The Forbidden, The Courtship of Nellie Fisher #2

In this sequel to The Parting, Caleb Yoder's father has forbidden him to court Nellie Mae Fisher, but words alone cannot stop Caleb's devotion. Yet if he continues to pursue Nellie, he risks losing everything. Nellie, too, is torn. She longs to marry her Old Order beau but cannot ignore the gentle pull she feels toward the faith of her New Order family. Can she and her beloved satisfy the expectations of the People while remaining true to their hearts?

In The Forbidden, the second of three books in The Courtship of Nellie Fisher series, Beverly Lewis deals with issues relevant to modern Christians. Nellie Fisher loves Caleb Yoder, but a split in their Amish church divides their families. Nellie's parents and sisters follow the New Order, while Caleb's stubborn father refuses to budge from the ways of the Old Order. Knowing that her future depends on which Order she chooses to follow, Nellie struggles in her efforts to take sides. Meanwhile, her family tires to cope with the recent loss of her sister, Suzy, and with Nellie's other sister Rhoda's increasing interest in the "Englischer's" world. The Fisher and Yoder families are not the only families affected by the clashing Orders, and Lewis draws the reader into the lives of all those caught in the conflict.

With a slow start, Forbidden lacks the descriptions needed to visualize the setting and people, but the story itself makes up for that. Lewis switches points of view frequently throughout the book, making it confusing for readers who have not read the first book in her Courting series, but these changes give the reader an insightful view of the varying conflicts created by splits in churches.

As characters confront issues of forgiveness, devotion, and faith, Lewis shows the importance of love and prayer in the Christian life. She addresses the Christian's quest for assurance of salvation, questions regarding how to help others come to that same assurance, the need to be in the world but not of the world, and personal struggles to understand God's will. The heart of The Forbidden can be found as Nellie’s mother tells her, "It's not so much how we manage to get through the hard things as it is being willing to cling to God's promises while we're getting there" (p. 267). Elias, Nellie's father, later recalls a verse in the Bible (Acts 1:7) and says, "'Tis not for us to know the times and the seasons, nor the hearts of men… but to simply trust" (p. 290). – Harmony Wheeler, www.ChristianBookPreviews.com

Book two of Lewis's series is exactly the kind of predictable Amish novel her readers have come to expect: multiple character plot lines, romantic entanglements, tension within the religious community, and at least one tragedy. Here, Lewis continues the saga of Nellie Mae Fisher, whose Amish family embraces a "New Order" personal faith that defies the "Old Order" beliefs they've always held dear. Nellie hopes to marry Caleb Yoder, but because of her family's change of belief, Caleb's father forbids him to marry Nellie on pain of losing his inheritance. Lewis capably portrays the struggle Nellie feels between the attraction of her family's faith and the yearnings of her heart. Other plot threads continue: Nellie's sister Rhoda is drawn into the modern world and its promise of convenience, excitement and automobiles, while a couple who have been given a set of twins to raise discover that their burgeoning interest in the New Order faith causes the birth mother to have second thoughts about their fitness as adoptive parents. Lewis's readers seemingly can't get enough of her tales about Amish life, and this latest installment won't disappoint. (May) Copyright 2008 Reed Business Information.

Average Rating:

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Reviewed by Arlene (Gansevoort, NY), July 31, 2009

I read & completed all 3 Series of Nellie Fisher. As always, the book was excellent and I read it in no time at all. Caleb's dad was a bit hard nosed & I wondered if he would ever change. Not wanting to tell the story, I'd advise anyone who enjoys these wonderful books, to read Series from Book 1 to end of Book 3. Great Series and more great books from Beverly Lewis. What I also like as in other Christian authors too, they bring the Word of God into their books and it's a great witness for Christ and the Glory goes to Him. A lovely way to bring the Message to people. Excellent book & series of Nellis Fisher.

Reviewed by Wanda Richards (Nampa, ID), January 27, 2009

This book only took me two days to read, I enjoyed it so much I didn't want to put it down.Please make sure you get all three books in this series because you will want to read them all. They are that good. I sincerely love every book this author has written. I hope she writes a lot more. Wanda in Idaho

Reviewed by Jerry Valley (Wasilla, AK), October 17, 2008

Good series, easy reading and enjoyable. I love knowing more about the Amish and their ways.

Reviewed by Karen Alongi (Eloy, AZ), August 27, 2008

Another Beverly Lewis winner! I could not put this book down........read it in one night. This is very customary of Beverly Lewis' books. They just don't hit the store fast enough.

Reviewed by Karen Alongi (Eloy, AZ), August 27, 2008

Another Beverly Lewis winner! I could not put this book down........read it in one night. This is very customary of Beverly Lewis' books. They just don't hit the store fast enough.

Reviewed by Christine Simcisko (Moshannon, PA), August 21, 2008

I loved this book and the 1st one in this series. The study is fiction but it is based on real facts about the Amish community in the 1960's in Pennsylvania. I haven't read Beverly Lewis's books in while and I can hardly wait for the next one to come out.

Reviewed by Elsie Fitzpatrick (Manitouwadge, On,), August 15, 2008

this series for very good and makes you want to know more about the story.

Reviewed by Tammie Hicks (Hampton, VA), August 09, 2008

The Forbidden holds you captured, not wanting to put the book down. There are lots of surprises throughout the book. By the time your finished with it your wanting book #3. Lot's of reasons for smiles and brings tears to the eyes.

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Write a review of The Forbidden, The Courtship of Nellie Fisher #2

Author: Beverly Lewis
Submitted: July 29, 2008

    Tell us a little about yourself.  This story has been simmering in my heart now for over two years--and I'm so excited to share it with my readers here at Christianbook.com.

    What was your motivation behind this project?  Several forces were behind my writing this trilogy...especially the fascinating research I was blessed to do into the birth of the New Order Amish, all the while knowing that a "present-day revival" is occurring right now among the Plain people

    What do you hope folks will gain from this project?  Various layers of enjoyment, including a wholesome alternative to secular novels, a compelling story, a non-fiction-style-novel, where the secrets of an exotic society come to light, and a tender love story.

    How were you personally impacted by working on this project?  One of the most powerful ways was hearing firsthand how God moved in 1966, when Amish ministerial brethren began reading the whole of Scripture and the eyes of their spiritual understanding were opened for the first time!

    Who are your influences, sources of inspiration or favorite authors / artists?  I look to the Lord Jesus for daily inspiration through prayer and God's Word. Without that, I am unable to fulfill His call. My dear Mom had a way of encouraging me (and everyone around her) like no one I've ever know (she's been in heaven now for just 2 years, and I miss her prayers terribly). I adore the writings of C. S. Lewis, A.W. Tozer, Chip Ingram, Calvin Miller and Andrew Murray--not in that order. I think Lynn Austin is rather incredible, as is Liz Higgs, Charles Martin, Lisa Samson, William Trevor, Elizabeth George Speare and Elizabeth Strout...and about 40 other favorite novelists and poets.

    Anything else you'd like readers / listeners to know:  The finale to "The Courtship of Nellie Fisher" is at the printers and will be out in a few weeks--Book Three: The Longing. I'm already writing a new series with a powerfully emotional story that will keep you awake all night--to be released in summer '09. God bless my wonderful readers--I love you and pray for you.

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