The Guardian (Home to Hickory Hollow Series #3)

When Jodi Winfield goes for her morning run,she happens upon a l

When Jodi Winfield goes for her morning run,she happens upon a little girl. The Child does not have any shoes and is dressed only in her underwear. Can you imagine, the child also has a big bruise on her forehead...I would be calling the police.
In the end she cleans up the little darling, and from her friend, figures out she is Amish. She puts the little one in the car...now I might be thinking people will think she kidnapped this child? Anyway, even though the little one does not speak English, she manages to get Jodi to her home.
You can imagine how that Mother felt seeing her child home. Maryanna, her Mom, had been driving the family buggy, and her little Sarah fell out.
Jodi is feeling the pain of loosing her only sister. When she comes to Hickory Hollow, she finds some of the peace she has been looking for. She is unable to forgive God.
Her acceptance by the Plain People, has a lot to do with how the Children tend to follow her. Almost like the pied piper! I loved her visit here, and even jogging with some Amish people. You almost hope she will find someone and become Amish??
She does have a Fiancé, but they are having some problems. Will she end up marrying someone other than Trent. Will Maryanna, a widow, find a husband and father for her children?
Although I did question some of the things that happened in the story, like men leaving the search for the child, etc. I did enjoy this book by Beverly Lewis, and will look for more by her.

I received this book through Net Galley, and the Publisher Bethany House, and was not required to give a positive review.

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

The Guardian (Home to Hickory Hollow #3) 4 stars This is my fir

The Guardian (Home to Hickory Hollow #3) 4 stars

This is my first book that I have read in Home to Hickory Hollow. I can see how the other books would fit in but I thought the story was good at standing on its own.

I really enjoyed reading the Guardian. Though I have to admit to shedding a few tears reading it.Their were parts in it that I laughed and smiled too. Especially the pied piper when the two women realized they were following too. Both books I have read today brought tears.

A mother's worst nightmare she can't find her little girl. After searching all around their house and property they figured she must have fallen out of the buggy and the other children were a sleep and did not see. The community right away start searching for the little girl they search and pray all night long.

Jodi Winfield is house sitting for her cousin while they are on a vacation and taking care of their cat. Jodi is having a hard time getting over her sister Karen's death. She has stopped praying since it did not save her sister. She does not want to have children. Her fiance does want them and loves God. He is going to teach abroad for a year teaching english in Japan.

Jodi is preparing to run in a marathon so she goes running and in the middle of nowhere finds a little girl a sleep on the side of the road in her underwear. She has a bump on the head and some other cuts & road rash. The little girl wakes us and cries for her mama.

Jodi finds no amber alert for a lost child. She does not understand the little girl. Jodi does pick her up and take her back to her cousin's house. She gives her first aid, a bath and some food. The little girl just clings to her. As Jodi is trying to get through to the police she gets a call from her boss telling her that she is being let go. Only a month before the new school year.

Her cousin's husband she is housesitting for is a cop and suggests when he hears she speaks no english where the Bishop of the Amish lives and he might know where she belongs. Explains that they don't turn to police they stay seperate.

The Amish men search all night. Then take turns searching while others feed animals and return. So far they have found her dress and hair pins. The men are split on calling the English police or not.

When Jodi finds the Amish school house Sarah recongizes where she is and points and Jodi going slow finds Sarah's house.

Maryanna is a widow raising four children on her own. She is so grateful to have her daughter back home safe. She invites Jodi into her home for lunch. Sarah and the children call Jodi Sarah's Angel. Sarah does not want Jodi to leave. All the children are drawn to Jodi.

It is a good story and blends both the Amish and English together. How they help each other in many ways. They are the answer to others prayers. Their is a lot of grieving talked about how each is different but some the same. Maryanna over loosing her husband.and a few other widows and widowers in their Amish district. Jodi getting over her sister's death. Just by sharing can make a difference in peoples lives.
I would read Beverly's books in the future based on how much I liked the Guardian.
I was given this ebook to read and asked to give honest review of it in return by Netgalley.
April 2013 by Bethany House Publishers 352 pages ISBN:0764209795

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

It has been a long time since I have read anything by Beverly Le

It has been a long time since I have read anything by Beverly Lewis. The first book I read by her was The Covenant from Abram's Daughter series and I fell in love with those characters. I also haven't read any Amish books for a few years. No reason really, just busy reading other books.

