Review of 'The Fiddler' by Beverly Lewis

Amelia Devries is an extremely talented violinist, whose father's dream for her has been to travel the world's stages. Music is what gives her life; however, she doesn't only like to play the classics. She also loves to fiddle. Her alter ego is Amy Lee, star fiddler, who just opened up for Tim McGraw. No one else in her life knows about her other side, which at times is more appealing than being a concert violinist.

On her way home from the Tim McGraw show, she takes a wrong turn in a horrible rainstorm. She seeks shelter at a nearby cabin, in which an Amishman, Michael Hostetler, lives. Michael was born in the Amish faith, but has recently found himself drawn to the English ways of life as he seeks his higher education.

The two of them are instantly drawn to each other. Michael is amazed at Amelia's talents and beauty. Amelia is drawn to a simpler way of life. Both of them seem to straddle both worlds, though one foot definitely lies more heavily in one than in the other.

As you are reading this book, you realize that one or both of them is going to have to give up their current way of life, in order to make anything work out. Dreams may be fulfilled, but some may have to be given up in order to create new ones. You're torn between how you want them to work this out. If Amelia goes Amish, she will have to give up her music. If Michael becomes English, he faces the disappointment of his community. Both of them fear upsetting their fathers, who have alternative ideas about what their children should do with their lives. You want them to find a way to work it out, to achieve their life's dreams, and to not lose their families in the process.

While I was reading this, I kept envisioning Amelia as a sort of Alison Krauss. I had no celebrity in mind for Michael, but I could still picture him just as clearly in my mind. You could really feel the emotions of the characters as they grew and developed. You rode their roller coaster of hopes and dreams, disappointments and desires. It was a very touching reminder to stay true to yourself. I loved it.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for my honest review.


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Review of 'Almost Amish' by Kathryn Cushman

Susan is a Martha Stewart in-training. She is classic Type A personality and a helicopter parent. Her husband recently left her and she is trying to figure out her life. She is given a chance to be on a reality TV series in which a family tries to live like the Amish. This would bode well for her career, so she agrees to do it.

She needs another family, so she asks her brother's wife Julie to join her with their two kids. Julie is a stay-at-home mom who is completely dissatisfied with her life. She is always on the go, she never sees her kids, and she always feels like a failure. Somehow, a summer of simple living sounds like a great idea to her.

The two families aren't going to actually live as Amish. They will have electricity and indoor plumbing. They will have to learn how to wash their clothes by hand, cook on a wood stove, plant a garden, care for farm animals, etc. Every week there is a new challenge they must face, that they hope will draw in viewers.

Susan is determined to be perfect. She is so focused on what the American audience is going to see, that she continues to neglect her daughter. Julie is also afraid of looking like a fool in front of the TV audience, but she finds herself quickly getting more in tune with herself and her own kids. She realizes that simple living isn't as easy as you would think, but it is definitely more purposeful.

The attitude of the producer, Kendra, and her production crew make you cringe. For example, when they are visiting the nearby town and later Walmart, they are explicitly told to *NOT* film the Amish people and their businesses. They go ahead and do it anyway, which is so disrespectful. Some of their tasks and other things they film are also highly disrespectful. Isn't that the name of the game in reality TV anymore? Julie notices, though, and develops a strength inside her to stand up for what is right.

This book is an excellent reminder to stop and smell the roses from time to time. Everything you do in life should have some kind of a purpose. Remember to listen to your kids and to each other. You are probably missing something very important. Life is not about jumping on Facebook every five minutes to update your status, nor texting your friends nonstop about trivial matters. It is about embracing what you have and giving of yourself to others. Twists in the plot also remind you to not take people at face value. Sometimes there is more going on that what you see on the surface. First impressions are not always the correct ones. I hope that the readers of this book are able to learn this lesson as well as, if not better than, the characters in this book.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House, in exchange for my honest review.

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