__Come home to Hickory Hollow, Pennsylvania--the beloved setting where Beverly Lewis's celebrated Amish novels began--with new characters and new stories of drama, romance, and the ties that draw people together.__   
"Much of the credit \[for the growth of Amish fiction\] goes to Beverly Lewis, a Colorado author who gave birth to the genre in 1997 with The Shunning..."   
--Associated Press  
  
Joanna Kurtz has made several trips to the altar, but never as a bride. The young Amishwoman is a closet writer whose stories aren't her only secret.   
  
Eben Troyer hopes to make Joanna his bride--if he can ever leave his parents' farm in Shipshewana, Indiana. Yet Eben's hopes to build a life with Joanna hinge on his brother's return from the English world...  
  
"As with her other novels about the Amish, Lewis has created absorbing, realistic characters and situations, giving meaningful glimpses into their different way of living." - Congregational Libraries Today

Beverly Lewis, born in the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch country, has more than 17 million books in print. Her stories have been published in 11 languages and have regularly appeared on numerous bestseller lists, including the New York Times and USA Today. The Brethren won a 2007 Christy Award for excellence in Christian fiction. Beverly and her husband, David, live in Colorado, where they enjoy hiking, biking, making music, and spending time with their family. Learn more atwww.beverlylewis.com.

The Latest in Chart-Topping Amish Fiction from Beverly Lewis  
  
Twenty-seven-year-old Joanna Kurtz has made several trips to the altar, but never as a bride. The single young Amishwoman is a closet writer with a longing to be published something practically unheard of in her Lancaster County community. Yet Joanna's stories aren't her only secret. She also has a beau who is courting her from afar, unbeknownst even to her sister, Cora, who, though younger, seems to have suitors to spare.   
  
Eben Troyer is a responsible young Amishman who hopes to make Joanna Kurtz his bride--if he can ever leave his parents' farm in Shipshewana, Indiana. Yet with his only brother off in the English world, intent on a military career, Eben's hopes for building a life with his dear Joanna are dimming, and patience is wearing thin. Will Joanna ever be more than a bridesmaid?

When distance, family hardships, and a forbidden desire threaten her secret courtship with outsider Eben Troyer, will Joanna ever be more than a bridesmaid?

Lewis, Beverly

Cover

Title Page

Copyright Page

Dedication

Prologue

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Chapter 31

Chapter 32

Chapter 33

Chapter 34

Chapter 35

Chapter 36

Chapter 37

Chapter 38

Chapter 39

Chapter 40

Chapter 41

Chapter 42

Chapter 43 Epilogue

Author’s Note

About the Author

By Beverly Lewis

Back Ads

Back Cover

The Latest in Chart-Topping Amish Fiction from Beverly Lewis  
  
Twenty-seven-year-old Joanna Kurtz has made several trips to the altar, but never as a bride. The single young Amishwoman is a closet writer with a longing to be published something practically unheard of in her Lancaster County community. Yet Joanna's stories aren't her only secret. She also has a beau who is courting her from afar, unbeknownst even to her sister, Cora, who, though younger, seems to have suitors to spare.  
  
Eben Troyer is a responsible young Amishman who hopes to make Joanna Kurtz his bride--if he can ever leave his parents' farm in Shipshewana, Indiana. Yet with his only brother off in the English world, intent on a military career, Eben's hopes for building a life with his dear Joanna are dimming, and patience is wearing thin. Will Joanna ever be more than a bridesmaid?

Award winning author Beverly Lewis brings her latest offering ‘The Bridesmaid’. Perfect for all those looking for a book to stir their hearts, this story follows the character of Joanna Kurtz who has spent her years following brides up the aisle but never being the bride.  
  
24 year old Joanna Kurtz has always been the bridesmaid, but never the bride. Yearning for her one chance she wrestles with finding true love when hope is almost lost.  
  
'The Bridesmaid' - the 2nd book in the Home to Hickory Hollow series - is bursting with romance, tension, and one woman's deepest desires. Her biggest secret is revealed, Joanna has a secret love, who despite living far away loves her with a burning passion.  
  
Will Joanna ever turn her long distance love affair into the marriage she desperately desires? If she if ever going to be more than a bridesmaid, something needs to happen!  
  
This page turner will have you longing to find out if Joanna will ever become a bride.  
  
Beverly Lewis is a 'New York Times' bestselling author having written over 80 books. Hailing from Pennsylvania, she has managed to corner the market for Amish-related romantic fiction. Her mother’s heritage is what sparked Beverly's interest in the Amish community. Her famous book, 'The Shunning', has recently been made into a film and her book 'The Brethren', has received a Christy Award. Beverly lives with her husband, David, in Colorado.

‘Beverly Lewis’s The Bridesmaid is a beautiful, engaging story of love, hope, faithfulness, and a hard lesson in keeping secrets. I was so enamoured with this story that I read it in one sitting and I’ll definitely be recommending this book to all my friends.’  
  