First, let's talk about the cover. Who could look at that cover and not be drawn in by the beautiful child? She captivated me before I even opened the book.

Reading The Guardian reminded why I enjoyed reading Amish fiction. I love being swept away in the simple world of the Amish, that often isn't as simple as we think and you will discover if you read The Guardian.

Oh, and I love when I can dig a Genesis 5020 out of book and this book has one. When Sarah goes missing this could have been used to harm her mother, she could have grown angry at God but instead God uses that tragedy to bring Jodi Winfield into the Amish community. You will have to read the book to see what follows and how this is a Genesis 5020.

Reading this book has made me hungry for more Amish fiction again. Beverly Lewis rarely disappoints and this book is no exception.

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

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Beverly Lewis is well-known for creating exceptional characters

Beverly Lewis is well-known for creating exceptional characters for us to get to know and enjoy and once more she delights her readers in taking us back to Hickory Hollow, Pennsylvania in her third book, The Guardian. Hickory Hollow is place where the Amish people live and dwell among the English, but separate themselves based on their religious beliefs. When tragedy befalls the community, they will rally together as a community to support and work through whatever issues they need to overcome any situation.

Maryanna Esh knows from experience how to deal with tragedy. When a farming accident claims the life of her husband, leaving her to raise her children alone, Maryanna finds comfort in knowing God will always provide. She sees no reason to search for love when she has a full time job raising her children and caring for her parents who live in the Dawdi Haus behind hers.

When a long trip home in the buggy late one afternoon finds all the children a bit sleepy and restless to get home, its all Maryanna can do to make sure they are comfortable. Her youngest Sarah, finds comfort in talking with her doll Kaylee and hanging over the back of the carriage looking at the sky and scenery as they pass by. Despite the warnings from her other children about Sarah's interest, Maryanna is preoccupied with getting them home as soon as she can. It's not until she notices the silence of the carriage, that all her children have fallen asleep lulled by the clip-clopping of the horses hooves and the gentle rhythmic swaying of the buggy.

When she arrives home, she finds that Sarah is no where to be found. Thinking she may have gotten out without her noticing, she frantically searches all over the property and realizes that Sarah must have fallen out as she fell asleep. She alerts her neighbors who soon begin a search for Sarah along with the entire community. Now worse than ever, Maryanna begins to question whether she has made the right decision with staying single when having a man in the house once more might bring about type of protection and caring her children need. She wouldn't have to manage as much on her own if she had a husband once more to help share the load of raising a family. If only God will bring Sarah home safe and sound!

When Jodi Winfield decides to spend a few weeks living in the Amish community until her teaching job begins again, she had hoped that the time apart from her relationship with her boyfriend might bring the answers she desperately needs about starting a family. Training for the marathon might keep her mind off things for awhile until she finds a little girl abandoned beneath a tree and can't imagine how she might of gotten there. Injured and missing her clothing, Jodi tries to find the answers but she can't understand the tearful pleas from the little girl who is speaking a language she doesn't understand. Is this the answer to her prayers to God?

I received The Guardian by Beverly Lewis compliments of Bethany House Publishers and Christian Fiction Blog Alliance for my honest review and did not receive any compensation for a favorable review. If you have never read a novel from Beverly Lewis, you'll want to pick this one up. She is a master at pulling at the heart strings of her readers and making them feel part of her characters lives so much, you just have to know what's going to happen by the end. You stick it out, not wanting to put the book down for one minute and this one shows such a powerful connection when the Amish and English worlds are joined by Sarah's disappearance and show us that despite all our circumstances, God's got something larger in mind when He answers prayer. I rate this one a powerful 5 out of 5 stars. This is the third book in the Home to Hickory Hollow Series, with the first, The Fiddler and then followed by The Bridesmaid. Beverly Lewis first introduced us to the setting of Hickory Hollow in her acclaimed best selling novel, The Shunning which was later turned into a movie to the delight of readers everywhere.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Highly recommended

This is a great book. Can not wait to read more by this author. Two thumbs up!!!!L

Jodi is a young woman struggling to piece together her life afte

Jodi is a young woman struggling to piece together her life after losing her sister. While her parents and fiancé all love her deeply there is something missing in her life. Since the loss of her sister—Jodi has given up on God. She has stopped talking to Him and that causes a void in her life that she can’t seem to fill.
Coming September,2013!

