The Englisher

Beverly Lewis, one of Christian fiction's most popular authors, will please her fans with THE ENGLISHER, the second installment in her series, Annie's People. It's filled with all the things her fans have come to expect: Amish cultural details, interesting characters, faith dilemmas, romance and intrigue. In book one, THE PREACHER'S DAUGHTER, talented artist Annie Zook was torn between familial fidelity, a half-hearted engagement to a local Amish boy, and pursuing her passion for drawing and painting. Now, following a broken engagement, Annie has agreed to give up her art for six months in obedience to her father's wishes while she considers whether she will join the church or not. Her pen pal and best friend Louisa, who also fled a broken engagement in book one and flew out to visit her, is still enjoying her immersion in Amish life. Louisa is attracted to the handsome Samuel Glick, but realizes that if their romance is to be fully ignited, she must decide to join the Amish community. A visit from her friend Courtney Engelman from back home reminds her of what she has left behind, and leaves her more conflicted. Annie has the opposite problem. Ben Martin, an Englisher who works in the local harness shop, has captured her heart. His kind and gentle ways attract her like a moth to a flame, and step by step she allows herself to open up to him. Soon, she is experimenting with the idea of discarding various parts of her Plain persona. But how can she continue seeing someone who is not of the Plain folks? What future could there be in the relationship? It's only a matter of time before there's a showdown between Annie and her father, which keeps the suspense building until late in the story. Other plot lines are continued from book one, including the hushed-up death of Zeke Hochstetler's younger brother Isaac, which continues to torment him. The abusive Zeke pushes for reconciliation with his wife Esther and their young family, but his mental anguish continues to manifest itself in his harsh words and erratic behavior. Is he losing his mind? Esther, resigned to her abusive, mostly loveless marriage, continues her quiet rebellion over her newfound assurance of salvation (something forbidden by the Plain people, who believe this is a manifestation of pride). Until she repents, she is shunned by her family and her community --- even having to eat at a separate table from her husband and children. Kudos to Lewis for tackling the difficult subject of abuse in religious communities; she addresses many of the emotions and wrongful views of those in leadership about the issue. While THE PREACHER'S DAUGHTER focused on the dilemma of a woman caught between using her gifts and acceptance by her community of faith, THE ENGLISHER centers more on what happens when two people are attracted to each other but fail to share similar cultural and spiritual ties. There is also a nice subtheme about religion and gender perceptions, especially concerning the role of w

In this second book in the series, Annie Zook is coming to terms with her promise to her father to give up her art and join the Amish church. Her best friend, Louisa, a childhood penpal, is still visiting, learning about herself just as much as Annie is. Mixed into their stories are Esther, whose husband Zeke is abusive and harboring a childhood memory that is torturing him; Ben Martin, the Englisher who steals Annie's heart; and Annie's father who is demanding more of her than he does her brothers. Lewis gives us the details that make the lives of her characters vivid and engrossing, and she keeps you reading as you yearn for more information about these People you grow to love.Lewis does have a minor tendency to be a bit preachy at times, but this is easily overlooked as you find yourself drawn into the world of the Amish through her excellent storytelling. The book ends on several cliffhangers which will leave you waiting impatiently for the next installment. Once again, Lewis has written a gripping, involving story. Recommended!

From the first page, I was pulled into the lives of these characters.....Annie (can she give up the things she loves, including a forbidden man, and be happy among the People?), Lou (will she find answers to the problems she ran from...and what about this new Amish beau?), Esther (will her new faith sustain her in a troubled, abusive marriage?), Ben (who is he and will he ever find a place in Annie's life?), Zeke (can he ever find peace, and learn to love his family?), Jesse (how can he handle a son-gone-fancy, a daughter who won't join the church, and Zeke, who wants to bring the police into a matter where the church feels they have no business?). Hmmm...this sounds a bit soap-opera-ish! Beverly Lewis excels in developing REAL people, pulling us into their lives so that we care about them. The backgound is so well researched that we feel we KNOW what it's like to live among the Amish. There are enough stories going on that I can't wait to turn each page, and her plots have enough twists and turns that I really do not know where it will all end! I can't wait for the sequel!!

Annie Zook, the preacher's young daughter, is still obeying her father's orders NOT to draw or paint even though it pains her greatly. However, Ben Martin, an Englisher, is another story. How can Annie ignore this man, or will she even try? Who is this Ben Martin, and why is he here with the Amish when he is clearly NOT plain? What draws him here, and will he be able to calm his troubled heart as to his early years and his dreams and visions? Or are they real? Will he ever find out? Lou, the modern Colorado pen pal is still with Annie, trying her best to also find her way in life. She did not consider that she might fall in love with an Amishman....what will SHE do with this new developement? She has currently run back to Colorado and her rich family.... Essie, Annie's best friend, has been taken into protection after her abusive husband, Zeke, refuses to stop the abuse even when she is about to give birth to their 4th child. Julia's home is Mennonite, and while harboring there, Essie has embraced the faith of the Mennonites, leading to a partial shunning....even after she makes a move back toward her husband-- will she denounce her new-found faith in God? Zeke is one troubled man. He is tormented with the disappearance of his 4 year old brother Isaac, 16 years ago while in the company of Zeke. Bones have been found, uncovered and reburied. Will these bones have any answers? Can the police find answers when they are called in? Preacher Zook's family is the central one in this book, and Jesse the dad, is losing his children to other ways and interests, but is he able to stop the departing? He is just about to give up on Annie after catching her in a terribly compromising situation for an Amish young lady. Secrets are many throughout this book, as is the custom of Beverly Lewis. We, the readers, want answers, such as WHO AND WHERE IS ISAAC, REALLY, and what will Lou now do back in Denver while in love with an Amish man? Will Annie ever be able to really, truly embrace the Amish strictness if it means turning her back permanently on her gift of art? And forsaking Ben? Beverly Lewis has, again, left us looking for book number 3. Thank you Mrs. Lewis.

Once again Ms Lewis keeps us enthralled with yet another chapter in the lives of Annie and her family and friends. And just when you think you know who is who and what is going to happen she throws in a twist. And not just one in this book - but several - and all intertwined together! Amazing! I can't wait for the final installment of Annie's People to come out in the fall now. What is going to happen to Annie and her Englisher friend? And what of her penpal of many years? Is she going to join the brethren too? The insights into such a different culture and the telling of such is pure joy to read.