a real book in my hand for a change. B) It is just that good.

So, click on a book cover to find out more about it. I have included the Amazon book blurb next to each cover, but you may also want to see what others have to say about it. 

Book 1 of Abram's Daughters series from bestselling author Beverly Lewis. Years of secrecy bind the tiny community of Gobbler's Knob together more than the present inhabitants know, and the Plain folk who farm the land rarely interact with the fancy locals. So when Sadie is beguiled by a dark-haired English boy, it is Sadie's younger sister, Leah, who suffers from her sister's shameful loss of innocence. And what of Leah's sweetheart, Jonas Mast, sent to Ohio under the Bishop's command? Drawn into an incomprehensible pact with her older sister, Leah finds her dreams spinning out of control, even as she clings desperately to the promises of God. The Covenant begins a powerful Lancaster portrait of the power of family and the miracle of hope. 

Book 2 of Abram's Daughters. Spanning three generations, the Abram's Daughters series paints a powerful family portrait of four Amish sisters growing up in Gobbler's Knob, Lancaster County. In Book One, The Covenant, when oldest sister Sadie is beguiled by a handsome, dark-haired "Englischer," it is younger sister Leah who suffers from her sister's shameful behavior. In Book Two, The Betrayal, Leah and her beloved Jonas are separated for half the year when he accepts a long-desired carpenter's apprenticeship in Ohio. They are confident that by letter and heart-felt promises, their love is strong enough to survive the temporary separation. But never could they have foreseen the bitter test facing them and their families.

Abram's Daughters book 3, the sequel to the bestselling The Betrayal. This powerful family saga features four Amish courting-age sisters growing up in Lancaster County Pennsylvania, beginning in the 1940s. Life in Gobbler's Knob was all Leah Ebersol ever wanted until her older sister Sadie abandoned faith and family, leaving Leah no choice but to believe the worst, that Sadie--and her own beloved Jonas--had betrayed her. Now, two years later, Leah still misses both Sadie and Jonas keenly. Because of her sister's shunning, she cannot contact either of them but hears through the grapevine that they are married. Loyal neighbor Gid is still biding his time, but on the verge of accepting his courting invitation, tragedy befalls the Ebersols and Leah must again choose between her own happiness and her family. Mary Ruth dreams of becoming a teacher, but it has gotten pushed to the back of her thinking when a nice young Amish boy comes courting. Twin Hannah yearns for her sister to attend baptismal classes with her, but Mary Ruth is not ready to take her & vows. How will this family in turmoil & peace?

In The Prodigal, Leah Ebersol knows all too well that the truth can be thorny, even heartbreaking. But when an alarming secret is brought to light, she must make another difficult choice, one that could be further complicated by a prodigal who few expected to return.

 In The Revelation, Jonas Mast has given Leah Ebersol reason to hope again. Yet events threaten that might force Leah and her sister Sadie to reveal their closely guarded secret--a secret with the power to split the Mast and Ebersol families even further apart, this time forever.







What are some of your favorite Amish reads? 

Thanks for stopping by!