When a young Amish girl, Sarah falls out of the family buggy—it is Jodi that finds her and returns her to her mother. Sarah is drawn to Jodi and though her mother, Maryanna is worried about developing a relationship with Jodi she can’t say no to her youngest daughter.

Jodi begins to spend more time with Sarah and her family and her heart begins the slow process of mending while her faith begins to be renewed. Only time will tell if Jodi’s heart will mend enough to draw her closer to her fiancé and to her parents.


Maryanna is also dealing with her own silent grief—the loss of her husband, Benuel who was truly her best friend. She feels that she can never love another but also worries that her children are suffering without the firm guidance of a father figure in their life.

Local widower, Joshua is very interested in Maryanna. Having have lost his wife and unborn child in recent years, he is finally looking towards the future rather than living in the past. The problem is that Joshua was Benuel’s best friend and their neighbor which gives Maryanna a little inside look into what could be viewed as eccentricities.

I thought the story really wrapped up beautifully. Perhaps a bit predictable but we really wouldn’t have wanted it to end any other way. Mrs. Lewis seems to know what her readers expect of her and she delivers her stories beautifully. Filled with wisdom and encouragement in the faith her stories do not disappoint. I loved everything about this story, all the way down to the beautiful cover. Definitely a 5 star story and I cannot wait until my next trip to Hickory Hollow in “The Secret Keeper” which is due to be released in September 2013!!!

I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Another wonderful book of God's love in the lives of people. I e

Another wonderful book of God's love in the lives of people. I enjoyed this book from cover to cover. It is yet another wonderful work by Beverly Lewis.

I received a copy of THE GUARDIAN by Beverly Lewis from Bethany

I received a copy of THE GUARDIAN by Beverly Lewis from Bethany House. It is the third book in Home to Hickory Hollow series. I have not read the others, but I will definitely look for them now. I have read multiple other titles by Beverly Lewis and enjoyed each one, so I knew THE GUARDIAN would be a treat. Her down-to-Earth Amish books transport you to a simpler, pleasant lifestyle. She also shows us new glimpses into the Amish lifestyle. For example, I had not realized Amish men and women participated in running marathons.

This story takes place in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. My mother loves the tranquility there and insists we spend a week each summer in Bird-and-Hand, a town actually featured in THE GUARDIAN. I cannot wait to have my mother read this story after me!

In the novel, Jodi Winfield recently lost her sister to cancer and is spending a time in Lancaster County to housesit. While out on her jog, she notices an infant alongside the road. She takes the little girl home and helps her find her Amish family in Hickory Hollow. Jodi and the Amish community come to terms with each other, and each grows in his or her own way. It is a beautiful, sweet story. I recommend THE GUARDIAN to fans of Amish fiction.

Once again, Beverly Lewis has written a novel that both inspires

Once again, Beverly Lewis has written a novel that both inspires us in our faith and reveals life in the Amish culture.
The Guardian, third book in the Hickory Hollows series, takes us on a journey with Jodi, an Englicher whose only sister has recently died, leaving Jodi with a crisis in her relationship with God. She has lost the desire to pray and to depend on or thank God for anything.

The reader also follows the story of Maryanna Esh, a young widow of three years and her four children. Among these children is the youngest, Sarah, beautifully depicted on the book's cover. When Sarah falls from her mother's buggy one evening on the ride home, a search party of Amish men race to find the helpless child. But it is Jodi who discovers the young girl and takes her home, becoming to Sarah, her special angel.

Hence, the friendship between the English woman, Jodi, and the Amish woman, Maryanna begins. Jodi is struggling with her fiance over having children after their marriage, and Maryanna is confused about "dating" again and finding another father for her children. Each woman, although from very different backgrounds, helps the other.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, as I do most of Lewis's. It is not necessary to read the previous two books in the series; the reader falls right into this story and the characters' lives very easily. Kudos also to the artist who rendered the poignant and engaging cover for this novel.