‘the beauty of Beverly's stories is she makes her characters so likeable, you find yourself rooting for them all the way. I rate this one a 5 out of 5 stars and can't wait for the next novel in this series!’  
  
‘This book tells you about keeping your faith in the Lord, and teaches about separation, a long distance relationship and that you may need to give a little sometimes. I would recommend it folks to read, especially if they enjoy fiction or are interested in the Amish.’

Beverly Lewis has been sharing her skills with the world since she was a young child. Starting piano lessons at the age of five and writing stories and poetry since she was nine, I was surprised to find that Beverly has not always been a writer.   
  
In her early career, Beverly was a musician and teacher, but the inspiration for many of her novels can be traced far further back than that time. Credited with popularising the genre of Amish fiction, Beverly’s grandmother was born into a Mennonite community, sparking the author’s interest in her own ‘plain’ heritage.   
  
The result has been nothing short of prolific - since the early 1990s, Beverly has published over 70 books, she has created something of cult-following. Through her work, Beverly has instilled the Christian values she upholds in a wide range of readers.  
  
Beverly is married to David Lewis, and has three children and three grandchildren.

The Amish have quite a unique marriage tradition that is essential to the upholding of their communities. Usually Amish men and women are expected to marry within the tradition, and marrying non-Amish is generally frowned upon. As seen in ‘The Bridesmaid’ women are expected to get married at quite a young age - perhaps because tradition is strongly focused on family life, and they remain celibate until they are married.   
  
The strong agricultural tradition held by the Amish leads the inheritance of farm lands by sons, and their wives will usually move in with them, rather than the other way around. Contraceptives are few and far between, so Amish families are often large. As a result, the Amish community is self-sustaining in terms of numbers even though very little overt evangelism takes place.  
  
Within the household, parenting duties are shared, but prevailing authority belongs to the husband, and wives are usually occupied in more domestic occupations.   
  
The culture is upheld in different ways from community to community, with some opting for a stricter approach - alienating those who break with tradition - on the other hand, more liberal Amish may allow teens to explore cultural products not associated with the Amish (cameras, cars etc) in order that when they decide to be baptised, their choice is informed and free.  
  
From this information, we can approach ‘The Bridesmaid’ with a little perspective on the attitudes and traditions of the Amish, making the scenarios we, as readers, come across far from alien - they can be expected within this unique culture. The author herself goes a long way to making Amish traditions clear to the reader, so read on and enjoy!

Joanna: ‘Three times a bridesmaid, never a bride - although I once yearned for a beau and marriage, I’d given up on love. Twenty-four... and still a Madel.   
  
Cousin Melinda’s wedding would be my third time being a bridesmaid, but could I take my sister’s warnings as being anything other than just Amish superstition? Or could she be right? Dare I accept...  
  
(Sees Eben taking pictures - they exchange glances, he comes towards her)  
  
No-one had ever sought me out like this! Eben’s attention flabbergasted me, but it was ever so pleasing! Eben had given me new hope.  
  
I decided that day to go out on a limb - I agreed to be my cousin’s bridesmaid, hoping with all my heart to show up my sister’s pointed warning.   
  
(Going to mail box)  
  
Although Eben wrote often, I longed to hear his voice again - the way he said my name as we walked along the beach. I yearned for the day when we could be wed.   
  
(reading Eben’s letter)  
  
‘My dear Joanna, I prayed I’d never have to write this, my darling. But regrettably, everything has changed for me...’  
  
\- The Bridesmaid, Available September 11th 2012 -’

‘The Bridesmaid is an Amish fiction novel that is sure to be received well by Beverly Lewis fans, and those new to her work. The story of a young woman who yearns that elusive husband and then finds a complicated romance is full of tension, twists and tantalising moments of joy and sadness.   
  
Eben - Joanna’s secret and distant lover - is held back by his family situation, putting the couple’s prospects of marriage in real danger. Will everything fall into place? Readers are in for a rollicking ride as the author crafts a beautiful tale that will live up to the high standards readers have come to expect of her.’

The Good Book Stall

Readers of Beverly Lewis's Amish novels, will perhaps remember that her first stories were set in a place called Hickory Hollow in Pennsylvania. This book returns to that setting with new characters and new stories of drama and romance. What I enjoyed about this book was not so much the plot - dare I call it predictable? - but more the insight into the Amish way of life. Issues of loyalty, integrity and hope are beautifully interwoven within the framework of the simple Amish lifestyle. It would make a good, relaxing holiday read.

The Bridesmaid (Home to Hickory Hollow)

The Bridesmaid (Home to Hickory Hollow Book #2) [eBook]

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The Bridesmaid (Home to Hickory Hollow Book #2) [eBook]

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