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The Beginning by [Beverly Lewis]

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Beverly Lewis
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The Beginning Kindle Edition

by Beverly Lewis (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 1,661 ratings
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  1. Print length
    318 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  4. Publisher
    Bethany House Publishers
  5. Publication date
    September 7, 2021
  6. File size
    12568 KB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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From the Publisher

The Beginning

The Beginning

The Beginning

The Beginning

The Beginning

Elements from the Story

The Beginning

The Beginning

The Beginning

This tranquil setting inspired the actual book cover for The Beginning. Can't you just imagine a young Amish couple sitting in a row boat?

Susie Mast, my courting-age Amish protagonist, makes and sells delicious jams and jellies for her mother's shop near their farmhouse in The Beginning.

Light gray, enclosed carriages (used to transport families) are unique to the Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Old Order Amish. There are several scenes in The Beginning where young Susie "drives" her sister and others to a Hickory Hollow work frolic, such as a quilting bee or canning bee.

Beverly Lewis

What Inspired the Story

Two years ago, while visiting Lancaster County, there was a moment of reflection when I realized that a placid lake surrounded by many large willows had more than captured my attention, as had a bundle of flowers along the roadside, and even an attractive wall hanging I’d seen in my Amish friends' home (near fictitious Hickory Hollow). These were the original images that sprang to life in my heart for this novel, The Beginning, while I was researching aspects of a completely different book. And because those early sparks lingered long in my memory, I knew they were meant to be knitted together into a heartwarming story that would lift readers' hearts and offer a genuine glimpse into a young Amish woman’s life-journey through the challenges of enormous loss.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

"I wish there was something I could do," Cousin Verena said, her voice cracking.
"But what?" Susie whispered, wiping her eyes. "The boy I've always loved thinks of me as his sister . . . and always has."
Susie Mast's Amish life in Lancaster County has been shaped by events beyond her control, with the tragic deaths of her Dat and close-in-age brother casting long shadows. Now twenty-two, Susie remains unmarried despite her longtime affection for friend Obie Yoder. 

Unfortunately, her concerns are soon multiplied due to her mother's worsening health and her younger sister's urgent desire for answers about her adoption. Once again, Susie faces the possibility of loss. Will long-held family secrets and missed opportunities dim Susie's hopes for the future? Or is what seems like the end only the beginning? --This text refers to the paperback edition.

About the Author

Beverly Lewis (beverlylewis.com), born in the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch country, has more than 17 million books in print. Her stories have been published in 12 languages and have regularly appeared on numerous bestseller lists, including the New York Times and USA Today. Beverly and her husband, David, live in Colorado, where they enjoy hiking, biking, making music, and spending time with their family. --This text refers to the paperback edition.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B08XLRQZPR
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Bethany House Publishers (September 7, 2021)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ September 7, 2021
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 12568 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 318 pages
  • Page numbers source ISBN ‏ : ‎ 0764237519
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 1,661 ratings

About the author

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Beverly Lewis

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I've had my nose in a book, for as long as I remember. When I was about 9 years old, I started writing my own stories. By sixth grade, I'd hand-written a 66-page semi-autobiographical book titled, "She Shall Have Music."

After I was married and our three children were in middle school, I began submitting articles and short fiction to various magazines.

My first book (Holly's First Love) was published in May 1993, the start of a 14-book series for pre-teen girls. Soon after, my first chapter book was published for 7-10-year-old readers ("Big Bad Beans") which later became part of my 24-book series, The Cul-de-Sac Kids. I wrote another long-running series for girls, titled "SummerHill Secrets," which was set very close to Neffsville, PA, where I grew up--near the heart of Amish country.

But it was the story of my grandmother Ada Buchwalter's shunning by her ultra-strict father and subsequently her old order Mennonite community that nudged me toward writing adult fiction. THE SHUNNING was published in 1997 by Bethany House Publishers, and along with its sequels, has touched a nerve in millions of readers intrigued by the Plain tradition of Lancaster County, PA. Many readers have enjoyed the Hallmark Channel's adaptation of this book and the other books in the Heritage of Lancaster County series.

My passion for Amish-related stories continues to keep me up at night, and I've written over three dozen novels for adults set in Lancaster County.

When I'm between writing deadlines, I enjoy hiking in the Rocky Mountains with my husband. Cooking from scratch, playing Mozart at the piano, and making family memory albums, as well as traveling to meet my devoted readers during book tours, are some of my very favorite things. I also adore reading biographies and memoirs, as well as classic literature.

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
4.7 out of 5
1,661 global ratings
5 star
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4 star
12%
3 star
3%
2 star
1%
1 star
1%

Top reviews from the United States

janie
5.0 out of 5 stars Pure delight!!
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on March 1, 2023
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Barbara J Mispel
5.0 out of 5 stars Read them all
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on January 10, 2023
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Mark Oresic
5.0 out of 5 stars Another Success From Beverly Lewis!
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on June 18, 2022
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Sherry m.
5.0 out of 5 stars Al good things come to those who wait on the Lord
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on September 3, 2022
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5.0 out of 5 stars outstanding
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on September 14, 2022
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5.0 out of 5 stars Couldn't out it down
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on August 30, 2022
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Peggy Dankowsky
5.0 out of 5 stars Love
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on September 15, 2022
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DeeDee
5.0 out of 5 stars The Beginning
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on February 1, 2022
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Top reviews from other countries

DCM
5.0 out of 5 stars great
Reviewed in Canada 🇨🇦 on November 17, 2021
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Faye Ford
5.0 out of 5 stars An exciting read to the very end!
Reviewed in Canada 🇨🇦 on October 6, 2021
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Kirstie Koschnick
5.0 out of 5 stars Encouraging story
Reviewed in Canada 🇨🇦 on February 17, 2022
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