This book was given to me by Bethany House Publishers for my honest review.

I found this book was an interesting look into the life of the A

I found this book was an interesting look into the life of the Amish people. Jodi is not Amish but she finds the lost Amish child and befriends with the family and the community. It is through their example and friendship that she is able to come to terms with her sister's death and find her way back to her heavenly Father. 




The contrast between her modern way of life and that of her new Amish friends was a fresh perspective that I haven't read before. I usually find reading Amish fiction to be like reading historical fiction - you quickly get used to the unusual way of speaking or doing everyday things because it fits in that period or that place. This time contrasting their lives constantly with Jodi's life made it an interesting read. The author also included interesting scenarios that I had never heard of or thought of before. An Amish jogging group? :)




I would certainly recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of Amish fiction. This will keep you interested and fascinated until the end.

Wonderful Book!!

I've been reading Beverly Lewis' books for many years and I think that this one was among the best she's written to date.
Its about a young Amish girl that falls out of her family's horse drawn buggy. Her family doesn't realize that she's missing until they arrive at home many miles later. The entire community searches for her and has no luck finding her. An "Englisher" woman ,(the Amish term for a person that isn't a member of their faith) finds little Sarah and cares for her until she can help point her toward home.
Its a wonderful story of finding God's love again, when the young woman stays for week with Sarah's family after she brings her home.

Loved the book I love this type of Book

The Guardian is a gentle read took it with me to the ocean and loved sitting in the sun reading it

Just OK

I have read all of the books the Beverly Lewis has written. She is my favorite. I didn't care for this series much at all. As I was reading the book--really all of the books in this series I thought to myself it seemed as though she just needed to get a book out to meet a deadline. Very disappointing.

I have enjoyed every book I have read by Beverly Lewis, but this

I have enjoyed every book I have read by Beverly Lewis, but this is by far my favorite! It is well written and has believable characters that you want to know. I have often thought about heading to Amish country for a vacation from all the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Jodi got to slow down and seek God's will for her life and her life was forever changed. Well done, Beverly! Standing ovation!!

good clean reading

Beverly Lewis knows how to write a book. I have enjoyed her books for several years.

Entertaning

Am reading it right now.

Cant put down

I just love the author and enjoy reading boks on the amish

The Guardian had me hooked from page one. I don¿t usually expect

The Guardian had me hooked from page one. I don’t usually expect so much action from an Amish novel so I was pleasantly surprised. A little girl going missing is not something I ever thought I’d read in an Amish book. It instantly made my heart stop because I have a daughter around the same age and I had to know what happened to her!




I was a little bit frustrated when I got all into the story of the missing Sarah and then the next chapter started a completely different story with a new character, Jodie. I know they will eventually intertwine and I will understand how they connect but it is not my favorite style of writing. Of course after reading a few pages about Jodi, I was hooked on her story too.




The two stories come together when Jodie discovers Sarah and takes care of her until she is able to return her to her frantic mother Maryanna in their Amish community. Jodie is immediately drawn to their plain way of life and sheer happiness in their simplistic lifestyle. I can see the appeal of the Amish’s simple ways as I’ve thought many times how amazing it would be to live that way.




After losing her job and with her fiancé a world away, Jodie feels like she’s found a home away from home. It almost seems like fate when she lucks into an open teaching position in the Amish community. Is she hiding from her real life or will this pull her into a new life? Will she and Trent work out their differences regarding their future?




Maryanna, a widow, is also struggling with her current life and future. After losing her husband and becoming a widow she has taken care of her children just fine. Her friendly neighbor widower Joshua shows that he cares for her but is she ready to let go of the past and move on? Will it take an Englisher to open her eyes to the possibility?




The Guardian takes two different women from completely different lifestyles and brings them together to change each others lives and open their eyes to what life has to offer. Beverly Lewis is a master storyteller and has created love able characters and brought them together for this heartwarming story.

No text was provided for this review.

No text was provided for this review.