The Parting, Courtship of Nellie Fisher Series #1

Nellie dares to dream of a future with handsome Caleb Yoder, but there are those who would keep the young couple apart . . . including Caleb's own father. Meanwhile, a growing number of Amish farmers are demanding modern conveniences. When a revival adds to the tensions, passions flare and the Old Order community is pushed to the breaking point. Based on actual events.

Beverly Lewis, born in the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch country, is a former schoolteacher and accomplished pianist. With over eighty books for adults and children, Beverly has appeared on numerous bestseller lists, including USA Today and The New York Times, as well as been nominated for a 2006 Quill Award. Five of her blockbuster novels have received the Gold Book Award for sales over 500,000, and The Brethren recently won a 2007 Christy Award. More than 10 million copies of her books have been sold. Beverly and her husband, David, make their home in Colorado, where they enjoy hiking, biking, reading, writing, making music, and spending time with their three grandchildren.

In The Parting, Beverly Lewis’s first in a new series, Nellie Mae Fisher, a young Amish girl, must find her way through the loss of a sibling, a youthful romance, and the splitting of her community. She is confused with the grief, the whirlwind of love, and with choosing whether to follow her father in his new faith or to stay true to the old ways of her people, choosing the young man she is quickly coming to love.

Lewis does an excellent job of keeping the plot active and interesting; readers will continue turning pages as they seek to discover which path Nellie will choose. The author’s excellently woven suspense keeps readers’ attention. Not only that, but readers are immediately submersed into the Amish world through sensory descriptions, colloquialisms, and realistic dialogue.

Most intriguing are the two dilemmas that Nellie faces. First, she fights to dispel the nasty rumors that are following the death of her sister, Suzy. According to the whispers of the grapevine, Suzy spent the last few months before her death with “Englischers,” or non-Amish people, and became involved in a wild lifestyle, disrespectable for an Amish teenager. Are these rumors true, or was Suzy really the girl Nellie thought she was?

Second, Nellie’s father discovers an unorthodox verse in the Bible that speaks of a man named Jesus who can offer insurance of salvation. At the same time, Nellie is falling in love with Caleb Yoder, who is deeply rooted in the ways of their people. Will she choose to follow the faith of her father, which seems to offer so much peace and joy? If she does, will she risk losing Caleb’s attention?

Nellie continually walks a tight-rope between trying to remain faithful to her father, to the memory of her sister, but also to her people’s faith and to her love for Caleb. She is surrounded by turmoil as well, as the Amish battle over whether or not certain comforts should be allowed. Where will the line fall for this community, and who will be on which side?

The Parting is a captivating Christian romance. Not only does it keep readers turning pages, it also challenges their passion and excitement for their faith in Christ. The last chapter closes with anticipation for the next book in the series. – Jenni K. Ritschard, Christian Book Previews.com

Beloved bestselling inspirational author Lewis kicks off The Courtship of Nellie Fisher series, dishing up her usual sort of Amish meal. Amish teen Nellie Fisher's grief over the death of her sister Suzy in a drowning accident is just beginning to heal. It helps that Caleb Yoder has asked her to be his girl, and wedding bells ring in her imagination. Her baked goods shop also provides solace. But change blows through her Pennsylvania Amish community, threatening to divide families and thwart her newfound romance. Other storylines are set up: Rosanna King seems unable to have children, but is promised a forthcoming baby by a woman who has many; Nellie's father reads forbidden scripture and becomes intrigued with salvation by grace. Amish dialect is used judiciously throughout, and although some items (like an old journal) seem like tired clichés, Lewis creates the tension necessary to get the series started. Some Christian readers will wonder about a theology that finds Suzy's death and a crop failure part of God's plan, and there may be confusion for readers unfamiliar with the Amish about the boundaries of Rumschpringe (rumspringa, or the running-around period for some Amish teens). Lewis has a gentle narrative style, however, and her fans will line up for this latest fictional slice of Amish life. 350,000-copy first printing. (Oct.) Copyright 2007 Reed Business Information.

Average Rating:

8 of 37 Reviews Showing:(View All Reviews)

Reviewed by Brenda Frazier (Barberton, OH), November 02, 2009

When I first started reading the series on Nellie Mae Fisher, I thought it was another boring novel. Now I can't put the books down and I still have yet to read the third book which I have not purchased yet. Reading Mrs. Lewis's books take you back to the Amish community and how they live...I have been there (in my state) and now I love to learn more about their life.

Reviewed by Evelyn Walker (Rapid City, SD), September 21, 2009

You can't loose when you purchase a Beverly Lewis book. Her books never let you down, and you are always reminded to look for God's love.

Reviewed by Virginia Ferrell (Blue Ridge, TX), June 24, 2009

I ordered and read all 3 of the books in this Series. I read all three, within a week. Excellent Christian Fiction.

Reviewed by Sarah (Tampa Fl), December 30, 2008

I am a big fan of Mrs. Lewis, and I loved this book! I couldn't put it down. I liked learning about the beliefs of the Old Order Amish, and the history of how some of the New Order formed. I'm currently reading "The Forbidden", which is the second book, and so far I like it too. I encourage everyone to read these books.

Reviewed by Mary Walker (Land O Lakes, FL), December 05, 2008

I am reading these now and can hardly put them down. All three are excellant.

Reviewed by Jeannette (Boyne City, Michigan), August 19, 2008

The Courtship of Nellie Fisher is a most wonderful series to begin with if you've never read a series of books before. This is and was my first and I'm enjoying the experience. I'm almost done with book #2 and I can't wait until book #3 is released.

Reviewed by Charlee (New Sharon, ME), August 14, 2008

I love Beverly Lewis and her most recent series is no let down. You fall in love with each character and you find yourself wanting to include these people in your own prayers only to remember it is only a story! Hats off to Beverly Lewis! I pray the Lord would continue to bless her and continue to allow her to write such wonderful stories!

Reviewed by Susan Boling-reynolds (Tulsa, OK), August 01, 2008

I have enjoyed this series so far, enough to anticipate the next book in the series; sometimes hard to figure out if the text is really happening, a dream, a thought, or a reading from Suzy's diary.

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